Missing the Point on Gays- WaPo editorial by ex-senator Alan Simpson-R

[MoonAndSun]

this gay issue with the repukes will not go away, the "real" conservatives don't want the feds interfering with private lives, but the neo-nuts would rather die then give up this fight against gays and lesbians. I say, let them tear each other apart.

<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A28071-2003Sep4.html>



snip> "For several weeks now a storm has been brewing in the Senate over just how homosexuals fit into the mainstream of American life. First, an honest debate on the criminalization of gay sex in Texas somehow gave rise to baseless fears about permitting bestiality and incest. Then, after the Supreme Court's reasonable ruling in Lawrence v. Texas that the government had no business policing people in their bedrooms, a panic developed. Some worried that the decision would lead to gay marriage, thus posing a threat to the survival of the American family. "

snip> "As someone who is basically a conservative, I see not an argument about banning marriage or "defending" families but rather a power grab. Conservatives argue vehemently about federal usurpation of other issues best left to the states, such as abortion or gun control. Why would they elevate this one to the federal level?

What's more, it is surely not the tradition in this country to try to amend the Constitution in ways that constrict liberty. All of our amendments have been designed to expand the sphere of freedom, with one notorious exception: prohibition. We all know how that absurd federal power grab turned out"

[Ediacara]

1. what a breath of fresh air

from the right. Bravo!

[bushisanidiot]

2. I think Alan Simpson must be a Log Cabiner

which means he doesn't live in reality.

[Rowdyboy]

3. Actually Simpson is a REAL conservative...

A Barry Goldwater type who values civil liberties to the highest degree. While we disagreed on many issues, I found him to be a genuine, unbigoted and serious senator, one of the very few Republicans I've respected in the last 20 years. This editorial shows why...

[Grins]

4. "...gave rise to baseless fears about permitting bestiality ...

Uh...excuse me. But the Texas legislature made it legal! At least for some.

In 1974 the legislature re-wrote that part of the Texas criminal code and removed criminal penalties on bestiality. (No one knows why.) So, it is now LEGAL for a HOMOSEXUAL (And not you other fun lovers. Talk about your discrimination!), to have sex with an animal.

I read about it a few months ago (Molly Ivins?) and did a search. Story was in the Texas Triangle, 25 April 2002 if you are interested.

PS: I agree with RowdyBoy, I used to dislike Simpson. Caught Sen. Bradley (NJ) on Nightline one night and he commnted how kind Simpson was to him even though were political opposites. Disagree politically, OK; still became a friend. However, I think he "improved" after leaving the Senate.