"America is a nation with a mission, and that mission comes from our most basic beliefs. We have no desire to dominate, no ambitions of empire. Our aim is a democratic peace -- a peace founded upon the dignity and rights of every man and woman. America acts in this cause with friends and allies at our side, yet we understand our special calling: This great republic will lead the cause of freedom." -President Bush, State of the Union address, 2004.
"America has yet to reach the high calling of its own ideals, and yet we are a nation that strives to do right. We remember with gratitude the good souls who saw a great wrong, and stood their ground, and won their case [Brown vs the Board of Education]." -President Bush, 17 May.
"The sacred institution of marriage should not be redefined by a few activist judges. All Americans have a right to be heard in this debate." -President Bush, also on 17 May.
"Brown began to tear down the walls of inequality. The next great challenge is to put up a ladder of opportunity for all." -Sen. John Kerry, who also supports straights-only marriage, 17 May.
I know politicians speak a different language from ordinary citizens and this only demonstrates it. To the ordinary citizen, words like 'all' and 'every' are absolutes. Since neither man qualified their statements with exceptions, I inferred that every man's and woman's rights and dignity should be protected. I inferred that a ladder of opportunity should be put up for all. But I guess the two men almost certain to become president next year understand the English language, and the Constitution, differently.
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