Fred Thompson: Torture Good... Committed Gay Relationships Bad

I don't do this often, but indulge me while I set aside ocean issues to vent my spleen on politics. Here in San Francisco today, soon-to-be GOP presidential also-ran Fred Thompson took the opportunity of being in queer mecca to remind anyone bothering to listen that he not only doesn't support gay marriage, he's against civil unions too. "I do not think that they're a good idea," the GOP candidate said of civil unions and domestic partnerships.

This is not the first time Thompson has sought to distinguish himself from the GOP presidential herd as more conservative than thou. The Washington Blade covered his attempts to propose a constitutional amendment that would allow states to ignore marriages performed elsewhere, a choice already allowed by federal law. Clearly, Thompson's visit to San Francisco was meant to play to the GOP conservative base and provide a few soundbites for Meet the Press.

When did a stop in San Francisco for some casual gay bashing become the requisite strategic step for conservative presidential hopefuls? Have we become the cultural values equivalent of a stop in Iowa to deliver pledges of corn subsidies for the agricultural lobby?

But Thompson didn't stop there. During his first public visit to the Bay Area, he also spoke on the volatile issue of whether the use of waterboarding to gain information from terrorists amounted to torture. The former Tennessee senator didn't support the practice outright, instead, he said he would "do what I think is in the best interest of my country" regarding approving waterboarding as commander in chief.

I think the candidate has made clear his position on human rights. What more is left to say?

Drop dead, Fred.