The decision was 5-4 with Justice Anthony Kennedy casting the swing vote. He issued the following statement for the majority. It captures our feelings perfectly. I'm sure his words will go down in history.
"No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that my endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do understand it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded fro one of civilization's oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right."
On top of this joyous moment, the President gave the most extraordinary and moving eulogy for Rev. Pinckney today and then led the mourners in singing "Amazing Grace." His speech not only comforted grieving guests and mourners around the nation, it was also a call to action to correct inequalities in every aspect of our conduct and public policy. He addressed removing the Confederate flag, putting up obstacles to voting, employment inequities, reducing the availability of firearms, poverty, poor schools, hopelessness and unemployment.
I love President Obama! In every circumstance for six years, he has acted with dignity, reserve, compassion and principle.
Penny Kelly in 2015
Three new lilies bloomed today!
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