prop 8 defendant wants out of federal trial

Don't know if you're aware, but one of the most vocal proponents of Proposition 8, California's gay marriage ban, is a guy named Hak-Shing William Tam. But last week, Tam filed a motion to withdraw himself from the federal Prop 8 trial: Federal Prop 8 defendant Bill Tam wants out - not so fast.

Citing personal safety reasons and racial discrimination, Tam filed the motion on January 8 to be removed from the defense team. He claims that he's received threats on his life, his property vandalized, and that he's now recognized on the street due to his association with Prop 8.

In short, Tam "does not like the burden of discovery and the privacy invasion associated with being a defendant." The racist comments leveled at Tam on message boards and the like are deplorable and no one should have to feel their safety threatened. But it seems to me that the man has made his bed -- now he has to lie in it.

Call me crazy, but shouldn't a man who worked that hard on behalf of Prop 8 -- a measure that affects the lives of a lot of people -- have the conviction to stand in a court of law and justify his actions and beliefs?

If Tam believes that Prop 8 is so worth defending, the guy needs to suck it up. I'm sorry, but I don't have a lot of sympathy for someone who seriously believes that legalizing same-sex marriage is part of "a broader gay agenda" to legalize having sex with children: Prop. 8 backer questioned about child sex comment.