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DEL.ICIO.USThe long-distance debate over gay marriage within the Gingrich family
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Last Monday, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was interviewed by Bill O’Reilly on Fox News. O’Reilly showed video footage from California, of protests after passage of a referendum to revoke court approval of gay marriage in that state.
The focus was on an elderly woman who had a large cross stripped from her hands after she apparently waded into a crowd of demonstrators.
Said the former Georgia congressman:
“I think there is a gay and secular fascism in this country that wants to impose its will on the rest of us, is prepared to use violence, is prepared to use harassment.
“I think it is prepared to use the government if it can get control of it. I think it is a very dangerous threat to anybody who believes in traditional religion.
“And I think if you believe in historic Christianity, you have to confront the fact — for that matter, if you believe in the historic version of Islam or the historic version of Judaism, you have to confront the reality that these secular extremists are determined to impose on you acceptance of a series of values that that are antithetical, that are the opposite.”
Over the weekend, Gingrich’s lesbian half-sister, Candace Gingrich, pubished an open letter to her big brother on Huffington Post:
This is a movement of the people that you most fear. It’s a movement of progress — and your words on Fox News only show how truly desperate you are to maintain control of a world that is changing before your very eyes.
Then again, we’ve seen these tactics before. We know how much the right likes to play political and cultural hardball, and then turn around and accuse us of lashing out first. You give a pass to a religious group — one that looks down upon minorities and women — when they use their money and membership roles to roll back the rights of others, and then you label us “fascists” when we fight back.
You belittle the relationships of gay and lesbian couples, and yet somehow neglect to explain who anointed you the protector of “traditional” marriage.
The holidays can be such a tense time among families.
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Comments
By Joseph A. Mustich, Justice of the Peace
November 23, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this
Shame on CA.
But kudos to CT (and MA too).
And as a Justice of the Peace I look forward to officiating at the marriages of same-sex couples now too.
Cheers, Joe Mustich, Justice of the Peace Washington CT 06793 USA
In 2005 the CT Legislature enacted a civil union law for same-sex couples and in 2008 the CT Supreme Court voted in favor of marriage equality.
I had a civil union with my partner in 2005 and in 2008 I married him at our town hall, with my parents, who have been married for 56 years, in attendance.
By Carlo, Italy
November 23, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
Thanks Candace Gingrich - what a clear and honorable perspective.
I really do belive the world has grown tired and see through the cowardly and bully actions of the homphobes - religious based or otherwise.
I also think many religious people are sick of having their personal beliefs highjacked to be used as weapons of mass hatered agianst minorities.
By Flex
November 23, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
Secular facism? Only in his right wing world. Don’t flatter yourself newt. We have our own lives and don’t think about the bigot/zealots group for a second. It is you who is obsessed with our lives. Your attention is unwanted, and we didn’t ask for your opinion! I understand that you make millions of dollars by keeping the loony right on our backs, but you and your bunch of pigs deserve all the negativity that you’re receiving. You deserve to have your faces rubbed in your own s**!
By Doug Craig
November 23, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
So let me see If I get this right the government can use force to prevent gay marriages but they can not use force. If the government is willing to use force to prevent these people from having the same rights then more power to the people who are fighting the government. How about we get the government out of the marriage business then this would not be an issue. but the government needs the power for social engineering. We need freedom and liberty and people have to fight for I hope they succeed. Doug Craig Political Director of the Libertarian Party of Georgia www.crazyforliberty.com
By Doug Craig
November 23, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
So let me see If I get this right the government can use force to prevent gay marriages but they can not use force. If the government is willing to use force to prevent these people from having the same rights then more power to the people who are fighting the government. How about we get the government out of the marriage business then this would not be an issue. but the government needs the power for social engineering. We need freedom and liberty and people have to fight for I hope they succeed. Doug Craig Political Director of the Libertarian Party of Georgia www.crazyforliberty.com
By Flex
November 23, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this
I hate christians for voting my right to marry away! They are pigs!
By PHLEM
November 23, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
I HATE ATHEISTS FOR SHOVING THEIR RELIGION DOWN MY THROAT! WHAT’S THAT? OH, YEAH THEY DON’T ! BOO BIBLE PUSHING MORONS
By Newt
November 24, 2008 6:56 AM | Link to this
Look out! Next thing you know these secular fascists will start permitting divorce, and then where will our traditional values be? Why a man might even serve divorce papers on his wife while they are in the hospital with cancer! It could be the end of the institution of marriage as we know it.
By Newt is a nut
November 24, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
If Newt is going to be the saviour of the GOP then the Democrats will be in power for a generation. With all our country has going against it, he’s back to playing the gay card. What a nut!
By Matilda
November 24, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Yes, Republicans: By all means, continue looking to Bill O’Reilley and Newt Gingrich for validation and guidance. Continue parroting their words around the water coolers at work and alienating your own family members at the holidays. But remember, (as Newt and Bill can attest), hypocisy is a value better demonstrated than spoken. Please, please continue unashamed so we can ALL see just exactly who and what you are!