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CA Kindergarteners to be Taught How to Shoot Up Heroin!!
According to the logic employed by proponants of Proposition 8
Timothy Kincaid
October 6th, 2008
Schools will now be required to teach students that gay marriage is the same as traditional marriage, starting with kindergarteners.
Or so say the supporters of Proposition 8 on their official website, Protectmarriage.com. It’s right there in the education code, they tell you.
This is one of Yes on 8’s three central themes (along with individuals being sued and churches losing tax preferences for not celebrating homosexuality) and is included in all their outreach. It is referenced in their television ad and repeated in letters to the editor. Consider this press release quoting Dr. Jim Garlow, senior pastor of Skyline Church in La Mesa
Our California Education Code (#51890) will permit children as young as kindergartners to be indoctrinated about homosexuality.
Or this bold claim repeated twice on their youth oriented website iProtectMarriage
If Prop. 8 loses, children as young as kindergarteners must be taught same-sex marriage.
They even sought to include this in their ballot initiative argument in the state’s voter pamphlet until a judge threw it out as being untruthful.
In health education classes, state law requires teachers to instruct children as young as kindergarteners about marriage … If the gay marriage ruling is not overturned, teachers will be required to teach young children there is no difference between gay marriage and traditional marriage.
But amidst all the fear and terror about kindergarten children, there’s one thing they carefully do not provide: the education code which they claim forces “indoctrination into homosexuality” and moral claims to kindergardeners about same-sex marriage. That code section (51890 and the accompanying 50891) is simply never provided for review by those who want to see for theirselves.
But Box Turtle Bulletin isn’t afraid of the education code. We took a look and, by golly, there IS a provision for teaching about marriage:
…kindergarten…Pupils will receive instruction …in matters of… marriage…
Well right there it says it. See?
Unless, of course, you read the rest of the words. We’ve included the entire code section below the break. And as it turns out, there are a few other things here which “kindergarteners must be taught”.
Mental and emotional health and development. Drug use and misuse, including the misuse of tobacco and alcohol. Diseases and disorders, including sickle cell anemia and related genetic diseases and disorders. Environmental health and safety.
Who knew that the curriculum in the California kindergarten classroom included the use of Paxil or how to shoot up heroin? Who knew that genetic disease and toxic waste shared the floor with “A is for apple” and “the sky is blue”?
Well it doesn’t and they don’t. These (and marriage) are not mandates for the education of “children as young as kindergarteners”. They are part of “all educational programs offered in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive” and reflect a goal of providing health information over a child’s entire school experience.
Do those in the Yes on 8 campaign really believe that Kindergardeners will be taugh the mechanics of gay sex or that same-sex marriages have equivalent moral weight with heterosexual marriages? I very much doubt it.
But it’s such a convenient scare tactic that they can’t resist making the claim.
There will be, at an age-appropriate time, a discussion about “Family health and child development, including the legal and financial aspects and responsibilities of marriage and parenthood”. And that discussion will, no doubt, include the fact that same-sex couples can legally marry.
But the decision as to when and how this will be taught is not to be feared. The “planning, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive health education” must include active participation by parents and, in California, any parent can remove their child from such discussions.
Don’t you wish that the supporters of Proposition 8 were more honest? Wouldn’t it be nice if those who are so concerned about my morality cared more about their own?
(code section after the break)
Read the rest of this entry »
AZ Politicians Run Away from Prop 102
Jim Burroway
October 5th, 2008
It’s amazing. Last June, 49 state legislators in Phoenix decided that making same-sex marriage even more illegaler in this state was more important than solving the budget deficit or problems with education, immigration, health care or energy policy (Arizona has more sunshine than any other state in the union — helloooo!). They even thought it was so important that they were willing to break their own rules in the process.
But now, ask any of those same legislators if they support Prop 102 and just watch how they duck and weave on what ought to be a simple yes or no question — you know, the yes or no question that they actually put on the ballot.
