Asterisk - Latest Comments

Re: President Obama Should Channel FDR: “They Are Unanimous In Their Hate For Me – And I Welcome Their Hatred!”

Brandon Flatt — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 01:38:24 -0000

Are you seriously comparing Obama to FDR? They're not even close. I'm a conservative Republican and even I can say that FDR was a decent president. Obama has done some decent things as well, particularly concerning gay rights, but he's done a heck of a lot that's purposefully or ignorantly harmed the economy, such as EPA regulations that have crippled the coal industry and cost many thousands of jobs, or increasing our deficit and debt to a level that foreign investments to this country have waned, or Dodd Frank that's prevented banks from loaning to small businesses, putting many out of business, or printing trillions of dollars that have devalued the dollar. I mean, I know he entered office in a tough situation, but we're no better off at all four years later, and many of the things he's done as president only stalled any sort of real recovery we could have had. When FDR was four years in, there were some very significant signs of improvement already. As for Romney, his record is much more moderate than what you may have seen in the primaries. Most candidates have to cater to the extremes in their party when running in the primaries. Obama did this as well when he was a primary candidate running against Hillary--both trying to prove they were the more liberal. Obama's just made an issue out of this this time around. Furthermore, I don't know many Republicans or conservatives who would say they hate this president. They don't like what he's done, and are certainly frustrated with him, but most that I know would say he is probably a decent person who cares about this country. Disliking the job a person does and hating them are two separate things. On the other hand, I have heard some very vial things said about Romney by some on the left, including by the president himself. Frankly, I see no love loss there at all. But maybe the way people see this just comes down to which party they're on. But at least with the candidates themselves, I don't think anyone could question that Obama has been the more negative of the two, from the debates, to his tone on the campaign trail, to even his ads. Frankly, I've never seen a more negative candidate in all of my life. But again, maybe that's just me.

Re: President Obama Should Channel FDR: “They Are Unanimous In Their Hate For Me – And I Welcome Their Hatred!”

Charles — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 21:41:01 -0000

How frighteningly accurate. Right back where we were 70 years ago. Have we learned nothing in all that time?

Re: Edith Bunker To Anti-Gay Voters: “I can’t believe you’d do anything that mean.”

Robert D Sullivan — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 18:37:43 -0000

Great episode! I included "Cousin Liz" in my series on the Top 100 Sitcom Episodes of All Time: http://robertdavidsullivan....

Re: Edith Bunker To Anti-Gay Voters: “I can’t believe you’d do anything that mean.”

CE — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 16:36:07 -0000

Here it is, 2012, and I have friends who are schoolteachers who STILL dare not reveal their relationship for fear of reprisal. I'll be looking up this episode.

Re: Edith Bunker To Anti-Gay Voters: “I can’t believe you’d do anything that mean.”

CubbyPQ — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 06:04:31 -0000

Thank you for this, Matt. I was 11 when this episode aired, and I watched it intently, for I did have some grasp of its significance even though at that point in my life I had not yet had my self-realization that I was gay. I think this episode was a major milestone on our road to equality.

Re: You’re Not Furious, And It’s Killing Us

Pastor Scott Imler — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 03:29:45 -0000

Bravo Matt: You hit the nail on the head. I've been troubled by the It' Gets Better bandwagpn for all the reasons youv've articulated. It seems to be saying to the victims , the problem is you and your inability to transcend this passing angst. "Just get up, get up get up" translates to to just "get a grip, get a cl;ue, get over it." As if the they had laid down rather than been knocked down. "Be yourself and then you'll find your way." For most bullied kids it's "being yourself' that got them targeted for an ass-kicking in the first place. I too have had my fill of winning hearts and minds. As a United Methodist pastor in West Hollywood , CA I spent the last decade working in the regional body facilitating "christian conversation" among a profoundly divided polity. Every concession to do so came from those seeking full inclusion of LGBT folk in the life of the church. We talked and talked and talked and at the denomination's general conference in Tampa last month - the talking came to an end when a massive influx of new Methodists from Africa and Asia over the last four years changed the balance of power and LGBT folk took on the chin for for ten days from fellow Christians in places like Uganda and the Congo, who are actively considering legislation to execute gay people. And what did I get for all my tolerance of the haters for the last decade -- my largely LGBT congregation "discontinued" (read: shit-canned) by the regional body in which I had played peace-maker. And whatr is the general response form the LGBTQ community - somewhere between "we don't do organized religion" and "what did you expect?" OK fair enough, but if it had been any other type of organization political, labor, fraternal, or professional and the parent organization had so brazenly slapped a predominantly LGBT local affiliate in the face all hell would have broken loose. But because it's a church everyone just takes it in stride. We can just walk away to our white-parties if we want, but when we do we are abandoning millions of our little brothers and sisters, LGBT and straight alike, who don't have that choice. Or we can say THIS SHIT STOPS RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW. Where do I sign up? pastor Scott Imelr

