Waste of Time Wednesdays: Reasoning with a Homophobe

North Carolina GOP state Sen. James Forrester -- who is also a medical doctor -- sponsored legislation in that state that puts on a ballot a measure, in May of 2012, that if passed will ban marriage for gays and lesbians in the state. At a town hall several weeks ago he argued that it was needed because gays have an "unhealthy lifestyle" and die "20 years earlier" than other people. But in this clip from my interview with him he could not back up those claims with any data from public health officials. He also would not answer questions about why he was pushing the amendment, saying I was trying to "trip" him up. This clip from the interview focuses on some of the relevant points, showing that this man, who is also a doctor, knows little about the law or public health. A stunning, extraordinary fact given that he is a 10th term legislator in North Carolina.

And again, Sen. Forrester is promoting the thing that delights bigots everywhere: Let the people vote on the rights of others.

Epically bad idea, thus they love it so.

Read more here.