The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Your View

November 3, 2012

Your View: Courts are needed for fair hearing on marriage

Dwain Petersen, Mankato

For those of you who have not seen “8,” it is the true drama of the court case that struck down the provisions of Proposition 8 in California that banned gay marriage. It demonstrates the importance of the courts in our democratic form of government.

When an issue gets to a courtroom in the United States of America, people are sworn to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. During cross examination, lies, innuendo and folly drop away.

Detractors may decry “legislating from the bench,” but no society has developed a better system of checks and balances.

It was announced Monday, Oct. 29, that the Supreme Court of the United States will consider hearing the case yet in the current term which runs through next May. This could mean that even placing a ban on gay marriage in the Minnesota constitution could be declared unconstitutional.

A last minute ad received in the mail on Oct. 31 asserts a yes vote affirms the Minnesota For Marriage cause “without infringing on anyone’s rights.” That is wrong. Same gender couples, their friends and families’ rights are trampled upon by this amendment.

Also the faulty last minute ad states that “Without a marriage amendment in our (MN) constitution, activist judges and politicians can substitute their values for those of the people of Minnesota.”

Does that sound impartial? Judges are necessary to protect the rights of minorities, and as stated above they manage a process to arrive at justice, as opposed to the injustice Minnesota for Marriage is attempting.

Please vote no on the marriage amendment.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Your View
  • mfp jentgesmug Many counter-argue global warming

    Like Leigh Pomeroy (Act now on Earth Day, April 27) I try to do what I can as an individual to protect the environment, and encourage others to do likewise.

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • mfp maertens mug Republicans natter about 'I' word

    Mitt Romney first politicized the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, only hours after the event, by claiming the president sympathized with terrorists

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • mfp yezzimug ACA benefits ignored by writer

    Bob Jentges’ May 8 My View strikes me as being like a football coach trying to frighten players into quitting when the game has barely begun. His wholly negative piece reads like a catalog of scare tactics.

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • Apology in abuse case was not accepted

    I am the mother of the victim in the Miguel Beltran child abuse case. I would like to clarify one thing in regards to the recent article that was printed.

    May 21, 2013

  • Highway cleanup crews priceless at 100 degrees As I was driving home from work in the late afternoon on the first 100 degree spring day, I saw, proudly wearing their bright, neon green safety vests and picking up garbage in the ditches, were the Adopt a Highway volunteer crews. When I honked my h

    May 19, 2013

  • mfp dekruifmug DFL budget leaves out reform The 2013 Minnesota Legislature started facing a projected budget shortfall of $635 million and by state mandate must balance the budget. The new DFL controlled government has a "fix" for this shortfall; raising taxes and fees for all Minnesotans by a

    May 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • Bell of Honor sign of respect for heroes Recently, I had the opportunity to go to the North Mankato Funeral Home for David Sandmeyer's military visitation. It was a very moving experience. Sandmeyer was the young man who was a 21-year-old Marine from Mankato. He was stationed in North Carol

    May 18, 2013

  • MSU falls while coach Hoffner will win again Attention MSU Alumni You and I have just learned of the decision that the Minnesota State University leadership, i.e. Dr. Davenport, Mr. Kevin Buisman (and probably others) have made concerning Todd Hoffner, the former MSU Football Coach. This firing

    May 17, 2013

  • Minnesota deserves lawmakers with a clue Our senators, Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken were part of a group to vote for and pass Obamacare. You know the overwhelming law that the Democratic leadership (Reid and Pelosi) said you'll have to pass it to find out what's in it. Exactly what they did

    May 17, 2013

  • Laws of life essays were inspiring essays inspired What a pleasure it was to read the Laws of Life essays in the May 5 edition. It is this kind of reporting that makes The Free Press our hometown newspaper. And congratulations to Shane Price and Fahad Qureshi. Your writings were a good read. Bruce Bi

    May 16, 2013