The Arizona Daily Star sent a questionnaire to state legislative candidates, and of the responses they got back, twelve candidates said they opposed Prop 102 and only three said they supported it. Ten more couldn’t give it a straight answer. See if you can figure out where these candidates stand:
“My wife and I have been married for 17 years,” wrote Republican Frank Antenori, a candidate for the House in District 30. “I believe that marriage is an important institution that strengthens society and I support it.” What’s “it”? Marriage or the amendment?
In the primary, Antenori was a bit more direct, answering “yes” but adding: “If you want to get married, fine; that’s between you, your spouse and your God, not the government.” So, isn’t that a “no”?
Republican Jonathan Paton, running for the Senate in the same district, was even more indirect: “I supported the effort to let my constituents vote for it.” OK. But that wasn’t the question.
Democrat Olivia Cajero Bedford, running for re-election in District 27, did not give a direct answer, instead saying she would support the move if it “had clearly stated that (marriage) cannot be one man, one woman and three girlfriends.”
And Democrat Barbara McGuire, an incumbent in District 23, said, “My personal opinion is that definition of marriage would apply to a man and woman, however, in the case of amending the constitution, it is up to the voters.”
Rep. Paton not only voted to place Prop 102 on the ballot, he was also a co-sponsor of the bill.
Rep. Cajero Bedford (one of two house representatives for my district) voted against putting Prop 102 on the ballot — which makes her indirect answer against prop 102 somewhat puzzling.
Rep. McGuire didn’t cast a vote when the measure came up in the House, and because placing an amendment proposal on the ballot requires a majority of all house members and not just of those present, her non-vote had the same effect as a “no” vote. It just didn’t go on the record.
And of course, we already saw State Sen. Tim Bee, one of the amendment’s early co-sponsors, wish the question would just disappear barely two weeks after he voted for it.
McCain’s Washington Blade Talking Points
Jim Burroway
October 1st, 2008
As for the rest of McCain’s Interview with the Washington Blade, he touched on quite a few topics:
On LGBT Role Models: “I had the humbling experience of speaking at Mark Bingham’s funeral after the attacks on Sept. 11. Mark had supported me during the 2000 campaign. Unfortunately, I barely knew him, but our country learned about him after 9-11. He was one of the heroes on 9-11 who tried to retake control of United Flight 93. His efforts along with the other brave patriots could have saved hundreds of lives. I honor and respect Mark. Memories of his sacrifice and the other victims from 9-11 motivate me everyday to make sure we keep our nation safe from the terrorists who want to attack our way of life because freedom is a threat to their message of hate.”
On HIV/AIDS: “I’m proud to have supported President Bush’s efforts to address the international AIDS crisis. History will remember him for the PEPFAR program, which has saved millions of lives. We’ve made progress on the domestic front too, but not enough. I am committed to supporting the development of a National AIDS Strategy. Countries receiving PEPFAR aid are required to develop a national plan; but we don’t have one in our country. … Recent CDC statistics show that gay men continue to be strongly impacted by the disease, and the disease is disproportionately affecting people of color. Our prevention and treatment efforts must be improved to address these challenges.”
On adoption by gay couples: “I hope my comments are not misinterpreted. I respect the hundreds of thousands of gay and lesbian people who are doing their best to raise the children they have adopted. As someone who adopted a child, Cindy and I know better than most couples the amazing satisfaction that comes from providing love to an unwanted child. I believe a child is best raised by a mother and father because of the unique contributions that they make together to the development of a child.”
On gays in the military: “On ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ I’m going to defer to our military commanders. So far they have told me it’s working. I’m willing to have the policy reviewed to make sure that’s the case, but at the end of the day, I’m going to rely on the commanders who will be impacted by a change in the law.”
On the Defense of Marriage Act: “As a Republican, I am a strong advocate for federalism. States should be able to decide as many issues as possible. That’s certainly the case on the definition of marriage. My home state of Arizona shouldn’t be compelled to recognize a marriage from California or Massachusetts. Those states can decide that issue by themselves.”
On so-called “marriage amendments”: “My own view is that marriage should be reserved for a man and a woman. That’s what I supported in Arizona. I realize this is a controversial issue and we must conduct this debate in a way that respects the dignity of every person. … As I did in my home state of Arizona, I support the effort in California to define marriage as the union of a man and a woman. However, the people of California will ultimately decide this issue, and I’ll of course respect the decision of the voters.”
