Falwell speaks in favor of gay civil rights

[Twist_U_Up]

http://www.sovo.com/2005/8-26/news/national/fawell.cfm

<snip>
“I may not agree with the lifestyle,” Falwell said. “But that has nothing to do with the civil rights of that… part of our constituency.

“Judge Roberts would probably have been not a good very good lawyer if he had not been willing, when asked by his partners in the law firm to assist in guaranteeing the civil rights of employment and housing to any and all Americans.”

When Carlson countered that conservatives, “are always arguing against ‘special rights’ for gays,” Falwell said that equal access to housing and employment are basic rights, not special rights.

“Civil rights for all Americans, black, white, red, yellow, the rich, poor, young, old, gay, straight, et cetera, is not a liberal or conservative value,” Falwell went on to say. “It’s an American value that I would think that we pretty much all agree on.”

Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said his group welcomed the apparent softening of Falwell’s position on at least some gay rights.

“Like most Americans, it seems Rev. Falwell has reached the conclusion that everyone deserves basic rights,” said Solmonese. “I hope he also supports <snip>

more....

[expatriot]

1. If this isn't progress, I don't know what is. Maybe he is just still in...

... "the Christmas spirit" but something has sure melted his cold, frozen soul at least temporarily. Keep on that road, Mr. Falwell.

[Donkeykick]

2. IMHO:

I believe that Falwell is only doing this to win some more people over to his side! Once he successfully does this, he will bring the hammer down and show his true nature!:evilgrin:

[stevietheman]

3. If that's true, consider also that he will lose some supporters...

by doing this. It seems to me that taking this stand is a clear risk for his position.

[Donkeykick]

4. I do so hope...

that if all of this does happen, he will lose the supporters before they become mesmerized by all of his pretentious preachings.

[Twist_U_Up]

5. this is exactly my take

the link I got this from is from a neocon,and he is pissed.

[Glorfindel]

6. He's still a foul, loathsome hypocrite

Housing and employment are hardly the only civil rights that matter. When he admits he was wrong about such things as gay marriage, military service, inheritance, adoption, etc., then maybe, just MAYBE I'll begin to forgive him. On second thought, probably not. Nothing he ever does in the future can undo the harm he's done in the past. :puke:

[Poppyseedman]

7. I read the article and basically Falwell has not changed positions

Can someone point out to me where Falwell has ever been against gays having the same basic rights as straights as they currently are recognized by law?

When Carlson countered that conservatives, “are always arguing against ‘special rights’ for gays,” Falwell said that equal access to housing and employment are basic rights, not special rights.

“Civil rights for all Americans, black, white, red, yellow, the rich, poor, young, old, gay, straight, et cetera, is not a liberal or conservative value,” Falwell went on to say. “It’s an American value that I would think that we pretty much all agree on.”

Falwell is playing with words

[BOSSHOG]

8. I do not trust radical christian clerics

When falwell steps to the mike and urges all states to allow Gay Marriage and for the federal government to allow gays in the military and to chastise his flock for previous hate crimes and spend a couple of hours taking questions for his new positions then I might, just might, believe him. Supporting "civil unions" makes it easier to oppose Gay Marriage.

Then again, ole jer may know he's two steps from his death bed and he has a strong desire to make right with the guys at the pearly gates.

He cannot live long enough to undo the damage he has done to American Citizens.

[Deja Q]

9. What, snowflakes are falling in Hell now?!

The guy is nasty on plenty of ways, but his latest commentry obviously shows signs of some decency.

I wonder why.

[xchrom]

10. alright du -- let's not be fooled here.

falwell isn't saying anything he doesn't have to.

it would be hard to any argument re: housing discrimination against gay folk.
what if a landlord made a mistake and discriminated against a straight person said landlord thought was gay.
falwell is protecting his own here.

just as an example.

[peacebaby3]

11. The problem is that they do not see "marriage" as a basic right and

that is what they say they are so strongly against.

I think that's crap but I guarantee you that is their point.

I personally don't think "marriage" should be a civil right for anyone. Everyone should be able to have a civil union under the law and their union be recognized for lawful purposes, then if they want to get "married" have the service performed by the church (each church decides who they "marry" based on their doctrine). Why is a church related event such as "marriage" part of our government anyway?

Just my opinion.

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. No way!

[Twist_U_Up]

15. Great pic !!

soooooooo appropriate

[proud2BlibKansan]

17. I've been waiting to use it

[Redstone]

13. And if you think he really believes that, come see me...

I got a great deal for you on a bridge in Brooklyn...

Redstone

[TallahasseeGrannie]

14. Civil rights, sure

but he still prays for fire, brimstone and retribution. But that's another department.

[mtnester]

16. A story for you all, I am sure you have heard it before ....

a scorpion and a frog meet on the bank of a stream and the scorpion asks the frog to carry him across on its back. The frog asks, "How do I know you won't sting me?" The scorpion says, "Because if I do, I will die too." The frog is satisfied, and they set out, but in midstream, the scorpion stings the frog. The frog feels the onset of paralysis and starts to sink, knowing they both will drown, but has just enough time to gasp "Why?" Replies the scorpion: "Its my nature..."


IMO, this is how I feel about what Falwell is saying..and how I believe everyone else should regard it as well.

[Tsiyu]

18. He's trying to be an apologist for Roberts

since Roberts did some pro-homosexual legal work, Falwell has to 'splain his support of Roberts to the Fundy nuts (the ones who screw their own daughters and wear white sheets - y'know, the nutjobs).

That's all this is...covering up his own hypocrisy.

[Skidmore]

19. Falwell and those like him are neither political operatives or

men of the cloth. They are scheisters, charlatans, flim-flam men, confidence men, pickpockets who use fear and hatred as tools. They want only power and money. Witness the manner in which they achieve both--by being manipulative of the vulnerable or being involved in shady investment schemes. The evil that is embodied by this type of pariah goes way back. The corrupt and corpulant "priesthoods" are always the class which have brought down civilizations. The priests of ancient Egypt did not want to lose their wealth any more than this sty full of gluttonous swine. The priesthoods of many past great civilizations manipulated their peoples and sucked their civilizations dry until they collapsed into rubble.

I have no use for organized religions. They are a blight on civilization and spirituality.