by Thomas Craig

Okay, I'm the first to admit it.  After writing a post about how Cheney should shut his mouth and creep back into the shadows, I am now intrigued by this increasingly vocal man.  I believe his opinions on Guantanamo Bay and the use of torture are valid (I don't necessarily agree with them though) and I can understand his desire to defend his legacy.  My problem is that I don't believe he is the right messenger to be taking center stage and representing the GOP.  Dick Cheney is a symbol of all that America is tired of and voted against in the last election.  It is apparent now that during the last eight years, like a good Vice-President, he was stifled by Pres. Bush and was forced to keep his mouth shut.  Now that he is free to do as he pleases, he is coming out guns blazing. 

In his latest revelation to the world, yesterday the former VP took on the issue of gay marriage and truly surprised me.  Accompanied by his daughter, Cheney described how he feels that gay marriage is a state issue, not a federal one.  This strikes at the heart of what the new Republican movement should be about; returning power to the States rather than the Federal Government.  Cheney even let his "inner-libertarian" through when he said to the National Press Club "I think people ought to be free to enter into any kind of union they wish, any kind of arrangement they wish."  This was a big step for him, I'm sure.  In this statement, he has proved to me that he does indeed have an understanding of the Constitution and the comprehension of individual rights. 

Gay Marriage is controversial and anyone can understand why.  I do agree with Cheney that if the issue is to be a legal one, the States should have the power over it.  Personally, I don't think this topic should even be determined by voters, just like I don't think voters should be allowed to vote on whether they want interracial marriages or marriages between members of different religions.  If two consenting adults wish to get married, it must be allowed since it offers no harm to anybody's life, liberty, or their pursuit of happiness.  Now, I want to be clear about this.  I believe that under the rights granted to all Americans, Homosexuals should be allowed to marry.  I do NOT think that anyone must be forced to betray their religious beliefs and approve of this.  You don't have to condone it, like it, or even support it.  You do have to accept it.  You might not agree with a black man marrying a white woman, but you DO have to accept it.  You might not like a Catholic man marrying a Jewish woman but you DO have to accept it.  You must accept it because as much as you disagree with it, their union in marriage does not affect you whatsoever.  The only people affected are the ones who enter into the marriage.  Dick Cheney, thanks to his Daughter, understands this and let's face it- if he can understand it, ANYONE can understand it.  Now let the argument begin...