Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 04/08/09
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Tonight, we're trying something new. It's your first chance to text 360°. Do you think same-sex marriage is gaining momentum? Vermont has become the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage. The state legislature voted Tuesday to override the governor's veto of a bill on the issue. CNN Senior Legal Analyst Jeffrey Toobin will answer your questions. Text us your name, location and question to 94553.
And, don't miss Erica Hill's webcast on the same-sex marriage debate and tonight's other headlines during the commercials. Watch our WEBCAST
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Sanjay's report sounds very intriguing. Still hurts to think about her untimely death though....:(
I can't wait until i see the segment on Natasha Richardson last final moments tomorrow.
I really want to see what really happened in full details
We're worried about gay marriage in this country and then (ironically) we have "Levi" talking about the grossly dysfunctional family of a former VP candidate. How messed-up are too many people in this country?
I am very much looking forward to Sanjay Gupta's story tomorrow...
Wow, is Sanjay floating above the resort?
Cristy – civil unions are not at all the same as marriage. First, the idea of relegating second class status to gayus and lesbians is abhorrent to me. Second, civil unions are not as legally binding, may not protect the partner in the event of illness or death. And do civil unions allow for the parent to gain full custody of children if one parent dies?
The time has come for society to accept the fact that gay couples need a solution.
Why isn't it possible to create a "Civil Unon" type of relationship for gay couples, at a federal and state level, and make everybody happy, once and for good ??!!
Levi...will this never end?!?! He's starting to remind me of Joe the Plumber! These people need to stop talking, I'm losing IQ points!
I think people see Gay marraige as a threat to their way of life and belief system I am not saying it is a right way of looking at things but I think that is it. Do all of the states recognize civil unions?
The Richardson story always struck me
as odd. I do not think we will ever know
the whole story.
Levi has had his 15 minutes. Enough already! Does Kevin Federline sound familiar!?
I live in Vermont, and i can tell you that many young people arent so much against what our legislature has done as they are upset that it takes priority over signifigant economic issues that should be the focus of all our efforts. The law is supported but the timing and ranking of importance is not gaining anyone any momentum.
Why do people get to take other people's rights away – isn't the US system based on the will of the majority without harming the rights of the minority?
I'm bisexual and also a very devout Catholic. I support same-sex marriages. If the youth controlled the world, we would have what we wanted. This is going to be our country. If we don't get it now, we will get it in the future.
@ Cristy Kirssin:
Sorry to surprise you but, "separate but equal" just doesn't fly anymore.
It worries me how many people still fall for the 'Get rich quick' schemes...if it sounds too good to be true....Oprah while a very charitable person is not giving away millions of dollars!
The opposition to gay marriage gets harder and harder for me to stomach listening to. I try to respect their right to an opinion, but increasingly it is clear their argument is just bigotry and b.s. I find it hard to believe they actually believe some of the excuses they are using.
Good Night Guys! Happy Passover!
Jeffrey didn't include the fact that opposition to gay marriage also breaks down on racial and cultural lines. Blacks, Latinos in particular voted in even greater numbers by percentage than Whites in California to ban gay marriage. So, it's not just an 'age' issue. With all this garbage going on in the states, I think we need a Federal Marriage Protection law to support what even you show is the will of the people to clearly define marriage as being between one man and one woman.
Johnny, KY:
that's was funny! 🙂
Anderson, if you are going to cover the gay marriage issue would you advise the viewers what other countries recognize gay marriage? Are there any? Does anyone on the blog know?
Good Morning Anu
Why shouldn't partners in life be able to reap the same benefits as a heterosexual couple...it should gain momemtum
I am happy for gay people that more and more state goes for same sex married. I hope that people look more at the right as a person to get married to the one you love than the old believe that against it. I totally understand why younger people vote more for same sex married. The world is slowly changed.
The pirates are typically done under control of Somali warlords. The ones conducting the attacks no doubt get something, but the big bucks go to warlords who live very well. None of it trickles down to the masses of starving people. I don't think they practice Reagonomics.
Regarding same sex marriages.. I certainly wish California citizens would be less judgmental of others' life style.
as a somalian, it scares me to think of my family members and the rest innocent somalians who are already in life struggle to suffer because of those pirates. i'm praying for them and the crews' and every innocent person involved. and i'm hoping a solution would be found soon to end this troubling situation.
I agree with Jo Ann. I can't believe people would be so opposed to two people showing their commitment to one another. Doesn't the Bible teach us not to judge or hate?
Gay Marriage: It doesn’t matter what people “want,” we’re talking about human rights, civil rights, and constitutional rights–however you want to frame it.
This is religion inserting itself into our Constitution. Thats’ scary.
The Full Faith and Credit Act between states should protect couples marriage in a state which reconizes gay mariage – in a state which does not yet do so.
CNN is wrong! Connecticut was the first state to OK gay marriage via the legislature, not Vermont!
That's fine, Oprah can give me $500k with no hard feelings.
Wow! That woman's sign sums it all up: "5000 years IS'NT enough"
Grammar. Study yourself some!
@Meghan-also a Biblical marrige would include men having multiple wives. See: Old Testament
Same sex marriages should be allowed as it is two people's personal decision that does not hurt others.
Why should voting decide this? The idea of a republic versus a direct democracy was to not let mob rule take over rule of law. Constitution is there to protect citizens from hoarding together and over ruling others' rights.
i hope everyone will understand that everyone deserve to be happy, no matter if is gay or not!
when are these people going to stop trying to demonize everyone who doesn't think, look and live like they do. when will we ever learn the lesson here. God made all of us. our forefathers fought a war for our freedom (although they left out some important groups) and it took us forever to get that right. enough already. let these people live their lives and focus your efforts on REAL BAD GUYS, like terrorists, child molesters, bigots and such
If the couple is happy and in love what does it matter if they are a heterosexual couple or a homosexual couple?
These pirates seem like a pod of killer whales organizing on a large grey whale – the grey whale would do well to obtain some teeth of it's own.
Jeffery Toobin is so right. I'm a young person and I completely support it!
Hey Anderson,
I don't think same sex marriage is a good idea. It is not what God Intended. Why can't they be happy with civil unions? It is a similar idea.
OMG! I know that come people have trouble coming to terms with "Equal Right for All", but this is rediculous!
Gay people are people too! They pay taxes and participate in ALL areas of American life. It is about time, they are able to receive
Federal benefits (like SSI), like any other married couple.
I hope with all of my heart that these ignorant (apparently right wing) persons will NOT stop the momentum of this time!
it would be interesting to see what divorce rates are like within same-sex marriages.
$1.5 million on an add for commercial against same sex marriage...???? Really... Why is that still an issue, it's 2009 shouldn't we move on and let the gays marry...??? Hopefully "the tie" is turning... Thank you...
I honestly don't understand what's so *scarey* about same sex marriage. Scarey? Really? How so?
It is beyond my understanding why some people believe that gay marriage is such a threat to "traditional marriage" – why is it so difficult for people to live and let live? Traditional marriage has been in trouble for years and its problems have NOTHING to do with same sex couples wanting to marry.
Erica or Anderson,
What is the difference (in practice) between the States that have the same-sex marriage and the States that recognize the civil unions and grant some rights similar to heterosexual couples?
Protect marriage–What a joke! Look at the divorce rate! People who are "allowed" to marry don't take it as serious as it once was.
I imagine that North Dakota, being one of (if not the) most conservative states will be last on the list to legalize same-sex marriage...
I'm happy the legislatures voted for the same sex marriage. I can't understand how guys can watch two girls making out and like it, but if they see the two same girls getting married they are offended.....What?