Horrible Opinion Piece in my local paper... (viciously anti-gay)

[Meldread]

I wish my local paper had a website so I could simply link this to everyone, but they don't so I had to type this opinion piece out. I should warn you now that this isn't for the faint of heart and will likely enrage you. I was going to write a response that could be placed in next week's paper, but I decided against it. Every time I tried to write something I simply couldn't remain civil. Instead I'm just going to write a nasty letter to the editor telling him how sick I am that he would publish such filthy trash.

The opinion piece is below.























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Even SpongeBob knows better

Dear Sir:

The biggest challenge facing America is the Sodomites and their agenda. For years, they have been steadily chipping away at the moral fiber of America. Last Friday night James Dobson appeared on FOX-News Hannity & Colems and said that a group called, "WE are Family,” has produced a DVD using the favorite characters of children (including "SpongeBob Squarepants") to promote tolerance of the Sodomite lifestyle.

Dr. Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, said that the DVD is going out to 61,000 elementary schools across America with a teacher's guide. I also learned that FEDEX is sending out these DVDs free-of-charge to 61,000 private and public elementary schools.

That is outrageous, but it's no wonder why it isn't reported on the news. The media is full of Sodomites, and they support the agenda. It's a very subtle way to indoctrinate our children to support their filthy Sodomite lifestyles.

Remember, these sons and daughters of Satan are subtle like their father. The Bible is very clear on where God stands on this issue. Anyone who thinks differently has a closed Bible and an empty head. They go about their mission from hell in many quiet ways. They have always tried to get included in the equal opportunity law as a "minority."

That has been rejected by federal lawmakers but is becoming common place in corporate America. Their behavior will soon bring the wrath of God on America if they are not stopped. We cannot afford to be tolerant of their behavior any more than we can allow abortion.

This is not a phobia but a real challenge to America. Something must be done to stop the flow of filth into our school system.

Dan and Karen Murphy
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I am going to write the editor a letter telling him how completely sickened I am by his publication of such trash. This isn't the first time such letters have appeared in the paper, in fact the only pro-gay letter I've ever seen published was my own (which was heavily edited and then received a wave of criticism the following week). If you'd like to send him a complaint as well you can do it here: [e-mail]

The editor's name is "Mr. Coleburn" and the newspaper is called "The Courier Record". It was posted in the opinion's section called "The Forum."

It's because of people like the Murphy's that I'm leaving Virginia all together.

[Sandpiper]

1. Replace "Sodomites" with "Jews"

And we see the same sort of person who would have happily cheered on Hitler's final solution.

[Lautremont]

2. At least they capitalized "Sodomite"

These people may as well be from another planet. It's incredible. I think you should try and compose an articulate rebuttal despite your rage and the seeming futility of attempting discourse with minds like that.

[skypilot]

3. Oh.

Now the media is full of Sodomites. It used to be Jews, then it was Liberals, now it's Sodomites. What's next? I guess the Treehuggers will be running things soon.

[arcane1]

4. how on earth did that make it into the paper??

I can relate though, I left Virginia for San Francisco 5 years ago.. NO REGRETS WHATSOEVER

[Meldread]

13. I don't know if the Murphy's...

I don't know if the Murphy's have had their letters published before, but I read the paper every week to look for things such as this. I could say easily every other week there is something anti-gay in the paper, and I've seen us (gay people) referred to as "Sodomites" on more than one occasion. I also know the Editor is anti-gay, but has at least kept his bigotry on a civil level. Although, it seems he is probably speaking vicariously through people such as the Murphy's.

I don't buy the paper myself. I wouldn't spend money on the trash. However, both my Grandmother and Mother get the paper and I read it. I try and get them to cancel but if they do that then they won't have a clue what's going on around the town. So basically they are forced into paying for a newspaper that's filled with this type of garbage if they want to even remotely stay in formed. That reason and the fact *most* people in this town will agree with the Murphy's on some level (although the Murphy's sound like they are disciples of Fred Phelps)... it gives him little incentive to change.

[peacebird]

5. good grief... WHERE in virginia is this published?

the "sodomites" agenda? Does that include the christian heteros who also love using *ahem* the 'backdoor'?

just asking....

[katinmn]

6. The Murphys are a very sick couple.

I'm glad that people like the Murphys are speaking up though. They are Exhibit A to those that have had their heads in the sand and need proof that we are being taken over by a cult.

[LostInAnomie]

7. These people are absolutely obsessed.

More than likely they have never met a homosexual in their whole bigoted hateful life.

They are the ones who need to read the Bible and find out what it says will happen to people who drive others away from God. Lets just say that it resembles where the "sodomites" are supposedly going.

