Via JWF, a tough call here for the forces of tolerance. On the one hand, he’s a Democrat and a minority and therefore presumptively possessed of Absolute Moral Authority. Attack him at your peril. On the other hand, he’s a tax cheat and an ex-crackhead. No need to impeach his credibility; there’s none left to impeach. Really, about the only thing that can be said in his favor is that, warts and all, he’s still more appealing than Perez Hilton.

This much is certain: Hate like this demands the release of another Carrie Prejean topless photo.

D.C. Council member Marion Barry (D-Ward 8), the only council member to vote against the bill today to legalize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere, predicted today there could be a “civil war” in the District if the Council decides to take up a broader gay marriage bill later this year.

“All hell is going to break lose,” Barry said while speaking to reporters. “We may have a civil war. The black community is just adamant against this.”…

Although he has been a longtime supporter of gay rights, Barry said he voted against the bill to satisfy his constituents in Southeast Washington.

“What you’ve got to understand is 98 percent of my constituents are black and we don’t have but a handful of openly gay residents,” Barry said. “Secondly, at least 70 percent of those who express themselves to me about this are opposed to anything dealing with this issue. The ministers think it is a sin, and I have to be sensitive to that.”

There’s a movement afoot among House Republicans to overturn the city council’s decision but they surely don’t expect to pull in 40 Blue Dog votes knowing how difficult that would make life for Pelosi (and The One). Meanwhile, Maine just became the fifth state to legalize gay marriage and the second in a row to do so legislatively. New York should follow soon and then we might see a domino effect among blue states eager to prove their own progressive bona fides. Which means, despite the all pronouncements of the death of the culture wars, that this could be a very hot red state/blue state issue come 2012. I’ve got a feeling Jon Huntsman won’t be the only candidate who supports civil unions by the time of the primaries.