Shameful

If you're searching for additional signs of the inanity of the Bush Administration and our Republican-controlled Congress, look no further than this coming Monday's "Federal Marriage Amendment" - and the President's repugnant, upcoming Rose Garden pep rally that will advocate making sexual discrimination into Constitutional law.

My views on this topic are a matter of record. So I urge you to sign the Democratic Party's on-line petition opposing this bill, and to write or phone Senator Bill Frist directly, condemning this affront to the principles of a free, peaceful, and equitable society. If you need help finding the words, feel free to copy my missive to Dr. Bill himself:

Senator Frist,

With the preponderance of genuinely serious problems confronting America today, it is indefensible that your priority Monday as Majority Leader is the "Federal Marriage Amendment." That you would propose to waste the Senate's time - and the taxpayers' money - on such a divisive, needless, discriminatory issue is simply shameful, and beneath a man of your educational level.

It is a misuse of the precious energies of the most powerful legislative body in the land, by appealing to the basest of human prejudices. It neither addresses a demonstrable threat to the American way of life, nor does it reflect the will of the majority of the American people. And it is nothing less than a betrayal of your oath of office, particularly your unique authority to set the Senate's - and thereby, the nation's - agenda.

The bill itself is egregious and reprehensible. It is merely a transparent attempt to appease the most rabid, bigoted factions of the "Grand Old Party" - a party which, once in its history, abolished slavery, and stood passionately for recognizing the similarities we all share instead of persecuting our differences.

But there is nothing "Grand" about this proposal. It seeks solely to prohibit equal and open participation in one of our most joyous traditions, simply because of individual sexual orientation - and denies states any avenue that would allow them to extend equal protections to members of the LGBT community and their families.

Legislating intolerance should not be the business of the United States Senate. Doing so Constitutionally is an inexcusable assault against a document historically used to EXPAND AND PROTECT the rights of the individual.

Put an end to this crass political pandering, and lead as a leader should - by addressing the issues that matter to the safety and stability of our country. Issues like domestic security, economic responsibility, national health care, global peace, and government accountability.

Those matters are the business of the United States Senate. The ghettoization of loving, monogamous American couples because of their private and involuntary sexual orientation most certainly is not.

BP

For God's sake, kids, raise your voices!