The Quotable Queer

There is currently an ongoing war within the media and within American society on how we celebrate and acknowlege this time of year. Although this war seems ridiculous at first glance, a closer examination reveals a much more disturbing nature as to why this particular war is being waged at this time.

The religious right certainly has a stranglehold on Washington politics. Many Republican legislators will do anything to please their extremist constituency.

A simple examination of what happened to former Supreme Court nominee, Harriet Miers, yields much to the current power of the religious right. Although the now Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts is undoubtedly conservative-minded when it comes to judicial philosophy, he is certainly not from outward appearances an activist, religious right co-opted individual. The same cannot be said about Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito. He certainly was a replacement that appeased the religious right wing of the Republican party.

Now, the religious right is fighting the use of Happy Holidays by the government and the business industry. What is so wrong about Happy Holidays being used as a holiday slogan? It not only encompasses Merry Christmas but also many other traditions and their holidays. Do they wish to exclude cultural and religious minorities from publicly celebrating and acknowledging their holidays?

Bill O’Reilly of the Fox News Network is possibly the top promoter of this Happy Holidays bashing. He’s even had success in changing the government response to the holidays as well as the business world. Both Sears and Target now “see the Christmas Light“, as he puts it.

What is behind this war waged by the religious right? I believe it to be the last ditch effort to achieve as much of their political, social and economic agenda before their power in Washington and in this country falls apart.

Intelligent design has now pushed so far into Kansas as to actually have the State change the definition of science! (MSNBC, November 8th, 2005)

The religious right certainly knows when to play hardball. Likely, their influence in Washington will be greatly diminished after the November midterm elections. Therefore, they must begin using their limited power now before they have no power to make any change.

Certainly, any religious right victories in the coming year are going to have some staying power, as their influence is not going to disappear, just diminish . . . However, in time what damage they wage now on both American and the World will begin to be fixed and healed. Until then, we must all fight the important fights . . . even the losing battles. Any victory adds momentum.

We must turn the tide sooner rather later and begin building our own momentum! No fight is impossible. Strategy is vital. Doing nothing could be deadly. What can you do today? That is the question we all need to ask ourselves every new day; what can we do.

And you can Quote me on that. The Quotable Queer

With the re-emergence of an updated Human Rights Ordinance for Marion County and the City of Indianapolis, I thought it a poignant time to focus back on my initial comments after the defeat of these changes. I stand behind these words now as I did then.

It seems ridiculous to me that this issue still has not been resolved effectively by the City-County Council. Let us all hope that the forces of hatred and bigotry do not overwhelm the councilors once again.

And you can Quote me on that. The Quotable Queer

There is a stubborn quality to our lives that oftentimes appears as a roadblock to everything we want, we desire and sometimes even what we need. Although stubbornness comes from within, it is no simple problem that can be easily solved with a few words. In fact, managing our stubborn qualities can be one of the most difficult and challenging issues of our lives.

It is absolutely possible to just wait for an accidental solution. The concern with this method is when, if ever, the accident will take place. For those who wish not to wait, contemplation on this obstinate mental mindset is a first step to outlining the real problem. Certainly, thinking about the problem is not the solution. However, the information, knowledge and understanding that can rise out of this process are both crucial and critical.

A clearer picture of the roadblock can certainly aid in defeating it. Sometimes, more clarity is necessary. Gain additional focus through having discussions with other people about what already has been discovered. This can bring added dimensions to light. By speaking out loud what you have thought can take the problem out of the abstract mind. Sometimes, the added move from abstract to concrete can be achieved through putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard.

If no solution is achieved through this method, there are other ways to be successful against the war on stubbornness. However, focusing ourselves on outlining the problem and taking it out of the clouds and onto land can certainly be useful in ultimately defeating this state of mind.

And you can Quote me on that. The Quotable Queer