Homosexual to head up RNC

At worst this is a debatable issue. This was the Whitehorse statement in the first article you quote. I do not have the time to read the other atm but will get to it later tonight.

“Longstanding federal policy prohibits discrimination against federal employees based on sexual orientation,” White House spokeswoman Maria Tamburri said. “President Bush expects federal agencies to enforce this policy and to ensure that all federal employees are protected from unfair discrimination at work.”

OK... Ill play... if he is "in" the closet and we do not know for a FACT that he is gay then why are we discussing him at all?

We either KNOW it and he is NOT in the closet or we DON'T know it and should NOT speculate unfairly on his sexual orientation.

Bush's statement is meaningless -- He views the discrimination against gays as fine and dandy! He said he expects federal agencies to support a policy that has already been interpreted to mean --"yah -- go ahead and fire the fag."

The sentence you quote from the article is pure Whitehouse double-speak, meaningless and unenforcable garbage.

Here is a link to the current Title VII discrimination code that the Federal Government adheres to:

http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/qanda.html

Bush appointee Scot Bloch had it changed in 2001 to remove "sexual orientation" from the list. It's 2004 --Bush has STILL not changed it back. If Bush is serious about rectifying this misjustice --maybe, as President, he should do more than just deliver empty promises.

I suppose it should work that way, but it doesn't... especially when you're a public figure. There's an increasing amount of pressure for public figures to come out of the closet. There are sites that are dedicated to 'outing' public figures, even if the person decides to remain silent (aka in the closet).

It's just unfortunate that he has taken the low-road on this, if indeed, he is gay.

It irks me that any of this even matters. In my own case, I am selectively out for my own very valid reasons. So, on the one hand it irritates me that we make a big deal about a gay holding a major political office while at the same time villifying the same man for what may be a very personal decision not to confirm or deny his status.

In my home state, anyway, the unauthorized disclosure of private information is a civil offense that can carry some very stiff fines and/or penalties...

Thank you. That is better, as opposite to the stereotype, not all Latin Americans are bleeding heart liberals, or believe in equal rights for those who have commited attrocities against the Afghan and American people.


And yes, I am intimately familiar about the concept of 'the token minority'. Through the years, I have become in contact with many lilly-white liberals and conservatives who like to surround themselves with minorities in order to appear enlightened, only to express their true feelings about them as soon as they give their back and especially when they they just happen to move next door...

You know, all this political finger pointing in the newsgroups is pretty much meaningless. You can dig nasty stuff on anyone if you really try, and turn a blind eye when it is convenient.

Words are worthless. Actions are what matters. People are wasting too much energy whinning and complaining, while there is much humanitarian work to be done around the world.

It is easy to complain from the comfort of a middle class American home. Cleaning wounds, feeding children, or teaching people to read in a remote village is where all those energies should be spent. Words do not change the world, action does.

- T -

It stinks that it matters Paolo, but I think (and just my opinion, mind you) it DOES matter. I've been out since I was 18.. and I continue to 'come out' each/every time I meet a new person. It's a never-ending outing.. but I digress.

The reason it matters, to me, is that by staying in the closet, he is perpetuating the idea that his sexuality and his relationships are bad things that he should hide from the public. He certainly doesn't need to flaunt it either.

I have no issue with him holding office, even at the RNC.. there are alot of gay Republicans out there.

Personally, I don't think he has enough self respect. I just don't think you can truly respect yourself and stay in the closet.

Very valid points, Juro. I very much know what you mean about the ongoing outing process. In general terms, I do agree with you that hiding an actively gay lifestyle over a prolonged time frame infers that the gay lifestyle is questionable or even unsavory. On the other hand, I really resent it when self-assured gays bash fledgling gays for not being 100% secure and OK with their sexuality. We're all on different stages of the journey, right? Why does the insecurity of the latter threaten the security of the former?

I think what really caught my attention was the mention of those Web sites that try to forcibly out high profile people. That's what galls me. Where's the compassion in that? It took me a lot of years to come to my decision, and having it forced upon me -- prematurely -- would have had a major psychological impact. (Well, in a way it was forced upon me, but by then, I was mentally prepared for it.)

