On the Proper Way to Address a Bible-Waving Republican State Senator from Maryland

On Wednesday, March 1, 2006, at the Maryland state legislature, during a hearing in Annapolis on the proposed Constitutional Amendment to prohibit gay marriage, Jamie Raskin, professor of law at American University, was requested to testify.

At the end of his testimony, Republican state senator Nancy Jacobs said: "Mr. Raskin, my Bible says marriage is only between a man and a woman. What do you have to say about that?"

Raskin replied: "Senator, when you took your oath of office, you placed
your hand on the Bible and swore to uphold the Constitution. You did not place your hand on the Constitution and swear to uphold the Bible."

The room erupted into applause.

Footnote: Raskin is running for the Maryland state senate. His site is http://www.raskin06.com