R002673
Sunday, March 24, 2002 10:45 AM
shameful double standard
Shame on you all--and shame on Kenneth Feinberg, John Ashcroft and George W.
Bush in particular--for piling tradedy on tragedy by failing to honor and
respect ALL the victims of Sept. 11. I would like to believe that lesbian and
gay Americans are full citizens of this country, but apparently not so in
this case. The rhetoric of 'whatever the law is in your state will apply' is
a ridiculous cop-out and a pitiful attempt to shift any blame for such a
policy from the governing bodies directly involved to the State of the
victim. Many gay and lesbian firefighters, police officers, rescue workers,
pilots, and citizens showed their courage and patriotism on and as a result
of Sept. 11. Some died in doing so. Where is my government's courage now in
fighting for their rights?! The many gay and lesbian victims, heroes, and
their families and loved ones are no less affected by this tragedy than their
heterosexual counterparts. To call ourselves the UNITED States is blasphemy
in this case: apparently we are only "united" when it is convenient. The
next time I read a bumper sticker that reads "UNITED WE STAND" I'll know that
Feinberg, Ashcroft, and Bush have decided to stand united against those of us
who are gay and lesbian. What ever happened to the part of the pledge that
reads: "indivisible, with liberty and justice for all"?!
Individual Comment
San Francisco