(no subject)

[epporsimuove]

There are very, very few men I hate in the world. Right now only one springs to mind. Fred Phelps. He - and his 'illustrious' band of followers, picketed the funeral of a gay soldier who was killed in Iraq today. One of the protestors held up a sign that said "Thank God for IED's." (IED's are the roadside bombs used by Iraqi insurgents.) Now, I freely admit that I do not support the war in Iraq, but I have never, NEVER!!! praised the bombs used in Iraq to kill soldiers, or anyone else.

For anyone who doesn't know, I grew up in a very liberal community. I am very liberal - religiously and socially. I do not know of a period in my life where I have not had homosexuals/transgenders as my friends. I am in theatre and also a UU church. I have seen what hatred has done to my friends, how they have withdrawn, and how one friend - after having to listen to anti-gay speeches and being ridiculed at school - literally beat herself up afterward. Cutting, attempted suicide by overdose. And she had no one supporting her. She had to go through everyday thinking she was alone and hated in the world. This is what Fred Phelps does. He hates, and it is not okay. If you have not yet experienced walking into your church - your place of worship - and to get to the doors having to walk by a screaming mob of people behind orange tape yelling that you will go to hell, and it would be better if some of your friends were just dead, then you have not yet expirienced the hatred of Fred Phelps.

I am for free speech - a very stanch supporter of it - but in what world is it okay to teach your children hatred, to ruin lives, and to interrupt a funeral - the last chance for people to say goodbye to a loved one? When is this okay? How is it okay?

God I want to cry.

note: I am sorry, I try hard to keep my political opinions - even my real life out of this journal. I don't believe that is what the journal should be for. However sometimes, like now, I have to say something or I feel like I will burst. I will make sure all of these entries are clearly marked, so ignore it if you wish. I am liberal, my viewpoints are liberal. I hope this will not keep you from enjoying my fiction and stories. Thank you

Comments

[allthingsholy.livejournal.com]

Hi, just stumbled upon your icons through a "House" comm, but was wondering about your default. Besides it being gorgeous (and AJ looking gorgeous in it), what's that picture from? Is it a movie, a still, a promotion photo? Just a general wonderment.

[violacoye.livejournal.com]

It is a scan of her in a magazine I believe. Actually, it is the first icon in my icon post a few posts down. I can't remember where I got it, but if you would like the original still I would be happy to email it to you.

[violacoye.livejournal.com]

BTW, I adore yours.