Two Day Magazine

This young teen nailed it: opposite-sex couples enjoy a privilege under the law that same-sex couples do not.

There is an ocean of difference between a privilege and a right.

Privileges are particular to certain individuals and groups, whereas rights tend are for all equally under the law. Privileges are earned, whereas rights are free. Privileges can be taken away, whereas rights cannot under the law and taking away an individual’s rights is illegal and un-Constitutional.

When defending opposite-sex marriage, Bachmann calls it a “right”, but when confronted with the accusation that the homosexual community doesn’t enjoy the same right, then suddenly Bachmann switches tracks and calls that a “privilege”.

Gays aren’t asking for the privilege to marry, but the right to marry under the law. Being denied that right is a clear case of discrimination.

“There shouldn’t be a special set of rights based on peoples’ preferences.” - Michelle Bachmann.

Then why do religious organizations enjoy the special set of rights that guarantee them tax exemption today, whereas other groups and individuals do not?

“Every American citizen has the right to avail themselves of marriage, but they have to follow what the laws are.” - Michelle Bachmann

This statement contradicts the privilege enjoyed by the American Mormon community today, in that as practicing polygamists they are given a special privilege under the law to not follow what the law is: which is to marry multiple partners. Non-Mormons are not granted this privilege and must obey a law that Mormonism is exempt from.

It’s a wonder any intelligent person could even stand to sit in the same room and listen to the myriad of contradictions that Michelle Bachmann gives in this monologue with herself.

On one hand, Michelle Bachmann is defending the law in regards to giving opposite-sex couples the privilege to marry, but completely contradicts herself later on when she’s advocating shamelessly for the Federal government to stay out of the local school board’s affairs and even goes to so far as to claim [if elected President] she will try to do away with the US Department of Education.

It seems that Michelle Bachmann only chooses to use government as a tool to advance her own causes and special interests, but then wants to disregard it or disband it altogether when it’s defending another’s rights and privileges. That’s called tyranny, Mrs Bachmann, and thankfully this isn’t an aristocracy and you aren’t our Queen.

Lastly, and most importantly, what Michelle Bachmann doesn’t seem to understand, is that in America laws can (and often are) changed [hopefully for the better].

Mrs. Bachmann cites Civil Rights several times in her answers to the young questioners, but she fails to grasp that the Civil Rights movement changed the laws during her own lifetime.

The Gay Community knows what the laws currently state. That’s what they’e fighting against. The Gay Community is trying to CHANGE the law, so that same-sex couples can marry the same as opposite-sex couples do under the law. For Michelle Bachmann to shut the cause down with a simple retort of, “Well that’s what the law states” is like telling African-Americans in 1964 that they can’t eat at the lunch counter because that’s just what the law states. Dr Martin Luther King Jr and the other Civil Rights leaders didn’t accept that and fought to change the law. In 1965, Congress passed the Civil Rights Bill that did away with the separatist “Jim Crow” laws of the south and other areas that legally allowed discrimination. Through legal action, the Black Community made a great stride towards equality today, and this law change benefits all in society today.

Laws can be changed. Indeed, laws should be changed, always. If laws cannot be changed, then the law is a tyranny.

I believe that eventually, same-sex couples will be legally allowed to marry in the United States of America. But the fight must go on, and fight we must! It’s called democracy, Mrs. Bachmann. I suggest you look into it, because it’s here to stay.

The funniest part about the above video clip, is that Michelle Bachmann (who’s from Iowa, and where this classroom discussion is taking place) is oblivious to the fact that same-sex marriages have been legal in the state of Iowa since 2009.

So, in essence, the student’s point stands: same-sex couples wishing to be married are doing so WITHIN the law.

It’s excusable that the high school students might not be aware of that fact, but what’s Michelle Bachmann’s excuse for not knowing that? As someone running for president and crusading against same-sex marriage, you’d think Mrs. Bachmann might check her facts when she goes on one of her political rallies. If Bachmann got that one wrong, why should we trust that she has any of her facts straight on any issue today?

“That’s called tyranny, Mrs Bachmann, and thankfully this isn’t an aristocracy and you aren’t our Queen.” Amen to that, Erik!!

While I dislike Bachmann, I believe it was equally tacky for the parent to use her child as a political statement and force him to go up to Bachmann to say something scripted.

Anya, I find it even more tacky that Michelle Bachmann would publicly take issue with a teenager. But then, most adults would prove to be too great a match for Bachmann’s lack of wits. Tack is one quality few would attribute to Michelle Bachmann.