I was part way through a conversation with someone who does not hold the same political beliefs as I do, when it struck me that common sense crosses all political beliefs – at least it should. Here is part of the conversation we had:
Friend … Unfortunate reaction to your leaders' comments on gays/lesbians on protection in BC Human Rights Act. I understand whether he was coming from but hopefully this issue won't have "legs".
Me … It’s a NON issue as far as I'm concerned ... bugs the CRAP out of me that every person that thinks they MAY be part of some minority group wants some SPECIAL protection --- each of us already is/ has equal protection under the law ... is it that they want EXTRA protection and if so why / what makes them more important than me.
Friend … I agree but these groups squeak loudly and thus politicians are forced to listen. A shame though but a political truth. Same goes for speaking on local ( xyz ) issues here - not allowed to speak the truth but a lesser form of the truth.
Me … we now have flipped from one to the other and have reverse discrimination in just about every possible area :(
Friend … hard not to agree with that statement but hopefully there will be a day where you don't have to think too hard about what you say before you say and suffer the consequences.
So by now you may be wondering what the issue and comment was – so here it is as printed in a story from the Victoria Times Colonist, Thursday May 12th edition:
Cummins created a stir when he told Victoria's CFAX radio that, as an MP, he voted against adding sexual orientation as a ground for discrimination under Canada's Human Rights Act … Cummins went on to say homosexuals and lesbians do not need special human rights protection because "people are already protected under the human rights code. In my view it was not necessary to add another category. "They have the same rights under the Human Rights Act as you and I. Nobody is coming to me and saying whatever I do behind closed doors is somebody else's business."
What I do not understand is why there would be a stir on this … I mean look at what he said carefully:
· people are already protected under the human rights code
· They have the same rights under the Human Rights Act as you and I
· Nobody is coming to me and saying whatever I do behind closed doors is somebody else's business
That seems to show good clarity on the issue at hand. We are already protected equally under the law, the human rights act, the charter, etc. So could it be that what some people really want is MORE equality, more rights, than others??
We all have the right to free speech --- but for some that free speech is not allowed to have even the slightest edge of conservative opinion. That’s why feeding this contrived frenzy of upset and indignation should be of no surprise.
For some but not all in the media, controversy sells, and so the more things get stirred up, the more eyes / ears there are to see / hear the advertiser’s message. I am not sure however how that fits with what now seems to be an old-fashioned belief that the news should be present as fact, and should be unbiased (as opposed to comment & editorial).
Do you think the way they started this story then was charged with bias – or was it the start of information presented as news? You read it and then decide what you think:
BC Conservative leader designate John Cummins insists that he represents the "common sense of the common people," despite statements Wednesday that sexual orientation should not be protected under the Human Rights Act …
“Insists that he represents” --- and --- “Despite statements”??? Give me a break because that is biased reporting plain and simple; and it cannot be denied! And for those who think I do not know what I am talking about, I spent 25+ years in the broadcast media --- including in the news room.
The bottom line is that if we wish to have our own rights protected, then none of us can expect to have “more rights” than the next person. The only outcome that can come from that is eventually none of us will have any rights at all … we will be told what we can say, what we can do, and with whom.
A non-political friend of mine recently said, “Life is like bedhead: You can't always control how it's going to look or turn out. You just have to face it and deal with it.”
As John Cummins steps into BC’s political arena there will on occasion be controversy, it comes with the job. I believe however that he will face it … deal with it … and I am also fairly confident he will not run and hide from it. We’ll know exactly where he stands … and won’t that be a refreshing change?
I’m Alan Forseth in Kamloops … and these are the personal thoughts of at least one conservative.
Please Note … every citizen is protected, regardless of sexual orientation.
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