"Gay" in the News: Corporate Extortion

...Unless its not.  Certainly nothing deemed to merit "gay" disapproval is "okay".  Anything else requires permission with a note from your mother.

An interesting glimpse at homosexual advocacy and activism this week.

It seems that those who opposed California's Proposition 8 kept careful track of those who made donations to the campaign. Activists nursing a long-standing grudge keep those who represent such opposition to their agenda under their thumb, and many of them have been subject to popular censure for presuming to hold the "wrong" opinion.

Following the example of Apple, the NFL, and other outspoken corporate interests in the Arizona "no gays allowed" legislative argument, other corporations have joined the "gay" activism fray.  Difficult to say whether this move stems from enthusiastic ideologues in the boardroom or cynical concession to the perception of popular sentiment.

Their sights focused this week on the Mozilla group, and newly elected CEO Brendan Eich, who is now being cast as an enemy to the cause.  Some other companies are now recommending a "gay"-cot of Mozilla products such as the popular Firefox browser, because they have "outed" the CEO as a homophobe.

 
One of the companies pointing fingers at Mozilla apparently displays the following to Firefox users attempting to enter their web site:

"Those who seek to deny love and instead enforce misery, shame and frustration are our enemies, and we wish them nothing but failure."

To this I would like to add my sad acknowledgement to all those so vigilant in continuing to hound people who supported Proposition 8, and offer them my own sympathies. Your obsession with your own "gender identity" (whatever you think that might be) has absolutely nothing to do with the browser you prefer.  And if you choose not to use Firefox, I think it is too bad, because it is a very good product.  Seems to me that's what all this comes down to - vociferously demanding the right to make bad choices, and denying that consequences ever hurt you or others.

To all those who are deceived into believing they can find happiness in living a miserable lie, I offer my sincere condolences, and pray that they might be led to some way to escape from the trap of evil consequences of their undignified shameful indulgence in an unhealthy and promiscuous destructive lifestyle, before they contract some horrible STD.

Another discussion in the news here.

In the latest development, Brendan Eich has reportedly resigned from the position as Mozilla CEO.  News and comments from the Heritage Foundation here.  More from Heritage Foundation here.
More from Yahoo News here.

Apparently Eich was one of the original founders of Mozilla, and was involved in promoting the success of the company for 20 years.

Once again it is manifest that homosexual advocates do not believe in freedom of speech for anyone who presumes to disagree with them.  The hypocrites demonstrate that they cannot tolerate resistance or criticism, and those who speak against them will receive retribution.

I cannot understand why laws against "hostile work environment" did not protect Eich from the unfair discrimination of his own employees.  Apparently these harassment statutes are only intended to have an effect in one direction.

All that said, I have the suspicion that Eich's resignation is not depriving him of rewards from his contribution to the success of Mozilla.  I would imagine that he parts company from Mozilla with a substantial share of the financial profits.  For one with strong passive-aggressive tendencies like me, that would be the ultimate departure. 

"Gay" in the News: Resistance to Popular Sentiment is Futile

Resistance is Futile.  You will be assimilated...

According to popularity surveys, the idea of "same-sex marriage" is gaining public approval.  This attitude reportedly represents the changing tide of public acceptance, which by most accounts, amounts to a rather euphoric sense of inevitability.

You're about to be assimilated.  Why fight it?

It is evident that the predators can smell the blood in the water.  It excites them.  The feeding frenzy ensues.

Personally, I find the idea of assimilation to be rather distasteful.  I would rather fancy myself as capable of forming my own opinions, regardless of the popularity of certain ideas.  So I consistently resist the suggestion of any compulsion by the ebb and flow of the thundering herd.  Notwithstanding, I am not into absorbing personal punishment without reason.  I stand aside for the passage of the thundering herd, purely out of respect for preponderance.  Though I tend not to conform with popularity, I see no need to get trampled.

Someone whose opinion I respect carries more weight than any popular survey or public opinion poll.  Thomas S. Monson counseled for seeking confirmation from God to help us bear up the courage of our convictions.

It is this sweet assurance that can guide you and me—in our time, in our day, in our lives. Of course, we will face fear, experience ridicule, and meet opposition. Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval. Courage becomes a living and an attractive virtue when it is regarded not only as a willingness to die manfully, but also as a determination to live decently. A moral coward is one who is afraid to do what he thinks is right because others will disapprove or laugh. Remember that all men have their fears, but those who face their fears with dignity have courage as well.  (The Call for Courage)

Maybe it is foolish, perhaps resistance is futile.   But until I am informed by a more authoritative source than popularity, I will continue to stand for principle, trying to defend the causes I believe are right and good.

