Looking back in time to 2004, I am revisiting the New Paltz scandal of same sex marriages. Jason West, the former mayor of this little town, rebelled against the law by performing 25 ceremonies outside of the Village Hall. Many cheered, while many others rebelled against this event. Looking back into time, who was there and what was your opinion of this moment in time?
Thursday, March 10, 2011
WHO WAS THERE?
Jason West, the former mayor of New Paltz, brought attention to the little town for performing same sex marriage. Who was there and what are responses of people who heard about this and experienced it?
I was staying at the famous Mohonk Mountain resort during the time when Jason West was marrying same sex couples. Once I heard of the news, I drove into the town of New Paltz and was absolutely shocked at the scene I saw. People were EVERYWHERE! some were chanting, some were cheering, some were screaming terrible things. I thought that it was a great thing for the little town. Overall, people seemed very accepting of the situation that was going on. It's not everyday that a mayor of your town defies all laws and does something his heart feels is right! WEST FOR MAYOR!
I am a resident of New Paltz and I was appalled to hear of Jason West's actions. While I am 100% for same sex marriage, I felt West was one of the worst things to happen to New Paltz. As mayor you are for the people of New Paltz, yet did West ask the people how they felt about him marrying same sex couples illegally? No.... Aside from that he was an arrogant human being and I really hope he loses in this up coming election.
Tom McT Said..... Although not a resident of New Paltz, I was an employee of the College during this period. I remember well those days and the publicity that followed. My perspective was simple. O never had an issue with the topic of same sex marriage. However, there was due process, as their is with any other law. I found Jason West's actions disturbing and un-ethical for an elected official. Keeping in mind, an elected official is voted in to hold a specific office. That office comes with duties and authorities ultimately granted by the U.S. Constitution. For an elected official to empower themselves, in such a manor, as to violate the constitution that he is elected to enforce, is inappropriate. The topic is not what was as issue, but rather, his empowering himself to execute duties not within his power. This would be no different with assisted suicide, or legalization of Pot. Although we may share support for these ideas, it is not within any politicians rights to act on them without due process within the government structure. My honest belief was he did it for political notoriety and self serving purposes. If he actually defended the ideas, he would still be a champion for those rights. He would still be more public in lobbying for it to be signed into law. To sum it up, political grandstanding.
Good for him! Public servants are bound to follow the US Constitution. The Constitution mandates equal treatment. He was merely following the spirit of federal law.
I think what West is doing is a very kind and right thing. He made several great points, my favorite being how "seperate but equal" didn't work for blacks and whites. I think it's bullshit that the government doesn't allow same-sex marriages. Sometimes I want to ask them how they'd feel if all of a sudden they weren't legally married to their spouse simply because it was "immoral" or "weird"? Obviously, they'd be pretty pissed and I think they should look at it from the other side. Just because they don't agree with same-sex marriage doesn't mean they should ban it. Even though I'm straight, I know a lot of people who are gay, lesbian, and bi and I think it's unfair that they can't have the same marital rights that I will have one day
I was staying at the famous Mohonk Mountain resort during the time when Jason West was marrying same sex couples. Once I heard of the news, I drove into the town of New Paltz and was absolutely shocked at the scene I saw. People were EVERYWHERE! some were chanting, some were cheering, some were screaming terrible things. I thought that it was a great thing for the little town. Overall, people seemed very accepting of the situation that was going on. It's not everyday that a mayor of your town defies all laws and does something his heart feels is right! WEST FOR MAYOR!
ReplyDeleteI am a resident of New Paltz and I was appalled to hear of Jason West's actions. While I am 100% for same sex marriage, I felt West was one of the worst things to happen to New Paltz. As mayor you are for the people of New Paltz, yet did West ask the people how they felt about him marrying same sex couples illegally? No.... Aside from that he was an arrogant human being and I really hope he loses in this up coming election.
ReplyDeleteTom McT Said.....
ReplyDeleteAlthough not a resident of New Paltz, I was an employee of the College during this period. I remember well those days and the publicity that followed. My perspective was simple. O never had an issue with the topic of same sex marriage. However, there was due process, as their is with any other law. I found Jason West's actions disturbing and un-ethical for an elected official. Keeping in mind, an elected official is voted in to hold a specific office. That office comes with duties and authorities ultimately granted by the U.S. Constitution. For an elected official to empower themselves, in such a manor, as to violate the constitution that he is elected to enforce, is inappropriate. The topic is not what was as issue, but rather, his empowering himself to execute duties not within his power. This would be no different with assisted suicide, or legalization of Pot. Although we may share support for these ideas, it is not within any politicians rights to act on them without due process within the government structure. My honest belief was he did it for political notoriety and self serving purposes. If he actually defended the ideas, he would still be a champion for those rights. He would still be more public in lobbying for it to be signed into law. To sum it up, political grandstanding.
Good for him! Public servants are bound to follow the US Constitution. The Constitution mandates equal treatment. He was merely following the spirit of federal law.
ReplyDeleteI think what West is doing is a very kind and right thing. He made several great points, my favorite being how "seperate but equal" didn't work for blacks and whites. I think it's bullshit that the government doesn't allow same-sex marriages. Sometimes I want to ask them how they'd feel if all of a sudden they weren't legally married to their spouse simply because it was "immoral" or "weird"? Obviously, they'd be pretty pissed and I think they should look at it from the other side. Just because they don't agree with same-sex marriage doesn't mean they should ban it. Even though I'm straight, I know a lot of people who are gay, lesbian, and bi and I think it's unfair that they can't have the same marital rights that I will have one day
ReplyDelete