Secret Admirer

So it appears that I have a secret admirer, who uses myspace or knows me. ::scratching head and thinking:: I am flattered to think that someone has sent me a V-day greeting. But I am wondering, if this secret admirer, is someone I know ::scratching head again....." My greeting stated "My heart always finds a way to follow you.....you just captured my heart once again."

So thank you to the person who sent this, it has made my day...whether it's serious, or not, I am flattered ::grinning:: Or maybe it's just a generic V-day card that someone has sent to everyone on their list? Nonetheless, it was a nice surprise. It's nice to know that others still find you special, what ever that means.

Govt to override ACT Gay Marriage Bill

Concerns that gay partners under 18 could be "married" under an ACT move to legalise same-sex unions is one reason the plan was rejected by the federal government.

Federal Attorney-General Philip Ruddock has announced that the Commonwealth will override the ACT government bill for a second time.

The federal government vetoed the territory government's efforts to legalise same-sex unions last June, worried it would undermine the institution of marriage.

The ACT government then made several changes to the wording of the bill, including replacing the term "civil union" with "civil partnership" so that it was not confused with marriage.

But Mr Ruddock said he was still not satisfied.

"There were some changes that were appropriate and there were others that in our view should've occurred and haven't," he told ABC Radio on Wednesday.

One of the main problems with the ACT's plan was that minors could be united with their gay partner, even before they turned 18, Mr Ruddock said.

"I mean this is not a partnership arrangement involving adults, it involves the potential for minors, in the same way that the marriage act does, to have a court or parental consent and it uses the marriage model directly," he said.

Mr Ruddock also said the civil union should not involve a formal ceremony as it undermined the traditional marriage ceremony.

"We think the bill is one which is still one which, because of the provisions that are contained in it, likens it to marriage.

"Our view is that while it continues to do that it doesn't meet our view which is that civil partnership issues ought not to be addressed as like marriage."

ACT Attorney-General Simon Corbell said the federal government's reasons for overturning the bill were weak and vague.

"It just beggars belief that we have a commonwealth government that really isn't able to give any substantive argument and just says, 'well we think it offends the institution of marriage,' well, what does that mean?" Mr Corbell told ABC Radio.

Mr Corbell said he gave the federal government several chances to give feedback on the bill, but had not received any response.

"Quite clearly the federal government is not interested in engaging in any dialogue," he said.
Meanwhile, ACT Opposition Leader Bill Stefaniak said the ACT should follow the lead of other states, like Tasmania, and introduce registration schemes for gay couples, rather than pushing ahead with unions similar to marriage.

"It (a registration scheme) gives due recognition to people in a loving, caring relationship - be it a sexual one, of whatever sex or same sex, albeit in a non-sexual one - and the financial benefits that flow from a marriage would flow so that it doesn't offend the marriage act," he said.

Mr Stefaniak said it was important to ensure the ACT bill did not contravene federal law.

Thanks to yahoo.com.au

Personally, I have to agree with Attorney-General Simon Corbell's comment he has made. I think it's a weak and lame excuse...to really avoid putting a law into action due to "fear that minors could be united with their gay partner..." PULEEEZE ::rolling eyes:: That's considered a no no, but yet a man can SOMEHOW get married to a 13 year old girl and have kids???? Where is the common sense in that? It's a total cop out, and to think that someone is rejecting a law, that seems perfectly normal, because of an age issue...There are some serious serious, and I mean SERIOUS issues.

If someone is afraid that this is going to happen, why don't they put an age limit to it? I know some states in the U.S. have age restrictions. If you apply for a marriage license, you have to be of consenting and/or legal age. Why can't they do that for this situation? They're going to deny many gay couples, who are in loving and committed relationships, the chance to be able to have their relationship recognized because of the "initial" fear that a minor would be able to unite with their gay partner. It's not like the law would be a invitation for minors to "unite."

I thought Australia was progressive in the gay liberation sense. I'm beginning to think, as long as the current political party is in office, it's not going to happen. ::shaking head in disgust:: Shame on you Australia, shame on you!!

1 Year Anniversary

::jumping up and down with excitement::

Today was my one year anniversary for being at my job. No, there wasn't a party, but it was a small achievement in itself. Considering that I was pretty much thrown in the deep end of it all, I think I've done quite well. All of those nights lying awake, stressing about my job, have they paid off?? I can't say yes with confidence ::smirks::

I am happy to have made it one year though. ::patting oneself on the back::