Time for the Clarabell Award, given for acts of meritorious stupidity. There are two dishonorees this week, because they are both on the same theme.
The first is the chief prelate of the Church of England, the Archbishop of Canterbury. His name is Rowan Williams and he is stepping down in December after 10 years in the position. He of course has been interviewed looking back over his career.During his tenure, the Church experienced some real divisions after the ordination of the first openly homosexual Anglican bishop. His name is Gene Robinson; he is an American. Williams expressed regret over that. He said he didn't do enough to prevent those divisions, he should have "gone to US sooner" and "engaged more directly."
But "engaged more" to what end? He doesn't say. But what got him his award is that he admitted that the Church has "not exactly been on the forefront of pressing for civic equality for homosexual people" and that was "wrong" - but he immediately turned around and reiterated the church's opposition to gay marriage.
Right. Now, I assume the Church is still against sex outside of marriage, so what he is saying is that "homosexual people" should have more "civic equality" so long as they don't actually act on their sexuality - that is, they should have more equality except in any areas related to the Church. This is like some corporate CEO saying LGBT folks should have more civil rights - except in areas related to employment.
Rowan Williams is a clown.
(Oh, and by the way: As one person commenting on this reminded us, religion is a lifestyle choice.)
Our other clown is Maryland state Representative Emmett C. Burns, Jr.
Maryland has an initiative on ballot this fall for marriage equality. Brandon Ayanbadajo, who is a linebacker for Baltimore Ravens, spoke out in favor of the initiative.
In response, Burns, who is a Democrat, sent a letter on his official stationery to the owner of the Ravens saying, and I quote
I find it inconceivable that one of your players would publicly endorse same-sex marriageand later in same letter
I am requesting that you take the necessary action, as a franchise owner, to inhibit such expressions from your employee and that he be ordered to cease and desist such injurious actions.So a state Rep is using his position as a legislator to urge an employer to do whatever it takes to force an employee to just shut up on an issue of public importance. Just stating it is proof of how much of a clown is Maryland state Rep. Emmett C. Burns.
But there's a bit more on this: Ayanbadajo pushed back, tweeting that "Football is just my job, it's not who I am" and the Ravens, to the owner's credit, issued a statement supporting Ayanbadajo's right to free speech.
Even better, Chris Kluwe, who is the punter for the Minnesota Vikings, has been active in a campaign to oppose an anti-same sex marriage amendment on the ballot in Minnesota this year. He heard about the Ayanbadajo matter and wrote his own hilarious, profanity-filled letter to Burns. I can't quote much on it on the air, but I did want to include this, from the letter:
I can assure you that gay people getting married will have zero effect on your life. They won't come into your house and steal your children. They won't even overthrow the government in an orgy of hedonistic debauchery because all of a sudden they have the same legal rights as the other 90 percent of our population - rights like Social Security benefits, child care tax credits, Family and Medical Leave to take care of loved ones, and COBRA healthcare for spouses and children. You know what having these rights will make gays? Full-fledged American citizens.Right on, Chris Kluwe.
You should read the whole letter, it really is quite funny - but I have to add that it has no effect on the fact Maryland state Representative Emmett C. Burns, Jr. is a clown.
Sources:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/08/rowan-williams-admits-fai_0_n_1866794.html
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/scarce/nfl-punters-scathing-profanity-laced-letter
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