By Paul Pannone

Facing a new low in approval rating earlier this year president Obama took a shot at jump starting his popularity, especially among liberal voters and supporters of same-sex marriages. Members of the Wedding Water Cooler were asked for their thoughts.

 

With political pressure mounting president Obama announces his opinion of same-sex marriages.

 

June Hoffman, an Indiana Officiant asked Weeding Water Cooler members for their thoughts:

“Hi Coolies~

I could hardly believe the radio today when they reported President Obama’s new stance on same – sex marriage. I had to read it myself. Legalizing marriage for same-sex couples could potentially have a huge impact on the wedding-world economy. As Officiants/DJs/MCs, we’ve performed commitment ceremonies and receptions in the past. I know that there would be a huge spike in weddings if this becomes legal. Same-sex couples have the same challenges and dreams as other couples. Times are changing indeed.

President Obama is the first president to endorse this type stand. It would sure do wonders for the bridal gown and tuxedo businesses as well as all other facets of the wedding community [?].”

Certain members of the Wedding Water Cooler– one’s with brains that work– gave their thoughts on the subject that varied from opposition to thanking God for the president’s action. Strong arguments on all fronts presented in a professional way gave similar conclusions favoring personal belief and individuality that resists government intervention.

Peter Gould told Coolies, “Personally I think the government should get out of sanctioning a religious ritual such a marriage, and abide by separation of church and state. I realize that for legal reasons, and there are many we need to recognize some sort of domestic unions and partnerships for all gay or straight, and those that want to have a marriage do so separately in their religion.”

Liz St. John lightened some of the heavy thoughts with some levity pointing out;

” Just an observation here – (though I believe that ANYONE that would like to be married, should be able to make that mistake).

We now have one candidate for president the believes that two people should be able to marry regardless of sex and one candidate that believes that one man should be able to marry multiple women.. Very interesting time to be alive.”

But back to business, Jim Duhe told the group;

“While I personally always have supported same sex marriage, I think that we’re still a long way from having no resistance on this topic.  Look at what just happened in North Carolina.  The battle is far from won.  Obama isn’t a shoe-in for the next election. None of that means that I’m not optimistic.  I want same sex marriages to be a reality because they are the right thing to do.  I hope that they have a positive impact on our industry but I won’t count the money until I see the cash in my hand.  I’m not sure how I’d react if I were personally impacted by this ruling.  I don’t believe that I’d jump up and marry tomorrow but that’s a hypothesis.  I’m not sure what I’d do. “

On the more opininated side Samantha Goldberg who is also from Chicago, told WWC members;

“Not an Obama fan….

1.How he walked into office with accepting the Nobel prize..

2. He is not as sincere as one thinks..I am a Chicago native and that is where he lived for a long time.

3. He thinks he was responsible for Osama? LMAO…I have swampland too..

No comment… Sorry if that sounds cold- He could careless about gay etc.. He is trying to regain what he had when he accepted the role as “President” he lost many believers..that is fact…He’s lost the trust …so what does someone of this caliber due when they begin to lose this? They go for areas that the public fights for…to save his ass…” said Goldberg. So much for “no comment”.

Analyst and creator of the Wedding Water Cooler, Christine Boulton had this to say;

“ I think that the right to marry should be a universal right but it must be fought on a state by state basis. Woe be to the politician that puts forth the reported constitutional amendment to define marriage as “between a man and a woman” that it is rumored certain conservative Senators and Representatives are proposing. They risk their reputation with all but the very conservative fundamentalist religious types. (btw, it isn’t just Christians, it is the fundamentalist side of ALL religions)

One thing that President Obama said that was I think the most salient thing he has ever said, it was his children that helped to shape his new view. When in the course of conversation with his daughters it became evident that they saw no difference in the parents of their peers that were same sex couples, if fact, didn’t find it odd in the least, that he changed his view.

That my friends is what will make the change. How we raise or children. If we raise the next generation to be open and accepting, gay marriage will become open and accepted. If on the other hand, we raise them to be bigots, then we will see more repression. Just the opinion of one person.”

Jacqueline Johnson commented;

“I guess I am the only one left to comment on this very important matter.  I applaud the President for having a new revelation on life and addressing the fact that if a couple desires to pledge their everlasting love and loyalty to each other – they should have the right to do so.  Whether it is to get votes or not (no one can tell what is in the heart of anyone) he changed his mind from 3 years ago and now trying to correct a wrong.

I make it a rule not to comment on religion on politics outside of the home - as you always manage to offend someone.  However, the President did inherit a country in serious financial trouble, and while some of his actions I do not agree with, he has done the best job he knows how to: to steer a massive ship fraught with some of the most mean-spirited people you can find in this century.  From a woman’s right to healthcare: you have old, narrow-minded men dictating how we should all live and care for our bodies.

And yes, whether we like it or not, he did give the okay to have Osama Bin Laden taken out.  If the mission had failed, he would be blamed mercilessly for putting the lives of Americans at risk – and how naïve he was to undertake such a mission.  It happened under his watch – so he either gets the blame or the credit.

As one who knows the sting of racism first hand, I believe in live and let live. Gay, lesbian, heterosexual, we should all live our lives in a dignified manner.”

Johnson wrote about the value of the growing GLBT market, challenging the narrow-minded thinkers of the wedding business to embrace, not shun them.

eWedNewz gives the last slot to Marcinho Savant who had this to say in part:

“Some people must be unaware that at certain times throughout history, same-gender unions were, in fact, blessed by clergy and clerics. Life did not begin with the narrow scope surrounding the years we may personally remember— or whatever we may have personally been trained to believe. How lucky one must be to believe that one’s opinion is absolute and correct— beyond questioning, investigation and unimpeachable. What a luxury it must be to be able to smugly discount the pains of other souls. Thank God SOMEONE questioned something or we’d still believe the world was FLAT.”

 What do you think? Do you agree with Obama’s decision to become  the first president to endorse same-sex marriages?

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