Civility and Its Discontents

Via Mark Scroggins, an excerpt from Richard Davenport-Hines review of Michael Mello's Legalizing Gay Marriage (Temple UP) in the 20 May Times Literary Supplement:

Davenport-Hines writes of the "entrenched animus against homosexuality that has characterized US state legislation":

"Horrible examples of this prejudice, taken from the ranting of neo-con commentators and gleaned from the local newspapers of Vermont, bespatter every chapter. The cumulative effect of this outpouring of hatred – often supposedly legitimated by primitive interpretations of the Christian faith – is battering for the reader. Many Europeans will feel sullied by reading these foul ebullitions, will be shocked by their violence, and dismayed by the mass-psychology and ethical backwardness of a country where such violent, vehement and vindictive language is an acceptable part of daily political discourse." (Mark Scroggins, "Reality Check," Culture Industry, Sunday, May 29, 2005).