Cheap Ploy, Mr. President

That's the sound of Republican thunder.

It's coming from the White House.

President Bush has decided it's time once again to make some loud noise about a constitutional ban on gay marriage.

What the hey, the war in Iraq sure isn't working for home.

Osama bin Laden is still running around somewhere.

Iran is thumbing its nuclear nose at the U.S.

Gas prices are still going nuts.

Inflation is looming.

And there's that whole pesky immigration thing going on.

So, the president and his Republican cohorts need a political diversion; something to soothe the soul of the conservative beast.

So what if there is no way, no how, that a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage stands a chance of passing.

Mr. Bush cares not.

He just needs to guide the wagons in a tight, circular motion to the right.

And what better target than homosexual men and women who seek nothing more than a degree of dignity and recognition for who they are, and who they love.

Cheap ploy, Mr. President.

And I'm betting it will fail.

Wait.

Hear that?

(Sound of "Bronx Cheer"/"raspberry")

That's the REAL sound of Republican thunder.

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

And be sure to catch Ken Schram and John Carlson on their new radio show, "THE COMMENTATORS." Airing Monday through Friday, from 10 till noon on KOMO 1000, Ken and John will be delving into news of the day offering their own particular brand of insight and perspective - with a healthy dose of irreverence and humor thrown in for good measure.