The Quotable Queer

In a speech before the Democratic Leadership Council in Columbus, Ohio,Senator Hillary Clinton began making the broad strokes to outline her vision of the American future. Emphasizing intelligent use of strength against global terrorism and a clear message of hope at home, Clinton discussed a vision aimed at success for the Democratic Party and doing so without resorting to attacks on Republicans or the Bush administration.

When the rest of the Democrats are busy cutting down their political opponents on the current state of affairs, Clinton takes on the easy job of painting a rosy future. It is far easier to discuss a future 15 years into the future than how to drag America and her people out of the sludge of today. This is definitely a political strategy with success in her Senate race in 2006 simultaenously allowing for a bid to bring her back to The White House in 2008.

By focusing on the future, she breathes new life into the Democratic Party through the roadmap she gives her colleagues. Personally, I would prefer some specifics on her current activity to fix the present serious issues. Of course, discussing specifics means taking stands. Issues change with time; the decisions we make today cannot be changed tomorrow. In this sense concentrating on future and hope makes absolutely savvy political sense, as it takes stands on current issues without taking action on those issues. This allows increased maneuverability in a quickly changing world. However, it doesn’t solve anything either.

And you can Quote me on that. The Quotable Queer

Family Research Council, American Family Association, Focus on the Family, Pro-Family Network, American Family Voices, Indiana Family Institute. These are just some of the multitude of religious right groups that have been created over the years to promote their ideological agenda through use of the shield of the family, and this list doesn’t even include any of the other “pro-family� groups that also exist without using the word “family� in their name. It is, after all, quite difficult to attack the family or even the idea of the family without appearing hostile or aggressive. That’s why the intelligence behind the strategy in using the family as a shield in this manner has been so successful.

Of course, as the public becomes aware of what these groups really stand for and work towards, the power of the family shield will diminish and wither away to nothing. Already, signs of the general public mistrust of some of these groups are beginning to have traction for liberal groups against the religious right ideological agenda promoted under the guise of being pro-family.

The new shield is use of the word America or American. At some point one would think the public would become more aware of what groups truly represent instead of just relying on their labels such as family or American. However, with the relatively short attention span of the public as well as the general public need for short, catchy phrases and handy reframes, these groups will continue to develop using whatever shield seems to have the most benefits to protecting their true agenda.

And you can Quote me on that. The Quotable Queer

Realize and appreciate the positive power within ourselves in creating amazing, lasting and positive change throughout our lives.