To Avoid Political Distraction, Portuguese President Signs Same-sex Marriage into Law

In a move that every American politician should learn from, Portugal's president Anibal Cavaco Silva signed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in the predominantly Catholic European nation. Portugal becomes the 8th country to recognize the basic human right of all people, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, to marry the one they love.

According to the UK Press Association, President Cavaco Silva said he would sign the bill because the liberal majority would only over ride a veto. The Portuguese leader also admitted that his country's deepening economic crisis was a much more pressing issue, despite his personal opposition to to same-sex marriage.

Mr. Cavaco Silva told UKPA, "Given that fact, I feel I should not contribute to a pointless extension of this debate, which would only serve to deepen the divisions between the Portuguese and divert the attention of politicians away from the grave problems affecting us." He added he was setting aside his "personal convictions", though he did not elaborate and did not take reporters' questions.

The Portuguese president's actions come on the heals of Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Portugal last week when he called same-sex marriage "insidious and dangerous".

I am so totally impressed that a head of state can put his personal beliefs aside and stand up to the pedophile-protecting pope in order to do what's right for his people. That takes colossal balls and Barack Obama could learn a thing or two from this man.

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