Musician John Rich, of country duo Big and Rich, said on the Steve Gill radio show (loooong MP3 clip here) that he supported Fred Thompson for president because he agreed with him on issues like gay marriage. Rich said of the institution:"I think if you legalize that, you've got to legalize some other things that are pretty unsavory. You can call me a radical, but how can you tell an aunt that she can't marry her nephew if they are really in love and sharing the bills? How can you tell them they can't get married, but something else that's unnatural can happen?"
Ah, yes, the "it will lead to incest and/or bestiality" anti-gay marriage argument. It's been a while since that old chestnut was trotted out.
Rich later issued this statement: "My earlier comments on same-sex marriage don't reflect my full views on the broader issues regarding tolerance and the treatment of gays and lesbians in our society. I apologize for that and wish to state clearly my views. I oppose same-sex marriage because my father and minister brought me up to believe that marriage is an institution for the union of a man and a woman. However, I also believe that intolerance, bigotry and hatred are wrong. People should be judged based on their merits, not on their sexual orientation. We are all children of God and should be valued and respected."
Despite his furious back-tracking, he did call homosexuality "unnatural" and compare it to incest, and we're thinking Big & Rich's gay and gay-friendly fans (we know some!) aren't going to forget this.
And yet, we also have a feeling he's not going to feel a quarter the blow-back the Dixie Chicks did for questioning the President . . .
Reader Comments ( Page 3 of 3)
31. Are we being punked?
L. Boogie at 9:33AM on Oct 30th 2007
32. A few short-circuited thoughts and comments:
"25. On homosexuality, I accept the viewpoint of the Roman Catholic Church, that homosexuality is arrested development. When people grow up, they outgrow it."
Is priestly pedophilia arrested development, and at what age does Father Philus grow up? Just askin'.... Also, I've known LOTS of priests who were homosexual but celibate - I'm pretty old. Are these guys in arrested development?
now this, which may have been an 'answer' to #26. He won't read it because he's bailed out already.
"I have all of those things in sufficiency, I possess that knowledge to a far greater degree than you and will not be pulled into a volley with a Pseudo Atheist that serves only the purpose of feeding the Psycho Pathology of the Anti Social Narcissist on the other side of the keyboard."
GermanBoy is smarter than science because he says so!
As to the other part, I'm just replying to what I read that he wrote/trolled, not the other way around. (and blogs are pretty much for trolling anyway, so it's no big deal and I'm not being critical, it's just how people present on these things)
here's another one:
"Anyone can clearly see how a man and woman are functionally made"
Sure - no need for them pesky physiology and anatomy courses or doctorin'.
At an unfocused intellectual level EVERYTHING's obvious to everyone else who is similarly scattered and anything's possible. Them univeritees are all commies and Pseudo whatever he said anyway.
"28. To KrautKnabe-
Your logic and ability to verbalize scientific truth is amazing. I stand in awe"
If you look up to this guy's intellect, I'm sort of in awe too, but in the other direction.
If you moderate folks want any more proof of republican/conservative/libertarian/christian reconstructionalist anti-intellectalism, look no further!
Clif Kuplen at 12:23PM on Oct 30th 2007
33. #25. “On homosexuality, I accept the viewpoint of the Roman Catholic Church, that homosexuality is arrested development. When people grow up, they outgrow it.”
That’s just as absurd as the other positions that the church has taken. They held the position egocentricity. They supported Nazi regimes. They believed that Pagans shoud be murdered and they did just that. They held the viewpoint that priests who molested children should be moved to other parishes (without warning parishioners) instead of being prosecuted.
#27. I have all of those things in sufficiency, I possess that knowledge to a far greater degree than you and will not be pulled into a volley with a Pseudo Atheist that serves only the purpose of feeding the Psycho Pathology of the Anti Social Narcissist on the other side of the keyboard.
HAHAHAHAHAHA Your comments about evolution prove that you know nothing about it. Also, you seem to hold very little knowledge about the use of the English language, since you don’t use it correctly.
28. “They "act" like they're gay.”
GASP! How DARE they? :::rolling eyes:::
Do you “act” like you’re straight? I suppose you think it’s OK to hold beliefs that are different from yours only if you hidden away. Exactly how do they “act” like they’re gay? Do they hold hands? Kiss? If you’re offended by that, the problem is with YOU, not them. Do YOU hold hands or kiss in public? How would you feel if you were told that you should hide that?
#29. “Rich had every right to state his belief.”
Yes, he did, and I have the right to refute it.
Tatiana at 2:37PM on Oct 30th 2007
34. Jesus said to Peter, "On this rock, meaning Peter, I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." I don't know which gate of hell an atheist is and I don't think atheists know either, but the Son of God who died on a cross and rose from the dead said that the gates of hell shall not prevail against His Church. What are the characteristics of those who don't prevail? Perhaps they're too stupid to be shaking in their boots when they should be for trying to prevail against God and His Church.
Ronald B. Zeh at 6:08PM on Oct 30th 2007
35. The only thing I hate about this is that he apologized for what he said. He obviously meant it, and for the record, I agree. (By the way, that doesn't make me 'homophobic'. I disagree with it- I am not afraid of it.)
Phil in TN at 11:33AM on Nov 1st 2007
36. To Tatiana: As a bisexual man in a loving and supportive relationship with another man, I thank you for your acceptance and kind words favoring acceptance for all. To Ray: Homophobia, biphobia, monosexism, and heterosexism are as unacceptable as racism and sexism. All are equal, and all must be treated equally. If you have the right to marry the one you love, then I have the same right, even if my lover is of a different gender than you would like. I have the right to be who I am, regardless of your opinion. I may not be entitled to get married in your church, but given its views, I wouldn't even want my wedding there anyway. Also, as a proud follower of a left-handed path, I raise my middle finger to you and recommend that you listen to Marcus Brigstocke's rant on the three Abrahamic faiths which can be found on youtube. It'll really put things in perspective.
Alaras at 12:25PM on Nov 1st 2007
37. It's a fact that people who are vocally abusive about gays typically have homosexual urges and tendencies which they are trying to mask. It's just part of human nature. After all, Shakespeare once noted "me thinks the lady doth protest too much." And today, a multitude of conservative Republicans who have made their career bashing gays turn out to be gay themselves. They are self-loathing, self-destructive and place their families and loved ones in the terrible position of having to stand by their side and support them. I believe this country singer falls into that category.
Montell at 2:55PM on Nov 8th 2007
38. I am appalled that John Rich compares same sex marriage to incest and a reader compares it to child abuse. Same sex marriage is same sex marriage. Period. Same sex couples lived harmoniously (or not) for years just as hetero-couples do. Except their rights are denied. Was not this nation founded on the ideal of equal rights? And, my friends, it was not too long ago that marriage between people of different races was banned. And were not the same arguments (absurd then, absurd now) used at that time? The American generosity of spirit will not trumped by bigotry and homophobia.
earl trowbridge at 8:24PM on Dec 14th 2007