Now with Maine voters having struck down same-sex marriage, activists in California are wondering what lessons to take back home.

Here's the lesson: America, as a whole, still hates gays.

After 30 elections and a great deal of progress, it's time to understand that the threshold has not been reached. We need to change strategy, not just tactics. We need another way to appeal to hearts and minds, a sea change in thinking.

This ain't doin' it. 30 elections and 30 defeats, and we just do it again and again. Reminds me of a certain definition of insanity.

I'm an old-fashioned New Deal liberal, and to my thinking there simply is no possibility of real reform without a public option. Progressives have already compromised on health care reform by abandoning single-payer -- their philosophical preference -- from the start.

Perhaps it is time for progressives, beginning with the 60 House dems who seem to have spontaneously grown spines, to band together and wield some power. Stop trying to compromise with those who will never vote for any bill. Insist on the public option, and force Obama to accede. Make him realize that without them there will be no bill, and force him to grow a spine, too. Obama will follow the path of least resistance to a bill, and progressive Dems can become the squeaky wheels that Obama must grease. (Sorry for the mixed metaphors.)

Then take the fight to the senate Dems who, like Baum, are balking at the public option. Ignore Republicans, and take the war to intransigent Dems. I would love to see Obama -- or, more likely, Raum Emmanuel -- put some LBJ-style pressure on the Blue Dogs.

Whether or not that results in a bill with a public option, it could signal a rise in power of the progressives; a rise that would necessarily force Obama to the left and give progressive Democrats a powerful voice where they never had one before.

And the land will be filled with rainbows and unicorns. But seriously, this is an opportunity for progressives to assert power.

FWIW, I think you've got the stature and the metaphorical balls to be the Magic Honky, in spades . . . er, um, I mean you're a real cracker jack . . . or rather I mean you are a tough chick with sharp mind and a good heart, and I enjoy those occasions when you expose the wingnut emperor's nekkidness with such grace and aplomb. In fact, you are one of the few on the left that I am pleased to have speak for us. Unlike with the other "pundits" on the left, I don't cringe when you write or speak on our collective behalf.

Plus, it's great to see that a woman can more than hold her own with the O'Reallys and the Lumpbaughs of Hell. Double the pleasure!

Joan the Magic Honky: a badge of honor, indeed. :-)

Huh. I remember reading a study somewhere saying it was closer to 30%, though that was years ago and I imagine it is somewhat safer today.

For goodness sake, Hollywood is filled with people who tell stories, nothing more. A story needs a villain or a conflict, and science is rife with such devices, and has been ever since, oh, say the development of the atomic bomb.

It's a great device, just like Christianity. Look at all the horrific stories Christianity has brought us from Hollywood, such as The Exorcist and every demon possession, satanic cult or end of the world movie ever made. Even comedies. Movies have treated Christianity badly for decades, yet it hasn't hurt Christianity.

Why not? Because Americans are highly "educated" about Christianity. It's part of their lives from early childhood. So the answer lies not in more sympathetic movies about science, but actual, real, compelling and constant science education in school.

Teach them physics in school and they won't freak out over the Large Hadron Collider and stories about black holes or antimatter.

Education in school, not politically correct fiction: that's the answer.

It's unfair to deny us the right to marry, and then hold us to marriage dissolution standards. It's unfair. Either give us the right to marry and saddle us with all the legal rights and obligations, or deny it to us and let us just be single people for all purposes.

I don't know the law in Florida, but while my sympathies are with the dumped girlfriend, I say as far as legal responsibilities go, they should go no farther than our legal rights. And if you don't like the outcome, then make gay marriage legal!

That it is poorly written is the kindest thing I can say about this rambling, superficial, defamatory hit piece. Puddle shallow, its base conclusions utterly unsupported, this may well be the worst article that has ever darkened the pages of Salon. What is this, written by a 13-year old? Certainly the self-righteous scorn, absence of talent and lack of depth or perspective screams junior high.

Pardon me while I open the student paper to find some real writing and analysis. Good lord...

Alex, I usually am a supporter and defender of yours when the comments get sour. But I am asking you to take down this post. It goes beyond decent journalistic bounds.

The fact of the affair is relevant and is news. The details of his deception are even newsworthy.

His private love notes are not.

This crosses the line. What is this, the Enquirer?