I think you are oversimplifying to a great degree, or at the very least (likely unknowingly) incorrectly caricaturing those on the conservative side. People who are against gay marriage (I might as well raise my hand here), are not simply “cherry picking” freedom any more than you are by your sentiments above. All the way back to the founding fathers, freedom, individual and corporate, was never seen as free to do whatever, but always seen as freedom to do as conscious dictates to the betterment of society (not just “so long as the action doesn’t hurt anyone”). American freedom is fundamentally rooted in an unselfish Judeo-Christian ethic…rather or not people today want to admit it. Were there enlightenment ideals present too, undoubtedly, but even a very quick comparison between the American and French revolutions should make this point abundantly clear. People who oppose gay marriage, see such a union as a detriment to society, plan and simple. Does it have something to do with religion, sure, most likely. But what social issue is truly devoid of religious implications? However, to say or imply that they (those who oppose) are either hypocritical, simple minded, or just plain backwards is being rather unfair.

If you want an example of cherry picking freedoms, seems like one need look no further than those who cried so loudly about Bush and company’s attack on civil liberties, yet swoon to the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania who has not only done nothing to reverse said actions, but persists in intensifying the attack on freedom.

Nevertheless, I am right with you as far as a distain for the two parties, and a desire to see our freedoms reborn. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" />