Another pet peeve, as published on 8/30

Syndicated columnist Cynthia Tucker is frequently wrong about things, and in her Aug. 22 column, "Same-sex marriages just a matter of time," she misspeaks again, saying, "The culture has changed considerably since 1996," and offering as proof, poll results, specifically one done by the Pew Forum for Religion and Public Life.

The concept of polls is deeply flawed. They do not determine the culture, nor do they accurately measure our heritage. Most polls involve about 1,500 carefully selected people who are asked loaded questions that favor the biased response which the poll-takers wish to elicit. In addition, I, and the vast majority of you have never been asked our opinion.

On the specific subject, same-sex marriage, under discussion here, how would you feel about the question, "How guilty do you feel that married gays and lesbians don't get the same special tax advantages as other married Americans? 1. Very guilty, 2. Somewhat guilty, or 3. Mean and prejudiced?"

What do you say, if you believe as I, that no married people of any persuasion should be treated any differently by government than any other Americans? In the words of a biased poll, would you, 1. Agree completely, 2. Agree, with some exceptions, or 3. Feel mean and prejudiced?