2008 Woodie Awards
Progress in civil rights goes a step back
By: Cristian Vasquez
Issue date: 3/18/04 Section: Opinion
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It is time Americans took a stand against those in Washington who are leading the nation into disaster.
The recent controversy over same-sex marriages has caused President George Bush to consider proposing a Constitutional amendment that would ban such nuptial agreements in America on the basis of religious morality.
Regardless of what people might believe about same-sex marriages, the fact that the Bush administration wants to amend the Constitution to ban same-sex unions should cause everyone to think twice before supporting this proposition.
The problem is that a Constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages would be taking a step in the wrong direction and jeopardizing every American's civil rights.
Thirteen of our 27 Constitutional amendments directly protect the rights of every American as a citizen.
The 14th Amendment specifically says, "No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall deprive any person of life, liberty or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
So if a Constitutional amendment is passed, and homosexual Americans across the nation can't get married, does that mean that heterosexual Americans are risk of losing their rights, too?
If we, as a nation, let the Bush administration get away with taking away a basic civil right such as marriage on the basis of sexuality, then what other rights will be eliminated and on what grounds?
Will I be denied the right to vote because I'm overweight? Or will voting be restricted to only those who earn a six-figure income? Or maybe I'll be arrested for speaking out this way against the president of the United States and his administration.
Does that mean that I should find a new career because the freedom of press is at risk? Hey, guess what? If you've been listening to the radio lately, the freedom of press is at risk and if you don't believe me look at what the Federal Communications Commission is doing to Howard Stern.
The recent controversy over same-sex marriages has caused President George Bush to consider proposing a Constitutional amendment that would ban such nuptial agreements in America on the basis of religious morality.
Regardless of what people might believe about same-sex marriages, the fact that the Bush administration wants to amend the Constitution to ban same-sex unions should cause everyone to think twice before supporting this proposition.
The problem is that a Constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages would be taking a step in the wrong direction and jeopardizing every American's civil rights.
Thirteen of our 27 Constitutional amendments directly protect the rights of every American as a citizen.
The 14th Amendment specifically says, "No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall deprive any person of life, liberty or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
So if a Constitutional amendment is passed, and homosexual Americans across the nation can't get married, does that mean that heterosexual Americans are risk of losing their rights, too?
If we, as a nation, let the Bush administration get away with taking away a basic civil right such as marriage on the basis of sexuality, then what other rights will be eliminated and on what grounds?
Will I be denied the right to vote because I'm overweight? Or will voting be restricted to only those who earn a six-figure income? Or maybe I'll be arrested for speaking out this way against the president of the United States and his administration.
Does that mean that I should find a new career because the freedom of press is at risk? Hey, guess what? If you've been listening to the radio lately, the freedom of press is at risk and if you don't believe me look at what the Federal Communications Commission is doing to Howard Stern.