tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3214892376999687784.post5470441300815581281..comments2023-06-24T07:28:50.736-07:00Comments on Dear Diary: FRIDAY the 13thTommy Kovachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17878240273084275013noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3214892376999687784.post-12396225003680007682012-01-13T18:33:36.281-08:002012-01-13T18:33:36.281-08:00Andrea & Matt- thanks for the kindness and sup...Andrea & Matt- thanks for the kindness and support! Matt, we will definitely talk about all this, and I appreciate everything you're saying. I heard about your car. That sucks a bag o' dicks.Tommy Kovachttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17878240273084275013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3214892376999687784.post-29531536285112094252012-01-13T18:03:29.620-08:002012-01-13T18:03:29.620-08:00Fourth, although it doesn't seem like it, all ...Fourth, although it doesn't seem like it, all Mormon churchgoers themselves aren't monolithically anti-gay or anti-gay rights or anti-gay marriage. You already know this also, from what I've told you about friends and family saying that they abhorred what the LDS church organization did during Prop 8. However, I won't lie and say that they are in the majority (yet; I truly think it's just a matter of time, like it was with blacks getting the priesthood in the '60s and '70s). Still prevalent in LDS culture is the attitude epitomized by a common Mormon saying: "When the leaders have spoken, the thinking has been done." This statement makes me want to vomit. It always did, even when I was active LDS. It similarly evokes reverse peristalsis emotions in many Mormons, but, sadly, usually not enough to speak up against it and risk censure. After all, Mormonism is a religion, and religions rely on the mindset that others know better than you. Now, the Mormon church organization, on the other hand, IS a monolithic force against gay rights, and anyone who says differently is a fool. Again, I'm not apologizing for church members not standing up in the face of the leaders and saying that they're wrong in this instance. I'm just reiterating that not all Mormons are dicks about this, I guess.<br /> <br />Fifth, I would be more than willing to give you some political ammunition to use when in a debate with Mormons specifically and religious anti-gay zealots in general so that should this situation arise in future you can be armed to the teeth. Let's talk. By the way, your instincts were correct even though you weren't sure: churches will NOT lose their tax-exempt status NOR will they be FORCED to marry gay couples should such a measure pass, either here in Cali or at the federal level. That's utter bullshit and the kid needs to know that. (I'm not saying that some churches deserve to have their tax-exempt status removed for OTHER reasons, such as political influence, and I argue that the LDS church has fallen afoul of that over and over again and definitely deserves to have its tax-exempt status revoked immediately if not sooner. Other churches are just as guilty of this and other offenses yet remain tax-exempt, and it's WRONG.) <br /> <br />So yeah, fuck Friday the 13th.Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12885987030986795894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3214892376999687784.post-1177456604002928742012-01-13T18:02:56.709-08:002012-01-13T18:02:56.709-08:00Tommy, I also don't give any credence to the F...Tommy, I also don't give any credence to the Friday the 13th nonsense, but after shelling out $1100 on my car today, I have to laugh and/or spit in the face of the fickle fingers of the Fake Fates.<br /> <br />That is truly a bummer that you got a rejection, but I'm glad that you're in the position to see the humor in the reasons. I'm sure if you shop it around to more receptive publishers they'll run with it, because it's a great concept. Plus, this doesn't preclude sending the guy another, less "twee" creation in the future.<br /> <br />The Social Studies thing really grinds my gears. You know where I'm coming from as a blond-haired, blue-eyed kid who was raised Mormon and even served a full 2-year mission for them before I finally gave in to reason and "came out" as a secular humanist to my family. <br /> <br />You also know that three of my four best friends in the whole world are gay (you and Anthony included of course), and the fourth, well, you know. This all gives me an intimate view into both sides of the Mormon stance on gay marriage. <br /> <br />First, I am so glad you spoke up as it occurred, and that you retained your composure throughout. That sends the best message possible not only to the Momo, but to all those in attendance. <br /> <br />Second, I can only imagine how frazzled you were after the fact. Please take care of yourself. It's impossible not to take it personally because, after all, your personal rights were the ones being debated, and it's normal to feel like you want to wring that smug little neck of his and/or every LDS person out there. That part I can understand completely; I don't need to be gay to get that.<br /> <br />Third, that kid really has no clue about life. He's been insulated from reality and fed half-truths and/or outright lies about gay rights (among myriad other topics). Just because he's a senior in high school doesn't mean a DAMN thing. He's as receptive to outside information as a stone right now. Perhaps college will give him the permission to start using his mind for critical thinking and questioning (unless he goes to BYU). When I was that age, although I was active LDS I still had educated and open-minded parents and sought out non-Mormon friends and ideas, but clearly he is not so fortunate or so inclined. I'm not being an apologist for his bigotry, but I am at least telling you why he is the way he is, currently. My mom used to say, "There are many reasons, but there is no excuse." <br /> <br />Parts 4 and 5 below.Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12885987030986795894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3214892376999687784.post-64809281862275493442012-01-13T11:20:17.935-08:002012-01-13T11:20:17.935-08:00I can ALMOST understand how people can be ignorant...I can ALMOST understand how people can be ignorant if they haven't been exposed to the "real world", but an educated person has absolutely no excuse for discrimination of ANY kind. Kinda makes me a little sick...<br />You showed amazing restraint Tommy.Andrea Bergnernoreply@blogger.com