Whatever your opinions on the Wikileaks release of thousands of documents, Rich Swier’s (Editor of Red County) accusation that homosexuality is somehow linked to the release is absurd. Here’s the specific text:
Once PVT Manning embraced the gay lifestyle he became deeply disturbed. His acceptance of the gay lifestyle and the friends he made both in and outside the military led him to what he is today – a traitor to his country.
In the comments section, Swier furthers:
Your comment is spot on. This young man should have had an FBI background check before he was given what appears to be a Top Secret clearance. His background and political activities should have been discovered.
What political activities is Swier talking about? The New York Times article he cites mentions no dangerous or traitorous political activities. Here is the relevant text from Ginger Thompson’s NYT article:
At school, Bradley Manning was clearly different from most of his peers. He preferred hacking computer games rather than playing them, former neighbors said. And they said he seemed opinionated beyond his years about politics, religion, and even about keeping religion out of politics.
In his Bible Belt hometown that he once mockingly wrote in an e-mail had “more pews than people,†Private Manning refused to recite the parts of the Pledge of Allegiance that referred to God or do homework assignments that involved the Scriptures. And if a teacher challenged his views, former classmates said, he was quick to push back.
Presumably, the ‘political activities’ Manning is engaging in, according to Swier, would be voicing his opinion on the separation of church and state. If it was up to Swier, the U.S. military would be the Army of God ready to denounce all who dare support such a separation (despite the intentions of our founding fathers).
All of this is a moot point, though, Swier is attempting to find a legitimate reason to block the repeal of DADT. In reality, there is no such reason other than his homophobia. If the most responsive military in the world, the Israeli Defense Forces, is able to successfully integrate gays, then why can’t America?
There is little doubt that Swier and many other conservatives against DADT are simply against gays. For example, here is another post of his on the ‘Progressive Gay Agenda’Â (Wingnuts love the word ‘agenda’):
Social matters belong in the hands of the people, not activist judges. [emphasis his, not mine]
The issue of special rights for gay and lesbian behaviors are a matter of broad social judgement, not imposition by judicial fiat. So who are those behind the gay agenda? Progressive Democrats and Republicans who have came to believe that being gay is not a choice, even though the science says otherwise. It is pushed by a vocal few in both parties who wrongly believe this behavior deserves some special recognition equal to that of blacks who have suffered past discrimination.
Needless to say, Swier provides no evidence for his assertion, simply declaring “science says otherwise,” as if science was some god decreeing a judgment. The reality is that there is no consensus on the cause of sexual orientation. Even if it was a choice, what role does the government have in administering the rules of the bedroom? What divine privileges have those like Swier been given that he can define what is ‘normal’ and what is ‘deviant.’ Using such language to characterize homosexuals is abhorrent; Nazis described homosexuals in a very similar way as the Religious Right does.
He also cites the Florida’s Man Up Report on HIV/AIDS to show that male gay sex is a significant cause. Admittedly, this is true, but how would banning gay marriage or keeping DADT stop the spread? Unless he literally wants government agents in the bedroom, Swier can’t stop it. In fact, the best way to minimize the spread is to teach safe-sex in the classrooms. Awareness will be key to stopping the spread not blaming it on one group as the study Swier cited points out:
Blaming individuals or groups, particularly men who have sex with men (MSM) and men who have sex with both women and men, has never been a successful way of encouraging greater involvement in HIV prevention and care. Instead, efforts should be made to encourage positive behaviors and responses. We should aim to build upon successful work and include as many men as possible in the global struggle against HIV/AIDS.
Swier ends his post in the most hilariously hypocritical way possible:
When the state becomes a vehicle for the imposition of morality we will have tyranny.
As the Republican Party and the Religious Right continue to cling together, I am reminded of Barry Goldwater’s words:
“When you say “radical right” today, I think of these moneymaking ventures by fellows like Pat Robertson and others who are trying to take the Republican Party away from the Republican Party, and make a religious organization out of it. If that ever happens, kiss politics goodbye.”
Not everyone at RC thinks in lockstep with that crap. I, for one, am embarrassed.
Thanks for chiming in Cynthia. You make a good point. Not all RC writers have this perspective.
Thank you, Cynthia. Possibly even more shocking than the article itself is that most of the RC commenters seem to agree with it!
I know there are many decent RC readers and writers who are not homophobic. Even some who are opposed to gay marriage and support DADT are reasonable enough to see that this article is horrible. I hope some of them will post comments.