[RaleighNCDUer]

11. Actually, the odds are they know and work with and maybe even

worship with gays. They just wouldn't believe it, because 'why, they look like just anyone else!'

I pity them, but only to the point where they start coming for my family and friends.

[Dark]

8. The authors seem incredibly obsessed with sodomy. . .n/t

[Lautremont]

10. "You may think it very odd of meeeee...

but I enjoy the act of so-do-meeee!"

A song lyric from Peter Jackson's Meet the Feebles, and likely the deeply repressed theme song of this crazy couple.

[skypilot]

9. The sons and daughters of Satan????

Subtle. Like their father?

I could be alot more "subtle" from the closet which is where these people would like to see me return. If these people are so worried about our subtlety you'd think they'd encourage gays to come out. Oh, fuck it. Why am trying to make sense of anything they say. To hell with this idiot. That's what my Father told me to say.

[Meldread]

15. Heh... The "Father" told me to....

...go slash their tires and key their car. Good thing I never listened much to him anyway. ;)

Seriously, though... these people make me sick and I would like just ten seconds in a room with them to do whatever the hell I wanted. (Most likely ripping off Mr. Murphy’s balls so he can't spread his hateful bigotry to another generation.)

[TlalocW]

12. For what it's worth, I did email them

Here's my reply. Since I'm in OKlahoma, I doubt they'll print it.

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

The sad thing about people who are buying this line about James Dobson and Spongebob is that they haven't even seen the video. I have. It's a bunch of Muppets (Kermit, Big Bird, Miss Piggy), the Bear from the Big Blue House, Barney, and various cartoon characters all singing, "We Are Family." It's put out by the group, "We Are Family Foundation," which is not pushing a pro-homosexual message at all. Dobson has gotten them confused (intentionally?) with another group called, "We Are Family," which supports gay youth. The message of the video is one of general inclusiveness and that there are all kinds of families out there. Spongebob appears for a maximum of 10 seconds, and he has no lines nor sings nor does he engage in any kind of homosexual activity with Tinky Winky - I'm sure Dobson and the so-called "Christian Right" will be disappointed to learn that.

It's apparent that Dobson has not seen the video and is choosing to break the commandment about bearing false witness to drum up some money from his easily-fooled supporters. Either that, or they're primarily upset that all the characters are singing a song that has been adopted as a sort of theme by different parts of the gay community (but that doesn't make it a "gay" song), and they don't want their supporters to know they're aware of that factoid.

In any event, I suggest Dobson focus on his own family and stop telling lies to make a quick buck.

TlalocW

[katinmn]

14. Great letter! Since the RW paper may not run it,

it might help to also send it to the competing paper, and radio and TV stations.

Just a thought.

[davidinalameda]

16. I am anything but subtle

and my dad's name is Larry, not Satan

and these are the people that elected George W. Bush

[despairing optimist]

17. People like the Murphys think Sodomy falls between Friday and Sunday

If it's so much on their minds, there's not much else in them. They probably signed on to the fundie threat to withdraw their support for Social Security "reform" if * doesn't press Congress for the marriage amendment.

It's interesting that the paper's editor feels that there's a need to reinforce antigay sentiment by repeatedly publishing such letters. He's obviously baiting the paper's readers. Circulation must be down. Write to the paper's advertisers and tell them you won't buy their products if such hate mail continues to get a forum. That might work better than just slamming the editor.

[EC]

18. I just don't get this Sponge Bob thing

I saw the We are Family piece on Obermann and just don't get it...just anything to incite idiots I guess...it is getting scary...my daughter is gay and I worry about her with all this open bashing going on....

[Meldread]

19. Just hold your daughter close, and never stop showing her how much you...

Just hold your daughter close, and never stop showing her how much you love her! That's the only thing that can help overcome such hatred. Nothing helps more than an understanding parent, who is just as outraged as you are, and shows nothing but unconditional love and support. A soft place to fall when it feels like the whole world is turning against you is what is needed.

Your daughter is seriously lucky to have you in her life. Many LGBT people aren't as lucky. If only more parents were like you, the world would be a better place.

I would wish for the Murphy's to have a gay child so perhaps it would open them to some change, but it would be too painful to force a child to go through such a thing and the Murphy's aren't worth it. They aren't worthy of having a gay child.

[EC]

21. I'd love my daughter no matter what she did ...

Anyway, she's always been a bit political and her mate not so, but after I've dragged them to so many rallies and stuff I think her mate is getting into it. A while back I read a letter in the newspaper, unsigned, and brought it over to their house and said to my daughters girlfriend, you wrote this didn't you...she did, it said she had finally found a cause in her life...so they are out there fighting for the right to belong...at least their neighborhood loves both of them and aren't hung-up on the gay lifestyle...

