The tyranny of the oppressed

This editorial contains perhaps the greatest concentration of classic right wing spin-based reasoning and phony "victimization" memes I have seen in a long time. The deal is, the Wisconsin Republican party (once home to Joe McCarthy, now under the control of his evangelical soul mates) has stuffed an anti-gay marriage amendment onto the ballot.

If the backers of this amendment were honest, they would say that they believe homosexuality is a "lifestyle choice," and that homosexuals thus cannot be a "class" of people subject to the "equal protection" provisions of the constitution. They would further say that homosexuality is a moral failing, and revolting to them, and that they do not want the state to recognize or legitimize this "immoral lifestyle choice."

Of course, the problem with this is that, although it has the benefit of being honest, it is an awful argument, interpreting constitutional protections through a filter of religious bigotry. Gays don't have the same fundamental right to get married as other people because ... well, because they're gays, and God hates that.

Realizing that this is a losing argument on all fronts, these folks do what they always do - they dissemble. And so it is that Mr. McIlheran fatuously avers that the real issue here is the right of God Fearin' Folk to disagree with that darned PC Thought Police!! Jiminy, it's gettin' so a guy can't blatantly discriminate against an oppressed minority anymore without being taken to court!

What a yutz.