Free Talk Live

"Barbara Ann Radnofsky, a Houston lawyer and Democratic candidate for attorney general, says that a 22-word clause in a 2005 constitutional amendment designed to ban gay marriages erroneously endangers the legal status of all marriages in the state."

According to Subsection B of the amendment, "this state or a political subdivision of this state may not create or recognize any legal status identical or similar to marriage."

Same-sex couples can currently marry in six states and the District of Columbia, and there's no residency requirement to marry. That means that couples who live outside of those states can just pop in for a day to get married and then go home. There are also five states that allow civil unions. But if a marriage should fall apart in a state that doesn't recognize the couple's legal status in the first place, that's when things get complicated.

Officials in Mexico City are considering a new way to address the city's high divorce rates: by making marriages temporary. Couples would be allowed to decide on the length of their marriage (minimum license: two years), and the contracts would contain prenup-like legalese about financial support, how marital assets would be divided, and who gets custody of the kids.

Dallas County Judge Tonya Parker says she won't perform marriage ceremonies until gay couples can wed. “I use it as my opportunity to give them a lesson about marriage inequality in this state," and usually tells people "‘I’m sorry.

Attorney General Eric Holder said Tuesday he opposes a new photo ID requirement in Texas elections because it would be harmful to minority voters.
In remarks to the NAACP in Houston, the attorney general said the Justice Department "will not allow political pretexts to disenfranchise American citizens of their most precious right." Under the law passed in Texas, Holder said that "many of those without IDs would have to travel great distances to get them – and some would struggle to pay for the documents they might need to obtain them."

Bloomington, Indiana mayor will marry dozens of gay and lesbian couples in protest of a proposed amendment to the states constitution to ban gay marriages

During an update to the state's driving laws, the Texas legislature inadvertently removed the penalty for driving without a license plate. What was formerly a $200 fine now has no penalty. The new law goes into effect on January 1, 2012, and they won't be able to update it until January of 2013.

The Attorney General is trying to claim that it's implied, but it doesn't look like he has any ground to stand on. http://www.chron.com/news/article/Lawmakers-error-omits-Texas-license-pl...

NFL Player Chris Kluwe on Being a Libertarian

The Minnesota Vikings punter discusses libertarianism, anarchism, Ayn Rand, empathy, and what he’d change about the U.S. government.

In September, Minnesota Vikings Punter Chris Kluwe made the news for defending a fellow NFL player’s activism in support of gay marriage. Maryland State Delegate Emmett C. Burns sent a letter to the owner of the Balitmore Ravens demanding he do something to stop linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo from speaking out in favor of allowing gay couples in the state to have their marriages legally recognized.

Do you feel like you have little time for hikes, family time, or other fun activities? Are American marriages falling apart because there is little time to spend nurturing them, since so many Americans spend so much time working? Do Americans have time to grow/cook organic foods to eat healthier? Maybe it is because Americans work the most. At what age are some Europeans retiring? Is there any hope of retirement at all for some Americans?