Mr. Crist, How Could You?

Now that Charlie Crist knows what Amendment 2 will do if passed, he's rescinded his "live and let live" philosophy in favor of supporting a proposed Florida ban on gay marriages and domestic partnerships. As a native Floridian, I'm more disappointed than surprised that he's finally toeing the right-winger line. But I can only imagine how my progressive gay friends feel who voted for Crist despite his party affiliation, and his suspiciously traditional "lifestyle." Most of them figured that voting for Crist meant protecting (not even improving) gay rights for Floridians. No one expected the man to act like a progressive, though it sent shivers of hope up my spine when he repealed the Florida law that prohibited felons from voting, despite the political consequences.

But open-minded Floridians never guessed he'd get behind a ban on gay marriage.

Despite it being one of the freer states around, Crist knows as well as the rest of us that Florida is run by good ole' boys, the kind that don't really care too much for gays or librah types. But Crist also knows, better than any elected Republican save Mark Foley, that Florida is also something of a gay mecca, and that allowing gay marriage and/or domestic partnerships would bring a much-needed boost to the economy of a state that's been hit hard by the mortgage crisis.

And Mr. Crist shouldn't forget that HIV+ gay Floridians and their partners are going to continue to face all kinds of cruel bureaucratic obstacles surrounding personal finances, medical care, and visitation rights if Amendment 2 passed. And that it's more than just the sunshine that has made Florida a refuge for persecuted gay immigrants.

I know, I know: It's not Crist's fault—really it's not. Floridians have a right to their referendums! But was it really necessary for him to go on the record in support of Amendment 2? It wasn't right, Charlie. It just wasn't right.

If Amendment 2 passes in November, be sure to gauge Crist's reaction at his favorite event of the season.

Comments

[the innominate one]

I believe the phrase is "toe the line", not "tow the line".

[Guy Montag]

So, how is removing that other 'marriage' scam from Florida law going?

And this is in Reason?

But Crist also knows, better than any elected Republican save Mark Foley, that Florida is also something of a gay mecca, and that allowing gay marriage and/or domestic partnerships would bring a much-needed boost to the economy of a state that's been hit hard by the mortgage crisis.

Sounds like an expansion of government handouts endorsement.

[Mike Riggs]

Karma's a bitch.

[Episiarch]

Now I'm even more skeptical of Mike's "girlfriend" claim. He sure knows a lot about Florida's gay scene.

[BDB]

Ah, Charlie "Green Iguana" Crist.

For everyone who doesn't know what I'm referring to, google it.

[Pro Libertate]

If Crist isn't gay, then no one is. Fake wife for the VP run or no.

[BDB]

Pro Liberate, Hes also been engaged something like 5 times, they were all broken off. His ex-wife divorced him after a year, she claimed hes gay.

[Guy Montag]

Is he like Jim J. Bullock level flaming or something? Thought I saw him on TV the other day (could have been someone else) and did not notice.

[BDB]

Guy, from what I hear he can turn the gay "on" and "off".

Here, read this.

[Guy Montag]

BDB,

Interesting, but there really isn't anything wrong with that is there?

Will read linked article at home later.

[Elemenope]

I'm curious, Guy. When interracial couples pre-Loving were aching for official recognition and protection of the law, were you deriding them for rent-seeking too? Was theirs a "scam" cause?

[Brandybuck]

...despite his party affiliation...

While Charlie Crist panders to retirees, the gay community in Florida panders to tired old stereotypes. Do the Log Cabin Republicans have no chapter in Florida?

A friend of mine told me this story. He was at a Republican Party gathering in Berkeley, California. Yeah, I know that sounds weird, but there are a lot of Republicans in that city. Anyway, he sees this guy in the corner that everybody is avoiding like the plague, and notices that he is wearing a Log Cabin button. He goes over and starts talking to the man, apologizing for the ostracization. "Don't worry about it," he says, "This is nothing. At least they're not openly spitting on me like some do when I go to gay groups wearing the same button."

[Guy Montag]

B,

Yea, it seems the Leftists can frequently be manners deficient.

[BDB]

Guy, I guess theres nothing wrong with being gay. But I'd put lying about it to the public for the sake of your political career on the same level as lying to the public about an extra-marital affair for the sake of your political career (looking at you, John Edwards).

It'd be better if he would just come out.

[Chris S.]

Closet case backs anti-gay laws.

Dog bites man.

[Guy Montag]

CS,

I did not know the dog biting nich was in play here.

Dang, I am so out of touch with all of this hip crowd stuff.

[J sub D]

I'm curious, Guy. When interracial couples pre-Loving were aching for official recognition and protection of the law, were you deriding them for rent-seeking too? Was theirs a "scam" cause?

If not, what's the diff?

[Guy Montag]

BDB,

Had to jump over to NRO to see that Edwards finally admitted something about that affair reported by the Enquirer.

Wow, just wow.

[Elemenope]

"Don't worry about it," he says, "This is nothing. At least they're not openly spitting on me like some do when I go to gay groups wearing the same button."

...