I hear you Paolo, but those of us who are not in the public view have that luxury of deciding 'when' is the right time. Usually, by that point, everyone else knows about the big secret already. You're just making it official. As my grandmother said: "Hun.. it seems that you're the last to know."

People who make thier lives in the public eye, and who are closeted, should have taken the possibility of being outed into thier decision to follow thier career path. When you're a public figure, every part of your life is magnified and analyzed. Ignoring the rumor mill, especially when it's running on overtime, will not make the issue go away.

Someday, hopefully, if he is truly gay, he'll have enough self respect to step up and put the loud rumbling of that rumor mill on silence by answering the question.

at least you're not judgemental.

It should be noted that this isn't just Joe Homo we're talking about. This is the man who declared that sexual orientation was fair game during the election.

This is the man at the RNC who supported handing out pamphlets telling people that if they didn't vote republican that gays would be taking away their bibles. He made my sexual orientation a public and political issue. As such, he's fair game.


Speculation or not. Where I come from if you're a man who sucks cock, you're a homosexual.

I am proud to have a gay man holding such a prominent political post. I know Jerry Falwell is proud as well.

Oh and Billy, not knowing your own party platform simply makes you ignorant. Stop asking other people to do your homework. Grow up and read the platform from the convention.

So blunt, yet so true. Unless your bisexual.

I've found most homosexual men to be self-destructive. It makes perfect sense now!

Looking for more of his work...insightful and brutal to the point of honesty *gasp* (can't have that little bugger mucking the system). Ohh and when are you making the big move or have you put it off?

John has a blog here http://www.americablog.org

I'm still moving. I decided on Charlotte. I should arrive in my new city on the 20th of December. I told everyone I didn't want a parade but I secretly hope they will organize one anyway.

I'll make the float or bring the booze Charlotte is my current landing pad. And mucho grassy ass for the link. You are a love!!

Ouch! Actually, my entire post was sarcasm, and I was being critical of what others were implying.

Basically, I was agreeing with you...

I do think it's interesting that it isn't the conservatives coming out bashing this move, but it's the more liberal crowd bringing it up. The conservatives I've heard comment on it don't really care, only the supposed "gay rights champions" do. I thought the hate mongers were the ones dividing the country?

"What if Ken Mehlman is gay? Would he be sitting down with the editors of the Washington Times? Would GOP governors still think he is the sharpest young strategist to come along since the late Lee Atwater? Would his sexual preference disqualify him from heading up the RNC in the minds of the Family Research Council's Tony Perkins, and the American Family Association's Rev. Donald Wildmon?"

Is it really so hard to believe that the answers to all this could be:
So?
Yes
Yes
No

Of course, because anyone conservative hates gays, right?

Oops Garod, sorry about that then. I guess Neehai is the only one who I should have pointed to as being prejudice, bias, hypocritical and a moron. My apologies.

I totally agree with you. It is hilarious to me to see how quickly they turn on their own just because they are not flaming libs too. It’s all for show. Their true nature is easily spotted as they spew hatred every way they turn. Isn’t it is nice though that people like Neehai make it so easy to point out the lack of rational thought and the complete irrelevance of anything he says?

Paolo, give up my man. As much as you would like to talk some sense into Neehai he is only interested in seeing the world through jaded glasses. He is so full of selfishness and hate he is unwilling to see a voice of reason. Unfortunately people like him make it very difficult for the majority of gays who are good and decent people who show respect for others and their right to make their own decisions. He made his position quite clear. Agree with me and out yourself or you I will judge and label you as someone who does not have any self-respect. I for one agree with you and applaud you for how you have handled yourself.

Moron. How witty.

Now it's my turn. Fuck you. The fact that you trivialize what the Christian right does to gay people only further perpetuates your malice. You feign ignorance of your own party platform to push forward your hateful agenda.


Wow, look at the supportive Republican. I wonder if I can find others?

Here's a Republican who thinks executing homosexuals would be a good idea.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2004/10/25/5445/1320#27

Excuse me, but I will take a no thank you helping of that brand of tolerance. Who was that other guy that rounded up homosexuals and executed them? Oh yes, it was Hitler.

