Vice President Dick Cheney has announced that his daughter Mary Cheney wll give birth to a boy.ÂÂ
I am happy for Mary and her partner Heather Poe, a couple who have been together for about 15 years. I’m sure they will be fantastic, loving parents.
The vice president is delighted about the arrival of his new grandson, his sixth grandchild. This one will arrive into the world a loved child with two loving parents to raise him. As Virgina residents though, a state not exactly friendly to same-sex couples, one wonders what would happen to the child should Mary Cheney get thrown under a bus. Would Heather get custody of her son? Or would the Cheney’s raise the child in a culture that isn’t so….gay?
I’ve gotten into it with Matt Cunningham and Chuck DeVore on the issue of gay marriage before. I believe gays and lesbians are unfairly discriminated against. They do not want special rights but equal rights. But this is still not the case. So the VPs new grandchild arrives as a bastard child to an unwed mother? Or is it more a problem that a couple is going to bring a child into the world and raise a young man among, gasp, lesbians! How will he ever win the “my dad can kick your dad’s a$$” arguements at school?
One key difference between conservatives and liberals is the definition of family. With conservatives, it’s a married man and woman with children, period. With Democrats, your family is extended to people you love and who love you. My daughter has had the same nanny since she was three months old. Woe is you if you try to tell my daughter and her nanny that they are not family. They may not share blood, but they do share hearts. That’s whay binds strong families; love.
Gay marriage doesn’t destroy families; divorce does. Just ask Rudy Guiliani, or Newt Gingrich, or Rush Limbaugh — all of them two-time losers in the marriage department.ÂÂ
I realize Mary Cheney is being loyal to her father, but I don’t understand why Republicans can’t be more inclusive here. For an Orange County perspective, there’s this post from a Lob Cabin Republican blog, http://outinsidethecabin.blogspot.com, that highlights the intolerance on this issue that continues to this day in California.
ÂÂ
I am always puzzled when the tightie righties start calling equal rights ‘special’ rights.
As I see it there are some among us who still believe that “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others” (George Orwell, Animal Farm)
But I prefer to subscribe to the notion that separate but equal is inherently unequal.
I find it funny that you talk about your nanny & daughter’s relationship. I have never understood why people that can afford a nanny, would have children and let someone else raise them? I personally have nothing against gays, gay marriage, whatever – it is none of my business. And as far as gays having children, as long as one of the parents stays home to raise the kids, no issue whatsoever! Kids need the PARENTS! You can say your nanny is “family” all you want, but in reality she is an employee, raising your child when one of the parents should be doing it. By the mere fact that you can afford a nanny, tells me that you can afford ONE parent to be home raising your child. (unless of course I am totally wrong and you are a single dad – then I apologize in advance!)
Thaks for your concern on my kids Flowerzz; my wife of 23.5 years worked from home from my daughter’s birthday until age six; I’ve been running a business from the house for three years; someone is *always* home. On top of that, we take time to volunteer at school, my wife does girl scouts. I am a commissioner for GU6, GU7 AYSO soccer (and will be for GU8 this fall). I have also been a cubmaster, pack leader for my son’s scout den and troop. I have been a Little League manager and coach, and an NJB coach and commissioner. Plus, I put in 8 years as a homeowner’s association president and two years as a legislative action rep for my son’s middle school in Irvine. We (my wife and I) are involved parents raising a family.
And if my nanny hears you call her my employee and not a part of my family, she’ll kick your ass to all the way to Big Bear ;).
I do agree with you; kids need their parents. And that can be a mom and a dad, a mom and a step dad, a step mom and dad, two dads or two moms. Its important that kids have someone who loves them, is tough with them, praises them and is proud of them. Your point is valid.
I think that sanctimonious Bible-thumping Reeps who get married and divorced three times or more in less than a decade are a threat to marriage. Gay people in committed relationships are not. What part of that don’t the Reeps get? They need to figure this out as they are going to keep losing votes otherwise…
Wow — now Art is in favor of gay marriage! What next? This DTS thing is only a transitional phase as Art continues drifting Leftward. A few more Thursdays of Drinking Liberally and he’ll be ready to register as a Democrat and be Santa Ana co-chair for Dennis Kucinich!
Flowerszzz
I agree with your sentiments. One question – are the apologies just for the single dads? What about the single moms? Raising a child on your own is tough period. Not all single parents can afford a nanny.
Denmother – no any single parent….I said Dad because it was Dan talking about his nanny. I also know how hard it is to raise kids on your own – hell it is hard to raise them with 2 parents! I was a single mom for a while and I certainly could not afford a Nanny. Probably could now, somedays – with 2 teenaged boys in the house I wish I had one! 🙂 I married a wonderful man who has been my sons Dad for the past 15 years.
Tough work Flowerzz, but you prove my point. Your husband if your kids’ dad even if he’s not their father. I’m sure they consider him family in every way.