Obama to America: Accept Homosexuality

(Onenewsnow.com) Associated Press

WASHINGTON, DC - President Barack Obama says that while he's dedicated to expanding homosexual rights, many Americans still cling to what he calls "worn arguments and old attitudes."

At a White House celebration of Gay Pride Month, Obama said he hopes to persuade all Americans to accept homosexuality. ""There are good and decent people in this country who don't yet fully embrace their gay brothers and sisters -- not yet," said the president. "That's why I've spoken about these issues -- not just in front of you -- but in front of unlikely audiences, in front of African-American church members."

Obama acknowledged that many Americans still disapprove of homosexuality. "There are still fellow citizens, perhaps neighbors or even family members and loved ones, who still hold fast to worn arguments and old attitudes," he stated.

He added that Congress should repeal what Obama referred to as "the so-called Defense of Marriage Act" -- and that his administration is working to pass a hate crimes bill and to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy on homosexuals in the military.

The audience at the White House ceremony included Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson and other homosexual clergy. Obama introduced Robinson as a "special friend."
__________________________________________________

Personal Reflection:
1. Note the rhetoric used by President Obama. He attempts to dismiss the opposing point of view by characterizing it as "worn arguments and old attitudes" yet he himself never addresses the arguments or even mentions what they are. This is rhetoric, not reason, which seems to be more and more commonplace in this administration. If Obama wants to be taken seriously by those who actually reason through these issues he needs to interact with the opposing arguments and show a little more intellectual integrity.

2. Note how Obama attempts to make this an issue of "acceptance." First, he dismisses his opponents out of hand (see #1 above). Then he commits a straw man fallacy by misrepresenting his opponent's position. He implies that those who oppose homosexuality are rejecting the individual rather than rejecting the immorality of the lifestyle. He states, "There are good and decent people in this country who don't yet fully embrace their gay brothers and sisters." But this assumes that in order to accept an individual you must accept everything about them as good, including a harmful and immoral lifestyle. Embracing a gay or lesbian individual does not mean you must accept the homosexual lifestyle as good, true, and beautiful. In saying this Obama seriously misrepresents and misunderstands the notion of tolerance.

3. Finally, Obama begs the question by assuming that homosexuality is natural and normal. Again, this is something that has to be argued for and not assumed.