THE OTHER PICKS

Here’s a simple set of pleas for tomorrow from yours truly. Think about splitting your ticket. If you vote Kerry for president, vote Republican for the Congress (unless there’s a big reason not to in a specific case) and vice-versa. Both Bush and Kerry will be better presidents with a hostile Congress. In the eight states where constitutional amendments are aimed at removing all protections from gay couples, do not fall for the idea that the measures are aimed at “protecting” marriage. If that were the case, the amendments would not be so sweeping. They are designed entirely to strip a group of citizens of equality under the law, to deter gay people from having settled relationships, and to keep homosexuality stigmatized. And please also consider voting for relaxation of marijuana laws that deny people the right to harmless pleasure and, in many cases, important medical relief. Montana, Oregon, Alaska, and Massachusetts have important measures to this effect. Vote for them.