CBS Frets Over Threat to Same-Sex Marriage and 'Another Massachusetts Revolution'

Wednesday's CBS Evening News ran a story on same-sex marriage which presumed that once enacted -- “resolved” in the term used by reporter Byron Pitts -- it should not be reversed, as Pitts portrayed the issue through the prism of same-sex marriage advocates upset by a move to pass a constitutional amendment in Massachusetts to make it illegal. “The battle has now moved to the only state where it is legal but where,” anchor Bob Schieffer cautioned, “if opponents have their way, it won't be for long.” Pitts demanded of Kristian Mineau of the Massachusetts Family Institute: "How did it get to this point? This is liberal Massachusetts. This state resolved this issue two years ago." After Mineau pointed out that unelected judges imposed same-sex marriage, Pitts trumpeted how “advocates had hoped it was the start of another Massachusetts revolution."

Pitts twice challenged the views expressed by Mineau, but didn't challenge an advocate of same-sex marriage. For instance, when Mineau complained about how “the children of this commonwealth are already radically affected because kindergarten and first-graders that are being indoctrinated into the homosexual lifestyle and into homosexual marriage," an appalled Pitts retorted: "You say that as if homosexuality is something evil." Over a map of the U.S., Pitts fretted: "For supporters of gay marriage nationwide, this proposed amendment in Massachusetts couldn't come at a worse time. Much of that momentum first generated here a few years ago now seems headed the other way. Nineteen states have already adopted a constitutional ban on gay marriage. Six more could have it on their ballot this November." (Transcript follows)

The MRC's Brad Wilmouth corrected the closed-captioning against the video of the July 12 CBS Evening News story:

Anchor Bob Schieffer: "Congress failed this year to pass a constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage. The battle has now moved to the only state where it is legal but where, if opponents have their way, it won't be for long. From Boston tonight, here's national correspondent Byron Pitts."

Byron Pitts, over video of protesters holding signs: "For believers on both sides, today was a day of protest. It's all about their constitution and the fight to overturn gay marriage in Massachusetts. Kris Mineau is leading that fight.”

Pitts to Mineau: “How did it get to this point? This is liberal Massachusetts. This state resolved this issue two years ago."

Kristian Mineau, Massachusetts Family Institute: "No, I would beg to differ on that. It wasn't resolved. That's just the issue. It was done by judicial fiat, by four unelected judges who we feel just arbitrarily decided to change the definition of marriage."

Pitts: "Since that court ruling, some 8,000 gay and lesbian couples here have exchanged wedding vows, legally married. Advocates had hoped it was the start of another Massachusetts revolution."

Marc Solomon, Massequality Campaign: "At stake is marriage equality."

Pitts: "Marc Solomon and his group, Massequality, have flooded state lawmakers with petitions to keep gay marriage legal."

Solomon: "At stake is not adding discrimination to the constitution of Massachusetts."

Pitts: "Mineau says the 170,000 people who signed his petition would disagree."

Mineau: "And the children of this commonwealth are already radically affected because kindergarten and first-graders that are being indoctrinated into the homosexual lifestyle and into homosexual marriage."

Pitts to Mineau: "You say that as if homosexuality is something evil."

Mineau: "Homosexuality is not the best standard for human sexuality."

Pitts, from in front of the Massachusetts State House as a “Duck” (tour vehicle for road and water) rolled by, followed by a map showing the anti-same-sex marriage status in many states: "For supporters of gay marriage nationwide, this proposed amendment in Massachusetts couldn't come at a worse time. Much of that momentum first generated here a few years ago now seems headed the other way. Nineteen states have already adopted a constitutional ban on gay marriage. Six more could have it on their ballot this November."

Solomon: "People's fundamental rights should never be voted on. If people's fundamental rights were voted on, where would African-Americans in the South be today? Where would religious minorities be today? Where would women be today?"

Pitts to Mineau: "So for those who say gay marriage is here to stay in the commonwealth, you say?"

Mineau: "Let's vote on it."

Pitts concluded: "And the campaigns have begun. If passed, the proposed amendment would be voted on Election Day, 2008. Byron Pitts, CBS News, Boston."