Michelle takes on the insane rage of the anti-Prop 8 Rallies
In her latest column, The insane rage of the same-sex marriage mob, Michelle Malkin makes pretty much the same point I’ve been making for nearly two weeks now:Â “Instead of introspection and self-criticism, however, the sore losers who opposed Prop. 8 have responded with threats, fists, and blacklists.”
She details some of the antics, even providing the video evidence. So, just read (and watch) the whole thing.
As I’ve been following Michelle’s coverage of the rallies, a thought about her readers occurred to me. I wondered if some delight in the juvenile behavior of gays as it makes it easier for them to dismiss the legitimacy of the case for state recognition of same-sex marriage.
While they might get some satisfaction from reading about the rallies, I find them embarrassing. They do not present our community in the best light. When I see friends who have assumed the responsibilities of marriage, building a home together and looking out for each other, or, in one case, helping a partner overcome his alcohol problem, then raising a child together, I wish they–and not the screaming activists–were the face of our movement.
We might make more headway if they were.
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gosh darnit, you are so right! It really is insane for people to be upset when other people vote them out of their ability to have equal rights under the law. How dare they?
How’s a bout a new proposition for voters in the next election: Make marriage only legal between people of the same color skin. Or only between people of the same religious faith. Or only between people who live within so many miles of each other. or how’s about……
I say we petition that ever nasty Supreme Court of the United States to reverse decisions like Brown v. The Board of Education. That’ll show those emotionally unstable folks.
Comment by Kevin — November 20, 2008 @ 5:46 am - November 20, 2008
Yep, Kevin, your razor-sharp sarcasm and imposing strawmen have certainly convinced me I was wrong. Maybe if you just toss in a few Nazi Germany references or compare pro-Prop 8 voters to the killers of James Byrd, you can convince the whole wide world.
Yep.
Comment by DaveP. — November 20, 2008 @ 8:19 am - November 20, 2008
One again Kevin tries to confuse privileges and rights, and same sex with skin colour. *yawn*
Waving the same discredited arguments makes them no less wrong Kevin, though apparently it can get you elected POTUS
Comment by The Livewire — November 20, 2008 @ 8:20 am - November 20, 2008
@1. So you condone intimidation and extortion, vandalism, assault and battery, assault with bodily fluids and attempted sexual assault of people who may not agree with you, as the greasy thugs in the linked article did?
Comment by Scylfing — November 20, 2008 @ 8:59 am - November 20, 2008
Was this the kind of “insane rage” you speak of? I was there, and I’ve read about and seen video of many other protests that day; from what I’ve seen, calm and respect were the order of the day.
There’s a difference between throwing a temper tantrum and making your point in a civil way. Think Black Panthers compared to Martin Luther King, or children compared to adults.
Geez, I thought it was supposed to be our ideological opponents who painted with a broad brush: “Insane rage.” Hyperbole much?
Scott
Comment by Scott — November 20, 2008 @ 10:10 am - November 20, 2008
It’s understandably easy to be embarrassed by the antics of those with whom you agree, but few things that are easy are worthy of respect. You have nothing to be embarrassed about except perhaps of your own guilt by association or the fear that others will find you guilty of same. With reason there is sympathy, but rights are not at issue; as usual, both rage and glee are misplaced when emotion is applied to public policy.
Comment by Ignatius — November 20, 2008 @ 10:38 am - November 20, 2008
re: “Insane rage”. Remember, you are getting only what the media portrays to the public, and they are most interested in what sells–namely, drama. The vast majority of protesters were peaceful. I”m encouraged by the joining of GLBT folk and allies. I haven’t seen this kind of unity and activism since the 90’s. What we (GLBT and allies) need to do is, as always, the same: come out, tell the truth about our lives; ask, tell. This is the only way to win the hearts and minds of those who voted against our rights. The courts will eventually affirm equal rights, but don’t we want more than tolerance? I want acceptance. Si Se Puede.
Comment by elotrolado — November 20, 2008 @ 10:43 am - November 20, 2008
I completely agree. Read similar sentiments at another blog. http://www.rightwingrambling.blogspot.com
Comment by Bill — November 20, 2008 @ 10:45 am - November 20, 2008
And once again: I don’t recall her calling the AFA, FRC and other far right groups “bullies” when they target individuals and businesses with boycotts for supporting the “gay agenda”. I’ve lost a lot of respect for folks like Malkin because of this hypocrisy. The far right has been using this tactic for quite awhile now with narry a peep of criticism, except when it’s turned back against them. Who do this remind me of? Oh yes. The far left. Not much of a difference between them now is there?