On non-descrimination in the workplace: “Gay and lesbian people should not face discrimination in the workplace. I’ve always practiced that in my hiring. I select the best people, regardless of their sexual orientation. I support the concept of non-discrimination in hiring for gay and lesbian people. However, we need to make sure legislation doesn’t lead to a flood of frivolous lawsuits or infringe on religious institutions. What I can say now is I will give careful consideration to any legislation that reaches my desk, and confer with Congress before making decisions.”
On Hate Crimes Legislation: “I have voted against the proposal several times. Let me make it clear that no one should face violence because of who they are. It’s un-American and morally repugnant. People who commit any violent crime should face tough penalties. However, I am not convinced that this is properly a federal issue, or that criminal sentences for terrible crimes should be longer because of the views of the perpetrator or the identity of the victim.”
McCain: “I Hope Gay and Lesbian Americans Will Give Full Consideration to Supporting Me”
Jim Burroway
October 1st, 2008
In what is believed to be the first time a Republican presidential nominee made himself available to the gay press, John McCain participated in a written interview with the Washington Blade this week in which he said he appreciated the Log Cabin Republicans’ endorsement and hopes that “gay and lesbian Americans will give full consideration to supporting me.”
McCain wrote about working with former Congressman Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) for 25 years. Kolbe was the first Republican Congressman to serve in the House as an openly gay man. McCain also spoke highly of former Tempe Mayor Neil Giuliano, who is now the executive director of GLAAD. Giuliano survived a recall election in 2001 over his sexual orientation. And McCain recalled giving the eulogy at Mark Bingham’s funeral. Bingham, a member of a San Francisco bay-area gay rugby team, died while bringing United Flight 93 down into a Pennsylvania cornfield on September 11, 2001. His actions along with others on the flight may have saved thousands of lives in Washington, D.C., which is believed to have been the hijackers’ target.
As for “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” McCain said:
I promise to give full consideration to any legislation that reaches my desk. On “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” I’m going to defer to our military commanders. So far they have told me it’s working. I’m willing to have the policy reviewed to make sure that’s the case, but at the end of the day, I’m going to rely on the commanders who will be impacted by a change in the law.
I wonder if this somewhat non-committal answer will be satisfactory to his conservative base. For some, merely promising to have the policy reviewed might be too much for them. For example, Tom Minnery, head of Focus On the Family Action sent out an email alert identifying “Out in the barracks: homosexuality hits the armed forces” as an alarming headline we might see if Obama were elected.
Video To Sarah Palin: I Tried Choosing To Go Straight
Daniel Gonzales
September 30th, 2008
As someone who chose to go through an ex-gay program I made a video taking Sarah Palin to task for her absurd claim homosexuality is a choice (comically and with righteous sass I might add).
Sarah Palin on Praying Away the Gay
Timothy Kincaid
September 30th, 2008
From the CBS transcript of Katie Couric’s interview of Sarah Palin
The governor told us though she’s not a member of any church, she visits a couple of them regularly when she’s home. She took issue with news reports that one of them, The Wasilla Bible Church, sponsored a conference where gays could be made straight through prayer.
Palin: Well, it matters though, Katie, when the media gets it wrong. It frustrates Americans who are just trying to get the facts and … be able to make up their mind on, about a person’s values. So it does matter.
But what you’re talking about, I think, value here, what my position is on homosexuality and you can pray it away, because I think that was the title that was listed on that bulletin. And you know, I don’t know what prayers are worthy of being prayed. I don’t know what’s prayers are going to be asked and answered. But as for homosexuality, I am not going to judge Americans and the decisions that they make in their adult personal relationships. I have one of my absolute best friends for the last 30 years happens to be gay, and I love her dearly. And she is not my “gay friend,” she is one of my best friends, who happens to have made a choice that isn’t a choice that I have made. But I am not going to judge people.
Let’s hope her best friend tells Sarah about what part of one’s life is chosen and what part comes naturally.
Sad, Sad Elaine Donnelly
Timothy Kincaid
September 30th, 2008
Poor Elaine Donnelly.
