General Discussion

redgreenandblue

(2,088 posts) Sat Jun 13, 2015, 02:19 PM Jun 2015

Childless marriage of Merkel brought up in German Bundestag during same-sex marriage debate.

While debating same-sex marriage in the Bundestag the conservative party (CDU)
argued that it "just isn't the same" as marriage between a man and a woman
and justified their opposition to it by saying that it "doesn't result in procreation".

SPD politician Michael Roth then interjected "and what about the chancellor?" referring
to the childlessness of Angela Merkel who is married.

The only english sources I could find on this:

http://news.newsdirectory1.com/heckling-in-parliament-minister-of-state-wrote-to-chancellor/

http://panteres.com/2015/06/11/gay-marriage-spd-politician-michael-roth-interjection-to-merkel/

Did not do a background check on them. If they are inappropriate in some way just let me know.

4 replies

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Highlight:

Childless marriage of Merkel brought up in German Bundestag during same-sex marriage debate. (Original Post) redgreenandblue Jun 2015 OP

And she divorced her first husband. Betty Karlson Jun 2015 #1

Wow. - Those are quite clumsy translations. No Vested Interest Jun 2015 #2

I always liked Kurt Vonnegut's take on the childless couple in "Slaughterhouse-Five". . . Journeyman Jun 2015 #3

Well yes, that is a stupid argument that is easy to debunk. Nye Bevan Jun 2015 #4

Betty Karlson

(7,231 posts)

1. And she divorced her first husband.

Reply to redgreenandblue (Original post)

Sat Jun 13, 2015, 02:21 PM

Jun 2015

So much for ONE man one woman, eh?

No Vested Interest

(5,167 posts)

2. Wow. - Those are quite clumsy translations.

Reply to redgreenandblue (Original post)

Sat Jun 13, 2015, 02:47 PM

Jun 2015

Newsdirectory ex. "same-intercourse marriage" - native English-speakers would use the phrase "same-sex marriage".
The Panteres translation is better, but still has some awkward wordings.

I did not realize that Ms. Merkel had been previously married, but, then. had never given it a thought.

Journeyman

(15,036 posts)

3. I always liked Kurt Vonnegut's take on the childless couple in "Slaughterhouse-Five". . .

Reply to redgreenandblue (Original post)

Sat Jun 13, 2015, 03:42 PM

Jun 2015

These two horse pitiers moved back along the wagon to where they could gaze in patronizing reproach at Billy — at Billy Pilgrim, who was so long and weak, so ridiculous in his azure toga and silver shoes. They weren't afraid of him. They weren't afraid of anything. They were doctors, both obstetricians. They had been delivering babies until the hospitals were all burned down. Now they were picnicking near where their apartment used to be.

The woman was softly beautiful, translucent from having eaten potatoes for so long. The man wore a business suit, necktie and all. Potatoes had made him gaunt. He was as tall as Billy, wore steel-rimmed tri-focals. This couple, so involved with babies, had never reproduced themselves, though they could have. This was an interesting comment on the whole idea of reproduction.

Some people, no matter their influence on the world, or their ability to tailor their attitude and response to maintain the best possible face against the world's adversities (picnicking in the ruins of the largest massacre in European history), these people may choose to not bring children into the world. Despite their position, or outward demeanor, they prefer to not subject children to the world's iniquities. And they do this in spite of all societal "norms" that may demand otherwise. They deserve to be let alone. They need, as Vonnegut surmises later in the book, to be granted their dignity.

Nye Bevan

(25,406 posts)

4. Well yes, that is a stupid argument that is easy to debunk.

Reply to redgreenandblue (Original post)

Sat Jun 13, 2015, 05:31 PM

Jun 2015

Should a 60-year old man not be allowed to marry a 60-year old woman because there will be no procreation?

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