Free Republic

I think that clowns are rather cool actually. :-)

That sounds kind of hateful.....But you know, God did command us to "Love our neighbor as ouselves--even Republicans." Obviously I added that last part..In fun only....But I am concerned that you dedicate so much of your time and energies to finding fault with others......Why not spend your time focusing on more positive things? Sincerely, John Keefe II, B.A. Ed, MSW(s), Teacher and social worker

Dear Almonjoi: Just before signing off for the night, I reread your post once more. I guess I failed to address all of the things you had mentioned, and would like to take the opportunity to do so. First of all, you have probably seen the letter I wrote to Jim Baugh on his website--www.leavethekidsalone.com Apparently, he seems to be of the opinion that if anyone disagrees with what he has to say that it should be erased. Thus, he keeps removing both my posts and my signature from his guestbook. I told him that I thought that was rather sad, but that is his own issue. I do not believe that I have posted anywhere else.....But I could be wrong..... One thing you mentioned...I definitely agree with. You have the right to THINK ANYTHING YOU WANT! Do not let anyone tell you don't (or they can but you do not have to listen). As a member of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), I am a strong advocate of free speech! I feel that, when spoken in a kind, non-abusive manner, scholarly debate can be helpful if both parties agree. You contend that gays, lesbians, and bisexuals "choose" to be homosexual/bisexual. Really? How is that? I would like to know when you "chose" to be heterosexual. Where were you when you made this decision? What time of day was it? What were you wearing? Did you go off and tell anyone? How old were you? You see, this is the difficulty.....I certainly could not tell anyone when I "became" heterosexual--I just am. If you can honestly answer those questions.....Then you're the only person in the world who can--for which I congratulate you. Indeed, that would be quite a feat! In your last post you said this: HOWEVER, ALMOST EVERY SINGLE RIGHT THEY ARE "FIGHTING" FOR CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH SOME OTHER METHOD. What do you propose? Why can't you just let gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered individuals try to enjoy like to the fullest--just as I am sure you do? Why try to beat them down and tell them they are "not okay"? Are gays and lesbians trying to tell you that your sexual orientation is wrong? Have they? I am guessing that you are a Christian (please correct me if I am wrong). Thus, did not Jesus say to "Love thy neighbor as thyself?" Did he EVER personally mention homosexuality? No, He did not. That part was added later on by fallible human beings who were just trying to make sense of the world the best way they knew how. Of course, the Bible has been used and abused in a number of ways.....For and against slavery.....For and against the suppression of the rights of women....for and against gays, lesbians, and bisexuals....Maybe I should not have gone there....As that is a topic/debate to which there is no clear answer.....As people choose different religious beliefs.....And may or may not even subscribe to all of those proclaimed by their particular religion/denomination, etc. Oh, wait....I see you brought religion into this deate in your last post....Too late. :::shrugs::: To be quite honest with you, I do not know whether or not the majority of gays think that straight sex is gross. I have never asked them. What empirical evidence do you have to support this contention? Have you personally asked the majority of gays and lesbians? Of course, as a heterosexual, I do not necessarily find having sex with another male appealing, so you may very well be right. I would just like to see what empirical evidence you have to support your claim--that's all... This, of course, leads me to another issue. What empirical evidenc do you have to say that gays and lesbians make up 2-8% of the population yet account for 64% of all AIDS cases? That does not even make sense given that, if you look at the total number of AIDS cases and then compare it to the "2-8%" of gays and lesbians (as you claim), there are not even enough people in that population to support the HUGE number of current AIDS cases. Could you possibly provide me with a link to a site--anything--where you obtained your information? Are you applying this contention to the entire world, a particular nation, the world? I would like to know. One final thing: Please provide me with the definition of "normal". How does your own definition differ with that of your neighbor, your co-worker, other people in your community, the nation, the world? That is just something to consider. Sincerely, John Patrick Keefe II, B.A. Ed, MSW(s), Teacher and social worker

Well, you are certainly entitled to your opinions. Isn't that what makes this a great country (in many regards anyway)? You definitely have the right to disagree with me--just as I have the right to disagree with you. That is okay. There is nothing wrong with that. In your post you accused me of "being gay". Although I am not, am I supposed to view that as an insult? That would be like calling me "black" or "Jewish". That does not offend me. I am sorry to disappoint you. One thing I think you should consider re: your post: You stated that homosexuality was a mental disorder. Is it? If you will check the DSM IV I think you will find that there is no such listing. If I am correct it was removed....What, are you going to say that, "That was jsut ecause it was only done by a bunch of psychologists under pressure?" And what about the American Medical Association? Why do they not view homosexuality as a disorder? Hmmmmmm..... One other thing in your post interested me. You said that you should ". . . worry about your own soul." I could not agree more. Oh, I would be interested to view your responses to the other questions I posed to the audience at large in my letter if you get the opportunity. Have a nice day. Sincerely, John Patrick Keefe II, B.A. Ed, MSW(s), Teacher and social worker

