Here is a thing Hillary Clinton said in 2004:
“I believe that marriage is not just a bond but a sacred bond between a man and a woman. I have had occasion in my life to defend marriage, to stand up for marriage, to believe in the hard work and challenge of marriage. So I take umbrage at anyone who might suggest that those of us who worry about amending the Constitution are less committed to the sanctity of marriage, or to the fundamental bedrock principle that exists between a man and a woman, going back into the mists of history as one of the founding, foundational institutions of history and humanity and civilization, and that its primary, principal role during those millennia has been the raising and socializing of children for the society into which they are to become adults.”
Well! A “fundamental bedrock principle that exists between a man and a woman, going back into the mists of history as one of the founding, foundational institutions of history and humanity and civilization, and that its primary, principal role during those millennia has been the raising and socializing of children for the society into which they are to become adults.” Quite so, and exactly right. There is nothing in any of this this that is a matter of opinion, or of political sympathies; it is nothing more than a statement of plainly evident fact about the history and purpose of a universal human institution that is, in all probability, the most universal, and probably the oldest, human institution of all.
And yet, with astonishing suddenness, this is not only a controversial thing to say, but a wicked thing to say — or even to think.
What extraordinary times we live in.
2 Comments
“There is nothing in any of this this that is a matter of opinion, or of political sympathies; it is nothing more than a statement of plainly evident fact about the history and purpose of a universal human institution that is, in all probability, the most universal, and probably the oldest, human institution of all.”
“Facts”? Who needs facts when we have popular opinion carved in poll numbers… Just put on your red high heels, Malcolm, and march in step….
“astonishing suddenness” is right. Almost like the entire thing has been orchestrated and timed. I have mentioned to friends that this explosion of same sex marriage needs to be left alone. Let it be. Oddly, some things that spring to life so quickly can just as quickly fade away due to disinterest, unworkability, and the simple loss of resistance. Resistance may be feeding it. Starve it.
Wasn’t it odd that three terms were used interchangeably to justify SSM—“marriage equality”, “gay marriage” and “same sex marriage”? All three of these have different meanings. Courts and judges are going to have a rough time.