GayPatriot

The Internet home for American gay conservatives.

Katie Couric: Sean Hannity Without the Integrity

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In one of the better back-and-forths we have had in a comment thread to our various posts, my Williams classmate Phil Holmes considers Katie Couric’s bias, then makes an interesting point:

. . . if Biden and Palin were both to be interviewed on Fox News, I think you’d see the same difference in treatment (i.e., Fox would gun for Biden much more than they would gun for Palin)

Now, I don’t know how familiar Phil is with FoxNews as it features a variety of anchors, reporters and commentators — who have a great variety of opinions; they are not interchangeable one with the other.  Bill O’Reilly has posed tought questions to Republicans and Democrats alike as have Chris Wallace, Bret Baier and Brit Hume.

Sean Hannity, however, is a different story.  During the 2008 campaign, I watched his interview with John McCain’s running mate, Sarah Palin and saw him toss softball after softball at the accomplished then-Alaska Governor.  He showed her almost exactly the same deference Couric showed to Barack Obama’s running mate, the gaffe-prone then-Delaware Senator.

The difference?  Sean Hannity does not put himself forward as an impartial purveyor of news.  Katie Couric does.

Hannity even wrote a book making clear his agenda: Conservative Victory: Defeating Obama’s Radical Agenda.

GOProud Calls for Steele To Resign

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I can’t speak for Dan, but I happen to agree.  The only way the Republicans don’t gain control of Congress this year is through collective stupidity.  This would take one problem out of the collective, at least.

For Immediate Release                                           July 3, 2010
GOProud Calls on RNC Chairman Michael Steele to Resign

Christopher R. Barron, Chairman of the Board – “Michael Steele’s comments regarding the war in Afghanistan are inexcusable.  These comments are not just another gaffe that can be explained away, they represent a fundamental failure to understand the importance of winning the war on global extremism.”

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, GOProud, the only national organization of gay conservatives and their allies, called on Michael Steele to resign as Chairman of the Republican National Committee after he made comments critical of the U.S. war in Afghanistan.   Christopher R. Barron, Chairman of the Board:    “Michael Steele’s comments regarding the war in Afghanistan are inexcusable.  These comments are not just another gaffe that can be explained away, they represent a fundamental failure to understand the importance of winning the war on global extremism.   “Chairman Steele shouldn’t need to be reminded that the war in Afghanistan was not a ‘war of Obama’s choosing.’  The Chairman of the RNC shouldn’t need to be reminded that it was terrorists operating from bases in Afghanistan who started this war on September 11, 2001.

“Michael Steele is dead wrong; the war in Afghanistan is not lost.  What is lost, however, is any shred of confidence that conservatives can have in his leadership at the RNC.  This election cycle is simply too important to the future of the conservative movement and to the future of this country to be trusted to someone like Michael Steele.”

GOProud is a non-partisan registered 527.  GOProud represents gay conservatives and their allies.  GOProud is committed to a traditional conservative agenda that emphasizes limited government, individual liberty, free markets and a confident foreign policy.  GOProud promotes our traditional conservative agenda by influencing politics and policy at the federal level.  PO Box 15861, Washington, DC 20003.  For more information visit our website www.goproud.org

-Bruce (GayPatriot)

Thoughts on the George Alan Rekers Kerfuffle & “Ex-gays”

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Due to the work I needed complete on my dissertation before I set off on my journey, I was unable to devote as much time to the George Rekers story as I would have liked.  Earlier this week, he “resigned from the board of the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH)”.

Because NARTH promotes the idea of “reparative therapy,” the idea that through treatment, we can overcome our same-sex attraction, this notion is once again in the news.  And Rekers’ recent behavior, like ex-gay activist John Paulk’s 2000 visit to a Washington, D.C.-gay bar, suggest that their “best” efforts notwithstanding, many “ex-gays'” (or social conservatives obsessed with homosexuality) longing for intimacy, emotional, sexual, sensual or otherwise, with men does not always disappear through therapy.

Now, I have occasionally met some men who acknowledge having had (sexual) relationships with other men in their high school, college and early post-college years and then find themselves dating women in their mid to late 20s.  That suggests that for some people, their sexuality is less fixed than it is for others.  So, I wonder if when the ex-gay groups (like NARTH) tout their “success” rate, they are merely citing those men (and women) who found their sexual attraction shifting naturally, or, find that while they’re bisexually inclined, when it comes time to choosing a life-partner, they want someone of the opposite sex.

After studying the ancient Greeks, who were remarkably tolerant of male homosexual behavior, I am aware that only rarely do they talk about homosexual relationships as being on the same plane as traditional (yes, even back then) marriage.  We do get that in the Symposium, with the relationship of Pausanias and Agathon and Aristophanes’s speech.  Otherwise, they accept that married men will, from time to time, seek sexual relationships with other (usually younger) men.  Or, that some men, like Alexander for example, often had relationships with both men and women.

All I am saying here is that while for many of us, our attraction seems fixed in one direction, for some it is not. [Read more…]

The Loneliness of George Alan Rekers

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If I were no so deep in dissertation mode right now, I would devote more attention to the George Rekers story because there is far more to it than the bloggers covering it have considered.  First and foremost, the story reminds us of the pseudo-science behind much of the “scholarship” folks like Rekers use to address the causes and supposed “cures” of homosexuality.

