The news has just come across the wires that Jack Murtha, former Marine DI and reserve officer and a three-decade-plus veteran of the US House of Representatives, died today as a result of complications of gallbladder surgery. He was 77 years old.
As I believe is only proper, any misgivings we may have about the man should be put aside for now. His family deserves our condolences and prayers. Please show respect during this time.
philip@redstategay.com
My parents taught me from a young age to pay attention to what's going on in the world around me and to really, genuinely care. I was raised in a very religious household; consequently, I learned early on that homosexuality was a big no-no. It took me a long time to accept the fact that I was gay. Everyone else knew it before I did! At first, I had to reconcile my orientation with my beliefs, and for a time I questioned those beliefs. But my politics haven't changed: I'm quite conservative and I refuse to apologize for it, even with the gay community openly calling me a deviant for my politics. Today, my parents and I don't necessarily agree on everything, but I dig and study every little thing before I make up my mind. I don't believe that feelings should be considered so heavily when deciding what your position is, and I've seen too many brilliant people dragged down by their emotional reactions. I try to make purely intellectual conclusions and to really be open-minded, even if I don't always succeed. I'm originally from Texas and currently working as a fraud investigator and an EMT in Arizona, hoping to eventually get back home (unless some amazing girl steals my heart here!). 
I would like to thank Steve, Mel, and Philip for having me as a contributor. I look forward to working with them in the effort to expose the fantasy-land in which the Left lives and exists! ;-)
I'm a 38 year old gay man. Prior to becoming politically aware I would have described myself as socialist. At the time, I didn't recognize my beliefs as socialist because I didn't pay enough attention to politics to know what that meant. It wasn't until after I started educating myself on politics that I realized socialism for what it was. I guess the Left didn't have enough time to get their grubby little hands on my mind before I became completely indoctrinated! Various events eventually forced me to educate myself. I was exposed to conservatism and classical liberalism. Our Founders built our system of government around protection of the individual over the collective. Since I was gay I initially believed this was contradictory to my orientation. I soon discovered that not only was that not the case but that retaining our constitutionally limited government as set forth by the Founders was necessary for my continued existence and freedom as a gay man that I enjoyed. The issue of gay marriage is a policy or civil issue; not a philosophical one. I'm also an avid proponent of Ayn Rand's Objectivist philosophy. I believe, having studied her philosophy at great length, Objectivism provides man his best opportunity at retaining his individual freedom and supporting that freedom through Objectivist governance as well.
proudgayconserv@aol.com
I remember being 17 years old, watching as the 1992 Presidential Election results rolled in. I was powerless to stop the election of the philandering Governor of Arkansas, William Jefferson Clinton. Little did I know that Bill Clinton would be the “best” Democratic U.S. President of the last 50 years.
The stark difference between liberalism and conservatism has been clear to me ever since. While conservatism isn’t fun and sexy, it is rooted in historical fact and the absence of ideology. In contrast, liberalism is very popular, especially among our nation’s youth. It is popular in large part because it deals in ideologically emotional headlines and buzzwords, with very little reality mixed in. The bottom line is that liberalism seeks to change the very fabric of our society, while conservatism realizes that our founding documents provide the necessary bedrock for American exceptionalism.
As a gay man, I find true conservatism to be the only way to protect the freedoms we enjoy today. Keeping government small, keeping it out of our lives and keeping it out of our wallet are the core conservative principles that allow me to be who I am, strive for success as an individual, and be part of the greatest country on this Earth, the United States of America.
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steveflesher
Philip
Mark Ciavola
God Bless his soul.
I wish his family comfort.
I second that.
I’ll wish comfort for those loved ones closest to him and that he didnt suffer, but his legacy will be the crap he said about our Marines in Haditha.
Oh, I ripped him a new one for that. And I agree, it will be his legacy.
One should not speak ill of the dead, as he did of the Soldiers and Marines who died to defend our country. His legacy will speak for itself.