My Commentary on Huckabee's MSNBC Interview This Morning

As is the case most mornings, I was watching Joe Scarborough on Morning Joe on MSNBC while eating breakfast and getting my morning caffeine fix. I caught most of the interview with Mike Huckabee, but what most terrified me was when Scarborough asked Huckabee what his position was on separation of church and state. Hukabee's response was that "the Constitution prevents the government from giving preference or establishment of a particular religion BUT THAT IT DOES NOT PREVENT THE PEOPLE FROM DOING SO." Scarborough repeated the question and again Huckabee said the Constitution did not limit what the people can do.

Why is this important? Because if one has regularly monitored the Christianist organization web sites and read some of their legal briefs in appellate court cases such as Lawrence v. Texas, they clearly believe that religious beliefs, sexual morals are to be decided by the majority of the population. Minority views and/or groups do NOT have the right to depart from or hold opposing views. This was very clear in some of the statements in briefs filed in Lawrence v. Texas and is also evident in Christianist site views on affirmative action, immigration issues, and gay rights issues and a number of other matters. Their view of freedom of religion means that no one can restrict their religious views, but that differing or minority views do NOT enjoy the same rights.

Since Huckabee is clearly one of the Christianists, his response should set off alarm bells. While outwardly sounding as if he has no problem with complying with the First Amendment, his comment on what the people can do shows that he believes that the people - whether it be 50. 01% or some larger majority CAN establish one religious view as the predominant belief system. The passage of anti-gay marriage amendments in various states - Florida being the next state where they will attempt this approach - shows how the Christianists will proceed to change governing documents to enshrine one particular religious belief system. I cannot stress too strongly how great a threat Huckabee and people like him are to the freedoms long enjoyed by citizens of this country. Stated another way, were Huckabee to be elected President, I believe it would be time for me to seriously look into emigrating. Sadly, your soccer mom crowd and many others are totally oblivious to what is slowly but surely happening.

One Third Of Homeless Young New Yorkers Are Gay - 1/4 of Gay Teens Thrown Out of Homes

I realize that I frequently illuminate the hypocrisy of the Christianists as they try to subvert religious freedom and impose their unloving and fear driven version of Christ's teachings on all of us. To some it may seem mean spirited. However, I truly believe that they have perverted the Gospel message and that true Christians must speak out and not let them create a picture of what Christians are - or should be. This leads me to the fact that 365gay.com is reporting (http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/12/121707hm.htm) that one third of the homeless youth on the streets of New York City are gay. I can only wonder how many of them were unceremoniously thrown out by their good "Christian" families due to their sexual orientation (a NGLTF report cited in the story indicates that one-fourth of all gay teens are thrown out of their homes). Others, even if not thrown out, may have felt compelled to leave. As the parent of three children, I cannot understand how a parent could throw their child out on the street simply because they are gay or lesbian or transgender. I would literally lay down my life for my children - any one of them.

The Christian Right and the sheeple who follow its teachings are so harsh in their self-righteous judgments of others - especially LGBT individuals - and so focused on the perceived weaknesses in others that they are blind-sided by their own. Rather than speak of love of neighbor and mercy as Jesus did they teach the opposite. Here is what the Bible has to say about so many of them:

Matthew 23:23, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the other undone."

It is so very sad, especially at this holiday time of year. I count my good luck in being blessed with parents - and an extended family - that accepted me as I truly am. I have friends that have not been so lucky. In any event here are some highlights:

(New York City) A new study says there are at least 3,800 people under the age of 25 living on the streets of New York and that almost 30 percent are gay, lesbian or bisexual. The study, by the Empire State Coalition of Youth and Family Services, has been turned over to City Council, which paid for it.

The results confirm a warning issued last January by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Coalition for the Homeless which said gay, lesbian and transgender youth make up at least 20 percent - possibly as much as 40 percent - of the total number of homeless and runaway youth across the country. The two national advocacy groups accused the federal government of neglecting what they described as an epidemic.

