Sessions Aide Compares Gay Marriage To Pedophilia, Bestiality
Last week, I noted that Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), the Republicans' brand new Judiciary Committee ranking member, is bringing an almost entirely new team of aides along with him to replace many of the staffers who backed up the committee minority when its ranking member was Arlen Specter.
In particular, I highlighted the case of Brian Benczkowski, who, in a previous life, was a key Bush administration figure tasked with covering up corruption in the Justice Department.
It turns out, though, that Benczkowski is just one in a series of elite picks. Among others, he's joined by one William Smith, the panel's new chief Republican counsel, who has a colorful history of his own. For instance, if you're wondering what sort of legal mind Smith brings to the powerful committee, you need look no further than this post, which contains his measured thoughts on Republicans--like former McCain adviser Steve Schmidt--who support gay equality.
Schmidt would quickly tell you that he is not advocating that we support 60 year old men in their desire to rape 8 year old boys, but he would not classify his opposition as narrow minded. No! This is a principled position; there is some logic behind it, Schmidt would say.Those principles seem to include the idea that gay marriage is comparable to pedophilia and bestiality. That and extremely unclear writing.Is Schmidt then going to take his close minded stump speech to the Bestiality Club? Again, his answer would be no, although there are a group of people who embrace this lifestyle.
Schmidt and other gay lifestyle proponents would say that my opposition is based on the slippery slope approach. I say that it is based on principle and that it is no more close minded than their position for gay unions. The difference between me and Schmidt is that I'm not a maverick. I'm guided by something called Christian principles. And I don't need people in California, New York and Washington to tell me what the principles should be.
Smith's blog has since been pulled down, but you can read the cached version here, and the post itself here. As it turns out, support (or otherwise) for gay marriage is shaping up to be a flash point when the committee considers Obama's forthcoming Supreme Court pick later this year. So Smith's musings could shape the line of questioning that nominee faces. Unless, of course, Smith learns that his new boss might actually support a nominee who has "gay tendencies," and quits as a matter of Christian principle.
Josh
Matt
Eric
...and yet these same Republicans would have no problem with a 60 year old man molesting his own 8 year old daughter. I guess that is why they call it "family values". They just continue to sink to new depths, and having Sessions on Judiciary will not help. Better get Franken sworn in and soon!
May 19, 2009 3:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
If ever the saying "it takes one to know one" is accurate, this is it.
Where do they get these guys?
May 19, 2009 3:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love how so many "Christians" seem to ignore the teachings of the New Testament.
You'd think they never read beyond Leviticus.
May 19, 2009 3:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes it's amazing how often Leviticus is used by the religious right to prohibit homosexuality, eating shellfish, shaving and tattoos. Not so much on the last three?
Well, keep in mind that the bible is a tricky book which is all literal truth except for the parts that are metaphorical. Just call the 800 number to make your tax deductible tithe by credit card and the nice man on the tee vee will tell you which parts are important.
May 19, 2009 3:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Leviticus is mostly the book of animal sacrifices. You know god likes the liver to the left and the kidneys to the right etc..... I am always amused when these bigots call themselves followers of Christ, "Christians", because Christ never once said a single thing about homosexuality. Period.
I think eating oysters is gross, but I do not run around quoting the bible about shellfish and expect other intelligent people to take my personal taste as "Christian" morality.
May 19, 2009 4:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sessions is going to be soooooo much fun!
May 19, 2009 3:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
"extremely unclear writing" is a polite way of describing this:
The difference between me and Schmidt is that I'm not a maverick. I'm guided by something called Christian principles.
OMG! The most mavericky Macster John McCain and his maverickelicious sidekick, Sarah Palin, are not, apparently, guided by Christian principles.
Sessions' BFF thinks McCain and Palin were godless heathens, apparently.
May 19, 2009 3:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, Jesus never said there was anything wrong with having a woman put a grown man in diapers, so David Vitter is ok.
May 19, 2009 3:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are you sure? Did you check the King James version? For some reason Pampers 3:21 sticks out in my mind!
