national

It's always good to hear that more folks are pushing for fair and equal treatment of others, but it would be nicer if people could use their empathy BEFORE it directly affected them or their families. Thousands (likely millions) of other parents have been in the same position as Sen. Portman for decades, but only now that it affects HIS family does he change his political position. It's good that he's come around, don't get me wrong, but it took a selfish reason (Wait a second, that's MY kid, that's not fair!) for it to happen, so forgive me if I'm a bit cynical.

I'm glad to see Senator Portman on the right side of this issue but why does he need to be directly effected for his views to evolve? Does someone in his family need to be unemployed before he'd be willing to support a jobs bill? Again, it's good to see him coming to his senses but did he think it was okay for other peoples kids to be discriminated against?

I'm also disappointed that he's leaving open the door for states to deny equal recognition of marriages. I'm not quite sure how that would work, because marriage is a state thing, but the Feds are the ones who administer many of the departments where the tangible impact is felt (IRS, Social Security, Federal employee benefits, etc.). Would there be a federally-recognized version of marriage for folks who live in states where it's not recognized? What if one were to marry in a state where it was legal and then moved to a state where it isn't, which would the federal government recognize? It seems he's suggesting that equality under the law is important, unless you live in a state where they decide it isn't, and that seems like passing the buck and a total cop-out.

I posted top this thread before any of these people, yet my comment was blocked. I pointed out that Portman is hypocrite. Why was my comment blocked?

Very common for Conservatives to all be against something until it impacts them personally. Similar to the Brady Bill against handguns after Reagan and Brady were shot. That is a big difference between Democrats and Republicans. Over time conservative views fade away, as with civil rights. Young people today would be shocked at American society prior to 1980 towards minorities and how they were treated. Picture the conservative people screaming at the Black students in Arkansas in 1957, and I doubt that could ever happen again. Those conservatives died off. So will the current bigots against Gays. Democrats work for the underdog, conservatives try to preserve power for the few.

Bigotry is often born of ignorance. Sad to say, but many can't see it until personally affected.

And when his 15 year old daughter comes home pregnant he will quit fighting against abortion.

Is it wrong to wish that a few more prominent politicians would have one of their kids come out (Gruenhagen, Santorum, etc.)?

If another family member was affected by gun violence I wonder what he would think of the NRA? They just don't have a clue until they get knocked up side the head. I used to be an independent years ago,but the GOP has gotten so extreme I can't even think of ever voting for them again.

@BBJoe "Very common for Conservatives to all be against something until it impacts them personally" That is true of all people, not just Conservatives.

"Young people today would be shocked at American society prior to 1980 towards minorities and how they were treated. Picture the conservative people screaming at the Black students in Arkansas in 1957, and I doubt that could ever happen again."

You are way off base on this one BBJoe! It was Southern Democrats who were the biggest racists of all in this country. The network news in the 1960's showed the rest of this country how the blacks were poorly treated in the south by the Southern Democrats and the rest of white America was not pleased with what they saw. That was the start of the civil rights changes in this country. It was a combination of Republicans and Democrats primarily in the north that got the change started. And the year of "1980" you quoted is insignificant to anything related to civil rights.

BBJoe, could it not be argued that your comments are "bigoted" towards a certain group of people - Conservatives/Republicans? Hmmmm?