Her fight to keep gay folks from serving their country through military service is becoming a lonely and thankless task.
She showed up at Congress back in July only to find that it’s a different place than she’d like it to be. Gosh, anti-gay ranting just doesn’t get the response it used to. Now she found herself mocked by both Democrats and Republicans and those who she thought were on her side were ‘much too busy’ to make it to the hearing that day.
And the public just is no help any more. Three quarters of voters, at least, think that gay folks should be able to serve openly. And that not just those San Francisco liberals. No, 59% of conservative Republicans, conservative Republicans, think that gay people should be able to fight for their nation. Oh, the tragedy.
Even the military leaders are turning against her. First it was a general, and some prior Chaimen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, then a Secretary of Defense, and some past Presidents, and then a commission of former military leaders, and now its hard to find anyone who will stand with Elaine and talk about “HIV positivity” and showers and black lesbian gang rapists.
What’s a girl to do?
Well Elaine is, if nothing else, tenatious. She just knows she can find an ally out there somewhere if she looks hard enough.
So she turned to the tried and true.
Elaine just knows that there are crusty old veterans full of stories about how awful the sissies were back in WWII. And if she could just get these venerable old men and remind America of the sacrifice they paid then surely the nation would come to its senses and run the gay folks out of town. And if there’s no one left to translate Arabic, well who cares? You don’t need to know what they’re saying to bomb ‘em back to the stone age.
So Elaine set up a extra-special super-secret meeting. She would get together with only the high level senior mucky-mucks of veterans organizations, come up with a list of dark misdeeds by the militant homoSEXuals (yes, militant, what other kind would be in the service?) and march back to Congress like Jeremiah of Old to confront the lawmakers with her anecdotes of woe and doom.
But, darn it, you can’t even rely on the octogenarians to hold onto their homophobia any more. Those crotchety ol’ back-stabing sneaks betrayed her. They leaked her letter.
And now PFLAG is telling everyone about her super-secret mission. Alas, alas. Her beautiful plan has gone to naught.
Oh but never fear, fair reader, for Elaine will rise again. For as long as she has strength to fight and heart to hate, Elaine will be there on the forefront saying any and every vile thing she can in her quest to drive the evil sodomite from the land.
NY Senate Leader Speaks at Log Cabin Fundraiser
Timothy Kincaid
September 17th, 2008
Dean G. Skelos, the NY State Senate majority leader, attended a Log Cabin fundraiser in effort to broaden his party’s appeal for the fall elections. Although he reiterated his opposition to same-sex marriage, he indicated that he would be more supportive of gay issues than had been his predecessor. (NY Times)
Mr. Skelos, of Long Island, said he would take up and pass legislation aimed at preventing bullying of gay and lesbian students in schools. The predominantly Democratic Assembly has passed such legislation for several years, but it has long been stalled in the Senate. This month, New York City put similar rules in place for its schools.
The event was also attended by the the state chairman of the McCain-Palin campaign along with several Republican Assembly members who last year had voted in support of marriage equality.
It Could Have Been Huckabee
Timothy Kincaid
September 15th, 2008
So far this presidential campaign season has seen a markedly reduced emphasis on cultural issues. Unlike George Bush’s efforts to define his distinction from John Kerry by the extent to which he reviled gay couples and sought the restriction of their rights, Sen. John McCain has mostly avoided any reference to gay couples and has, at times, seemed almost apologetic for his views.
But it might not have been this way. Governor Huckabee was considered a credible candidate and could have been the Republican Party’s nominee. And Huckabee would have delighted in crafting his campaign around anti-gay activism - oh, pardon me, protection of marriage, family, and (I kid you not) the universe.
Huckabee was in Southern California this weekend to preach sermons about Proposition 8. The Ventura Star reports
The former Arkansas governor and Southern Baptist preacher spoke from the pulpit of Calvary Chapel Thousand Oaks in two services focused on Proposition 8, a state constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. He told about 1,000 people that marriage was created and defined by God, just as the Mona Lisa was created by Leonardo da Vinci.
“God doesn’t want me to take my brush and paint over his masterpiece,” he said.
Huckabee may appreciate Da Vinci’s work today. But somehow I find it easy to imagine that he would be among those who supported the 1476 prosecution of the artist on sodomy charges.
