RON HART: A Frank discussion on gays and government

July 12, 2012 10:33 AM

OSEMARY BEACH — Celebrating his freedom and the Fourth of July, Barney Frank got gay-married. I was unable to attend the nuptials as I had a previous engagement; I also was, inexplicably, not invited. It has been a big year for gay rights. In a close vote that hinged on a Staten Island Republican switching sides and voting yea, or “fabulous,” New York State passed a law allowing same-sex marriage. Facebook recognized the changing landscape of “relationship status” by adding “In a gay marriage,” “In a domestic civil union,” and — just to cover all bases — “Just drunk once, in college.” West Point graduated its first openly gay cadet and North Carolina voted 61 percent against gay marriage, right after Obama “evolved” to being pro-gay marriage. I am not sure if N.C. voted against gays or against evolution; it is still OK for a man to marry his cousin there, as long as he is not gay. Did Obama really mean it when he nuanced it as a “states’ rights issue,” the genesis of Jim Crow laws, when everything else he does centralizes federal control? Speaking of controlling, the traditional New York eating event went well, right up until hot dog eating champ Joey Chestnut tried to wash down his 60 hot dogs with a 17-ounce Coca Cola. Mayor Bloomberg’s food police carted him off in handcuffs and took him downtown for questioning. The GOP is as wrong in exhausting its energy trying to prevent gay marriage as liberal Bloomberg is in legislating against and arresting those holding more than 16 ounces of a soft drink. Neither side seems to recognize the immense difference between governing and meddling. Just a thought for the severely religious right as you obsess over same-sex marriage: Jesus never married, was close to his mother, traveled exclusively with men, and enjoyed elaborate dinners with fine wine while sitting on the same side of the table with 12 guys in robes. Bad fiscal policies aside, I am proud of Frank for his stance for freedom and for making some bold governing decisions. Governing well is hard; if it were easy, Obama would do it. Ron Hart is a syndicated op-ed humorist, author and TV/radio commentator. Email Ron@RonaldHart.com or visit RonaldHart.com