Two Discordant Notes

I was at a Fourth of July parade today. Amid all the patriotic music, the marching bands, and the candy thrown to children were only two discordant notes.

1. A gaggle of Obama supporters participated. One was holding up a sign that said (as I recall), "History begins today." As if! Talk about messianic hubris. The last group with that much arrogance was the Khmer Rouge, and we know how that turned out.

2. A group of "parents and friends of lesbians and gays" also marched. I find their attempt to mainstream an immoral lifestyle to be sad on a day given to patriotism and family. I know these folks love their kids, but that's not the issue. Quite apart from the issue of sexual orientation, it seems a bit weird to showcase the sexual lifestyle of their sons and daughters. How many parents of "straight" kids would be marching in a parade to tell complete strangers about their sexual lives? Gay or straight, isn't abstinence the standard at that age? Creepy.