Sean Penn, friend of Latin American autocracy, made a political acceptance speech for his leading man Oscar last night that served to remind us why he’s made his living reading other people’s words:

I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect, and anticipate their great shame, and the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they continue that way of support. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone. And there are these last 2 things. I’m very, very proud to live in a country that is willing to elect an elegant man President . . .

The thing about that elegant man who fills Penn with pride: he’s opposed to gay marriage. Barack Obama is on record as stating, “marriage is between a man and a woman.” Our somewhat less elegant vice president, Joe Biden, is also firmly opposed to gay marriage. Here’s how he characterized his and Obama’s positions during a debate with Governor Sarah Palin

GWEN IFILL: Let’s try to avoid nuance, Senator. Do you support gay marriage?

JOE BIDEN: No. Barack Obama nor I support redefining from a civil side what constitutes marriage. We do not support that.

Then again, compared to Penn’s other friends, Barack Obama and Joe Biden are practically gay rights activists.