Out here on Long Island, whenever you want to express outrage over someone's hubris, one would likely say, "You've got some balls!" and then continue on explaining their point. There are certainly variations of this expression that will play much better in Peoria -- "you've got some nerve" immediately comes to mind -- but they don't quite deliver the same blast of indignity.
This is the expression that immediately came to my mind after reading about a confrontation that Karl Rove had with a high school student at a New England prep school over gay marriage .
The brief blurb from Huffpo can be seen here.
The high schooler asked a very pointed but simple question: What threat does gay marriage pose to others?" Try as he might, Rove attempted to sidestep the question by stating "that the issue 'should be resolved by a legislature or a referendum, not a court.'"
What a douchbag! Man, he's got some balls. So, it's okay to decide Presidential elections through the courts -- rather than conduct meaningful recounts in Florida (2000) and Ohio (2004) -- but not let the courts interpret existing statutes on what constitutes a lawful union? Giving me a fucking break.
This story gets better because the young Ms. Marla Spivack would not relent. ""You never actually answered," she said. "How does it threaten anyone?"
Here's the punchline folks. I hope you're sitting for this. The turd blossom responded by asking:
"What's the compelling reason to throw out 5,000 years of understanding the institution of marriage as between a man and a woman?"
My response to him would be "Where should I start, TB?"
Okay....let's respond to the esteemed asshole, Mr Rove.
- Granting the right to marriage to same sex couples in no way diminishes the rights of heterosexuals to do the same. It does not. In fact, legalizing gay unions affords two people the ability to enter into other essential legal agreements - health coverage for one - that would be a benefit to society as a whole. Surely, Mr. Rove, you would not be against something that benefits society, would you?
- So now it's a question of age, is it? Well, if we use that reasoning, why not throw out our understanding of the latest laws of chemistry, physics and biology while you're at it. Those laws from which we benefit are not quite 5,000 years old either. While we're at it, why not say that Copernicus was wrong and that the Earth really is flat and that it sits in the center of the known universe. Karl, just because an idea is old, doesn't make it revered and unchallengeable. It just makes it old.
- And since were on the subject of age and institutionalized belief, how do you figure that marriage is 5,000 years old? I'll concede that heterosexual monogamy is a very old concept but that's because it was an essential element for human survival, but what does that have to do with marriage? You don't need a ring or a marriage certificate to suck and fuck and make babies, just the right physical plumbing. The fact is that marriage as an institution is far younger than you've been led to believe and stems not from romantic love or species propagation, but pure political and business sense. Don't believe me? Read about it here.
The truth of the matter is Karl is that you really don't know what the fuck you're talking about, do you? Your real answer to Ms. Spivack's questions should be "Ah...I don't know. Let me get back to you on that." While you're at it, tell her how much of a fucking hypocrite you are for endorsing a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage while you get to be married twice.You got some balls, Karl Rove. You really do.
OMG! Well, I'm guessing that's a self portrait at the bottom?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, Rove is, like so many other members of the family values party, a big fat fucking hypocrite. And he's so important that he shouldn't be bothered by answering questions of silly teenage girls or the press.
Great post!
A good follow up question would have been: Karl, when you gave Jeff Gannon head, did you swallow? Or perhaps one could ask about his stepfather, who left mom to go west so that he could participate in the piercing/SM scene. And then we could watch as his fat fucking head exploded.
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better Spartacus.
Pissed is right! There are so many approaches to this. Where to begin?
ReplyDeleteRove's fat fucking head exploding works for me.
The question of gay marriage always seems to create a storm. But it looks simple to me.
ReplyDeleteA union described as a marriage has traditionally been formed between persons of the opposite sex for the simple reason that marriage implies a union of two people biologically empowered to procreate.
A union of gay partners does not include this essential and defining element.
The function of marriage is to provide the framework for family. Even though a gay couple can provide all the other elements of "family", the gay couple cannot, under any circumstances, procreate. It's does not matter that it is possible to bring a child into the union by other means.
The gay couple does not possess the power to procreate. Hence, their union is not a marriage.
However, it is a union, and it is a union that deserves legal recognition. Such a union deserves the same legal considerations as a traditional marriage -- without being classified as "marriage."
Marriage -- a procreative union -- is traditional. It is an American tradition, making it a tradition of something more than two centuries.
