A recent Youtube entry plays audio of Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern making a speech to 50 or so conservative constituents on March 8.
Read some excerpts from Kern's diatribe.
"Studies show, no society that has totally embraced homosexuality has lasted for more than, you know, a few decades. . ."
"I honestly think [homosexuality]'s the biggest threat our nation has, even more so than terrorism or Islam, which I think is a big threat."
"Gays are infiltrating city councils."
"One of my colleagues said, "We don't have a gay problem in our community…" Well you know what, that is so dumb. If you have cancer in your little toe, do you just say that I'm going to forget about it since the rest of you is fine? It spreads! This stuff is deadly, and it is spreading. It will destroy our young people, and it will destroy this nation."
There is more where that came from, but only so much of her vitriol can fit in one column.
Kern told the person who recorded her public tirade in secret, "shame on you."
But where does the real shame belong?
Even Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson apologized for alleging gays helped the Sept. 11 attacks happen. Kern's response when confronted? "I'm saying what I believe in."
She has vowed not to apologize and has told reporters she received a standing ovation from Oklahoma Republicans on Monday.
It almost seems futile to bring light to her lunacy. Apparently Kern's study of history glossed over Ancient Greece or Rome which lasted quite a bit longer than a few decades.
And although it would be interesting to hear why dear Sally thinks gays are worse than terrorists, the second statement is just as telling about her feelings about Muslims as it is about gays - she believes Islam is a "big threat" to our nation.
Her infiltration comment is eerily reminiscent of "We need breathing room," first coined by Adolf Hitler in Germany in 1938.
And she thinks the gays are a cancer.
What a woman.
Some outlandish statements at least have some situational explanations, if they are not outright defensible. Mel Gibson, for instance, was quite intoxicated at the time of his anti-Semitic escapade.
But Kern's sober words are telling of a woman who's over-the-top evil. The only question to be answered is whether or not she should keep her job. Is her venom, deplorable as it may be, protected by the First Amendment?
No. Kern should be terminated from her public service without prejudice.
Here's why.
She has a responsibility to her constituents - some of whom are undoubtedly gay or Muslim in her Oklahoma City district - to work without bias for the common good.
Kern's prior actions have already shown how her sick outlook slithers into everything she does for her state.
In 2005, Kern introduced a bill in the Oklahoma legislature which threatened to restrict funding to public libraries unless they shelved gay-related materials in the "adults access only" section.
Kern took particular notice of "King and King," a children's book about a prince looking for another prince. While nothing remotely or implicitly sexual is mentioned, Kern called the tolerance-promoting fairy tale "obscene."
In February 2007, Kern introduced a bill that mandates schools to notify parents about the clubs and organizations sponsored by schools. The bill, which would use school funding, seems to neglect the fact that parents could simply call and ask what clubs their schools offer if they want to know.
What is the reason behind her measure? Kern explains in her rant.
"…And the reason I did that bill primarily was this: We have the gay-straight alliance coming into our schools. Kids are getting involved in these groups. Their lives are being ruined, and their parents don't know about it."
Kern is a public servant (or is supposed to be) just like State Trooper Robert Henderson, who has received recent Daily Nebraskan op-ed coverage for his termination after intensely racist remarks on a white supremacist Web site.
This situation is similar with a couple notable differences. Kern has no trigger that set her off to bigotry. Kern's is a less primal, more sophisticated hatred - one that uses bureaucracy to a more efficient end.
Also unlike Henderson, Kern was popularly elected to her position - with a 67 perecent majority, no less.
Kern's hate speech reflects poorly on those citizens of Oklahoma District 84 who gave her the office. Perhaps (hopefully) they were unaware of her deep-seeded prejudice in the 2004 election. They certainly are now.
But Oklahoma will continue to be marred by Kern's slime if there is no push by citizens or state officials toward her termination.
Kern has a right to express her rhetoric - however hateful - but not at a public event. She is misusing her position of power to spread her bile.
Few politics are as fluid at the moment as those pertaining to the gay community. There is generally a place for civil discourse. Those opposed to certain measures should not always be labeled bigots, and those termed "progressive" should have their thoughts respected as well.
Kern crossed the line and should be left out of the conversation entirely.
Clint Waltman is a senior biology and psychology major. Reach him at clintwaltman@dailynebraskan.com
