I couldn't agree more

After listening to the rampant insanity taking place on American Familty Radio, Lindsay writes:

Why am I writing about this? This is pointless. These people are the fringe, right? Right? They will die out soon, right? My generation and beyond, we see past this unbelievable — and unbelievably mundane — horse shit, don’t we? I mean, I know lots of us are still locked into these idiotic ape thought patterns but most of us, we’re rational, yes? We don’t affix scarlet letters to various sweaters based on who those sweaters prefer to hug. Right? All the hope I’ve ever had is caught up in the notion that we will get past this ridiculousness some day before I eke out my last breath. That some day — some day soon — we will stop listening to these selfish, hateful fucks (YES I CALLED THEM FUCKS BECAUSE THEY ARE MEAN, AWFUL PEOPLE FULL OF HATRED IN THEIR HEARTS AND IT MAKES ME YELL) and go about the business of making sure, at the very least, that our laws are truly fair and not just blink yawn fair or *whatever* to people who deserve to be treated as fully human, fully citizens.

There's more to read here. This is our first edition of WHAT LINDSAY SAID, but it sure won't be the last, because she is awesome.

There is nothing more infuriating than someone who has gone thru discrimination to come out in support of it.

I am going to put this in as simple terms as I can. I don't care what your religion is, I don't care what your beliefs are, if you say something as stupid as this, I am calling you a BIGOT:

At the news conference, pastor after pastor repeated the idea that homosexuality can't be compared to discrimination on the basis of race.

"Homosexuality is a choice. Race is not," said Steve Gaines of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, one of the white ministers who spoke. Gaines said it's an insult to black people to compare the struggle for gay rights with what black people went through.

"I feel deep in my heart that this is a gay agenda," said Rev. Andrew Jackson, the African-American senior pastor with Faith Temple Ministries, a Church of God in Christ congregation in South Memphis. "It has nothing to do with civil rights or equal rights."

That is idiotic and BIGOTED. Period. It is a moral disease known as homophobia, and shows an appalling lack of understanding WHY the major theistic religions attack those who are gay.

You're going to tell me with a straight face (no pun intended) that the leaders of these religions, thousands of years ago, didn't look at each other and think, "If men are having sex with men, then they're not creating potential new members of the flock and the other religions will outbreed us", then you haven't been paying attention.

I don't care which scripture you proclaim, if it's got an anti-gay screed, it's BIGOTRY.

And yet, these men claim to represent their deity. They do more to injure Christianity in this country more than any Muslim terrorist ever could. What these men do is sickening to the soul and it's BIGOTRY. Period.

For an even better piece, go read Tom at Smart City, he knocks it out of the park.

You know, I've kept my mouth shut for a while

But now I gotta say something. You know, I didn't say anything when Obama picked Gates to stay on for a year or so at Defense, and his choices overall aren't that much to write home about, but yes, they are better than Bush.

That's not saying a hell of lot, now, is it? But I digress.

It's one thing to make mostly lackluster Cabinet choices, but, I have to ask, Mr. PEOTUS, did you have to openly piss on one of your largest constituencies? WTF? Rick Warren? He looks like he's less Dobsonite than Dobson, but he openly supported Prop 8, fer crissakes! And HE'S going to give the invocation?

Seriously, Mr. PEOTUS, WTF? Ted Haggard wasn't available? Jesus H. Christ on a pogo stick, this is stupid and unneccessary.

I fully expect a Christian minister, so that's not the issue, but why did you pick a HOMOPHOBE?

Look, people, Civil Rights are Civil Rights, and they should apply to ALL. You didn't have to be black to march in Selma, and you need not be queer to support equal rights for all, regardless of orientation. Do NOT hand me that utter and contemptuous bullshit that being gay is a choice; if you knowingly have any gay friends, you KNOW better.

You can choose your orientation about as much as you can change your eye or skin color, which is to say not at all, Michael Jackson notwithstanding. With that said, we need to make homophobia something of which one should be ASHAMED, not celebrated or even accepted.

Again, Civil Rights is Civil Rights, and I don't care if that statement harelips everybody in Bear Creek, as an old friend of mine used to say. I haven't spoken up enough about this myself, and that shows an appalling lack of guts on my part. I apologize to the gay community for being quiet in the past; you'll hear more about this from these quarters in the future.

