How To Piss Off People You Thought You Knew Better

Well, there's the case of Rick Perry. You should know by now that he released a YouTube video called "Strong" the other day. It's a real mess:

I posted it on my Facebook wall, with this text, which I wrote while my blood pressure was rising:

Are you kidding me? What does serving in the military have to do with making the whole country observe a Christian holiday? There's nothing wrong with Christmas or Christians. But your sexuality has nothing to do with loving your country enough to protect it. If this jerk gets elected, we're in for a heap of trouble. And to those of you who love him, I'm sorry if you're offended by my opinion, but I'm offended by this man. Ignorant fool. 

Yeah, I know. I didn't write as clearly as I'd liked. Now, I have a good mix of liberal and conservative friends; Democrat and Republican. And naturally, there were some arguments in the comments, but most people agreed that Rick Perry is scary. 

Then I decided to post a Second City video, that was made in response to Perry's video:

Well, that didn't go over well. Only one of my friends commented that she was even more disgusted by this video than by Perry's, though another friend told me on the phone that it pained her to watch that video. (And before your panties get bunched entirely, let's note that Second City is a 50-years-running comedy troupe from Chicago.) 

And I'll just leave this here, too. (Spoiler: Homophobia is related to homosexual arousal.)

So, let's discuss this. Me first.

Let's point out three facts:

• This country is not 99.9% Christian. This country, while there are no official scientific measures, is comprised of approximately 78.4% Christian, 4.7% Other Religions (Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, etc.), 16.1% Unaffiliated, and .8% Unknown (to make the numbers all roundy and stuff). Source
• Gays have been in the military since the military began. "According to a Jan. 26 study by the Williams Institute at UCLA's School of Law, there are an estimated 66,000 lesbians, gays and bisexuals currently serving in the U.S. armed forces." (Read more about the history of gays in the military here.) That is about 5%. 
  
• Prayer is NOT forbidden in public schools. The Constitution forbids public schools from directing or favoring prayer. The Free Exercise Clause expressly protects "opinion, expression of opinion, and practice" of religion. Michael McConnell, Religion and the Constitution (2002), p. 105 

[Rick Perry's "Strong" video is now the second most disliked YouTube video of all time, right after Justin Bieber's "Baby" video.]

As a Jew, I can attest that I've felt underrepresented by my government and my society since I could first notice. I've heard people mention Christianity as if it's a stamp of approval or proof that someone is a good person for as long as I can remember. I've seen those little fish in business ads as if to say, "Hey, we won't take advantage of you because we believe in Jesus Christ." Blecch! So, if you're Jewish or Buddhist or Agnostic...you're not to be trusted? I mean, why are people so intent on equating Christians to Good People? The crimes out there are being committed by whom? According to NELP, 1 in 4 Americans have criminal records. Those can't possibly be Christians! /sarcasm

And while I'm decidedly heterosexual, I'm thankful for the 5% of gays and lesbians who have chosen to protect a country that hates their guts. As a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy, thank you. 

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal [no PC-bullshit here], that they are endowed by their Creator [doesn't say "God" necessarily, but I'd accept the argument] with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty [to choose religion, sexuality, etc.], and the Pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed [99% of the people giving permission to the 1% to speak for us]; 

This may not mean much to you as a Human Being, but as an American, it should mean everything.

Have we just forgotten? 

I'll  leave you with this surprising quote:
"...I will be your President regardless of your faith, and I don't expect you to agree with me necessarily on religion. As a matter of fact, no President should ever try to impose religion on our society. A great--the great tradition of America is one where people can worship the way they want to worship. And if they choose not to worship, they're just as patriotic as your neighbor..."
~The Smartest Thing George W. Bush Ever Said

See you soon,

~Beth