Obviously Private Manning had a reason for doing what he did and sooner or later it will become public knowledge. One thing we can be certain of however, it will not be because he was straight, gay, black, white, male or female. Chances are it was a combination of immaturity, a feeling of false power from information at his disposal and person or persons who influenced his thinking. Manning now faces the worst of all nightmares, being labeled a “traitor” by his country and locked up with the key thrown away.
More than Manning, I would hold Wikileaks responsible and they deserve to be cut off at the knees. With the power of the U.S. Government and it’s technical experts, Wikileaks could have already been terminally disabled and the bank accounts of all persons affiliated with it made to disappear or be transferred to the Salvation Army. When they take the next step to the private sector and start compromising the profit margins of large Corporations, their folks might not be as benevolent as the American Government. For a price, their is not a problem anywhere in the world that cannot be fixed.
Wow, this Ltpar fellow is one rough tumbler, I tell you what.
I for one am grateful to Private Manning and WikiLeaks for the glimpses they’ve given the rest of America into the secret workings of our secretive government, whatever their motives were. And if his experience as a gay man in hostile environments contributed to his obvious independence of mind, then I’m grateful for that too.
Good article, Saad.
Vern, been called a lot of names in my time, even a few by gays I arrested, but “rough tumbler,” wasn’t one of them. Since you seem to have a fixation on the gay thing, did we ever meet at Kona Lanes in Costa Mesa back in the old days? If we did, you would have remembered me. I was the guy with long hair, beard and handcuffs. I believe the term refers to the rough appearance of “lesbian women,” so sorry, I don’t fit the bill.
In my experience, it is always easy for someone like yourself to sit on the sidelines and arm chair quarterback from the perspective of your political views. Liberals believe in disclosure and exposure, that is as long as it isn’t them being exposed. Conservatives are big secrecy nuts and want everything classified, down to the brand of toilet paper used in the Pentagon. I speak from a point of view based on my understanding of how the real world works. Again, I state, it matters not whether Manning is gay or straight and even what his motivation was at the time. The bottom line is that the kid made a huge mistake and will pay for it the rest of his life. That is a life wasted in my book. As far as the owner of Wikileaks, let’s just keep the book open and see how long he survives. He has made some powerful enemies across the globe and I suspect justice will be served in the not too distant future.
WikiLeaks and Manning have exposed the secrets of powerful figures from the left to the right, and my gratitude toward them has nothing to do with being part of a “liberal” team.
And “rough tumbler” was taken from South Park and meant to ridicule the macho way you fantasize about the assassination of people you disagree with.
you still watch that show Vern? How 1999 of you
Oh, but they had that NAMBLA episode; bet Art saw that one.
Vern, sorry big guy, I don’t fantasize about anything anymore, not even the Victoria Secret’s Angels.
Terminal accidents do have a way of happening however and denying them is like denying Wikileakes material.
Dan, South Park is probably the only show that that Vern can wrap his intellectual arms around.
Vern, you sure we never met at Kona Lanes? Your name seems to ring a bell with me for some reason.
No, actually I was only REMEMBERING an episode from around 1999, LOL
“With the power of the U.S. Government and it’s technical experts…” We are talking about the same “technical experts” that discovered the “existence” of the weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and lead us into a elongated war, right?
“(I)mmaturity, a feeling of false power from information at his disposal and person or persons who influenced his thinking.” Which perfectly explains the inspiration for passing the Patriot Act and FISA, the reckless domestic and foreign policies of the Bush Administration and their blind continuation under Obama. Manning might fit in well with that cabal according to your assessment.
“For a price, (there) is not a problem anywhere in the world that cannot be fixed.” Blackwater’s mission statement depending on your interpretation of the word “fixed.”
fuskeway, interesting how you managed to turn a non-political issue into a political one. By the way, how is that Pied Piper of Chicago change working out for you? Better hurry, cause it will all be gone with the next housecleaning in 2012.
Not sure how Blackwater got pulled into the conversation because they were and still are a private company never controlled by Bush or the American Government. I can tell you from experience that Blackwater was a good company doing a tough job that neither the government or the military was trained or had the manpower to do. In all of their contracts around the world, Blackwater has never lost a client. Now that doesn’t mean squat to a limp wrist like yourself, sitting on the sidelines and bitching when the going gets tough. Yep, Blackwater screwed up on the Iraq assignment, but the vast majority of others they got right. There are many State Department and other American VIP’s who were very happy Blackwater was protecting them. Until you have been there, don’t judge the actions of those who have.
“Now that doesn’t mean squat to a limp wrist like yourself”
Can you please refrain from the homophobic slurs? They simply don’t advance your argument. You seem like a very intelligent person otherwise, Lt, and frankly I dislike seeing you denigrate yourself with this language.