Yeah, you're not the only one to notice that change in Card's writing. And it's a shame, because I really do think the man is ridiculously talented and it makes me sad that over time I find myself being able to relate to his work less and less.

I think I often try too hard to keep my ability to enjoy a work of fiction separate from whether or not I agree with an author's metatextually stated principles, so I really don't have much a context for that conservative bent in science fiction literature in general. Do you notice it cropping up on particular issues (ie homophobia or online publishing) more than others?