Topic: Liberal Fascism
Liberals, progressives and leftists make a practice of slandering their political foes by equating them with Nazis, Holocaust deniers, serial killers, rapists, etc., etc. But they become positively livid when their own totalitarian proclivities are pointed out. Because, you see, when the Left barges into people’s bedrooms or suppresses speech, that’s okay! It’s being done in the name of inclusion, tolerance, sensitivity—so just shut up!
Take the gay major of Houston, Annise Parker. She got her knickers into a twist over criticism of the city’s gay/transgender-focused Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO). Parker championed this measure, which was enacted last May. Among other things, HERO permits transgender people to use either a male or female restroom. Who knew that free access to the toilet facilities of one’s choice is a burning civil rights issue? Anyhow, this provision of HERO did not receive a cordial reception. It was mocked and derided as the “bathroom bill” and a campaign was launched to get the whole silly thing repealed via referendum. But the city attorney ruled that many of the signatures on the referendum petition were invalid, the question didn’t make it to the ballot. Referendum supporters, arguing that the city attorney’s action was illegal are suing the city. Mayor Parker has promised not to enforce HERO until there’s a court ruling.
But Her Honor was displeased with the opposition, much of which emanated from Houston’s large and influential evangelical community. So guess what Parker did? Pursuant to the court case, she subpoenaed the sermons of several pastors who’ve been particularly outspoken about HERO!
Now you may well wonder how stupid a politician has to be to convince herself that subpoenaing sermons is a good idea. But Parker is a progressive, remember. Moreover she’s gay and therefore can do no wrong. So anyone who criticizes or opposes her must be a homophobe—and homophobes, as every good progressive knows, cannot claim the protection of the First Amendment. Thus Parker’s undoubted stupidity is privileged. No doubt I could be subpoenaed for pointing out her stupidity. And her malice. And her totalitarian mind-set. Not to mention her pusillanimity.
When the predictable storm of protest broke, Parker ducked and covered. She denied knowledge of the subpoenas (supposedly they’d been requested by a couple of pro bono attorneys working for the city) and of course officials denied that they were attempting to intimidate the pastors and other opponents of the HERO. No, all they wanted was information pertaining to the gathering of signatures for the referendum petition. But judge for yourself. Here’s the information the city was seeking: “all speeches, presentations, or sermons related to HERO, the Petition, Mayor Annise Parker, homosexuality, or gender identity prepared by, delivered by, revised by, or approved by you or in your possession.”
Annise Parker and her city hall cabal can deny it all they want, but it’s obvious what they were up to: attempting to intimidate and silence their opponents. Nor did they hesitate one second to use—or rather misuse—the authority entrusted to them by the people of Houston. But in their narrow-minded self-righteousness they let the mask drop, exposing the granite visage of the Thought Police.
