Huckabee: Homosexuals can control their behavior like alcoholics can control getting drunk

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009 15:00 EST
Huckabee already gearing up for 2012?

Sarah Palin isn't the only one talking to Esquire. In a new profile in the magazine, Mike Huckabee appears to be readying himself for a Republican presidential primary fight in 2012. The former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate (and current Fox News talk show host) offered some choice words about two potential rivals.

On Palin:

Now I must say I did not think that either the Charlie Gibson interview or the Katie Couric interviews were unfair. In fact, if anything, Katie Couric was extraordinarily gentle, even helpful. just... I don't know what happened. I can't explain it. It was not a good interview. I'm being charitable.

On Mitt Romney:

Romney was usually accompanied by a phalanx of eager young aides who bullied their way through events as if they were all carrying badges, guns, and the authority to move the "little people" out of Mitt's way. It did not go unnoticed by other candidates or by the "little people" who spoke with open contempt of the treatment.

For those wondering if Huckabee's widely watched interview with Jon Stewart had led to a softening of his stance on homosexuality, Esquire's A.J. Jacobs writes, "Huckabee says he doesn't know if homosexuality is inborn, but he believes you can control the behavior. He compares homosexuality to obesity or alcoholism: 'Some people have a predisposition to alcoholism. Does that mean they're not responsible for getting drunk? No.'"

― Vincent Rossmeier

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2009/01/13/huckabee_palin/index.html

[Stinky The Clown]

1. Dear Hucky ......

Blow me.

[Harry Monroe]

15. Now if he did that, he wouldn't be controlling his behavior now would he??

[LaydeeBug]

29. Dear Hucky...COME OUT OF THE CLOSET. nt

[noiretextatique]

2. what do rw jerks know so much about homosexuals?

:eyes:

[mrreowwr_kittty]

4. For the same reason they obsess over what women do with their reproductive organs.

They're pervs.

[libnnc]

3. My ass. He can kiss it.

...on second thought :puke:

[Occam Bandage]

5. It's like homophobes all think that

just because they spend all day obsessing over cock, and are only able to live their "normal" lives through rigorous self-discipline, such closeted self-denial is the natural state of man.

[spanone]

6. he seems kind of educated until he opens his homophobic mouth

[Johonny]

7. I guess

but I mean the same could be said of heterosexuals. So does that abstinence only work? Nope. So much for that idea I guess. People have sex. Get over it Suckabee.

[StreetKnowledge]

8. Huckabee, have you any kids?

I hope you have one. And he/she is a homosexual. Maybe then you'd take this crap and toss it in the trash.

[patrick t. cakes]

9. theres that r.w. science again

[Deep13]

10. Fundies can control their behavior too.

Doesn't stop them from being assholes. Why should gay people refrain from gay relationships and from gay sexuality in private? It hurts no one and they have no duty to pretend Huckabee's god is real.

Second, I am unaware of any predisposition to alcoholism. There certainly is no alcoholic gene. And being gay is not a disorder like alcoholism.

[B o d i]

19. "There certainly is no alcoholic gene"

?

Researchers identify alcoholism gene
http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20040526/researchers-identify-alcoholism-gene

Alcohol dependence gene identified
http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/genetics/a/bluwa040114.htm

Gene for alcoholism discovered
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=26119

Gene linked to alcoholism and depression
http://mednews.wustl.edu/medadmin/PAnews.nsf/0/E89BDB113F3B850E86256F03006D2DFC

Experts identify alcohol dependence gene
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/5333.php

etc

[Deep13]

24. I'll read them when I have time later.

One of the links suggests that it has something to do with depression.

[Warren DeMontague]

30. "There certainly is no alcoholic gene." Eh, bullshit. Maybe it's not one single gene

but certainly there is a genetic predisposition; I think it has to do with the way the liver enzymes break down alcohol, and it has jack diddly squat to do with "morality" or an "inability to control oneself".

[Deep13]

33. You may be right about the physiology.

But I disagree with your conclusion. This thread isn't about alcoholism, so I will leave it at that.

[Warren DeMontague]

39. Let's put it this way- once an alcoholic- a person with alcoholic physiology- introduces alcohol

into their system, it very rapidly becomes a situation far graver than merely a question of "self control". This isn't conjecture, this is something I've witnessed across the board.

Same with genetics. Whatever is going on, there certainly seems to be a genetic component; mountains of evidence and personal experience convince me that this is so.

However, in my experience, self-control enters into the equation in that I do believe it is possible for alcoholics who are aware of the situation, once sober, to control whether they take that first drink, presuming no one holds them down and pours it in their mouth. I don't agree with the 12 step idea that there is NO "power" to be had anywhere in the process, save for that which one obtains from (presumably) supernatural sources.

Many people with alcohol or other problems will disagree on this point, and I certainly don't think one size fits all.

But once the physiological process is started, no, I don't think it's about self-control anymore. It's not just that drunks don't give a shit, and if they did they would be able to only have one or two. Not in my experience.

But, you're right, the thread isn't about alcoholism. :rant:

[Deep13]

41. Wrong thread.

And I don't believe you.

[Warren DeMontague]

43. Whatever.

And, Whatever.

[Smith_3]

11. So can heterosexuals. The quesion is: Why the hell should they? nt

[booley]

12. BIgots can control their behavior

Being a bigot is certainly not inborn. Perhaps the authoritarianism and lack of empathy that accompanies it is a part of a person's nature. But that does not mean they are not responsible when they say stupid and/or hateful things.

If Huckabee actually has 'softened" his stance on gays that is good I suppose (though I shudder to think what his earlier position was).

But clearly he has still a long way to go.

Gays do not need to control (i.e. suppress) a part of themselves just because Mike Huckabee doesn't like it.