The January report said that roughly one-fourth of gay and lesbian teens are kicked out of their homes after their parents learn of their sexual orientation. The report also said many gay youths experienced physical violence during the process of coming out. Once homeless, the report says, these young people are more vulnerable than their peers to problems of mental health, substance abuse and sexually transmitted diseases.

A copy of the full NGLTF report can be found here: http://www.thetaskforce.org/downloads/HomelessYouth.pdf

More Tuesday Male Beauty

Dedicated to Karen England of Capitol Resources Institute. :)

Huckabee Ad Reminds Ron Paul of Sinclair Lewis Prediction on Fascism

As reported today by RawStory (http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Ron_Paul_suggests_Huckabee_selling_fascism_1218.html) a new campaign ad from Republican presidential contender Mike Huckabee sounds a lot like a literary prediction about the coming of fascism, according to fellow GOP Oval Office seeker Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX). Personally, I agree with Ron Paul. Sadly, fascism is already here more than many of us care to recognize. Here are some brief highlights:

Asked by Fox and Friends host Steve Doocy what he thought of the TV spot, Paul minced no words. "Well, I haven't thought about it completely, but you know, it reminds me of what Sinclair Lewis once said," Paul responded. "He says, 'When fascism comes to this country, it will be wrapped in the flag carrying a cross." Continued Paul, "Now, I don't know whether that's a fair assessment or not, but you wonder about using a cross like he is the only Christian or implying that subtly. So I don't think I would use anything like that."

Christianist Wingnut Meltdown in California

HOMOSEXODUS! Revealed: 'Gay' plans to target 2-year-olds.

That is the headline for a new story on Wing Nut Daily a/k/a WorldNetDaily.com. (http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=59259). The story is based in reality only insofar as it references a new California statute recently signed into law by Governor Schwarzeneggger which simply took anti-discrimination language used in other areas of California law, such as employment and puts that in the education code. The new law provides that "No teacher shall give instruction nor shall any school district sponsor any activity that promotes a discriminatory bias because of a characteristic [including perceived gender.]"

Doesn't sound too subversive or bad, does it? Well the loony tunes crowd is having apoplexy, particularly Karen England, pictured at left, the head of the Capitol Resources Institute, an anti-gay "pro-family" organization. How dare the existence of gays, lesbians, gay parented families, etc. be acknowledge! They want us faggots to remain invisible. In my view, these people are sick, not to mention unhinged. One reason for their crazed response to the new law: California is one of the largest text book buyers in the country and "pro-family groups" are worried publishers will not print a different version (i.e., versions that protray gays negatively) for other states. Here are some quotes from Wing Nut Daily:

A list of school resources, sponsored by a homosexual-advocacy group called Safe Schools Coalition, suggests that for those who are only two years old, there's "Felicia's Favorite Story," which tells how she was "adopted by her two mothers." The list also promotes a book called "Are You a Girl or a Boy?" by Karleen Jiminez, a resource for children ages 4-8 when advocating homosexuality, bisexuality, transgenderism and other alternative lifestyle choices. It's described as "A sweet book about a gender-different kid."

Other resources being promoted in light of California's adoption of SB 777 as state law include books authored by officials for Planned Parenthood and the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network. One book, called "Tackling Gay Issues in School," is for kindergarten through grade 12, and offers a "rationale (for the inclusion of les/bi/gay/trans issues in school)." It features recommended "extracurricular" activities for classes.

And Karen England, a spokeswoman for Capital Resource who is a primary organizer behind the Save Our Kids plan to put the issue before voters and ask them to reject it, noted "All along, Capitol Resource Family Impact has maintained that the true agenda behind SB 777 is to infuse school curriculum with pro-homosexual, and other controversial lifestyles, propaganda. The proponents of the bill countered that this was not true and the law would merely 'streamline' anti-discrimination laws for schools. Based on our 20-year experience with the homosexual lobby, we know that a common tactic is to maintain innocence and then utilize vague language to push a radical agenda. We expected the same of SB 777 and we are already witnessing the same pattern," England said.

