Brian Sims, Pennsylvania Lawmaker, Silenced On DOMA By Colleagues Citing 'God's Law'

[vdogg]

Source: Huffington Post

An openly gay lawmaker was silenced by colleagues on the Pennsylvania House floor Thursday when he attempted to speak about the Supreme Court's decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act.

State Rep. Brian Sims (D-Philadelphia) took to the House floor on Thursday to discuss the high court's landmark ruling, which found the federal law barring the government from recognizing same-sex marriages legalized by states to be unconstitutional. However, as WHYY News and Philly.com report, Sims' remarks were blocked by several state lawmakers using a procedural maneuver.

One of those lawmakers, conservative state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler), told WHYY that he believed Sims' comments would be a violation of "God's law."

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/27/brian-sims-doma_n_3513741.html

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Someone talk me off the ledge here. Isn't this illegal and a violation of both free speech and the separation of church and state? I could have sworn that federal law, and thus the constitution, supersedes state law and any state constitution should the two come into conflict.

[PRETZEL]

1. Unfortunately this is the state of Pennsylvania politics right now

and those of us here in PA are looking forward to changing this is 2014.

[yellowcanine]

2. We know gay people exist. We aren't sure if God exists. Let's focus on the things we're sure about.

Great comment from the huff post link.

[RKP5637]

3. These people do not belong in politics or in any position of authority if they are

going to invoke their god stuff as a rule of law ... take it to the church, but not to a political platform. It is sheer nonsense.

[modrepub]

4. PA Constitution, Article 1, Section 7

Last edited Fri Jun 28, 2013, 12:23 PM - Edit history (1)

"The free communication of thoughts and opinions is one of the invaluable rights of man, and every citizen may freely speak, write and print on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty." Guess PA's state constitution doesn't apply to members of the legislature.

[bearssoapbox]

5. Another instance where the 1st amendment only applies to republicans.

And if they don't like what you are saying, or, as in the case of mindreader 'Metcalfe The Great', thinks you are going to say, they will try to shut you up in any way they can. Whether it is illegal or immoral.

I just hope that if they continue on the path that they have chosen, that more and more light will be shed on how vile and hypocritical they are and they are voted out.

[dbackjon]

6. Wow - Republicans are showing their true colors

Theocratic Fascists.

[Iliyah]

7. 1st Amendment

anyone? Oh thats right per GOP, ok for me not for thee!

[The CCC]

8. Brian Sims, Pennsylvania Lawmaker, Silenced On DOMA By Colleagues Citing 'God's Law'

Republicans are fascist idiot, but this is not a First Amendment issue.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

10. Absolutely despicable. They don't fear god; they fear their voters and ideas and freedom. nt

[maxcopper]

11. Brian Sims, Pennsylvania Lawmaker, Silenced On DOMA By Colleagues Citing 'God's Law'

Good job done

[frylock]

13. get lost, troll

[Demit]

12. Holy moly. I'm glad I'm tucked over here in the corner of this stupid state.

[blkmusclmachine]

14. NUTZ

[Wolf Frankula]

15. What Has God's Law to Do with Pennsylvania?

This is the United States. In this country the ultimate repository of authority for the law is WE THE PEOPLE, not God.

Wolf