Here are some of the week’s most notable quotes culled from news reports from across Texas, and beyond.
Mark Phariss, one of the plaintiffs challenging the Texas ban on same-sex marriage. A federal judge in San Antonio ruled the ban unconstitutional Wednesday.
I’m 54 years old and this was the first time that I’ve ever heard, had a court or really any other people say, in an official capacity, that I’m equal to anyone else.
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The Rev. Larry Bethune of University Baptist Church in Austin, reacting to Wednesday’s ruling. Bethune has been a TFN board member since its founding in 1995.
Today’s decision is historic for both religious freedom and civil liberties. It respects the religious freedom of many congregations, like my own, that have been blessing same-sex unions for several years. Moreover, marriage equality acknowledges the worth and dignity of all families under the law and in our faith tradition. University Baptist Church blesses same-sex and heterosexual unions as a gift and calling from God.
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Same-sex marriage opponent state Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, reacting to Wednesday’s ruling with an erroneous tweet suggesting he’s for gay marriage.
MARRIAGE = ONE MAN & ONE MAN. Enough of these activist judges. FAVORITE if you agree. I know the silent majority out there is with us!
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Rob Boston of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, on Arizona legislation that would allow businesses to discriminate against same-sex couples.
I really think that bills like this are the dying, last gasp from people who just can’t accept the fact that American society is changing … [T]hey’re choosing instead to react and take a noble concept, religious freedom, and turn it into a club to beat other people, and that’s just not going to succeed. If the courts don’t strike down these laws, then they will die because they are not what people want anymore. We are not a nation of bigots.
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Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, announcing her veto of anti-gay legislation pushed by the religious right.
Senate Bill 1062 does not address a specific or present concern related to religious liberty in Arizona. I have not heard one example in Arizona where a business owner’s religious liberty has been violated.
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Ted Nugent’s non-apology for remarks he made about President Obama.
I do apologize–not necessarily to the President–but on behalf of much better men than myself.
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Ted Nugent, following up his non-apology by linking Obama administration policies to Nazi Germany.
There was an incrementalism to what happened in Germany and other places historically, where they came in slowly. And I think that’s what Obamacare is, that’s what I think most of what he represents. The IRS — I really believe that what we see with the IRS can be compared accurately and historically to the early maneuvers of people like jackbooted thugs, like the Brownshirts [Nazi Storm Troopers]. I really believe that and I think that you are being too soft on them.
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Virginia state Sen. Steve Martin, in a Facebook post in response to a critical Valentine’s Day card he received from reproductive rights advocates.
I don’t expect to be in the room or will I do anything to prevent you from obtaining a contraceptive. However, once a child does exist in your womb, I’m not going to assume a right to kill it just because the child’s host (some refer to them as mothers) doesn’t want it.
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Republican candidate for Texas agriculture commissioner, on Ted Nugent and keeping him as his campaign’s treasurer
He’s used words that I wouldn’t use. He has a very colorful vocabulary. He recanted some remarks that he made about the president, so I think that everything’s good.
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State Rep. Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball, answering allegations from her opponent that she told a campaign worker to go back to the Middle East.
Go on my Facebook page and you’ll see a Latina woman who’s known me for ten years and says she’s never heard me say anything like that. Half of my volunteers, quite frankly, are minority.
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Republican strategist Mark McKinnon, joining Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, in announcing a campaign designed to increase support for same-sex marriage in Texas and eight other Southern states.
As a conservative, I don’t believe you or I or the government can tell people who they can love or marry. Freedom means freedom for everyone, not just for some. The political reality is that the marriage wedge has lost its edge. This train has left the station and we all need to get on board.
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Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, on the tea party, which turned five this week.
And I would explain, ‘They are an answer to my prayers.’
You are equal:-)
Gohmert must be praying to Satan. That is the only way I can get “Tea Party” out of that that makes any sense.