Why I just can't bring myself to vote for Kerry

I know I know.... vote for the one who has a fighting chance at beating Bush. As much as I want to, it seems hypocritical for me to do that. John Edwards does not support full gay marriage either, but he hasn't come out as strong against it as John Kerry. I also think that Edwards would make a better President; perhaps have less of that urge to change his mind with the wind.

I've heard that the issue of gay marriage is a very perplexing one for Kerry. John, it's really not that complicated. We want equal civil rights. We want all the state and federal rights afforded to marriage. You say you support civil unions. Fine. But, if you really can spend the time to think about it, how do you solve the issue that civil unions are very very unequal? Do you care about that at all? You disappoint me.

(Boston, Massachusetts) Sen. John Kerry has made his strongest statement yet on amending the constitution to prevent same-sex marriage. In an interview with the Boston Globe Kerry, the frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination, said that while he opposes a federal amendment he supports a change in the Massachusetts constitution to bar gays from marrying.

But, said the Massachusetts senator, he would only support the state amendment if it provides for civil unions and allows same-sex couples all of the rights of marriage.

"If the Massachusetts Legislature crafts an appropriate amendment that provides for partnership and civil unions, then I would support it, and it would advance the goal of equal protection," the senator told the Globe, stressing that he was referring only to the state, and not the federal, Constitution. (story)

On a completely different issue.... I was at work today working on a problem with a colleague. This individual is conservative and older (55ish). He told me that it took a lot of courage putting our story forth and he very much respected that. He said that it had changed his mind on the issue and that he is now in favor of allowing gay couples to be fully married. He also said that he sent a letter to his Senator and Representative saying that.

It was also very heart-warming that someone I work with very closely finally said that he was in support of allowing gays to marry. I was never sure where he stood on the issue and we've never talked about any of this.

Sometimes, when you take an action, there's no telling what will be changed. It's like a ripple in the water after the rock hits.