[nmnita]

Originally Posted by grmasterb

It should also be noted that Cheney has a personal reason for the position he holds. Funny how that works.

Yes he does, many of us do and this is human nature...Most of our views are based on our personal lives and experiences. So, what is your point?

Nita

[strumpeace]

Chris --

I've been in Arkansas for a few years. I commute between Little Rock and Memphis weekly. IMO, your post is a fair and accurate description of parts of Arkansas and some of its people.

I have very little patience for Christian fundamentalism and for Christian fundamentalists who seek to impose their twisted version of Christianity on the rest of us. It seems, imo, that Arkansas has a rather high percentage of folks like that in its population. And, to be quite honest, fundamentalism has a strong anti-intellectual streak. Some of these folks like being ignorant and prejudiced; they don't know anything different. It's a way of life.

You'll run across some of these folks in North Carolina, too. NC isn't known for being particularly progressive, though Charlotte is definitely ahead of most of the rest of the state.

Best wishes.

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by nmnita

So, what is your point?

Nita

My point is just that -- that Cheney has a very personal reason for holding the view he does, in spite of the "quintessential Republican" label ascribed to him by another poster.

[Capt. Dan]

Oh no! Bchris02! How will Arkansas survive without you? Will you be okay Mnita? Will the mighty White River now flow backward? Will the sheep feel safe? Little Rock, I fear, will never be the same!

[jim9251]

Originally Posted by bchris02

It's like a gay version of Miss America pageant where the drag queens from around the country compete.

Oh now that's just goofy.

[johninvegas]

Bchris,

Good luck to you.

I do have a question for you. How do you know you were fired due to your sexual orientation? Did your supervisor actually say that? If so, why did you not file an EEOC lawsuit against the company? You probably wouldn't even have to hire an attorney, the ACLU would be happy to prosecute the case for you, pro bono. Or, did they say you were overbearing? arrogant? did not get along well with others? did not perform your job requirements? If so, did you interpret that to mean "well, they said this but they really did this because I'm gay." If you can back this up with any kind of proof, you would definitely have the basis of a lawsuit.

What I can't understand is why you would not look for employment in a city that is very pro-gay rights. It would appear that you do take your sexual orientation very seriously (as you should). It would appear from your posts on this thread that you will only be happy in a liberal, non-religious, gay friendly town. You sound intelligent and I would imagine you are quite young. Why not look in big cities outside the south? New York City has everything you as a young, urbanite, gay male looks for. Plenty of nightlife; a large gay community; many, many things to do, very liberal politics. You could also do well in San Francisco or Los Angeles on the west coast or Cleveland or Chicago in the midwest. Why the south where you know the attitudes will most likely be against you (with the possible exceptions of Austin, New Orleans and most of Florida)?

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by johninvegas

If so, why did you not file an EEOC lawsuit against the company?

Sexual orientation is not a protected status under the Equal Employment Opportunity Act.

[johninvegas]

My mistake, I thought it was.

[Mathguy]

Originally Posted by PurpleLove08

They're mainly referring to Republican family values: anti-gay, anti anyone who isn't Christian, etc.

You mean Republicans like Obama?
Welcome to lip-service politics. Talking nice <> making any changes.

[Mathguy]

Originally Posted by bchris02

I hate the state of Arkansas. The whole state is rural and because of size it lacks in entertainment, nightlife, shopping, quality food, etc. The state is not growing much, if at all mostly by retirees. Most people in the state have an anti-growth attitude because they are staunchly opposed to any kind of change that will mess up the "1950s utopia" that is Arkansas. Most young people with a college degree decide to move to Dallas or another city for better job opportunities. The state lacks quality nightlife and restaurants. The state revolves around a new Wal Mart opening or going to Chili’s for a “good” dining experience. I laugh at everybody who dresses up once per year to go to the Olive Garden thinking they are experiencing "fine dining". They have no idea what they are missing. The whole state completely shuts down for a Willie Nelson concert or a Univ of Arkansas home football game. Also, the transit sucks, impossible to live without a car. Also, the crime rates, education rankings and poverty rankings are extremely high. Arkansas ranks in the top 10% of all three in those categories. If you need a breath of urban air, its hard to find as the only city anywhere near Arkansas is Memphis and that isn't that great of place. To experience a real city the nearest places are Dallas and Kansas City which are a major drive.

In addition, the state is dominated by extreme fundamentalist Baptists and Pentecostals who use the force of law to force their "good Christian morals" on the mass population, and most of the population is supportive of it. In Arkansas there is a warped view of what "Christian morals" are to include war, guns, and hatred of anybody who isn't white, protestant, heterosexual, has a southern accent, and born and raised in Arkansas. Most of the state is dry except for the larger towns. Extreme homophobia is a way of life and if you are gay you are pretty much ostracized from society. Chances are high your car or home will be vandalized, you will be physically threatened, or even fired from your job (as I was). Even if you are straight but don't live up to the macho Southern male stereotype you will be looked down on. Getting jobs in Arkansas largely depend on networking which is usually done through your local Baptist church. If you are not a "good Christian" as in you aren't involved in church every time the door is open and involved in its outreach ministries, it will be harder to find employment. Leaving Arkansas was the best thing that ever happened to me, Charlotte is one trillion times better than anything in Arkansas.

A large part of your rant is an attack on people for just having different likes that you. *gasp* Olive Garden! Hunting? A lack of fine dining in an impoverished state that is largely rural? Well duh.

I don't condone homophobia etc. but I can't help but notice how intolerant you appear to be of others as well. I'd try to wash off some of the taint of hatred and superiority you appear to have picked up.