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Huckabee: 'I Don’t Know' If People Are 'Born' Gay, But It’s a 'Choice' to Act Gay [VIDEO]

Posted by Matt Corley, Think Progress at 6:27 AM on December 31, 2007.


Huckabee has a record of using the power of government to discriminate against the choices that gay Americans make in their private lives.
Huckabee: ‘I Don’t Know’ If People Are ‘Born’ Gay, But It’s A ‘Choice’ To Act Gay

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On NBC's Meet The Press this morning, host Tim Russert asked former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee if he believed "people are born gay or choose to be gay?" "I don't know whether people are born that way," responded Huckabee, "but one thing I know, that the behavior one practices is a choice."

Huckabee conceded that "people who are gay say that they're born that way," but added that he believed that "how we behave and how we carry out that behavior" is more important. Watch it to your right:

As ThinkProgress has noted before, Huckabee has a record of using the power of government to discriminate against the choices that gay Americans make in their private lives. As governor of Arkansas, Huckabee pushed to strengthen the state's anti-sodomy laws in order to "protect the traditional family structure":

In 1997, Huckabee requested an amendment to a state Senate bill stating "that it is Arkansas public policy to prohibit sodomy to protect the traditional family structure." [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 1/23/1997]
Huckabee is also fervent in his efforts to deny gay men and women the right to choose to marry the ones they love. Recently, he told GQ that "civilization" may not survive if "what marriage and family means" is "rewritten" to allow gay marriage.

Russert also pressed Huckabee on his comparison of homosexuality to necrophilia, which he described as "publicly endorsed and institutionally supported aberrations." Huckabee claimed that he was not saying they were "equivalent," but was only "pointing out" that they "are deviations from what has been the traditional concept of sexual behavior."

Digg!

Tagged as: gay rights, homophobia, huckabee

Matt Corley is a Research Associate for The Progress Report and ThinkProgress.org at the Center for American Progress.


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No Doubt about it ~ Huckabee is an Idiot
Posted by: Sissy on Dec 31, 2007 6:52 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Omigawd ~ its official, Huck is an idiot. We should have known that this would come out....that one of the best ways that people can become a target for violence, harassment, prejudice, discrimination, that all they have to say is "I'm gay", and their prayers are answered (pardon the pun).

Please Lord, deliver me from these fools.

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I Don't Know If People Are Born Stupid, But It's A Choice To Act Republican
Posted by: InsertNameHere on Dec 31, 2007 7:13 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
In 1997, Huckabee requested an amendment to a state Senate bill stating "that it is Arkansas public policy to prohibit sodomy to protect the traditional family structure." [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 1/23/1997]

It's not just gay men who practice anal sex. What about all those nice conservative soccer moms who like a nice, hot romp in the rump?

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What a puke
Posted by: lefty010 on Dec 31, 2007 7:21 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I'm not sure I can even find the words for how abhorrent I find Mike Dumbfuckabee.

That anyone could listen to him and then actually support him is terrifying. To think that he is the front runner in Iowa is beyond belief. Thank [insert deity of choice here] that he doesn't have a fanatical, brain dead, groupie, support network like his cohort RP (I won't type his name. I don't want all of his dimwitted groupies to descend onto this post).

AAakkkkk.... If by some unlucky alignment of the planets in some freak astronomical event this hate mongering, small minded, asshole should get elected, just call me Expat.

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Though I am Buddhist, it is really beautiful that Jesus can suffer us fools and idiots............
Posted by: yogendra2 on Dec 31, 2007 7:22 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."? Gandhi's statement rings loud and clear with this Christ follower lunatic, huh? Poor Jesus to have to suffer fools and idiots---what intense compassion Jesus must have to love all of us.................yogi, tucson, ayogendra

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Gays and the Dinosaur solution..
Posted by: TJ-stars4peace on Dec 31, 2007 7:43 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Huckabee yearns for the old days when Gays were fed to the Dinosaurs that walked amongst us..

Simple as that..

