Oklahoma Representative Sally Kern is what my mother likes to call "a piece of work." And she is what I like to call "a special kind of crazy."
After more than 350 people, led by PFLAG's Oklahoma City chapter, gathered yesterday in the state capitol to denounce Kern's comparison of LGBT Americans to terrorists and cancer, the ever-opinionated lawmaker sat down the Associated Press (rather than, mind you, her own constituents) and oscillated between wrathful fury and self-proclaimed free-speech champion in what can only be described through the use of her own quotes.
"I see no reason to apologize for what God says, that homosexuality is a sin," Kern told the AP, adding that, in case we expected an apology from her, rather than God himself, "I will not apologize. I did not say anything false. I did not say anything malicious or hateful. They are trying to vilify me. That is their tactics."
Did not say anything malicious or hateful?!
Let's review, shall we? Here are a few of Kern's quotes from last week:
"I honestly think it's the biggest threat our nation has, even more so than terrorism..."
"You know, gays are infiltrating city councils... did you know that the city council of Eureka Springs is now controlled by gays -- they are winning elections."
"One of my colleagues said, 'We don't have a gay problem in our community...' Well you know what, that is so dumb. If you have cancer in your little toe, do you just say that I'm going to forget about it since the rest of you is fine? It spreads! This stuff is deadly and it is spreading."
One has to imagine that even God might want an apology for some of that rhetoric.
Indeed, yesterday's gathering at the state capitol included a number of communities of faith, clergy and family organizations. Rev. Loyce Newton-Edwards, PFLAG's Oklahoma City chapter president, was joined by Rev. Robin Meyers, pastor of the Mayflower United Church of Christ in Oklahoma City and Rev. James Shields, a retired United Methodist Church minister who lives in Kern's western Oklahoma City district.
"If we do not condemn hate speech from an elected public official, we in effect endorse it," said Rev. Meyers. "This represents the state of Oklahoma in a way that is deeply offensive."
"Representative Kern has made a number of statements that are fearful, that are lacking in tolerance and that are too emotional for rational public discussion," Rev. Shields added. "It is OK to be afraid of terrorists. All of use are. It is not OK to be afraid of gay people. Most of us are not."
But it was, perhaps, Rev. Loyce-Newton who best summed up why so many families, allies and LGBT Oklahomans took time out of their day to speak up against Kern's comments. "This kind of bigotry has lasted too long," she said. "We're willing to stand up and say: 'No more.'"
Kern, however, was unmoved by true voices of faith. While she told AP that "That's great they came to the Capitol. This is a free country. They're exercising their First Amendment right," she also reiterated that she had no interest in talking to the people she was elected to represent.
"When I am wrong, and it is brought to my attention, I will apologize," she said.
If more than 350 constituents can't get her attention, one wonders if even God could get Sally to open her eyes.
(You can see video coverage of yesterday's rally online here.)
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10 Comments
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kern is too stupid to know it. pathetic and common.
jerindc | March 19, 2008 11:10 AM
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Gee, so much for that "bearing false witness against your neighbor" stuff that you christians are so big about.
Villify her? Maybe her ignorance, but as a person, no. Though she does serve as a reminder of one of the reasons I left the southern baptist church and became a pagan.
I just hope to the Goddess that she never has an LGBT child.
Not even Warren Buffet could pay for those therapy bills.
diddlygrl | March 19, 2008 11:15 AM
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I feel that God will open her eyes when she meets Him. He won't punish her, because I don't feel that is how He works. But, her education will take place, even though we may never witness it.
MonicaHelms | March 19, 2008 12:10 PM
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Sally also said the following in response to the demonstration:
"They are trying to vilify me. That is their tactics...They’re sending out letters and making calls in my district. And they really want me to come down and talk to them? It would be like throwing myself to the lions. "
Hmmm, considering two of the spokespersons interviewed by the media for the demonstration were a Methodist Minister and an Episcopal Priest, I find the "throwing myself to the lions" a fairly telling comment on where her actual attitude lies. Claiming Christianity and practicing it are two very different things. I feel that the clergy out at that demonstration were practicing it, and leave it to Sally to decide if she is.
ShannonB | March 19, 2008 12:40 PM
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Galatians 2:16
Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.”
Bil Browning | March 19, 2008 12:45 PM
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Gawsh, poor Sally! It must be so hard to feel attacked by everyone around you for no reason at all!
Alex Blaze | March 19, 2008 2:24 PM
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Or to paraphrase the great Anne Richards;
Poor Sally, she can't help that she was born with a silver foot in her mouth.
diddlygrl | March 19, 2008 2:56 PM
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See, this is why I love PFLAG.
Serena Freewomyn | March 19, 2008 8:45 PM
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Dear Sally Kern:
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your speech, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination ... End of debate.
I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them.
1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is, my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2. clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?
7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?
8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?
9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
Your adoring fan
forbesfart | March 20, 2008 9:34 AM
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Wouldn't Cuba, the Bahamas and Jamaca also be considered neighboring countries?
Did you send her your letter?
Monica
MonicaHelms | March 20, 2008 10:20 AM
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