That does not necessarily mean always opposing what is popular.  It means thoughtfully promoting what I believe to be right, regardless of what the latest popular survey says.

My enthusiasm for discussing this issue is exhausted, though it is no less prominent in the news media coverage or in the important events taking place at this time.  Declining to write more about it here does not indicate that it is any less of a concern, or that my interest in the prevention of current trends has declined. I'm just sick of discussing it.

"Gay" in the News: Comedian Outed as *&

For his insensitive satire of the new Facebook Genderbread categories, comedian Stephen Colbert faces media criticism.  Oh, what a shock.

Some are complaining that Colbert's treatment of the new Facebook concession to "gender identity" is just "nasty".  To me it comes across as a hilarious romp, all the funnier because of its accuracy in characterizing the ridiculous extremes this issue has drawn us into.

Nasty - strangely enough, that's what most of us have been trying to explain about our reaction to homosexual behavior for many years.

"Gay" in the News: NYTimes Sort of Helps Out

Wondering what to feel about Arizona storms raging in the media?  Once again, a NYTimes column dispels any confusion.  We are left with no doubt about the most popular politically-correct doctrine of the time.  Continuing the trend of popular media misrepresentation, the NYTimes sorta helps out.

Though perhaps it remains to be seen who these "morans" might be.

We understand by the blessing of such NYTimes wisdom that those miserable Arizona Congress critters, abandoning the sinking ship of desecrating sacred "gay rights", have pivoted,  now busy aiming their impotent guns of discrimination against another sacred sacrament, compromising the freedom of abortion clinics. 

And here you were thinking that Arizona is just a political backwater of no consequence to Real Important People of the NYTimes.  Arizona's obvious purpose for existence is to provide fodder for NYTimes readers to fashionably deplore.

Now we really KNOW how to engage in public ridicule of the unenlightened and intolerant.   With all the authority and sensitivity of the NYTimes.

We of the benighted regions should perhaps just shuffle back into our caves, drink the haute Kool-aid, and shut up.  For those who need permission, you know now what to think.  Be glad that the NYTimes, true source of all benevolence and virtue, has deigned to take notice.

"Gay" in the News: Resistance is Futile

Resistance is futile.  So the Borg has spoken.

Nothing new here, but an interesting perspective on the Arizona "anti-gay" bill, now that it has been properly vetoed and laid to rest with a stake in its heart, along with all other such bigoted discrimination.  We know it was only calculated to promote the posting of still more of those pernicious "NO GAYS ALLOWED" signs that we see in Arizona businesses all over the state.  Because most of the media coverage told us so.

The article makes a good case for characterizing public perception, especially as it is so strongly steered by the media today.  A headline in the NY Times is worth far more toward coloring public sentiment than all the apologetic posts that were ever written.

In fact, the Arizona bill was similar to legislation that is proposed or already enacted in several other states.

It basically repackaged the ideas embodied in the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act and made them applicable to the State of Arizona.  Remarkably, the original RFRA was sponsored by Chuck Schumer, was nearly unanimously approved in the Congress, and was signed by President Clinton in 1993.

So, is the federal legislation also "anti-gay"?  Could it be an example of federally-based "Jim Crow"?

In her speech justifying the veto, Governor Brewer asserted that not one example of religious discrimination has been found.  But most ironically, it also seems telling that not one "NO GAYS ALLOWED" sign has been found in any Arizona businesses either.

"Gay" in the News: Melodrama Debuts at Utah State Capitol

Utah legislators conduct tear-jerker hearing.

Photos of other men expressing similar sentiments.

Members of Utah Congress heard pathetic stories of sad Utahns who have been insulted, fired from their jobs and felt unable to make a decent life because they are "gay".

I am not without feeling.  But a photo-op of one of the attendees at the hearing, apparently caught wiping a tear from the corner of his eye, just might approach maudlin.  And it certainly represents the degree of calculated cynicism exhibited by the typical media reporting of these events.

 
It approaches melodramatic proportions where this is no longer staging a demonstration, it is a performance piece.  Victims on parade.  And bleeding hearts reporting it.

What kinds of gestures will it take to satisfy homosexual advocates in Utah that they have made their point?

I get it.  People are getting their feelings hurt, subjected to hearing of discouraging words, and worse.  This is belaboring the point.

And now what you do shouts so loudly in my ears, I can't hear a word you're saying any more.

