Transparent Bigotry

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Following up on an earlier item, at least one high-profile Republican senator announced he doesn't want to see President Obama nominate a gay American for the Supreme Court.

[C]onservative leaders have warned the nomination of a gay or lesbian justice could complicate Obama's effort to confirm a replacement for Souter, and another Republican senator on Wednesday warned a gay nominee would be too polarizing.

"I know the administration is being pushed, but I think it would be a bridge too far right now," said GOP Chief Deputy Whip John Thune. "It seems to me this first pick is going to be a kind of important one, and my hope is that he'll play it a little more down the middle. A lot of people would react very negatively."

I don't expect much from Thune, but I have to wonder if he realizes how incredibly ridiculous this is.

As he put it, the nominee has to be straight, otherwise the would-be justice "would be a bridge too far right now." Honestly, what the hell does that mean? Thune, as a practical matter, is establishing a litmus test -- qualifications and merit are important, but homosexuality, regardless of any other factor, is more important. Why? Because Thune says so.

Indeed, the president, Thune says, should "play it a little more down the middle." What if the nominee is both gay and well within the judicial mainstream? Why would any thinking person assume that a gay nominee is necessarily someone on the ideological fringe?

Sen. Jeff Sessions (Ala.), the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, to his credit, told reporters today, "I'm not inclined to think [being gay is] an automatic disqualification."

Good lord, Jeff Sessions is starting to look moderate compared to some of his GOP colleagues.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/

[almaty 19]

Sen. Jeff Sessions (Ala.), the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, to his credit, told reporters today, "I'm not inclined to think [being gay is] an automatic disqualification."

interesting in regards to his statement......

[pedroh 21]

####### does it matter if he/she is gay or not?! #######?!

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Sometimes I think Senators, and other politicians, say things, just because they like to see their names in print.

[Peikko 1,575]

A lot of people think this way, as though it is perfectly rational and logical. From the get go there has been innuendo that Obama will pick a 'minority' as if somehow being part of a minority is the big picture. It's not just on the right that people think like this either. At some point, people will be picked for these types of positions and gender/sexuality/ethnicity will not be referenced. The glass ceilings do have to be broken though, which I guess is partly the point.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Sometimes I think Senators, and other politicians, say things, just because they like to see their names in print.

That would explain Michelle Bachmann

[Nagishkaw 510]

Any nominee who will make 0vomit produce his birth certificate would be nice.

[alienlovechild 75]

How many hard-core gays could stomach wearing a dull formless robe like all the justices wear on a daily basis?

[Peikko 1,575]

?

It is probably fictitious that all gay men are somehow impeccably dressed - what is a 'hard core' gay, by the way?

[pedroh 21]

How many hard-core gays could stomach wearing a dull formless robe like all the justices wear on a daily basis?

[The_Dude 1,142]

How many hard-core gays could stomach wearing a dull formless robe like all the justices wear on a daily basis?

[alienlovechild 75]

It is probably fictitious that all gay men are somehow impeccably dressed - what is a 'hard core' gay, by the way?

Those are the types that have almost their entire identity wrapped up in being gay and "acting" the part, hence, hard-core as opposed to run-of-the-mill person one would never guess was gay.

Then again it is a joke and I thought you people wanted entertainment for your joyless lives- Now that sounded gay.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

ALC - thanks for deigning to grace these miserable peasant threads with the benefit of your esteemed insight. I know that you're taking your time out of your busy schedule and packed list of hobbies to participate here, an even a slice of the golden pie that is your time is worth is a real blessing and well worth its weight in brown gold.

I am very glad to see that at least one person is prepared to give this topic the very "serious" consideration that it deserves.

Edited May 6, 2009 by Private Pike

[Peikko 1,575]

It is probably fictitious that all gay men are somehow impeccably dressed - what is a 'hard core' gay, by the way?

Those are the types that have almost their entire identity wrapped up in being gay and "acting" the part, hence, hard-core as opposed to run-of-the-mill person one would never guess was gay.

Then again it is a joke and I thought you people wanted entertainment for your joyless lives- Now that sounded gay.

Is it a joke, or is hard core gay real? I am a little confused.

[alienlovechild 75]

I am very glad to see that at least one person is prepared to give this topic the very "serious" consideration that it deserves.

I didn't start this thread but I may have derailed it. Let me know when you hit post #250 on this one. Actually, this one was more merit than the one you were rambling on about earlier.

Is it a joke, or is hard core gay real? I am a little confused.

Can't it be both or must every topic fit your template? Ever hear of social satire before?