Re: 40th Anniversary Of First Ordained Out Gay Minister In The United Church Of Christ

CubbyPQ — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 09:35:21 -0000

Yay!

Re: Nazis In America: NC Pastor’s Congregation Stands Behind His Gay Concentration Camps

Nancy Nazis — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 07:02:27 -0000

Never feel bad using Nazi Symbolism to address Bigotry of any kind. When someone is talking about putting humans of any colour, sexuality in a Concentration Camp they have earned the Swastika being applied to them.

We are a group from England who have taken this use of Nazi symbolism further to condemn homophobia. We are called "Gay Nazis" and display a rainbow Swastika. We have a Camp Gay Hitler as leader. Why, it gets us noticed and more importantly gets people discussing the subject of homophobia.

What we are doing is reducing Preachers of hate to something to be laughed at. We have been called offensive for using Nazi Symbolism.

The Film Producer and film Director, who is Jewish, Mel Brooks once said "Ridicule is the best form of attack" laugh at Neo-Nazis and they are reduced to a joke.

A few years ago an English comedian did a documentary in America about Homophobic Preachers attending the funerals of Gay Males and being abusive to mourners. He stopped them when others had failed. How? Got a Pink Greyhound bus and filled it with brightly dressed Camp Gay Dancers who arrived the funerals and mocked these Preachers of hate by dancing infront of them.

When a Preacher of hate talks like a Clown Treat it like a Clown:-)

Re: A Word From Dan Savage For Liberal And Progressive Christians

Jessica — Thu, 31 May 2012 23:42:55 -0000

I have a story to share.
I was in HS, and I was at a church potluck with my friends. One of them popped off with this gem of a statement, paraphrased "Is he gay? Gays are just subhuman!" I didn't have time to think, I jumped up, ran around the table and slapped him on the back of the head. I could have gotten my point across in much more civilized ways, but it got the job done. Three years later he messages me that he just wrote a paper for college that he wants me to read when we both get home for christmas.
It was an essay on why the ELCA SHOULD confirm Gay and Lesbian pastors.

Sometimes I wish I didn't worry about hurting peoples feelings now. I got into a debate with my Aunt about Gay marriage a month ago and I wasn't able to get her to see my side at all, I did listen to her side, and tried to explain my pro marriage equality stance in ways that she would understand, but she wasn' interested.

I'm doing it on the small scale, and I support my pastor whenever he makes positive movements he made a wonderful facebook post after the NC vote (we are in Amarillo TX) about how "do we really love our neighboors if we outlaw them?" ( I would have said disenfranchise them, but it's good) this sparked a firestorm on his wall, but he didn't back down, he calmed everyone down but didn't take back his words. I Love my bishop who made a video for the "It gets Better" project, I wish he would have made it a bigger deal, but I still sent him an e-mail thanking him.

Re: A Word From Dan Savage For Liberal And Progressive Christians

Tom Janus — Thu, 31 May 2012 20:59:39 -0000

I hear you Matt...point well noted.

Re: Nazis In America: NC Pastor’s Congregation Stands Behind His Gay Concentration Camps

Matt Algren — Wed, 30 May 2012 14:49:05 -0000

Allowing people to vent frustration online is preferable to courting the violent disruption of two small children's lives. This is not a difficult concept to grasp.

You are welcome to disagree with my decision, and . Feel free to do what you will in your own space.

(And if you think receiving "feedback" will change how the Stacey Pritchards of the world view gay people, I have a bridge to sell you.)

Re: Nazis In America: NC Pastor’s Congregation Stands Behind His Gay Concentration Camps

Fresnojimmy — Wed, 30 May 2012 13:59:05 -0000

Allowing inflamatory comments like "she's a piece of shit" is preferable to stating valid facts. I'm not angry at her. I think she needs to receive feedback.

