I have Charles Johnson’s blog, Little Green Footballs, in my newsfeed (look right) so that it is easy for me to keep an eye on his coverage of Creationism and Intelligent Design. As it happens, I have original correspondence and drafts supporting his recent denunciation of Melanie Phillips’ column in favor of Intelligent Design, which truly is re-branded religion, but he won’t have anything to do with me, which I assume is because it was my father’s work that was appropriated and distorted to start the Intelligent Design bushwa in the first place in spite of his explicit opposition. (My father is Hubert P. Yockey, for more info see the blog I started for him at www.hubertpyockey.com.) Oh, well, Charles, my door is open if you ever want to talk.
However, because I keep an eye on Charles and LGF, I found out about Joe the Plumber weighing in on the controversy on gay marriage this week in a post titled “Joe the Plumber speaks out against ‘Queers.’ “ Joe said:
I’ve had some friends that are actually homosexual. And, I mean, they know where I stand, and they know that I wouldn’t have them anywhere near my children. But at the same time, they’re people, and they’re going to do their thing.
I boldfaced the “area of concern,” as Rachel Lucas would say.
When I met Joe at CPAC, he was very kind and told me he enjoyed the remarks I made at the first Conservatism 2.0 meeting. His publisher’s booth was near Blogger’s Row and when I stopped to buy his book, Joe remembered me and made a point of searching out a copy he had not yet signed so he could do a special autograph for me. I do love the man and his do-right character. He is working hard to educate himself on the issues, which I respect. I am shocked that more hasn’t been done by the Republican Party and/or conservative organizations to bring him on board in a salaried position and get him up to speed. I think he has the potential to be an asset for the long haul.
I believe one day, because Joe is a “do right” man with an intelligent mind and a warm, valiant heart, he will see lesbians and gays as individuals when he is deciding whether we are suitable company for his children and make his decision on the basis of each individual’s character. Perhaps Joe will be like the TV character Andy Sipowicz from NYPD Blue, who was worried about letting his squad’s administrative assistant, whom he called “Gay John,” babysit for his young son. He asked around the squad and got good character references for John, and then did allow him to babysit because AS AN INDIVIDUAL, John was a good man who would never harm a child.
In real life, lesbians and gays may actually be better to children than straight people. We set up organizations to help teens who are homeless because their parents threw them out when they found out they were gay. We also adopt the children straight people have thrown away. We work for the right to adopt because the joys and challenges of raising children enrich one’s life. (I notice some religions seem to encourage their members to adopt in an effort to increase their numbers and their church’s power and wealth. However, there is no corollary motive for gays — we do not adopt for the purpose of increasing the numbers and power of the gay rights movement. ) Also, when we have life partners who have children, when we can be their children’s adoptive parents then the children have more security for life because they have another parent legally committed to them. And also, then we can pick the children up from school, manage their medical care and transport the children without risking being detained by police until our status in their life can be determined.
So, Joe, one day I hope you know enough about life, about people and about lesbians and gays to make decisions on us as individuals. However, until then, it’s over between you and me.
Update: I am so grateful to find this comment about Joe the Plumber’s anti-gay remark from Roger Simon, founder of Pajamas Media.
If we are to trust homosexual activists, why do we have to ignore things like this?
James Rennie, chief executive of a publicly-funded gay rights group, was one of the men exposed yesterday as members of Scotland’s biggest paedophile ring.
The homosexual identity is extremely wrapped up in a philosophy solely based on sex. People define their entire being on sex. We look upon straight people who behave that way as nuts and troubled.
That’s just the way it is.
I think that contributes to these episodes. It’s all about sex. That’s kinda weird, doncha think?
Rev. Dr. E. Buzz Miller:
Homosexuality is not a philosophy, period.
Homosexuals do not “define their entire being on sex” any more than straight people do. However, I do notice that straight people are completely unaware of how their own sexuality is expressed every moment — they are only aware of sexuality being expressed when there is a contrast. For example, if you introduce me to your husband, wife or child, you have just thrust an aspect of your sexuality in my face. But I doubt you think of it that way — but if I were to speak of my late life partner, I expect you might say I was pushing my sexual orientation on you.
I do not know if pedophilia is any more prevalent in the gay community than in the straight community. Only pedophiles condone pedophilia. The homosexual community does not condone pedophilia.
Cynthia
I used to frequent LGF a lot more than I do now. I am not up to speed on the ID/creationism issues. Their is a chat room on my blog that is mostly full of LGF people. Maybe try to start a conversation there. I am sure they would like to hear about your dad. Joe the Plumber has lost his shine with me over many issues. I can just add this to one of them. I am not really for the GOP bringing him on board because he still needs to be watched and vetted.
Afrocity,
Thanks for the heads-up on your blog chat room. I’ll have to come by and visit!
My perception of Joe the Plumber is that he has a wonderful heart and soul. He is working hard to get up-to-speed on the intellectual foundation of conservatism. Those are all excellent qualities. If I were in a position of power in the conservative world, there are a couple of things I would do for him. First, I’d try to introduce him to as many gays and lesbians as I could until he starts to see us as individuals and connects with the fact that we deserve to be full citizens in the U.S. with equal rights, including same-sex marriage. Second, I would find him a place where he could develop and make the contribution that he has to give. Fame was thrust upon him, so to denounce him for not being ready for it is cruel.
There are a lot of conservatives and independents who identify with Joe the Plumber. If we use him and then cast him aside, they are likely to conclude that conservatives will only use them and cast them aside, too. This would make them hopeless about what conservatism could do for them and cynical about conservatives. I think showing some loyalty to Joe the Plumber will pay off handsomely by giving millions of people a practical example of how conservatism works to help people succeed as individuals in a capitalist society. People need concrete examples like that to feel the optimism about their own chances that is the driving force of a capitalist economy. Hope does win elections. The difference between Obama’s hope and the hope of conservatism is that ours is real. If we can show a dramatic transformation for the better for Joe the Plumber for the 2012 election, I think a lot of people will be inspired by how conservatism will provide them with the tools they need to create their own success.
Cynthia
My forbidden love with Joe the Plumber is OVER
Thanks for sharing