Bob Corker Devolves On Same-Sex Marriage - And Response (6)

  • Saturday, March 28, 2015

“Devolve:  to degenerate or deteriorate gradually; to change gradually for the worse; decline; deteriorate.” 

Ten years ago Bob Corker, former Chattanooga mayor, was meeting with his staff and advisors to formulate a strategy that would enable him to move from local politics to one of the highest profile stages in the nation.  As Bob met with his team they discussed policy issues, formulated strategies, and staked out the positions he sensed would enable him to prevail in his goal to win the position he so strongly coveted: U.S. senator from Tennessee.   

While one cannot begin to know the most intimate thoughts of Mr. Corker in 2006, we can review his candidate website to determine what he claimed to believe.  One such position which Mr. Corker asserted as his own, was his support for the “sanctity of marriage,” as he heralded, “we must preserve traditional marriage.” On the same website page, Bob promised to “support legislation protecting traditional marriage.”  

As a reminder for Bob Corker and the rest of us in these rapidly changing times of what traditional marriage is, it is the union of one man and one woman in matrimony (for life).  Any other relationship or union is simply a pseudo/marriage.   

Fast forward to 2015, 10 years after those early days when Mr. Corker’s strategies and positions were promoted to insure a win for the former mayor of Chattanooga. Unfortunately we now see the new Bob Corker emerging.  I would suggest we are seeing a devolving of Mr. Corker’s earlier staked out position regarding “same-sex marriage.”   

As reported by BuzzFeed.com today, “Eleven Senate Republicans vote for benefits for married same-sex couples.”  One of those eleven senators who joined with all of the Senate Democrats was Bob Corker.  Yes, the Bob who strategically asserted in 2006 during his first run for Senate that he would “preserve traditional marriage,” while vowing to “support legislation protecting traditional marriage.” Just this week, however, Bob voted to extend benefits to same-sex couples, benefits that were previously reserved for traditional marriage (one man plus one woman).   

And so we see just another politician devolving on one of his supposed “core” beliefs. Although we cannot look into a person’s heart or mind, this week’s actions by Bob Corker does cause one to pause and wonder.  Were the voters just played?  Were they just used?  Were they just told what a politician knew they wanted to hear?  Or did Bob Corker just simply devolve in his views on marriage?   

There are words, and then there are deeds.  If you want to know what a man really believes, don’t merely listen to his words; watch his deeds.  In the case of a politician, watch his votes, which will reveal what is in the heart.  And in this case it appears Mr. Corker has made the leap, jumped the fence, flipped and flopped.   

No longer can Bob honestly say he “supports traditional marriage” or he will “preserve traditional marriage” because just this week he supported same-sex pseudo/marriages. He has contradicted himself. 

So, sadly we see that Mr. Corker appears to be just another politician.  Words mean oh so little when it comes to a professional politician.  It reminds me of the song we hear so often at sporting events, “Another One Bites the Dust.” 

***** 

PostScript:  For those who will miss the point here and will simply decry this piece as a bigoted, homophobic article, let me suggest that, before you do so, think about what you are saying.  First, if one can be called a homophobe because he believe that marriage is between one man and woman, then he is in good company, given that God designed marriage to be such.  Secondly, if one believes that raising a child with a father and mother is not only God-designed but is also the best way to do so, one cannot be bigoted. On the contrary, such a marriage is in the best interest of the child.  Finally, one must consider that anyone who condones or promotes the idea of raising a child in a same-sex “marriage” may himself be bigoted because he is depriving the child raised in that union of a father or mother.  Selah. 

Mark West
Ooltewah 

* * * 

Senator Bob Corker is a statesman, a defender of our Constitution, a protector of our country and its people, and a dedicated leader in both our government and his personal life.  No Bible-thumping, would-be politician and Tea Partier has any effect on my faith or my politics.  I know how to separate them and remain true to both as our Constitution and my King James version of my Bible intend. 

I shall continue to promote, support, and vote for Bob Corker for whatever position in government he decides to pursue as long as he is willing to sacrifice his life's work for the benefit of his country.  We are fortunate to have him in the position he fills in the Senate at this particular time in our tumultous history.  He deserves our support and encouragement. 

Charlotte Parton
Chattanooga 

* * * 

You know, I too read Mark West's comments on Senator Corker's new position on same sex marriage, but unlike Charlotte Parton, I couldn't find anything that he said that isn't backed up by scripture.  I do in fact find in the Bible where The Lord says that "I would that you were either hot or cold, but because you are neither, I will spew you out of my mouth."  

I also find it amusing that Ms. Parton in her criticism of Mr. West's comments seems to have found in "Her King James Bible," scripture to support her "Christian" attitude in describing him as a "Bible thumping, would be politician, and Tea Partier."  Perhaps she can tell me where that is.  I guess I just missed it.  I would suggest that Ms. Parton "thump her Bible" a little more and do more research in "Her King James Bible."  Perhaps in her exhaustive research she just skipped over the part where the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 1:24-27 that "God gave them up to uncleanness in the lust of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves"....."women exchanging the natural use for what  is against nature"....."likewise also the men"...."burned in their lusts for one another, men with men, committing that which is shameful."   

