Just posted this comment to Kerry's blog.
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I just read an article about the Oregon court ruling that the state had to recognize the 3000+ same-sex marriages already performed there. In the article, Kerry was again described as opposing gay marriage and favoring civil unions. I wanted to say to Kerry, his staff, and his supporters: This is just wrong.
Sure, I'm going to vote for John in the fall, but it is problems with his views like this that are preventing me from contributing $$ to the campaign. The line to draw is not between civil unions and marriages. Because settling for civil unions is settling for indefensible discrimination. Kerry should instead draw the line between religious marriage and civil marriage. Churches and their members can believe what they want and perform only the marriages they approve. No one wants to change that. But THE STATE cannot discriminate in its performance of civil marriages.
I know Kerry's camp is worried about him appearing to waffle on any issue, as the Bushies have already trotted out that attack method. But the American people can understand something like the following announcement: "I've listened to my supporters. I've thought deeply about the issue. I've searched my heart. What I come away with is a deep conviction that anything less than civil marriage for same-sex couples is discriminatory and unfair. So, yes. I've changed my position on this issue, but that is something that distinguishes me from President Bush. He can't even think of a mistake that he's made and so he cannot learn from his mistakes. We need a President capable of careful reflection on hard issues. I will be that President."
Make us proud Kerry. Do the right thing and release a decision like that.
Posted by Brian at April 21, 2004 06:11 AM | TrackBack