Franken busts 'Focus on the Family' for lying about federal study in DOMA hearing

In a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the repeal of the "Defense of Marriage Act," Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) on Wednesday challenged witness Thomas Minnery of Focus on the Family for misrepresenting a federal study by claiming that children raised by a male-female married couple are happier and healthier than children raised by other families.

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[Mr1958louief]

Being a Single Gay Male. I got custody of two boys, aged 1 & 21/2. It wasn't easy!! They are now 19 & 21. Both excelled in Sports, and Academics. Each Graduated with honors, and attend Great University's. It isn't the fact that there was a Mom, Dad. Mom, Mom, or Dad,Dad. It is The LOVE, and RESPECT we have for each other. I was never inclined to "The Life Style" It just isn't Me. It has never been hidden from them. They have always Known. As have the People around us. Acceptance is The KEY!

[ScheduleTVS]

Thanks Al Franken for helping free our community and airwaves from the Family Research Council's and Focus on the Family's oppression. "De oppresso liber is the motto of the United States Army Special Forces. It is US Army tradition that the phrase is Latin for "[to free from oppression]" or "[to liberate the oppressed]". -Wikipedia... Franken should get a medal for this one!

[braktheconqueror7]

Umm… What's with the fake added laugh track?

[FrankLightheart]

Damn, Franken has a little bit of Lewis Black in him.

[sudburylawyer]

I have no problem with gay marriage or gay people adopting children but I'm not sure this is a true gotcha moment. The definition of nuclear family cited more than likely refers to a "traditional" nuclear family in this case. The issue is still sufficiently controversial that if the authors had meant otherwise they would have said so. My two (Canadian) cents and I enjoyed watching Minnery squirm.

[Mike94001]

Focus on the Family is merely trying to pray the facts away, It can work. Many people feel some primitive attraction to facts. But that doesn't mean they they have to give in to their base instincts and surrender to those urges. With prayer and the graced of God, anyone can become fact free.

[heula1]

Failed to mention? I would imagine in a Congressional hearing, it's probably best to disambiguate as much as possible. Are you really that naive to think the other side simply "failed to mention" that slight detail about what the study defined as a nuclear family, given that it was the center of their argument?