After all,
Huckabee said he wasn’t there to tell people how to vote on Proposition 8. But he told people that laws related to both life and marriage will determine the future of the universe.
And anything can be justified when you’re protecting the future of the universe.
Palin Mayoral Campaign Manager: Palin Wanted to Remove “Daddy’s Roomate” From Library
Jim Burroway
September 14th, 2008
We’ve seen several allegations that Alaska Governor and GOP Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin has tried to have books removed from the Wasilla, Alaska public library during her term as mayor. Most of these allegations have been unsubstantiated — either the titles of the books mentioned didn’t exist, memories were weak, or lists of titles were proven false.
But now comes word from a former Palin campaign manager — one who is “still proud of Sarah” — who remembers specifically one book that Sarah tried to have removed. This morning, in a wide-ranging article describing allegations of Gov. Palin’s personal vendettas in firing decisions, the New York Times is reporting:
But in 1995, Ms. Palin, then a city councilwoman, told colleagues that she had noticed the book “Daddy’s Roommate” on the shelves and that it did not belong there, according to Ms. Chase [Laura Chase, her campaign manager during Ms. Palin’s first run for mayor in 1996] and Mr. Stein [John Stein, Palin's mayoral predecessor]. Ms. Chase read the book, which helps children understand homosexuality, and said it was inoffensive; she suggested that Ms. Palin read it.
“Sarah said she didn’t need to read that stuff,” Ms. Chase said. “It was disturbing that someone would be willing to remove a book from the library and she didn’t even read it.”
“I’m still proud of Sarah,” she added, “but she scares the bejeebers out of me.”
DiFi Says “No” to 8
Timothy Kincaid
September 12th, 2008
Moderate Democratic Senator Diane Feinstein has finally spoken on her opposition to Proposition 8.
The views of Californians on this issue have changed over time, and as a State, I believe we should uphold the ability of our friends, neighbors, and co-workers who are gay and lesbian to enter into the contract of marriage.
I urge Californians to oppose Proposition 8.
DiFi now joins Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer and Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in opposition to this discriminatory measure. And if there are any statewide elected officials that support Prop 8, they’ve been awfully quiet about it.
FactCheck.org Responds to Political Rumors
Timothy Kincaid
September 10th, 2008
Here at Box Turtle Bulletin, one of our principal efforts is to debunk and clarify inaccurate claims, statistics, and rumors that are utilized in the efforts to discredit, minimize, dehumanize or otherwise harm gay people and their lives. While it would be nice if we had the luxury (i.e. time, staff, and finances) to expand our quest for accuracy to areas outside of our specialty, we do not.
Others, however, do fill in some of the gaps. Snopes.com addresses urban legends and FactCheck.org seeks to provide a source to verify political claims.
Recently, the internet has been ablaze with claims, rumors, and conjecture about the history and political positions of various political candidates. Sadly, some gay sites have been among those most eager to make declarations that have not been well verified. (It is my sincere hope that at BTB we have avoided that mistake).
We believe that candidates and politicians should be held responsible for the things that they have said and done. But not for the things which are based solely on myth and speculation. And if we seek to be credible and honorable, we are obliged to know the difference.
FactCheck.org, a non-partisan organization, provides clarification about the internet rumors and other political claims and commercials awashing us with (often inaccurate) information. I encourage our readers to be informed in their discussions both here and at other sites and check out the information they provide.
McCain Chief Strategist Encourages Log Cabin
Timothy Kincaid
September 4th, 2008
The Advocate is reporting that Steve Schmidt, the strategist who currently has “full operational control” of the McCain campaign, dropped in at a Log Cabin Republicans luncheon today,
“I just wanted to take a second to come by and pay my respect and the campaign’s respect to your organization and to your group,” said Schmidt, who many view as the new architect of the Republican Party. “Your organization is an important one in the fabric of our party.”
In his brief remarks, Schmidt weaved in a personal anecdote about his lesbian sister and her relationship to him, his wife, and his children. “On a personal level, my sister and her partner are an important part of my life and our children’s life,” he said. “I admire your group and your organization and I encourage you to keep fighting for what you believe in because the day is going to come.”
