Republicans See Gay and Think Evil

Andrew Sullivan, for me, nails it on the head:

“There are so many reasons why gay people might vote Republican if the GOP were a conservative party and not a religious one. Small government, individual freedom, low taxes, strong defense: these are values shared by many gay Americans. Personal responsibility is also one of them. When I think of a gay person who lives responsibly, saves his or her money, goes to church, contributes to charity and settles down in a stable relationship, I think: conservative. When such a couple wants to get married, I think: conservative. When such a person decides to serve his country in the military, I think: conservative. But the new Republican base sees all this and thinks: evil.”

That is why I find it very difficult to ever support a Republican candidate.  Even if the candidate is obviously personally pro-gay (ie. Rudy Giuliani). The candidate still voluntarily aligned themselves with a political party that routinely uses GLBT Americans as the boogeyman.

(NOTE: Yes, I know there are Democrats who are no better, but I don’t vote for them either)

Ted Haggard Exiled?

OK.  I will say it.  I feel sorry for Ted Haggard.

I know firsthand the kind of environment that produces a person who will do anything to avoid being “damned.”  The problem is, that no matter how hard you struggle, how hard you pray, how hard you will yourself to righteousness, it never works.

Obama’s a Quitter

Or at least he wants to be.  Seems he has been known to grab a smoke when the going gets tough.  As someone who stopped smoking, I know what a challenge this can be.  To have done it in full public view and while inside the pressure cooker of a national campaign is unthinkable.  My hat is off to him.

Time For A New Gay Strategy

Andrew Sullivan writes:

“HRC is a patronage wing of the Democratic party, designed primarily to get its members jobs in future Democratic administrations or with Democrats on the Hill (even while Howard Dean treats them like the help).”

I tend to agree.  For years, GLBT Americans have held their noses and voted Democratic tickets largely because the candidates weren’t Republicans and not necessarily based upon their records on Gay issues (particularly marriage equality).

While I do agree that, as individuals, the majority of Democrats are better on the whole for gay issues than the majority of Republicans,  maybe it is time to abandon this blind support in favor of expecting actual results.

Swiftboat Hillary? Not So Fast…

First, I would like to think that the American people might be fooled once by such tactics but are now much wiser so the effects of a “swiftboat” style attack will be less effective.  Second, I wouldn’t mess with the Iron Lady.  She tends to know how to handle critics.

McCain Says Roe v. Wade Should Be Overturned

The assimilation is finally complete.  “Straight Talk”ing McCain, who once was a bright spot of conservative ideals tempered with a dose of moderation, has joined the collective of big government social conservatives that would use federal power to impose their moral standards.  Where, oh where can a small government, fiscal conservative be?

Breaking News… Kenny Chesney Not Gay

Wheww!  I am sure glad that got cleared up.

Gay Republicans on GOP Front Runners

A couple of dyed-in-the-wool gay republican voices weigh in on the leading GOP Presidential hopefuls… B. Daniel Blatt (AKA GayPatriotWest) on John McCain and Dale Carpenter on Mitt Romney and Rudy Guiliani.  Dale Carpenter poses:

“As someone who knows grassroots Republican politics from some experience… the nominee will be chosen by a disciplined and hard-working core of religious conservatives for whom two issues matter more than anything else… those issues are abortion and gay rights… the party’s primary electorate is vehemently against both.”

I tend to agree.  With heavy hitters like Kathryn Jean Lopez and others at National Review on his side, Romney seems to be moving to the head of the line in spite of his past gay positive stances.  If he can avoid the “flip/flop” moniker (which he successfully has thus far) then, in absence of a Gingrich candidacy or some other late to the game Republican stalwart, I believe Romney will be the GOP nominee.

New Music Thursday

Since I work for a radio station and come into contact with some great new music, I thought I would institute a new weekly post — New Music Thursday.  Why Thursday?  Why not!

Seriously, being on Thursday gives me the week to dig into the new discs we receive daily and it also gives enough time to get some new tunes to enjoy over the weekend while out and about.

Check out the new music below the fold…

Gay Athletes No Big Thing

It was nice to read an article pointing out that being gay in sports (professional or otherwise) is basically irrelevant.  And on ESPN.com no less!

Via Andrew Sullivan’s Daily Dish

Back From Mothballs

After a hiatus to work on the November elections and then a small break for the holidays, I am back to the grind once again.  The print columns will be hot off the press and hopefully this space will hold some fresh insights. Thanks for checking back in.