Quote:
Originally posted by onetime2
Nothing like characterizing an entire group as "haters". Just as there are shades of liberals there are shades of conservatives.
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Nothing like building a straw man. Nobody characterized an entire group as haters. Astrocloud said the Republican Party despises homosexuals.
from m-w.com:
Main Entry: de·spise
Pronunciation: di-'spIz
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): de·spised; de·spis·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French despis-, stem ofdespire, from Latin despicere, from de- + specere to look -- more atSPY
Date: 14th century
1 : to look down on with contempt or aversion <despised the weak>
2 : to regard as negligible, worthless, or distasteful
From the republican party platform:
http://www.rnc.org/GOPInfo/Platform/2000platform4.htm
Quote:
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_We support the traditional definition of "marriage" as the legal union of one man and one woman, and we believe that federal judges and bureaucrats should not force states to recognize other living arrangements as marriages.__We rely on the home, as did the founders of the American Republic, to instill the virtues that sustain democracy itself.__That belief led Congress to enact the Defense of Marriage Act, which a Republican Department of Justice will energetically defend in the courts.__For the same reason, we do not believe sexual preference should be given special legal protection or standing in law.
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From the 2000 GOP platform in Texas:
http://www.ngltf.org/elections/republican.htm
Quote:
On Homosexuality
"The party believes that the practice of sodomy tears at the fabric of society, contributes to the breakdown of the family unit, and leads to the spread of dangerous, communicable diseases. Homosexual behavior is contrary to the fundamental, unchanging truths that have been ordained by God, recognized by our country's founders, and shared by the majority of Texans. Homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable 'alternative' lifestyle in our public education and policy, nor should 'family' be redefined to include homosexual 'couples.' We are opposed to any granting of special legal entitlements, recognition, or privileges including, but not limited to, marriage between persons of the same sex, custody of children by homosexuals, homosexual partner insurance or retirement benefits. We oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction, or belief in traditional values."
On Texas Sodomy Statutes
"The party opposes the decriminalization of sodomy."
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I would say that any reasonable person could read those statements and conclude that the republican party despises homosexuality.
I applaud these brave republicans for trying to change their own party from within. Last week on the NPR program This American Life there was a story on how the American Psychiatric Association had a long hard fight from within to change the classification of homosexuality as a mental disorder. These people face a similar fight from a party that despises them.