Outing is In Again

Did Bill Maher break the Barney Frank Rule?

By John Ireland

Over the past year, gay sex scandals have rocked right-wing political and religious circles in the United States. Jim West (mayor of Spokane, Wash.), Mark Foley (congressman from Florida), and the Rev. Ted Haggard (president of the National Association of Evangelicals) all learned the sting [RETURN TO ARTICLE]

  • Reader Comments

     Page 1 of 1 pages

    <i>In 1989, the openly gay legislator turned gay-baiting around on Rep. Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), who had begun a

    United States Posted by raj49 on Dec 6, 2006 at 9:33 AM

    No surprise here. I think there should be a continual outing of rightwing
    gays. Funny a Jewish gay guy as head of the GOP for years ! And a
    not particularly bright one at that.

    United States Posted by blondemike on Dec 6, 2006 at 9:56 AM

    The change has been made, Raj. Thanks for pointing it out.

    United States Posted by Brian Cook on Dec 7, 2006 at 9:56 AM

    “The anti-gay agenda currently at the foundation of the Republican Party may well be the last major swing of the pendulum in that direction.”

    Well, we can wish, but don’t underestimate the dedication of the anti-gay faction to creating a society that is in harmony with the Bible. They’re true-believers.

    Now mind you, if someone wants to govern their own personal lives according to what they see in the Bible, I have no complaint. But a legal/political agenda based on it, that’s a vastly different thing. The law is a bludgeon, a coercion, even when it’s beneficial to all.

    Maybe the upcoming generation of Republican youth won’t be homophobic, (that would be pleasant, to say the very least) but I don’t look for that party to lightly give up one of its main power bases. I think they’ll continue to court the evangelical vote. And when you factor in the young people today who are getting their education in biblically oriented homes or schools, you also identify an upcoming constituency that will not likely see the Democrats as their political home.

    Maybe the Bible-raised youth will grow up to think compassion and personal devotion is more the point than gaining control of the law…

    Well, we can wish…

    Philippines Posted by Kuya on Dec 8, 2006 at 12:23 AM

    The problem I have, Kuya, is with unreason of any sort. I’m not a crude
    materialist and know everything can’t be quantified. But I do not think
    the introduction of supernaturalism clarifies anything.
    I start with basic physical existence because I know it’s here.
    Consciousness seems to arise out of existence, rather than vice-versa.
    We have a lot of self-righteous touchy-feeliness here in the Bay Area
    and I think that’s detrimental to solutions.
    So I distrust the religious right and left.

    United States Posted by blondemike on Dec 8, 2006 at 9:55 AM

    You are quite right in distrusting religions, sonny. They are another way of exercising power over others. I can hardly believe when I hear those guys telling you they were told by God this or that. I have even seen some on TV selling contracts with God to provide you with prosperity. The mixture of religion and politics is quite understable, though, as they both seek to prevail upon others, to make people believe they are necessary, that we, common beings cannot develop our own consciousness Don’t let anyone stop you from free thinking which is your natural inheritance.

    Costa Rica Posted by Maria on Dec 9, 2006 at 10:48 PM

    I thought this was a serious pubication. No way you will make me open your advertisement on watches or whatever you are trying to sell.
    , Mr. Replica Watches, I thilnk you have a replica abrain.

    Costa Rica Posted by Maria on Aug 17, 2010 at 10:59 AM
     Page 1 of 1 pages
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