Is the US facing the threat of Balkanization?  Have we become so polarized that debate in the public square becomes just another recitation of charges to shout past each other?

I have no defense against the accusation that a few people in the state of Utah are perpetrating harm and malicious acts and denigration against social misfits.  Since I am personally handicapped and have suffered all kinds of resulting discrimination myself, I have no reason to deny that such things happen.  Sometimes people park in the blue spot that are clearly not among those designated for such accommodation.  I have considered reporting this to police, but I suppose cops really have better ways to spend their time.  And balancing these few unfortunate episodes are countless gestures of kindness and good intentions from Utahns trying to be sensitive about my disabilities.

The question is, do I expect government regulation to come to the rescue in cases where nothing less than thought police will do?  Have we reached a point where the priority of special rights for one group overrides the existing protection of rights for all others?

One of my friends participated in staging this production.  I wonder if I should ask him for a copy of the script?

"Gay" in the News: Transgender Surgery and Insurance Benefits

Transgender reassignment surgeries will be covered by an increasing number of insurance plans.  Isn't that just such a comfort to know?  If I happen to be out shopping, and should decide that I need to just pick up a bit of transgender surgery today, I will keep this in mind.

Because "gender identity" is such a serious thing these days, the mayor of DC has joined with others in recognizing "gender identity disorder" as a legitimate medical condition. Washington DC now joins California, Colorado, Connecticut, Oregon and Vermont in mandating insurance coverage for treatment of "gender identity disorder".

I admit I am confused all about this, because it seems to me like mental health professionals just got through revising their categorization of such things so that homosexual behavior cannot be treated as a psychiatric disorder.  But now insurance coverage is mandated for treatment as a medical disorder?

The world is a mixed-up place.

"Gay" in the News: Arizona Bill is Misrepresented

Breitbart publishes correspondence from a coalition of law professors, claiming that the Arizona legislation is being "egregiously misrepresented".

This group of academics sent the letter to Arizona Governor Jan Brewer prior to her veto of the bill.  From a law professor's perspective, the bill apparently represented "...a uniform standard to be interpreted and applied to individual cases".

The opposition to the bill does not seem to address this idea.  It is uniformly characterized as "anti-gay discrimination" and "hateful bigotry".  Most of the media coverage of this controversy seems narrowly focused on that idea.

Imagine that.

"Gay" in the News: Arizona Bill Vetoed

Arizona's Governor Brewer decided to capitulate, rather than bear any more of the brunt of homosexual advocates wrath.

A more extreme review of the Brewer veto.

Totally understandable.  She was obviously intimidated by dissonant voices, clashing on the courthouse lawn.  Apparently the "gay" protests shouted louder and longer.

Arizona is already the focus of enough controversy.  They have no real need to force this issue at this time.

Compromise is the foundation of diplomacy.

There will be other opportunities to test this idea further.  I'll be back...

Meanwhile, we can just picture all the Archie Bunker look-alike bigots huddling in their dank dungeons in Arizona, stashing away their secretive stores of "NO GAYS ALLOWED" signs, behind the stacks of ammo boxes, ready to display at a moment's notice, if again the phony call of "religious liberty" should ever again be invoked from the sacred halls of discrimination.

This is not "coexist".  It is "capitulation".  Homosexual advocates got whatever they demanded, and nobody else got anything.

One can hope that the interests of the people of Arizona are well served.

"Gay" in the News: Corporate Coercion

One of the major corporate sponsors attempting to exert coercive pressure on Arizona regarding the recently approved "religious rights" bill.  Apple is currently building a facility in Mesa, and suggests that they may have to rethink this if Governor Brewer signs the bill.

This is interesting too for the fact that the population of Mesa is predominantly Mormon.  The religious rights idea would seem to be a perfect fit for the community.

How this issue comes under the domain of proprietary interest by the computer industry escapes me.  From my perspective, computers seldom claim anything like "gender identity".  I also use Apple Computer products, so I must be contributing to their success.

But Apple apparently expects to get some mileage out of it.  Maybe marketing research indicates to Apple execs that the corporate culture they project wins them market share.  Seems to be a fairly successful business strategy, to flatter the thundering herd who "think different" in their uniformity.  But Apple practice does not seem to be altogether consistent with this idea, at least in this case.  They seem to believe financial influence buys them political power.  And to be honest, is there any other way?

Perhaps by no small coincidence, even their corporate logo apparently signifies sympathy with homosexual advocates.

"Gay" in the News: Federal Judge Rules Against Texas DOMA

 Oh, what a surprise.

