redblueamerica.com

I'm not going to argue the Constitutional Law questions implicit in Rep. Kern's statement that her hate speech is protected under the First Amendment. Leave that to the lawyers. What I do know is that one only has to look at history to see that rhetoric dehumanizing entire groups of people has incited atrocious acts of violence before, and claiming that words have no consequence is simply not true. While Rep. Kern has nowhere near the powerful oratorical talent of someone like Hitler, and is too openly an unintelligent bigot to really get anywhere in this great nation, to claim that her speech is what the Constitution intended to protect - or what her constituents elected her to provide - is disgusting.

And yet, she is enough of a political animal to know that she can cloak her deplorable actions in the Constitution and be shielded. From a recent statement:

"To put this simply, as a Christian I believe homosexuality is not
moral. Obviously, you have the right as an American to choose that
lifestyle, but I also have the right to express my views and my fellow
Oklahomans have the right to debate these issues."

"In recent years homosexual activists have begun to aggressively
promote their agenda through the political process, often providing
substantial financing to candidates who agree with their views,
including many running for state legislative races. National
publications such as Time, The Atlantic and USA Today have noted that
trend. That is their right, just as it is my right to voice opposition
to their agenda, which I have been asked to do at several public
forums in recent months. That's what democracy is all about. It
appears some homosexual activists believe only one group is allowed a
voice in this debate. I disagree."

"A vigorous debate on an issue is not 'hate speech' - it's free
speech. I have made clear my opposition to the agenda of homosexual
activists, but I have never endorsed or supported any hateful action
targeting individuals on the other side of this debate and never will.
The fact that many gay rights activists claim anyone opposing their
agenda is engaging in 'hate speech' says more about them than me.

"Most Oklahomans are socially conservative and believe marriage is a
sacred institution, the union of one man and one woman, and that the
traditional family is worth protecting and preserving. When I
campaigned for office, I promised my constituents to stand up for
those values, and I do not apologize for keeping my word."

Rep. Kern, let me clarify this for you. You were not debating an issue. You were claiming that all homosexuals were worse than the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11. Your words, not mine, m'am. Debate gay marriage. Support a Constitutional amendment for those who feel their fragile straight relationships are threatened by secure gay ones. But do not expect those of us on both sides of this issue to allow you to treat human beings this way. You, Rep. Kern, have made my list of people I will personally seek to expose for the awful excuses for public officials that they really are. You make me sick, and you are a disgrace to this nation.