Politician tells Bisciotti to put a lid on BA's public support for same sex marriage (Merged)

[HoustonRaven]

Huh? Homosexual marriage rights have been rejected by referenda in 34 consecutive states since 2006, including relatively liberal states such as Hawaii. It seems to me that Mr. Burns is making a political stunt here tied to the upcoming Maryland referendum, for which he can claim to have been on the right side of the issue if it also is rejected by voters. Right or wrong, it looks to me to be a political maneuver which could benefit Mr. Burns. I had never heard of him before, and betcha that's true of most Marylanders outside of his district.

What do other states / areas have to do with the voters in his district?

His area of the state is heavily influenced by black evangelicals, who are overwhelmingly opposed to gay marriage. He's simply responding to their whims and yes, he will win his reelection hands down. MD-10 is basically west Baltimore but outside the city lines. Lots of churches and lots of folks opposed and lots of folks opposed to MD's law allowing gay marriages.

The more disturbing part to all of this, IMO, is an elected official actually putting on paper a request to punish someone for speaking their mind. That's far more chilling than anything else.

[JMUpurkfool]

Huh? Homosexual marriage rights have been rejected by referenda in 34 consecutive states since 2006, including relatively liberal states such as Hawaii. It seems to me that Mr. Burns is making a political stunt here tied to the upcoming Maryland referendum, for which he can claim to have been on the right side of the issue if it also is rejected by voters. Right or wrong, it looks to me to be a political maneuver which could benefit Mr. Burns. I had never heard of him before, and betcha that's true of most Marylanders outside of his district.

To which I say, just because it is rejected doesn't mean it's the right side of the issue. Anyone on the "right" side of this issue is better reevaluate their thinking. Pure arrogance on the part of this politician to think he being the 'powerful intellectual' can quiet the 'dumb jock'. One day BA's belief will become a reality and Delegate Dumbass will be somewhere claiming he was for it all along.

[moose10101]

Is this the Burns guy from 'The Simpsons'?

[Ngata_Ate_My_Lunch]

To which I say, just because it is rejected doesn't mean it's the right side of the issue. Anyone on the "right" side of this issue is better reevaluate their thinking. Pure arrogance on the part of this politician to think he being the 'powerful intellectual' can quiet the 'dumb jock'. One day BA's belief will become a reality and Delegate Dumbass will be somewhere claiming he was for it all along.

I totally agree with you, man. This issue will one day seem as ridiculous as when women and minorities didn't have voting rights. People are people. Get over it. This guy looks as foolish as DC's Marion Berry, who voted to pass the DC marriage equality bill, and then publicly stated that he wasn't paying attention to what he was voting for, and asked for a re-vote. Only foolish people let foolish people speak for them.

[GOTA]

The more disturbing part to all of this, IMO, is an elected official actually putting on paper a request to punish someone for speaking their mind. That's far more chilling than anything else.

That's the issue here. It's another reason to hate politicians. The arrogance is sickening.

[HoustonRaven]

Chris Kluwe sends letter to Burns, and it's a pretty funny read. Well done ....

http://deadspin.com/5941348/they-won...-supporting-it

[JMUpurkfool]

Chris Kluwe is the smartest player in the NFL.

[Irish Raven]

I love Chris Kluwe

Always going to the media with witty stunts like when McNabb was his teammate or talking about the lockout or occasionally putting out statements on serious issues

[Greg]

I fully support BA's right to speak and not have it interfered with by politicians, but I disagree with his position.

[Greg]

What do other states / areas have to do with the voters in his district?

His area of the state is heavily influenced by black evangelicals, who are overwhelmingly opposed to gay marriage. He's simply responding to their whims and yes, he will win his reelection hands down. MD-10 is basically west Baltimore but outside the city lines. Lots of churches and lots of folks opposed and lots of folks opposed to MD's law allowing gay marriages.

The more disturbing part to all of this, IMO, is an elected official actually putting on paper a request to punish someone for speaking their mind. That's far more chilling than anything else.

Maybe he is not responding to "their whims", or what they might call their beliefs and positions; maybe he too holds them.

I don't get why it is necessary to insult a position you diagree with by calling it names like a whim or bigoted or whatever. If it is a bad position just attack the position.

[HoustonRaven]

Maybe he is not responding to "their whims", or what they might call their beliefs and positions; maybe he too holds them.

I don't get why it is necessary to insult a position you diagree with by calling it names like a whim or bigoted or whatever. If it is a bad position just attack the position.

Where did I use an insult and since when is the term "whim" a pejorative?

I think you're reading too much into what I'm saying.

[StingerNLG]

Which is why I find it curious that the same conservative people who (rightly) call out this douchehammer of a politician for trying to stop someone from expressing himself in a way that millions of other Americans get to have no problem turning around and arguing that gay and lesbian people don't deserve to be married to one another.

Because most Conservatives believe it is ok to have a different opinion and respect that opinion rather than calling people who disagree with them names.

Just because someone doesn't believe gays should marry doesn't give them the right to tell you that you are wrong for believing otherwise. And that goes both ways.

This minister for religious reasons doesn't believe in gay marriage. That is his right. It is NOT his right to infringe upon BA's right to say he does. Period.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2

[Mista T]

Because most Conservatives believe it is ok to have a different opinion and respect that opinion rather than calling people who disagree with them names.

It's just so typical of the liberal mindset in the US: freedom of speech is an inalienable right, as long as that speech coincides with their politically correct agenda. Otherwise, those who express contrary opinions are called fascists.

[RedSkins Fury]

Wow! What a letter and I agree with everything. Kluwe is awesome!

[festivus]

It's just so typical of the liberal mindset in the US: freedom of speech is an inalienable right, as long as that speech coincides with their politically correct agenda. Otherwise, those who express contrary opinions are called fascists.

Heh. I've heard this before.

You can have your free speech and still be accused of acting like a bigot, T. Just because a person has free speech does not mean he should be applauded for wanting to treat some Americans like second class citizens.

Free speech does not mean a person is right, or is free from criticism.

[Kevlar]

Using football as a platform to endorse gay marriage doesn't seem to be the swiftest manuever. Burns has no right to demand B.A. keep quiet, but every right to call out his endorsement.

[festivus]

Burns has no right to demand B.A. keep quiet, but every right to call out his endorsement.

Right. This is entertaining from a free speech angle, regardless of your opinion about gay marriage.

What an interesting coincidence to see Muhammad Ali at the Ravens facility this week. When I think of guys who became athletes and then used that celebrity status to speak out about social or political causes, he was that guy, back in his day.