| Unbelievable-that we are even HAVING these votes on peoples' rights in this country is shameful.
An opponent of same-sex marriage, Governor Carcieri has vetoed a bill that would have added "domestic partners" to the list of people authorized by law to make funeral arrangements for each other.
The bill, also sponsored by state Sen. Rhoda Perry and state Rep. David Segal, would add "domestic partners" to the list, in current law, of people who can legally make arrangements for a deceased person's funeral, cremation or burial to include domestic partners if the deceased person left no pre-arranged funeral contract.
The legislation defines a domestic partner as someone who was in an "exclusive, intimate and committed relationship" with the deceased and had lived with him or her for at least a year prior to the death; is at least 18, not married to anyone else, not related by blood and who was financially "interdependent'' with the deceased as evidenced, for example, by a joint mortgage, shared credit card or domestic partnership contract.
According to its sponsors, the legislation is designed to provide rights to domestic partners regardless of whether they are of the same or opposite sexes.
The governor justified his veto with a released statement, which reads in part:
"If the General Assembly believes it would like to address the issue of domestic partnerships, it should place the issue on the ballot and let the people of the state of Rhode Island decide."
Yeah- we just saw how well THAT went over in Maine!
Carcieri cited at least two other reasons for his veto.
As written, he said the bill would allow the decisions of a "partner" of a year to take precedence over "traditional family members," and he believes a "one year time period is not a sufficient duration to establish a serious bond between two individuals...[relative to] sensitive personal traditions and issues regarding funeral arrangements, burial rights and disposal of human remains."
Carcieri said he was also uncertain "how it would be ascertained in many circumstances whether [a couple] had been in a relationship for a year" since there is "no official or recognized form" of domestic partnership agreement in Rhode Island.
He called this proviso "vague and ill-defined."
Yet a hetero couple that marries drunkenly in Vegas for 5 minutes like, say, Britney Spears, is automatically granted that privilege, among many others... but silly me, I'm talking about Nevada.
What about Rhode Island? Is there any requirement put upon a het couple that their NONE of their legal rights as a newly married couple don't kick in until a one year "waiting period" or "honeymoon phase", if you will, including funeral arrangements?
Feh. Need I tell you Carcieri's a Rethug? And an especially busy one today, as he vetoed 22 bills today alone.
But some interesting reading when one clicks on the Rhode Island marriage law link... let me summarize:
$24 for a marriage license.
Under age 18 or under control of a legal guardian, the individual must complete a "Minor's Permit To Marry".
For a groom under age 18 or a bride under age 16, that individual will need "court permission" to marry.
There are NO restrictions preventing first cousins or siblings or otherwise related individuals from marrying.
So let's consider some scenarios. Since there is no lower limit, if someone could get a court to actually APPROVE it, children as young as 15 can marry! Hell, 8 year olds! A father can marry his daughter- a mother her son! Hey, as long as they are "het", any possible combination of results is possible!
But "heaven" forbid 2 responsible adults of the same sex be able to decide the funeral arrangements and burial of their life partner...
Anyone else see the major problems with Carcieri's thinking and the current state of Rhode Island's marriage laws?
Reaction of Marriage Equality RI:
"It is absolutely unconscionable that Gov. Carcieri would step in the middle of people being able to take care of their loved ones at such a sorrowful time," said Kathy Kushnir, executive director of Marriage Equality Rhode Island, which advocates for gay marriage.
"Why would he make it more difficult? I just don't get it."
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