Wow, things really are not going well for Britney. Just like the writer of Fox News that wrote this story, my knowledge of her is somewhat limited. Although I always did remember her being one major star that did say she supported George Bush back when the rest of Hollywood was dissing him.
However; it turns out after her major flawed performance at the MTV awards, she was just fired last night by her manager and she was also fired by her divorce attorney.
She is also at risk of losing custody of her kids to her ex-husband (who I understand isn’t exactly the most prominent and accomplished “man.”)
New album or no new album, she really needs to go away for awhile and clear her head. It’s very sad to see talented young women (Whitney included) get sidetracked and screwed up by horrible men. While all of it was self-inflicted, it’s hard to not feel some kind of sadness for her.
I absolutely love the opinions of our great commenters. Jennifer, Airforcewife, Shawmut, Devil Dog, V the K, etc….. I love the discussions we wind up having over these issues and honestly, I serve as a class-A ranter on issues that I find worthy of either ranting about or laughing at. So I appreciate the opportunity to share these thoughts with you and to enjoy the luxury of your feedback. The feedback that often times takes the issues to a deeper level of importance.
I have another friend – a good-hearted “libertarian” who absolutely hates the war in Iraq, dislikes the Bush administration, and even though he describes himself as a “libertarian” he seems to always err on the side of liberalism in our many – many debates and discussions.
Recently, he sent me the above video to provoke a discussion about flag-burning and its constitutionality. He knows I am against it and he claims to be “personally” against it as well but always manages to argue in its favor.
Most liberals use the old “freedom of speech” canard in defending issues like this. So here is my thoughts on flag-burning and using public podiums such as the White House (as enacted in the scene above) to carry it out.
First, I agree that theoretically it is an act of free speech or expression to burn a flag. But I also agree that it is theoretically an act of free speech and expression to insult someone in public, fondle yourself in public, etc. Theory and actual law never seem to mesh well together and whenever laws are created to protect the citizens of this country from overly-hostile “constitutional” behavior, it creates an opportunity to find camaraderie and rapport among Americans. (Thus also explaining the utter failure of libertarianism.)
In the example I used with him, I asked him to imagine walking up to an elderly woman on the street, screaming in her face and telling her you detest her because she smells of nursing home and Ben-Gay. She starts to shake and cry because she is frightened and simultaneously wonders how someone can be that cruel. The offender in my opinion used his theoretical right to free speech in this matter. But because the Constitution also grants us the right to peace and civility (all people) we must have a system of laws to moderate between what is “just free” and what is “free and civil.” The laws that stem from the Constitution are made to protect the people. In the case of the old lady, she is the victim and has the right to peace and civility, therefore the offender could be subjected to a “disturbance of peace” arrest. He exercised his right to free speech under the Constitution but infringed on someone else’s Constitutional right to be protected by the law equally.
Liberals and libertarians blather on about rights as if they are the only thing that matter. It’s my freedom of speech and no matter who I hurt or who I harm in the process, the ultimate goal is to fully illustrate that right!
“Rights” in my opinion is also subjected to another infamous “r” word – one that liberals hate – “Responsibility.”
As Dr. Laura Schlessinger once said: “I need the acknowledgment from you that I have rights, but you need the acknowledgment from me that I have responsibilities – that’s the cycle.” We do have a responsibility to exercise a contribution to maintaining a civil level of expression in this country. You can say what you want, do what you want, but if you are going to be vulgar or offensive to where others’ peace of mind is at risk, you are subject to a fine or penalty.
Moreover; if someone wants to burn a flag in their own private home, that is fine. If someone wants to have a campfire in their private yard and throw in the U.S. flag, the Bible, and the Constitution that would be okay as well.
But when we use public podiums to do things like expose our genitals, verbally insult or hurt one person or group of people, or disgrace this country by burning the symbolism of what our men fought and died for generations ago to make some shallow point about something they disagree with, conformity to popular opinion on what is and what isn’t offensive is necessary. If not, you go to jail.
Taxpayers are not funding a person’s right to offensive-freedom. Keep it out of the White House and off of public streets. It’s the law and the majority of this country finds it offensive.
Welcome to our blog. We won't agree on everything, but that is part of the human experience and we welcome the civil debate.
It is believed that around 75% of conservatives in America are supportive of the gay conservative movement. Even among that number, there are many who ask, "why do you need to flaunt your sexual orientation? Why do you rub our faces in it?" The answer is that we're actually not flaunting anything.
It is important to us that conservatives understand that not all gay people are in lock-step with the liberal movement. We do think for ourselves. It is also important to us that other gay people who feel ostracized for their conservative politics have a safe place to discuss their views and get support from others who understand how difficult it is to be conservative in our community. We don't wish to rub in anyone else's faces anything that isn't shown to us by straight people, either. We live, we love, and we want to share our happiness with the world the same way you do. That's all.
Whether you are among the 75% who support us or among the 25% who are trying to run us out of the movement, we all believe in a number of similar values and we ask that you join us in stabilizing America for future generations. The rest is in the details, and that can be dealt with (in a civil manner) later.
Our Message to Liberals
Welcome to our site. You likely won't agree with us, but you are welcome nonetheless.
The most frequent comment we hear is, "how can you be gay and be politically conservative?!?" That is generally followed by every political slur in the liberal vernacular - idiot, moron, brainwashed, traitor, deviant, and the ever-popular "self-loathing closet case." If you have a comment along those lines, then with all the respect we can offer, please stow it. We've heard it quite enough. If you wish to comment, you are welcome to; it is our policy not to delete comments regardless of whether they agree or disagree with our beliefs. Threats and abuse, however, will not be tolerated. Those type of comments WILL be deleted.
As for the questions about how we can be gay and politically conservative, the answer is simple...such ideas make sense to us. Limited government, individual liberty and patriotism are all a part of our beliefs. Not all of the five contributors agree on every single issue, but for the most part we do agree and none of us is willing to come to a conclusion about any issue lightly. We do not allow our emotions to drive our beliefs; rather, we prefer to see all sides of an issue and think about it rationally before deciding where we stand.
If you are a fellow homosexual, please treat us the way you would wish to be treated. Do not speak to us in condescension or make claims that you refuse to provide solid links for (by solid, we mean non-op-ed news from a valid source). Be the source of tolerance that you demand from others.
steveflesher
Philip
Mel Maguire
Mark Ciavola
