Reactions To Sally Kern

By now almost the entire world has heard about Oklahoma Rep. Sally Kern and her speech against gays.

Here is a clip of her speech (via Blogher):

The world is reacting to her- but not in the way she hoped.

Via Pam’s House Blend, I learn of a letter written by the son of woman killed in the Oklahoma City bombings. Kern refused to allow this letter to be delivered to her. Here is a partial excerpt of that letter (that is being picked up nationwide by news agencies and other blogs):

On April 19, 1995, in Oklahoma City a terrorist detonated a bomb that killed my mother and 167 others. 19 children died that day. Had I not had the chicken pox that day, the body count would’ve likely have included one more. Over 800 other Oklahomans were injured that day and many of those still suffer through their permanent wounds.

That terrorist was neither a homosexual or was he involved in Islam. He was an extremist Christian forcing his views through a body count. He held his beliefs and made those who didn’t live up to them pay with their lives.

As you were not a resident of Oklahoma on that day, it could be explained why you so carelessly chose words saying that the homosexual agenda is worst than terrorism. I can most certainly tell you through my own experience that is not true. I am sure there are many people in your voting district that laid a loved one to death after the terrorist attack on Oklahoma City. I kind of doubt you’ll find one of them that will agree with you.

I was five years old when my mother died. I remember what a beautiful, wise, and remarkable woman she was. I miss her. Your harsh words and misguided beliefs brought me to tears, because you told me that my mother’s killer was a better person than a group of people that are seeking safety and tolerance for themselves.

As someone left motherless and victimized by terrorists, I say to you very clearly you are absolutely wrong.

Of course, someone so full of hate and fear wouldn’t want to read a letter worded in such a way. A heterosexual, Christian bomber took the life of this young man’s mother and Kern had the audacity to say gays are more dangerous than that.

From the Mainstream Baptist blog, I learned that the Executive Director Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, Anthony Jorday, sent the following email soliciting support for Rep. Kern:

—–Original Message—–
From: Leininger, Lisa [mailto:lleininger@BGCO.ORG]
Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2008 4:23 PM
To: DOMs
Subject: Representative Sally Kern

Good afternoon,

Dr. Jordan has asked me to pass along the contact information for Representative Sally Kern. As most of you know she has been under some very tight scrutiny lately about standing up against homosexuality. Many requests have been made to Dr. Jordan regarding what we can do for her as a fellow believer and southern Baptist. He would like you to share this information with all your churches inviting them to contact Rep. Kern via e-mail or a phone call to encourage her and offer support during this trying time. If you have any questions or if I can help you in any way please let me know.

Thank you for all you do! Have a great weekend!

Representative Sally Kern
sallykern@okhouse.gov
(405) 557-7348

It’s good to know that there are people that support such a hateful and ill-spoken person such as Kern.

Dr. Bruce Prescott, the author of the above blog as well as the Executive Director of Mainstream Oklahoma Baptists, offers this exercise for anyone sympathizing with what Kern said.

She claims only be engaged in a “vigorous debate” on the issue and not engaging in hate speech. Here’s a quote from Kern’s speech:

Matter of fact, studies show that no society that has totally embraced homosexuality has lasted more than, you know, a few decades. So it’s the death nell to this country. I honestly think it’s the biggest threat that our nation has — even more so than terrorism, or Islam, which I think is a big threat, OK? Because what’s happening now, they’re going after, in schools, two year olds!

Let’s just make a few changes to her speech and see what she thinks. What if politically powerful politicians were saying:

Matter of fact, studies show that no society that has totally embraced the Jews has lasted more than, you know, a few decades. So it’s the death nell to this country. I honestly think it’s the biggest threat that our nation has — even more so than terrorism, or communism, which I think is a big threat, OK? Because what’s happening now, they’re going after, in schools, two year olds!

While all of this was going on, and with an entire nation lining up against her, she offered this statement:

“To put this simply, as a Christian I believe homosexuality is not moral. Obviously, you have the right as an American to choose that lifestyle, but I also have the right to express my views and my fellow Oklahomans have the right to debate these issues.

“In recent years homosexual activists have begun to aggressively promote their agenda through the political process, often providing substantial financing to candidates who agree with their views, including many running for state legislative races. National publications such as Time, The Atlantic and USA Today have noted that trend. That is their right, just as it is my right to voice opposition to their agenda, which I have been asked to do at several public forums in recent months. That’s what democracy is all about. It appears some homosexual activists believe only one group is allowed a voice in this debate. I disagree.

“A vigorous debate on an issue is not ‘hate speech’ – it’s free speech. I have made clear my opposition to the agenda of homosexual activists, but I have never endorsed or supported any hateful action targeting individuals on the other side of this debate and never will. The fact that many gay rights activists claim anyone opposing their agenda is engaging in ‘hate speech’ says more about them than me.

“Most Oklahomans are socially conservative and believe marriage is a sacred institution, the union of one man and one woman, and that the traditional family is worth protecting and preserving. When I campaigned for office, I promised my constituents to stand up for those values, and I do not apologize for keeping my word.” [source]

I am a proponent of free speech and a supporter of gay rights. I don’t think that Kern should be censored or legally reprimanded for her words. I think that she should be asked to resign and that she should step out of a government office, where she has the power to do actual harm. Free speech, like the nonsense Kern spouted, is limited and does not encompass what she thinks it encompasses. She needs to lose the ability to harm families with her hatred and ignorance.

---

Did you enjoy this post? Why not leave a comment below and continue the conversation, or subscribe to my feed and get articles like this delivered automatically each day to your feed reader.