Things that give me RAGE
I didn't think it would be worth my time, but I find that I need to get something off my chest.
When the Miss California debacle first reared it's ugly head, I agreed with Perez Hilton's basic assumption; but not his caustic agenda. Miss California has the right to her opinion. However I do not feel that an opinion based on restriction instead of acceptance should be representative of the American people. We'll not touch the Victorian mindset behind the Miss America pageant at this moment in time.
The girl had integrity to stand up for what she believed in - good for her. But no amount of integrity can make up for the misguided principle which deny a group of people their basic civil liberties. And I am sick unto death of hearing people say, "oh, well I don't care one way or another when it comes to gay marriage." Yes. Yes you do.
You care because whoever YOU are, YOU belong to a group of people. Be that a group based on race, gender, religion, socio-economic status. And trust me YOU do not want someone else deciding what rights to deny YOU. Especially if the person in question (Miss California, et al) would never have to suffer/experience the consequences of that decision.
Women, would you want a man telling you that you cannot vote, drive, or walk around with your head uncovered?
Christian right, would you want Muslims dictating the parameters of your religious observances? People in an interracial relationship, would you like the government to decide your union was "evil" (1999 Miss America)? Hell fuck no. So you might want to reconsider that passive, waiting in the wings attitude, while another group of suppressed individuals dukes it out.
What really burns my patootie is the blind eye people turn to the rationalization behind the theory of restriction. Trying to forcibly subvert a nation of people to the rules and dogma of your religious group is not just a no-no it's the attempt to nationalization your own brand of prejudice. Don't get it twisted. We all have prejudices - I just don't make my neighbors vote on mine.
And using previously debunked junk science to back up your bigotry (this is the current Miss California's church) is just sad.