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This may be of interest to you...  [message #4320] Mon, 09 September 2002 09:10 Go to next message
Steve is currently offline  Steve

Really getting into it
Location: London, England
Registered: November 2006
Messages: 465



and then again it may not.



In a few weeks time there will be a clash of titans in the caucus of the leading party in Israel's governing coalition as former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Bibi) tries to oust Arik Sharom from the party leadership (and stands a good chance of doing so). (Let me say in parenthases that I can't imagine myself voting for either of them.)



In the magazine section of the weekend newspaper that I read there was a long (and verbose) interview with Bibi. Two questions were relevant to this forum, I think. (Translation is mine.)



What would you do if one day one of your children were to come and say, "Dad, I'm gay"?



"OK. Everyone has a right to be what he is, to live his life."



What is your opinion concerning same-sex marriage, and possibly even adoption of children?



"These are social changes which are taking place in any case. Our society is one that is undergoing natural evolution. I don't think that it is possible to hurry it along, but also to a large extent it is not possible to halt it. This is a process that is happening all over the world. You can't say that Israel in 2002 is the same as Israel in 1952, just as I do not expect israel in 2020 to be the same as today. Attempts to stop natural evolution of society transmit incorrect messages..."



A few months ago I shared with Tim the transcript of a meeting between Arik Sharon and a delegation of leaders of Israel's gay community. It was full of smiles and sweet nothings and he refused to be drawn into any committment of any kind. When he was asked whether he would take part in Jerusalem's Pride Parade (last June) he replied emphatically "no". And he did not.



Personally, I think that such questions should be asked of any candidate for high office in any democracy.

Re: This may be of interest to you...  [message #4357 is a reply to message #4320] Thu, 12 September 2002 17:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
warren c. e. austin is currently offline  warren c. e. austin

Likes it here
Location: Toronto, Ontario, CANADA
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 247



I, for one, would be interested in your later commentary (and insight) as this situation develops.

Regarding the thoughts you present about questions we should pose to potential candidates for election to public office, I agree that we should be responible for asking about issues such as "Gay" rights, their sexual orientation, and others; but, truth be told, we'll not at least in my lifetime ever get that kind of honesty, if ever at all, from the majority of those who ultimately do stand for, and get, elected. The public, however much "Joe Six-pack" seems to thrive on "Tabloid" and "Exposé" T.V. really doesn't want to know, and of course the response from minority fundalmentalists in society would be of awesome and frightful proportions, giving rise to rhetoric which in all likelihood would be most vicious and hateful; all of which because of their supposed religious context, the majority would be afraid to respond to for fear of being branded "heretics" for thinking otherwise - after all, Torquemada and his ilk, still lurk in the wings, surfacing every so often just to remind us how truly uncivilized we still really are after five centuries or
so, it being difficult for many to contest statements uttered by those being a cross in one hand and a bible in the other.

Warren C. E. Austin
Re: This may be of interest to you...  [message #4362 is a reply to message #4320] Fri, 13 September 2002 01:24 Go to previous message
kevin is currently offline  kevin

On fire!
Location: Somewhere
Registered: September 2002
Messages: 1108




I agree, I would ask any candidate who I work for. And I will as I will volunteer for several candidates, all of whom have come out publicly with a positive stance on gay issues. One phoned me two days ago, the chairman of the armed services commitee Carl Levin.

I was voicing my personal opposition to war, I just hate all the killing! I told him our focus should be on finding peace in Palistine.

Kevin



"Be excellent to each other, and, party on dudes"!
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