May 19, 2009 4:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL
May 20, 2009 3:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
I wonder if this guy stays up at night saying "slippery slope" to himself a lot. Because nobody even slightly tolerant, much less a "gay lifestyle proponent"(what is that, someone who chooses furniture for apartments in the west village?) would say that his opposition to same-sex marriage is based on the notion that it might lead to marriage rights being extended to people (other than patriarchs) who want marriages without mature consent by both parties. No, they would be pretty clear that his opposition is based on petty hatred and a mean-minded, despicable character.
May 19, 2009 3:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
I support gay marriage, and I am guided to that position by Christian principles: the principle that says we are all the children of God, the principle that says to love your neighbor as yourself, the principle that says we should treat one another, even strangers, even people in California, New York, Washington, and Alabama, with love and kindness, and the principle that says we should be about inclusion rather than exclusion.
I'm not just what "Christian principles" Brian Benczkowski is guided by, but I do have to wonder if they are to be found in any of the four Gospels.
May 19, 2009 4:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
"I don't need people in California, New York and Washington to tell me what the principles should be." Okay. And the rest of us don't need reactionary, bigoted pin-heads like Brian Benczkowski and his nut-case pal, Jeff Sessions, telling the rest of us what our principles ought to be. thankuverimush . . .
May 19, 2009 4:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
that'd be Jefferson Beauregard Session III to you and I, pal.
May 19, 2009 4:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, ex-CU-U-use ME! (With apologies to Steve Martin . . .)
May 19, 2009 5:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think he needs to have a talk with his priest.
May 19, 2009 4:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
uh, that would make him a Catholic and these people will proudly tell you Catholics and Christians are not the same thing.
-rolls eyes-
May 20, 2009 11:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Watch for this fella to end up pulling a Larry Craig! Happens every time with these guys who go over the top in their vehemence and Godliness against gay people.
Remember the young Republican Chairman up in Michigan who was a big anit-gay guy and who got caught, as I recall literally, with his pants down in someone's room? And how about that state rep down in Florida who got nailed in the bathroom of a public park? Another one. Yep. And now this guy. Can't wait to see how his inner demon gets exposed... as it were.
May 19, 2009 4:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
You have to understand that RECEIVING a bj doesn't mean you're gay. It just means you like bjs.
Now for a man to GIVE a bj to another man, THAT's gay!
Love it when bigot spread that ole time bigotry around. sooooo Christian and all.
May 20, 2009 3:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. All that sexual supression is going to explode outward somehow.
May 20, 2009 11:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Damn that Lincoln! If only we had LOST the Civil War then these rubes could have kept their slaves and plantations and still be living comfortably in the 19th Century. Now they have to worry what California and New York think in the 21st Century. Too bad.
May 19, 2009 4:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
methinks some do protest too much
those who holler the loudest about homosexuality while they also raise issues such as 60-year old men craving 8 year old boys probably spend a little too much time thinking about sex between senior citizens and children
it's like the latent guy at high school parties that always told far too many butt jokes. he'd readily physically or verbally assault anyone that reminded himself of his latent sexuality just to prove he wasn't gay (or, in Smith's case, a pedophile). unfortunately, many people are snowed by such theatrics, be the actor a teenager or a man near the age of 60. and, even worse, the republicans covet these types
May 19, 2009 4:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm a 60 year old Republican, and I never touch anyone under 14. That's because I have principles. And because don't live in Arkansas. Yet.
May 20, 2009 4:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
As one of the "elite" of Alabama, Sessions was indoctrinated (brainwashed) with bigotry from a young age. So well he thinks it is main stream and has no problem spouting it in public as he did in his failed judgeship hearing. Others of his ilk have only 3 arguments they think they can win every time. Gay marriage, (to them same as pedophilia or bestiality{Santorum}), abortion, and taxes. And they seem to lose at each turn. It scares me Sessions is the ranking Republican on the Judiciary committee because Leahy is the Chairman. Leahy will let Sessions get away making the most outrageous claims without rebuttal because of a perceived "collegiality." I wish Feingold was Chairman.
May 20, 2009 9:21 AM | Reply | Permalink