Re: Nazis In America: NC Pastor’s Congregation Stands Behind His Gay Concentration Camps

Matt Algren — Mon, 28 May 2012 23:45:28 -0000

Not here you won't.

Look, I understand people being angry. Trust me, me too. But according to my research, Ms. Pritchard has several very young children, and this site is not going to be involved in inviting violence or creating a home environment any more hostile for those kids than their mother has already made it.

Re: Nazis In America: NC Pastor’s Congregation Stands Behind His Gay Concentration Camps

James S — Mon, 28 May 2012 23:01:23 -0000

Well I am willing to post to a non-anonymous email address and give the following information: [edit] No one who perpetuates such bigotry should be allowed to remain anonymous.

Re: Nazis In America: NC Pastor’s Congregation Stands Behind His Gay Concentration Camps

fmbrown — Fri, 25 May 2012 10:39:50 -0000

So sad that these people have been blindly raised to believe that this truly is the Word of God, and even sadder to think there are probably gay children in their church hearing this and thinking they are going to hell or deserve to be in a electrified pen for feeling the way that they do, but they certainly can't let anyone know how they feel, can they? I know because that is how my son felt before he came out. I also know because I was raised in the same kind of thinking in southwestern Kentucky. I know better only because of my son. Sadly, most around here still believe like this. Ignorance is the majority in our churches. Praying for God's TRUTH to teach them that this is WRONG and not what is even meant in the Bible.

Re: Nazis In America: NC Pastor’s Congregation Stands Behind His Gay Concentration Camps

destroythegop — Thu, 24 May 2012 22:57:37 -0000

Not a big fan of teh Godwin, but you are 100% correct in using the term NAZI: brainwashed by an obviously insane ideologue and consumed by fear and hatred so profound they would eagerly take part in Worley's "final solution" in the name of Jesus Christ.

Re: Nazis In America: NC Pastor’s Congregation Stands Behind His Gay Concentration Camps

Mv120 — Thu, 24 May 2012 19:47:04 -0000

Why not?!?!

Re: Nazis In America: NC Pastor’s Congregation Stands Behind His Gay Concentration Camps

Yahoo — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:00:44 -0000

Here is that bigot Stacey's address:

[removed by Matt]

Note from Matt: No. We're not going to do that, especially if you're going to hide your own identity behind a fake email address. Absolutely not.

Re: Nazis In America: NC Pastor’s Congregation Stands Behind His Gay Concentration Camps

bettyboop2 — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:59:44 -0000

These hypocrits will have their day in hell! I just saw the fat one Stacey Pritchard on Anderson Cooper and she seems like a robot, posessed, yes this church must be a cult....

Re: Nazis In America: NC Pastor’s Congregation Stands Behind His Gay Concentration Camps

scottrose — Wed, 23 May 2012 10:46:48 -0000

Ignorant piece of shit bigots!

Re: NC Pastor Proposes Gay Concentration Camps; Obama A ‘Homosexual Lover’

Cjonesnj — Tue, 22 May 2012 08:37:18 -0000

Good ol' Christian values. He was probably talking about the same compound his grandaddy built to house all the uppity black people who wanted equal rights 50 years ago.

Re: NC Pastor Proposes Gay Concentration Camps; Obama A ‘Homosexual Lover’

Matt Algren — Mon, 21 May 2012 22:53:54 -0000

You contain multitudes.

Worley must have been reading Whitman, and you know what that means.

Re: NC Pastor Proposes Gay Concentration Camps; Obama A ‘Homosexual Lover’

CubbyPQ — Mon, 21 May 2012 14:51:39 -0000

Am I a queer or a homosexual? I'm never clear on that point.

Re: Hospital Forces Lesbian to Die Alone; Judge Gives Stamp of Approval

Disgusted — Mon, 21 May 2012 11:35:05 -0000

OMG! How could anyone be so completely cruel! I too just lost my partner 3 weeks ago and cannot imagine what this family went through. It absolutely breaks my heart!!!!

Re: One Tweet Response To UMC General Conference 2012

BRegan625 — Tue, 15 May 2012 00:23:41 -0000

We need to refocus the local church. Pastors, men and women,
need to visit in the wider community each day to find and invite
new people to come to the church building. Bob Regan