It’s unfortunate that all too many of those who have written about it have been determined to focus on the tawdry aspects of the relationship.  And unfortunate that gay bloggers have taken it upon themselves to track down the young escort, make public his profession and torment him with their questions.  They should have left him out of this — or at the very least not made public his name.

The (very) young man is caught in the crossfire, so to speak, while Rekers acts out one of the oldest pathologies in the book, seeking solace with a younger companion to fill the emptiness in his own life.

The real story here is not just the contrast between Rekers’ public life and his private passions.  It’s too easy (though, in this case, not entirely inaccurate) to call him “self-loathing” (as at least one person has done) or to dwell on his hypocrisy.  The real story is what human beings do to address their loneliness, to feel connected with our fellows.

George Rekers is, by all evidence, a very lonely man.

As I have been reading about his European travels with a young escort, I am reminded of a passage describing such loneliness John Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley.   [Read more…]

Lesbian law firm sues gay men’s softball league*

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I realize this title sounds likes the punch line from a bad joke.  I mean, you know, I thought it was the lesbians who played softball while the gay men went to the Oscars.  On Tuesday:

National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) clients and the law firm of K&L Gates LLP filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington challenging the discriminatory practices of the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Association (NAGAAA). The lawsuit alleges that NAGAAA violated Washington’s laws governing discrimination in public accommodations, and state consumer protections by implementing and enforcing a “two heterosexuals per team” cap during the 2008 Gay Softball World Series in Seattle, and also violated the plaintiff softball players’ rights by subjecting them to a series of invasive questions about their sexual orientation and private lives in front of more than 25 people, most of them strangers.

Now, first of all, I think this is a stupid rule.  But, the NAGAAA is a private organization.  And a private organization has should have the right to set its own criteria for membership.  If it had wanted to allow only gay men to play on its teams, then the state should not prevent it from doing so.

But, I also agree with NCLR Staff Attorney Melanie Rowen who called the “inquisition” into players’ private lives, “outrageous.”  It is particularly disgusting that a gay organization would not just countenance, but also conduct a public interrogation into individuals’ private lives.

(To be sure, given that this was a private organization questioning the players, any individual player could have walked out at any time.  I wonder if any did.)

That said, as a matter of Washington State law, it appears NCLR is on the money.  And I commend them for taking the case as a matter or principle.  It shows they truly support non-discrimination laws, even when they limit the freedom of gay organizations.  They have more integrity than many in our society. [Read more…]

Gay Activists Protest Obama in LA

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Had it not been for the time it would take to organize a Tea Party to protest outside the fund-raiser the President was hosting earlier tonight for one of his least accomplished former Senate colleagues, I might have put something together.  Well, it seems like some gay activists beat me to the punch:

A group of gay rights activists disrupted President Obama’s speech at a fundraiser here for Sen. Barbara Boxer Monday night, decrying what they describe as Mr. Obama’s inaction on overturning the military’s ban on gay service members and calling on him to submit repeal language to Congress.

Something tells me these protesters have nothing to do with the various gay organizations, but are more likely affiliated with the leftist blogs, holding the Democrat to account for the campaign promises he made to the gay community.

While I respect them for standing up for their beliefs,they should have showed the president more respect, waiting for him to complete his remarks before raising their concerns.

Via JammieWearingFool via Instapundit.

UPDATE:  Just got this release in my in-box.  The group GetEQUAL (whatever that means) claims responsibility for the interruption:

Moments ago, several GetEQUAL activists interrupted President Obama during his speech at a fundraising reception for Senator Barbara Boxer in Los Angeles, expressing anger over the slow progress on repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ this year and demanding that he repeal it.

GetEQUAL activists shouted, “what about ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’” and “it’s time for equality for all Americans.”   The President, at one point bringing his remarks to a halt, said, “Barbara and I are supportive of repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’.” [Read more…]

The “Ponzi Scene” Run by the Gay Organizations

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One of the things I most enjoy about reading Michael Petrelis’ blog is that that leftist blogger minces no words when talking about the various gay organizations.  I believe he has called them Gay, Inc.

Now, while Michael and I agree that it would be a good thing (very good indeed) for gay Americans if Joe Solmonese stepped down as head of HRC and Geoff Kors left “Equality California,” we would certainly lock horns when the time came to pick their replacements.  He’d likely favor someone from the activist mold; I’d pick someone who didn’t have ties to left-wing organizations and Democratic politics.  And who knew how to speak Republican.

That said, Petrelis has a post today where he makes a great point about the gulf between gay bloggers (mostly on the left) and gay organizations (also on the left):

Yes, I know this blog post by SF Weekly’s gay writer Patrick O’Connor, who describes himself as “an uppity fag who is sick of everyone making a buck off his marriage,” is one more snark entry against the leading professional gay orgs at the state and federal level and doesn’t break new ground, but it’s still worthy of attention. Why?

