Posted on 01/31/2006 7:43:58 PM PST by presidio9
From Brokeback to Brownback: Republican Sen. Sam Brownback, a potential presidential candidate, says he meant no offense to gays and lesbians when he used the word "fruits" in a recent interview with Rolling Stone. In a lengthy profile titled "God's Senator," the magazine quotes the Kansas Republican as criticizing countries like Sweden that allow civil unions between same-sex couples.
"You'll know them by their fruits," Brownback said, quoting a biblical passage from Matthew 7:19.
Rolling Stone writer Jeff Sharlet said in the story, appearing in the magazine's current issue, that Brownback appeared to be calling gay Swedes "fruits," a derogatory term for homosexuals.
After gay and lesbian advocacy groups denounced the comments last week, Brownback issued a statement yesterday saying his quote "was in no way referring to sexual orientation."
"While this biblical passage was pertinent to our overall conversation about faith and deeds, it apparently led the writer to believe I was making a joke," said Brownback, who is pushing a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.
"I was not and would never do so with such a personal and sensitive issue," Brownback said. His explanation was greeted with skepticism by the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay rights organization.
"It's nice to know that Senator Brownback doesn't resort to name-calling from the 1970s, but unfortunately his anti-gay agenda continues to speak for itself," said spokesman Brad Luna.
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Paranoid and stupid is no way to go through life, son.
lol
ping
And also by their bare mid-riff's, cut-off's and unscuffed construction boots.
"Paranoid and stupid is no way to go through life, son."
Paranoid, stupid, and perverted is no way to go through life, fruits.
Of course the liberals don't know anything about Bible references.
After that they will go after 'banana lovers'
That made me laugh out loud.
In other words the reporter was ignorant of the quote.
"You are known by your fruits" means simply, you're known by your labor.
I purchased a chicken salad with fruit, but they did not say, "Thanks for shopping with us at chicken salad and apple."
If this makes no sense to you, it's late.
I love the way the headline says that the GOP politician is sparking the furor, when it is clear to the reader that the media is creating the furor out of nothing more than misreading and misrepresenting a statement made during an interview. The media is still wondering why circulation numbers continue to decline at daily newspapers, too.
I don't like straight fruits, nor gay.
LUV, LUV, LUV!!!!
Sounds like the rolling stone reporter is an idiot
Rude bastards.
I think if they're male you will know them by their capri pants.
But, but...Tim Kaine just told me about the part of the Bible where it advocates national health care and a living wage.
What is this guy giving an interview to this rag for?
Are you sure you didn't man "assless chaps?"
"His explanation was greeted with skepticism by the Human Rights Campaign"
is this not basic literature 101. what's the matter with these nuts?
Ditto!
I hope this is a wakeup call for those who are allowing the left to define the terms.
It's impossible to starve in San Francisco; the place is awash in fruits and nuts!
Editor Jeff Sharlet was raised in as many churches, synagogues, and ashrams as his Christian/Jewish parents had friends. His current practice is journalism. He is a contributing editor for Harper's, a founder and editor-at-large for Killing the Buddha.com, and a consultant on religion for Weekend America. He has also written about religion, culture, and politics for Rolling Stone, New York, The Washington Post, The Dallas Morning News, Oxford American, Forward, The Baffler, Feed, The Chicago Reader, The San Diego Reader, Washington City Paper, Salon, Nerve, and other publications, and worked as a senior writer covering religion and theology for The Chronicle of Higher Education and as editor-in-chief of Pakn Treger, a journal of Jewish writing and history. He is co-author, with Peter Manseau, of Killing the Buddha: A Heretic's Bible. Buy his book. Hear him discuss religious diversity on WBUR's "On Point." Sharlet is currently working on "Power in the Blood," a narrative history of elite evangelicalism from Jonathan Edwards to the present day.
for someone who writes about religion he surely isnt to bright. here is his webpage about section therevealer
Well, if the shoe fits. . . .
Such are the fruits of a classic secular education...
I almost typed suckular... LOL!
Getting pretty bad when you can't call a turd a turd, ain't it?
I think they prefer Queer to Fruits. But then again, if you ever seen a 'gay pride' parade, fruit might be too mild a term.
Correct! And, ironically, I do believe the "guilty" party was a fruit. I mean queer.
I'll bet this writer thinks he is an intellectual.
PJ O'Rourke would be very alarmed to learn that his old stopping grounds has now hiring academicians.
That is it exactly. Even a few decades ago people would have a basic awareness of some of the Bible. Knowing the Bible is essential to understanding much of English and American literature. Not understand the quote shows that there are many people who not only do not know much about the Bible but also have not been exposed to much to the great literature of our language in general.
"You'll know them ( San Francisco ) by its fruits,"
new headline: "fruits go nuts..."
Nice.
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