Just to be clear: No on 8!

Here's what the Orange County Register, one of the most conservative newspapers in the state, writes in recommending its readers vote No on Prop 8:

"Guarantees of individual rights are included in constitutions precisely to ensure that such rights cannot be taken away, by majority vote, legislative enactment or administrative decision.

"In an ideal world, the state would have little or no role in defining or regulating so intimate a relationship as marriage. However, the state has inserted itself into all too many aspects of our private lives. Given that it has done so, it is only fair that it afford equal protection to all. Vote 'no.'"

How's that for a conservative take on the matter?

I started reading the letters to the editor on the Register site, which was a bad thing to do. A law professor from Yorba Linda, bemoaning the lack of reasoned debate from the No on 8 side, opines, "...We are taught that nontraditional sexual orientation is the epitome of enlightened behavior," and, "Traditional marriage probably has less respect and dignity these days than does domestic-partnership status." While the generalizations are unsupported in his piece, and seem ludicrous to me, at least they don't come off as hysterical. In contrast, there's the Villa Park resident who decries the "judicial tyranny" and "intolerance for traditional marriage" behind the push for equality. She says what this is really all about: "indoctrinating children" and stripping parents of their rights.

For a progressive take on the legal battle over Prop 8, you need look no further than... the OC Register. And I refuse to look further than the OC Register, because I could get stuck here all day reading about this, and that wouldn't do anybody any good.