a rare Profile In Courage

Very rarely do politicians act boldly or speak in ways that are moving, much less honest.  In that light, today's statement by Jerry Sanders, Mayor of San Diego and a Republican, is nothing short of extraordinary.

You can read more background here.  But you really ought to watch the video.

Somehow this act is even more satisfying to me because it comes from a Republican — acting on principle.  

I am reminded of an anecdote I heard in the 90s about former Sen. Carol Moseley-Braun, who stepped into the Senate elevator one day to be greeted by Jesse Helms singing Dixie, in apparent attempt, he said, "to make her cry".  

"Senator," Mosely-Braun replied, "the only song you could sing that would make me cry would be Rock of Ages."

Mayor Sanders did as much at his press conference today, and he deserves our acknowledgement for doing — and saying — the right things.  Going forward, he will not have such an easy time with his own party or his supporters;  he will quite possibly be the target of a primary challenge.  This was truly one of those Profiles In Courage moments that President Kennedy admired.  It's nice to see that people like that aren't completely gone from public life.  

Apologies for such a short diary, but I'm so stunned by this I'm not sure what else there is to say.  

•  Came home after a rough day

  and it melted away with this video.  Maybe someday I'll be jaded and cynical seeing public officials actually doing their jobs.

  by Big River Bandido on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 04:32:24 PM PDT

  •  You're number three, but that's all right...

    San Diego mayor backs marriage equality by Hannibal
    When You Least Expect It...Flyin' Pigs by myself

    Here's a tip and rec, anyway.

    by davewill on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 05:26:19 PM PDT

    •  sorry

      as I mentioned below, I am keyword challenged...searched for Jerry Sanders, San Diego, "gay marriage" and "marriage equality" and came up with nothing.

      by Big River Bandido on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 06:17:06 PM PDT

      •  Actually there was one more

        One Heart at a Time by Religious Institute

        This is why I think the tagging project is so important.  If all of these diaries had been tagged consistently, someone searching could have easily found them.  

        All of these diaries scrolled off the list without much notice, so I don't think it was a bad thing that you posted this BRD.  This topic should be seen.

        by sarahnity on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 06:28:26 PM PDT

•  I Caught....

  It, and you're right.

  But I was left feeling, was he choking up because he realized, thanks to his lesbian daughter, that he had been wrong all along, or that he knew what was coming!

  They did say that he was getting some real bad blowback from his supporters while some were thanking him.

  by jimstaro on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 04:33:08 PM PDT

  •  It was a campaign issue for him

    And he's done a total about-face.  He's going to have some rough sailing ahead.  

    by Big River Bandido on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 04:35:20 PM PDT

  •  I wondered about that too, jimstaro,

    but even if both things caused him to choke up - that's okay.  If I knew I was going to have hell to pay from previously supportive people, I (shamefully)admit I probably wouldn't have the courage to do what he did.  He did the right thing anyway.

    A secondary point: Is there some way we here on DKos could thank and support Mayor Sanders?  I have long felt what we need is integrity injected in our government, D or R labels should be secondary. So I like to reward good behavior. Any ideas on how to do that, Kossacks?

    by zett on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 06:07:49 PM PDT

  •  Doesn't matter

    It was real emotion not the kind we get from very many these days.  Whether he was feeling bad about his daughter or about jeopardizing his political future, he did the right thing.

    by luckylizard on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 09:28:36 PM PDT

•  Tags?

  I put "marriage equality" as the tag, but the system automatically changed it to the misleading and incorrect "gay marriage".  What's up with that???

  by Big River Bandido on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 04:34:31 PM PDT

  •  The Hall Monitor...

    Taggers haven't figured out 'marriage equality' can mean more, frankly that's why they irritate the hell out of me.

    On anything they deem 'misappropriate' because it causes work.

