Bill designating 'Harvey Milk Day' draws fire

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Amid conservative opposition, a bill that would designate a day of "significance" in California for slain gay politician Harvey Milk is heading to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk.The legislation would denote May 22 -- Milk's birthday -- as a day of significance across the state.The governor's office said Tuesday it had received more than 100,000 constituent phone calls about the bill, although it was not immediately clear if most were in favor of it or opposed. The governor's office said Schwarzenegger has not taken a position on it yet.Milk, the state's first openly gay elected official, served briefly as San Francisco's supervisor before he and Mayor George Moscone were assassinated in 1978.Schwarzenegger vetoed a similar bill last year, saying he believed Milk "should be continued to be recognized at the local level by those who were most impacted by his contributions."State Sen. Mark Leno, a Democrat who authored the current bill as well as last year's, said in a written statement that the governor had "contradicted" his veto message by announcing that the gay rights icon will be inducted into the California Hall of Fame.Milk was a "unique" historical figure who led a civil rights movement and then was "assassinated in his public office for being who he was," Leno said."In a perfect world, we'd have a state holiday for him, like [the Rev.] Martin Luther King Jr. or Cesar Chavez," Leno said in a telephone interview.But the California state finances are in such "disarray ... we think it's appropriate in light of our fiscal crisis" to have a special day of significance that won't cost the state anything, said Leno, whose district includes portions of San Francisco.That way, he said, Milk is still afforded "the respect that he's due."The day of significance would not close schools or state offices, according to its text.However, Randy Thomasson, the president of SaveCalifornia.com, said the bill was vague and could allow for a number of things at schools, including gay pride parades or "mock gay weddings.""There's no definition in the bill," he said. "There is absolutely no limit to what could occur on campuses and go into little children's brains.""Harvey Milk was a terrible role model for children," Thomasson said. His organization plans to oppose the bill through automatic phone calls, e-mails, media interviews and news conferences, he added.Leno said that claims that the bill would lead to schools holding gay-pride parades and similar activities were "hyperbole."The bill "mandates nothing," he said, although it certainly "affords an educational opportunity."President Obama also posthumously honored Milk with a Presidential Medal of Freedom this year, and Sean Penn portrayed him in this year's film "Milk," which garnered him an Oscar for best actor._________________________________________________________________Not only is Obama speech-a-fying to our kids making them socialists, California is going to make them put on leather and march in gay pride parades in homage to Harvey Milk. The world is indeed coming to an end.

Many folks get assassinated in the line of duty...be they soldiers or politicians. No...it's not right, of course. But the bottom line is this: This man would be afforded a holiday for no other reason than the fact that he was openly gay. I'm sorry, but that's just plain stupid...it places sexual preference on a level of importance way beyond what it merits. Next thing you know we'll be celebrating Butt-Fuck Day right next to Memorial Day. The banality of some human beings with regards to this particular subject is simply astounding.

Originally Posted By: thorThe banality of some human beings with regards to this particular subject is simply astounding.I couldn't agree more.

Originally Posted By: OldFolks Originally Posted By: thorThe banality of some human beings with regards to this particular subject is simply astounding.I couldn't agree more. So what's your take on it? Should there be such a holiday or not?

Originally Posted By: thorThis man would be afforded a holiday for no other reason than the fact that he was openly gay. Sorry Thor but you're a fucking idiot and apparently have no clue about Milk and the things he did. This has nothing to do about him being gay, it has to do what he did for the GLBT movement; there is a HUGE difference. Just has MLK is honor not because he was black, but because of the movement he helped start.  Quote: Next thing you know we'll be celebrating Butt-Fuck Day right next to Memorial Day. This statement just shows your mentality and how quick you are to jump in with nastiness for your defense. You need to grow up and stop living inside you little bubble and start seeing the true world around you. Ignorance gets you know where in life.

Quote:"There's no definition in the bill," he said. "There is absolutely no limit to what could occur on campuses and go into little children's brains.""Harvey Milk was a terrible role model for children," Thomasson said. His organization plans to oppose the bill through automatic phone calls, e-mails, media interviews and news conferences, he added. Some people really need to get a productive hobby instead of spreading hate and discrimination. There are far more important issues to deal with in this country that his ambition would be better suited.

