Republicans really must have believed they had this whole gay issue settled once and for all—then along come voters, and prominent Republicans, showing support for gay rights and even coming out. That’s left some hard-line religiously conservative Republicans confused and angry.
Witness the vehemence of such conservatives as WorldNetDaily founder Joseph Farah who took on Christopher Barron, the co-founder and chairman of the gay Republican group GOProud, at the Take Back America conference over the weekend in Miami. (You’ll remember, this is the conference Ann Coulter was disinvited from because she agreed to speak at GoProud’s “Homocon” event.)
Barron argued that gay people can be true conservatives, listing his organization’s support for conservative causes like “tax cuts, repealing health-care reform, social-security reform, and a neo-conservative defense for the Global War on Terror.” To Barron, one’s sexual orientation has nothing to do with whether one can be conservative or not.
Barron's statement is Republican heresy! Purge, purge, purge!
...the “conservative movement” is filled with gays and lesbians like Ken Mehlman, who led the Republican National Committee, and author and radio host Tammy Bruce. Gay and lesbian people, closeted or not, have long been a part of the “conservative movement.” What Farah does not like is that right now, these people are speaking up. They are no longer being silent about who they are - not just as conservatives, but as human beings.
I believe that the author is correct. I have it on excellent authority, from someone who could get Karl Rove on the phone, that the Bush White House staff was riddled with teh gays.
I confess that I find it difficult to understand how LGTB persons can support the Republican agenda, considering the bigotry which has been and is directed against them, but chacun à son goût. Having said that, I admit that the Democratic Party has not always been, nor is it now, a shining light of inclusivness.
Many have speculated on the death of the religious right—and it always seems to survive predictions of its demise—but a new Associated Press poll released this week echoes an earlier CNN poll showing majority support for same-sex marriage (52 percent to 46 percent). The poll also shows 58 percent say gays and lesbians should “be entitled to the same government benefits as married couples of the opposite sex.” Only 38 percent opposed.
In my territory, the religious right is not moribund, but rather, they rule, far beyond what their numbers warrant. Their voices scream loud and long, and the parties and the politicians not only listen, but, all too often, march to the beat of their drummers, more's the pity.
Thanks to Cathy for the link.
A conference that disinvites Ann Coulter because she's too liberal is going some. I assume they also disinvited Genghis Khan on the same grounds.
ReplyDeleteCathy, indeed. I don't know how the Republicans will ever patch up the tear in the fabric of their party.
ReplyDeletePlease don't compare the Great Khan to that dreadful woman.
ReplyDeleteMany have speculated on the death of the religious right—and it always seems to survive predictions of its demise
In my territory, the religious right is not moribund, but rather, they rule, far beyond what their numbers warrant.
I keep telling you, Mimi, the stake has to be made of hawthorn or ash, and you have to cut off the head, fill it with garlic and bury it face down at the crossroads!
We have ash trees where I work if that helps.
ReplyDeleteMark, I think you insult the undead by comparing them to the Republican Party.
ReplyDeleteSome of my best friends are undead, I'll have you know.
Oh dear! What shall I do?
ReplyDeleteWell, we're talking about type ones and twos, here, not the glittery "I'm-a-part-time-underwear-model" type of undead. See my blog for further info - the seasonal ailments post.
ReplyDelete