Stepping Up the Fight

This is infuriating, but only to be expected. We're dealing with a group here that has relied on lies, intimidation,and threats throughout their campaign because they have no real arguments.

I wish I could say the threats are empty, but they're not, entirely. I suspect, though, that their support is not going to be as widespread and enthusiastic as they are banking on: the Mormon leadership already has a black eye and it's going to get worse. The Catholic hierarchy, who facilitated child molesters for decades -- and threatened those who protested -- is on thin ice.

I think a lot of people who voted for Prop 8 are having second thoughts. I'd like to be in a position where I could say, "Let's see how this plays out," but we don't have that luxury right now.

So yes, boycott Cinemark and any other company or individual who supported Prop 8 and who supports those who support Prop 8. Here's that list again -- the only useful thing HRC has done in this fight so far.

If you want to see what the anti-gay right is all about, good ol' Newt Gingrich lays it out for you:

Look, I think there is a gay and secular fascism in this country that wants to impose its will on the rest of us, is prepared to use violence, to use harassment. I think it is prepared to use the government if it can get control of it. I think that it is a very dangerous threat to anybody who believes in traditional religion. And I think if you believe in historic Christianity, you have to confront the fact. And, frank -- for that matter, if you believe in the historic version of Islam or the historic version of Judaism, you have to confront the reality that these secular extremists are determined to impose on you acceptance of a series of values that are antithetical, they're the opposite, of what you're taught in Sunday school.

There's a psychological mechanism called "projection," by which an individual imputes his or her feelings and motives to others. The right has been using that for decades, blaming their opponents for using the tactics, and having the goals, that they embrace themselves. Here you see it in action.

And implicit in this is the idea that Gringrich's religious views should be imposed on everyone. (Andrew Sullivan has a strong post on Gingrich's allies of the moment, the Mormons. And on that topic, I'm looking forward to the civil war when they start losing consistently. We're seeing the tip of the iceberg right now among the Republicans; just wait until the Christianists start.)

Jim Burroway has a wonderful response to Gingrich:

He seems to think that ambling down the boulevard, holding signs in front of a Temple or gathering in front of city hall constitutes a violent act. The sight of homosexuals on the streets, parading openly in their, you know, street clothes was just too much for him. American citizens exercising their First Amendment right to free speech and lawful assembly, well that’s just downright fascist!

So Gingrich equates exercising constitutionally guaranteed freedoms with fascism. I can't top that.

The reassuring part is that the shrillness is a sure sign that they see themselves losing. Let's make it come true for them, OK?