"We Have Our Differences"

In the waning minutes of his address, Barack Obama made an acknowledgment of gay rights that seemed meant to both encourage LGBT followers and reassure others that he isn't in our evil clutches: "I know we have our differences on same sex marriage, but surely we can agree that our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters deserve to visit the person they love in the hospital and to live lives free of discrimination." The audience roared in the affirmative as the camera cut to San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who applauded without expression. I'm not entirely disappointed with Obama's mention, but I think an unequivocal message of support was called for.