Sally Kern Has the Right to Free Speech
Oklahoma State Representative Sally Kern expressed her view that the gay and lesbian agenda, and endoctrination, of our children in schools is bad for America, society, and our culture. Sally expressed her views, whether we agree with them or not, and she has every right to free speech as every other American. Now she is being called homophobic. She said at the start she is "not gay bashing." Sally expressed concern that gays are gaining too much influence in politics, and spreading their gay agenda, and she wants to stop it. Sally could be a democrat saying she wants to stop republicans from gaining too much influence, and it would have been the same to her. She is fighting a political opponent, not trying to prevent gays from living freely, but trying to fight their influence in politics. It’s a fact that gays make up a minority in our society, so Sally could say she represents the majority of Americans. We all have the right to elect someone who is gay into a political office, and we know they will spread their gay agenda, that is unless the person doesn’t reveal they are gay, which is more often the case than not. Honesty might be a good approach for candidates who are in the closet, but still promote gay issues, otherwise it’s misrepresentation. The issue here however, is that Sally has expressed an opposing view, and has exercised her right to free speech. Now the gay and lesbian groups are trying to silence her, threatening her, and trying to force her to apologize. That’s wrong, and it is not democratic.
Sally has now said she will NOT apologize, because she believes in what she says. She is fighting against gay influence in politics, not the right of gays to live their lives.
Once again, gay groups feel threatened by the majority of Americans that feel the same way as Sally, so they attack her. Sally should not apologize, but should be embraced by gay Americans for her different views, like many Americans do for gays that come out of the closet. Perhaps gay and lesbian Americans should learn to tolerate people with opposing views, like Sally, since not tolerating Sally amounts to heterosexual intolerance. After all, heterosexuals are the vast majority in America, and Sally has the same right to express her views, and advance her heterosexual agenda, as gay and lesbian Americans do. It’s time for gay and lesbian groups to stop being hypocrites, and accept others, as they want others to accept them. Freedom of Speech is a door that swings both ways.
To support or complain about Sally’s view you can contact her office with the information below:
(405) 557-7348 sallykern@okhouse.gov 2713 Sterling Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73127
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Sally certainly has the right to free speech. No one is denying that. However there are a few things that come with free speech that she seems to have forgotten:
1. Responsibility. It is irresponsible to yell “Fire” in a crowded theatre, when there isn’t one, becuase people will panic, violence may happen and people may be hurt or killed. It is likewise irresponsible to liken a minority group to terrorism because it may result in inciting violence with someone getting hurt or killed.
2. Accountability. If you are going to exercise your right to free speech in a public setting, and if you are an elected official with the responsibility of representing ALL of you rconstituents, you must be able to back up what you are saying. Sally cannot do this.
and
3. Consequences. Sometimes there are consequences relating to the thoughtless use of free speech, and that, ladies and gentlemen, is what Ms. Kern is currently experiencing.
BTW, with regard to dealing with discrimination and bigotry, there is a documentary called “Blue Eyes” with Jane Elliott that is very good.
Comment by Rob — March 19, 2008 #
You have a basic problem of logic here. If someone objects to an abusive (and error-filled) tirade against gays, that person is not being intolerant of heterosexuality. Quite obviously, the objection is not to Kern’s (hetero)sexuality, or even to her personal belief that homosexuality is wrong. It is an objection to hate speech, to false and abusive language that claims gay people are so loathsome and dangerous they will destroy the country.
Sure, Kern has the right to speak this view. But it is an outrageous view for everyone who doesn’t hate gay people, and we have a right to criticize her and call for her to lose her public office.
Comment by Benthead — March 13, 2008 #
Please tell me how her spreading fear and hate is simply exercising free speech?! Inciting violence is more like it! This article defending her hateful, ignorance sounds like it was written by her family. I don’t want her to give a false apology. First of all she wouldn’t mean it, secondly we should know who the bigots are so we can vote them out! Heterosexual intolerance? Spreading gay agenda? Really?! Is wanting equal rights and protection as promised in the Constitution spreading gay agenda? Is that what African americans did when they fought for the right to vote etc? You say it’s wrong that gays are speaking out against her spreading hate and should embrace her?!? I don’t hear any gay people saying being hetero is wrong. Hypocites that need to accept people?! Funny how gays are always the ones that need to accept people and turn the other cheek while being bashed! Freedom of speech swings both ways?! NOT!!! That’s a joke! You probably won’t print this but I had to speak out.
