Other people's children

[JayhawkSD]

Paul Krugman makes an important point yesterday in his blog post. He points out Rob Portman's "conversion" when finding out that his own son is gay and deciding that he can support same sex marriage after all.

Krugman decries that we find it "acceptable to support only those causes that are directly good for you and yours," and that we should be "standing for what’s right, even — or indeed especially — when it doesn’t redound to your own benefit."

Read his whole post. It's a short post and well expressed. I could not possibly agree with him more.

[murielm99]

1. Portman's conversion is a start.

If his mind has been opened just a wee bit, he can help convert others. People like him are just what we need to bring other reluctant heteros to a place of understanding. At this point, Portman needs to start attending PFLAG meetings, so they can help him find a way to talk to others who are reluctant to accept gays. He could be a great ambassador and teacher.

[lunatica]

2. Republicans tend to be tribalist

They don't or can't connect emotionally to others. Everything has to be very personal and immediate to them before they change. It's like trying to tell a five year old that hitting others hurts them just like when others hit him or her. The child will always say that "it's different" when they do it.

[davidpdx]

3. I tend to agree with Krugman

Portman only changed his opinion because it suited his situation. I wouldn't count on him to lift a finger to bring legislation forward or influence any of his Republican buddies.