From Today's New York Times

To the Editor: Re "Gay Marriage in the States" (editorial, Feb. 18): I hear the question asked over and over again: How would gay marriage have any negative impact on traditional marriage? Gay marriage devalues the holy institution of marriage even further than it has been devalued by public policy errors like no-fault divorce. Marriage is a special relationship between a man and a woman that has served the good of society throughout history. Gay marriage redefines marriage as something less than an unalienable right ordained by nature, and nature's God. Marriage is a public institution created for the good of society, not a private institution created for self-fulfillment. If I have an ounce of gold and the government suddenly announces that sandstone will now be called gold and valued equally, what will happen to the value of my gold? It will crash, and so will the economy. So will it be with gay marriage. Marriage will be further devalued, and so will our entire social order. (Rev.) BILL BANUCHI Executive Director New York Christian Coalition Newburgh, N.Y., Feb. 18, 2004 The Nader Factor If Ralph Nader runs for president, and I sincerely hope he does, it's all over for the Democrats. Give them credit; they're smart enough to know it. See here. By the way, The Nation, which is edited by the apparatchik Katrina vanden Heuvel, is pleading with Ralph not to run. See here. What grovelers! If Ralph has any self-respect, he'll ignore this self-interested entreaty. Here is his reply. posted by Keith Burgess-Jackson 2/21/2004 02:40:44 PM Prediction There's going to be an awful backlash against homosexuals because of antics like this. Expect to see not only an amendment to the United States Constitution, but amendments to many state constitutions. Americans are an understanding and generous people, but they don't take kindly to lawlessness. Justice for William H. Pryor Jr One thing I love about President Bush is his steely resolve. It's a Texas trait, one that I'm sure he picked up in the oilfields. Yesterday, as you may have heard, President Bush appointed Alabama Attorney General William H. Pryor Jr to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, which sits in Atlanta. (See here.) This is long past due. Senate Democrats have been filibustering some of President Bush's judicial nominations,which is an unprecedented display of arrogance. (It will come back to haunt the Democrats. Mark my words.) Instead of caving in to the Democrats, President Bush made a recess appointment. A few weeks ago, he did the same with Charles W. Pickering Sr of Mississippi, who will serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which sits in New Orleans. Democrats say that Pryor is incapable of keeping his personal beliefs and values (he's Catholic) out of the chambers. Is it only Republicans (or Catholics) who suffer from this malady? What a bunch of hypocrites the Democrats are! Thank you, President Bush, for standing your ground. It's one reason so many of us admire you. Now where's Miguel Estrada?