Originally Posted By: NtroducingMyself Originally Posted By: thorThis man would be afforded a holiday for no other reason than the fact that he was openly gay. This has nothing to do about him being gay, it has to do what he did for the GLBT movement; there is a HUGE difference. Just has MLK is honor not because he was black, but because of the movement he helped start. If he was not openly gay, would any of this be happening? Absolutely not.There is no comparison between Milk and MLK. MLK was for all people while Milk was for a select few with a special interest. Milk was effectively about separation rather than inclusion...the opposite of MLK. That's why we'll never have a "straight-day"...it would include most of us. A "gay-day" is about differentiation...not inclusion. It focuses on what is different rather than what we have in common with each other.Everybody wants to be different for the sake of getting attention and being validated in the eyes of others. Folks who go overboard with tattoos fall in the same category. Lots of stupid stunts folks label as "freedom of art" or "expression" fall into that cagetory, too. All for the sake of getting attention. I, for one, think this subject has received more attention than is good for society as a whole. The only reasons to carry it further are self-centered in nature, and callous towards society as a whole. The right to free speach includes the right to shut up when it's for the betterment of all.

Originally Posted By: thorIf he was not openly gay, would any of this be happening? Absolutely not. I agree. Sorry Eddie.Scenario: If you fall of off your bike one day, becuace the companies purposely make them defective, but most people either don't care or don't get hurt, and you sue, Mongoose, say, and make a boatload of money and make them make them right for everyone, should you get a holiday for making bikes safe for everyone?

you're so one dimensional. OF COURSE you object to the idea.Though some may desire a national holiday, all they're actually talking about is a State day of significance.and EVERY day is "straight day" in case you haven't noticed.

Thor I'd like to point out that MLK was openly black and was assasined for starting amovement. MILK was openly gay and was assasined for starting a movement.

You know what if they wan to have pride parades then thy can maybe it will be like home coming and then we will have a dance afterwards. That's what I'd like to see or at least two gay canidates running together for homecoming. And if they want to have mock weddings then let them. It's time that LBGT youths stood up for there rights!!!

So to finish this off I'm going to say it very slowly FUCK YOU Thor. You all know how much I curse and well that's how pissed off I am at you Thor!!!!!!!

Originally Posted By: thorThere is no comparison between Milk and MLK. MLK was for all people while Milk was for a select few with a special interest. Milk was effectively about separation rather than inclusion...the opposite of MLK. That's why we'll never have a "straight-day"...it would include most of us. A "gay-day" is about differentiation...not inclusion. It focuses on what is different rather than what we have in common with each other. Where does that leave Cesar E. Chavez? He was an activist for farm/labor workers and immigrants. That's a specific group.

this seems to be "loose total civility on thor day"

Originally Posted By: deek

Thor I'd like to point out that MLK was openly black and was assasined for starting amovement. MILK was openly gay and was assasined for starting a movement.

It's supposed to be about the movement...not the person. MLK was recognized for his ideas...not because he was black. If he had been white it might not have had as great an impact, but the cause would still be valid. Now if Milk had not been openly gay, we would not even be having this "discussion".

Originally Posted By: Virtual_Star Originally Posted By: thorThere is no comparison between Milk and MLK. MLK was for all people while Milk was for a select few with a special interest. Milk was effectively about separation rather than inclusion...the opposite of MLK. That's why we'll never have a "straight-day"...it would include most of us. A "gay-day" is about differentiation...not inclusion. It focuses on what is different rather than what we have in common with each other. Where does that leave Cesar E. Chavez? He was an activist for farm/labor workers and immigrants. That's a specific group. I don't believe there should exist a day honoring him either. Not that what he did wasn't noteworthy...but there'd be a lot of others we'd need to honor first. He'd be somewhere down the list, in my book. Niether he nor Milk are anywhere near MLK in terms of their scope of effect.

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If he was not openly gay, would any of this be happening? Absolutely not.

Thor, again it has nothing to do with Milk being gay. They are not rcognizing him because he was gay. It's about the movement he helped start in getting equal treatment for the GLBT community. Again there is a difference but sadly people like you just want to focus on "Gay" instead of the actual reason, which is the MOVEMENT.