Another federal judge rules to overturn democratically-approved state restriction of same-sex marriage.  This time in the great state of Texas.  And in response to yet another lawsuit.  Imagine that.

I guess the motto will also require some revision.  "Don't mess with gays and federal courts!"

The judge, in his decision, intones,

Without a rational relation to a legitimate governmental purpose, state-imposed inequality can find no refuge in our United States Constitution. These Texas laws deny plaintiffs access to the institution of marriage and its numerous rights, privileges, and responsibilities for the sole reason that Plaintiffs wish to be married to a person of the same sex.

Perhaps one of the problems being that of course there is "legitimate governmental purpose" in all sorts of governmental regulatory restrictions on marriage.  I cannot marry my mother or my sister even if I wanted to.  Neither can I marry my 1995 Toyota 4-Runner, no matter how much we profess to love each other.  But who knows, maybe those rules will also change.

This specious rationale is just further insistence that if we call the tail a leg, the government has a Constitutionally-vested interest to force everyone to recognize that a dog has more than four legs.

"Gay" in the News: Morphing From "Leave Us Alone" to "Bake Us a Cake!"

When "Leave us alone" became "Bake us a cake.  Or else!"

There was some point of departure where imploring everyone to just look the other way and ignore deviant behavior became strident demands to participate in public flaunting of "gender identity", or face criticism, and now lawsuits.

Advocates of "equivalence" for deviant behavior have escalated the issue, although their efforts have been consistently voted down through democratic process.  They continue to insist, and federal judges are now backing their claims.  Mainstream traditions are becoming indefensible in most lawsuits, as federal judges and elected officials see no difference between practices that reflect social norms and those that represent deviance.

"Gay" in the News: Arizona and "NO GAYS ALLOWED"

Why do homosexual advocates insist that the Arizona law will result in "NO GAYS ALLOWED" signs?  They seem to have reasons of their own.  Some analysis of the new law concludes that discrimination is already legal and permissible under current Arizona law.  If businesses in Arizona were inclined to plaster their establishments with such signs, they could already be doing it.

Perhaps the question that needs to be addressed is, why are opponents of the new law so convinced that it was written specifically to promote "anti-gay" discrimination?  The purpose of the new law seems to be to protect business from being sued for claiming a religious basis for their philosophy and practice.  The term "gay" is not found anywhere in the bill.

Could it be that homosexual advocates just generally oppose anything which furthers religious interests?  If so, perhaps the bill is well justified.

Of course, one of the most frequently suggested idea from those opposing the Arizona law is that nobody is forced to operate a business in Arizona.  Sort of a twisted "Love It or Leave It" slogan.  Sad to say, any business owner who presumes to have a right to religious views would be well advised to think twice.

"Gay" in the News: NFL Threatens to Take Away

Arizona warning from NFL - "We have heard from our stakeholders".  I wonder who that could be?

Big money apparently believes they can exert pressure and coercive threats against Arizona governor Jan Brewer to force her to veto the Religious Freedom Restoration Act recently approved by Arizona Congress.

Arizona is currently slated to host the 2015 Super Bowl at Glendale’s University of Phoenix Stadium.  They stand to bring in significant revenue from hosting the party.

Opponents of the bill contend that it will allow Arizona businesses to refuse service to homosexual customers.  The claim is, NO GAYS ALLOWED" signs will suddenly spring up unconstrained all over Arizona - even though the bill itself is all about protection of religious rights, and addresses nothing specific that relates to "gay rights" advocacy.


Without the power to bring government sanctioned righteous wrathful lawsuits down on the impending flood of discrimination and bigotry, they predict that everyone will suffer from injustice and bad karma, and probably athlete's foot.

Sadly, the negative rhetoric appears to bear little relation to the actual legislation.  Vociferous opponents claim the law is nothing less than "Jim Crow" revisited.  But perhaps in this instance, the crow has lost a few feathers.

Perhaps this occasions an opportunity for an honest public expression of public interest from all those who watch NFL games and use products advertised during the televised games.  A note to the NFL commissioner Roger Goodell might change a few sentiments.  (National Football League, 280 Park Avenue Suite 12, New York, NY 10017-1216).

This approach seemed to work well in the case of Duck Dynasty and the Phil Robertson controversy.

"Gay" in the News: Agenda is Advanced

Recognizing that the agenda of homosexual advocates is being "advanced", through federal courts and foot-dragging by state officials.