This was a letter I wrote to a gentleman of a site that promotes what I personally consider hatred and discrimination (though I recognize that others disagree). I wish to post this letter to this site, as it was a link to his own home page. I already know before even posting this that many people will undoubtedly disagree with what I have to say (I mean, come on, let's face it--this is a very conservative website and I am a liberal), but that is okay. I think that debate and healthy discussions are good. I shall provide you the link to Jim's site (the person through whom I found this site), and shall also provide you with the wbsite of another organization--one on the "left" that believes just the opposite. I hope that you enjoy them both! Jim's website (againsty gays): www.leavethekidsalone.com Steven Cozza's website (for diversity and acceptance): www.scoutingforall.org NOTE: The "letter format" changed when I posted "previewed" my post. Thus, you will be reading this as one big lump instead of a more easily-read "letter" format. Dear Jim: My name is John Patrick Keefe II. I have visited your site several times out of both interest and shock. I will certainly not fault you for expressing your own personal beliefs and values. Indeed, I believe that that right belongs to each and every human being on this earth. When many people make their decisions about life issues and what they hold dear, they often--but certainly not always--do so based upon either experience or empirical evidence (both of which, as it is with most human activities, can be wrong). I must assume that your whole basis for creating and maintaining this website stems forth from the former. While you and I in all likelihood grew up in very different home environments (as most--but not all--of my views are pretty liberal, I must say that the rationale upon which you base your views appears a bit faulty. Now, I could be wrong--and I have been wrong before--but I do not think I am in this particular case. Over the centuries the issue of sexual orientation--something people cannot simply "choose", has long remained a great topic of debate. In my humble opinion, gays, lesbians, bi-sexuals, and transgendered individuals have every right to enjoy the same quality of life as anyone else. Consider other minority groups that people have--and often still do--discriminate against: people of color, women, people of different nationalities, people with various religious creeds (and even those who do not even have one), handicap status, veteran status, because of an individual's age, weight, height, ethnic origin...The list goes on and on. What purpose does discriminating serve? You might consider giving that some serious thought. Let me ask you, Jim, at what point did you wake up and decide that you WANTED to be heterosexual? Of course, if the decision was yours, I would expect you to know the exact date, time, and the place you were when it happened. Another point to consider: If you want to bean count "Biblical sins", do not we as heterosexuals have a LOT more to worry about than gays, lesbians, bi-sexuals, and transgendered individuals (assuming I believed thatthe type of sexual behavior in which they engage constituted a sin)? What about divorce? What about adultery? What about fornication? Have you given thought to heterosexuals who practice polygamy? One thing that you will learn if you ever take the time to get to know someone who is gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, or transgendered is that those people do not merely focus on sexual activity. Indeed, they do not do so any more than do we as heterosexsuals! Unfortunately, you cannot possibly know that unless you try to let go of some of your fear, anxiety, and hatred and really take the time to get to know people who are different from you. If you are strongly determined to sexualize gays, lesbians, bi-sexuals, and transgendered individuals, then surely you must do the same to heterosexuals. How many 1-900 numbers exist? How many magazines with pictures of nude women and men are for sale? Personally, I think that whenever we see others merely as sex objects that we truly miss out on the other qualities those individuals possess--the lasting values. Try taking a look in the Book of Proverbs. Something else you might consider: Gays, lesbians, bi-sexuals, and transgendered individuals do not focus their sexual appetites on young children any more than do heterosexuals. In fact, most adults who conmmit sexual offenses may find absolutely no attraction to young boys, as many are attracted to young girls....But wait a minute--that does not technically classify them as "gay", does it? The truth of the matter is that most people who sexually molest children fall into one of the following categories: #1) They have a primary attraction toward either young boys or young girls, preferring a particular age and physical characteristics--though they may also find themselves slightly attracted to women or men (or both) their own age (fixated offfender of either gender); #2) They may have a sole attraction to young boys or girls, preferring a particular age and physical characteristics with no expressed interest in same or near-age members of either sex; or #3) They may hold a primary attraction toward one sex or the other, preferring same or near age partners--using children as a substitute sexual object (situational offenders). I could list a few other categories and have oversimlified a bit, but that is the GENERAL scope of it. Hey, here is something to consider: If gay menare "always" attracted to young boys, then why should we let adult women in the Scouting program? After all, are not females attracted to males? Are not most young memebers (keeping the Explorer posts in mind) not males? Thus, should we trust females? No, they are all probably in the program because they want to sexually molest chldren. Yeah, that is it! You might recall that the Boy Scouts of America currently discriminates against gays, lesbians, bi-sexuals, transexuals, athiests (and this is admittedly a VERY LOOSE term), and girls. The BSA officials used to prevent women from volunteering until they finally saw that 1) it was a losing battle and 2) women had and continue to have so much to offer. Against whom will they discriminate next? Maybe you, Jim. Maybe you. I do not hate you, Jim. Like I said before--I respect your right to believe whatever it is you wish, and I am glad that you remain open to debate and discussion. I urge you to keep an open mind and an open heart. Do what you feel is right--even if others disagree (as long as what you do does not hurt others). Most importantly, remember to do unto others as you wouuld have them do unto you, to love thy neighbor as thyself, and to be as gentle with others as you possibly can. God bless, Jim. Sincerely, John Patrick Keefe II, B.A. Ed, MSW(s), Teacher and Social Worker