Oh say can you live.

[Part of Liberalism @ Eleven]

n the state of U.S politics, there is a significant shift towards what one considers a personal moral stance and one which is aligned with Party Policy. However, the general consensus would see a great deal of stigma towards Republican candidates, whose personal views come into play during Presidential elections and more often than not clash with the liberallyminded opinions of Americas growing youth. Actions such as It Gets Better and The Trevor Project have helped raise awareness, for example, in recent years as to the equality of LGBT teens. Similarly, liberal values are heavily evident in Zuccotti Park, NY with Occupy Wall Street growing in strength, or rather maintaining its stance despite dwindled media spectacle (which seems just as admirable that attention wasnt their primary objective).

What the modern teen doesnt want to hear is how much a politicians disagrees or despises the lifestyle of your gay best friend, your girlfriend who favoured an abortion over the arduous and immense burden of childhood at a young age, and god forbid the GOP discovered kids that age were getting down and dirty. What doesnt occur in the conscious of these Right-wing nuts, as many would see them across social media (the clubhouse for todays youth), is in the case of abortion, the flipside of the debate: Sandra from Seattle is the victim of sexual assault which leaves her pregnant. Her own viable option, to avoid a child that she cannot love nor support at her age and given her occupation, is abortion. There is no such thing as mitigating circumstances according to Republican candidates. Chesney of Jackson Heights is a serial substance abuser who not only contracts HIV from a shared needle but also engages in sexual acts with a stranger during this high. She is also left pregnant. Again, while the moral high ground can be taken in this instance, the fact remains abortion, while it appears medically extreme, is the only option for Chesney to prevent an unloved and smack addicted child coming into the world. And there are a multitude of other scenarios where the outcome remains the same. The political and also religious stance on the matter is unwavering. Lets consider this though: what if it happened to you? Speaking to religious ideologies, its high time politicians severed arguments against the morality of homosexuality given the differentiations in scriptures these days. Lets face it, Biblical texts and what have you, are the only weaponry in the GOPs offensive artillery with which to barrage the liberals into submission. Certainly, Leviticus has had his day I think. The sole Republican to have my heart is Roy J. McDonald of the New York Senate, whose vote directly assisted in securing same-sex marriage in the most populous city in America. Brava! From an era of mistrust and public

admonition towards the Republican Party (remember Watergate?), running parallel with the Summer of Love craze and so forth, the 1970s were a time of equal opportunity. Harvey Milk in San Franciscos City Council was the starkest reminder of this hope that the common, disadvantaged minorities had to hold dear. And then he was assassinated. I wont talk to the number of outstanding human beings that were lost under gunfire, also because this would dishonour those millions of innocents, those civilians that made Page 6 because of relaxed firearm legislation. But thats another controversy to skirt around in this piece. No more inflammatory statements on gun control. Although there is this to say: where has the debate gone? People are, quite rightly, crying out against the exorbitant debt overhanging America like the Grim Reapers shadow, however: people, we need to tighten our hold on weapons! The government, that is of course. Michael Moore did wonders with Target and Columbine, yet thirteen years later where are we? Its probably a reform one would have to scour for amidst kafuffle over being in the 99%. The point I was attempted to stem from Watergate was that the GOPs popularity seems to have skyrocketed, this was clear with the bizarrely high numbers of Palin supporters back in 2008/9. But back to topic: Senator McDonald went on the record mid-2011 to basically say fuck it, lets do this in relation to same-sex marriage in NY. And what a civil rights champion, hero even, he became. Roy is the only Republican I would ever consider putting vested power in, because thats what voting does. Popularity contests aside, you dont want the bum candidate to take office (back to the Sarah Palin argument) and press the wrong Red Button against Russia. Or whatever. Rarely, such was the spectacle surrounding McDonalds remarks, do GOP politicians sway from staunch party policies that essentially decry and abhor everything that each and every one of us holds dear: choice, freedom, love. This particularly pertains to abortion and same-sex marriage and yet Im sure any person of sound mind can convert these three words, slap them on a placard and transform four syllables into the new 99% And yet, to this day, the reasons as to why people choose to elect Republicans in the first place astounds me. Seriously, look where Dubya took us thats right, to war. I recall one of McCains pledges before he was beaten by the mightier, and more popular, candidate in 2008. That pledge was to essentially get more troops into the Middle East, because clearly not enough of them have died needlessly in a vain attempt to take over an entire region, terrorists or not. Dubya convinced the public as to the existence of WMDs and thus the rest of the Western world, allied with America, traipsed into battle and found shit all. Fact. To take a cynical angle, Bush essentially utilised, and Ill try not to echo Michael Moores long-standing rage over this issue, the horrific and tragic events of September 11 to some advantage if he was really keen to get at some Baghdad oil. But thats more of a Truther argument to suggest, and theyre all nuts too. Especially because Charlie Sheen, of all level-headed celebrities rolling round these days, supports the theories (which you can Google yourself). Was Bush, a Republican from Bible Belt Texas and proud owner of lots of guns (I can only assume as this is a default profile of Republican Presidents), a very popular leader with his adoring public? Or did every single Up Late lambast and take the piss out

