First in Memorial Day news, I had one of my ‘older’ foot soldiers call me today, J. Troy, to tell me he drove down the boulevard in McKennan Park and was disappointed that there was 3 city flags, 1 rainbow flag (gay pride) and no American flags.
I’m not sure about those hoity-toity McKennan Park folks, but I drove down 26th street today and there was well over a dozen American flags flying.
Also, as a reminder, Memorial Day is a holiday to remember not only our citizens that died in war, but all those who made our country great. Veteran’s day is in honor of those who survived war, and Armed Services day is for those who currently serve.
In Mexico they have a celebration of the dead at the end of October called ‘Day of the Dead’ in which they celebrate and honor all those who have died.
I was always brought up that Memorial Day was not only about our brave service people who made the ultimate sacrifice, but about all Americans who have contributed and passed on. Flags and Flowers for all.
Speaking of flowers . . .
Is Mayor Paul Homophobic?
He was kind of asked this during a Democratic Forum during the mayoral campaign, and he denied it. I was willing to take his word on it, but he has conveniently side stepped the subject since then.
Until now.
The ‘LGBee-ers‘ as I call them, are up in arms because they asked PTH, in his official capacity of mayor (not king of the SF selfie) to read a proclamation at the gay pride parade on June 15. Paul had a convenient out, Father’s Day weekend. Just like when he was asked to do the proclamation at gay pride last year, he once again used his children as an excuse. Paul reminds me of all the moms I have worked with over the years that use their kids as an excuse to get out of work early or to take a day off. It’s lame when they do it, and it is lame when you do it Paul. You can’t take 30 minutes out of your Father’s Day weekend (the day before BTW) to put a rest to whether you are homophobic or not? Besides, you will fit right in, there will plenty of flashy costumes and selfies galore!
I challenge Paul to put an end to the salacious rumors once and for all, and read the proclamation at the gay pride festival. As I tell my conservative friends, ‘Gay people are just like us, Â just more fun . . . and better dancers.’
City Hall needs some better dancers these days.
Maybe he could pre-tape it. I bet he knows someone good at making videos.
It’s on a weekend- does he have to shave and wear a tie ? You want to run his schedule, might as well continue to critique his grooming and dress. Maybe they should have the festival a different weekend and see what happens.
MJ, Homophobes always have an excuse.
Politically, it’s practically impossible to address the LBGT topic. Even if your response is appropriate it will be taken out of context. Similarly, you won’t hear a politician speak of religion. It’s to easy to be mistakenly labeled. I’m not a politician. As for me, anyone who has found happiness with another someone to love is lucky. I’m older and grew up both sexist and racist. I’m over it but there’s still a little something that surfaces once in awhile.
Serious but respectful question
If your religious beliefs contradict what someone is asking of you, what do you do as an elected official if that ask is outside of your duties, like speaking at a rally. Reason I ask is I think he is screwed either way.
1 – If he politely declines and says the LGBTQ community views are a contradiction to what he believes then he is labeled Homophobic
2 – If he speaks he betrays himself and his religious beliefs
Respecting someone’s right to live their life as they see fit yet disagreeing does not make you homophobic. Reason I ask is when anyone disagrees with this lifestyle they are labeled yet in a free society we should be able to disagree as long as we are not forcing laws or treating people inside the confines of our laws differently, why can’t it just be a “hey we don’t agree and call it a day”
Thoughts respectfully
I forgot one
3 – If he comes up with an excuse not to go he is a Liar
“might as well continue to critique his grooming and dress”
Yes, matt johnson, some of his constituents do expect him to show up for formal city meetings, such as with the Council……shaven, with a tie and w/o his infamous sneakers!
The way I look at it, PTH has already painted himself into a corner on the issue. He told the left leaning crowd of Dem Forum participants while running for mayor he was NOT homophobic. He also said he was going to work on transparency. So which is it Paul? This is the 1st annual parade, you would think the mayor would be very happy to be at it, even if it was just for reading a proclamation. What if this was the 1st Annual Father’s Day parade, I guarantee he would be there. If PTH is against homosexuality based on his religious views, fine, but he is NOT a pastor, he is the mayor, and even if he disagrees with someone’s lifestyle it still doesn’t excuse him from treating people equally.
Was the Mayor elected to represent ALL or just a few?
Does anyone know if any elected officials will be at or in the parade? City Council members?
Not sure if they were all formally invited, but it would be nice to see them all there.
I don’t believe in dress codes per se. But everyone should have their own dress code and part of that code should respect the moment, and when you are mayor you need to respect the office just as any other citizen should…..#TimeToGoCampingWithTheFamily
I recently witnessed our Mayor use the word “crap” doing a speech. Yes, “crap.” I don’t know about you, but has some of Trump rubbed off and onto our Mayor? I don’t think that Crusinberry or Schirmer, or for that matter Knobe, ever used the word “crap” in an official speech, did they?……#ChuckTaylorNation
Yes he was elected to be mayor of all- but he does not have to attend all functions; as to how he dresses I have not seen one complaint by this blog about how male democratic presidential hopefuls attend many of their events without ties – two standards? has he offered an excuse for any other weekend Wis? – when he does I will agree that he is homophobic
I don’t have an issue with the way he dresses. I think he looks professional, it’s just a different style I guess. There used to be a former city councilor that always wore a shirt advertising his business at council meetings, I felt that was unacceptable.
he doesn’t wear hats to meetings either. rex would approve.
