THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD
(apologies to Keith Olbermann)
Richard Mack
HIGHLAND, Utah - Billed as a call for an uprising, opponents of same-sex marriage gathered for a meeting in Highland on Saturday. Former Graham County, Ariz., Sheriff Richard Mack spoke about issues concerning the U.S. Constitution, including same-sex marriage. Mack says that since it appears that Herbert and other elected leaders have failed at their jobs, it’s up to law enforcement and everyday citizens to deny same-sex marriage…. “The people of Utah have rights, too, not just the homosexuals. The homosexuals are shoving their agenda down our throats,” Mack said.
Man, when will people learn not to use the “shoving their agenda down our throats” analogy when talking about sexuality-related issues? Damn….
It’s growing rather tiresome to pull out the usual comebacks when it comes to a troglodyte like Mack. You know; “If you don’t believe in same-sex marriage, then don’t marry someone of the same sex,” or “If your marriage is threatened by someone else’s, you’re in more trouble than you’re willing to admit.” Still, a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do. I’ll give Mack’s argument, on a scale of 1-10, rates a 3 on the originality scale…if only because most of the arguments against same-sex marriage are so predictably based on hatred, fear, and bigotry.
What Would Jesus Do? I have no idea, but Richard Mack seems to have a direct hotline to the Almighty and appears to think he’s been divinely blessed in his efforts to force his agenda upon others. Come to think of it, isn’t that exactly what he’s accusing Teh Gayz of doing?
What’s even more frightening is that Mack, who as a sheriff is charged with enforcing the law, seems not to understand how the law works:
Mack says that the federal government’s ruling doesn’t overrule Utah’s laws.
“That’s a lie. That’s an absolute lie. We have a right to raise our kids without homosexuals being part of the Boy Scouts, the schools and teachers and doing everything. They can be all that, but don’t shove your agenda down my kid’s throat. We have a right to raise our kids how we want not how you want,” Mack said.
Uh…Dick? You might want to dial the faux outrage back a bit, because federal law DOES in fact supersede Utah law…and every other state. Even more important, sheriffs generally don’t get to pick and choose which laws they’ll enforce. And I find myself wondering what Mack is so afraid of? Is he somehow insecure enough about his masculinity and/or sexuality that he would repress what he fears? Is it the “ice factor.” I almost feel sorry for the guy; carrying around that much rage and hatred has go to be toxic.
Honestly, all the Sturm un Drang impresses me as the impotent bleatings of bigots who at some level know they’re on the wrong side of history. Mack isn’t the only “Christian” fixated on same-sex marriage. Some of the protests are actually rather humorous. For example, Trestin Meacham is in the midst of a hunger strike in a(n) misguided effort to stop same-sex marriage in Utah. I’m not sure what he’s thinking he’ll accomplish or who’s going to cave in, but human rights are allocated or determined based on hunger strikes.
Hey, if someone wants to starve themselves in support of hatred and bigotry and a warped distortion of Christianity…well, how about we just let him starve. It’s a free country, and he’s made his choice. Why should I or anyone else advocate for forcibly feeding someone who’s taking a stand in favor of his twisted version of “Christian values?” If he wants to risk his health or life in the service of homophobia, let him. History isn’t on his side.
I’ve probably said this a thousand times, and I suspect I’ll write it a thousand more: If you oppose gay marriage, don’t marry someone of the same sex. Your choice. Your rules. Your life. That’s where your authority ends, though. You don’t have the right to decide how someone else lives their life. You cannot exercise veto rights over whom and how someone chooses to love. Live your life as you see fit, but you don’t get to make that determination for others simply because you believe your religion allows you to. Believe or not, marriage is about far more than procreation, and the GLBT community shouldn’t be denied the rights and benefits of legal marriage out of ignorance, bigotry, and/or hatred.
If you think same-sex marriage is a threat to “traditional” marriage, you might want to take a long, hard look at your own marriage. If your marriage is threatened by someone who happens to define love and happiness differently, that’s on you.
In the meantime, how about exercising some of of that Christian love, charity and tolerance? You know; “Judge not lest….” Oh, never mind.
