January 13th, 2014
The New York Times takes on the arguments (three, so far) presented by the state of Utah as to why their ban on same-sex couples marrying is a legitimate state interest. It’s quite funny. Here’s their take on the second argument:
In the Supreme Court, state officials changed tack. They pressed a different argument, one built on a contested premise.
“A substantial body of social science research confirms,” the brief said, “that children generally fare best when reared by their two biological parents in a loving, low-conflict marriage.”
Lawyers for the couples challenging Utah’s ban on same-sex marriage responded that the assertion “is not true.” For evidence, they cited “the scientific consensus of every national health care organization charged with the welfare of children and adolescents,” and listed nine such groups. The view of the groups, the challengers said, “based on a significant and well-respected body of current research, is that children and adolescents raised by same-sex parents, with all things being equal, are as well-adjusted as children raised by opposite-sex couples.”
Utah responded that it would not be swayed by “politically correct trade associations,” referring to, among others, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association. “We are not ruled by experts,” the state’s brief said.
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Ben in Oakland
January 13th, 2014
We’re not ruled by experts, unless the experts agree with us.
Disagreement isn’t hate, except when you disagree with us.
Politically correct statements are irrelevant. Only political statements that are incorrect are relevant.
a Substantial body of evidence is that which substantiates our statements, even though 90% of everyone else thinks our substantial body of evidence is neither substantial nor evidence.
Soren456
January 13th, 2014
An Idaho legislator once said: “There’s science, and then there’s common sense.”
I wasn’t there, but I assume that heads nodded and murmurs of agreement rose as he spoke.
gar
January 13th, 2014
“Wise men and sages of the earth state. ..”
That was an example presented by my 9th grade research writing teacher of how NOT to back up facts in one’s research papers. Doing so would have resulted in an automatic F.
I don’t think the attorneys arguing for Utah’s same-sex marriage ban would fair well in my 9th grade research writing class, based on how they substantial their arguments.
Richard Rush
January 13th, 2014
I put back the part of the following quote that surely must have been omitted:
“We are not ruled by experts, [we are ruled by the Mormon church,] the state’s brief said.”
cowboy
January 13th, 2014
Please read this editorial by three respected lawyers in yesterday’s Sunday Tribune:
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/opinion/57378583-82/state-couples-utah-marriage.html.csp
snip:
another:
And:
jpeckjr
January 13th, 2014
We are not ruled by experts. We are ruled by inept amateurs who can’t make a consistent or coherent argument. Once we get our panel of inept amateur idiots to weigh in, you really won’t be able to follow what we present as “thinking.”
CPT_Doom
January 13th, 2014
You’ve got to read the whole Times article, though, because the third argument is truly a thing of beauty – making the second argument seem nearly rational. You see, by restricting marriage to opposite-sex couples, the state is increasing “gender diversity” in marriage, just like universities are allowed to make affirmative action decisions to increase student diversity. Seriously.
Hunter
January 14th, 2014
Well, it occurs to me that the state of Utah had put out a want ad for help on mounting their “defense of marriage.” Do you suppose the staff of The Onion got the job?
Priya Lynn
January 14th, 2014
CPT_Doom, that’s hilarious, it shows just how pathetically devoid of justification for their position they really are. I’m going to go read the whole article now.
Ben in Oakland
January 14th, 2014
Genderless marriage is one of the memes the Brownshirt keeps repeating. I’m sure the AG in Utah went directly to him to ask for advice about what to say.
I’m sure they rationalize all of this by telling themselves over and over, “we’ll, WE believe it.”
Marcus
January 14th, 2014
CPT_Doom: Yep. Next step: Only interracial marriages are allowed. You know, it’s just like affirmative action.
The Lauderdale
January 14th, 2014
“Well, it occurs to me that the state of Utah had put out a want ad for help on mounting their “defense of marriage.†Do you suppose the staff of The Onion got the job?”
I’d half buy that. I read the same part Timothy quoted to my mom yesterday, and she laughed.
“A substantial body of social science research confirms… We are not ruled by experts.” That I can believe.
Jordan Lamb
January 15th, 2014
I’m gay, what’s your problem?!?!
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