As I was watching Mayor Newsom and the odious Marilyn Musgrave
debate on Larry King last night I was struck by the fact that Musgrave bascially gave up on her arguments about why her amendment doesn't amount rank, foul discrimination. Instead of trying to argue the merits of her amendment, Musgrave whipped out the old Christian Conservative cannard of polygamy and hammered Newsom with it like it was somehow relevant.
The argument goes something like this: if we let gay people marry we won't have any good arguments to forbid against polygamy, bestiality and incest. Occasionally they'll throw in pedophila in for good measure, although they tend to shut up when you point out that "traditional" marriage a mere 150 year ago frequently occurred between adult men and 12-year-old girls.
I think we should always point out that the only people who like to talk about polygamy, bestiality and incest are Christian conservatives! I've never even heard of any polygamists, or bestiality or incest afficianados arguing their cases on national TV. Curiously it's only Christian conservatives, nostrils flaring and a hungry look in their eyes, who speak passionately about these sexual practices demanding when we will cease our discrimination against them.
I think we should always respectfully acknoweldge this while turning the conversation back to idiocy of amending the Consitution to discriminate against same-gender couples who wish to avail themselves of the benefits and obligations of civil marriage.
I would also point out that what someone talks about really generally reflects what is on his or her mind. Therefore while I must respect Rep. Musgrave's right to speak out, I wouldn't let her anywhere near a Golden Retriever if you know what I mean.
