I've been quite disappointed at the level of significance and importance afforded to Obama's support of same sex marriage and the way the debate has been portrayed.

The other night at the gym I was sweating buckets doing interval training as I watched Piers Morgan interview (an obviously successful, rich, and famous, although I don't know his name) middle aged gay man. The guest said that tears burst from his eyes as he was listening to the president's speech, and how it was incredibly significant and blah blah blah.

Really? Are you that insecure that you STILL need validation from a person of authority and celebrity sitting somewhere far away? Do you really need his permission or approval to comfortably be who you are? Obama's authority on the issue is limited. Here's what I'd say:

Piers: What was your reaction to the president's speech?

Me: Obama didn't put anything new forward in the argument. He just rehashed some old points, and didn't do a particularly job of it. I'm way past the point where I need someone else to validate or justify the way I live my life. I'd be much more interested in a president who says that he strongly believes in freedom of association, and that his opinion beyond that is completely and utterly irrelevant.

Did the guest think that Obama ever opposed same sex marriage? Surely, that would make him a bigot in the eyes of the guest. In that case, he would not hold Obama in high regard and Obama's opinion would not be very important to him. Did he think that Obama was actually for it, yet didn't have the political balls to speak out earlier? Same situation - why afford him respect? It's an equality issue, a human rights issue. Not something you can just brush aside for losing a few votes if you really believe in it. Or did he really think that Obama had no opinion on the issue prior to this and finally made up his mind? Why would you be happy about someone coming to a fairly obvious conclusion?

Furthermore, after a whole hour of bickering and discussing how ludicrous any opposition to gay marriage is, neither Piers nor any of his guests mentioned the elephant in the room. Piers, just pull the bible out and stop pretending that you have no idea whatsoever why people oppose gay marriage. You dishonest mass media coward.

It is easy to make a more coherent, compelling, and better-reasoned argument for human rights than Obama did in the interview. Indeed, there are many of them out there.

"You know, Malia and Sasha, they've got friends whose parents are same-sex couples. And I — you know, there have been times where Michelle and I have been sittin' around the dinner table. And we've been talkin' and — about their friends and their parents. And Malia and Sasha would — it wouldn't dawn on them that somehow their friends' parents would be treated differently. It doesn't make sense to them. And — and frankly — that's the kind of thing that prompts — a change of perspective. You know, not wanting to somehow explain to your child why somebody should be treated — differently, when it comes to — the eyes of the law."

Really, not wanting to explain to your kids is a reason you cite for changing your mind? Bravo..

"And — you know, I — you know — you know, we — we're both — practicing Christians. And — and obviously — this position may be considered to put as at odds with — the views of — of others."

First of all, it's painful to watch Obama attempting to construct sentences without a teleprompter. Uh-huh, like the view of god - "'If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death" - Leviticus 20:13. Biblical perspective on homosexuality in one line.

Friends, please stop caring about what someone else thinks, unless they are a personal acquaintance, or they can demonstrate to you a compelling reason for thinking it. Respecting an opinion not based on its merits, but rather based on who holds it is nothing but an argument from authority. Unless you are an infant, this is useless. Form your opinion based on facts, not logical fallacies. If you understand the why, you can form your own informed opinion instead of blindly following. Take a step away from being an evolved primate towards being an intelligent, sentient, being.