[FreeState]

13. Homosexuality is an identity not a behavior

you can be gay and never have sex. Shows how much Huckabee understands homosexuality...


http://www.apahelpcenter.org/articles/article.php?id=31

"Sexual orientation is different from sexual behavior because it refers to feelings and self-concept. Individuals may or may not express their sexual orientation in their behaviors."

[hfojvt]

37. I think that was his point

Whatever one's orientation, the religion of Huckabee and many voters says the following are sins

fornication
adultery
masturbation
sex between women
sex between men
sex with multiple partners at once
etc.

It may vary between denominations, and I cannot remember a single sermon about sex in my years of church attendance, so I am not sure where that is taught, perhaps in Sunday school or by parents or with single mentions of hedonism or adultery, etc. Point is, it is the behaviour that is sinful in their view, not the orientation.

[FreeState]

38. I think he sees them as the same n/t

[guitar man]

14. aarrrggghhhh!!

Sans the lame comparison to alcoholism, why do the RWers feel the need to emphasize "control" over behavior. Isn't this supposed to be a free country. Aren't they the ones who parrot the word "freedom" at the drop of a hat? Why the obsession with what goes on in other people's PERSONAL lives and the desire to relegate to second class citizenship anyone who doesn't fit their narrow guidelines, regardless of whether it's a matter of choice/control or not?

Hell, if he wants to make that argument, I'd offer this one. The rich, wealth addicted, upper 1/2 of 1% in this country could have controlled their behavior. They did not, and looks where it led us. Now shut ap and go sit down, Fuckabee!! :grr:

[foxfeet]

16. And the ignorant can be educated, if they're willing to learn.

Not much hope for that here, I'm afraid.

[Terran]

22. They don't want to be educated

If people like him were basically forced in public to declare that, yes, homosexuality is not a lifestyle or a choice, their whole house of cards would fall down and they'd have nothing left with which to oppose civil equality except their hate. For now, the public face of their opposition hinges on this idea that we don't merit legal equality because we choose to be this way.

[foxfeet]

25. Bingo.

It is willful ignorance. the worst kind.

[helderheid]

17. Wow, I didn't realize homosexuality was a life threatening disease!

[TWiley]

18. Why does he always smell like "Pepper Spray" after having sex?

Maybe he should brush up on the terms "legal adult" and "consent"

[8 track mind]

23. LOL!!!!! n/t

[8 track mind]

20. wow......

First it was the freepers proving that Dinosaurs were on noah's ark and now it's huckabee pulling a statement like that out of his ass, er, um i mean mouth!

Dude i can't wait to see what they come up with next!
:popcorn:

[Zorra]

21. Um...and he knows this from his own personal experience?

He should control his (self-proclaimed, but suspect) heterosexual urges by never, ever breeding.

[RaleighNCDUer]

26. Of course the behavior can be controlled -

just as I can choose to not indulge in straight sex.

But why would I? Why should I? And whose business is it but mine?

[apnu]

27. Huckabee is a tool (nt)

[PVnRT]

28. By definition, an alcoholic cannot control their drinking

So, that's just one of many reasons Huckabee is a fucking moron.

[closeupready]

31. Yet another Republican expert on how to tame homosexual desires.

:rofl:

[kenny blankenship]

32. Maybe we just need to have our stomachs stapled up like he did?

On the other hand that doesn't speak very highly of his self-control, does it?

Sure people can control what they do. They can be abstinent. That goes against every natural impulse but it can be done by homosexuals as well as heterosexuals. People can run marathons. People can endure ice cold water for hours. People can even throw themselves off bridges or take knives and cut deep slashes into their veins - and that also goes against every natural impulse. It's true: people have an astonishing ability to control what they do.

But in this case why should they be asked to? This assertion assumes the existence of a reason to ask people not to be what they are. People can control what they do. A gay person can abstain from having sexual relations with others of the same sex if they are taught to hate themselves sufficiently. You can even make a homosexual have sex with a member of the opposite sex. However, people cannot control what they ARE. Gay people will still be homosexual not heterosexual. Making gay people have straight sex, and raise babies, and deny that they are gay does not make gay people straight, it would just mean that YOU are engaged in a state sponsored forced breeding program.

In case you missed it, Mr. Huckleberry, this country was founded on the idea of FREEDOM to pursue one's individual happiness. It was not founded on some lame assed idea of controlling people's behaviors in order to save their souls or some other superstitious & totalitarian BULLSHIT.

[KamaAina]

35. Wouldn't it have been easier to just staple his mouth shut?

:eyes:

[kenny blankenship]

36. The Doctors decided that Rev. Huck would still need to eliminate, so oral stapling was ruled out.

[bullwinkle428]

34. Huckabee vs. Palin will be all about "I HATE TEH GAYS MORE THAN YOU DO!!1!"

Take it to the bank.

[4 t 4]

40. He is another one I would

love to see go away. We don't need his kind anymore. This is a new fresh era and I want him to go away please. Never to be heard from again. Awahhhh, a new start with no room for him anymore.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

42. He obviously believes that babies were delivered by Storks?

[ismnotwasm]

44. "Behavior"????

I've had it. I've simply fucking had it. Homophobia/hatred, is a behavior, a controllable behavior.

Homosexuality is simply a part of healthy human sexuality and demonstrates greater capacity for love and/or affection. It doesn't need to be controlled. Or monitored, or speculated on. It is. Enough said.

And I'm glad it is.

Homophobia/hatred on the other hand, absolutely needs to watched and monitored, since it's a pathological state of mind that is extremely destructive to society as a whole and unimaginable hurtful and harmful, even deadly, to Gay individuals.

Huckabee and those like him keep stealing the frame. They are the sick ones.