Meanwhile, in this country we limit relationships. Siblings are not allowed to marry. Your cousin should not also be your brother or sister. Hence we should have no problem establishing parameters for other aspects of human relations.
You know what? I don't think they really believe a damned word they say. They just say shit that will keep them in business with the right wing of their party. They carry the party line and the party foots their paycheck.
ReplyDeleteGay marriage isn't going to hurt a damned thing and they know it. That's why his answer is so damned weak and insane. There are no good answers he can give and he knows it.
I'm glad some things never change. Karl Rove remains a first-class douchebag, without nerves or balls.
ReplyDeleteGreat story, I love seeing Rove get his comeuppance, and that it was a high school girl delivering it makes it just that much better.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you actually showed a pair...you are too much!
yeah, but will the wingnuts continue to use gay marriage to get out the vote? will it continue to work for them as an issue in this election cycle? they've used this issue to galvanize their base but then never follow up on it. it is just bait and they really don't care about this issue one way or the other. good post!
ReplyDeleteDon't have time for more, but just want to say... AWESOME post, Sparty!
ReplyDeleteNcee - I'll never tell whose balls those are. ;) All the same, I'm quite proud of my ballsiness.
ReplyDeletegmb - I'm feeling much better, thanks for asking. Great follow up questions, BTW. I had read about his father walking out on them because of his special "situation", but I did not know that Mr. Rove himself also ran that way. Kind of give gays a bad name, no?
Now, now DCup. Violence never solves anything, but I can make an exception for blowing up Rove's head.
No_slappz - welcome back and thanks for your thoughtful comment. I think you're partially right about marriage being a "procreative: union, but what's your take on arranged marriages? Aren't those a part of the tradition? I do hear what you're saying about limits being placed on marriage. But if the defining elements are procreation, family and love, there's nothing stopping gay couples from accomplishing this.
PoP - You are dead on. They don't believe that gay marriage would cause any issues. He is simply playing to his base by marginalizing those who are not part of that base.
RG - even call him a douchebag is too kind
CDP - Sometimes you have to show 'em to say what ya mean.
Lib - of course all that shit's going to work. That's why Rove is spouting this nonsense. It's effective blathering. When it stops working is when it will cease to be an issue for him.
Suzi - thanks. I'm glad you liked it.
no_slappz says, "The gay couple does not possess the power to procreate. Hence, their union is not a marriage."
ReplyDeleteI say, "My husband had a vasectomy before we were 'married' and I was past menopause. Hence, our "power to procreate" was nil. Does that mean our "union is not a marriage?"
"However, it is a union, and it is a union that deserves legal recognition. Such a union deserves the same legal considerations as a traditional marriage -- without being classified as "marriage."
Okay, I'm satisfied with it being a "union," as long as it has "the same legal considerations as a traditional marriage." It's only a word, after all. So, why not defuse the whole situation by just changing the damned WORD? Let "marriage" keep its traditional meaning, and call the binding emotional and legal commitment between homosexuals a "union," with all that marriage entails except for procreation? Seems pretty workable to me.
Oh, one (or two...)more thing. My understanding of the phrase, "He's got balls" is that the man has courage, not that he "has nerve." "He has nerve," implies he's doing something inappropriate and/or obnoxious, doesn't it? So, may I suggest an alternative phrase to describe Rove's remarks? How about, "You've got shit-for-brains, Karl Rove. You really do."
ReplyDeleteMadam Z - thanks for stopping by. I think your point is precisely what Ms. Spivak was trying to make -- that what's at issue here is semantics and values. Karl Rove and his rethuglicans want to shape the issue as one of values, but the reality is that no one really gives a crap about letting gays marry. The prevailing wisdom in my neck of the woods is one of "no harm, no foul, live and leave me the fuck out of your business."
ReplyDeleteAs far as having balls goes, there is a context for which it can mean courage or moxy. But in my neck of the woods, there's no mistaking one indignation when the phrase "you've got some balls" gets tossed out.
The self-loathing among the Wingnuts is beyond comprehension.
ReplyDeleteDouble nickels on the dime Rove didn't want to answer because he was in a rush to get to the next Rest Stop.
Fairlane - double nickels on the dime that he wasn't even counting on a question. This guy and the rest of his wingnuts just want us all to STFU.
ReplyDelete