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Today’s quote

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* From former President Bill Clinton…

Our nation’s permanent mission is to form a ‘more perfect union’ - deepening the meaning of freedom, broadening the reach of opportunity, strengthening the bonds of community. That mission has inspired and empowered us to extend rights to people previously denied them. Every time we have done that, it has strengthened our nation.

Now we should do it again, in Illinois, with marriage equality. Since the days of Abraham Lincoln, Illinois has stood for the proposition that all citizens should be treated equally under the law. Lincoln himself came to Springfield in search of opportunity, and he dedicated his life to securing equal opportunity for all citizens. I believe that for Illinois and for our nation as a whole, in the 21st century that must include marriage equality.

Discuss.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 21, 13 @ 10:02 am

Comments

Bubba’s seeking redemption for signing that vile Defense of Marriage Act, which was shepherded through Congress by those other paragons of monogamous heterosexual matrimony, Newt, Henry Hyde and Bob Livingston, and reflected their “moral disapproval of homosexuality.”

Strangely, DOMA is silent on married men getting some strange on the side.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 21, 13 @ 10:21 am
Thanks, bill. That oughta put it over the top.

Unless he is calling members directly, this pontificating matters only to the reporters and editorialists who consider it newsworthy. One on one he might do some good. It would be interesting if he was calling members of the black caucus who are getting beat up by the ministers.

Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, May 21, 13 @ 10:22 am
The Explainer in Chief strikes again.

Comment by atbat Tuesday, May 21, 13 @ 10:25 am
The 21st Century, that’s the key. We who support SSM have long known that homosexuality is not a mental disorder or a moral failing. Those are refuted ideas that don’t belong in this century.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, May 21, 13 @ 10:33 am
Never ask a guy from Arkansas anything about Illinois history.

During the days of Abraham Lincoln, Illinois had a series of Black Laws on the books that treated people of color as second-class citizens.

Slavery and indentured servitude were in effect during Lincoln’s residency in Illinois. French slavery not being abolished by the Illinois Supreme Court in Jarrot v. Jarrot in 1846, just 15 years before the Civil War.

The Illinois legislature didn’t take action toward equality until Lincoln died.

Comment by Downstate Illinois Tuesday, May 21, 13 @ 10:37 am
Has Obama read in the newspapers that a bill is moving through the GA? Otherwise, he probably doesn’t know…

Comment by Cincinnatus Tuesday, May 21, 13 @ 11:23 am
What does the President have to do with it, Cinc?

Comment by Chavez-respecting Obamist Tuesday, May 21, 13 @ 11:37 am
Did he mention anything about signing the Defense of Marriage Act?

Comment by Jim Tuesday, May 21, 13 @ 12:27 pm
Slick Willy signed the Defense of Marriage Act into law.

He also authorized the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” military attitude towards homosexuality.

Now that Hillary is exploring another presidential run, he now talks about “forming a more perfect union”?

What a hypocrite.

Comment by just sayin' Tuesday, May 21, 13 @ 2:40 pm
Same sex marriage isn’t a threat to traditional marriage but men like Bill Clinton are. He is about the last person who should be offering a statement in support of marriage.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, May 21, 13 @ 2:53 pm
What would the comments be if the quote were not attributed, or attributed to anonymous? Maybe QOTDs should include a multiple choice on who is being quoted and the answer could be announced the next day. You could get two blog topics for the price of one.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, May 21, 13 @ 3:17 pm
Supporters of changing the definition of civil marriage to allow any two persons to joined together is not quite the same sort of civil rights struggle that many of the persons who benefited most directly from the efforts of Mr. Lincoln. There is no question about whether GLBTQ people can live together, the question is about in what manner of status we both as a state and as a society we wish to accord to their particular manner of relationship. One should be careful in enacting legislation of this sort that does not has been built upon total acceptance by the widest swaths of society. In one pursue of justice for one class of persons, this may provoke undue injustice to another class.

Comment by Downstater Tuesday, May 21, 13 @ 3:43 pm
“In one pursue of justice for one class of persons, this may provoke undue injustice to another class.”

And in what form exactly would that “undue injustice” be evidenced? Spell it out please so the rest of us won’t just assume you are a bigot. Thanks!

Comment by wishbone Tuesday, May 21, 13 @ 5:56 pm
Well, that’s what HE believes and others believe differently–sooo have a safe trip back to New York, Slick Willy, ‘cuz Illinois’ fine overall cast of Representatives’ll make up their OWN minds, thank ya very much–as well as considering the views and wishes of FAR MORE important persons than yourSELF at this point–their conSTITuents, so thanks, but there really was NO need whatsoever to bother–except of course because YOU think YOUR britches are more important than the REAL decision-makers here: the People of ILLINOIS, as heard through their Elected Representatives…! High School Government 101 Class, Bill–now beat it!

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Tuesday, May 21, 13 @ 7:30 pm