Please sign the petition and insist that the U.S. Justice Department do its job and defend marriage! Let the Obama Administration Know Where You Stand on Marriage August 16, 2010 | | Share with Friends Dear ------------, Many who support marriage and believe that it is defined as the union of one man and one woman, were shocked when Judge Vaughn Walker of the U.S. District Court in San Francisco, decided to single-handedly throw out Proposition 8, California's voter-approved constitutional amendment defining marriage. Throughout the trial, Judge Walker revealed his bias against the amendment itself. He discarded constitutional arguments in favor of whatever "facts" were presented by opponents of marriage and also refused to recuse himself even though he is openly homosexual. His poorly-developed ruling reflects his prejudice towards both religion and marriage. The judge even states in his decision that "religious beliefs that gay and lesbian relationships are sinful or inferior to heterosexual relationships harm gays and lesbians." As Judge Walker's decision is appealed to higher courts, another case in Massachusetts challenged the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The Defense of Marriage Act merely defines marriage -- for federal purposes -- as being between one man and one woman, and protects states from having to change their state definitions. Not surprisingly, a liberal court in Massachusetts -- after a weak defense from the Obama Justice Department -- ruled DOMA unconstitutional. Amazingly, the federal government appears to be dragging its feet as they contemplate whether or not to EVEN APPEAL the decision! If the Department of Justice does not appeal, it is unlikely outside defenders of marriage will even be allowed to defend marriage in court. The Department of Justice is supposed to vigorously defend statutes passed by Congress, not to roll over to appease President Obama's political base. Please sign our petition asking the Justice Department to either file an appeal or get out of the way and allow others to take up the case! Thank you and God bless you. Please sign the petition and insist that the U.S. Justice Department do its job and defend marriage! Sincerely, Tony Perkins President