I may be straight, but I'm not narrow by a damn site, and I'm NOT just talking about my weight, either.

CIVIL RIGHTS IS CIVIL RIGHTS.

President-elect Obama, whoever told you this was a good idea was horribly mistaken, and you need to reverse this in whatever manner you can. Pick Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, or pick local Catholic Bishop Terry Steib, or pick someone, ANYONE, who's not a homophobe.

It may take a little longer, but it sure as hell ain't THAT difficult.

One last thing, Mr. President-Elect. We certainly don't expect perfection, and we're willing to let a lot slide because we're glad to be freed from the Bush-Cheney cabal, but that doesn't mean your base will allow itself to be pissed on and told it's rain.

Look how well that worked for John McCain.

Just sayin'.

Hell, go read DIGBY, she says it even better than I do!

Anyone else bothered by this?

The CA's report about the black pastors lying that the Hate Crimes bill wouldn't let them preach their hatred of gay folks caught the attention of Jon Carroll. He emailed me to remind me that some of these same folks, Leo LaSimba Gray in particular, are among those in the DRAFT AC movement, and are now endorsing Herman Morris.

Here's the latest Morris press release, sent to me today:

Leaders of 'Draft AC' movement endorse Herman Morris for mayor

MEMPHIS, TN - Leaders of a grassroots group which had tried to persuade Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton to run for mayor of Memphis today announced they are throwing their support behind Herman Morris, Jr.

Dr. Bill Adkins, pastor of Greater Imani Church and Christian Center, and Dr. LaSimba Gray, Jr., pastor of the New Sardis Baptist Church, stood with Morris at the candidate's campaign headquarters and declared their joint effort to win the mayor's race could produce a "dream team" of mayors for the people of Memphis.

"Just imagine what a dream team of Herman Morris and A C Wharton could do for our city," Gray said. "Such a possibility is why we are here today," Adkins added.

"I am delighted to welcome these respected community leaders onto the Morris for Mayor team today," Morris said. "We have built a great momentum in our campaign to take back City Hall for the people of this great city. I want them to know - I want everyone to know - that I won't let up until we have won this election. And then I'll work even harder to bring vigorous leadership to our community."

Others on the Draft A C group who added their endorsements included former Shelby County Mayor Bill Morris (who could not attend) and restaurateur Thomas Boggs. Gray and Adkins said they are inviting other community leaders to publicly announce their support of Morris. They described Morris as the best choice in the mayoral race for restoring Memphis's reputation as a progressive city which cares about all its citizens.

Adkins called on all those who had participated in the attempt to draft Wharton to consider supporting Morris. "He had the courage to take a drug test and release the results because that is the kind of leader he is," Adkins said. "The other candidates are hiding out on this issue. That speaks volumes."

Gray chimed in on the drug test, issuing a new challenge to incumbent W.W. Herenton and other candidates to "submit to a drug test and demonstrate to the people that you are fit to hold office."

"Our message today is simple," Morris said. "It's time for a change, and change is coming

Others on the Draft A C group who added their endorsements included former Shelby County Mayor Bill Morris (who could not attend) and restaurateur Thomas Boggs. Gray and Adkins said they are inviting other community leaders to publicly announce their support of Morris. They described Morris as the best choice in the mayoral race for restoring Memphis's reputation as a progressive city which cares about all its citizens.

Adkins called on all those who had participated in the attempt to draft Wharton to consider supporting Morris. "He had the courage to take a drug test and release the results because that is the kind of leader he is," Adkins said. "The other candidates are hiding out on this issue. That speaks volumes."

Gray chimed in on the drug test, issuing a new challenge to incumbent W.W. Herenton and other candidates to "submit to a drug test and demonstrate to the people that you are fit to hold office."

"Our message today is simple," Morris said. "It's time for a change, and change is coming
- 30 -

Herman, I have a question: you say you will be a Mayor for all Memphians. By accepting the support of homophobes like Reverend Gray, does this mean that you agree with that homophobia? If so, how can you represent ALL Memphians?

Inquiring minds want to know.