Addressing a question from an audience member at a town hall in Cincinnati today, Republican VP nominee Paul Ryan defended his stance against same-sex marriage: “The things you talk about like traditional marriage and family and entrepreneurship. These aren’t values that are indicative to any one person or creed or color. These are American values, these are universal human values.”
Apparently Ryan thinks it’s okay for gays and lesbians to die fighting for their country, but not to tie the knot in it.
ChiChi Man
I think he means to say to that gay people have no human value.
The Real Mike in Asheville
Well, I’ll take Thomas Jefferson’s view of what is a universal right over this nit-wit Ryan’s bigotry any time.
Per Jefferson, “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among these are, Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
doug105
How can someone that may not even be human talk about human rights.
MK Ultra
Americans will decide what American values are. Nobody needs a lliar in a suit to tell them what their values are.
John Doe
Mr. Pres – Another reason why leaving “gay marriage” to the states is an idiotic idea.
Equality is already guaranteed in the US Constitution. The 14th Amendment / Equal Protection Clause is very clear on this topic. States cannot discriminate.
Should we have allowed slavery to remain a state issue too? How about interracial marriages? As we can see, there are some people that are ant-equality and many states would likely REMAIN anti-equality for another decade or two. This is a national issue of civil rights that the US Constitution already addresses.
Alan down in Florida
Am I the only one whose gaydar goes off when Paul Ryan appears on TV?
Aidan8
@Alan down in Florida: Alan, no offense intended, but my gaydar doesn’t go off in the least with this prick.
Billysees
@John Doe: Re 5 “Mr Pres -…
Well stated and it makes good sense too.
But I wonder whether a go-slow approach, by leaving “gay marriage” to the states, will produce more solid, irrevocable changes even though it could take longer to achieve.
You know…Rome wasn’t built in a day.
The Supreme Court could blow “gay marriage” out of the water if they’re pushed too fast.
And then it could take decades to turn things around.
If state by state positive changes are made, then perhaps the increased acceptance of a variety of gay issues, especially marriage, can occur more permanently.
Conclusion — “slow but sure” is probably better than “too far too fast”.
KARUADAM
Gay Marriage Is Not A “Universal Human Value,” Says Paul Ryan! that mothr fucker most be a fucking Catholic, or some kind of Christian! they can all be killed.
John Doe
@Billysees:
I understand your words.
Even so, Obama could have publicly stated that gay rights are a national issue covered by the Equal Protection Clause. Making this statement would not have affected any laws or judicial rulings. It would simply be a statement by our US President. (He can’t change laws by himself or make constitutional rulings). But, he plays it safe by not declaring this a national civil rights issue. To say that it is up to the states is less offensive, less risky for him. I see it as cowardly, however. An intelligent and strong President could easily explain the Equal Protection Clause and how the majority cannot restrict the rights of minorities. He could give a solid Constitutional argument. He is supposed to be a law professor on this topic. So, either he is too weak to say what he ought to say… or he still doesn’t get it that this IS a national civil rights issue. Likely he is waiting for the political winds to be safe enough to say something more. This is being weak in my opinion. Some see it as cautious and wise. I say that it is wrong – and a sign of a weak leader. He needs to stand up for what is right regardless of political winds.
alexoloughlin
GOProuders and Log Cabiners would agree with Ryan. The majority of them are voting for Romney and Ryan, let’s face it. It’s not a priority for them, never has, never will be. Even if the economy and jobs were in good shape, even if some among them disagree with the anti marriage equality statement, they’ll continue voting for them regardless, because lowering taxes and unlimited defense spending are of primary importance at all times.
Little-Kiwi
it’s just important to remember that the reason Gay Republicans claim to “not care about LGBT Issues” is not actually because “they think there are more important issues”, but the people that Gay Republicans are still begging for tolerance from (family and community) will only extend that tiny bit of tolerance if they cut off their balls and refuse to stand up for justice and what is right.
make no mistake – the priorities of Gay Republicans are to save their own asses in front of the unloving and non-accepting folks they’re desperately seeking approval from. and it’s sad.
but don’t worry. we liberals are working hard to do everything you don’t yet have the orbs to do.
tidalpool
I am the son of an english teacher. Without belabouring the obvious, any gay belief, concept or idea is certainly not universal. One might say, 2-4% of the American population believe this. Mr. Ryan was speaking to, and about the beliefs of the majority. We all know the beliefs of the majority. That is why one commentor stated we should NOT leave it to the states. Everytime states have voted on how they define marraige, it has been decidedly against gay marraiges. The concept of equality for all is inshrined in our constitution. This concept insures gay men and women will receive the right to marry, under the law, with all 1800 or so rights that descend upon a married couple immediately upon signing that legal document. Give me a man who follows the law long before I will accept the man who follows his own inner voices. one will be constant, one you can not know how he will react. Last year, the President and this House Member both supported DOMA. times can and do change.
Rock Star
Who appointed him Pope? This jerk Paul Ryan is a Catholic heretic to his own religion. As another Catholic, President Kennedy said, “The rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.” As a side note I am sure you all know that JFK’s best friend, Lem Billings was gay, and had his own room at the White House. Fact. JFK was far ahead of his time. Too bad it turned out the way it did. Ryan is a demented being with an evil agenda. Jesus is not pleased. Universal values, indeed.
BayAreaHomo
I love these extreme-fringe-right conservatives. They blather about “universal human values” when their own ideologies are supported by less than 10% of the public.
n900mixalot
Christianity isn’t a universal human value. Selflessness is not a universal human value. Interracial marriage isn’t a universal human value.
What does he know about universal human values?
Billysees
@John Doe: Re 10 “I understand your…..
What the pres says and does may seem cowardly, but he’s a politician, and therefore he must “say and do” things that have a political expediency about them.
And yet at the same time, a sincere person (which Obama is) also desires to promote the things that are important to him and the people he represents.
Thankfully for us, his attitudes can hardly be any better than they are, “at this point in history”.
You said it best — Likely he is waiting for the political winds to be safe enough to say something more.
But it is NOT weakness but rather a certain wise caution.
Because neither of us is that politically astute I’m sure, it’s hard then to understand this.
Let us then be “super” thankful for such a friend in the White House and let’s hope and pray he gets re-elected.