Of all the voices heard across the United States of America that were commenting — pro and con — on the historic Supreme Court ruling that legalized gay marriage, one voice was conspicuously silent.
It belonged to the former vice president of the United States, Richard B. Cheney.
He’s been quick to lambaste the liberals ever since leaving office in January 2009. He calls Barack Obama the “worst president of my lifetime.” He’s leveled heavy fire on congressional Democrats on any number of foreign and domestic issues.
On this one, the issue that resonates on both sides of the political divide — for vastly different reasons, of course — he’s been silent.
The gay marriage debate hits the former VP squarely where he feels it. His daughter, Mary, is married to a woman.
In this instance, Vice President Cheney’s silence has been remarkable.
He dare not rile the base of his Republican Party, the folks who still adore him for his staunch conservative views, by endorsing how the Supreme Court has affirmed the Constitution’s equal protection clause contained in the 14th Amendment.
Then again, he dare not criticize the court out of concern that critics might jump all over him for condemning his very own daughter — who I amĀ absolutely certainĀ he loves without condition. Fathers do that, you know.
Man, it’s a dicey world when you have to decide which brand of loyalty wins out — loyalty to family or to political principle.
My hope is that family takes precedence.