Latvia Bans ‘Gay Marriage’

BBC NEWS, Dec. 15 — In order to check the possibility that the European Union might try to impose homosexual “marriage” on all member countries, Latvia’s Parliament has passed a constitutional amendment ensuring that same-sex couples cannot marry in the Baltic state, reported the British Broadcasting Company.

Perhaps proving the Latvians’ point, members of the European Parliament said Latvia’s move was “homophobic” and “backward.”

Given its strong support in Parliament, the amendment will likely be signed by another critic, Latvian President Vaire Vike Freiburga.               

         

Traditional Marriage Stands

THE WASHINGTON TIMES, Dec. 9 — The Supreme Court of New York State has ruled that a lower court’s approval of homosexual unions “was an act that exceeded the court’s constitutional mandate and usurped that of the Legislature.”

The court’s Appellate Division ruled 4-1 that Justice Doris Ling-Cohan erred in her presumption that the courts have the authority to create new constitutional rights.

The court further explained that “the legislative policy rationale is that society and government have a strong interest in fostering heterosexual marriage as the social institution that best forges a linkage between sex, procreation and child rearing.”

Ethical Tax

ALLHEADLINENEWS.COM, Dec 15 — All hardcore pornography distributed in Italy will incur a 25% tax, under new legislature introduced in Parliament by Italian Finance Minister Giulio Tremonti.

Under pressure to meet European Union rules, “Rome is desperate to find new revenue to trim its budget deficit,” said the Internet news site.

Tremonti said he sought an “ethical” tax similar to one imposed in France. Italy’s will apply to all hardcore pornography, including films, magazines and merchandise sold in sex shops.

Good Problem to Have

ARIZONA DAILY STAR, Dec. 19 — When Len Munsil formally announces his run for the governor’s seat next month, the anti-abortion movement in the Grand Canyon State may find itself scrambling for answers, reports the newspaper.

Munsil, director of the Center for Arizona Policy and a social conservative, helped secure legislative approval of a requirement for a minor to obtain parental consent before getting an abortion. He also has made repeated efforts to mandate a 24-hour waiting period before any woman can get an abortion.

But, best of all for Arizona pro-lifers, Munsil joins a Republican field that already includes two defenders of life, Don Goldwater and Jan Florez.

John Jakubczyk, president of Arizona Right to Life, said his organization now faces a good problem: deciding whom to endorse.

Said Jakubczyk: “There has to be a candid assessment of which candidate is best situated to, first of all, win the primary and, secondly, pose a credible challenge to the current governor.”