Keith Olbermann--some love him, some hate him--is a straight ally and spoke movingly tonight about his take on what Prop 8 is really about. I'm guessing it's from tonight's show on MSNBC.
I'd love to know your thoughts: is this really worth passing on? Will this reach anyone who isn't already on the side of equality? Does he seem sincere or melodramatic?
(Click through for the transcript.)
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I have followed Keith for a while on a number of issues. He can VERY melodramatic as seen on SNL recently with Ben Affleck's hysterical impersonation. But he does seem very sincere here. I am so glad that people are really stepping up to the plate on this issue in very visible ways. The argument is moving fully to a central theme in social justice like it never has before. The odds are on the side of reason. Thank God.
ReplyDeleteJohn
I have watched Keith comment on various issues through the years. He does seem sincere here. And Lord knows he can go off on a tangent as seen on SNL with Ben Affleck's hysterical impersonation. I am glad that people like him in the media and on radio are coming in droves to comment on the negative impact of discrimination and lobbying from the pulpit. Dare I use the word "emboldened" to describe the recent actions of the Mormon Church? Who is it that has its own militia and is now flexing its influence and preying on the fears of the religious? What we have here is an opportunity for dialoguing around what it really means to be a global citizen. If we choose not to be inclusive and choose to cowardly marginalize those who are different than we are, how is it that we are serving our faith in what is good and what is just? At least now the issue is on the table at a national level perhaps as never before because a religious body has crossed the line. Are we advocating to take basic human rights away from the Mormon's? Do gay people burn churches or punch people out in alleys because they are straight? We are better than that and it frustrates them to no end. The law is the law. And Constitutional law is the law of the land.
ReplyDeleteI heart Keith - always have. I like that someone in the media is so strongly opinionated that it comes through on the air - even if he is a tad melodramatic - because it gets people to think. No one gets anywhere keeping their mouth shut and not speaking their mind in an effort to make change.. I hope I'm making sense... and I feel lucky someone so well spoken is rallying for equality, and GETS it.
ReplyDeleteI think it's worth passing on. I was thinking about the melodramatic question and I think it's more that people don't usually talk about love and/or the heart when talking about questions of politics. However, when it comes right down to it, I think questions of civil rights DO link to questions of the heart. I absolutely think there are some people who will not shift unless mandated by law to do so, but I also believe there are people who can be influenced by speaking to different motivations than referring to the Constitution. Because really, if the Constitution didn't have anything to say about it, Prop 8 would STILL be wrong.
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