Comment by C.Hunter — March 12, 2008 #
Sally Kern’s ugly remarks reflect horribly not only on the state of Oklahoma, but on our nation.
The only people I have ever known to push an agenda or a lifestyle are the right-wing Christian fundamentalists. What they too often seem to forget is that not all Americans are Christians who believe that the bible is the word of God.
As for her equating homosexuality with terrorism? Tell that to the families of the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing and September 11.
As for her claims that not all religions are equal, I’d like her to explain which ones are better … and why.
Sally Kern is a perfect example of what is wrong with America. She is a national disgrace.
Shame on her!
Comment by McVicker — March 11, 2008 #
The issue is freedom of speech. Many people don’t believe in homosexuality being “God given”. There are many who have been in that life style who have gotten out who will tell you it is not. According to our paper the parts on UTUBE are edited to make it sound like hate speech. She was talking to 50 people not a convention hall full.
Comment by Teri Crews — March 11, 2008 #
You are correct in saying that people have the right of free speech. However, as an elected official, Ms Kern does not have the right to marginalize a whole minority in her electorate. With free speech comes responsibility.
God bless the voters who also have the right to vote her right on out of office.
Comment by josh — March 10, 2008 #
E-mail sent to Rep. Kern:
OK. State Rep. Kern:
What do you think “hate” speech is?
Comparing a group of people to terrorists and radical Islamists isn’t HATE SPEECH?
No one would disagree that you can criticize any so-called “lifestyle,” or “values,” or agenda you want, but your language is demagoguery; as inflammatory as any ever used by the late George Wallace, or Louis Farrakhan, or that ridiculous Baptist group from Wichita. Is that whom you align with - Fred Phelps?
Picketed any soldier’s funeral lately?
You are not a Christian. Jesus Christ would NEVER speak the way you have done: attempting to incite violence against a group which has done NO personal harm to you or to the food people of OK.,- have they? Yes violence - because our military forces are fighting the groups to whom you compare homosexuals.
Jesus Christ NEVER even mentioned homosexuality. You espouse tracts of the Old Testament which have been roundly discredited by reputable churches and preachers. Do you believe women are chattel? Do you believe in slavery? Do you eat shellfish? All are referenced in the Old Testament along with atrocities far worse than water-boarding. Such references have to merit in modern Christianity.
You have shown yourself to be an extraordinarily ignorant person. You probably believe most gay people are pedophiles too. They orient two year olds? My god such ignorance!
Nobody wants your apology. Everyone I know who has heard your hateful rant - just want you to go back to elementary school, to Bible School, any school - and learn that Christianity is supposed to be a religion of peace and love.
You really ought to be put into some kind of intern camp, like the Japanese in WW II.
We pray to God that you do not have children and that the good people of Oklahoma (Tim McVey anyone?) will vote you out of office in the next election.
My God, my God, Jesus - Lord, please show this woman the gates of hell.
Comment by Bob Murphy — March 10, 2008 #
The issue isn’t about free speech. It is about the fact that she has labeled the God-given sexual orientation of homosexual Americans as a greater threat to this country than people who fly jetliners into skyscrapers and threaten to kill millions with nuclear devices. Talk about misplaced priorities.
She has the right to say what she wants, and the majority of Americans who find it repugnant have the right to call it as they see it - hate speech.
Comment by John — March 10, 2008 #
You’re saying that it’s ok for Kerns to want the gay lobby to be pushed out of politics, or to silence the gay lobby (to put it another way).
But then you say that it’s not fair for the gay lobby to press for Kerns to be silenced also.
Nice double-standard there.
Comment by tantrakus — March 10, 2008 #
what would she and others who agree with her have to say if a gay person said that they wanted to stop the heterosexuals influence in politics? That would sound ludicrous to them, the same way this sounds ludicrous to gays. It’s unfair and I don’t think her ‘viewpoint’ should be accepted. It’s homophobic no matter which way you spin it!
Comment by rufio — March 10, 2008 #