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That's why we'll never have a "straight-day"...it would include most of us. A "gay-day" is about differentiation...not inclusion.

First off, as Mr.U already said... it's Straight Day everyday.

Secondly, no one is asking for a national "Gay Day", are you kidding me? Are you that stupid or you just that ignorant? This is about recognizing a man who helped a movement to help bring equality to a section of people who were being discriminated again. Gee.. that sounds like a certain other man who has a NATIONAL CELEBRATED holiday *coughMLKcough*.

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Everybody wants to be different for the sake of getting attention and being validated in the eyes of others.

So are you suggesting gay people are gay for the sake of getting attention? Is that really what you think?

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I, for one, think this subject has received more attention than is good for society as a whole.

Thor anything that falls out of your Bible thumbing arena seems to be "bad" for society. You need to look outside your small bigoted bubble and start getting in touch with your humanity. You are the most close minded, selfish, self absorbed person I have ever had the unfortunate opportunity to talk to. You are so wrapped up in your own little word that you have completely lost touch with humanity and reality.

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The right to free speach includes the right to shut up when it's for the betterment of all.

Good point, so why haven't you shut up yet??

And just let me finish by saying one this. Milk was not a perfect man, he absolutely had his faults. But you don't have to be a perfect man, to be a great man.

Originally Posted By: LuvMyCats  Originally Posted By: thorIf he was not openly gay, would any of this be happening? Absolutely not. I agree. Sorry Eddie. Sorry its BS.But yes of course Milk was gay, just as MLK was Black. Do you think MLK would have fought as hard as he did politcally for African Americans if he too wasn't black? Same goes for Milk.  Quote:Scenario: If you fall of off your bike one day, becuace the companies purposely make them defective, but most people either don't care or don't get hurt, and you sue, Mongoose, say, and make a boatload of money and make them make them right for everyone, should you get a holiday for making bikes safe for everyone? LoL.. sorry but that comparison cannot even compare to what we are talking about.

Originally Posted By: thor Originally Posted By: deekThor I'd like to point out that MLK was openly black and was assasined for starting amovement. MILK was openly gay and was assasined for starting a movement. It's supposed to be about the movement...not the person. MLK was recognized for his ideas...not because he was black. If he had been white it might not have had as great an impact, but the cause would still be valid. Now if Milk had not been openly gay, we would not even be having this "discussion". And I call BS. I think regardless if Milk was gay or straight he would still be getting recognition. BUT because he himself was gay, he had the passion to drive for Equality. Just as because MLK was black it drove his passion for Equality. In both cases it has nothing to do about the race or sexual orientation.. it's about the movement they started for their each individual minority class.

Originally Posted By: thor Niether he nor Milk are anywhere near MLK in terms of their scope of effect. Well of course you'd think that way. You are so beyond homophobic (regardless to what you say, the words you spew speak volumes) how could we expect anything else?My hope for you, Thor, is that someday you open your eyes. Open your eyes to see homosexuals are not evil people, we are not bad people, and we are not the destruction of civilization. But instead the evils in society and what will destroy a nation are people who so openly want to discriminate and keep a class of people down.

Right, you've convinced me. I'm gonna get a day named after me for defending all of the non-religious in America! We are a minority, but we are also the largest minority. There are more non-religious people in America than there are Blacks, Jews or Homosexuals. Yet we are still openly treated like evil, murderous, soul-less creatures.My name is Bob and I'm here to recruit you. I fully realize that a person who stands for what I stand for, an activist, an atheist activist, becomes the target or the potential target for a person who is insecure, terrified, afraid, or very disturbed with themselves. I cannot prevent anyone from getting angry, or mad, or frustrated. I can only hope that they’ll turn that anger and frustration and madness into something positive, so that two, three, four, five hundred will step forward, so the atheist doctors will come out, the atheist lawyers, the atheist judges, atheist bankers, atheist architects … I hope that every professional atheist will say ‘enough’, come forward and tell everybody, wear a sign, let the world know. Maybe that will help.

You'd get my vote Bob