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| Quotes & Quips |
| Compiled By Jack Nichols
S&M isn't Green
We're not into whipping in the Green Party. Rod Donald-- New Zealand Green Party co-leader— referring to political symbols such as the whip-- The Independent, December 14 A Deposit on Justice We believe Mr. Volpe deserved life in jail. A deposit was made on justice today, but we were not paid in full. Al Sharpton— Following a 30-year sentence imposed on New York City police officer Justin Volpe, 27, for brutally raping Haitian immigrant, Abner Louima, with a broomstick, claiming Louima's injuries were caused by gay sex. Andrew Sullivan, Outer
Ed Koch— "Page Six"—New York Post, December 14 What Does Free Trade Mean? Does Boeing want to sell more airplanes to China? Then Boeing must negotiate terms for market access. China demands a share of the production, jobs and advanced technology. Boeing meets the demands; China buys more planes. All multinational giants, from AT&T and Motorola to Volvo and Toyota, routinely do similar sorts of deals. This is not free trade; it's a crude system managed by political bartering among major interests. William Greider— "The Battle Beyond Seattle"—The Nation, December 27 Al Gore Comes Through
In light of the Winchell case and other evidence, I believe the 'Don't
Ask, Don't Tell' policy should be eliminated. Gays and lesbians should be
allowed to serve their country without discrimination. If I am entrusted
with the Presidency, I will make those changes and propose legislation in
Congress to eliminate this unacceptable form of discrimination.
Vice-President Al Gore—Statement released December 13 End it, Don't Mend it Over the weekend, President Clinton acknowledged that there were flaws in "Don't ask, Don't tell" and vowed to fix them. To him, we say, "End it, don't mend it." It's a lousy policy, and it always has been. Respect for human dignity requires that he, the military and every citizen demand scrapping "don't ask, don't tell." In its place, the country should insist on a single standard of conduct for all military personnel, regardless of their gender, beliefs or sexual orientation. One unquestionable facet of that standard should make it a soldier's duty to protect others from harm, not only on the battlefield but in the barracks. Editorial— "Death of a gay in the military"—San Francisco Chronicle, December 14 The President's Empathy
The biggest problem in the world today is the oldest problem in the world.
It is that we continue to fear people who are different. And fear leads to dislike,
dislike leads to hate, hate leads to dehumanization, and dehumanization leads
to violence.
I was reading the paper last week and opened it to the story of the young gay Soldier, who was beaten to death by his fellow soldier. And I looked at the photographs of these two young men—one of them 21, one of them 18—young enough to be my children. Both of these men had put on the uniform of their country, and agreed to go anywhere in the world that I ordered them to go, to do anything that I told them to do, to give their lives for their country if necessary. And my heart ached for the young man who was murdered. And my heart ached for the young man whose life was destroyed. And I know that he was not born with that hate. He was taught to hate. President Bill Clinton—December 11, 1999, Orlando, Florida Death by Glitter
It would have been both ironic and glamorous to be
finished off by a four-foot glitter ball.
Boy George—after narrowly escaping death when a 62 pound mirrored ball fell on stage-- "Boy George Escapes 'Death by Glitter Ball"— Excite Entertainment News, December 16 A Win in the Future Politics is very cruel…In two years people will look at the mayor as a lame duck. ... The beauty for me is I'm not out of office... and I'm backed by a very energetic movement that's concerned with more open government and really scrutinizing the districts because the districts are where the independents come from. Tom Ammiano— " Ammiano says his ideas gained despite his defeat"— San Francisco Examiner,December 15 
No More Atheists in Foxholes?
I'm impressed by atheists during turbulence. Chris Matthews— "Hardball"—MSNBC—December 15 |
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