Posted on 01/14/2005 9:14:38 AM PST by dirtboy
PC IS A DIRTY acronym in my house. My negative views of political correctness are so strong that I recently wrote a book on the subject.
So when I first heard reports that political correctness stopped Christians from assembling and preaching the gospel at a gay rally, I thought I knew on which side I would stand. Trouble is, I know the players. And politically correct they're not.
I refer to the brouhaha over October's Philadelphia celebration of OutFest. Now, months later, because of a combination of criminal prosecutions, Internet kerosene and a segment on "The O'Reilly Factor," there's a growing national controversy over what happened that day.
Here's what's not in dispute: OutFest is a day for coming out of the closet. (Not that there's anything wrong with the closet!) Repent America is a Christian organization whose members attended OutFest. They came to preach that homosexuality is a sin, against the teachings of the Bible.
Things got verbally ugly between the gays and Christians. Eleven members of Repent America were charged with criminal offenses. Charges remain against four members, carrying a combined penalty of 47 years (though conventional wisdom expects only probation).
The online spin is that the City of PC Love favored gay rights over Christian rights. Singled out for criticism have been District Attorney Lynne Abraham, Police Chief Inspector Jim Tiano, and Police Captain William Fisher. Which is where my suspicion began.
Somebody needs to tell the national wing nuts that Lynne Abraham doesn't cower to the forces of political correctness.
We're talking about the woman who prosecuted Mumia in the face of criticism from the Hollywood left, the person who prosecuted the Republican convention protesters who threw a bike at Police Commissioner John Timoney, despite objections from so-called civil libertarians, and the individual who twice pursued third-degree murder charges against pothead Daniel Brough, the guy who started a fire that killed two firefighters, even after a judge said murder charges didn't apply.
Here's how police arrest records summarize OutFest:
"... The protesters were ordered by both Capt. Fisher and Chief Inspector Tiano to move, but the group failed ignored [sic] the order to move. Once more they ordered the group (3) more times but all three times the group failed to comply with police orders to move. The protesters then proceeded to go in the opposite direction in which they were ordered to go. By this time the crowd was in excess of 500 persons.
"The protesters refused and were ordered to halt but continued through the crowds to 13th and Locust where the main event stage was set up.
"The entire time that the protesters were making their way to the main stage, they continued using the bullhorn to shout their anti/gay lesbian message to the crowd which surrounded the protesters. The crowd has to be restrained by plainclothes police to ensure the safety of the protesters."
When I read this to Michael Marcavage, the leader of Repent America and one of those facing charges, he didn't deny disobeying police commands. ("They said to go to Walnut Street so we turned and walked the other way in an effort to be able to stay in the event.")
I told him that it seemed like he'd come to cause trouble. He told me he was there to preach the gospel, and to convert gays to a straight life.
"What we did is we went into the event with some signs with biblical passages concerning homosexuality, that homosexuality is sin, but Christ can set you free. And that's what we're there to do, to proclaim the Gospel."
Whatever his motivation, he clearly has a right to be there - as long as he respects the rights of others to do likewise. But I have to believe there are more fertile recruitment grounds for evangelical Christians than a gay-rights rally, so why not just let these folks have their day?
"That is not necessarily true. We do see people who are in tears, who have called me, who have said that they are not happy living this lifestyle anymore. They would like me to counsel them, work with them, to help them overcome this lifestyle. So it's not like there aren't any converts," Marcavage told me.
At fault here is whoever interfered with another group's right to be heard. I wasn't there, but I strongly suspect that was Repent America. What I know for sure is that those who are portraying this as another case of PC run amok just don't know the players.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Smerconish's column appears Thursdays. He can be heard weekdays 5:30-9 a.m. on the Big Talker, 1210/AM. Contact him via the Web at www.mastalk.com.
Look at post 1 to see Dirtboy's opinion.
Guess again, Michael. I know most of the players in this case rather well, including you!
>>But I have to believe there are more fertile recruitment grounds for evangelical Christians than a gay-rights rally, so why not just let these folks have their day? <<
Umm, suppose it is a stupid action on the part of Repent America. So, now we have criminalized ineffective recruitment techniques?
Keep order, yes. Arbitrarily evict one group from a public street strictly because of the content of their non-threatening, not-profane SPEECH, while ignoring the ones who were actually obstructing? No. The right to stand on a public street and speak what we like is CORE to our rights as Americans.
MM
Unfortunately, they do get their way, EVERYDAY!
Yep, the very first paragraph is a sales pitch:
My negative views of political correctness are so strong that I recently wrote a book on the subject.
"The Democratic Party in Washington State is trying through litigation to prevent the GOP from accessing the State Patrol list of convicted felons."
I guess the Democrats were for Freedom of Information before they were against it.
Words matter, they go to concepts. Concepts like; hyperbole sometimes leads to actions. "Nothing is too much" certainly falls into the catagory. I'm certain you think there are proper limits. I hope I'm right.
>>PC IS A DIRTY acronym in my house. My negative views of political correctness are so strong that I recently wrote a book on the subject. <<
And yes, something tells me that this author truly does not understand what PC means. I mean it. Many liberals really do think that "Politically Incorrect" is politically incorrect. They are so unaccustomed to anything but praise and reward for antisocial behavior that they have no idea what gotcha-censorship is about.
Political Correctness is not about shunning people who make stupid or politically unpopular statements. It is about accusing someone of hatred for the failure to use the current, trendy language.
This statement is not merely Politically Incorrect: "Disabled persons are a drag on the economy; someday we will be brave enough to euthanize them." A director of Health and Human Services who states such a thing has reasonably demonstrated themselves unfit for their office.
Firing someone for referring to "cripples"... now THAT is political correctness.
EVERY chance he gets!
I was thinking the same thing. It's NOT an issue about political correctness. You are right.
"Your post is confusing, are you saying the praying belongs within the closed doors of one's residence or that the celebration of an alternative "lifestyle" should only be done in that manner?"
Sorry... Your choice to associate religion with perversion reveals your foolishness to everyone.
Still confused Professor?
It's a lame-assed attempt to wrap a conservative protective mantle over a DA who is anything but conservative.
I'm endorsing the right provided by the First Amendment. If they get arrested for disturbing the peace fine, but the idea of "they shouldn't have been there" is bogus. It was a public street not private property.
PC is not an acronym. First sentence in and already the language is being mangled.
Smerconish has become a joke in the Philly/South Jersey area. He kisses the butt Lynne Abraham, a Christian hating abortion loving old crab, and also was an apologist for McGreevey before the scandal broke.
Smerconish is in love with himself, and he kisses up to lefties so they'll say "he's not so bad". He's a real irritant, and I always switch the station when I hear his whiny voice.
>>Either he is lazy, or he didn't want the evidence to get in the way of the facts.<<
That's standard operating procedure for Smerconish.
The rise of the militant leftist Theophobes could result in blood shed.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.