The suggestion seems to be that what cannot be achieved by democratic process may just as well be forced by federal judges who know better.  This is considered to be some kind of "advance", as though it represents the final round of game show competition.

Though I disagree with their premise - the only way to find happiness is by changing the rules - I hope those people eventually find what they are seeking.  

"Gay" in the News: Dealing With Sexuality in the Real World

 

"Same-sex Marriage" - both sides of the debate need hope.  Divisive rhetoric from either side of the issue does little to settle the controversy over marriage traditions.

Reducing the perspective to allow few alternatives is a cognitive distortion.  

"Either jump out of the closet, join the celebration, make being gay or lesbian the dominant characteristic of your life and the sole foundation of your identity, and join the same-sex marriage lobby — or remain ‘closeted,’ deny yourself, choose a false identity, become depressed, and risk suicide.”

This same false dichotomy is presented to the public, insisting that the only way to recognize the equal dignity of gays and lesbians is to redefine the institution of marriage to include same-sex couples — or risk a repressive, backward society that shuns its sons and daughters, consigning them to lives of solitude, misery and despair."

In the real world, there are many who experience same-sex attraction that have learned to deal with it, without any of the dire consequences that protesters insist on.

Also in the real world, those who indulge their enslavement to biological imperative seldom seem to find lasting happiness, "gay" or not. 

"Gay" in the News: Uganda

After signing the bill criminalizing homosexual behavior, the Uganda president is quoted, "This law was provoked by arrogant and careless Western-based groups that are fond of coming into our schools to recruit our young children," he said in a televised speech shortly after signing the bill. "Can somebody be homosexual purely by nature without nurture? The answer is: 'No.' "

He certainly seems to have failed to get the message about "born that way", doesn't he?

If that line don't fetch them, I don't know "gay" activism!

Somewhat ironic to see news media pictures of protest signs.  Uganda reportedly has a high literacy rate of about 2/3.  The signs are obvioulsy intended to be read by others, not Ugandans.

"Gay" in the News: Supporting Traditional Marriage

At the "Support Traditional Marriage" rally a couple of weeks ago, the "gay" interests held a competing rally on the same location several hours before.  Some of them stayed on, apparently intending to disrupt the subsequent rally.  They marched down the aisle while the Utah Attorney General was trying to speak, and threw glitter-filled balloons at him.  Then they fell on the floor kicking and shouting like an angry two-year-old in a tantrum.  That part was not particularly interesting to me, but it was fascinating to see dozens of media representatives rush down the aisle to make a record of the petulant outburst.  There were more cameras than cops.  The reporters swooped in from the periphery like a flock of vultures as the cops dragged them away.  Thus the protesters apparently fulfilled their purpose.

It would seem that most of us pitiful and pathetic people have an independant life of our own.  Others seem compelled to publicly exhibit a contrived "gender identity" that we must never presume to question.  That would constitute a thought-crime against humanity.

I'm pretty sure I have little understanding of what "transgender" hopes to accomplish.  As far as I can tell, what happens to a developing human takes place a long time before anyone is even born.  A bit of snipping and cutting, an excision or augmentation here and there, is not going to ever change that.  Cosmetic surgery makes changing some rather superficial physical characteristics about as easy as changing your clothes.  And as meaningful.

I personally feel that the ramifications of my own life are more important than an actor's wardrobe.  Sexuality is a human attribute, but I would think my life shallow indeed if I held that to be anything more than a small integral piece of what defines me.  Those advocates for "gay" thinking seem to be letting one obsession define the whole of their existence.  I could never be so narrow.

An associate once challenged me about my presumed "homophbia", suggesting that I should "try being gay for a day".  My impression has long been that I would find no real difficulty in doing so, in every bit as superficial manner as those who would project a "gender identity".

In me it seems to represent a character defect that I must work to overcome.  But others are apparently privileged to argue, "I was born this way".

Weren’t we all... 

"Gay" in the News: Gay Father Hoax

"Gay father" birthday party invitation hoax.  The radio show hosts fabricated a controversy which they later backed away from, saying they were only "attempting to spur a healthy discourse on a highly passionate topic".  Those who called the radio show to comment were deemed to be sufferers from that deplorable "homophobia" disorder.

"Gay" in the News: Not So Okay in Russia?

Police detain wielder of "Gay is OKAY" banner. Russian laws presumably violate  "gay freedom".  The demonstrations apparently serve to inform the public of this grave injustice.  I suppose the demonstrations are staged with this in mind.  Most generally, I think it serves to get their pictures in the papers.  Interestingly, the Russian authorities deny that any such event occurred.