Despite my responding to their e-mails with links to pornography and the ruder of available LOLcats, the Family Research Council continues to send me their newsletters, much to my amusement:
Not So Straight Talk Express
While the firestorm over gay “marriage” rages on, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has managed to keep a relatively low profile on an issue that is certain to take center stage in the general election. During his visit to California this week, local conservatives hoped he would seize the opportunity to speak openly about the threats posed by same-sex “marriage.” Then he appeared on this morning’s “Ellen DeGeneres Show” alongside one of America’s most popular comedians, who has talked repeatedly about being a lesbian. When a reporter from The Mercury News asked McCain why he took the interview, the senator said, “…People [will] get to see me in a different setting.” Last week, Ellen announced that she and her female lover will take advantage of the court’s decision to marry this summer. Although McCain said that he preferred to talk about “the economy, health care, and national security,” DeGeneres asked some pointed questions about marriage:
DeGeneres: “Let’s talk about the big elephant in the room. I was planning on having a ceremony anyway this summer, even though it wasn’t legal, but I feel that at least I get to celebrate my love. And then, it just so happens, I can now legally get married, as everyone should. To me this is only fair and only natural… What are your thoughts?”
McCain: “My thoughts are that I think people should be able to enter into legal agreements, and I think that is something that we should encourage, particularly in the case of insurance and other areas, decisions that have to be made. I just believe in the unique status of marriage between man and woman. And I know that we have a respectful disagreement on that issue.”
DeGeneres: “To me… it feels like when someone says you can have a contract, and you’ll still have insurance and you’ll get all that, it sounds to me like saying, ‘You can sit there, you just can’t sit there.’ That’s what it sounds like to me. It doesn’t feel inclusive; it feels isolated. It feels like we aren’t owed the same things and the same wording.”
McCain: “Well, I’ve heard you articulate that position in a very eloquent fashion, and we have a disagreement. I, along with many many others, wish you every happiness.”
Last year McCain agreed to speak at FRC’ssuper-special hatefest, because he’s a mavericky maverick who bucks the party line and appeals to moderates by eschewing traditional Republican divisiveness. It seems to have bought him quite a lot of cred with these folks, since they’re so concerned now that he’s caught lesbian cooties from Ellen.
A.