They do.

It's just that when you're a Republican in the United States Senate, it's difficult to keep your priorities in order.

That's why the G-O-P is still pushing the 'D-U-M' idea of a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.

These same Republicans have already conceded that there's not enough Senate votes to make that happen.

But hey, why let that get in the way of some good ol' fashion spite and prejudice.

After all, it's President Bush who helped make gay bashing an election year priority.

He's the one who professed that the sanctity of marriage requires a constitutional amendment to protect it.

He's the one pushing to alter a great document of freedom in an effort to oppress gay men and women.

Senate Republicans were just happy to try and oblige him.

No matter that it wasn't going to happen.

No matter that there are far more crucial issues for the Senate to be dealing with.

Nope.

They're willing to send young men and women off to fight and die in order to preserve freedom.

They just don't want gays and lesbians having too much of that freedom here at home.

Want to share your thoughts with Ken Schram? You can e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com