Tags
Gay Marriage, Gay Rights, Homosexuality, John McCain, Justice, Law, Mitt Romney, Politics, Sally Ride
What does it take to make the words “agreement to disagree” work? I’d say at minimum, it requires a certain understanding of each others’ position, but perhaps that is a point for a different discussion. At present I am wondering just how much such an agreement can cost one of the parties before that respectful disagreement turns to shit.
Case in point, this conversation between John McCain and Ellen Degeneres:
I hear McCain frame this issue as respectful disagreement all the while diminishing a woman’s love to her very face, and I just can’t find the words or how I feel about it. You can see how uncomfortable he is about it, but that doesn’t stop him. I wonder if his words sick to the bottom of his own stomach the way they do mine? Or if he has words to explain the painful look on his own face?
But of course, history repeats himself.
See how respectfully Mitt Romney denies this man the same rights that he himself enjoys. He looks almost pained as he says this. Luckily he respects the mans right to disagree with him over the issue.
…and once again, I am at a loss for words.
And then of course we have the controversy over today’s Twitter comments on Sally Ride. It seems rude to throw it back in Romney’s face that her partner of 27 years will not now be entitled to spousal benefits, an option his stance on gay marriage would deny her as a point of principle.
That really does seem, …No, wait a minute, what’s rude is the part about denying someone the right to marry the love of her life on principle. What’s rude is the fact that someone surviving a 27-year relationship is denied the dignity as well as the benefits available to the rest of us.
That’s rude!
No, “rude” doesn’t even come close.
If the folks who so carefully frame this as respectful disagreement would drop their own sense of entitlement and show some decency for a change, then maybe, we wouldn’t have to bring up such issues AT THE END OF SOMEONE’S LIFE.
Anyway, I think I just found the words I was looking for. They come from Greta Christina at the Freethought Blogs. She wants to send Mitt a memo; it simply says “Fuck You.”
northierthanthou 
Works for me. Republicans stuck in the 18th century
I’ll ditto that!
Amen, brother!
Very succinct, my friend. ♥
I agree completely. Respect is cheap if you’re not prepared to accept equality. As for Sally Ride’s partner, it’s shameful that she won’t get spousal benefits. Obama should make marriage equality a federal issue instead of hiding behind states’ rights.
Great post…I would love to see a world where we could all accept each other’s differences. However, I have waited almost a lifetime and nothing has changed. Continue with your wonderful and forthright articles. ajm
What Christians don’t understand is that being faithful to their laws, does not mean imposing their laws on those who don’t believe them. If I have a rule that you take your shoes off when you come in my house, that’s fine. You’re in MY house. But Christians are trying to tell other people they have to take their shoes off in their own house. This country is not the christian’s house. Their house is their house. Do what you feel there, let everyone else do what they feel in their own house. How hard is that?
It’s pretty embarrassing that Ellen, who’s supposedly just a comedian is punking out the potential President in an argument, she makes a clear, valid point, that people are people, and none are any different, and his response is “Well, we just disagree.” THAT’S your argument? You want to take away her rights at least tell her why. Give her your argument. Don’t back down like a coward when questioned. Nobody ever again should get away with “Well, we just disagree.” or “I just don’t see it that way.” It’s a cowardly, tuck your tail way of trying to turn a debate beatdown into a polite draw. No sir. You got your ass handed to you, son.
-John with an H
I mean, shouldn’t someone we’re thinking about electing to the highest office be an AMAZING intellectual? We have those, you know? This country is full of amazing intellectuals. It doesn’t speak well of our system that a guy that can’t articulate his own argument can get as far as he has. And hell, he’s one of the better ones. There are MUCH duller blades who are making these important decisions for us. Who could possibly be inspired to vote for one of these ninnies?
I couldn’t agree more. Like I said, it doesn’t matter how you try to paint it, it’s simple bigotry.
I seem to have no capability to understand the antipathy so many people in this country and, indeed, much of the rest of the world have against those who prefer members of their own gender. I simply do not “get” it. Where does it come from, this hatred, this bias?? Religion??
Well said….I could not agree with you more….each and everyday…. I am more and more convinced…that these so called “religious patriots” are nothing more than America’s version of the the Taliban…How they are able to sleep at night …is beyond my comprehension. The only God they worship is Hate, Fear, Greed and HYPOCRISY.
Your post reflects well, the simple HUMANITY we all need to have for one another! Thank you.
Indeed. “Fuck You”. To “I believe Marriage is between a man and a woman”- “Fuck you”. To “I have a moral objection to gay marriage”- Fuck you. To “The Bible says gay sex is wrong”- Fuck you. None of this matters. The people matter. The relationships matter. Love and happiness and being together and supporting each other and being recognised in community matter. To all the oppressors: “Fuck you!”
First thing is ‘Thanks for visiting and liking my blog.’ I like your blog too.
What gets me about the religious/conservative/republican freakshow is their lack of empathy for anyone that doesn’t believe as they do. That’s mind boggling to me. It doesn’t matter if they (those good, conservative christians) are rich or poor, they are equally capable of hating anyone that doesn’t believe what they believe. Even if their beliefs work against them.
Then they say they believe in the bible but then pick and choose what they believe. If they followed the bible to the letter there would be a lot of stoning going on.
And not the good kind. 🙂
Once again…
Great Blog!
Had to lift your Will Rogers quote for my own quotes page. Briliant.