Posted by Eugene Volokh:
I Don't Think That Word Means What You Think It Means:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2009_04_05-2009_04_11.shtml#1239138103
From [1]Liberty Counsel:
The Vermont Legislature voted to override Governor Jim Douglas�
veto of a bill that permits same-sex couples to marry in Vermont.
The state Senate voted 23-5 to override the veto and the House of
Representatives voted 100-49 to override. Two-thirds of the Senate
and the House votes were necessary.
Vermont was the first state to adopt same-sex civil unions in 2000
and is the first state to legalize same-sex marriage through the
legislature.
Mathew D. Staver, Founder of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty
University School of Law, commented: � ... By redefining marriage,
the Vermont legislature removed the cornerstone of society and the
foundation of government. The consequences will rest on their
shoulders and upon those passive objectors who know what to do but
lack the courage to stand against this form of tyranny.�
So a democratically elected legislature votes for a law that treats
same-sex marriage the same as opposite-sex marriage. The law doesn't
restrict the freedom of opposite-sex couples; it just gives same-sex
couples the same benefits. Perhaps the law is unwise; perhaps it
undermines important social institutions; perhaps it will eventually
lead to bad things. I doubt that, but such arguments are at least
possible. But "tyranny"? Or has "tyranny" just come to mean "any law I
dislike, even if it doesn't restrict anyone's liberty, usurp any power
that should belong to democratically elected bodies, or discriminate
against anyone"?
References
1. http://www.lc.org/index.cfm?PID=14102&AlertID=974
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