Yea, it seems the Leftists can frequently be manners deficient.

Gee, I wonder why. A Log Cabin Republican to them is much like a black KKK member. Not only doesn't it make sense, but it is harmful as hell to the causes they believe in.

And you are shocked that they are rude to the people who want to write neon-sign bright oppression into the law (that'd be the GOP) against them nationwide?

[Guy Montag]

Humm, JsD quoting someone I must be ignoring.

Since we have had this discussion a dozen times on H&R since I got here we really gotta go over it again? Can't just look back at previous discussions?

Here is the bottom line: marriage "status" should not be used by the government for anything at all.

[Zeb]

I think that gay groups' disdain for the republican party makes a lot of sense, and doesn't make them leftists. This is the party that uses constitutional amendments that codify hatred and discrimination against gay people to get out the vote in big elections. (Yes Democrats suck too for many other reasons.)

[Guy Montag]

Well, I had other stuff in the post but my misuse of an angle bracket killed it.

Does not really matter. The Leftoid trolls can just argue about things themselves.

[J sub D]

So if only Baptists are prohibited from receiving welfare or unemployment benefits, you'd be OK with that? After all welfare and unemployument benefits should not be provided by the state at all.

[Pro Libertate]

Crist isn't flaming, but I keep hearing stories about him from people who should know. Obviously, he's done a good job of keeping a hat on it, if it's true. Barry Diller is another one you hear these things about a lot, and he's got a wife.

[joe]

Since there's no reason to put a stop sign at the end of Elm Street, it's totally OK if the police only pull over black people who blow through it.

Sigh. If only there was no stop sign. Oh well. What else can I say? Zoom-zoom!

[thedifferentphil]

In case people didn't click on the "traditional" word in "suspiciously traditional" in the post, you should. His beard wife to be actually is a beard maker!

[Breeder]

Teh Gays sure want to probe Governor Crist's personal life.

[Pro Libertate]

I don't like Crist for reasons other than his gayness. For instance, I'm offended by his pathetic attempt to compete with the God of Tanning, George Hamilton.

[Chris S.]

thedifferentphil,

Ha! Perhaps there really is a God. And he's hilarious and kind of mean.

[Pro Libertate]

Speaking of homosexuality, I understand that Takei's gayness has come under question.

[joe]

I'm offended by his pathetic attempt to compete with the God of Tanning, George Hamilton.

Crist's hair is so gleaming white that his tan makes him look like a photo negative.

[Elemenope]

Better a leftoid than one who simply ignores that which is disagreeable.

[Pro Libertate]

Excellent observation, joe! Now if only someone would Photoshop a negative image of Crist, post it on the web, and link to it here. In the next ten minutes.

Incidentally, I forgive Hamilton for The Godfather III. It's not his fault that Coppola didn't get Duval. Besides, Love at First Bite was great.

[Episiarch]

I'm offended by his pathetic attempt to compete with the God of Tanning, George Hamilton.

Uh, his proper title is "The Man With The Eternal Tan". Have a little respect, ok?

[Pro Libertate]

Episiarch,

Respect. You call Melaninian George a mere "man", and then accuse me of disrespect. That tan is more than human, buddy.

[Pro Libertate]

Urkobold's crack staff has achieved the improbable! Behold!

[joe]

As if the taint-withering wasn't bad enough, now he's got a whole staff devoted to cracks?

*shudder*

[Pro Libertate]

Yeah, the Urkobold has some interesting sidelines.

[DannyK]

Crist reminds me of Mitt Romney -- they're both photogenic centrist governors who have suddenly morphed into right-wingers. I'm not sure if this is just chasing after the Vice-Presidency, or if mind control devices are involved.

[Sam]

A friend of mine told me this story. He was at a KKK gathering in Berkeley, California. Yeah, I know that sounds weird, but there are a lot of Klan members in that city. Anyway, he sees this guy in the corner that everybody is avoiding like the plague, and notices that he is wearing a "Blacks who support the KKK" button. He goes over and starts talking to the man, apologizing for the ostracization. "Don't worry about it," he says, "This is nothing. At least they're not openly spitting on me like some do when I go to black groups wearing the same button."

Damn those manners-deficient blacks...

[Mike]

How can Mr. Crist deny homosexuals the freedom to marry with a "straight" face

[Hank \"Fletch 2\" Himmler]

"He was at a KKK gathering in Berkeley, California"

yeah. The newbies we call klukies

[B]

For christ sake, would you please stop calling liberals progressives. These people have not had a new idea for decades.

[MJ]

"But Crist also knows, better than any elected Republican save Mark Foley, that Florida is also something of a gay mecca, and that allowing gay marriage and/or domestic partnerships would bring a much-needed boost to the economy of a state that's been hit hard by the mortgage crisis"

That is about the least compellng, silly and factually dubious reason for not passing this amendment. Is there any expectation that current Florida's marriage laws will be changed to allow homosexual couples to marry to affect the current economy? Is there really much of a bump to be expected in tourism to Florida by homosexuals if by some strange chance it would be changed?