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» RE: Gays and the Dinosaur solution.. Posted by: TJ-stars4peace
Huckleberry is great for America
Posted by: reval on Dec 31, 2007 7:47 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
He's a great reminder of just how moronic a large segment of our population has become and why our Democracy (nay, our species) is again suddenly taking giant steps backwards.

I personally hope that the bible thumpin', head-up-his-ass Huckster remains a highly visible "politico" in this country for at least the next millennia (if there is one). That way, whenever anyone rhetorically asks, "OMG! How freakin' stupid can they get?" we will always have a ready answer: "Let me introduce you to Micki Hulkleberry?."

With these asswipes walking among us, well find ourselves looking back on the Dark Ages as humankind's greatest moment.
~Rev. El
Pastor, WVCSR

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Moral and ethical life
Posted by: PJT on Dec 31, 2007 8:14 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It is everyone's responsibility, straight or gay, to lead a moral and ethical life. By that, I mean to understand right and wrong, and engage philosophical strategies for deciding what is right and wrong. Communities, to some extent, decide on what is right and wrong in that place. Great questions are decided by society at large. The decisions are reached through the laws enacted at local and regional levels and in the Constitution for the nation as a whole. If you don't like the laws enacted by your elected representatives, WORK TO ELECT REPRESENTATIVES WHO AGREE WITH YOU. If you enjoy anal intercourse with your sex partner but live in an area where it is illegal, work to change the law. If that cannot be done because the majority won't go along, MOVE SOMEWHERE ELSE. If you are looking for civilization, try Finland. It ain't happening here. But above all, STOP WHINING, and if you choose to disobey the law, be prepared to accept the penalty if you are caught, WITHOUT COMPLAINT.

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» Mole alert! Posted by: 2dogarage
» Blah, blah, blah Posted by: lefty010
» Too bad if you don't like our whining. Posted by: Chickensh*tEagle
» I almost forgot... Posted by: Chickensh*tEagle
» RE: I almost forgot... Posted by: Lauren
» RE: Moral and ethical life Posted by: leland61
» RE: Moral and ethical life Posted by: Lauren
» RE: Moral and ethical life ...? Posted by: blitzmesser
» RE: Moral and ethical life Posted by: outrider
Huckabee
Posted by: bettyn on Dec 31, 2007 8:40 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
just scares the **** out of me. In fact, all these "born agains" scare me.

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» RE: Huckabee Posted by: lefty010
» RE: Huckabee Posted by: reval
Moral and ethical life?
Posted by: reval on Dec 31, 2007 9:15 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"Great questions are decided by society at large?"

Assertions like that are irrefutable proof of one's ignorance. They're the reason Copernicus decided to postpone the publication of his "Principia" until after his death, why Gallelio opted for house arrest over stretching and why Darwin is villified today. Yep, that's some great decisions there all right.

When someone makes assertions like that it's best to just walk away having learned again that it's unwise to argue or debate anything with an ignoramus; they'll just drag you down to their level and beat you senseless with stupidity.
~Rev. El
Pastor, WVCSR

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Huckabee is right about one thing.
Posted by: Ellie1 on Dec 31, 2007 9:18 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
He doesn't know. He doesn't know a damned thing. But then that never stopped a Republican from running for president-or conservative jerks from voting for him.

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until alternet, I suppose I was a bit too ignorant
Posted by: stars_bleed_dry on Dec 31, 2007 9:55 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This is extremely alarming. It saddens me immensely that someone who is actually wanting to run our country can be so pathetically closed minded. What is the harm in two people, no matter what they may do or whom they may love, regardless of what goes on behind their bedroom doors being together and wishing to solidify said love? How is it wrong? Why does this individual hold so tightly and desperately to such outmoded values? We live in a new world, things have changed much. Noone should have to hide their sexuality, nor their choices in their lives. Of course, this is only my humble opinion and I do not wish to judge this individual. I refer to Huckabee as an "individual" because he doesn't seem to be compassionate, empathetic or caring whatsoever. If I am not mistaken, those traits are the hallmarks of humanity. If he lacks qualities such as the aforementioned, why should we give him any power? In my opinion, we don't need individuals such as this in OUR country. Unfortunately far too many people will most likely vote for huckabee. If Huckabee is actually elected, I elect to leave this country far behind me and my own family. As if Bush isn't bad enough. Perhaps IO should have emigrated 8 years ago. I apologize to have offended anyone.

