Barry Goldwater on separation of church/state, religious right, gays

[DaveSZ]

The lunatic fringe and religious right that Goldwater warned us about has unfortunately taken over one of our nation's major parties - his party.

I actually have tremendous respect for the late Goldwater.


http://www.worldpolicy.org/globalrights/sexorient/1994-0713-goldwater.html


Washington Post, 13 July 1994
Job Protection For Gays
By Barry Goldwater

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last year, many who opposed lifting the ban on gays in the military gave lip service to the American ideal that employment opportunities should be based on skill and performance. It’s just that the military is different, they said. In civilian life, they’d never condone discrimination.

Well, now’s their chance to put up or shut up.

A bipartisan coalition in Congress has proposed legislation to protect gays against job discrimination. Congress is waking up to a reality already recognized by a host of Fortune 500 companies, including AT&T, Marriott and General Motors. These businesses have adopted policies prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation because they realize that their employees are their most important asset.

America is now engaged in a battle to reduce the deficit and to compete in a global economy. Job discrimination excludes qualified individuals, lowers workforce productivity and eventually hurts us all. Topping the new world order means attracting the best and creating a workplace environment where everyone can excel. Anything less makes us a second rate nation. It’s not just bad—it’s bad business.

-more

[LTR]

1. Many feared Goldwater

But I think he was perhaps before his time.

I think he would be appalled by today's conservative movement. He was especially against the influence of the fundies.

Goldwater was a decent man, and smarter than he may have seemed at the time.

[I thought so.]

2. His 2nd wife mellowed him

God you should have heard the uproar here in A.Z. when he endorsed a Dem. over J.D. Hayworth in 1992. She won.

[DaveSZ]

3. That's probably because Hayworth is a neofascist bent on destroying the

That's probably because Hayworth is a neofascist bent on destroying the Constitution.


I'd endorse a Dem over him too.

[Jacobin]

4. Which is exactly why Smirk is NOT a conservative

[Leilani]

5. I loved Goldwater, because he was so honest!

A rare trait found in politicians.

He also said he wanted to kick Jerry Falwell & his ilk in the ass.

LOL!

[leftyandproud]

6. Goldwater was the LAST Libertarian repub...

today, the neocons and even the paleocons despise the Libertarians, and vice versa.