Mariama Changamire Shaw
Over a short time, we have witnessed the erosion of conservative values. One issue is that of Gay marriage. 35 states have legalized it. Children in the school systems are being taught by liberals and if you are opposed to gay marriage then you are homophobic or some other name is hurled at you. We have read about those fighting the Pledge to our Flag and the words "under God." There is a breaking away from the church with negative propaganda from liberals and kids at Ivy League schools and other colleges who believe they are smarter than God who condemn Israel instead of ISIS. What is the world coming to?
We have seven Palm Beach County Commissioners, two of whom are Republicans, Hal Valeche and Steven Abrams. When you think about that, it is an amazing feat to be elected in a county that is so one-sided with registered Democrats. It is also amazing to me that the Palm Beach County Commission continues to vote with developers against the wishes of its constituents. Republicans have always been blamed for ruining the environment and paving over Florida at the expense of business, big or small. Perhaps the stereotypes just don't fit here.
Last week, the County took a stand on gay marriage by signing on to a legal brief asking the State of Florida to lift its ban on gay marriage although they opted to only support one case in Tampa where a lesbian couple want a divorce. The case was decided by a state judge in Tampa who dismissed a divorce petition on grounds that she did not have the authority. The couple was married in Massachusetts in 2010. They moved to Florida, but then separated in 2013. The couple filed for divorce in Florida in January 2014.
The problem? Massachusetts recognizes same-sex marriages. Florida does not. As gay marriage is not legal in this State, our Palm Beach County Commission decided to recognize one gay marriage that originated out of state by saying that it was ok for our court to grant this couple a divorce on a marriage not even recognized as legal in our State. The legal brief initiated by Miami, passed on a 6/1 vote with Hal Valeche dissenting. It was his opinion that the topic should work its way through the courts. However, the other six commissioners, by voting the way they did, indirectly voted to legalize gay marriage.
Shelley Vana's reasoning? By us taking the lead on social issues, we have righted the wrongs of the past. "Let's go for it," she said. She has ignored the vote of 2008 on Amendment 2 where the people of Florida voted down gay marriage by 62.92%. Don't we elect these people to carry out the law and the will of the people and not do whatever they consider "politically correct?"
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