The AC360 Weekly Buzz: Same-sex marriage, SCOTUS, gun control, Mandela, Amanda Knox, urinal video games
What everyone’s talking about:
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments about the legality of California’s Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act this week. CNN’s Jeffrey Toobin and Gloria Borger gave all the details of what happened inside the courtroom. Anderson spoke to civil rights activist Julian Bond who compares the fight for gay rights to the civil rights movement. He says “these are the same issues, the same struggle.” HLN’s Dr. Drew Pinsky addresses the argument that same-sex couples have a negative effect on children. He says studies show there's no harm done. Anderson also spoke with NFL punter Chris Kluwe of the Minnesota Vikings, who has been outspoken about marriage equality. Kluwe believes everyone should have the right to marry the person they love, just as he was able to do with his wife.
On Thursday President Obama urged Americans to pressure their elected leaders to pass stricter gun laws. 100 days after the Newtown school massacre, family members of the victims were present at the president's press conference to show their support. “We need everybody to remember how we felt 100 days ago and make sure what we said wasn’t just a bunch of platitudes, that we meant it,” he said. Anderson spoke with Democratic Strategist Cornell Belcher and The Washington Times’ Emily Miller about the politics of gun control and the president's efforts.
Former South African President Nelson Mandela is making “steady progress” after being rushed to the hospital for a lung infection this week. CNN’s Robin Curnow reports on his health.
Today’s Scoop:
Italy’s highest criminal court overturned Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito's acquittal in the 2007 killing of Knox's roommate, Meredith Kercher. The couple was convicted in 2009, but the verdict was overturned by a jury in 2011. Now, after four years in an Italian prison and an attempt to start her life over in the U.S., Knox is on trial again. The salacious circumstances of the case and disturbing evidence are back in the spotlight. Watch tonight’s Anderson Cooper Special Report “Murder Abroad: The Amanda Knox Story” at 8 and 10 p.m. ET.
Looking ahead:
Former Tucson, Arizona, mayoral candidate Shaun McClusky is introducing a privately-funded program to provide free shotguns to residents in an area of Tucson with high crime rates. The program is modeled after an initiative launched in Houston with the goal of arming citizens nationwide. CNN’s Miguel Marquez has the story next week.
Just for laughs:
The fun and competition at one Pennsylvania baseball stadium continues in the men's restrooms – see the streaming video game on the RidicuList!
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Post by: Deena Sami Filed under: AC360° Weekly Buzz |
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Thinking about a marriage partner in the form of a woman was once chattel or property. That wasn't so long ago. Now take the concept of chattel and the concept of marriage. My question for thought is, is it possible in the culture surrounding the laws of chattel and marriage, that, if one man was to marry (not civil partner) but marry, then possibly, conceptually the partner (to be considered the wife) would be under some state's law in these United States, considered chattel.
We know that some laws of state statutes remain on the books without notice or enforcement due to oversight, changing times, or cultural norms.
But perhaps if a man marries a man, then is one partner owned by the other, and there forth property. Getting my drift here. circa 1864. Is this perhaps a possible that an underlying cultural concept holding back 'marriage' (besides money, politics and religion) of the same sex is that of historical chattel statutes in the minds of many?
I'm all for civil unions and same sex marriage, but I must have been chattel (non-voting, baby bearing, property of a man) in one of past lives for this legal idea to cross my mind. Thanx.