Comment by John — November 20, 2008 @ 10:47 am - November 20, 2008
Interesting in her rush to condemn all LGBT people (which is something she has done before) she (and you ) neglect to mention the protests all accross the US on Saturday that were non-violent. These had a lot more to say about the gay communities than some hotheads going wild, but they’re not as fun to talk about are they? These protests were excellent in that they demonstrated that this is an important issue to millions not just a few in selected cities. They won’t change anything in themselves but they might make others think about it more. By focusing on the violence Malkin and others are reinforcing what the far right already believes and are trying to convince the rest that we are all like that. I don’t expect anything better from her, she’s proven to be our enemy (yours too if you would open your eyes). I do expect better from those who should know that the riots do not represent the majority.
As far as the “poor Christians” who needed protection - The Call has declared war on all those they consider the enemy, their leader has gone form a zealous believer to wannabe militia leader (sad because he was such a sweet man, truly). Their vision is of a military like assault, and these ‘poor Christians” are part of it albeit the peaceful face of it. The mob behavior was unacceptable and can in no way be justified but these “poor Christians” were NOT victims.
Comment by a different Dave — November 20, 2008 @ 10:53 am - November 20, 2008
I’ve lost a lot of respect for folks like Malkin because of this hypocrisy.
We’re to believe you had a lot of respect for Malkin at one time?
Comment by Ignatius — November 20, 2008 @ 11:05 am - November 20, 2008
Cute. Where did you learn this dismissive tactic from? The far left or the far right? Both seem to use it effectively enough at times to silence dissent and in furtherance of their own agendas. Distracting folks from the matter at hand while refusing to speak to the point raised? Oh yeah, you have this one down pat. Great job! You’re now a sheeple of one side or the other.
Comment by John — November 20, 2008 @ 11:43 am - November 20, 2008
oh please. you probably would have railed about Rosa Parks neglecting to give up her bus seat and all those african=americans marching on Selma to protest their discrimination.
Sadly, you and your ilk will be viewed as modern-day Strom Thurmonds. Bigotry is wrong, period.
Comment by buckeyenutlover — November 20, 2008 @ 11:55 am - November 20, 2008
Here is a great article that looks at both sides, the Church and the gay community. http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/christians-and-gays-behaving-badly/
This is from Elizabeth Scalia, AKA the Anchoress. Here is one snippet, not sure I chose the best one, just go read the whole thing.
Comment by Leah — November 20, 2008 @ 12:33 pm - November 20, 2008
#12 All I’ve done is point out one of your lies. Your tactic (lie) is similar to all those media folk who waxed poetic re. John McCain’s concession speech, saying “Now this is the John McCain I once knew and respected!” You’re full of the same b.s.
Comment by Ignatius — November 20, 2008 @ 12:34 pm - November 20, 2008
Iggy, you have the same smarmy attitude of the MSM in assuming facts about people not in evidence and spinning whatever the latest meme is. Did you even do a search of my blog on Malkin before levelling such a charge?
Comment by John — November 20, 2008 @ 1:23 pm - November 20, 2008
Johnnie,
“…assuming facts not in evidence…” such as “…The far right has been using this tactic for quite awhile now with narry [sic] a peep of criticism…” ?
My, how you’ve become plural lately.
Comment by Ignatius — November 20, 2008 @ 2:06 pm - November 20, 2008
Wow. You’ve adopted the sheeple mindset far quicker than I would have imagined. Cybil I am not and neither are you Miss Cleo.
Any other tricks you’ve absorbed you’d care to trot out for all of us to enjoy?
Comment by John — November 20, 2008 @ 2:14 pm - November 20, 2008
i think we should all be hesitant about accepting-without challenge-malkin’s description of the anti-prop 8 crowd (and the gay community generally) as an insane mob. it strikes me as particularly cruel that a group of people asking for civil rights and equal protection under the law is considered an “insane mob.”
most of the saturday’s protests were peaceful, an inconvenient fact that simply doesn’t fit into malkin’s narrative. but it is up to us to control how our movement is depicted in the media. we shouldn’t let the right-wing portray us inaccurately by describing us as an “insane mob.” as a starting point, we need to constantly remind the general public who the real victims of prop 8 are–gay couples and their families who are relegated to second-class citizenship–and not the religious organizations that donated massive amounts of cash in support of prop 8. similarly, we should be stewards of our gay brothers and sisters who would use our movement as a vehicle for radical activism.
