InfoAnda - Movement under way in California to ban divorce

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Georgia, Russia stoke fears of new conflict | 5 August 2009
Egypt's army turns to the Web after protests | 19 February 2011
Dragon set to overshadow J.Lo at box office | | 23 April 2010

Taiwan opposition scores fresh election win | 10 January 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Movement under way in California to ban divorce

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America Movement under way in California to ban divorce By JUDY LIN,Associated Press Writer - Tuesday, December 1 Send IM Story Print SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Til death do us part? The vow would really hold true in California if a Sacramento Web designer gets his way. In a movement that seems ripped from the pages of Comedy Central writers, John Marcotte wants to put a measure on the ballot next year to ban divorce in California. The effort is meant to be a satirical statement after California voters outlawed gay marriage in 2008, largely on the argument that a ban is needed to protect the sanctity of traditional marriage. If that's the case, then Marcotte reasons voters should have no problem banning divorce. "Since California has decided to protect traditional marriage, I think it would be hypocritical of us not to sacrifice some of our own rights to protect traditional marriage even more," the 38-year-old married father of two said. Marcotte said he has collected dozens of signatures, including one from his wife of seven years. The initiative's Facebook fans have swelled to more than 1,100. Volunteers that include gay activists and members of a local comedy troupe have signed on to help. Marcotte is looking into whether he can gather signatures online, as proponents are doing for another proposed 2010 initiative to repeal the gay marriage ban. But the odds are stacked against a campaign funded primarily by the sale of $12 T-shirts featuring bride and groom stick figures chained at the wrists. Marcotte needs 694,354 valid signatures by March 22, a high hurdle in a state where the typical petition drive costs millions of dollars. Even if his proposed constitutional amendment made next year's ballot, it's not clear how voters would react. Nationwide, about half of all marriages end in divorce. Not surprisingly, Marcotte's campaign to make divorce in California illegal has divided those involved in last year's campaign for and against Proposition 8. As much as everyone would like to see fewer divorces, making it illegal would be "impractical," said Ron Prentice, the executive director of the California Family Council who led a coalition of religious and conservative groups to qualify Proposition 8. No other state bans divorce, and only a few countries, including the Philippines and Malta, do. The Roman Catholic Church also prohibits divorce but allows annulments. The California proposal would amend the state constitution to eliminate the ability of married couples to get divorced while allowing married couples to seek an annulment. Prentice said proponents of traditional marriage only seek to strengthen the one man-one woman union. "That's where our intention begins and ends," he said. Jeffrey Taylor, a spokesman for Restore Equality 2010, a coalition of same-sex marriage activists seeking to repeal Proposition 8, said the coalition supports Marcotte's message but has no plans to join forces with him. "We find it quite hilarious," Taylor said of the initiative. Marcotte, who runs the comedy site BadMouth.net in his spare time, said he has received support from across the political spectrum. In addition to encouragement from gay marriage advocates, he has been interviewed by American Family Association, a Mississippi-based organization that contributed to last year's Yes on 8 campaign. He was mentioned by Keith Olbermann on MSNBC's "Countdown" during his "World's Best Persons" segment for giving supporters of Proposition 8 their "comeuppance in California." Marcotte, who is Catholic and voted against Proposition 8, views himself as an accidental activist. A registered Democrat, he led a "ban divorce" rally recently at the state Capitol in Sacramento to launch his effort and was pleasantly surprised at the turnout. About 50 people showed up, some holding signs that read, "You too can vote to take away civil rights from someone." Marcotte stopped dozens of people during another signature drive in downtown Sacramento. Among them was Ryan Platt, 32, who said he signed the petition in support of his lesbian sister, even though he thinks it would be overturned if voters approved it. "Even if by some miracle this did pass, it would never stand up to the federal government," Platt said. "And if it did, there's something really wrong with America." Other petition signers said they were motivated by a sincere interest to preserve marriages. One was Ervin Hulton, a 47-year-old dishwasher who said he believes in making it harder for couples to separate. "The way I feel, why go out and spend all these tons of money for marriage, the photography and all that? And along down the line, it's going to shatter," said Hulton, who is single. The U.S. divorce rate is 47.9 percent, according to data provided by the National Center for Health Statistics reports. That figure, however, does not include California, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Louisiana and Minnesota because those six states no longer report their divorce rates to the center. California stopped because of budget problems, said Ralph Montano, a spokesman for the California Department of Public Health. While most people would not support banning divorce, it does make sense for couples to be educated about the financial and emotional