© Frank H. Jump
September 6th, 2007:
Fred Thompson – Common Sense Conservative or Just No Sense at All?
When Fred Thompson was asked about gay rights last March by Fox News’ Chris Wallace, Thompson replied:
THOMPSON: Gay rights? I think that we ought to be a tolerant nation. I think we ought to be tolerant people. But we shouldn’t set up special categories for anybody. And I’m for the rights of everybody, including gays, but not any special rights.
WALLACE: So, gay marriage? You’re against.
THOMPSON: Yes. You know, marriage is between a man and a woman, and I don’t believe judges ought to come along and change that.
WALLACE: What about civil unions?
THOMPSON: I think that that ought to be left up to the states. I personally do not think that that is a good idea, but I believe in many of these cases where there’s real dispute in the country, these things are not going to be ever resolved.
Marriage isn’t a special right unless it is only a special right for heterosexuals- who then become a special class endowed with rights that others are not permitted to exercise. Mr. Thompson, I don’t want to be tolerated by you. I want your acceptance. I don’t want special rights. I want the same rights as everyone else.
Now Fred Thompson is calling himself the “common sense conservative.” Thompson sounds like a “no sense conservative.” I never thought I’d ever say I miss Barry Goldwater- a true common sense conservative.
