Stewart Grills Huckabee On Gay Marriage: ‘At What Age Did You Choose Not To Be Gay?’»

[babylonsister]

This was really great; I encourage anyone who didn't see this to go to the link and watch.


http://thinkprogress.org/2008/12/10/stewart-grills-huckabee/

Stewart Grills Huckabee On Gay Marriage: ‘At What Age Did You Choose Not To Be Gay?’»

For over seven minutes last night, Jon Stewart grilled former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee on his opposition to gay marriage. Huckabee is touring the country to promote his new book, “Do The Right Thing.” When Stewart compared gay marriage bans to interracial marriage bans, Huckabee restated his view that homosexuality is simply a behavior choice:

STEWART: Segregation used to be the law until the courts intervened.

HUCK: There’s a big difference between a person being black and a person practicing a lifestyle and engaging in a marital relationship.

STEWART: Okay, actually this is helpful because it gets to the crux of it. … And I’ll tell you this: Religion is far more of a choice than homosexuality. And the protections that we have for religion — we protect religion. And talk about a lifestyle choice — that is absolutely a choice. Gay people don’t choose to be gay. At what age did you choose to not be gay?

Huckabee tried to insist that “60 percent of the American population” opposes gay marriage. Stewart interrupted him, calling it a “travesty” that gay Americans have to plead for their civil rights:

HUCKABEE: If the American people are not convinced that we should overturn the definition of marriage, then I would say that those who support the idea of same-sex marriage have a lot of work to do to convince the rest of us. And as I said, 60 percent of the American population has made the decision–

STEWART: You know, you talk about the pro-life movement being one of the great shames of our nation. I think if you want number two, I think it’s that: It’s a travesty that people have forced someone who is gay to have to make their case that they deserve the same basic rights as someone else.

Watch the whole interview at link~

It is true that 30 states have banned gay marriage. However, Huckabee — like other conservatives who make similar claims — is wrong to suggest that American public opinion is on his side. A recent poll found that a full 75 percent of Americans favor either gay marriage or civil unions, with nearly 50 percent favoring gay marriage itself. More importantly, the next generation is much more open to gay rights: According to CNN exit polls, an overwhelming majority — 67 percent — of 18-29 year-olds voted against stripping gay couples of their right to marry in California.

[louis-t]

1. Thanks for the transcript.

When Hucklebuck came on, I had to turn it off. I'm sick of looking at repugs. I'm glad Stewart let him have it. I now wish I would have watched.

[LibDemAlways]

2. Anyone who repeats the ridiculous claim that

gay people choose their sexuality ought to be immediately challenged using Stewart's line. "When did you choose not to be gay?" Concise and effective. There's no comeback, and it provides lots of food for thought. Excellent.

[onenote]

5. I also like challenging them with the question, "why did you choose not to be gay"?

In some ways its a better question than the "when" question because the answer almost invariably is along the lines of "I am not attracted to people of the same sex", to which the appropriate response is, "are you not attracted to them or did you choose not to be attracted to them"? That question usually ends the conversation.

[kimmylavin]

3. God, I love Jon Stewart.

Religion is a more of a lifestyle choice... brilliant.

[onenote]

4. the other question is to ask why he thinks someone like Mary Cheney chose to be gay?

Why would she make that choice? In order to have fewer benefits? To be reviled by people like Huckabee? Why?

[Sebastian Doyle]

9. Just to piss off her dad?

Not that I believe you can "choose" to be gay. But if Dick Cheney was my father, I might be tempted to let him think that. :rofl:

[lunatica]

6. After two failed marriages I tried to choose to be gay

but it didn't work. Bummed me out.... It's just not fair dammit! I keep hearing how you can choose!!!!!

:wtf:

[NoQuarter]

7. That's a good one!

:rofl:

[formercia]

8. Their clock is running out

"67 percent — of 18-29 year-olds voted against stripping gay couples of their right to marry in California."

Once the old bigots are gone, their cause is lost.

[gkhouston]

10. The other excellent zinger in this interview was about Huckabee's views on "smaller" government.

Like most conservatives, Huckabee appears to favor the idea of smaller government when that means social programs but not defense. Stewart countered with something like, "so, you trust your government with tanks and guns but you don't trust them to hand out cheese to the poor." Pow!

[lame54]

24. he said "tanks and nuclear weapons"

[moc]

11. I am in awe of Jon Stewart. I watched this last night, and I was

once again awed by Jon's brilliance, humanity, and compassion. He is a treasure.

[malaise]

12. We watched live

It was beautiful.

[Mnemosyne]

13. I gave him a standing ovation! My kitties did too!

Truly a thing of beauty to watch. :)

[spooky3]

14. kudos to Jon

Like everyone else, I sometimes disagree with him, and sometimes find his writers' work sophomoric, etc., etc., but I think he has done as much or more to change people's minds about political issues as any other public figure. He's a brilliant man.

[TheKentuckian]

15. Stewart deserves real credit for what little strides

we are making in reversing Reagan.

Sounds crazy for a comedian with a fake news show but its the truth.

[NNN0LHI]

16. Everyone should watch this

[Ohio Joe]

17. Well then 60% of the population are asshats.

What a dumbass argument. These people piss me off to no end. Ignorant fucktards. Why is civil rights for everyone such a hard concept for them.

[Shallah Kali]

18. This is why I admire Jon Stewart

and have had a crush on him for years :blush:

[mondo joe]

19. I admire his ability to challenge assholes while still being welcoming and kind.

I don't have that ability.

[Shallah Kali]

21. Yes he can confront jerks without being a jerk himself - and be funny about it as well

My own reaction is revulsion and trying to avoid them like the plague.

[mondo joe]

22. I have two speeds, and can be the nicest most patient guy ever wth the longest fuse

you can imagine, or I can be a sharp tongue critic. But I can't do that Jon Stewart thing.

And to tell the truth I don't think I want to.

[ColbertWatcher]

20. What Stewart did to Fuckabee's excuses was amazing. Dr. Colbert would be proud. n/t

[NNN0LHI]

23. kick