Michael Schiavo tells Florida to vote NO on Amendment 2
Filed by: Waymon Hudson
October 15, 2008 6:00 PM
The great people over at Progress Florida have just released an internet ad of Michael Schiavo, the husband of Terri Schiavo, urging voters to vote NO on Florida's Amendment 2, the so-called "marriage protection" amendment. Michael Schiavo knows better than most what happens when our private lives become fodder for political battles. He sees dangerous things in Amendment 2 and he's speaking out.
The same people who thought they knew what was best for my wife Terri, are once again trying to tell others how to live. As a former Republican, I think if the people behind Amendment 2 really cared about respecting a legal marriage between husband and wife, they would have respected mine.
More after the jump...
Here's the full text of the ad:
"Respect"
Hello, I'm Michael Schiavo.
I'm troubled by Amendment 2 on Florida's ballot this November.
This thing they're calling the "marriage" amendment.
The same people who thought they knew what was best for my wife Terri, are once again trying to tell others how to live.
This time they want to jeopardize legal protections guaranteed in our state's Constitution.
It's hard to respect people who only pay lip service to family values.
As a former Republican, I think if the people behind Amendment 2 really cared about respecting a legal marriage between husband and wife, they would have respected mine.
Take it from me: We don't want government involved in these personal decisions.
Show true family values by voting No on Amendment 2 this Election.
One of the backers of Amendment 2 is the Florida Family Policy Council, an organization that also inserted itself into the Schiavo family's well-publicized ordeal.
Amendment 2 essentially has two parts: one that limits marriage to opposite sex couples, and a second that prohibits the recognition of any "legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof." That vague language threatens to take away domestic partnerships and benefits across the state.
_______________________
For an in-depth look at the legal issues surrounding Amendment 2, check out Bilerico-Florida blogger Anthony Niedwiecki's series of posts:
- The Real Impact of Florida's Amendment 2
- Florida's Amendment 2: Florida Is No Connecticut!
For information on how to help fight Florida's Amendment 2, visit www.SayNo2.com.
Editors' note: Did you like this post? Please help us out by voting for The Bilerico Project as the Best LGBT Blog in the 2008 Weblog Awards! You don't have to sign up for anything, or even leave our site - just click on "The Bilerico Project." Thank you so much!
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6 Comments
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While I think the content of the ad is very valid, I'm not sure how much it will help the cause.
The Terri Schiavo case was so extremely divisive that I'm afraid people who might otherwise be willing to have voted against Amendment 2 might not because of Michael Shiavo's involvement in it.
That's not right; each issue should be looked as separately, but I'm just telling you what I think will actually happen.
(For the record, my personal opinion was the government should have had no business interfering in the Schiavo case.)
Scott Kaiser | October 15, 2008 6:15 PM
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All the issues of freedom are linked together. Freedom to die, freedom to marry, freedom to not be oppressed.
Charles Merrill | October 15, 2008 8:25 PM
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Wow. I was so friggin' impressed with Michael during the whole ordeal he endured. But I think this elevates him to yet another level. He's absolutely right about the linkage of these issues.
I can't imagine that people who hate him would be inclined to support marriage equality anyway. But a straight Republican/conservative might relate to him, and be willing to assimilate the libertarian argument he's putting forward.
I think he's a hero.
Rory | October 16, 2008 6:54 AM
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Very cool.
Bil Browning | October 16, 2008 12:22 PM
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Good for him! Hope it helps.
fundamentallyflawed | October 16, 2008 2:55 PM
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This is cool. If anyone knows what it's like to have the Republican Party use you as a fake demon to fearmonger, it's him.
And I think about, what, 18% of Americans were on the Republicans' side when this happened?
Alex Blaze | October 16, 2008 10:07 PM
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