Friday, May 26, 2006
There's been a great deal of subtle and not so subtle dialogue going on about same-sex marriage and gay right issues, particularly among the religious right factions in this country, and most of it has been ugly. I have to wonder how people who profess that we are all made in God's image can be oblivious of the fact that gays are people too. I don't intend to get into that kettle of worms.
I am neither religious or gay, but as I approach my 80th birthday I can look back on a lot of baggage I have dragged along the way, not the least of which are preconceived notions that now seem naive and spawned in ignorance. If I've learned anything at all, its how little I really know. I submit that I have plenty of company. There is one thing I do know and that is that gay people have made great contributions to this country and for the most part are creative and productive citizens. They are also among the most law abiding.
On this Veterans holiday I am reminded of a childhood friend named Bill, who at the age of 18 volunteered for duty as an infantryman in World War Two and was badly wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. Neither I nor any of Bill's other friends knew it at the time, but Bill was gay. He left part of himself in the killing fields of Europe, and in later life he never once regretted his sacrifice in what he believed to be a just cause.
I find it hard to reconcile the vicious anti-gay rhetoric with the memory of an 18 year old kid who put it on the line for his countrymen, all too many of whom, at that time, shared the same mindless bigotry that exists to this day. So much for the learning curve.
George Morin
Auburn, GA
I am neither religious or gay, but as I approach my 80th birthday I can look back on a lot of baggage I have dragged along the way, not the least of which are preconceived notions that now seem naive and spawned in ignorance. If I've learned anything at all, its how little I really know. I submit that I have plenty of company. There is one thing I do know and that is that gay people have made great contributions to this country and for the most part are creative and productive citizens. They are also among the most law abiding.
On this Veterans holiday I am reminded of a childhood friend named Bill, who at the age of 18 volunteered for duty as an infantryman in World War Two and was badly wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. Neither I nor any of Bill's other friends knew it at the time, but Bill was gay. He left part of himself in the killing fields of Europe, and in later life he never once regretted his sacrifice in what he believed to be a just cause.
I find it hard to reconcile the vicious anti-gay rhetoric with the memory of an 18 year old kid who put it on the line for his countrymen, all too many of whom, at that time, shared the same mindless bigotry that exists to this day. So much for the learning curve.
George Morin
Auburn, GA
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Hi George
I came across your blog and like what you have to say. I know you like Cal Thomas, but, quite frankly, I think you are better. I am ex-usn gone native in London, UK. You think the democrats are loony- you should see the trail of chaos Tony Blair's new labour have splashed down to the local government level.
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I came across your blog and like what you have to say. I know you like Cal Thomas, but, quite frankly, I think you are better. I am ex-usn gone native in London, UK. You think the democrats are loony- you should see the trail of chaos Tony Blair's new labour have splashed down to the local government level.
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