“When will it be acceptable in this “land of the free” for all people to receive all rights equally, regardless of the differences they hold from the socially acceptable mainstream. When will it be acceptable in this “home of the brave” for people to stand up and speak when they believe that an injustice exists without being ridiculed publicly?

It is not intolerant if a person refuses to tolerate intolerance.”

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That’s all well and good, equal rights definitely ARE something we should strive for and cherish.

But when does that pursuit of equality turn to a pursuit of power, privilege, and special interest?

How do we draw the line?

The answer is, when we move from striving towards indivudal, human rights, and start thinking in terms of “group rights”.

Affirmative action, reparations, special class (“protected”) citizen classes, “hate crimes”, and so forth all fall under that category, and cross that line, if you ask me.

The smallest minority on earth is the individual, and in America, only individuals have rights – a group does not (because once they do, we call that “special interest” or “privilege” or “discrimination”).

In short, we’re Americans, with basic (some would say God-given) rights. The minute we start hyphenating ourselves and saying we’re one-legged gyspy dwarf albino tollbooth worker-Americans, or whatever – we’ve missed the point, and are doing more harm than good for the cause of equal rights.

Erin Henderson? Really?

Seems a bit exploitative for a player to come out as gay and then have brands such as Nike, Gatorade, or Subway to cash in on using a gay athlete for their advantages. Shouldn’t the gay community find this idea fairly offensive?
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I don’t buy into anything consenting adults agree to of their own free wills as any form of exploitation.The player would have to sign contracts with the companies. That’s not exploitation, that’s making money in return for the use of one’s image/story just like many other athletes and celebrities do all the time. The fact that it would be due to their sexual orientation is no different than any other quality that makes a company want someone to endorse their product.

And if anyone of the same orientation would feel offended by that, they are hypocrites. One of the arguments in support of gay marriage/unions, etc is the rights of individuals to live as they choose. How could they then have a beef with one of their own choosing to make a profit? I would hope they wouldn’t.

Seems a bit exploitative for a player to come out as gay and then have brands such as Nike, Gatorade, or Subway to cash in on using a gay athlete for their advantages. Shouldn’t the gay community find this idea fairly offensive?

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You must not have a Pride parade in your town. Bud Lite, Absolut, Barefoot Wine, all have giant rainbow sponsorship banners, and promo schwag booths. Pretty sure the gay community is used to branding-sploitation… mostly because that population has fewer children and consequently greater surplus income, but hey.

-signed,

old school Packer fan.

Kluwe, like most modern “open-minded thinkers” is tolerant about others’ beliefs as long as they match his own. If you don’t follow along with the accepted opinions you receive a hate-filled diatribe. Ain’t “tolerance” wunnrful?
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There is a world of difference between denouncing someone for living their life as they wish to, in a manner that has no effect on other people unless they choose to allow it to do so, and denouncing someone who wishes to deny another person the rights and respect that others receive freely because of those choices.

There was a time when black men and women were property, to be bought and sold and destroyed at their owners whim. Some people thought that was wrong. Some people did everything they could to make sure that the accepted social standard did not change. Who was right?

There was a time when women were considered the property of their father until they were married, and then they became the property of their husband. No rights to vote or hold office, no right to own land or possessions, and working outside of the home was frowned upon even when it was allowed. Some people thought that was wrong. Some people did everything they could to make sure that the accepted social standard did not change. Who was right?

When will it be acceptable in this “land of the free” for all people to receive all rights equally, regardless of the differences they hold from the socially acceptable mainstream. When will it be acceptable in this “home of the brave” for people to stand up and speak when they believe that an injustice exists without being ridiculed publicly?

It is not intolerant if a person refuses to tolerate intolerance.

It would be huge, but it’s already been done. Seimone Augustus of the Minnesota Lynx came out publicly a few weeks ago…I’m sure it’d be a bigger deal if an NFL player came out, but her Lynx teammates couldn’t care less about her sexuality. They welcome her on the court and the locker room. It’s neat to have a front row seat for the civil rights movement of my time. (I’m 35.)
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Now gay women I can understand. Who wants to look at some other guy’s hairy ass?

It’s nice to see Kluwe sticking up for Ponder
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Have you seen Ponder’s girlfriend? Hotter than you will ever land, thats for sure!

pickleman77 says:
Oct 24, 2012 3:44 PM
It would be huge, but it’s already been done. Seimone Augustus of the Minnesota Lynx came out publicly a few weeks ago…I’m sure it’d be a bigger deal if an NFL player came out, but her Lynx teammates couldn’t care less about her sexuality. They welcome her on the court and the locker room. It’s neat to have a front row seat for the civil rights movement of my time. (I’m 35.)
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Of course they couldn’t care less. 3/4 of women’s basketball players are lesbians.

The point of someone coming out should be that it’s not a big deal anymore and frankly if that person financially benefits from it then it likely won’t come off as genuine as it should.

She announced she was engaged to a woman back in May. I’d be surprised if she announced she was straight.