General Interest > Tacitus' Realm
Why is the GOP so scared of gay people?
BuzzKill:
--- Quote from: "Ursus" ---
--- Quote from: "BuzzKill" ---You miss the point entirely.
Its tax dollars. My money. Our money. Taken from us to subsidize worthy causes and supply the needs of government and society. Because it is tax payer dollars it should not be used in ways that denigrate and insult said tax payers, while doing no demonstrable public good.
This is the kind of exhibit that should be supported with private donations by those who value it - not public money.
--- End quote ---
Well, fwiw... this particular exhibit was, in fact, supported by private donations. From the above article, "Smithsonian Museum Removes An LGBT Art Exhibit After GOP Threatens To Defund It," emphasis added:
While 55 percent of the Smithsonian budget is federally funded, those funds are only used to "pay for the buildings, the care of collections exhibited at Smithsonian venues, and museum staff." Museum exhibits are funded solely by private donations, including "Hide/Seek."[/list]
--- End quote ---
I had read that. I find myself wondering if the "artist" had received federal grants to produce their work and would like to know, but as to the issue of the Smithsonian putting such work on display, as I said: In my opinion having such a display greatly diminishes the stature of the Smithsonian; not unlike the diminishing of the Nobel prize by granting it to Obama and Gore; but my objection is over a tax supported museum displaying porn and blasphemy as if it were art. Such exhibits belong in privately owned studio and galleries.
Anne Bonney:
--- Quote from: "BuzzKill" ---You miss the point entirely.
Its tax dollars. My money. Our money. Taken from us to subsidize worthy causes and supply the needs of government and society. Because it is tax payer dollars it should not be used in ways that denigrate and insult said tax payers, while doing no demonstrable public good.
--- End quote ---
It's your opinion that it does no good. Regardless of whether or not you "approve" of them, they ARE a part of America. A very large part and have contributed greatly to society. I don't want my tax dollars going to fight foreign wars, but...
--- Quote ---This is the kind of exhibit that should be supported with private donations by those who value it - not public money.
--- End quote ---
Nobody seemed to be bothered by it until.......After the Catholic League deemed the exhibit an “assault on the sensibilities of Christians” and demanded the government defund the NPG, the Republicans were quick to pile-on
And there we have it. It offended the delicate sensibilities of the Christians.
--- Quote ---No one is saying the artist don't have the right to make it; or that you don't have the right to view it. I would argue it does not belong in a public museum like the Smithsonian. In my opinion having such a display greatly diminishes the stature of the Smithsonian;
--- End quote ---
How?
--- Quote ---not unlike the diminishing of the Nobel prize by granting it to Obama and Gore; but my objection is over a tax supported museum displaying porn and blasphemy as if it were art.
--- End quote ---
Eye of the beholder. What you call "porn" and "blasphemy", others call art. Why should a group of religious people get to decide what's ok for public funding?
--- Quote ---Such exhibits belong in privately owned studio and galleries.
--- End quote ---
In your opinion.
--- Quote ---And folks, take a moment to think on this - What if the figure being eaten by ants were Mohamed? How tolerant do you suppose the powers that be at the Smithsonian and with academia and the media would be with such a display? Should all the peaceful Muslims who pay their taxes be forced to support something like that? Wouldn't that be seen as intolerably intolerant and hateful?
--- End quote ---
The same thing would apply. Separation of church and state. Who gets to decide what's "decent" and what's not? I was just as upset over all the flak over the cartoon of Muhammad. It's silly. If you don't like it, don't look at it.
Anne Bonney:
--- Quote from: "BuzzKill" ---
Sure, I will concede that. But there is little doubt many tax paying American's would think much of this exhibit qualifies as the former - and so tax monies should not go toward supporting it. The same can be said of the blasphemy part - opinions will differ - and yet there is no question a lot of tax paying Americans are upset and offended by it.
--- End quote ---
That's why there is such a thing as separation of church and state.
--- Quote ---Also too - as a nation we are going broke. No one questions that cuts must take place. This is in my mind the place to start - this and a whole lot like it.
--- End quote ---
This is a drop in the bucket. Start with the defense spending and maybe we can get somewhere.
--- Quote ---As to the Mohamed thing - heads would roll - literally.
--- End quote ---
And it would be just as ridiculous.
--- Quote ---As to the GOP and its outreach to the gay community:
--- End quote ---
:rofl: :rofl:
--- Quote --- They elected a vice president with a gay daughter whom he ( the VP) is clearly proud of and loves very much, and whom the Prez had no problem with and seems to like and respect.
--- End quote ---
It was swept under the rug as much as possible. When people finally did start talking about it, he supported his daughter. He did NOTHING to support gay people in general.
--- Quote ---Also - Bush did a great deal to help the fight against AIDS; so much so, even some liberals are allowing him a few kudos for this effort and out reach.
--- End quote ---
Gay does not equal AIDS.
--- Quote --- This is far more worthwhile than a gay "porn" "art" exhibit. This is the kind of outreach that provides demonstrable good and I know of no GOP member who opposes such outreach.
--- End quote ---
Just because you don't like it doesn't mean it's not art.
Anne Bonney:
--- Quote from: "seamus" ---I dunno, why are democrats so afraid of private firearm ownership? :nods:
--- End quote ---
I wasn't aware they were. I think you're using a pretty broad brush there. The article I posted came directly from the GOP. I'm a registered Dem (although only because the only other choices are to throw away your vote or the GOP, who has gone completely off the rails....if the Repubs stuck to what they're supposed to be, I'd probably be one) and I fully support the second amendment.
Anne Bonney:
--- Quote from: "Ursus" ---
--- Quote from: "BuzzKill" ---You miss the point entirely.
Its tax dollars. My money. Our money. Taken from us to subsidize worthy causes and supply the needs of government and society. Because it is tax payer dollars it should not be used in ways that denigrate and insult said tax payers, while doing no demonstrable public good.
This is the kind of exhibit that should be supported with private donations by those who value it - not public money.
--- End quote ---
Well, fwiw... this particular exhibit was, in fact, supported by private donations. From the above article, "Smithsonian Museum Removes An LGBT Art Exhibit After GOP Threatens To Defund It," emphasis added:
While 55 percent of the Smithsonian budget is federally funded, those funds are only used to "pay for the buildings, the care of collections exhibited at Smithsonian venues, and museum staff." Museum exhibits are funded solely by private donations, including "Hide/Seek."[/list]
--- End quote ---
:nods:
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