of everything he said and did? Im thinking the latter, especially with Lettermans Top Ten Bushisms in mind (Im sure that list exists). Indeed, Ive seen entire books published on the topic of Bushisms. Swinging back off that lengthy tangent No Republican (asides from good ol Roy, and the other two Republicans that signed off on the issue, one stating that was a sole sway from precedent) will ever claim that gays are a good thing. Especially not GOP hopeful Mitt Romney who, to excuse mon franais is fucking everywhere right now, will go on camera and tell Americas children that It Gets Better.
{Side Note} The liberalism, or leftleaning, stance the media takes, particularly my favourite New York Times, always warms the cockles of my heart. They remind me that humanity has a stance and thats for equality. Just read the Times op-eds and see for yourself.

I especially enjoyed the article regarding the arguments concerning the You come out like Rick Santorum (victim of greater impact of Dharun deserved Google Bomb) and ramble on about Ravis conviction earlier the evil that exists in the form of homosexuals and the like, these this month.

WHY? I cant rightly say beyond reiterating the point of party politics being the GOPs favourite game to play with the American public. If the Grand Old Party (finally, an explanation for those still wondering or not sitting in front of a computer with the Internet open) ever made statements related to race or ethnicity (in public that is) would ever have a chance in an election. Lets face it, Southern Whities and Yokels have no grown, we hope, to accept people with diffrent strokes however they can wail all they like about the gays stinkin up the place, poisoning minds and attempting to recruit young boys in a crazed paedophile ring. This is legitimately the mindset of these people, I swear.

aforementioned masses run screaming to ballot boxes and polling stations. Its also worth noting good ol Roy has received some recent stick for standing in favour of the gays from none other than fellow GOP politicians in New York state. Still convinced that theyre good people? I would have thought the extreme bias of this article would teach you otherwise, please. I wont talk towards Rick Santorum as thats an entire trilogy or sagas worth of things to say about the greatness of the entity known as Rick Santorum but in extreme terms, if someone placed a voodoo hex on the man, I wouldnt be in national mourning or anything. And the Internet would lose one of its favourite running jokes since G. W. Bush. The Republicans, from my perspective, are blinded by something that afflicts billions of people worldwide: religion. Yeah, dont be too offended at this point, Ill go easy because were not all bad. As a somewhat religious person who engaged in a youth group that taught heavily on the issue of faith, I can say that this is how religion should work. You have faith in an unknown and allpowerful deity but let people be fucking people, in every sense of the phrase. Yes, you can be religious in the simplest of terms, unless youre a member of the Westboro Baptist Church (just quickly: they ruined God for everyone, even

the most casual observer) who would also require a Harry Potter series-sized piece on how fabulous they are Can I just say: protesting at the funerals of AIDS victims and dead soldiers returned home from the Middle East? Really want to play that card in case everyone didnt hate you enough? I also wont comment on the Supreme Courts decision on the case against the WBC, only to say that the sole dissenter in the case of free speech, Samuel Alito, is one of the greatest people in Americas judiciary to date. Fact. But to hide behind literally ancient religious texts (Leviticus really has had a few too many trips around the soapbox block) in standing against what are now commonly accepted social values and attitudes WBC accuses the Western world of being fag enablers because they can is sheer cowardice. Not to mention utter stupidity. This also stems from the outstanding-as-ever work on The Good Wife last night, where a religious college teacher was accused of making such statements precipitating her getting the sack. For too long society has allowed this God Hates Fags ideology to go unhindered in its quest for global and mental domination. Only children are to believe in myth, particularly the one about LGBT people being bad for everyone (including but not limited to children) as most are too young and innocent to suggest otherwise. Can I also say that until the bones of Leviticus and his buddies are found, Ill remain behind the notion that people make shit up to prevent lovers not fighters from Raise your getting married or getting down, whichever the religious children like this, Right would prefer. Whenever people cry out no sex like the Phelps before marriage like a demented T-Rex, because it family (check the Louis Theroux really matters to them as a person, I think: but the gays interview on though. Indeed, if you cant get married you cant have YouTube and sex and this is very well played by the Republicans, the watch all parts) priests, the numerous others who would consider not and you deserve only gay marriage to be done and dusted, out the to have some window and with the bathwater etc, but also that, if serious DCFS people are stupid enough to have this sort of intense intervention goin religious morality rule imposed on them, the LGBT on. community are going to stop too. Because you told them so.
{Side Note}