UPDATE:
Minnesota Public Radio reports that Frank Luntz, a Republican pollster and leading consultant, is advising against running a Culture War campaign:
But Luntz wasn’t shy about disagreeing with the Republican activists in the room. One asked why they don’t highlight McCain’s stance opposing gay marriage and abortion.
Luntz said McCain and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin shouldn’t focus too much on those issues, because they could drive away undecided voters.
SECOND UPDATE:
CQ Politics has a profile on Steve Schmidt
McCain Campaign Accepts Log Cabin’s Endorsement
Timothy Kincaid
September 3rd, 2008
Yesterday at Log Cabin Republicans’ Big Tent Event, the McCain campaign accepted the gay group’s endorsement. Mike DuHaime, the National Political Director, spoke on behalf of the candidate and the campaign.
He told the crowd of 200 people, “On behalf of Senator McCain and the campaign, thank you for this endorsement. Sen. McCain is running an inclusive campaign and he’ll have an inclusive administration [as president].”
DuHaime also said that Sen. McCain will win this election because he is the “only one who has the ability to unite the entire party.” He went on to say that everyone supporting Sen. McCain must talk to others about why they’re voting for him. “This is so important in the gay and lesbian community,” said DuHaime.
As Ed Stoddard writing for Reuters noted,
The endorsement may boost McCain’s reputation as a maverick who reaches across partisan lines, but it may not go down well with his party’s conservative Christian base.
The campaign’s acceptance of endorsement, a first for Log Cabin, was also accompanied by unprecedented access to the convention. These steps, while not on par with the way in which the Democratic Party welcomed its gay delegates, are welcome and an indication of a growing acceptance of gay men and women in the fabric of the nation.
Republican Delegates Support Civil Unions
This commentary is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of other authors at Box Turtle Bulletin.
Timothy Kincaid
September 2nd, 2008
The New York Times has polled the delegates to the Republican and the Democrat national conventions and compared their positions with those of the voting members of their party. Invariably, on each issue (with one exception) the demographics broke down as follows (from most conservative to least):
Republican Delegates
Republican Voters
All Voters
Democratic Voters
Democratic Delegates
However, quite surprisingly there was one issue in which the Republican Delegates proved to be slightly less conservative than Republican voters at large: recognition for gay couples.
Republican voters support marriage with 11%, civil unions with 28%, and no recognition with 57%. Fewer delegates support marriage (4%), but many more support civil unions (43%). Astonishly, more Republican delegates support recognition of same sex couples (49%) than do not (46%).*
Sadly, while that survey is unexpected good news, it is not reflected in the platform of the Republican Party. Although civil unions are not mentioned by name, they seem implicit in the following language:
Because our children’s future is best preserved within the traditional understanding of marriage, we call for a constitutional amendment that fully protects marriage as a union of a man and a woman, so that judges cannot make other arrangements equivalent to it. In the absence of a national amendment, we support the right of the people of the various states to affirm traditional marriage through state initiatives. [emphasis mine]
The anti-gay languages continues for several more paragraphs and homophobic sentiment is reflected throughout the platform. It really is a nasty document.
Traditionally, the platform of the Republican Party has been turned over to the extreme right of the Party and mostly ignored by candidates and local party activists. In fact, in several instances the 2008 platform takes a position that is directly contrary to the stated position of the presidential candidate.
But if this survey is accurate, perhaps with time and with a growing national support for gay and lesbian Americans, there will come a day when concessions are not made to intolerance and the party platform of both parties will be neither shameful nor discriminatory.
* More than half of Democrats who expressed an opinion, both party and voters, support marriage.
(hat tip to reader Charles)
Palin’s Misunderstanding of History
Timothy Kincaid
September 2nd, 2008
Often evangelical conservatives suffer under the misperception that the nation’s Founding Fathers shared their belief that the country was intended to be a Christian Nation governed according to a conservative understanding of Scripture. Although even the most casual reading of our founding documents will quickly reveal that those who established our governmental system found the idea of a church state to be frightening, a shared mythology thrives within a subset of our nation in which the drafters of our documents have been assigned theology that is consistent with their own. And then sainted.
