Posted by Mrs. Isis Fabulous at 207.127.233.246 on February 19, 2004 at 11:44:55:
In Reply to: Bill Mahr made a great point posted by Runshouse21 on February 19, 2004 at 11:29:29:
Sometimes I just want to lock him and Dennis Miller in a room and let them whine each other to death.
: The republicans and the right are against gay marriage because they truly believe it is an abomination.
Yes, just as many social conservatives in 1949 insisted that inter-racial marriage was an "abomination". Hitler thought that the Jewish race was an "abomination". Just because someone firmly believes something doesn't make it right.
: the democrats and the left though are all about 'civil unions' and riding the fence so they dont alienate any voters. They are hypocrites in the fact that they dont believe it's truly wrong and they don't do anything about it.
To some extent I can agree with this, but social politics are necessarily complex and Maher is a simplistic dolt. To be truly liberal requires accomodating as many people's viewpoints as possible without completely alienating everyone. Liberals ostensibly should support the rights of others to hold whatever religious beliefs they choose, as long as they aren't harming or impeding the freedom of other people. Tolerance is a virtue, not a sin. The concept of "civil unions" is probably too much of a compromise, but it is a baby step in the right direction.
I do like the idea proposed in the article Ralphy posted -- have said as much before, myself -- but I think it would be too difficult to try and change our entire language to understand that a "legal marriage" is a "union" and a "marriage" is a "Christian marriage"...
Fuck 'em all, let everyone structure their household however they like, let them have all the benefits to which they should be entitled. The super-right-wing view that the government shouldn't regulate big business, but SHOULD regulate people's personal lives, is just way beyond me. End the hypocrisy now! Go-go, Frisco!