WND already has reported how the Gay Straight Alliance has forwarded instructions to its California chapters with information on how to make sure homosexuality is taught in public schools, and its warning having students and parents simply "tolerate" homosexuality is not enough. WND also has reported how thousands of requests for information about homeschooling and Christian school are bombarding organizations that support those efforts.

I guess Wing Nut Daily endorses having more messed up individuals like Matthew Murray - who was home schooled by his religious fanatic mother - turned out of these home school programs.

Tuesaday Male Beauty

Mike Huckabee Extremism

The more I hear and read about Mike Huckabee, the more I believe his run for the White House needs to be derailed and soon. It looks like he could make the Chimperator look down right rational when it comes to being obsessed with religion. In addition, he appears to be corrupt notwithstanding all his Christianist platitudes. Pam Spaulding has a story that looks at some of the nutty and/or corrupt things Huckabee has done that can be found here (http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=3953). I recommend you read Pam's full posts. Here's a listing of 20 whacked out things this Christianist has done and/or said:

1. Huckabee Calls for the Quarantine of AIDS Victims
2. Huckabee Enables the Politically-Motivated Parole of Repeat Rapist/Murderer
3. Huckabee Offers Faith-Based Pardons
4. Huckabee Undermines the Teaching of Evolution
5. Huckabee Speaks for God
6. Huckabee Speaks to God
7. Huckabee Claims God Behind His Rise in the Polls
8. Huckabee Proclaims His Theology Degree a Unique Qualification to Fight Terrorism
9. Huckabee Flip-Flops, Calls for Federal Abortion Ban
10. Huckabee Calls for Consumption Tax, Abolition of the IRS
11. Huckabee Vows to Take Nation Back for Christ
12. Huckabee Declares Culture War in 1998 Book
13. Huckabee Declares Women Should Graciously Submit to Their Husbands
14. Huckabee Predicts Victory over Islam at the End of Times
15. Huckabee Boasts About Theology Degree He Doesn't Have
16. Huckabee Destroys His State Computer Records - and Church Sermons
17. Huckabee Offers State Appointments in Exchange for Gifts
18. Huckabee Uses Wedding Registries to Furnish New Home
19. Huckabee Offers Clemency to Repeat DWI Offender (and GOP Donor)
20. Huckabee Intervenes to Save Dog-Killing Son from Legal Jeopardy

Hungary legalizes same-sex civil partnerships

What can I say other than that as the rest of the modern world moves forward, the USA as a nation lags behind in gay rights instead of being a leader in freedom and liberty. Worse yet, in Virginia, home of leading founding fathers who championed religious freedom and civil liberties, during the last few years steps have been actively taken to strip gay couples of rights. Here are highlights from a Reuters.com story (http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL1861742220071218):

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungary's parliament passed a law late on Monday that allows same-sex couples to register a civil partnership with many of the rights and obligations of marriage. Registered couples will have the same rights as married heterosexual couples in inheritance, taxation and other financial matters. But they will not be allowed to adopt children, unlike married couples.

After decades under communist rule when homosexuality was banned or simply out of sight, it is far less widely accepted in Eastern Europe than in most of Western Europe. The Czech Republic and Slovenia allow same-sex partnerships to be registered, but none of the former communist states allow gay marriages.

Final Monday Male Beauty

One Crazy Night - The Sequel - Autograph Session

Tonight I spent some time signing a stack of posters for the upcoming movie premier of One Crazy Night - The Sequel which will be on December 29, 2007, at 11:00 PM following a pre-screening party for the cast members and friends. I know pretty much everyone in the cast since they are all locals in the gay community. It will no doubt be an insanely crazy night. What is particularly funny is that one of my friends who is a fellow cast member, started out with a small part and ended up with a major role much to his nervous surprise.

http://www.onecrazynightthemovie.com/