    Tags are Tags are Tags, meanings numorous, search engines not human!

    by jimstaro on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 04:40:47 PM PDT

    •  The tag librarians

      had nothing to do with this.  Ever since the new tagging policies were instituted, we haven't changed anyone's tags.

      by sarahnity on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 04:50:00 PM PDT

  •  consistency in tags

    They are trying to keep the tags uniform so that they are more helpful. There's been a band of volunteers going around and cleaning up old tags ... sounds like they installed some auto-correction features with the new updates.

    You should add the mayor's name, as well.

    by kainah on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 04:40:57 PM PDT

    •  Oh...

      I know that and understand, their problem is they come in, leave a tag message, nothing about the subject matter of the post, and in some cases think everyone is an idiot so they place a link to whatever.

      Volunteer is great, but we have enough dictatorship in DC, and many work enviroments.

      At least comment on subject matter with a little reminder about tags.

      by jimstaro on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 04:45:06 PM PDT

  •  I just tagged "marriage equality" and it worked

    I'm not sure what you were seeing.

    by sarahnity on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 04:47:49 PM PDT

    •  Thank you

      I tried putting that in, and it automatically changed.  It must not like boys.  :)

      by Big River Bandido on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 04:49:04 PM PDT

      •  What happens

        if you try removing "gay marriage" now?

        It looks like you are running into a brand new site software feature that hasn't been announced.  

        by sarahnity on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 04:51:35 PM PDT

        •  looks like it works :)

          I wonder if it's because I spelled it "Marriage Equality", capitalizing the first letter of each?

          by Big River Bandido on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 04:54:35 PM PDT

          •  I really couldn't say

            There is another diary posted yesterday with the "marriage equality" tag so whatever the issue is, it is in the works right now.

            That said, I found your diary, but didn't find his because the only tag I searched on was "gay marriage".  If some sort of uniformity had been enforced, I could have easily found all the diaries on this topic.  If you had to pick one tag to describe this topic, I'm assuming it would be "marriage equality", but why?

            by sarahnity on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 04:59:12 PM PDT

            •  Not to totally hijack your diary

              But since you are someone who seems to care both about this issue, and how your diary is tagged, I was hoping you could help with this.

              Right now, these are the different tags I've seen on this topic (the numbers in are the number of diaries with that tag).

              gay marriage (739)
              marriage equality (103)
              same sex marriage (31)
              same-sex marriage (112)
              civil marriage (3)
              equal marriage rights (1)
              equal marriage (13)
              gay marriage bans (2)
              gay marriage ban (7)
              gay marriage vote (1)
              marriage ban (1)
              marriage discrimination (1)
              marriage equity (2)
              marriage laws (2)
              marriage rights (1)
              sanctity of marriage (1)
              straight marriage (1)
              traditional marriage (1)

              From this, I'd say that the community preference is "gay marriage" so I would definitely suggest adding that back to your tag list.  

              But I'm still curious.  What does the tag "marriage equality" say that "gay marriage" doesn't, with respect to this issue.  Is it more of a framing issue or are there subtle distinctions in meaning I'm not getting?

              by sarahnity on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 05:18:32 PM PDT

              •  semantics

                "Marriage equality" is a neutral term that implies a level playing field regardless of one's gender or that of one's partner.  

                "Gay marriage", from the political angle, is more limited in scope and thus likely to engender more opposition.  It implies that something is being "given" only to gay people...which of course opens up that bogus can of worms known as "special rights".  

                by Big River Bandido on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 05:23:31 PM PDT

                •  I'm not trying to put words in your mouth

                  but that would be a difference in framing, right?  Or am I still not getting it?

                  by sarahnity on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 05:26:35 PM PDT

                  •  I have never read Lakoff

                    but I think the term "framing" is WAY overused, mostly by people who don't seem to understand what it means either...otherwise they would write more clearly about it.

                    by Big River Bandido on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 05:30:09 PM PDT

                    •  Ok, let me try it another way

                      Do you have any objection to using the tag "gay marriage" in addition to the tag "marriage equality"?  Or would you feel that diminished the value or message of your diary?

                      by sarahnity on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 05:38:11 PM PDT

                      •  yes

                        I prefer to use language that is specifically targeted to my point of view on the issue, and eschew that which undermines my message.  

