Fonzie could totally do that.

I didn't say SHARKS...

Fonzie could do anything.

Maybe, like on Al's jukebox, with one whap! of his fist on the side of the White House...

Where the Civil Union idea fails, to my mind, is that it is at its heart a legal construction like a business partnership.  If I didn't know Tom was gay and he made a reference to his partner I would not know if it was someone he owned a business with or someone he had made a life committment with.  If he can marry I know what that means and it should be celebrated, regardless of sexual orientation.  Marriage, Tom, is not a petty word.  It is a beautiful word and a powerful word because of what it means.  The people who use it to treat you unfairly, who use it divide society rather than unify society, are petty.  And they don't get it.  But do not allow their pettiness make you settle for what you don't want or deserve.  Tom, based on what you've said about your partner, you deserve a marriage and all the joy, and yes pain, it can bring.  You deserve it so the world is never confused when you introduce your husbanded, so anyone who meets him knows: he is your world.

Very beautiful post, well said !!!!!

Neil:

Then call them Bob Loblaw and see them draw even blanker amused expressions.

For you teachers out there, call one of your students a Potzie or a Fonzie and watch their blank expressions.

One of those clever things I learned -- quickly -- was never reference ANYTHING from more than fifteen years ago.  Sadly, that only takes us back to '93.  Imagine, a whole generation of people who don't remember life before the Simpsons.

Edited to add: My own students think I'm crazy when I reference Bugs Bunny.  "That's so old school, Mr. French..."

everything is run on money, and Michael is on to a good idea - if money can be made off gay marriage, it'll become a perminant American institution.

We would throw lavishly expensive ceremonies and fabulous receptions.  The money would flow like water.  :P

So if it was just about the money, they would have been legal long ago.  It's mostly the right-wing (the vocal minority) that rile people up that have stopped it.

...Time for a shower.

Great.  Now I need a shower.  :P