[politics] the role of same-sex marriage in the election

One of the sentiments I've seen a lot in the last week is that because same-sex marriage proved such a galvanizing issue for the right, Democrats are somehow to blame for pushing this issue inappropriately. For example, "Bush should send a thank-you letter to the Massachusetts SJC," or "If the Massachusetts court had not ruled as they did, Kerry would currently be in the White House." Even assuming that the marriage issue turned out the deciding vote in the election -- and the evidence is mounting to indicate that it didn't -- ( there are at least two reasons why this is nonsense. )

Ashcroft

Headline in the Seattle Times: Ashcroft quits, says he made US safer.

For once I agree with the guy! His quitting is probably the safest thing that's happened to the country in quite some time.