Yesterday, the New Jersey’s Democrat governor Jim McGreevey announced that because he was gay, he was unfit for his position in office: Given the circumstances surrounding the affair and its likely impact upon my family and my ability to govern, I have decided the right course of action is to resign.
At least not exactly. The story here is that he has used his gay extramarital affair as the premier reason for his resignation. This particular smoke screen — coming from a gay Democrat (and we all know that Democrats are *ahem* the only ones who advocate for gays in our country *ahem* *ahem*) no less — is choice red meat for anti-gay GOP members whose core belief is that gays are not only unfit for office, but perhaps, unfit for everything else, including living. Yes, Virginia, they do exist, although they are dwindling in numbers as the years go by. This diversionary tactic at the expense of gays everywhere is designed to cover up the real reasons behind his unfitness for office. Fortunately, even a partisan magazine like National Review has produced a column criticizing him without using the words “gay” or “homosexual,” and purely on McGreevey’s corrupt dealings, on the demerits of his actions.
McGreevey’s words and actions have turned him into a much worse gay basher, setting back his diginity and that of gay people in office, than the caustic rhetoric of the most vocal of anti-gay bigots.
Related links where even more links can be found:
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[...] #8217;t Live There There being New Jersey so I feel no need to blog about New Jersey, politicians that live there, screw around with the gay boys there, and otherwise engage in [...]
Pingback by Mind of Mog » I Don’t Live There — Aug 15, 2004 @ 10:29 pm
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MCGREEVEY’S CORRUPTION IS THE PROBLEM
We told you so: The Galvin Opinion has commented before on McGreevey’s crooked deals. This article, below, details the shameful administration of this Democratic governor.
Trackback by The Galvin Opinion — Aug 13, 2004 @ 2:28 pm
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I still don’t see why his action’s would be called gay-bashing. Sure, he may be using his sexuality as a screen to cover up certain corruption within his administration, but it’s not like he’s attacking homosexuals.
In fact, a lot of people are calling him a hero for announcing he is gay…
Link. [Edited to add a hyperlink instead of a plain web address.]
Comment by Anthony — Aug 14, 2004 @ 2:04 am
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That you can acknowledge that he is using his homosexuality as a screen to cover up his corruption, and not see the negative effects of his sleight of hand, Anthony, astounds me.
Comment by OF Jay — Aug 14, 2004 @ 2:15 am
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OF, I’m taking this space toa answer your question about the tone of my piece over on Wizbang. Yeah, it was mostly tongue-in-cheek, but with a hint of seriousness. I agree with you that he’s damaging the gay cause. But speaking as a straight (but not narrow) man, I see the bigger picture; he’s TRYING to hide his scumbaggery behind his homosexuality. Unfortunately for him, we’ve gotten so comfortable with gayness that we can see past that and recognize him for the vermin he is. That’s what I see as the main issue behind McGreevey.
And let’s not forget that he didn’t stride boldly out of the closet. He was dragged, kicking and screaming, by the threat of exposure, then tried to pretend it was a “courageous decision.” I’d like to see him out of office NOW. Alas and alack, New Jersey’s innate political corruption will keep him in office long enough to forestall a special election and preserve the office for the Democrats.
J.
Comment by Jay Tea — Aug 14, 2004 @ 11:14 am
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My point is that despite any negative effects of his actions, what he is doing or has done doesn’t fall under the term “gay bashing”.
If he’s covering up corruption by coming out that isn’t gay bashing.
Comment by Anthony — Aug 14, 2004 @ 11:22 pm
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I suppose you’re right if you stuck to the classical sense of the term. Then again, he may not be pulling a Matthew Shepard on anyone, but he’s done far, far worse for gay people than any bigot out there and I consider that to be bashing anyway.
Is this going to be an axiomatic tussle?
Comment by OF Jay — Aug 14, 2004 @ 11:47 pm
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I Don’t Live There
There being New Jersey so I feel no need to blog about New Jersey, politicians that live there, screw around with the gay boys there, and otherwise engage in major scandals gay and otherwise. Nor do I blog about how to bypass the election to avoid said…
Trackback by Mind of Mog — Aug 15, 2004 @ 6:34 pm