                        by Big River Bandido on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 05:42:47 PM PDT

                        •  You're talking about framing.

                          Just so you know. And I have nothing against it, even though it pisses me off that we have to employ defensive framing in order to demand our rights.

                          by Halcyon on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 05:45:05 PM PDT

                          •  I call it "semantics"

                            I have nothing against the act of tailoring language for political purposes.  Just not going to bow down at the altar of Lakoff.  He didn't invent the thing...

                            by Big River Bandido on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 05:50:50 PM PDT

                        •  Even though that means

                          your diary will have a smaller audience?  

                          If 8 out of 10 users here think of this issue as "gay marriage" that's the term they will use when they search the tags and then they will therefore miss your diary.  

                          I picked those numbers based on the tag usage numbers I posted above.  It looks like 8 out of 10 taggers used the tag "gay marriage".

                          I'm not trying to imply that you are wrong for feeling this way, I'm just trying to get to the heart of how you would like tags used for your diary.

                          by sarahnity on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 05:52:28 PM PDT

                          •  eh

                            I'm resigned to the smaller audience anyway...and that's ok, looking at some of the garbage that makes the rec list.  

                            As for tags...I am and have always been keyword-challenged anyway...can never find what I'm looking for, especially here on dKos.  

                            by Big River Bandido on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 05:58:11 PM PDT

                            •  I just found it kind of ironic

                              The only reason I found your diary was that I was searching on the tag "gay marriage".  I probably would have diaried this topic myself if I hadn't found yours.

                              by sarahnity on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 06:02:19 PM PDT

                              •  and as davewill said above

                                there were 2 others that beat me to it.  I never have any luck with searches, even when I'm searching for something that I already read a few days ago...

                                by Big River Bandido on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 06:19:30 PM PDT

                      •  People use "gay marriage" to create hatred

                        and create friction.

                        The neutrality afforded by "marriage equality" takes the negativity out of the phrase and it makes it more difficult for the rightwingers or anyone else to use it as a weapon to say that it weaken straight marriages so legislation needs to be written to protect straight marriages.  It is a crock but it is the way it is used and it was used in the 2004 election.

                        Marriage equality means equality in all marriages without singling out gays, lesbians, straight, or any type of marriage and causing a flap.  It avoids the negative baggage attached to gay marriage.  It is an attempt to speak in terms of equality instead of separating citizens according to gender.

                        PaintyKat

                        by PaintyKat on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 04:00:26 PM PDT

                    •  Isn't 'special rights' the RW frame

                      to paint gays as demanding more than merely equal rights under the law? In other words, 'special rights' is a contrived RW frame. 'Marriage equality' is an attempt by the gay or lgbt community to parry that frame with neutral language. That would still be framing of the marriage issue.

                      by Halcyon on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 05:41:43 PM PDT

                      •  "Special rights" is a right wing meme

                        and "gay marriage" is the bogeyman weigh station en route to the "special rights" argument.  I prefer to cut that argument off at the knees, which is why I use the term "marriage equality".

                        by Big River Bandido on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 05:44:47 PM PDT

•  Even though it took being personally affected

  by the fact his daughter is gay it is still refreshing to see a Republican experience growth. Rare it may be, I guess it does occur.

  Congratulations Mr. Mayor for your new found compassion.

  by alasmoses on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 04:36:35 PM PDT

  •  coming out day

    I've always wished there could be a national day when everyone who was gay stood up together so that the whole world could suddenly see how many they are and the prejudiced could see how many they know. Totally impossible, of course, but a nice dream because I think attitudes would change pretty dramatically immediately.

    by kainah on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 04:42:38 PM PDT

    •  National Coming Out Day is just around the corner

      I believe it's September 30.  

      by Big River Bandido on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 04:44:44 PM PDT

      •  yeah....

