The Merry Go Round Goes Round...

The reason I chose Spiral Storm as today's fractal should be pretty obvious from the title of today's post. Much as some folks would like this issue to just go away it's not going to happen: we'll be fighting and debating this for years to come. So, on with the post...
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On May 26 the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8 (defining marriage as being between "one man and one woman". Those against same-sex marriage were happy, those in favor were, needless to say, not pleased. Both sides are already gearing up to fight this battle again--maybe as early as 2010.
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Those in favor of same-sex marriage say voter demographics are on their side. They site the fact that when the issues has gone before the ballot (I think twice before) it has lost by smaller and smaller margins. They feel that "eventually" the voter demographic will swing their way and same-sex marriage will be legal in California. Those opposed don't want to see that happen so they'll do whatever they can to make sure it is defeated (and if it passes they'll be fighting to get it overturned. And the Merry Go Round goes round...
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If you regularly read this blog you know where I stand on the issue. (If not, what are you doing on my blog?) That being said, I make a real effort to see both sides of an issue (and often I do). This isn't one of them. I hear the words "we want to protect marriage"--but protect it from what? Are they afraid their spouse is going to leave them now that same-sex marriage is legal? If they want to "protect" marriage why aren't they speaking up against adultery? There's a lot more straight folks "gettin' busy" outside the bonds of marriage: in my opinion adultery is a much bigger threat to marriage than same-sex couples joining in wedlock. I'm curious why those so adamantly against same-sex marriage aren't being more vocal about things like AshleyMadison.com--a site dedicated to arranging extramarital affairs. Is there a bit of a double standard there?
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Something else I find amusing: those opposed to same-sex marriage often argue that "we've resolved the issue--why keep bringing it up again?" Frankly, I find this beyond hypocritical. There are "pro life" groups (funded by the same types of people and organizations that are against same-sex marriage) who keep putting propositions on the ballot to restrict abortion rights. The propositions keep losing yet a year or two later the issue is back on the ballot in a slightly different form. Does re-examining an issue only become acceptable when your side losing? Seems these good people think so...
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Meanwhile same-sex marriages are legal in Vermont (and have been for nearly a decade--if not more) and the structure of society hasn't come apart. The same is true for Connecticut, Massachusetts and even Iowa. The instutution of marriage as we know it hasn't come crumbling down, (Maybe the fabric of society won't be torn assumder in small states--hmm?) Who knows? After half a century or so the world may see that the world won't be substantially changed by gays and lesbians being allowed to marry.
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In the end, as I've no doubt said before, the debate on same-sex marriage boils down to one simple question: is "marriage" a sacred covenant or a legal contract? If the answer is "sacred covenant" then the government has no business interfering in whatever churches decide on the issue. If the answer is "legal contract" then there simply isn't a reason NOT to allow same-sex couples to wed. "Separate but equal" never is--we learned that way back when during segregated education. It's time to move ahead.
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'nuff said.