Big Fat Turkey With Extra Gravy
Andrew Coyne: “The proper course, for those who are truly convinced it [gay marriage] heralds the end of civilization, is to amend the constitution to forbid it: 'Notwithstanding the equality rights guaranteed in Section 15, marriage shall be defined as the union of one man and one woman, to the exclusion of all others.' Something like that. Get Parliament and the legislatures of seven provinces with 50% of the population to agree, and you're home.”
I've always liked the way Coyne thinks. His argument is that a ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional (at least in Canada), and that to "remedy" this, one must amend the constitution, which is staggeringly difficult. And, he argues, it's a good thing it is staggeringly difficult. Conservatives in the United States are asking for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, as if it required a majority in both Houses to pass. (Hint: it requires quite a bit more than this.) My opinion on the matter, while still in development, is that I wish gay marriage well, in that I wish it no particular harm.
A chat session which occurred during the writing of the above:
chunshek: In general I think people are too uptight about stuff like this. Definitions.
chunshek: Call it marriage, call it civil union, call it big fat turkey with extra gravy.
sillygwailo: mmm, big fat turkey with extra gravy.
chunshek: Exactly. :^)
chunshek: In the end, it doesn't matter what it's called, as long as it offers the same legal protection and benefits.
chunshek: And implies the same legal responsibilities.
chunshek: Man I'm hungry. I want some big fat turkey with extra gravy.
