AP reports:
President-elect Barack Obama on Thursday defended his choice of a popular evangelical minister to deliver the invocation at his inauguration, rejecting criticism that it slights gays.
But Obama told reporters in Chicago that America needs to "come together," even when there's disagreement on social issues. "That dialogue is part of what my campaign is all about," he said.
Obama also said he's known to be a "fierce advocate for equality" for gays and lesbians, and will remain so. [Emphasis added]
Dear President-elect Obama:
I know this is a bit awkward, you being black and me being white, but I feel compelled to point out that there's a slight problem with your logic here. You see, the whole "fierce advocate for equality" thing doesn't really square with being opposed to gay marriage. Because you can't really be for equality while treating people differently. It's a non-sequiter. Being for equality means treating people the same. It means letting them have exactly the same opportunities, rights, privileges, experiences, everything.
And this is where the awkward part comes in, you see. Because the whole "being for equality" but treating people differently thing? That goes goes directly back to a case known as Plessy v. Ferguson. And that was all about black people, and the exact same "separate but equal" sort of logic you're been talking about.
Now you might not know about this, being as you're not the descendent of slaves, but perhaps your wife can fill you in a bit. Better yet, by some sort of amazing coincidence, there happens to be a constitutional lawyer living right in your home town of Chicago who is also named "Barack Obama", and perhaps he could explain it to you.
You see, this whole of idea of "separate, but equal"? It really doesn't work. They tried it already. Tried it reaaaaally hard. And, like I said, didn't work.
But, don't trust me on it. Go talk to that other Barack Obama fellah. He should be able to tell you all about it.
Really. He should.
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