This is Floyd Wynne with THE VIEW FROM HERE.    (3-2-04)

What is marriage?

That word has been the principal news of the day recently.

It began in Massachusetts where Gay and Lesbian couples maintained they have the right, under the constitution, for equal treatment as normally married man and woman.  Not satisfied with what has been termed “civil unions”, they are no assaulting the sanctity of a union between a man and a woman.

President George Bush stated it plainly when he said:  some judges are presuming to change the most fundamental institution of civilization.   He also has proposed that a constitutional amendment should be enacted which would protect marriage as a union of a man with a woman.    He has drawn not only the fire of the gay and lesbian groups but also the Democratic candidates for the Presidency.

So….let’s talk about marriage.

Last weekend my wife and I celebrated our 58^th wedding anniversary.   Engaged for about four years, we married a month after I returned home from four years in service during which we probably saw each other just a few weeks.

At any rate we undertook a union at a time when Gays, as such, were a “closet” situation, and having a child out of wedlock was a social no-no.  My how times have changed.

Yes, we have had to make judgments in our marriage. Early on we decided that my wife’s share would be that of having children and then be what they call a stay-at-home mom to be available for them when they came home from school.   My share was to provide sufficient funds for our living, and also to share in the guiding of our children, two sons, to manhood.    That included instilling morals as well as properly educating them for their future roles in society.   Yes, we went through the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Little League and all the other activities that teach youngsters skills and teamwork.

The early years did provide enough money to make at least one substantial vacation trip a year and the things that a middle class family needs.    Obviously we are greatly proud of the result as both sons have  become greatly successful in their chosen fields.

Now…in all this hubbub about marriage….ours has been the norm in our society.   This may be hard to believe when one sees the television showing hundreds of gays and lesbians standing in line to marry….man kissing man and woman kissing woman.

We see other areas following that of Massachusetts…..San Francisco....New York and others defying laws to the contrary.   Such actions are not only a threat to the sanctity of marriage as we know it, but also represent a flaunting of the laws of most states.   It is obvious that these people will do the same thing and force all 50 states to follow suit.  38 states have laws against such unions, but enforcing those same laws appears to be an useless exercise.

I agree with the President that it may well take a Constitutional Amendment limiting the term “marriage” to a man and a woman.  Agreed that is a long and torturous process, but protection of man-woman marriage must be preserved. How can a couple be “married” as such and then move to a state where it’s outlawed?  We know that will happen and will again pose a challenge to even state laws which prohibit such action.

It is equally important that those who support man-woman marriage resist this effort to destroy what has been a hallmark of civilization for centuries.

          This is Floyd Wynne and that’s THE VIEW FROM HERE.

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