NOM’s Brown laughed at on ‘Stossel Show’ for argument against marriage equality
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On Thursday night’s “Stossel Show,” which airs on the Fox Business channel, Brian Brown was unable to convince host John Stossel or his libertarian guest (and nationally syndicated columnist) David Harsanyi that civil marriage for gays and lesbians harms, or even changes, marriage between heterosexual couples.
In fact, Harsanyi’s suggestion that the marriage debate could be solved if the U.S. decided either to privatize all schools or all marriage contracts was treated as a more legitimate idea by Stossel and Stossel’s audience.
“It is a mistake to allow government to define what marriage should be — gay or not,” Harsanyi said. “I believe marriage is important. That’s why I think that if people have a strong bond and want to be in a relationship and raise children and do all the things that a married couple does, I don’t see how that would undermine my marriage in any way. In fact, I don’t think that has anything to do with my marriage.”
Brown, who said he “definitely” had a problem with Harsanyi’s idea, countered: “Marriage is a public good. The state’s interest in marriage is that this is the institution by which we create stable families where … any kids that are born can be connected to both their mother and their father.”
When Stossel suggested that kids could be connected to their father and their father, Brown argued that there have been increasing attempts to make states honor three parents, the same-sex couple raising the child and the child’s other biological parent.
Stossel’s response: “So what?”
“Marriage is not a creation of the state,” Brown argued. “The state should support what is true and good and beautiful. And it’s true and good and beautiful that marriage is the union of a man and a woman, that men and women are unique and special, that husbands and wives are unique and special, and the state should support that.”
Stossel’s live studio audience erupted in laughter at this comment, and Stossel replied: “I don’t want the state deciding what’s good and beautiful.”
Stossel and Harsanyi dismissed Brown’s other argument, that legalizing marriage for gay and lesbian couples leads to increased rates of unwed mothers and incarceration. Additionally, Stossel and his guest preemptively dismissed the argument that legalizing same-sex marriage will lead to the legalization of incestuous marriages or marriages between humans and other mammals — an argument that, as the blog Good As You points out, is still pushed (PDF) by organizations such as the Family Research Council and its Iowa-affiliate, The Family Leader.
“It is irrelevant to the argument,” Harsanyi said.
Watch the clip:
Kinda makes me wonder why Stossel’s even having the conversation if he really doesn’t want the State to decide what’s true. If there’s no right or wrong, why argue?
“Stossel replied: “I don’t want the state deciding what’s good and beautiful.””
Then don’t come to the state to ask for any assistance with dissolving that union (divorce), or dividing property, or adoption or child custody. Don’t ask for benefits in the form of Social Security, insurance, Medicare, citizenship, or all of the other things that marriage currently bestows or enables.
Stossel lies: he wants the state to decide what he wants to be true, regardless of historic evidence. He wants to change, it’s imperative that he prove that there will be no damage to society and that he won’t be harming children.
Well I am a teacher in pbulic schools and I do have a couple of bones to pick in regards to these articles. I know it isn’t meant as criticism of all teachers but they do seem to come across as that. I agree that teachers unions, especially in large cities and the coasts are a detriment to educating the students but that is how nearly all unions in those areas operate. As I recall, Helen has had membership in groups she had issues with also. (I am not in a union by the way.. small school, great administration, there is just no need for one… and even if there was a need, I probably wouldn’t be in one) So please bear in mind there are a lot of great teachers out there. Plus there are a lot of average teachers out there.. but then that is what average is, isn’t it. You would be surprised at how many teachers out there are actually pretty conservative in their personal views… but we are humans too. Too often, it seems like we are being blamed for societies problems. It is not our fault that kids act the way they do, or their parents support them when they are in the wrong. And yes, it does seem like I am generalizing myself now. I could easily do without some extra money in exchange for a change in attitude amongst some students and parents, and society in general. As to homeschooling, I think done properly, it can be a great thing. Just remember, homeschoolers are just like teachers… bad apples make the good ones look terrible. There are parents out there who are just letting their kids hang out at home and not actually learning anything. We do get kids in high school who have been “homeschooled” up till then and are reading at 2nd grade level. And we get some who are a joy to work with. The problems in education mirror some of the same problems in society. And it is going to be just as hard to correct these problems in education as it is in society. But I do have hope for the future. As much as we complain about our kids (parents and teachers alike), there are a LOT of great kids out there who are going all out to be good people and good citizens. So remember them too.P.S. I know this is sort of a rambling monologue but I am watching Olympics too so am not fully concentrating.P.P.S. An entirely irrelevant and illogical thought Helen.. I really hate this small, narrow comment box I have to type in… wish it was wider.Bert