        But you'll never see everyone do it at once -- that's my dream.

        by kainah on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 04:55:57 PM PDT

  •  Being confronted with a moral dilemma

    is how many moral people get beyond their own prejudices.  When confronted with a choice — turn my back on my daughter, or on my own prejudice — some will make the correct choice.  That's how hearts and minds are changed.  

    by Big River Bandido on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 04:47:01 PM PDT

    •  No doubt.

      There are boatloads of fathers in America who have driven their own children from their doorstep.

      When his moment came to be measured, he certainly did not come up short.

      by UntimelyRippd on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 07:04:25 PM PDT

•  I was just reading about this

  and came over to check if anyone had diaried it yet.  Thanks for doing so.  This story deserves to be heard.

  by sarahnity on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 04:37:19 PM PDT

  •  go watch the video

    If you've only been reading about it and haven't seen the video, you MUST see the video. I've never seen a politician that choked up. Totally amazing.

    by kainah on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 04:43:41 PM PDT

    •  agreed

      this is one you must watch

      by Big River Bandido on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 04:47:41 PM PDT

      •  Not unless you don't mind crying at work

        that was a 2 kleenex job for me.

        by sarahnity on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 04:52:46 PM PDT

•  that is truly amazing!

  I had seen the headlines but I hadn't watched the video. Ohmigod, he has me choked up, too!

  Yay for the Mayor of San Diego.

  And yay, Big River Bandido, for reminding me of that Braun-Helms story -- of which there are many!

  by kainah on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 04:39:26 PM PDT

•  What's the biochemical connection

  between Right Wing dads and gay daughters? Dick Cheney, Alan Keyes, and now Jerry Sanders? Is it that the meek shall inherit the earth?

  by tsunami on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 04:59:16 PM PDT

  •  Guess they're just lucky :) n/t

    by Big River Bandido on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 05:01:10 PM PDT

•  A Come To Jesus Moment In The True Sense

  of the word. Now we shall see our faux-Christian spokesman rip into the Mayor! Thank you for sharing something encouraging with us in this diary...we sure needed it.

  by Arctor on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 05:03:57 PM PDT

  •  "we sure needed it"

    yes, especially after all the idiot votes in the Senate the last two days.

    by Big River Bandido on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 05:05:13 PM PDT

    •  And it also illustrates that political integrity

      can cross party lines and maybe we should look for more of that regardless of party affiliation rather than being taken to the cleaners by our friendly local Democrats.

      by Arctor on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 05:11:10 PM PDT

      •  I agree in theory

        but in practice, you don't find much of it (integrity) in that other party.

        by Big River Bandido on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 05:17:12 PM PDT

•  Just watched the video

  Eloquently spoken words. Relationships are important.

  by tsunami on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 05:08:54 PM PDT

•  a good man

  Sometimes it takes a sudden jolt to your consciousness to make you reevaluate long-held and deeply personal convictions.  This man's daughter came out as gay.  He had to make a decision, do the thing his supporters in the Right wing of the GOP wanted him to do, or look his daughter and her friends in the eyes and tell them they are not good enough to enjoy the same rights as Britney Spears or 3 times married Rudy Giuliani.

  He thought and did the right thing as a father and as a leader.  He is a good man who did the right thing, a rarity in these days of spineless, bought and paid for politicians.

  by North Country Dem on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 05:17:13 PM PDT

•  Thanks for sharing n/t

  by eeff on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 05:25:06 PM PDT

•  Now if he stops taking bribes

  in order to allow developers to build illegal and dangerous skyscrapers next to airports, he may have a real legacy to leave us here in San Diego.

  by greggp on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 05:51:47 PM PDT

  •  um, yikes

    I never said the guy was a saint.  He is, after all, a Republican.  Just saying that it was heartening for me to see him doing the right thing on this issue.  

    by Big River Bandido on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 05:59:18 PM PDT

•  Sent him an email

  the minute I read this:

  I just watched the news conference about gay marriage.  I am not a constituent nor a Republican.  Thank you for your courage and integrity.  At a time when both qualities are in short supply, you have given me hope that all is not lost.  

  by luckylizard on Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 09:29:51 PM PDT