the straight fella's take

There's plenty to blog about with the president today, and I'll get to that, but I feel compelled to start with a "confession" of my own.

While I consider myself a passionate supporter of the gay civil rights movement, I'm straight. As such, I just don't think it's possible for me to completely understand everything about the Governor's resignation that a gay person does. I just don't have the personal perspective. I know that what the Governor did yesterday was very brave, but I doubt I can fully comprehend how much.

My first reaction to this is that it's a shame because gay politicans are held to a higher standard than straight politicians, and will continue to be for quite some time. The mistakes gay people make will get much more attention, and the consequences for those mistakes will be particularly dire. There's no doubt that straight officeholders have done as much or worse and remained in office. Henry Hyde comes to mind.

I also think, if what I read is true, that putting someone with whom you're having a secret affair on the public payroll in a "national security" position, is a terrible mistake, gay or straight.

But I hope the people who read this blog will share with me what they hope straight people should take away from this event. I fear that this may set back the cause of civil rights and marraige - but I want to learn from the people here.