YOUR 15 MINUTES: Another Day, Another Homophobe

Jesus Christ Superstar, is homophobia the new black? U.S. military officer, Gen. Peter Pace decided to go on a personal, public anti-gay rant when asked about don't-ask-don't-tell military policy on homosexuality:

“My upbringing is such that I believe that there are certain things, certain types of conduct that are immoral," Pace told the Tribune. "I believe that military members who sleep with other military members' wives are immoral in their conduct. I believe that homosexual acts between individuals are immoral, and that we should not condone immoral acts. So the 'don't ask, don't tell' [policy] allows an individual to serve the country ... if we know about immoral acts, regardless of committed by who, then we have a responsibility. I do not believe that the armed forces are well served by saying through our policies that it's OK to be immoral in any way, not just with regards to homosexual acts. So from that standpoint, saying that gays should serve openly in the military to me says that we, by policy, would be condoning what I believe is immoral activity.” Um...last time I checked this conversation wasn't supposed to be about you, sir-hate-a-lot.

It brings me back to this editorial I recently snagged from the hillbilly newspaper from the intolerant hometown that somehow birthed my outspoken ass. See, the editor, a ranging closet drunk, feels that his time is best spent using his first amendment right to foster intolerance among a small town that will always inherently have a very-defined socioeconomic rift. Long story short, he gives anyone with access to 30 seconds on the phone to leave a voicemail or the ability to email 700 characters, the opportunity to say whatever they want to be published in the local newspaper. While often hilarious in the grammar department, it’s also alarming in the humanity department. I almost didn’t read this response all the way through but I suggest you do:

Who are these new Demo-commies? The Democrats of today remind me of the kind of people that the great Joseph R. McCarthy first made us aware of. The Democrats want Barrack Obama, a Black Muslim, to be our next president. Barrack Osama is more like it! Would you elect Osama Bin Laden president? Have you forgotten 9-11 already??? They offer Hillary Clinton as the alternate choice. When will a man step up to represent white America? We cannot allow the toleration of Blacks or Muslims in our country, a country based on the Bible and Jesus. Thomas Jefferson is rolling over in his grave, people! What would George Washington do? He'd start another civil war, that's what he'd do! Pennsylvania better pledge allegiance to the Republican Party while it still has the chance! America is based on the right to bare arms and for states to have militias. It's never too late to stand up for what you know is right. The Democrats are trying to change our God-fearing capitalism into an atheistic socialism! I will not sit idly by and let my country be turned into a gay-loving, Jew-run, Muslim-tolerating, anti-American communist society! Meanwhile, the flag-burning Mexicans are taking over the Southwest and only a few people are trying to stop it. I have family all across this great country of ours. My nephew James can't get a paper route in his hometown of Dallas, Texas, because the illegals have taken all the jobs!
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I do not believe or endorse anything that I've said in this article. This has been an attempt to display the very disturbing kinds of things that are said on a daily basis in this paper by local bigots. I am tired of seeing racists allowed 15 minutes of fame in this editorial column. Some contributors choose to hide behind religion when they act hateful towards homosexuals and Muslims. Others adopt an attitude of "what would the founding fathers think," and they use this to further their ideology of racism towards African-Americans and Mexicans. I see it every week. America does not need more racists, America needs more tolerance. If America wants to accomplish something culturally, we need to spread a doctrine of tolerance. Racism and the intolerance of people who are different are the greatest ideological problems we face as a society. Change starts at the personal level; what you say and what you do does NOT have to be prejudiced. - NAME WITHELD BY CH, PA

Ah, so simple, grasshopper. Senior staff members for Pace said the general had no plan to apologize for his comments. And yes, the first part of that editorial consists of real comments.

Part of me wants to send him on a trip to DuPont Circle with Ted Haggard, Isaiah Washington (and me on karaoke night - redbull, vodka and showtunes) but the other part of me encourages you to use this as yet another opportunity to promote tolerance and understanding. Ironically, the latter is the only part of me that thinks I'll make a good mother someday.