please stop proving me right...

[smileyeagle1021]

Seriously, I'm trying to keep an open mind that not all republicans are gay bashing homophobes... really, I'm trying to keep an open mind, but as soon as I start opening up, we get the news from Texas.
http://jaysays.com/2010/06/texas-gop...heterosexuals/

Yes, it is a biased blog, but they have direct quotes from the official GOP platform.

How am I supposed to believe that I was wrong and that I should be more open minded when the Republican party adds homophobia to their official party platform?

[Red Panda]

I decided all plumbers have mustaches, and then I was proven right when I did a google image search for "plumbers with mustaches" plus I've seen like three plumbers with mustaches which is all the plumbers I've ever seen except for the five who didn't have mustaches but they don't count

[HYHYBT]

http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/201...le+Bulletin%29

Yes, everyone knows that Massachusetts is different than Utah...

(I probably wouldn't have mentioned this, and definitely wouldn't still have the link, except that this thread was almost the next thing in my RSS list after that and it stood out)

[Greenday]

I hate to have to pull the "What did you seriously expect from a Republican politician in Texas?" but honestly, what did you seriously expect from a Republican politician in Texas?

[BlaqueKatt]

Seriously, I'm trying to keep an open mind that not all republicans are gay bashing homophobes...

again I direct you to the log cabin Republicans-or do you truly believe a group set up to change the party from within-a group made up exclusively of homosexuals-are also gay bashing homophobes?

Yes, it is a biased blog, but they have direct quotes from the official GOP platform.

is that the National platform? oh no it's not, the most recent national platform is from 2008-you're making it seem as though it is.

"Republicans should re-examine the extent to which we are being defined by positions on issues that I don’t believe are among our core values, and that put us at odds with what I expect will become, over time, if not a consensus view, then the view of a substantial majority of voters"

-Senator John McCain discussing same gender marriage

[KnitShoni]

Not to mention, as was stated on the comments of that same blog, the people who write up the platform for each party are generally the most extremist of the bunch.

[guywithashovel]

I almost pointed this out the last time Smiley made these remarks about Republicans, but I decided not to. I will do it this time, though.

Many of the forum participants have taken issue with Smiley generalizing Republicans and lumping them all together. I will agree that he has done that to some extent. After all, there are some Republicans who are supportive of equality (though most aren't---sorry, but it's true).

Before you get too self-righteous in accusing him of generalizing, remember that the Republcian Party is a group centered around an ideology. For example, the Republican Party (as a party, individual members may differ somewhat) is pro-life, opposed to gay rights, against any kind of universal healthcare, supportive of a gargantuan "defense" budget, and opposed to most regulations on the economy and gun ownership. If you are idenifying yourself as a Republican, it is reasonable to assume that you fit this description to a signficant extent. If you do not fit this description to a significant extent, then you really shouldn't be identifying yourself as a Republican. It isn't baseless stereotyping to assume that a person calling himself a Republican fits this description for the most part.

[Red Panda]

He also lumps Republicans and Christians together into a giant puddle of homo hatred and has said he is bigoted against them. Once you admit to being a bigot people kind of jump on you for making remarks about groups you hate

[Crazedclerkthe2nd]

Seriously, I'm trying to keep an open mind that not all republicans are gay bashing homophobes... really, I'm trying to keep an open mind, but as soon as I start opening up, we get the news from Texas.
http://jaysays.com/2010/06/texas-gop...heterosexuals/

Yes, it is a biased blog, but they have direct quotes from the official GOP platform.

How am I supposed to believe that I was wrong and that I should be more open minded when the Republican party adds homophobia to their official party platform?

Let me first state I'm a social conservative (though NOT a card carrying Republican). I am also a Christian but despite that I believe in tolerance for gays and here's why:

When I look at the stuff in your link, I feel as though it represents a group of people who identify as Christians attempting to change their community and state into something more pleasing to God.

The problem is, I don't think these actions are pleasing to God at all. I don't know what bible they have, but it's certainly not the same one I do.

I don't believe Jesus would have ignored, spat on or otherwise hated on a Gay person. I think he would express that he disagreed with the lifestyle, but I think he'd treat that person with respect, as he did everyone else he encountered in his entire life.

The GOP and the Tea Party have given rise to this new kind of "ultra conservative" movement built largely on hate and intolerance, not just of government, but of certain types of people. The Tea Party is also heavily Christian which pains me because I see fools like this doing all this stuff in the name of MY faith and it totally goes against the teachings of Christ, the person they claim is at the center of everything they do.

[HYHYBT]

If you are idenifying yourself as a Republican, it is reasonable to assume that you fit this description to a signficant extent. If you do not fit this description to a significant extent, then you really shouldn't be identifying yourself as a Republican.

Yes, but "to a significant extent" is the sticking point. We effectively only have two political parties. If you only are allowed to be members of a party you agree with on all things, we'd have a million parties or more. So people pick the one they agree with on *most* points, or else the one they agree with on the ones they find most important. It's not reasonable to say that "since you're against gun control and abortion and want a bigger military, you must also be against gay rights and regulating banks."

[Greenday]

You could always say you don't have a party.

[smileyeagle1021]

You could always say you don't have a party.

beat me to it, there is no requirement to affiliate with a party. And, there is also no requirement you to vote for the party you self affiliate with, and last time I checked the voter registration there are over 10 different parties you can affiliate with. You could identify with any of them or none of them and not voluntarily affiliate with a group who's official platform has predominantly been anti-equality.

[Greenday]

We all know that not ALL Republicans are homophobes. But when the vocal majority gives the group that image, choosing to be a part of that image doesn't make you look too good in that category.

[BlaqueKatt]

You could identify with any of them or none of them and not voluntarily affiliate with a group who's official platform has predominantly been anti-equality.

So you're saying rather than stick with a group I mostly agree with, rather than try to promote change from within I should just throw the baby out with the bathwater? Because that's what I'm getting from this.


Sorry I'd rather fight for change and not "take the easy way out", than be a coward and abandon a group because I don't agree with 100% of their policies.
And anti-equality is not the main part of their platform-as a matter of FACT-declared as the official GOP party platform in my state, passed may 22, 2010-does not even address same-gender marriage either positively or negatively-so no saying their "official platform is anti-equality" is in no manner true. They don't consider it a matter to be addressed by political parties.

look at the differences between the Texas platform and the Wisconsin one-we are not "all the same" despite what you wish to believe.

especially considering two of the principles of the WI GOP are:

I Believe ... In equal right, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, age, sex or national origin.

I Believe ... We must retain those principles of the past worth retaining, yet always be receptive to new ideas with an outlook broad enough to accommodate thoughtful change and varying points of view.


Read the WI GOP platform and principles and tell me what in there is "horrible, homophobic, and anti-equality" because you will be hard pressed to find anything.

[HYHYBT]

You could always say you don't have a party.

No, but you have to register as being of one or the other if you want to vote in the primaries, and thereby have a say in who's available to choose from in the general election. Do you really want that left only to the far edges of either party?

And amen, Blaquekatt!

Your first couple sentences remind me of something I almost dare not mention for fear of derailing the thread (so please don't anyone take it that way) but it's very much like those who say I should not identify as a Christian because others who also do that are anti-gay, etc. Though as it happens I'm *not* Republican but Democrat, for the time being at least