What do you respect?

As you, and many people I know, have probably noticed, I don't tolerate stupidity very well, or very long.  In general I'm a quiet person.  But the older I get, the less I put up with shit that is just wrong.  I enjoy discussions with people who have different views, and often learn a lot from them.  But start talking crap, or sharing opinions based on fairytales, and I will quickly correct you.

I read this essay the other day.  On the whole, it's a good essay.  I should probably be pointing out all the things I like about it.  But it ran in my local paper under the headline "Gay Marriage: Both Sides Deserve Respect."  And when I got about 2/3 of the way through it, I ran into something that stopped me in my tracks: "...the large majority of Americans believe that their view [for or against gay marriage] is or would be good for individuals and good for society."

Okay.  I'm sure that's true.  And my response is one I've said before, and pissed people off: So what?  So what if opponents of gay marriage think their views are good for individuals, society, the country?  Barone is saying we should respect opposing viewpoints.  And I do- when they're respectable, when they're reasonable.  A belief based on fear, misinformation, and a desire to impose your views on others is wrong, strongly held or not. 

Don't like gay marriage?  Don't marry in your own gender.  This is America.  We cherish our freedom.  Live your life as you want to live it... And let others live their lives, as they want to live them.  As long as no one gets hurt, stay out of the way.  You think your view is good for the country?  Fine.  Think that.  You're wrong, and you shouldn't try to impose your will on others, but go ahead and think it.  I'm sure the KKK thinks its views are best for America.  And again, so what?  Does that mean they get to have their way?

There are two sides (at least) to every story.  And there are plenty of shades of grey in every situation.  But there is, in the end, a right way to deal with gay marriage, and a wrong way.  The sooner we can get to a place where everyone is allowed to love who they want, the better.  It boggles my mind how the "family values" crowd is so opposed to accepting loving families.  They're the ones who should be supporting families, of all types.  And yet they're doing their level best to destroy families, and keep new ones from forming.  Not so long ago, some of them were driving out gay members of their own family (thankfully, that seems a lot less common nowadays.)

If you're a real American, you'll support other peoples' rights and freedoms.  Or, you can insist on imposing your narrow-assed views on others.  Guess which one I'll respect?


Further reading:


Some Republicans have guts

Some thoughts about Portman's "coming out"

This one ties marriage and abortion; the last couple of paragraphs are what grabbed me

A long but great article.  Man, Republicans are obsessed with sex!