The Mayor was to open the South Dakota Peach Festival and backed out last Friday.
the peach festival has come and gone already?
There’s no reason why he can’t just show up at the beginning for five minutes to welcome everybody and then take off. He doesn’t have to do a Huether who would suddenly wear a cowboy hat in a video “welcoming” Barf Brooks to take our city’s entertainment dollars down to Oklahoma. Just show up, shake a couple of hands, and head back to his Bible.
Aargh..Conservative Here..the term lifestyle implies choice. Your decision to comment on this blog is choice. Going to Bdubs or McKenzie River for dinner is a choice. Right, back to Paul.. he’s a homophobe. His parents were. He could have evolved, grown and listened and become a kinder person, but he didn’t.
The Mayor’s look is a generational thing. He’s from a different generation than the prior mayor. When Knobe took over from Schirmer, we went from Karl Mundt suits to blaid jackets and Counsin Eddie white shoes. We have been here before.
Or, is it a generational thing this time? Rather, does it now instead speak of the “Tale of Two Cities” found within this town, where our Mayor’s look is from a confident six figure household, while the other look is more in-line with a household bringing in sixty thousand per year?
So, I find it hard to take our Mayor serious with his current look at times, or find his look serious, that is; but then again, I have a problem taking someone’s comments serious at an office meeting too, when the commentator is wearing a t-shirt that says, “I survived CommaCon 2018.”
PTH hates Peaches!…or does he fear them? I’m not a huge fan of the mayor but over analyzing every decision isn’t healthy for anyone. Sometimes things just don’t work out.
Please cite the source for your statement. Or is this just your opinion?
“Also, as a reminder, Memorial Day is a holiday to remember not only our citizens that died in war, but all those who made our country great.”
Rachel
I never implied anything, you inferred it, so stop trying to put words in my mouth. At the end of the day my questions still stands.
He is F@cked no matter how he handles it and my question was SINCERE so cut the sh!t and have an honest conversation. Stop with trying to call people names and label them. Just answer the question, what does he do if he disagrees with it.
On a personal note I have a niece who is a Lesbian and while I disagree with it as it goes against my beliefs I still love her. She has a right to live her life without being criticized just like I do. So its a two way street, either be consistent or just say, I hate Christian beliefs and be up front and honest.
Isn’t Dordt College known nationally for its homophobia though?
I believe the late great Tim Conway made a movie about Dordt:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IcyxJTQ9Fk
“Infamous sneakers” are the “Cousin Eddie Whities” of our time:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtSvWYtpd50
I don’t hate Christian beliefs CH. As someone who believes in something greater and hopefully kinder, your manipulation of Christianity as a platform of intolerance and hatred is concerning. Congratulations on having a gay niece.
The belief that homosexuality is against someone’s religious beliefs has often baffled me.
God created us all. While I don’t apply myself to one belief, I do believe in a creator, and I do believe they created us all, not by mistake or accident, but to accent us all.
Speaking of dancers and the City Council. The CC reminds me alot of Joey:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WreiLLGrCEY
Rachel
You must be allergic to answering the questions I posed to begin with. The mayor is in a pickle and is screwed either way the way you keep moving the goal posts on the subject shows me where you stand. I asked a respectful question and I am not manipulating Christian platform as God is very clear on this subject
As Free Americans, we can agree and disagree and I am not advocating treating someone bad or discriminating based on anything. let alone someones sexual preference OR their religious beliefs. So if the mayor disagrees what does he do
1 – Go against what he believes and speaks at the rally – Betrays himself
2 – Lie or make up a story to not go – He is a Liar
3- Stick to his beliefs – You call him a homophobe
No matter what he is F@cked and your lack of candor on the questions is baffling to me. So my guess he finds other competing priorities to give a good excuse to not have to address the situation at all. I am asking what does he do, RESPECTFULLY. You keep implying that my question are invalid. This is why we have gotten to a place in this country when someone who has an opposing view asks the other side a real question and asking how does one handle this. Instead of answering my questions you go off on other tangents and accuse me of manipulation of Christianity.
Scott – I am not sure what is baffling about homosexuality being a sin in the eyes of God. The bible is very clear, just like its clear on all other kinds of sin such as, adultery, murder, theft, bearing false witness, etc. All these are sins and against the will of God. God has given us free will to obey and honor him or ignore him and go it alone. I am not trying to turn this into a religious debate. God did create us all yet we all sin and fall short of his Grace.
My questions still stands, on how he handles this. What is apparent to me he is in a lose lose postion.