I can't believe no one else has brought this up yet, so...

[BrianR]

What of the gay marriage thing going on in San Francisco?

By now you all have heard, I'm sure. If not, check the front page of any regional newspaper or google it.

I have been asked my opinion on this more than once. And since it seems hell has frozen over because Rush and I disagree on this point completely, I thought I'd post my opinions here for all to see and ridicule.

Simply put, I don't see a big problem here. The world will not end, the ability for me to wed Dagney hasn't changed a whit. MY rights are not being infringed. No one else's rights or freedoms are being infringed. It's not costing the taxpayers anything (I think the "marriage penalty" is a crock) and no one is being personally harmed. Yes, a few homophobes personal emotional security is being called into question, but they'll get over it.

This is a tempest in a teapot. Using the gays' own numbers, they are only about ten percent of the population. And of these, a large percentage are NOT interested in marriage. They are more known for having multiple partners and one-night stands or at best, serial monogamy. Therefore, the gay couples wanting to get married are a small percentage of the overall population. This number will not make any radical changes by themselves. The very fabric of our social tapestry (heard from a religious whacko) will not be torn asunder.

Aside, does anyone really use "asunder" anymore???

I say, let 'em go for it. The major arguments come from religious quarters anyway. If they have such a problem with it, let them refuse to recognize the marriages as valid. That should make them feel secure that none of "those types" are getting into their pond and polluting the "good and decent folk" with their unGodly ways. And for the State, they should not recognise the Church marriages as valid either. Fair is fair.

I have no personal objection to anyone getting married legally to another person not of their own kin and within species boundaries. (I put that in because Rush took things to an extreme and asked what if we next wanted to marry within the family or our pets?)

Simply put, live and let live. You can't have separation of Church and State one way, folks. Stay out of my life and I'll stay out of yours.

Brian