Sorry Ffolks, the wound of George Bush on my psyche is still festering . . .

You know, what are they fighting about? I mean, really? You know, right now, a gay couple can have almost every right available to that of a married couple with a little ingenuity, and it's all perfectly acceptable within the confines of the law.

As to property rights: If the owner records what is known as a "Quit Claim Deed," including his partner in title to the property, and includes the words, "as joint tenants with right of survivorship," then it prevents the court from interfering with the ownership transfer to the surviving partner. No family can interfere like they could if an estate were to enter probate, and to make matters even juicier, NO ESTATE TAXES!

As to life insurance: Um, I'm pretty sure you can name any beneficiary you'd like, right?

As to taking their partners name: Legal name changes are a matter of ease. You just have to prove to the court that you aren't attempting to defraud.

You can have a ceremony.

You can have a reception.

You can list whomever you'd like as an emergency contact.

You can distribute your estate through your will pretty much any way you please. Anna Nicole Smith proved that.

The only thing I can think of that you can't do is to bring your partner into your health insurance as a spouse or dependant. But you know what? Insurance companies can change that policy and there's the nothing the federal government can do to stop it.

So, I ask to our elected leaders, "What are you fighting against? All you'd be doing by allowing same-sex marraiges is giving people the right to bring partners into their health insurance plans. I see how you might think that this could cause the collapse of the American family as we know it, but c'mon!"

In other words, friends, it's all about religion. It's all about someone's world view and pure, unmasked hatred.

Sort of makes you wonder about "Equal protection under law," doesn't it?

Joseph Haines, signing off from The Edge of the Abyss.