From: "Gideon Hallett" Newsgroups: alt.fan.pratchett Subject: [I]Rant w.r.t. Sect. 28 Date: 8 Feb 2000 11:22:23 GMT OK, folks; you have been warned; my normally fluffy self is decidedly pissed off about the events in the Lords yesterday. Exactly *what* was the whole issue decided on? a) It was decided upon the blatantly irrational prejudices of a couple of hundred nitwits who couldn't string a logical argument together to save their lives. (Lord Russell was one of the few vaguely sensible people to speak yesterday; ...Being homosexual, he said, was no more a "choice" than being right or left-handed. But most gays saw section 28 as a "badge of inequality, and if they listened to this debate, they would be unlikely to change their minds.") It's a great shame that the Lords don't have to produce things like logic and evidence to argue with; if they did it would have the advantage of doing away with the need for various of that house having to stand on their heads to say anything audible...that means *you*, Lord Waddington, and *you* Baroness Young. b) It was supported by the great and good of various religious orders displaying hypocrisy and intolerance of a staggering degree. Which of the various religious orders hasn't demanded tolerance of their faith as part of a multicultural society? - And which are the first group to start getting intolerant when it conflicts with *their* sacred cows? (A tempting suggestion; if they wish to be intolerant in the name of their religion, then let us be intolerant of their religion; I'm sure they'll empathize more closely with the oppressed after a few clergy get toasted...burn a bishop today! Immolate an imam! Roast a rabbi! No, I don't seriously mean it; it's not a solution, but *damn it all*, why are non-heterosexuals expected to turn the other cheek to overt abuse and intolerance in the name of a religion that tells people to be tolerant?) And, to add the final insult, the Scum and the Daily Wail are sporting particularly odious and smug front pages about it today. These are the papers which represent the vanguard of the homophobes; witness the glee with which they pounce on any 'outing' and the way the Scum says that Britain is run by a 'gay mafia'. These are the papers which represent the worst intolerance of all; and try to portray it as something held by 'the silent majority'. Well damn them. Damn them all to the blackest pit. There are thousands of screwed-up and miserable kids out there getting picked on by their classmates for 'being different' over something they really can't help; God only knows how many of them have committed suicide over the years. I live in hope of the day arriving when castigating people for being gay is about as welcome as making Sambo jokes or arguing that women are no more qualified to vote than horses. I am angry. And here's my response, to the tune of Lilliburlero; 1. Baroness Young 'as made a decree Silly old tóruidhe[1], heart black as tar That we'll worship the family Silly old tóruidhe, heart black as tar Chorus: Tóruidhes, clergy, homophobe fools Trying to set the agenda in schools Squealing, shouting, Bible-clouting Forcing us all to live by their rules. 2. Ho! there's a Cardinal, in a pulpit Bigoted clergy, heart black as tar Telling us all that gays are just shit Bigoted clergy, heart black as tar Chorus. 3. Loudly the Mail takes up the strain, Damnable Dacre, heart black as tar Showing no mercy and having no brain Damnable Dacre, heart black as tar Chorus. 4. Bovver boots on, the Sun starts to yell, Parasite Yelland, heart black as tar Raising a ruckus because it will sell Parasite Yelland, heart black as tar Chorus. 5. Rabbis and imams all speak with one voice, Hypocrite preachers, heart black as tar The people shall ne'er be allowed a free choice! Hypocrite preachers, heart black as tar Chorus. 6. For all of our life is theirs to dictate Moralist morons, hearts black as tar Just as Tory MPs are all married and straight! Moralist morons, hearts black as tar Chorus. Gideon. (please note: this is a satire...) [1] pronounced 'Tory' - it's the Irish for a highway robber (and is where the word comes from.) -- | \\\\ //// "You want to *WHAT* with common people?"| | \\\\\\__. .__////// diogenes@freeuk.com(XNFP)-bringing common | |_\\\\\\'c___\'////// hedgehogs to the common people since 1999 |