You can't protect something that isn't practiced

To the editor:

As I was watching President Bush's State of the Union address, I heard him cover a wide range of policies and social issues. One of these issues was the sanctity of marriage. I thought to myself it must be hard to protect something that isn't practiced.

The dictionary defines "sanctity" as something sacred and holy. Do these two words describe marriage in today's society? Far from it. We live in an age of high divorce rates. There is in increase in children born out of wedlock. Single-parent homes have become a norm. Sexual infidelity and unfaithfulness are on the rise as Internet and television marketers score billions of dollars cramming sexual themes and promiscuous tolerance down the throats of its viewers, many of them children. Reality television shows such as "Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire?" and "My Big, Fat, Obnoxious Fiancee" make a mockery of marriage. What's worse is that people actually watch this garbage.

Does any of this bring to mind a picture of a holy and sacred institution? I'm all for protecting the sanctity of marriage. If you are going to argue this point, it would be better to practice it first.

JESSE VENABLE

Scott City