Why I understand the Log Cabin Republicans.

[LoZoccolo]

Let me preface this by saying that because I'm not gay, I probably don't completely know what I'm talking about. I'm just throwing out an idea. Maybe I'll find out that I'm so wrong.

Let me also preface this by qualifying my use of the word "understand". By "understand", I mean I know why they do what they do, not that I agree with what they do. Also, I'd like to say that by "understand", I mean I know why they do what they do, not that I agree with what they do.

This all having been said, I can see at least two angles that someone could hold and be a Log Cabin Republican:

1. Apathy. Perhaps there are rich gay and lesbian people who don't think they need partner benefits at work and what-not, and/or live in a state that would legalize gay marraige, and so gay and lesbian issues don't really make much of a difference to them as far as politics go.

2. Strategic. When you think about it, one way to get same-sex marraige off the table as a controversy is to neutralize the position of the party which opposes it, which can pretty much only be done within that party. Really, they have more power to legalize same-sex marraige than we do.

I worked with the Kerry booth at the Halsted Market Days in 2004 and we were put next to the Log Cabin Republicans. They left early and I would point that out to people on the street and laugh about it with them. So I'm not saying they're not still helping to wreck the country or something; they're still Republicans. But I guess I think that their stance can't be reduced to simple "self-loathing" or whatever.

I would like to add that by "understand", I mean I know why they do what they do, not that I agree with what they do.

:hide:

[unblock]

1. replace "strategic" with "denial"

strategic would make sense, but i've never heard of it from any log cabin republicans i know.

[trotsky]

2. Naw, it's just greed.

They've bought the "Republicans = lower taxes" myth.

Gay folks can be just as dumb as straight folks.

[ulysses]

14. that was going to be my post.

:thumbsup:

[onehandle]

16. Exactly right. nt

[Name removed]

3. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[BlooInBloo]

4. Why I understand black KKK members.....

Not that I agree with them - don't misunderstand me!

sigh.

[LoZoccolo]

5. The KKK is a one-issue organization.

The Republican Party is not. And there are prominent Republicans who favor same-sex marraige, such as the Republican nominee for governor in my state, Judy Baar-Topinka, and the former Republican governor, Jim Ryan. Your argument, if you were making one, doesn't make any sense.

[bliss_eternal]

6. Actually,

your's doesn't either... if you're making one.

[LoZoccolo]

7. Don't do this.

Make an argument, or don't. I am not swayed by annoyance. I have over six hundred people on my ignore list.

[BlooInBloo]

9. You're welcome to make it over 601....

... just sayin - I got no problem taking you up on your threat.

[LoZoccolo]

12. I wasn't talking to you, but done. n/t

[BlooInBloo]

18. Just wanted to make sure you never did again either :)

[bliss_eternal]

10. Good for you--

...nice to know the feature works for you. Wonder why you need that many people on ignore. :sarcasm:

Are you asking or telling me to do something? That looked vaguely like a command...

[LoZoccolo]

11. I was telling you.

There's no reason to go to every response and try to taunt me with snarky comments. I'm trying to have a serious discussion about how possibly a third of gay and lesbian voters think, and have no idea why you've taken to attacking me for it.

[bliss_eternal]

13. I don't see any attacks--

...funny that you do.

I've politely told you how others may construe your comments. I'm reminding you that this is a progressive board, where people may not be interested in how republicans think.

Oh and btw, unless you are part of the glbt community, you aren't in any position to tell anyone here how a third of them think. :crazy:

[LoZoccolo]

15. You are not making any attacks?

So you agree with me? I'm confused.

[bliss_eternal]

17. So because I disagree with you

it has to be construed as some sort of an attack? That doesn't make any sense.

I could care less about your log cabin republican statement. What I care about is you are trying to speak for a community of people that is already represented on this board. You seem to be making assumptions about people you know little about, which could be construed as presumptive, generalizing and stereotyping.

[LoZoccolo]

19. I've already responded to this.

Also, I find it patronizing that you think that they can't handle talking about things like this.

I presented my theory as possibly completely wrong, so whatever.

[bliss_eternal]

20. Excuse me...?

No one said anything about "them" not handling talking about anything. You haven't tried to engage anyone in conversation here. There are ways of doing that, and you have not done that.

You've laid out bigoted, generalized statements about a group of people. That is not trying to discuss an issue... that's putting people on the defensive.

[LoZoccolo]

21. Bigoted? What?

That's a strong word, and I'd like to see you back it up.

[senseandsensibility]

22. Well, I admit I know nothing about why gays would be

Republicans or vote for *. I think it is a confusing issue for most straight people. Mostly I just chalk it up as one of life's mysteries. Maybe there isn't any reason for it than can be communicated in a few sentences. People, whether gay or straight, do things that others can't comprehend. What do you think?

[bliss_eternal]

24. Exactly--

there are black republicans, asian republicans, poor republicans, women republicans,latino republicans, etc, etc. There are many people that I don't feel are represented by the agenda of the current neo-cons. But I don't think anyone here is in any position to speak for them.

We can guess, theorize, etc. to our heart's content, but bottom line--we don't know.

This guy's comments are really offensive to me as he's trying to speak for a community that is represented well on these boards. Instead of making sweeping statements and making assumptions about that community, why not go and ask them their opinions about it.

It's stuff like this that leads to anger and resentment in our community. It's just unnecessary.

[atommom]

8. I only know one rich gay couple, and they're Dems.

Can't speak for the Log Cabin Republicans. Or understand them either, for that matter. :shrug:

[tnlefty]

23. I mean I know why they do why they do what they do

Could you please give the rest of us a clue? If you Know, why are you speculating on points 1 and 2? Which one is it? Because I'm still stuck on damned greed. But if you truly "know" I'd like to share this knowledge.

[pinto]

25. If we removed all the personal sniping here,

there'd be no thread left. Locking seems a simpler approach.

Thanks for your consideration.