The War in Rick Perry's Head

Credit: Sandy Wassenmiller 

Rick Perry's response to Obama's and Clinton's speeches condemning discrimination against homosexuals throughout the world is telling. The speeches both concentrated on condemning criminalization of homosexuality and violence against homosexuals. (Neither Obama nor Clinton favors same-sex marriage.) Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, and Iran all impose the death penalty for homosexuality. Homosexuality is still criminalized (usually with prison sentences of 10 years or more) throughout most of Africa, the Muslim world, and the Caribbean.

For Rick Perry to condemn Obama's and Clinton's speeches and characterize their objections as a war on people of faith is revelatory and repugnant. They are not waging war against this person of faith, because my faith tells me that Jesus would deem the punishment of homosexuals antithetical to his message: love the most 'disreputable' person you encounter as you do yourself.

The Osawatomie Speech

Credit: Lance Cpl. Michael J. Ayotte, USMC

The President made what I think is the most important speech of his Presidency so far today. Everyone should read or listen to this speech no matter whether they agree with it or not.

 
We are indeed 'all in this together.' Those among the 1% who decry the so-called 'class warfare' of the left should instead start acknowledging in their words and their deeds that we are all in this together by ceasing the actual class warfare they have been practicing -- one that is waged by securing one's own wants and needs to the utter exclusion of the needs and wants of everyone else.