[tjwmason]

20. I have to agree with them on one point

The Bible is very clear on where God stands on this issue. Anyone who thinks differently has a closed Bible and an empty head

Just to show, here is 1 S. John, 4:7-8

"Dearly beloved, let us love one another, for charity is of God. And everyone that loveth, is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not: God for is charity"

(Charity here being a translation of the Latin caritas which is a form of the word love, F.Y.I.)

It's just a pity that they contradicted this clear message from God in the Bible.

[mitchtv]

23. No Fair using the new Testament

too much like Christ.

[Duncan Grant]

24. Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.

"Where charity and love are, God is there."

Thank you for reminding me of 'caritas'. :thumbsup: :hi:

[blonndee]

22. You could send a letter (or some gay porn) to this guy

from Blackstone. Yahoo's People Search function can be helpful at times.

[booley]

25. I think this is great

more of this guy and idiots like dobson saying that sponges are living in sin with star fish under the sea and no sane person will want to have anything to do them.

Better then an honest Bigot then a "compassionate" conservative. At least wit the bigot, you know about the knife he wants to put in your back.

[khz]

33. Funniest thing I've read in days!

Absolutely right (religious homophobic right, even!), booley.
What a nut case! If I were to be required to be in close quarters with this 'person' one of two things would happen:

1- My head would explode from the anal rape that logic receives from their head, or
2- I would die of laughter

Again...funny stuff...except that that they represent others that think similarly. I need another drink. Idiots everywhere.

[big peaches]

26. I am so sorry you have to put up with this Mildread,

.... but perhaps there's another way to circulate news about your town. Why not start a website for your town as an alternative to the newspaper? Of course, I see you say you are leaving Virginia, and I can't blame you one bit for that. Virginia is for Haters, after all. I thought for sure that South Carolina would be the first to go completely facist; I see now I was wrong.

[Meldread]

27. Yes, I'm leaving.

I can't stand it here anymore. I'm moving to Massachusetts where at least I know I'll have some modicum of protection against the bigots, and where people who are likely more open minded. I love Virginia and I hate to leave, but really there is nothing for me here and things seem to just get worse and worse.

I thought of every excuse in the book to stay here, but now I'm out of excuses. It just makes me sick to think that people like the Murphy's would jump for joy at the fact that they've been able to force me away from my home and my family.

[renaissanceguy]

28. You're making the right decision.

Nobody deserves to live in an environment where they aren't treated with respect and dignity. I'm sure you'll be happier in Mass. You won't have to fight anymore for who you are, and you can concentrate on better, happier things.

May the Murphys' house burn down, and may their kids all turn gay (just to piss them off).

http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues/472476

[noamnety]

29. Opinions before I send this

I'm torn, because I want to refer to what's in their mind as "filth", but I don't want to imply that being gay = filth. Is it reading the way I want?

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I was both amused and saddened by a recent letter about the We Are Family video. I've seen the video, and it has nothing to do with sodomy. It is an animated short with cartoon characters for children, that preaches about acceptance of people in general - with no references, not even vague ones, to homosexuality. I can't imagine how they even made a connection between the video and anything related to sodomy. If Dobson's followers weren't so overly focused on sex and sexual positions and imagining which of their neighbors are having sex with other neighbors, they would realize this. The only "filth" (to use their word) to be found in the entire incident is what's in their own minds. If they want to purify America, I suggest they start there.

[auntAgonist]

31. I think it IS reading the way you want it to.

Very well said.

[livinginphotographs]

30. Just like my local rag.

They'll publish shit that sounds like it came from the KKK, and defend it by saying, "We publish all letters equally." Yeah, right. I don't have a problem with publishing loony conservative letters (since my area has a large population of loony conservatives) but flat-out bigoted letters do not deserve to be published.

I feel sick....I'm sorry you and your town has to go through this.

[inslee08]

32. I'm very surprised

that the paper allowed this to be printed. It is clearly a hateful, vulgar piece that has no redeeming qualities. Yes, I've seen other anti-gay editorials, but they don't refer to gays as "Sodomites" or imply that they're sons of the devil.

[Wind Dancer]

34. We have been infiltrated here with these fundies.

It is extremely disturbing to watch these fanatics being brainwashed by certain churches. My ex-neighbors started going to a church several years ago and have bought into this "hatred" of gays, too.

Recently, the same thing happened to my ex-hairdresser. This is a coordinated effort orchestrated by General Boykin and the neoCons, it's extremely scary. I watched these people gradually change - it's now impossible to reach them.

FWIW, Dobson came to visit Raleigh weeks before the election, John Edward's home state.



Vermont is a great place to live, you might want to think about relocating to that area.

[Ian David]

35. Bumpersticker Idea: "I am a Sodomite and I vote"

After all, you don't have to be gay to be a Sodomite.