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Landmark Texas Sodomy Case Slips Perry's Mind

Gay-rights case he opposed doesn't ring a bell

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 29, 2011 11:27 PM CST | Updated Dec 30, 2011 5:00 AM CST

(Newser) – Rick Perry drew a blank yesterday when asked about a Supreme Court landmark decision that struck down Texas' anti-sodomy law during his time as governor. Perry—who defended the law ahead of the Lawrence vs Texas case, and mentioned it in his latest book—said he didn't know about the case when an audience member at an Iowa campaign stop asked him how his support of the law squared with his support of limited government, the Austin American-Statesman reports.

“I wish I could tell you I knew every Supreme Court case. I don’t,” Perry said. “We can sit here and play I-gotcha questions on 'What about this Supreme Court case?' or whatever, but let me tell you, you know and I know that the problem in this country is spending in Washington, it’s not some Supreme Court case." The 2003 decision effectively legalized same-sex sexual activity in Texas, although the state has kept its now-unenforceable "homosexual activity" law on the books.

Rick Perry speaks during a campaign stop at the Blue Strawberry Coffee Company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa yesterday.
Rick Perry speaks during a campaign stop at the Blue Strawberry Coffee Company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa yesterday.   (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 35 comments
Noskooc
Dec 31, 2011 2:52 AM CST
The simple rule regarding this issue is stay out of my bedroom!
John_J._Public1
Dec 30, 2011 6:41 PM CST
Loving v. Virginia and Lawrence v. Texas was the cases where activist judges went against common and natural law. America no longer has a just "justice system". What natural and common laws are they going to rule against next?! Are they going to allow bestiality and pedophila also? What is wrong with judges today?! When will this judicial madness end?!
Ultraworld
Dec 30, 2011 4:26 PM CST
Incompetence is the norm these days. Politicians are no different.

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