THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MARRIAGE ADMITS IT'S DECEIVING YOU

I have to admit, NOM's new anti-gay-marriage ad is very slick and melodramatic. I guess, on the right, fear is the new bravery -- now it's something you're supposed to boast about. (What's next? Right-wing country songs called "Terrorism Makes Me Wet My Jeans"?)



But, er, folks at NOM? If you're going to put your Web address in your ad, maybe you should scrub the Web site of language that explains how you plan to deceive people about your ultimate goal:

Extensive and repeated polling agrees that the single most effective message is:

"Gays and Lesbians have a right to live as they choose,
they don't have the right to redefine marriage for all of us."

This allows people to express support for tolerance while opposing gay marriage. Some modify it to "People have a right to live as they choose, they don't have the right to redefine marriage for all of us."

Language to avoid at all costs: "Ban same-sex marriage." Our base loves this wording. So do supporters of SSM. They know it causes us to lose about ten percentage points in polls. Don't use it. Say we're against "redefining marriage" or in favor or "marriage as the union of husband and wife" NEVER "banning same-sex marriage."

(Emphasis in original.)

Here's the thing: you are in favor of banning same-sex marriage. Why are you afraid to say that? You're telling members not to say this just because it polls badly -- never mind the fact that it's the absolute truth.

Oh well -- you're deceitful, but at least you're honest about it.

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UPDATE: The Human Rights Campaign explains how the ad deceives you.