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Opposing Equal Rights To Send A Message To The Middle East

Posted by Ampersand | July 20th, 2006

A new addition to the list of the stupidest arguments against marriage equality. From the New York Times article on the House of Reps debate over same-sex marriage:

Another Georgia Republican, Representative Phil Gingrey, said support for traditional marriage “is perhaps the best message we can give to the Middle East and all the trouble they’re having over there right now.”

I’m trying to imagine what would have to be going through someone’s mind to make “we should ban same-sex marriage to send a message to the Middle East” seem like an even remotely rational argument.

Was he thinking that if there’s anything wrong with the middle east, it’s that the culture there is too accommodating of homosexuals, and so we must set a good example by not accommodating our local queers? Was he thinking that the reason people kidnap Israeli soldiers is because lesbians and gays in Massachusetts are getting married, and so we should therefore attempt to placate them by assuring them we hate gays, too? Was he too high on crack to be thinking anything at all? It’s a mystery.

UPDATE: By the way, this is far from being the most repulsive, bigoted, anti-queer statement to come out of an elected Republican this week.

[Cross-posted on Creative Destruction, where the moderation is lighter.]

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11 Responses to “Opposing Equal Rights To Send A Message To The Middle East”

  1. Sailorman Writes:
    July 20th, 2006 at 12:44 pm

    It’s not just an idiotic comment on marriage.

    It’s also a slap in the face to the Middle East:

    “Oh, sure, you have trouble over there–terrorism, some random wars here and there. Terrible thing, those restless natives. Dont’ know what’s good for them. Pass the port, would you, old chap? That’s a boy…. Anyway, we’ve got a surprise for you! Just the thing you’ve been asking for!”

    “A diplomat with a clue? A foreign policy that makes sense? A reduction in killing civilians? A new ty-”

    “BETTER! We’re going to ban gay marriage in our own country as a show of support! Great idea, isn’t it? I thought of it myself!” (preens his coattails)

    *shocked silence*

    “Ahh, too happy for words, is that it? I expected this result. Well, pass the port, would you, old chap? Where was I? Oh yes, I was telling you about the time Thatcher asked me for a shoulder massage right in the middle of a G8 summit….”

    The best “message” we could send regarding that idiot is to vote him out of office. Now THAT might help the Middle East.

    Sigh. Are we really a representative government?

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  2. Robert Writes:
    July 20th, 2006 at 12:52 pm

    I suspect that he’s thinking a show of cultural solidarity - “both of our cultures believe marriage is between men and women only” - might be helpful.

    It’s a dumb reason to oppose gay marriage, but the underlying point isn’t stupid.

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  3. Anne Writes:
    July 20th, 2006 at 2:35 pm

    Yeah, it’s incredibly helpful.

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  4. The Happy Feminist Writes:
    July 20th, 2006 at 4:05 pm

    No, I think that the statement is predicated on the assumption that permitting gay marriage will lead to the decline and weakening of our “culture” / “civilization” / country, a prospect that is sure to delight our enemies in the Middle East. Therefore, banning same-sex marriage will show our enemies that we will remain strong.

    Twisted, I know. But I’ll bet you that’s the reasoning.

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  5. feminist blogs Writes:
    July 21st, 2006 at 5:32 am

    on the House of Reps debate over same-sex marriage: Another Georgia Republican, Representative Phil Gingrey, said support for traditional marriage “is perhaps the best message we can give to the Middle East and all the trouble they’re […] Continue reading at Alas, a blog … posted 3:25 pm at Alas, a blog

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  6. Pictures taken from a speeding car Writes:
    July 21st, 2006 at 7:00 am

    Read more

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  7. Liberum Arbitrium Writes:
    July 21st, 2006 at 1:22 pm

    which engage in homosexual behavior from dolphins and penguins to octopuses and butterflies. This is just more dehumanization of same-sex couples. All in all, the choice argument is as rational as arguing we should ban gay marriage to ’send a message’ of some sort to the people of the Middle East.

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  8. RonF Writes:
    July 22nd, 2006 at 7:56 am

    Actually, I have read a number of comments from Christian leaders in Moslem areas who say that Moslem extremists are publicizing tolerance of same-sex sexual activity and marriage by various Christian sects and American society as proof that we are unholy and corrupt and therefore need to be killed. We’re not talking about Pat Robertson right-wing Protestant types, either, but leaders in the Anglican Church (of which the Episcopal Church is the local franchise).

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  9. Pandagon Writes:
    July 22nd, 2006 at 10:22 pm

    At this point in time, I think that wingnuts have convinced themselves that gay marriage is the cause of all the world’s evils. Another Georgia Republican, Representative Phil Gingrey, said support for traditional marriage “is perhaps the best message we can give to the Middle East and all the trouble they’re having over there right now.”

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  10. Rainbow's Ramblings Writes:
    August 24th, 2006 at 3:43 am

    me ridiculously happy when I actually have time to enjoy it. current mood: [IMG ] cheerful current music: Overture to Candide ~~ NUS Wind Symphony (3 comments | comment on this) 4:02 pm - Links, links and more links, what I’m reading today Opposing Equal Rights to Send a Message to the Middle East

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  11. FrankC Writes:
    February 10th, 2008 at 6:53 pm

    I wonder if Gingrey is aware that under Islam it is permissible for a Moslem man to marry up to 4 women (Is that traditional under Christianity?) I guess it must be so if Gingrey wants to use that as a “device” for mutual peace!?? I guess the Rep is okay with Mormon polygamy!

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