There were 120,000 certified signatures on the petition to write discrimination into our Constitution, NOT 170,000. The author suggested this represents the majority of our state.  In reality, even though groups from outside of MA funded signature gatherers to saturate our neighborhoods, less than a mere 1.9% of our population allegedly signed.

Still, an obnoxious minority continues to promote their personal prejudice through rhetoric and religious spin to distract legislators and the general public.
 
Several marriage amendments have already been presented and rejected in our legislature; they are not "hiding." They're focusing on important matters first, leaving redundant topics for later. Some heroic legislators, were brave enough to vote for the brief delay to enable others to become better educated on the facts. Perhaps that is what some are upset about, that with time more people are rejecting the rhetoric and deception. In the end, education and compassion will prevail.

 

Jerry Ringuette

Quincy, MA

The state legislators have not shirked their duties by delaying a vote on the proposed anti-gay marriage amendment that would forever alter the Massachusetts state constitution.  Instead, the legislators are recognizing what an important step it is to forever change such a fundamental document of freedom.  These steps must not be taken lightly and merely because a small number of citizens are outraged at the notion of equal rights for gays.  Voting on human rights has not been acceptable in the past and must not be acceptable now.

 

In his First Inaugural Address on March 3, 1801, Thomas Jefferson recognized the great power and legitimacy of the people's right to vote but cautioned against using this power to inflict tyranny:

"All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression."

Allow us to live free and equally.

 
James P. Coady-Hahn

Quincy, MA 02170