Bringing civilization to its knees (and not in a good way)
Thursday May 18, 2006
The reality of yesterday’s post, as my friend Lyle and I discussed in the comments section, is that Georgia’s governor is trying to score political points. It’s an easy way to show the Social Right that you realize that, if you allow two women who have been living together and raising kids together for 14 years to make their relationship official, then society as we know it will collapse.
I can see their point. If you let gays marry, then straight people might begin to disrespect the institution of marriage, cheat on their spouses, get divorced over trivial matters or wed for money or some other ulterior motive.
I was reminded of a clip of one of the Phelps family members (of godhatesfags.com fame) spreading her message of love on Hannity & Colmes over at Cake or Death? and a post at Breakfast at Tiffany’s regarding the American Family Association’s objection to Wal-Mart selling Brokeback Mountain. It’s not the glorification of violence, the almost obsessive-compulsive consumerism or the dumbing down and political apathy of the voting public in this country causing our cultural/spiritual slide. It’s two dudes making out.
I realize I’ve ranted on this subject probably 37 times previously, but I just continue to be amazed that it’s so pressing and so urgent to so many people.
On the bright side, at least I live in a great country that allows me to complain and express my own opinion. After all, things could be worse. Much, much worse.
2 Responses to "Bringing civilization to its knees (and not in a good way)"
May 19, 12:04 PM
Well said, Steve. So crazy that this issue seems to trump all others. Who knew the fabric of this country was so fragile that if two men married, life as we know it would suddenly end?
May 30, 12:21 PM
Two events happened to me recently that makes me want to ring in on this subject. First, I was browsing through the TV channels, and landed on a John Lennon movie, “Imagine,” which apparently was a documentary showing the hate that was directed toward the Beatles by the “social right.” Apparently he said jokingly that “We’re becoming bigger than Jesus.” or something like that, which created a huge controversy. I believe that his statement was made in an incredulous, humoristic, sarcastic, ironic, English humorous tone that should have been received in a very benign way…with absolutely no judgment or malice. But, the social right didn’t see things that way. They filmed public gatherings to burn the Beatles’ records, similar to the reaction from the Dixie Chicks’ comments a few years ago. It’s amazing to me that there are parts of the country that have somehow been trapped in a time vaccum, and have avoided moving into the next century, and still have the same reactions to what should be non threatening behavior that is not worth spending two minutes to worry about.
I love my home and my country, but honestly I am embarassed at times by our inner uglier self righteous side that has never opened their eyes to different cultures and different perspectives. The social right is so often the social wrong, and most of the people that are executing this hatred are people that have never set foot outside of this country…and in many cases outside of their own states.
The other event which made me have a similar reaction was that I was attending a rugby tournament in NYC. During the final match of this international tournament, the team from Sydney, Australia was rallying their team with cheers and they had people that were essentially cheerleaders revving up the crowd, and leading the cheers and running with flags for the Sydney, which was very entertaining and fun. At one point during the game after a big play and a big score. The two cheerleader guys went streaking out onto the field with just the Australian flags draped around their necks like super hero capes. It was hysterical and adorable and really engaging and fun for the crowd. It was in no way sexual. However, someone came on the microphone during the game, and stopped the match, and made a huge deal out of the whole event…which I as an American was very disappointed about. People that were sitting around me were perplexed that our country was so uptight and offended by nudity. We’re still a young country. Hopefully, we will mature someday.