Take a look at this lovely flyer sponsored by the GOP. It's so tolerant I just want to rip my toenails out with a pair of plyers.
http://www.steveclemons.com/GOPMailer.htm


Can you feel the love? I can feel it.

So Billy, I kindly invite you to go Cheney yourself. You are a hateful racist and a bigot.

I will respond directly to your accusations when I have the time but for now all I am going to do is sit here and continue laughing at you.

Thanks again for being a blathering idiot. Your intolerance and hate mongering shines through very clearly for everyone to see. You are a disgrace to all of the decent hard working rational gays and liberals that you attempt to represent. Revealing your true nature is once again too easy.

I've always been a disgrace to rational gays.

At least I know my party platform.

Poor, poor Billy. It has nothing to do with him being a Republican. There are many, many gay conservatives. Are you familiar with the Log Cabin Republicans? They have well over a million members.

No, Billy, the issue is that he is HIDING his orientation, instead of taking a cue from many other public figures and setting the record straight. That's the problem.

Billy.. let's play around with this issue of self-respect for a second. Correct me if I'm wrong, but as I understand it, you are a Christian. And, as such, I also assume you're proud to be a Christian. Again, correct me if I'm wrong.

How would you feel, Billy, if a fellow Christian that was holding a prominent public position evaded, and continued to evade the question of 1) thier stand on religion, and 2) thier religious identity?

For me, that person would lack self-respect.. and that would be shown in thier lack of standing up and being proud to say "I'm a Christian".

I know it's comparing oranges and apples.. but you get my drift.


I still think he lacks self-respect. Further, he *could* be an excellent role model for gay youth. Give them something to hope for and a goal to reach instead of being a bar fly.

I was not going for witty… I was going for accurate… not witty… if I was going for witty I suppose I would use something original like “ignorant” moron.

Awww… thanks for the offer but no thanks Neehai. Sorry but I have no attraction to you whatsoever... well… other than that attraction to witness you make an ass out of yourself. Next time I want to have sex with a sad, bitter old gay dude I’ll give you a call.


The fact that you appear to have no earthly idea about how Christianity looks at homosexuality only reveals your ignorance as to what the facts are.


My hateful agenda… ok… I’ll play… The only agenda “I” have at the moment is to expose you for what you are. An extreme left liberal who uses hate and lies to attack anyone with an opinion other than your own. Mission accomplished!


OOOO… I want to do that. Give me those pliers! (not sure what “plyers” are)

To call you ignorant would be an insult to ignorant people everywhere. I could just as easily go quote some liberal politicians who said equally asinine things and claim that’s what the entire party believes but that would be rather small minded of me. Go ahead and spread more lies and compare the republican party to Hitlar if you wish. It will only embarrass many of those who would have otherwise supported you. Even your own Alan Combs recently blasted a liberal guest for comparing Bush to Hitler.

Hmmm… what about that flyer do you not agree with. Let’s see… it says that the liberals agenda includes the following:
1. Removing “under God” from the pledge of allegiance – Check
2. Allowing teenagers to get abortions without parental consent – Check
3. Overturning the ban on the hideous procedure known as Partial Birth Abortions – Check
4. Same sex marriages - Check
Looks pretty accurate to me.

While according to you the republican agenda includes executing homosexuals just like Hitler. It is quite easy to see where the distortions and lies come from. You are pathetic.


Awww… does this mean I am off of your Christmas Card list? I am so hurt… oh… wait… who am I kidding… I’m not hurt at all. As a matter of fact I couldn’t give a rats ass about what a piece of trash like you thinks.

Oh, and how about not just arbitrarily calling me a hateful racist and bigot and prove it. Feel free to quote me ANYWHERE.

On the other hand, I do not need to go any further than this post to prove your prejudices against republicans. You do what all bigots do. They take isolated extreme cases of a few people within a group and apply their actions to the whole group. Sound familiar?

FWIW -- I don't compare all Republicans to Nazis, only Bush and his elite cadre of neo-con imperialists.