commitments of marriage, said Dan Couvrette, chief executive and publisher of Toronto-based Divorce Magazine. The publication has a circulation of 140,000, including a regional edition in Southern California. "It's a worthwhile conversation to have," said Couvrette, who started the magazine in 1996 after going through his own divorce. "I don't think it's just a frivolous thought." ___ On the Web: 2010 California Marriage Protection Act: http://www.rescuemarriage.org Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Emotions high, Senate opens partisan health debate AP - Tuesday, December 1 Somali pirates hijack $20M of oil going to US AP - Tuesday, December 1 EU president takes office as Lisbon Treaty enters force AFP - Tuesday, December 1 Rights watchdog hints Swiss minaret ban could go AP - Tuesday, December 1 UNAIDS chief in South Africa for AIDS Day AP - Tuesday, December 1 News Search Top Stories Trade ministers disagree on WTO Doha talks Dubai and Abu Dhabi markets plunge on debt woes Dubai World to restructure parts of group including Nakheel Kenya ivory seizure 'reflects poaching rise' Early intervention aids children with autism: study More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Dubai and Abu Dhabi markets plunge on debt woes Dubai World to restructure parts of group including Nakheel WHO changes HIV treatment advice Early intervention aids children with autism: study Trade ministers disagree on WTO Doha talks More Most Viewed » Global stocks mixed amid Dubai debt crisis Tiny magnetic discs could kill cancer cells: study Mankind using Earth's resources at alarming rate Alcohol helps cut heart disease risk for men: study Dubai blackout over debt plans to hit Gulf markets More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Wednesday, 2 December 2009
Russia shifts stance on Iran, Ahmadinejad defiant | International |
Five Britons held in Iran after yacht seized in Gulf
Two freed from Guantanamo, sent to France, Hungary | International |
Rwanda banker gets 30-year sentence for war crimes | International |
Kosovo tells world court independence irreversible | International |
Russia sheds light on murder that sparked purges | International |
Microsoft, News Corp reports overplayed: source | Technology |
Movement under way in California to ban divorce
Northrop links to academics to boost cyber defense | Technology |
Sirius XM CEO says holiday sales on target | Technology |
Film said to show Marilyn Monroe smoking pot | Entertainment |
Precious and Last Station top indie Spirit film nods | Entertainment |
Michael Jackson bumps Britney Spears from top Yahoo '09 searches | Entertainment |
Reality show wannabes deny crashing White House dinner | Entertainment |
Charlize Theron to co-host World Cup soccer draw | Entertainment |
Several Broadway musicals break box-office records
Islamists claim responsibility for Russian rail bomb | International |
Thais pray for hospitalized king as birthday nears | International |
Drug hitmen in suits kill key witness in Mexico | International |
Iran releases five Britons detained from yacht: radio | International |
Afghans unimpressed by Obama's troops surge | International |
Fellow Iraqi turns tables on Bush shoe-thrower | International |
Microsoft denies black screen of death issues | Technology |
Hackers spread virus with swine flu vaccine offer | Technology |
Diamond Pet Foods Recalls Select Cat Foods Over Thiamine Deficiency Fears
Update: President Obama Increases Troop Levels; Discusses Clear-Cut Future Withdrawal Time Frame
Number Of Kids With Down Syndrome Rises In U.S.
Obama To Announce Afghan Strategy In Primetime Address From West Point
Texas Inmate Escapes Custody During Transfer
Connecticut Sues CVS Drug Store For Selling Expired Products, Medications
Social Networking Sites Facebook, MySpace Boot Off 3,500 + Sex Offenders
U.S. Bank Report: Investors Should Focus On Israel Until Dubai Crisis Fades
Disgraced Florida Attorney Pleads Not Guilty In Ponzi Scheme Charges
Abducted Boy Returning Home Safely
Simon Cowell gambling on Internet Vegas talent show | Entertainment |
Lady Gaga finds a new fan in Barry Manilow | Entertainment |
Nick Jonas announces solo tour for January | Entertainment |
CBS wins November TV sweeps; Fox scores big gains | Entertainment |
Fiddler director Jewison honored with career award | Entertainment |
Regis Philbin's hip surgery a success | Entertainment |
Regal cinema group sees Avatar making over $250 million | Entertainment |
Iran sends analyst, opposition supporter to prison
Iran president says will produce 20 percent fuel | International |
Google offers publishers limit on free news access
Bomb kills one outside Pakistan naval headquarters | International |
US sending 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan
Iran frees five British sailors
Iran editor gets 9-year jail term for vote protest | International |
Israel cut settlement spending in 2009 | International |
US allies to send 5,000 troops to Afghanistan: NATO
Philippines pulls out 1,000 police in massacre area | International |
Saudis flee border fighting with Yemen rebels | International |
Berlusconi camp tells critical ally to get in line | International |
Yahoo expands integration with Facebook | Technology |
Manhunt ends with cops slayings' suspect's death
Google offers publishers limit on free news access | Technology |
Obama answers troop question, but prompts others
Avoid flirty patients on Facebook, doctors told | Technology |
Nokia sees cellphone market up 10 percent in 2010 | Technology |
Dubai debt questions unanswered, UAE takes new break
Trade ministers wrap up inconclusive talks on Doha
I've let my family down, says Tiger Woods | Entertainment |
Indonesia bans war crimes film Balibo | Entertainment |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01