This often result in rather amusing statements.
In responding to a 2006 Gubernatorial questionnaire from socially conservative Eagle Forum Alaska, the GOP vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin (then running for governor) gave the following answer:
11. Are you offended by the phrase “Under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance? Why or why not?
SP: Not on your life. If it was good enough for the founding fathers, its good enough for me and I’ll fight in defense of our Pledge of Allegiance.
Palin seems a bit unfamiliar with the history of the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Pledge was written in 1892. However, though written by a Baptist minister, the original version did not contain the words “under God”. That phrase was added in 1954 after a campaign started by the Knights of Columbus and supported by a number of Protestants.
If there were any “founding fathers” around in 1954 to consider this phrase “good enough”, they must have been quite old indeed.
Log Cabin Endorses John McCain
Timothy Kincaid
September 2nd, 2008
Log Cabin Republicans has endorsed Sen. John McCain for President. Log Cabin appears to recognize that McCain’s agenda is not much in alignment with the goals of the gay community or the principles of equality:
“We have honest disagreements with Sen. McCain on a number of gay rights issues. Log Cabin will continue our conversation with him and other Republican leaders about issues affecting gay and lesbian Americans. We will speak out when there’s disagreement—either during the upcoming campaign or when John McCain is President,” said Sammon.
Their endorsement seems based on the following:
- McCain led the Republican opposition to the anti-gay Federal Marriage Amendment
- McCain has an “inclusive record” which has engendered support from grassroots members of the organization
- McCain has a long history of dialogue and friendly association with Log Cabin
- An endorsement will give Log Cabin better access to a McCain administration
- Other issues (foreign policy, the economy, jobs, energy policy, health care reform, and taxes) are important to LGBT voters
- Gay and lesbian Republicans believe Sen. John McCain is the most qualified person to lead our country.
There is no indication in the press release that Log Cabin had gained any concessions or clarifications of position from the McCain campaign before making their decision.
[Please keep our Comments Policy in mind]
Palin’s Anti-Gay “Pro-Gay” Veto
This commentary is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of other authors at this site.
Jim Burroway
September 1st, 2008
That glimmer of hope that Sarah Palin might be persuadable concerning LGBT rights appears solidly extinguished. Michael Signorile’s at the RNC, and has this to report:
I went to the Alaska delegation and spoke with a woman who is in Palin’s cabinet. She assured me that Palin is not in favor of giving any rights to gays and didn’t want to give domestic partnership rights to government employees but that she had to veto the bill that would have rescinded such rights because of the Alaska Supreme Court ruling. So can we please cut this crap Log Cabin and the McCain campaign have been trying to put out: Palin only vetoed an antigay bill because she had to, by law. This woman, Annette Kreitzer, who serves in Sarah Palin’s cabinet in the Department of Administration, said, oh, well, it was the law — drat! — or something like that. I’ll play it tomorrow.
Palin, an Interesting Choice
This commentary is the opinion of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views of other authors at this site.
Timothy Kincaid
August 29th, 2008
Sarah Palin is a fascinating vice-presidential selection for John McCain.
The Governor of Alaska, a state that is both unneeded in the electoral college and one certain to vote Republican in any case, Palin has neither the experience nor the political connections to influence other states. But she is both a maverick and acceptable to conservatives.
Palin has not yet had time to illustrate either dogmatism or generosity to the gay community, but what little we know about her does give some glimmer of encouragement.
In October 2005, the Supreme Court of the state of Alaska unanimously determined that gay state employees should have the same spousal benefits as those in opposite sex relationships. The governor, Frank Murkowski, refused to implement the change.
When Palin was elected, she indicated a willingness to comply. The legislature pass a bill which would ban the implementation of the benefits, which Palin vetoed, effectively establishing the provision of benefits. There is more to this story, including a vote, but I’m having a bit of difficultly finding it and I am limited on time this morning.
Palin is opposed to gay marriage but she has stated that she has personal relationships with gay people whom she counts as friends. It’s difficult to say with certainty, but from the perspective of our community, Palin may have been the best choice of all the candidates on McCain’s short list.
