This comes after the Log Cabin Republicans have been shut out of the RNC, being refused invitation, but also only just a few days after the GOP adopted it’s new platform, which clearly stipulates a zero tolerance policy for homosexual rights. The new platform, which was put together mostly in secret (the names of the platform comity were not even made public until after they’d written up the party’s new agenda) by such upstanding Americans as Senator Rick Santorum (homophobe) Rev. Jerry Falwell (mindless God-bot) and Pat Buchanan (Hitler reborn), sets a pretty frightening standard for republican hate-mongering. The official platform states that Republicans are to be against homosexual’s right to marry, or even to be entitled to any legal benefits of marriage (i.e. some sort of civil union compromise). Also openly homosexual men and women shall remain barred from military service, the reasoning behind this decision being stated that homosexuality is incomparable with military service. Sane minded people everywhere are still wondering exactly what that means. Of course the platform is just the official rhetoric, right? Certainly with all of this convention-time talk of the GOP trying to present itself with a “big tent” image, some dissent would be acceptable, and those who believe that freedom should genuinely be for all will be tolerated, right? Well, not if the platform comity has anything to say about it: The message is pretty clear, as the Log Cabin Republicans were told when they were denied an invitation to the convention, the stodgy old conservatives who are running the show just don’t think that their values are comparable with those of the Republican party. Welcome to the GOP, no fags allowed! My heart really goes out to the Log Cabin Republicans. Their existence has always seemed a bit contradictory, but it really gave us hope that in some small way homosexuals might actually be accepted, or even (lord forbid!) have fair representation even within the GOP. It’s seeming now, more than it ever has, that that was nothing more than a foolish fantasy. The religious right-wing owns the Republican party now, and they aren’t letting go, they’ve got their guy in the white-house and they’re using that advantage to try to push all the devil-worshiping sodomites right on out of the party, and hey, maybe even the country if the American people are dumb enough to fall for four more years of their shenanigans. It will be interesting to see where these tragically betrayed dreamers end up now that their collective delusion of a conservative party embracing or supporting homosexuals in any way is over. In a perfect world they’d break off along with moderates like Guliani, McCain and Schwartzeneger, in forming a new and legitimate moderate wing of the Republican party, or hell just a new party all together, one that speaks to conservatives who aren’t of the belt-way variety. Sadly, as prone to sticking to the plan, even in the light of undeniable fact which trumps it seems to be one of the virtues that the GOP is trying to flaunt this election season, and indeed it’s always been one of their more infuriating characteristics, so the chances of any such thing happening are sadly slim.
Log cabin repubs = one strange lot. I guess I kinda understand given the general ambiguity and seemingly contradictory idealogies associated with republicans (and democrats for that matter). But I'd say if there is one issue with little ambiguity, it is that republicans in general aren't very accepting of gays. Look at the vice president and his poor daughter!
I've gotta' say that the case of ol' Dick and his lesbian daughter is one of the more heart warming within the GOP. Sure Dick hasn't been able to come out and say "My daughter should be entitled to the legal rights of marriage, because she's a decent human being, qualitatively no different than any other good law abiding, tax paying American citizen!" but the fact that he's at least been able to break down and say that states should decide the same-sex marriage issue is a huge leap in the right direction. It paints him in a much more human light, showing that, even if his heart is made mostly of stone, or some sort of never-defrosting ice, somewhere deep inside him is an actual shred of human compassion and decency which, when so prompted, can be summoned up to say some only mildly discouraging words toward the well being of his own children. It seems to be the chink in his otherwise impenetrable armor of callousness and cruelty toward the nation.
I just call it as I see it. To be a little more fair to Dick, however, I think it's very kind of him to flaunt the fact that he still loves his daughter, as I'm fairly sure that a fair number of the Republican base at this point would have disowned her if she were their daughter. It sends a positive message.
That was sort of the point; the plank was called up only hours after Cheney's discussion of his daughter. The GOP tries to appeal to diverse people through money and fear. But diversity is a challenge to the GOP; pocketbook and superstition only get so much done, and it's harder to put on that moderate face when the pitch goes, "Look, we've got some folks you like speaking at our convention, and all we want is your vote. I mean, you're not worth anything more to us." I mean, what of the irony that in the GOP it should come about that Dick is the front end of diversity? How does that work out? (Goddamned patriarchal Western society!) Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
The comparisons between modern Republicans and Nazis have been overused the past couple of years. But on this pont, the comparison is valid. The Nazis used hatred of the Jews to gain political power. Republicans are once again appealing to the lowest common denominators hatred of gays to do the same. I can't help but think that most of the upper echelon of the Republicans must recoil in horror at having to cater to the loony fundies. But they will dance with the Devil if it accomplishes their goals.
As it is to the Sciforum diaTribe. Why do I know the truth of the allegation? Hm. Let's dial in the Way-Back machine.
Log Cabin Republicans -> Jewish Nazis EDIT: Shit. Already been used. Okay ... Log Cabin Republicans -> Khmer Rouge w/ a pair of bifocals.
I love the lying GOP (Gullible old Party) and her lies at this convention, the lie being that she is a moderate party. Where are the Farwell’s? Where is the religious right? Where is the anti-Abortion activists? All I see are democrats who pose themselves are Republicans, McCain, Giuliani, and Arnold. Now we have the Log Cabin republicans, people who seemingly don’t care enough as their rights as human beings, never mind citizens vote for the GOP. The sickness of this is not lost on this poster…
Anybody ever read Dan Savage? He had a contest not long ago in which one could submit their definiton for the word Santorum, more specifically a definition to describe Sen. Rick Santorum. And the winner:
