Christine Smith for President?
I posted Dec.4 a comment on the Yahoo email discussion list of the Libertarian Party of Orange County about the 2008 LP candidates for president and vice president. I learned Greg Raymer, the 2004 World Champion of Poker, is intested in running for VP. Steve Kubby is running for the top job, and so is Christine Smith of Colorado. I don’t know her, but I like her platform, which openly supports the political and social equality of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered individuals.
Christine Smith writes me and says she is heterosexual. Glad to hear it. I hope nobody would be offended to be called gay; it should not be a focus for any kind of discrimination, just as nobody should be offended to be called Asian, African, European, or “hill billy” (my own ethnic ancestry).
If Christine was actually offended that I implied something, I would ask why? If she wants an apology, I am happy to offer it right here, right now. But I would ask why it is offensive in the first place? If anyone is proud to be a social progressive (as I am), it bothers me not at all if anyone thinks I am gay, transgendered, or whatever.
After all, we are talking about a category of vilified people. I remember the story about the King of Denmark saying if Nazi occupiers of his country in 1942 made Danish Jews wear yellow Mogan David star badges, all Danes should wear one. That example is what I am advocating, rather than affirming my non-membership in the persecuted group.
Intolerance is intolerable!