STORY #1: It’s the economy . . . really
At some point very soon, like it or not, Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) will have to elaborate on “I believe that marriage is the union of one man and one woman” when asked to comment on President Obama’s support for same-sex marriage. Granted, there isn’t much room for elaboration. But people will demand to know which side of history he’d prefer to be on, as Fox News anchor Shepard Smith incisively surmised. (He may be the only incisive person there.)
I’m sure some of you are depressed that this issue is dividing anyone at all. But despite all the insistence on “traditional marriage,” the concept has been evolving for generations. People of different races can do it; people of different faiths can do it; people of the same bloodlines can’t do it (most of the time); and one gender is no longer the legal property of the other (in America). And nobody has been able to reverse the sentiment successfully. So, give it another decade or two. People will laugh at the idea that SSM was ever a matter of controversy or even debate.
STORY #2: Not in Washington, though
While Boehner’s attempts to bring the line of questioning back to jobs were pretty hilarious (PIVOTING, U R DOIN IT WRONG), the truth is that Obama’s announcement of support was mostly a symbolic move that may have no bearing on the legislative process for months, perhaps years. Witness his comments on an anticipated referendum in Washington State that would overturn their SSM law. Sure, he opposes it. But is he planning to do anything about it?
I’m not blind to the fact that being the first president to support SSM out loud is a huge step. But until he announces a constitutional amendment to illegalize sex-specific laws across the country (which I would personally support, because why wouldn’t you want to do that?), it’s just a statement. Hopefully we’ll all get back to business as usual after this week’s news cycle.
STORY #3: Inside Bristol’s brain
According to Bristol Palin, who may see more mentions here now that she’s commenting on something other than her personal life (for now), this is how to be a proper parent and president: 1. Tell your kids that their personal perspective is as valuable as Dora the Explorer. 2. Pretend society’s perspective never, ever changes. 3. “Shape their thoughts” before the kids shape their own. I’m tempted to start a Twitter campaign called #freetripp. If this is the sort of parental education he starts getting in a few years, I expect a large(r) therapy bill.
