I am just naive enough that I always get a little shock when a prominent Republican suddenly comes out in favor of equal rights for gays just because he found out his kid is gay. I mean you either have convictions and you stick with them, or else you are just a jerk who thinks that it is okay to condemn other people’s kids to hell for being gay but that somehow it shouldn’t apply to your own kid. I guess it isn’t so easy when it is someone you have known all your life. Someone whom you consider to be a decent, kind, loving person.
But does this let him off the hook? I don’t think so. How come he had no trouble looking at those other people as something less than human? Why couldn’t he see that other gay people are often just as decent, kind and loving? And that those gay people are the sons and daughters of other good people?
This sort of sums up the trouble with many members of the Republican party as far as I am concerned. They have no empathy. They are so convinced that what they believe is the only thing that can possibly be right… all the way up until it impacts them or someone they care about. Then they feel no shame for changing their minds at all. They don’t even admit that their old views were wrong.
You know what? This doesn’t suddenly make you a better person. This makes you a jerk who is just looking for a loophole to squeeze your own family member through. And in a way, even though you will never say so, you are admitting that your old view was wrong.
Pouring My Art Out 
This is the sort of thing we see when people tow the party line without entirely understanding what it all means. Then reality rears it’s head, and suddenly they get it.
They get it when it happens inside their own house. Is that really getting it?
I guess, kinda. Then again, it would really be nice if our dear leaders could see problems coming “before” it hits them right between the eyes. I mean, exactly how much good is a leader who shouts, “there’s a problem!” when it’s already incredibly obvious to everyone else? “Gee thanks, bub. Without you pointing out the obvious, we’d all be lost.” Someone who has to have a problem in his own house before he senses a problem isn’t much good in my book.
Precisely.
When one of these guys does this, it always makes me feel sort of sad for their child in some way. I mean, geez, if Dad can change his mind that quickly, can he change it back again? Does he really mean it? Does it really not matter to him what I am? Does he really love me, or is he being politically expedient?
See, that is exactly what I mean.
On the bright side at least he came round in the end. Never to late to educate ourselves and others. I feel sorry for people being so blinkered throughout life who will never know the freedom that comes from an open mind and heart. But despite any political views he once held, the fact his love for his son won out is how many people learn and understand. If he had condemned his son then we really need to worry.
If you want to give him credit for that, you can.
They try, bless them.
You are a better man than I am, Gunga Din!
Too forgiving, then again I don’t know all the facts, if this guy had been preaching hatred before rather than being blissfully ignorant then that’s a different kettle of fish.
I don’t know where to draw that line, Joe.
Probably shouldn’t, there isn’t really any excuse for being ignorant either.
That is sort of what I think.
See, you completely turned my opinions round in a few comments, time for you to sign up for politics.
Perish the thought. Although I will rule the world if you all decide to put me in charge.
It’s done. Your inauguration is at 2pm
Yay. I will rule with wisdom and… stuff.
I would hope it’s because the politician suddenly became more enlightened, but I highly doubt it.
If only empathy could be leaned.
According to scientific research, conservatives do have empathy, but its range is much more more limited. So that behavior doesn’t surprise me at all.
Ha!
Thank you for saying this! I had similar thoughts when I read about it.
Thank you.
Good title pun.
I was hoping people would get that.
Sorry, link not working. Just type in “GOP Senator Now Supports Gay Marriage After Son Comes Out” if you’re interested
I didn’t go into as much detail as I could have. I was just venting a little. Thanks for the info.
I entirely agree with you. I don’t think it’s that commendable. I see it as sad that he needs it to happen to him to actually understand that gay people are just like everyone else. If you have free time, you might be interested in this TYT video I saw the other day about the subject.
Ah, wrong vid. This is the one: