From Liberty Counsel:

The Vermont Legislature voted to override Governor Jim Douglas' veto of a bill that permits same-sex couples to marry in Vermont. The state Senate voted 23-5 to override the veto and the House of Representatives voted 100-49 to override. Two-thirds of the Senate and the House votes were necessary.

Vermont was the first state to adopt same-sex civil unions in 2000 and is the first state to legalize same-sex marriage through the legislature.

Mathew D. Staver, Founder of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law, commented: " ... By redefining marriage, the Vermont legislature removed the cornerstone of society and the foundation of government. The consequences will rest on their shoulders and upon those passive objectors who know what to do but lack the courage to stand against this form of tyranny."

So a democratically elected legislature votes for a law that treats same-sex marriage the same as opposite-sex marriage. The law doesn't restrict the freedom of opposite-sex couples; it just gives same-sex couples the same benefits. Perhaps the law is unwise; perhaps it undermines important social institutions; perhaps it will eventually lead to bad things. I doubt that, but such arguments are at least possible. But "tyranny"? Or has "tyranny" just come to mean "any law I dislike, even if it doesn't restrict anyone's liberty, usurp any power that should belong to democratically elected bodies, or discriminate against anyone"?

UPDATE: Liberty Counsel posts a correction.

Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel writes, apropos my post yesterday about the misuse of the word "tyranny":

Eugene,

I corrected the statement in my release yesterday which you have on your blog. The last sentence was meant to say: "The consequences will rest on their shoulders and upon those passive objectors who know what to do but who lack the political courage to do what is right for the common good of the people." It was done in a rush and after reading it I rewrote it.

Good catch!

Mat Staver

I'm very pleased to see the correction.