For 'tis the sport to have the engineer
Hoist with his own petard.
-- Hamlet, by William Shakespeare
From Anita Bryant to Maggie Gallagher, in ads spanning time from those in favor of the Briggs Initiative to those pushing Proposition 8 and Maine's Question One in 2009, one thing has remained constant: the forces of inequality have relentlessly attacked LGBT rights and same-sex marriage on the basis of protecting the children.
Suddenly, the shoe is on the other foot. The tables have been turned. A major disturbance in the space-time continuum has appeared. The foes of North Carolina's Amendment One, which would prohibit the state from recognizing any domestic union except marriage, have turned the cannons around and commenced firing. Ad after ad is now on the air and on Youtube, eloquently demonstrating how Amendment One would hurt children by denial of health care and other benefits, lack of protection against domestic violence, lack of recognition of the families these children belong to, and a sense of being treated as second class.
The difference is that the arguments the opposition to Amendment One make -- that the proposition would cause children harm -- have a factual basis, while those the haters make -- that children would be hurt by same-sex couples marrying or by a gay person being allowed to teach -- have a cloud-cuckoo land basis.
hoist with one's own petard
"to blow oneself up with one's own bomb, be undone by one's own devices... being the victim of one's own schemes."
-- Free Dictionary
We are shocked, SHOCKED, to learn that the proponents of Amendment One really don't like it.
"Advocates for homosexual marriage are desperate to avoid any discussion about the proper definition of marriage in North Carolina, so they have launched a desperate attempt to mislead people that the marriage amendment would damage unmarried people, especially women and children," said Tami Fitzgerald, Chairwoman of Vote FOR Marriage NC. -- Vote For Marriage NC
As you may have already noticed, the opposition is airing deceptive TV ads that are meant to scare the public from voting for the Marriage Amendment. These TV ads are effective... -- Christian Action League
Amendment One may still pass. For all the momentum and optimism we have right now, the odds are still in its favor. But if it does go down to defeat (perhaps the way the New Hampshire House of Representatives bill to rescind marriage equality crashed and burned in the last days before the vote), you will forgive me if I dance on its grave, and raise a toast to fighting fire with fire.
Schadenfreude
Satisfaction obtained from the misfortunes of others.