Comment by Chad — November 20, 2008 @ 4:15 pm - November 20, 2008
John, I can just imagine you looking in the mirror each morning saying “I can’t deny the fact that you like us, right now, you like us!” Don’t forget: The mirror has 26 faces.
Comment by Ignatius — November 20, 2008 @ 5:11 pm - November 20, 2008
Michelle’s lack of journalistic integrity is apparent by her characterization of prop 8 protests as “an angry mob gripped by insane rage”. Either she is totally ignorant of the facts or willfully promoting her unholy homophobic agenda. In either case, she is perpetuating a lie. Sure there have been a few unfortunate excesses, but very few considering the million or so who have marched. For every excess by prop 8 opponents, I can match an excesses by nutcases on the pro-8 side. Just one example — of the 25,000 that marched in San Diego’s peaceful protest, only one arrest was made. Arrested was a pro-8 Minute Man who was attempting to provoke a fight with peaceful protesters. Yes, many of us are protesting. How would you feel if someone tried to destroy your marriage?
Comment by Robert Borden — November 20, 2008 @ 5:45 pm - November 20, 2008
Iggy, quit trying to flirt.
Comment by John — November 20, 2008 @ 6:25 pm - November 20, 2008
I’ve got a big heart. Big feet and hands, too.
Comment by Ignatius — November 20, 2008 @ 6:31 pm - November 20, 2008
Ha!
Comment by John — November 20, 2008 @ 6:50 pm - November 20, 2008
I lived and worked in the SF Bay Area for years. I never met a gay or lesbian who was any different than anyone else(other than choice of partner). I do not support gay marriage as a matter of faith. I do support civil unions and feel sadness, not delight, at the antics of these juveniles. They do not represent the gay community as I know it.
Comment by Maggie AG — November 20, 2008 @ 7:20 pm - November 20, 2008
#14 Leah, I read that this morning and thought she made some excellent points. Then I read the few comments that were there at that time and 3 were from “christians” were hostile and rude to her. They are a perfect example of what we are up against. No more interest in discussion or compromise than the violent protesters. Sad
Comment by a different Dave — November 20, 2008 @ 7:42 pm - November 20, 2008
[...] Michelle takes on the insane rage of the anti-Prop 8 Rallies [...]
Pingback by GayPatriot » Gay Activists Need to Learn from Conservatives — November 20, 2008 @ 8:18 pm - November 20, 2008
The courts will eventually affirm equal rights, but don’t we want more than tolerance? I want acceptance. Si Se Puede.
And the pathway to that, as we’ve seen this week: assaulting little old ladies, vandalizing churches, namecalling religious people, and disrupting Sunday services.
Next we’re going for “Punish Your Employer For Hiring A Gay Person Day”.
How about instead of blocking traffic, littering the landscape with ugly signs, and acting out every little bit of antireligious and anti-American bigotry that the gay community and International ANSWER can dream up, you start putting some of that energy into….oh, I don’t know……eliminating HIV? Maybe driving out crystal meth use? Stupid public and promiscuous sex?
Comment by North Dallas Thirty — November 20, 2008 @ 8:35 pm - November 20, 2008
“you start putting some of that energy into….oh, I don’t know……eliminating HIV? Maybe driving out crystal meth use? Stupid public and promiscuous sex?”
Great idea. Can you be sure that many are not already doing that?
Comment by a different Dave — November 20, 2008 @ 9:11 pm - November 20, 2008
I wonder where my response to Leah went
Comment by a different Dave — November 20, 2008 @ 9:11 pm - November 20, 2008
Nope. In fact, ‘acceptance’ a pretty pathetic thing to want. Where’s your independence? Your dignity? In wanting or demanding that others ‘accept’ you, you’re putting them at the mercy of others - plus your happiness as well. You’re announcing (whether you intend it this way or not) that you are going to play the victim role in life, until and unless you’ve extorted from others a respect they don’t feel. Blech!!!
Comment by ILoveCapitalism — November 21, 2008 @ 10:40 am - November 21, 2008
NDT knows the people who are trying to eliminate HIV, his being one of them. As for eliminating meth, that will never happen as long as people coddle each other with the 12 steps instead of taking a rational approach to fighting addiction. As for public and/or promiscuous sex, let’s say I haven’t seen too many “Gay Men for Appropriate Sexuality” groups lately, and know they would be pilloried and possibly attacked, if they existed. Personal example would be the way to go there - and calling the nonsense ‘nonsense’, as the opportunity arises.
Comment by ILoveCapitalism — November 21, 2008 @ 10:57 am - November 21, 2008