AUSTIN -- Same-sex marriages or civil unions will not be recognized in Texas under legislation that Gov. Rick Perry signed Tuesday.
whew! it's good to know that went through.
Perry signed the measure in a private meeting in his Capitol office, where he was joined by backers of the bill. News reporters were not allowed to attend.
"Like the vast majority of Texans, I believe that marriage represents a sacred union between a man and a woman. With passage of the Defense of Marriage Act, Texas now joins more than 30 states in reinforcing that basic belief," Perry said in a prepared statement afterward.
oh cease it with your 'basic belief' nonsense. why didn't they just draft a bill that says "gay people are bad"? that sure seems to be their point.
"It defends and protects the institution of marriage that candidly has been under attack the last 25 years," Wentworth said.
it's been candidly under attack for the last 25 years? wow. regardless, Mr. Wentworth was also busy with this legislation:
Public school students will observe a minute of silence to reflect, meditate or pray and recite pledges of allegiance starting next school year under a bill signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Rick Perry.
Senate Bill 83, by Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, requires school districts to observe a minute of silence and recite pledges to both the U.S. and Texas flags, a change from current law that gives schools the option of doing so. The House sponsor is Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas.
Unless their parents submit a written objection, students, regardless of citizenship status, will be required to participate in the pledges and moment of silence. However, the bill provides no penalties for students who fail to do so.
what in the hell is that all about? argh. perhaps i should write entries when i'm more coherent.