Just when I thought there were some good news to celebrate at the end of the year, the US government has decided that tax revenues must be spent to stop two men from loving each other.
Unhappy that a New Jersey immigration court judge decided to grant political asylum to my friend Emilio last week, the government has decided that it must spend legal and fiscal resources to challenge the ruling and prolong the legal battle that Emilio and his partner Tom have been waging for the last five years in order to stay together as a couple.
Mind you, Tom and Emilio are residents in the same state in which their Governor Jon Corzine signed a civil union bill JUST TODAY which purportedly would extend the same rights afforded to married heterosexual partners to same-sex partners.
Let's just say that if that was true, Tom and Emilio would not be going through this. Talk about political hypocrisy at the expense of real people's lives.
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7 hours ago
7 comments:
Your perspective on this is much appreciated. You are right, it is a waste of government time and resources.
It is so sad the taxes we pay on our wages are being used to fight us.
I am seriously thinking of a lawsuit. Let me know if you can think of a lawyer willing to take it on. I am sure I can get other couples to sign on. I am ready to hit them hard.
I agree with your position on this matter.
Remember that the law signed this week will only take effect in February. At that time, this law may have an positive effect on your friends' plight.
But yes, money will be wasted in the meantime. Lawyers do have to earn an income, you know.
cnxjvhsThe Bang Bang Brazil Blog
Deseja to all.
That all the hearts, can receive the right to love and be loved. E that the light that enchants a life, either the guide who in the light one to find ours another half. Só.assim we will be happy. Happy Christmas!
Dady Bang
Tom, Andres, I'd love to hear what Judge G wrote in her opinion to inspire appeal. And are we talking about "reserving" appeal or an actual filing of a Notice of Appeal. Hopefully she didn't leave much room for her ruling to be disturbed. If you want to talk about any aspect of this, feel free to call me at my office. I'm away now but back tomorrow afternoon by 3, or otherwise always accessible by email at the office.
I am sorry to hear about your friend Emilio having trouble. The US government should be providing equal rights to the LGBT community. My partner and I live in Amsterdam and I would like to move back to the US someday, but it is harder for us because we are a gay couple...
It's just not right. Hasn't the government anything better to do? I am sure there is a terrorist somewhere waiting to be tortured or something.
There is so much to be said on the subject of immigration as a whole and the way gay and lesbian couples are mistreated by the exclusion of our families in a system that is defined with the main purpose of family unity. To understand the complex interaction of various aspects of the system, say for example, the Immigration Judge who is employed by the Department of Justice and the government trial attorney who is employed by the Department of Homeland Security, is to peel back layers of an onion and to try to do so without crying. There is also the necessary and vital role played by attorneys, the professionals whose acumen and zealous representation of their clients is acts as a check on the system and forces it to perfect itself. This is how laws are interpreted and applied and how judges rulings are appealed and parsed. It is a slow, grinding process that can use up not only valuable and scarce financial resources, but many years of the lives of those impacted. I know I write on behalf of many thousands when I say you have our support and concern, Tom and Emilio. I hope 2007 brings you peace and moves us all one more step towards justice.
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