September 07, 2007
Just Who Are The Hypocrites Here?
Hypocrite: hyp·o·crite /ˈhɪpəkrɪt/ [hip-uh-krit] –noun
1. a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, esp. a person whose actions belie stated beliefs.
2. a person who feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude, esp. one whose private life, opinions, or statements belie his or her public statements.
I've not said much (anything?) about the Larry Craig issue, I'm no fan of his, nor am I one of his constituents. Thus, I really have no dog in this fight (with apologies to PETA and the ASPCA). I tend to vote and support Republican Conservatives, but I vote for Conservative Democrats as well.
Having said that, I'm sick of the seeming hypocrisy of those who loudly cry "Hypocrite" when it comes to Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID). The issue is whether Senator Craig is a hypocrite because he may be gay (or perhaps bi-sexual) and is "anti-gay marriage."
S.O. W.H.A.T.? Craig's supposedly "cruising foot work" means only that he may have been seeking sex in a public restroom. It does not hold that because he was seeking gay sex he automatically must believe in gay marriage. There are many gays that don't want gay marriage, but do want say, civil unions. There may be even some gays that do not necessarily want either gay marriage or civil unions.
In yesterday’s Washington Post Marc Fisher wrote that such “work requires” the “outers” to “play God” (Via Michael Silence via Instapundit). As if they know better than the rest of us. An attitude not too different from that of religious zealots. Indeed, the very title of the column, focusing on the actions of blogger Michael Rogers, Who Among Us Would Cast the First Stone? This Guy suggests that Rogers has the same certainty of belief as do those judgmental voices on the religious right whom his allies on the left are ever eager to criticize.Perhaps the hypocrites here are the ones that believe that if you are gay, you must buy the whole "gay agenda." Perhaps the hypocrites here are those who say what goes on in a persons private sexual life is private, yet are bashing Larry Craig for his private sexual behavior are the hypocrites. For my money, there is no "perhaps" there, we know who the real hypocrites are, and it doesn't include Larry Craig.Fisher is right to ask, “who elected him moral arbiter?” A question not too different than that many ask of social conservatives eager to label gay people sinners.
Like me, Fisher questions if these outings “liberate anyone” or if they “just add another bolt and chain to the closet door.”
I agree that these outings don’t accomplish much, but wonder at the religious zeal with which the outers attempt to make their case. For they seem to know how all gay people should vote on certain issues. Just as certain social conservatives seem to know how all people should express their sexuality.
Both groups act as if they know better than the rest of us. And neither seems to understand the complicated lives, the perplexing passions and personal struggles of those whose political beliefs or sexual orientation makes them so uncomfortable. [read the whole thing]
Posted by GM Roper at September 7, 2007 08:05 AM | TrackBack
His stance on homosexual marriage is not behind my reason for calling him a hypocrite, his claim of being a staunch conservative, all the while trolling airport rest rooms as a potty pervert, THAT, in my opinion qualifies him as a hypocrite, not his sexual orientation or his personal beliefs, just the fact that Conservatives can't play both sides of the street and claim the moral high ground, no matter if that conservative is Dem or Repub...
Posted by TexasFred at September 7, 2007 07:25 AM
Craig's hipocrisy is not in his sexual orientation, but in who he claims to represent. He is representing the voters of Idaho, and last time I checked Idaho was part of the Northern Mormon Empire. A group of people who historically vote republican. Want to know how they feel on this issue? Mormon family values. This is in no way a knock of Mormon values, but I use this to highlight that this liar who was caught and admited to it has no business representing the good folks of Utah...er... I mean Idaho.
Finally, "gay agenda?" What is that exactly? That they are going to rise up, break down our doors, and turn us gay with their gay-ray? That really stretches the imagination.
Britney Spears, divorce, and prostitution, to name a few, have done far more to destroy the "sanctity" of marriage than Bruce and Bob wanting to have access to the the same legal rights that I and my wife enjoy. That, in my eyes, goes beyond an agenda and moves into the field of being fair to our fellow man.
Posted by psyberwolfe at September 7, 2007 10:26 PM
"...they are going to rise up, break down our doors, and turn us gay with their gay-ray? That really stretches the imagination. "
What a stupid statement. I didn't make that argument or anything close to it and I'm at a loss as to why you would include such hyperbole in your argument.
Re-read the post young fellow, the argument is solely about Craign's sexual orientation vs. his political stance. There is no argument made from me regarding the "sanctity" of marriage or Morman Family Values or anything else you mention. Orientation vs political stance; that's all. However, I can believe from your strong tilt to the left that you think all conservatives think alike. What twaddle!
I make no argument pro or con about gay's nor who Craig represents, nor the family values schtick. And, from a political standpoint, if you do not think there is a gay agenda, then why do you suppose there is such a strong gay political stance?
On the other hand, you are a leftist so I understand that you can't stick to the argument made and have to become sarcastic and fulsome. Good try, no cigar!
Posted by GM Roper at September 8, 2007 05:59 AM
Craig is supposed to represent his constituency. How he votes should represent their interests rather than his personal life style.
Does anyone call Ted Kennedy a hypocrite when he votes for laws to protect women?
Posted by Woody at September 8, 2007 08:52 AM
G.M. you may be fooling yourself, but you are not fooling anyone else, unless they have the IQ of kelp.
The GOP "base" targets gays as a threat to "traditional values." A key element of the Republican constituency unabashedly declares homosexuality to be a sin against God.
Do you think it's just luck, or some sort of conspiracy, that makes something like 90 percent of gay people vote Democrat?
Gays vote Democrat because they know that Republicans want them to stay in the closet or, even, "chose" another "lifestyle" that doesn't offend their interpretation of Christianity.
Whatever you say about Craig, I'm going to be laughing my butt off when, week after week, yet another closeted GOP homosexual is outed--or outs himself as Craig essentially did. There are so many more where Craig came from and the Democrats can just sit back and laugh while the Republicans tear themselves to shreds over this. So very well deserved.
Posted by Negritude at September 10, 2007 07:14 AM
