What's sad is that conservatives in other western nations are to THE LEFT of our national level Democrats.

Seriously, we need a real life liberal party in this country that's viable. I'm sick of getting to select two versions of conservativism when I vote.

I hope our own state's progression follows suit as Murray/Pedersen suggested. UK gay families have had rights a lot longer than ours have - I hope we're quicker then.

I'll admit, I was initially very confused by the "his/her majesty's government" part. My first thought was that the Queen was having a gender identiy crisis.

He is absolutely right that it is a conservative position.

The Republican party is the American Taliban.

Dan, I don't think you realize just how much the whole stealing of silverware thing damages your reputation. Instead of gloating about it, you should show some remorse and return either the silverware or something of equal value to the (former) owners of the restaurant if you can find them, or charity if you can't.

The next time I make a charitable donation, I'll do it in the name of the silverware.

@6 - should have said stealing silver "tarnishes" Dan's reputation. wacka wacka

I think that it is most likely that we are facing a real crux in this country. Our modern media environment, corporatized culture, and entrenched fundamentalism are threatening our union in unprecedented ways.

There is some possibility that we end up with Perry in '12. Should this country be unable to avoid that, we're toast. I don't think Perry will make it [nor Bachmann], but then again I didn't think Obama had a shot.

When our government is increasingly occupied by ideologues who are opposed to government and want to see it fail and be dismantled, who are immune to fact and reason and work from unyeilding dogma, and who believe in their own exceptionalism and duty to reform the un-elect, is there any other term for it other than 'national psychosis'?

With the difficulties that we are already in, we cannot afford four years or more of this radical cult in charge. We cannot even afford their current minority status. Between now and the '12 elction there will either be a backlash from the center and left, or our slide into far-right insanity will be completed.

This is no longer about competing political positions, this is about the basic survival of the American experiment. If we do not recorrect in the next 14 months, I do believe that the only sane action would be to get the hell of this sinking ship.

I'm planning to retire in less than three years. My husband and I plan to move--at the very least--to a marriage equality state, but we've talked about moving to a marriage equality nation. Thanks, Tories, for putting Great Britain on our short list.

If we go to England, Dan, we'll be happy to carry a gift or message to any friends you still have there. A set of silverware, perhaps?

Britain abolished slavery before America. Now they are leading the way once again.

One way or another, gays are going to get equality. The GOP's default position of hysterical homophobia is unsustainable, demographically, culturally and politically. We all know this. I don't see why we have to cede this great country to them. Just fight them, win or lose, and show how idiotic in practice their policies are. DADT ends tomorrow -- gay people are now the brothers and sisters of straight soldiers. The culture there will not tolerate DOMA-enforced inequality re: benefits, housing etc. Not one bit. And this will percolate throughout the culture even more.

So don't give up, seriously. America has a long way to go but it will get there.

@1, It's nice to see that the Tories sometimes do something socially liberal. But really they are no better than American Conservatives when it comes to anything else. For the most part, if you aren't white, male, monied, and Christian, it's fuck you. Honestly, Democrats do a bit better than that.

@13 Actually really the only bit of that that's accurate is the 'monied' part, but my god what a part, as their 'cut everything now!' policy shows. Still, weird to have it showcased just how embarrassingly behind the US is falling on gay rights

Good news from Germany, too:
Exactly 10 years after the legalization of civil unions the Greens will finally introduce a draft bill for full marriage equality which unlike the civil union bill will provide full equality regarding tax status and adoption rights this week.

The clue: the first reading for this bill will be held wednesday afternoon in parliament, exactly 23 hours before the Pope will deliver a serm...I mean "give a speech" at the exact same place. IN YOUR FACE, Benedetto!

And the best: Despite having a conservative-libertarian government with a comfortable majority in parliament, the bill might still have a good chance of passing. The coalition is in such a desolate state right now that they practically can´t afford to alienate any more people.

Especially the libertarians who are at least by lip service pro gay-rights couldn´t afford to lose even one more voter. That would be suicidal. Even a lot of Angela Merkel´s conservatives would get in lots of trouble with the people in their home districs by voting the bill down. So, yeah, it doesn´t look bad.

I was incredibly excited to tell my partner this news yesterday. And a little crushed when she said; 'Nah. If they really wanted to do this, they would do it a lot faster, not drag it out till the next election. I reckon they're only doing it to louse up Equal Love's court case.' Lo and behold, later in the day, we found an article online by Peter Tatchell, saying exactly the same thing.

Well, in any case, it's certainly an idea whose time has come; it's bound to happen in the next five years or so.

@1

"Seriously, we need a real life liberal *electorate* in this country that's viable."

Fixed that for you. Having a liberal party won't help much without a broadly liberal electorate. For whatever reason (religiosity, our system of democracy, or other) America is a peculiarly conservative place among the world's western democracies.

"America is a peculiarly conservative place among the world's western democracies."

Yeah, but it's extremely liberal compared to the rest of the planet. Liberal western democracies are peculiar among the rest of the countries on the planet. Um, perspective, people. But I guess browns, yellows and blacks, ya know, like, the majority of earth - don't count, huh.

The American liberal obsession with western Europe is so fucking tiresome, predictable, & small-minded. Gimme a break, you people bore me.

Dan, I just caught you on "The Last Word" - I want to thank you for your work and your voice on DADT and GLBT rights. This country is a better place tonight.

On to marriage equality!

@16 The Greeks. We just refined it :)

@22, I hope you won't be voting Lib Dem either. Fine mess Clegg got the UK in by making nice with the Tories.