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Name-calling
should not be tolerated
When
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger stooped to
name-calling he didn't realize that more
than just the Democrats he targeted would
take offense.
The
Democrats responded to this insult by complaining
that it was sexist and homophobic, insulting
to women and gays, according to CNN.com.
State Sen. Sheila Kuehl told CNN the governor
had resorted to "blatant homophobia".
Assemblyman
Mark Leno, chairman of the Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, and Transgender Caucus also responded
to the "girlie men" comment by
perceiving it as misogynist and anti-gay.
The National Transgender Advocacy Coalition
(NTAC) also felt Schwarzenegger was insulting
women, Democrats, and transgenders.
People
should realize that one little comment by
the Governor does not mean he hates lesbians,
gays, bisexuals or women. It does not mean
he is homophobic or hates transgendered
people.
All
it means is that Governor Schwarzenegger
attempted to make himself a stronger candidate
by calling names and pointing fingers at
the opposition. He means that the Democrats
are wimps compared to his strong self. The
Governor was not implying that women, crossdressers,
or anyone but the Democrats are weaker politicians.
After
all, both parties represent their special
interests and spotlighting the Democrats
does nothing but turn the spotlight back
to the Republican special interest groups.
President
Bush and Senator Kerry have been name-calling
throughout their campaign, but anyone running
for office should avoid silly insults and
put-downs. These are the words of children,
and most of us learned long ago that name-calling
is not nice. True gentlemen (or gentlewomen)
do not stoop so low.
The
popularity of the Internet has brought about
an easy way of creating smear ads, publishing
them, and hiding the identity of the creator.
The Internet allows easy access to millions
of Web users and is not censored or judged
for truth. On the Internet, any thought,
no matter how false, can be distributed
to the masses. Voters should pay close attention
to where these ads are coming from and if
they are backed by any sense of truth before
passing the information along.
President
Bush has sidelined political groups attacking
Kerry, and John Kerry's Web site has a link
to "Mission Not Accomplished"
a website dedicated to negativity against
President Bush. However, for some reason
the people we choose to run this country
reduce themselves to petty insults before
every election and we let them get away
with it. Hell, we encourage it by watching
their advertisements and repeating their
phrases.
Like
an upset child, the Governor refused to
apologize for his comment, and the words
"girlie men" will forever be linked
to Governor Schwarzenegger and his accent.
Politicians
should prove themselves through their morals,
their stance on important subjects, and
their intelligence and understanding of
the system. Since no rising politicians
are against family values or kissing babies,
the important issues will be war, health
care, abortion, environmental policy, economics,
and how they feel they can do the best job
possible. Mud-slinging does not convey those
goals. As an attentive public, our voices
should shout that we do not want to hear
pansy name-calling in politics.
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