Some of the comments to the previous item show an almost pathological hatred of the current administration, claiming, for instance, "What Bush is doing to gays is unacceptable for any decent human being. He is destroying every single part of our lives." This is what many on the gay left (and some libertarians) believe.
For those who don't read the comments (which, alas, mix
thoughtful responses with the venting of antagonists raging at a
site they're compelled to visit and attack daily), I answered a
suggestion I was "blaming the victims" as follows:
One of my purposes on this blog is to hold gay activists accountable for strategies and actions I see as counter-productive - or at least counter-productive in advancing gay equality; they may in fact fulfill the objective of producing successful fundraising letters.
Am I always right? No. Do I think it's useful to challenge the activists in this way - yes, if for no other reason than most gay media is nothing but an echo chamber - running press releases as if they were analysis.
If you think Bush is the devil, then you're not going to agree with me on this. If you think Bush and all other politicians respond to political interest groups on the basis of whether it serves their interests to do so, then my point - gay Republicans need to be Republicans, and thus build leverage in the party; supposedly nonpartisan groups need to be effectively nonpartisan, and thus able to lobby both sides - might be seen as having some merit.
If I can be indulged
another link to Rich Tafel, I see he is of similar mind when he
writes:
During my time running a gay rights group I noticed a disturbing trend. When I was in conflict with Republicans I was lauded by the gay press and fundraising shot up. When I worked in cooperation with Republicans to accomplish things I was called a shill and fundraising was more difficult.
So here's the paradox for gay organizations. Though cooperation should be the goal, their funding depends on attacking Republicans. The gay political groups will not make progress nor seek opportunities for finding common ground, and they will be wealthier for it.
Meanwhile, there are reports
that openly gay U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-Ariz) is being considered by
the Bush administration for the important post of U.S. Trade
Representative. (Hat Tip:
Gay Patriot). If he should be appointed, expect many of the
main gay activists groupings to respond on a par with the hostility
minority activists have shown to the appointments of Condi Rice and
Alberto Gonzalez.