Of course I am certain that Ms. Parton has surely read 1st Corinthians 6:9 and other New Testament and Old Testament scripture (in Leviticus) that support Mark West's statements, and they are found.....yes... in "Her King James Bible." 

In fact we are reminded in 2nd Timothy 3:16 that "all scripture is given by inspiration by God, and is profitable for doctrine, for instruction in righteousness." 

The pressure brought by those that want Christians (like Mark West) to confine their opinions and beliefs to their homes and churches, and "stay out of politics," is exactly what the ungodly in our nation want us to do while they rush toward taking "One Nation Under God" from the public square. 

Bill Reesor- A Proud "Bible Thumper"
Ooltewah 

* * * 

So our President and his Secretary of State are about to give away the key to the nuclear store to Iran and one of the few people who may be able to stop them is Senator Bob Corker. Yet all the leader of the local Tea Party can write about is the Senator's possible, "devolving," on the gay marriage issue?  

I am 68 years old and I have," devolved," on a lot of issues in my life. I am personally opposed to gay marriage, preferring some type of legalized Civil Union, but I am a lot more worried about Iran with the nuke than I am gay marriage issues. And besides it doesn't make any difference what Senator Corker, Mark West or I think about the issue. The only people who matter are the nine justices on the SCOTUS who will eventually decide the issue. 

Bob Corker is a man of character and integrity who has reached the highest level of leadership in the U.S. Senate as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. He is concentrating on the the renewal of the Cold War, ISIS emergence in the Middle East and not allowing Iran to become a nuclear power. Let's leave the social issues to Tea Party Senators Aiken, Angle and Murdoch. Oh, I forgot they all lost elections after being prohibitive favorites.  

Douglas Jones
Ooltewah 

* * *  

I have often wondered, and much more lately, just what the Bible represents.  For some in this community it is a book to express hate and intolerance.  For still others, it is a book of praise, support, acceptance and above all, love for mankind. Folks like Mark West and June Griffin want to use the Bible to spread hate and intolerance. Isn't Jesus supposed to love all?  

The Bible was written by men. Unless they were Jesus they, like all of us, have our own beliefs and tolerances.  Can't we understand that portion of humanity that does digress as some of the hateful suggest or should we work to be accepting of all.  

I have heard some really absurd arguments against gay marriage and kids of those relationships. Have any of the haters met a gay couple with a child?  I have.  Kids need love, attachment, security and consistency.  They can get that in single mom households, single dad households, Aunt Betty's, Robert and Robert and Elisa and Elisa.  We are all bigger then the arguments spewed on this site and in the local papers.  

Here's another absurdity heard recently and often: Goes like this.... if man marries a  man and woman marries a woman the next step is man and cow or woman and sheep.. Even when I write it the absurdity spills all over.

Robert Brooks 

* * * 

You people need to get over the whole same-sex marriage thing.  Both sides.  The real issue is the government regulating marriage, and tying your marital status to the tax code.  

I think we can all agree that marriage is a church thing.  If two people can find a church that is willing to marry them, what business does the government have in selling them a license or changing how it steals their income? 

Robert Harvey

* * *  

What it boils down to, in the most elemental sense, is that gay marriage has nothing to do with anything other than equal rights and protections under the laws of our great nation. It has nothing to do with "special" rights or anything other than equal rights when it comes to taxes and protection under the law for who we are in love with and planning to spend the rest of our lives with.  

It does not matter whether it's what some call traditional marriage or gay marriage.  It has nothing to do with religious beliefs or anything other than basic human rights.  Church and State are supposed to be separate as defined in the laws. Love is love no matter what the gender.  Gay or untraditional marriage has no impact on traditional marriage.  Nobody is out to destroy marriage.  We are only asking for equality. Nobody is out for any kind of agenda or attempting to "turn" anyone or any of their children.  

Read some genetics and scientific research.  Genetics are not a choice.  Plus, people not in support of nontraditional marriage, or anything different that they don't or won't try to understand, sure say nothing when we pay the same taxes and help to educate their children in public schools, taxes that pay for garbage pick-up, storm water, and help fund everything else.  They sure appreciate the money that helps them.  But that never gets mentioned.  

Equality is equality no matter what the minority is.  Bigotry and prejudice towards any people, LGBT, white, black, purple, blue, whatever, is discrimination and we are all created equal in the law and in God's eyes.  God created everything and still does.

I personally can't wait for Jesus to return and look at these so-called Christians and say: That's not what I meant.  (Thank you Margaret Cho.) Love thy neighbor no matter what minority they happen to be. We all deserve equality. 

Richard Smith 

* * * 

Every time I read some of Mark West's nonsense in "The Chattanoogan", I'm reminded of the late Harold McMillian, prime minister of Great Britain during the 1950s and 60s, who served in Sir Winston Churchill's World War II cabinet. Writing to Churchill at the height of the war, McMillian reminded Churchill that it took Hitler and his gang of gangsters to make Churchill prime minister in the first place. 

Like Churchill, if it takes Mark West and his klavern of pseudo-Christian Tea Partiers to sweep Mrs. Clinton into the White House in 2016, continuing the progress we've experienced under President Obama, then I'm okay with that too. 

Kimberly Groves
McDonald, Tn.

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