How to keep the hearts of bigots warm in winter

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Written by Harvey Fierstein:

>>A couple of boys were calling my best friend a faggot one unhappy day at summer camp. Courses of action seemed slim to my adolescent mind. I could stand up for Jack branding myself a fag as well and insuring myself a miserable summer, or I could join in with the name callers, lose my closest friend, but assure my standing with the majority. I sacrificed my friend on the altar of popularity. I don't think I need to tell you that political expediency was a terrific short-term solution but a long-term nightmare. My summer concluded uneventfully but none of those boys became my friend or did me any favors. And forty years later I still feel the loss of Jack along with a piece of my self respect that I can never win back. Mine was an act of cowardice and betrayal.

It seems Obama is now maneuvering through the summer camp of his political adolescence and is about to make the same bad choice as I. He can call the placing of a hate monger like Rick Warren on the world dais political healing or inclusiveness or any other nicety he'd like, but I call it pandering to the lowest instinct of the worst kind of politics.

President Elect Obama, your victory was made possible in no small part to the votes and wallets of the gay and lesbian community along with our supporters. Turning your back on us does not make you more mainstream American. It just makes you a coward.<<

[Lerkfish]

1. wow! is harvey still here? great!

for some reason I thought he had passed away. Glad to know I'm wrong on that.

oh, and an excellent essay on his part.

[Deep13]

2. Burn them at the stake?

What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

[foxfeet]

3. Can we invite the witches to watch?

[Deep13]

4. Bring marshmallows. nt