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I have noticed that Refucklicans.,....
Posted by: tap17x on Dec 31, 2007 10:03 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
.........and other braindead conservatives (sorry about repeating myself) NEVER say why gay marriage would adversely affect straight "traditional" marriages. They can't say, because the supposed effect is an absolute lie, like so much else of what they claim. Also, Fuckabilly did not say why, if we're all sinners, he picked out gays for particular punishment. Tim should have jumped on that point, but even a good interviewer can't think of everything on the spot.

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Even more from the state of Arkansas
Posted by: saharabloom on Dec 31, 2007 10:54 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I lived in Arkansas for awhile while Huckabee was governor. They also worked hard to ban gays from being foster parents while he was in office, as well as tried to get make it illegal for them to adopt.

Fortunately, the ACLU stepped in and the Arkansas Supreme court struck down the measure while noting that there was no evidence that any child in Arkansas was harmed by having gay foster parents. I hope the adoption ban is also nixed by the voters, should it ever be put up for a vote.

It is just sad ignorance to assume there is a link to pedophilia based on one's sexuality. I think a pervert is a pervert and it is NOT linked to one's being gay or straight.

I'm hoping the sweep the Dems made in the last election will help prevent any further potential bans from being made law.

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Yesterday's Mashed Potatoes
Posted by: Astroboy on Dec 31, 2007 11:08 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Huckabilly is irrevelant at this stage of the game. The more face-time he gets the deeper the hole he digs for himself and his ilk.

This entire gay-bashing ploy will no longer work for the Right(sic) because this country has much higher priorities now (as it should be) than many people percieved in the run-up to the last two stolen elections.

As I predicted a while back, there is now a fomenting backlash toward the Christofascists in response to their insistance on a Theocratic America, and people like Huckabilly are becoming anathema to all rational thinking folks who feel our country is being assailed from the inside out, by them.

He and his Christofascist brethren hang an ugly mantle of intolerance, bigotry and hate around the necks of all moderate Christians, and they don't like it either!

And they won't allow themselves and their Christianity to be used again by Rovian political tactics and the blatant bastardization of their beliefs.

So keep proselytizing Huckabilly, but bang the drum slowly, for it is your political death knell.

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Are There Gay Animals? Please Help Me Huck!!
Posted by: left_libertarian on Dec 31, 2007 12:10 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
If so, how do I know if the cat I care for is gay?

Please help me Huck!

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jimmymack
Posted by: jimmymack 2 on Dec 31, 2007 12:18 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
keep listening. By July he'll be offering dinosaur rides to the first cucifixions under his administration. He so follows the teachings of Christ??!?!?? He should give his money to CHIP and start spreading the work to hookers with 12 of his closest gay friends (they may not hunt with him) but he'll take a lot longer to return to his former 350#

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jimmymack
Posted by: jimmymack 2 on Dec 31, 2007 12:27 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
think of it, and you're left with Dennis Kucinich once again standing up for ALL Americans. Edwards is quite clear about where state and personal behavior intersect; Willard, well, is Willard - a dolt with a good colorist. Wonder if God wanted me to be gay....and a hairdresser? Or gay and a translater in government service...guess not.

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Another Decision Maker
Posted by: sp00n67 on Dec 31, 2007 2:48 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Well that's another one down, and he was doing so good too. Amazing from first to last in a flash.I tried being gay for years and I'm still straight.Humm I guess I just couldn't get the hang of it. Is there courses like gay 101? Maybe praying on my knees might be the answer? Hey it seemed to work for the clergy.
Did I commit a sin? Ask Commit Romney he's one of them there Rebublican morons as Huckelberries just put him in first place.
Ron Paul is the only sane one out of that bunch. Go Ron

