Methinks it is you who is 'too wound up and angsty' too see the issue clearly. And who exactly is 'you people'? As if everyone who posts to indymedia is part of a generic blob.

Ask any attorney who works on the issue of getting equal rights for same sex couples. It costs a lot more, takes a lot more time and falls far short of the 'rights' opposite gender people get by just being straight and excercising them.

You say 'They are free-willed citizens operating a private business on private property'. You question Cheney (and other quasi humans) but not the right of people to have access to health care. You suggest that if the people just ask 'nicely' they'll get what they should have a right to, ignoring the fact that many times it is the homophobic family that is blocking access to the hospital, the home, etc.

Are you really suggesting that I call my insurance company and negotiate better coverage and a better rate? That's pretty funny.

Because scum bags occupying the white house (and wanabees) are trying to use anything they can to play dirty politics don't be fooled that by ignoring the rights of others that progress will be served. A large society has complex needs. Addressing one doesn't mean that other issues should or would be ignored.