Really, the arguments that are thin and frankly bullshit against people claiming two people in love cant wed or do whatever (also, receive equal benefits and serve in the military score one for us now) are ludicrous. The people putting them forward are not only ignorant (having not placed themselves in the but what if it was you situation at all) but also havent taken a look at their favourite (speaking from the Republican Party perspective now) best friend Mitt. Good ol Mormon Mitt. Most people know Mormons are polygamists (because it was featured on the TV show Big Love and everyone watches TV unless you happen to be Amish) and as such, also depicted on Bill Paxtons aforementioned show, wholeheartedly enjoy more than one wife. I find this a bigger spitting-in-the-face-of-the-system offence that places narrowly above Kim Kardashians wedding which was a vile and repulsive flaunt-in-the-face-of-the-oppressed display worth projectile vomiting and

throwing bricks through windows over. Not that I did either of these, and neither should you (legal disclaimer; youve been told). On the note of Romney romping with the ladies (definite plural), while he might only have one wife (wait, what?) he is another family man. I have no problem with these family men/women however these are the worst when it comes to religious belief and values. Mitt Romney is a family man, says his son (check the video, Will the real Mitt Romney please stand up, and yes its an Eminem parody), of course as he has this son on tape as evidence, but this subspecies of politician are the main offenders, the prime suspects in decrying the immorality of homosexuality. Why? (these points are to be utilised by you to form and create your own theories and what-not) Because, the colloquial notion amongst this breed stipulates that gays are paedophiles, are a bad influence and are actively trying to recruit our children, all of which is bullshit. At last glance, most child sex offenders are preying on young girls as opposed to the gay alternative. The gay alternative is also praying to the opposite sex, particularly Cher but also Madonna, Gaga and anyone else with a single showbiz name. Indeed, the contemporary media pushes against this wall of wickedness, defying the haters with shows such as Modern Family (not only are gays main characters but they also adopted!), Greys Anatomy (the lesbians had a baby. God, no!), Glee (more than you can shake a stick at, and you would being a Republican), and, even The Rachel Maddow Show (its in the name). All of these shows, particularly Glee who covered gay bullying as a critical centre point in the second series, reflect a sense of equality, that viewers want to watch something or someone they can relate to. This is how television works. It also helps that Obama watches Modern Family and Glee, besides being a good man with taste, he also ... well I wont give you three-five chapters on how splendidly well Obama has done in regards to civil rights legislation for the LGBT community. Will a member of the GOP, the fat old Elephant (not to be confused with Newt Gingrich), ever publicly state that any of these shows, and a plethora of others like them, are included within their familys staple viewing? Probably not. CSPAN, the game, (of any American sport), and Bill OReilly is all youre going to get, Id say. To conclude: There are some good Republicans out there (our mate Roy) and there are indeed some quite horrific members of the Grand Old Party. What defines a common hatred for them is their undying desire to pervade our lives and fillet them with their own pious sense of morality. Roy didnt do this. And this is why we like Roy. You may still have questions as to the motivations behind the Republican assailment of homosexuality and the abortion issue, and thats totally fair to suggest. Even I have questions as to why their conscience (if it exists within them) hasnt kicked in yet and said, fuck it, were doing the right thing. And this is why we like Roy.

The fact of the matter is, the general population of todays youth, one of many tangent points I made earlier, are against the ideals proposed by the Republicans. This is aided, in some part I think, by people knowing people who the Republicans like to arbitrarily target for social assassination, stemming to the point of gay best friends and any good friend will not let the bullying people on Capitol Hill or even, god forbid, the White House, subvert the conscious belief that gays are alright. They will stand by their friends or become brainwashed by the new MKULTRA, either one is possible but we hope for the former. What is considered personal moral stance and what is party policy have now, in my eyes, become blended, thrashed around by the rabid dog of religion and thus permeated into the wider population as a poison. A persuasive poison it seems. Like our Mormon friends and what have you, all we can do now is pray. Pray that none of the Republicans ever set foot across the Oval Office threshold while were alive to see it.

Stuart Jefferies Liberalism @ Eleven Thursday, 22 March 2012 1:21pm