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» F*ck Ron Paul '08 Posted by: lefty010
Huckabee could cause the collapse of civilization
Posted by: AsteroidMiner on Dec 31, 2007 10:51 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
http://www.alternet.org/stories/72025/?cID=799291

Mike Huckabee is more dangerous than George W. Bush. If Mike Huckabee
becomes president, he could cause the collapse of civilization. See "The Long
Summer" by Brian Fagan. Climate change has caused the collapse of many
civilizations, and is well on the way to causing the collapse of our civilization.
Religion has contributed to the collapse of many civilizations in the past.
Christianity contributed to the collapse of the Greenland Viking civilization
according to "Collapse, How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed" by Jared
Diamond. Religious extremism is an indication that civilization is about to
collapse. In order to avoid collapse, we need to do the opposite of what Huckabee
advocates. We need to abandon old values that will lead us to make global
warming worse, and accept new values that will stop and reverse global warming.
Drastic action is required to prevent us humans from going extinct according to
"Six Degrees" by Mark Lynos.

Notice that the Mayor of Atlanta's prayers did not work. Huckabee will not be
able to conjure up a god to help end the drought either, because there is no god.
Greece, Turkey, the Sahel, China and California are also having the same drought.
The only cure is to put the climate back the way it was before we messed with
Mother Nature. If we keep on obeying old christian values like trying to "subdue
the earth," the drought will only get worse. The next dust bowl will be far worse
than the last one. YOU will be among those who starve. Nature cannot be fooled
or subdued, not even by Huckabee.

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There are people who have both a male genotype and a female genotype
Posted by: AsteroidMiner on Dec 31, 2007 11:09 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The opposite of the process that creates identical twins is possible.
One person can be born with 2 genotypes if 2 fertilized eggs that
should have become fraternal twins become stuck together. It is
possible for the 2 genotypes to be of opposite sex. Half of the
cells of such a person's body would be male and the other half
would be female. It happens, but I don't know how often. I also
don't know what the end result is or what the adult person is like.
I don't know if such a person would be born gay.

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Religion & old values can collapse civilization
Posted by: AsteroidMiner on Dec 31, 2007 11:14 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
In "Collapse, How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed," Jared
Diamond discusses how religion has played a role in the collapse
of many civilizations. Christianity contributed to the collapse of
the Greenland Viking civilization. If the Greenland Vikings had
spent their money on iron to make weapons and tools, they would
have had a better chance of survival. Instead they bought stained
glass windows and religious goods at a time when their sickles
were worn down to the point of looking like box cutters. The
Greenland Vikings stuck to their "Christian" and European values
when the Inuits [Eskimos] could have taught them how to hunt
whales and some kinds of seals. The Greenland Vikings stuck to
their dislike of fish while starving to death. The climate got
colder as well, but the Greenland Vikings could have survived if
they had been willing to give up their old time religion and values.
The Greenland Vikings killed the Inuits [Eskimos] they met when
they should have married into Inuit [Eskimo] society to get the
benefit of the successful Arctic lifestyle and culture of the Inuits
[Eskimos].
The inhabitants of Easter Island destroyed their environment and
caused their civilization to collapse to make more of their statue
gods.
If the Americans continue to choose religion and coal burning
over science and nuclear power, the civilization you are now part
of will collapse when global warming causes the drought in
Atlanta, Georgia, California, Australia, Greece, Turkey, the Sahel,
China and other places to grow to the point that agriculture
collapses.
Religionists will, of course, resist any change in values
regardless of the fact that a change in values is necessary for
survival. This is an issue of the preachers' income. In the end,
the preachers may be eaten, but it is too late by that time.
[Cannibalism has been proven in the case of the fall of Anasazi
civilization in Chaco Canyon. The Anasazi hunted their
neighbors at the end.]

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Never mind about the gays...
Posted by: zipper696 on Jan 1, 2008 1:50 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Why does he have to be so judgemental about necrophiliacs?


Remember - dead gals don't say no...

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A question for the Huck
Posted by: JSquercia on Jan 3, 2008 7:25 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
If people are born GAY WHY would GOD create such individuals ?

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