2-15-2006

Margaret Marshall Continues to Damage State with Obsession for Gay Marriage

            Even though a Blue Ribbon panel says that our state courts are a disaster under Margaret Marshall, the stubborn judge continues to divert the attention of the six other justices on the Supreme Judicial Court from their important duties to once again spend their time on her obsession about gay marriage.

             The Springfield Union is reporting today that Marshall is delaying the release of another opinion about gay marriage beyond its normal time.

            A lawyer who has studied the issue told the Springfield paper that cases that are decided after the deadline can involve dissenting opinions and long opinions. He said: "I'm sure they are trying to get it worded exactly right."

            Atty. Philip D. Moran of Salem, said the court will likely be sharply divided when it rules. He predicted the court will rule 4-3 against Marshall. The delay could indicate a serious division on the court, he said. "If there were a consensus, they would have issued a decision," he said.

            The case involves the use by Gov. W. Mitt Romney of a 1913 state law to bar out-of-state gay couples from getting married in Massachusetts unless they agree to move to Massachusetts, the only state to legalize gay marriage. The law bans unions that would not be legal in the couples' home states.

            Eight gay couples from other states and 13 city and town clerks are challenging the law, calling it discriminatory and unconstitutional.