Garrison Keiller, not down with the gay marriage

[Krupskaya]

I can't do a search, so I'm sorry if this has been posted already.

I'm tired of hearing how Keillor is a viable possibility for public office to represent Minnesota. Here's another nail in his coffin. The bad writing should be enough, but he's dismissive of gay marriage as well:

http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/editorial/12010689.htm

These summer days, when strawberries are in their prime, seem to bring out the kindness in people. You bring home a little carton of hand-selected berries and wash the best one and pop it in your wife's mouth, and this is a statement of tenderness. Tenderness and stubbornness make for a good marriage, and marriage is the true test of character -- to make a good life with your best critic. You have many critics, but your spouse is by far the best-informed of all of them.

I favor marriage between people whose body parts are not similar. I'm sorry, but same-sex marriage seems timid, an attempt to save on wardrobe and accessories. Marrying somebody from your team. Still, it's probably good for them to have to fight for the right to marry. My parents eloped against strong opposition from both families, and they were in love for the rest of their lives and held hands and were tender on into their 80s. Of course, they always had fresh strawberries.

OF course, they always had fresh strawberries. You condescending ass.

[KittyWampus]

1. Still, it's probably good for them to have to fight for the right to marry

as he goes on to say how adversity deepened his parent's love.

He's a brilliant writer and social commentator.

[SteppingRazor]

2. I'm not a huge Garrison Keiller fan, but...

I read the whole article, and this just seems like typical Keillor material. It's just how he writes. And, in fact, while treating the subject of gay marriage somewhat cavalierly, he certainly doesn't say he's against it, as you say in the title of this thread.

Yes, he says this -- "I favor marriage between people whose body parts are not similar."

But then he goes on to say this -- "it's probably good for them to have to fight for the right to marry. My parents eloped against strong opposition from both families, and they were in love for the rest of their lives and held hands and were tender on into their 80s."

It's the usual oh-gosh-I'm-second-guessing-myself, homespun-wisdom thing that Keillor does. If you're looking to him for thunderous support or disagreement of any cause celebre, you're looking in the wrong place.

But like you, I certainly don't support the man for office. I just think you may be taking him a little too seriously.

[Krupskaya]

6. Heh, I never look to him for support or disagreement.

But point taken. It just rankles me that some think he's got the answers.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

3. Hate to break it to you, but that probably makes him MORE viable.

http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/05/051005minPoll.htm

(St. Paul, Minnesota) Support for same-sex legal unions in Minnesota has lessened among state residents over the past year, a new Poll found.

According to the poll, 52 percent of adults in the state oppose same-sex unions while 38 percent favor them. The opposition increased 10 percentage points over last year.

[Krupskaya]

5. Nah, I know.

It's just when he came out with his book everyone was all, "Oh, he's the BESTEST!"

I don't see it. I'm against him anyway, for how he treats and writes about women, so perhaps I look for more reasons to dislike him.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

7. Desperation. That's it.

There's a good chance he'd win that race, and quite frankly, we're desperate to be back in power.

And like it or not, without having that seat (and a few more DINOs), we're not going to even sniff legalized gay marriage any time soon. It sucks, but I think we're going to be at the mercy of a few DINOs until we get back into the majority.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

4. This from a man who's been married three times?

:shrug:

[Syncronaut Seven]

10. In defense of Garrison Keiller

Point 1: I've had friends married 3 times before 30, It's not that uncommon. Keiller is what? 67?

Point 2: I am not personally anti gay, yet I am very pro marriage. Garrison is right, when done correctly the experience can be transcendental. I will admit however that I am biased, I've never had a same sex lover, so what do I know?

:silly: :hide:

[madrchsod]

8. that`s his opinion

if we needed a decent senator in Illinois i`d vote for him. if you would listen to his show ,he`s one of the guys the right wants off npr. he constantly rips the bush whitehouse,pbs/npr direction,and all stupid assed politicians. you should realize there are people who could care less about gay marriage,there are people who don`t like the idea,and their are people who think it`s none of their business. like him or not ,when the right wing npr silences him,we are all going to lose

[Newkophile]

9. Keillor can head my "team" anytime

If you've read his CONFESSIONS OF A HOMEGROWN DEMOCRAT, you realize that GK is a terrific liberal, social thinker and Democrat. Lots of us have philosophical problems with the idea of gay marriage. We can't all fall into line on the liberal side of every issue. Personally, I think that the rise to prominence of the gay marriage issue during this past Presidential election was a classic case of horrible timing and epitomized the tendency of Democrats to shoot themselves in the foot. There are far more important issues that should have swayed the election in our favor and that are prevalent today, e.g., the war, tax giveaways to the wealthy, corporate welfare, education, global warming, stem cell research, health coverage for the underinsured, etc.

[indigo32]

11. I don't think National Democrats had anything to do with

it becoming a promininent issue in the last election. I think it sold media. I totally understand your desire to be a bit more strategic. I may not agree with it, but I understand.
But tween you and me... I'd really like to know what your philosophical problems with "gay marriage" are. I personally think it's a pretty straightforward issue, that I have both very mundane reasons and very heartfelt reasons for supporting, so I'd really like to understand.

[Krupskaya]

12. I didn't read "Confessions."

I couldn't get past the paragraphs in the opening pages about how great it was to be bedridden with a busty nurse. I'd like him to grow the fuck up first.