Because it’s a shining example of how there are so few gay bloggers, okay, gays in general, who have either EQCA or HRC’s back. It’s damn near impossible to find pro-EQCA or pro-HRC blog posts, or independent thinkers who proudly back the orgs and their way of operating.

Emphasis added.  Petrelis then quotes Patrick Connors’ piece in the SF Weekly

Like the Human Rights Campaign’s Joe Solmonese, Geoff Kors from EQCA runs a gay ponzi scheme. Trust them! Invest in the organizations that provide their leaders with fat paychecks and watch the social justice trickle down back to the community. Unfortunately they are gay versions of Bernie Madoff. No on 8 was a multi-million dollar disaster. Why would any sane person support a repeal effort in the hands of EQCA? [Read more…]

Karl Rove from Reagan Library tonight

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Dan, John and I just finished listening to Karl Rove at the Reagan Library. Thanks to Princess Leah for joining us as our date for the night!

Rove gave a rousing reminder why Reagan was such a great leader and how he changed America’s trajectory in economic, security and national purpose.

Rove also gave a blistering attack on how Obama campaigned as a centrist but is governing as a leftist. America was duped by a con man — those are my words.  The facts that Rove articulated about the fiscal impact of healthcare reform are chilling.

Rove is still the optimist. I wish I shared his sunny view that we can change the course. But as Rove said, like Reagan, I have to have faith in the American people.

<…>

Before the speech, I took these photos around the Reagan Library.

The words on Reagan’s grave above are ones that he spoke during life: “I know in my heart that man is good/ That what is right will always eventually triumph/ And there is purpose and worth to each and every life.”

-Bruce (GayPatriot)

Gay Groups Should Stop Acting as “Appendage” of Democrats

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Reporting that the “largest gay rights group in New Jersey has just voted unanimously to stop giving contributions to all political parties (they only gave to Dem. committees)”, John Aravosis predicts:

I suspect we’ll see other state gay rights groups follow NJ’s lead, which is based on, whether intentionally or not, the Don’t Ask, Don’t Give campaign that . . .  our Netroots allies, launched in November. And perhaps it’s time that national gay rights group did the same, rather than simply serving as an appendage of the Democratic party instead of serving their own community.

(Emphasis added.)

As I’ve written previously, I believe the boycott that John has spearheaded has helped spur the Administration to move forward on DADT.   That said, I’m  delighted to see John recognize yet again what we and other gay conservatives have been saying for many years about HRC and their allied groups.  They act more like the gay auxiliaries of the Democratic Party than independent groups advocating for gay rights.

To be sure, while we offer similar criticisms, we would likely seek different solutions.  We agree on repealing DADT, but part company on other issues.  All that said, I admire anyone who stands for their principles without engaging in name-calling and misrepresentation (or any other form of mean-spirited attack).  From all that I have read on this issue, John, the folks at Queerty and Pam Spaulding have focused on their opposition to Democratic Party inaction on issues of concern to them.

So, kudos to them for standing tall for their beliefs.  And special thanks to John for giving me a great title for a post.

(H/t:  Instapundit.)

Dick Cheney: Conservative of the Decade

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I’m writing this on my iPhone with a new WordPress app. If it works, I’ll be blogging more!!

Yesterday, Human Events declared Dick Cheney to be the “Conservative of the Year.” (read the whole thing!)

In Washingtonian “inside the Beltway” terms, the most amazing aspect of former Vice President Dick Cheney’s new clout is that he is achieving it the old-fashioned way: talking about public policy. He is not running for President or any other office. He has not formed a PAC or a D.C. lobbying firm. He is not dishing on former colleagues, not spreading gossip, not settling scores. He is, instead, writing a memoir about his extensive career in public service, and giving occasional speeches and interviews, mostly on national and homeland security policy, long his central focus.

How is it, therefore, that someone who has no political ambitions can cause so much angst at the White House and in the mainstream news media? The irrefutable answer is that what Cheney is saying, primarily on foreign policy, defense and anti-terrorism, makes sense to more and more American citizens growing increasingly worried by the Obama Administration’s insouciance when U.S. national interests are threatened, both at home and abroad.

I’ll go one further. Cheney is without doubt The Conservative of The Decade and perhaps the most important and influential true American Conservative since Ronald Reagan.

Cheney proves again and again that he has core values and principles that are TRULY conservative and mirror the Founding Principles of this nation.

His devotion to individual American freedom and liberty is so pure that he becomes a progressive on the issue of gay marriage.

History will judge Cheney well. He helped make decisions that needed to be made to save the Republic. And I am confident that by 2012, a majority of Americans will only wish that Dick Cheney was our President or Vice President.

– Bruce (GayPatriot)

UPDATE (from Dan):  The former Vice President is not only, as Bruce noted above, devoted to his country, but also to his family, including his lesbian daughter.  He has treated Mary as we wish all parents to treat their gay children, loving her for who she is, welcoming Heather, her partner, into the family as he has her elder sister’s husband, including that same-sex couple in official events, including three inaugurations.

It is unfortunate that more gay Americans, including the heads of various gay organizations, don’t give this good man his due.  They may not share his politics, but they should at least appreciate his example.