Rainbow Flag Goes Up; Letters Flow In

[onehandle]

Source: New York Times

RICHMOND, Va. — The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond ran a rainbow flag up its flagpole last week and has been hearing about it ever since. From conservative groups who are outraged. From gay rights groups who are pleased. And from state lawmakers on both sides who just cannot seem to stop talking about it.

The bank unfurled the flag on June 1, at the request of a group of gay and lesbian employees in honor of gay pride month. One day later, Bob Marshall, a Republican in the House of Delegates and an outspoken opponent on gay rights issues, was moved to write a letter to the bank’s president, saying that the flag was inappropriate for a quasi-governmental entity.

Gay and lesbian “behavior,” he wrote, “undermines the American economy, shortens lives, adds significantly to illness, increases health costs, promotes venereal diseases,” among other things. That prompted a series of outraged rejoinders from gay rights advocates, including Adam Ebbin, a gay lawmaker from Northern Virginia who said that despite Mr. Marshall’s views, things had “gotten better for L.G.B.T. Virginians.”

In many ways, the controversy mirrors the changing demographics of this fast-growing state, whose traditions and habits are mixing with an influx of immigrants and young professionals in the northern part of the state. Jim Strader, a spokesman for the bank, said the bank had fielded hundreds of phone calls and as many e-mails about the flag. The flag, he said, symbolizes “values of being open and inclusive,” and shows that the bank is “a place that doesn’t discriminate.”

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/11/us/11flag.html

[LiberalLoner]

1. Big thumbs up to this bank! K&R n/t

[Mopar151]

2. The bank is standing up for the good and decent in the world.

And I keep seeing weepy, hand-wringing LTTE's about how "wrong" this "abomination unto God" is.

[No Elephants]

3. Please explain to me what business a state legislator has telling a branch of the Fed

what is or is not appropriate behavior for the a branch of the Fed, which is privately owned.


Yet another instance of Republican "small" government not knowing its place.


As far as veneral disease, that has a VERY long history among both heterosexuals and the LGBT community, thank you very much. And you combat it by educating people about VD, not by insisting flags come down.

The stupid burns.

[mopinko]

30. it's quasi-governmental, silly.

don't you know that once you are elected you become an expert on all things governmental and nearly so?
:sarcasm:

man, a little power goes right to people's heads.

[CBHagman]

4. "...undermines the American economy..."

:eyes:

It always does come back to money, doesn't it? Of course Marshall probably missed the statistics about the productivity and economic success of gay and lesbian Americans.

[JackInGreen]

19. Honestly

I've always thought that it would be a boon to the economy, though for entirely stereotypical reasons...

[JAnthony]

35. I hear it on good authority from Fox News that all gay people are poor!!!!

Of course, it's a lie!

[pipoman]

5. Marshall is a knuckle dragging idiot

that said, does the fed routinely fly flags during other 'cause months'? Do they, for instance, fly pow/mia flag in September?

I feel the same way about this as I feel about a convenience store I once frequented. During the 2008 election cycle, the owner placed Democratic political banners and campaign posters on his building and around his lot. I asked him one day how his business was. He stated that "for some reason" his business was off almost 50%. My thought was, duh. It really doesn't matter what political, social, or religious position one holds, there are some who will disagree strenuously. For an owner to be politically, socially or religiously active is one thing, and quite acceptable. To bring those positions into their business and alienate a group of potential customers is idiotic, IMHO.

[The Doctor.]

12. Lol... that was my very first thought too.

Whatta douchebag.

As for the rest, I doubt this is going to 'hurt business' in any significant way.

[oNobodyo]

18. I'm not so sure of that...

A loss of customers (and I have serious doubts about the 50% number) could be considered political spending could it not?

Would not your premise also lead to the conclusion that making corporate political spending public be also "idiotic"?

If you read a little history you can find your same argument being used to call those that served "blacks" idiots.

What if your mythical store owner had seen an increase in business, would your opinion change then?

Choosing money over people isn't just idiotic it's sociopathic.

:grouphug:

Additional material:

Report: Walmart Tries to Hide Right-Wing Donations
http://www.inthesetimes.com/working/entry/11479/report_walmart_tries_to_hide_right_wing_donations/

[Name removed]

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[underpants]

21. Bob Marshall is a joke

[Sabriel]

33. And quasi-governmental n/t

[LetTimmySmoke]

43. And he needs to come out of the closet too...

...before his self-loathing gets more out of control than it already is.

[Maine-ah]

52. here's another one from Bob Marshall

http://www.rightwingwatch.org/category/individuals/bob-marshall

On the heels of the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell late last year, Virginia Delegate Bob Marshall declared that he was going to introduce legislation that would ban gays and lesbians from serving in the Virginia National Guard.

[Downwinder]

6. Best critique I have heard of GOP "family values,"

“undermines the American economy, shortens lives, adds significantly to illness, increases health costs, promotes venereal diseases,”

[JoePhilly]

53. That was my very first thought as well.

[TwentyFive]

7. It's VERY appropriate.

...to tell a discriminated group the are APPRECIATED!!

If a few old conservative bigots hate it...then teach them a lesson and get a bigger rainbow flag.

[SemperEadem]

8. Actually, this is a very good thing

it will smoke out the homophobes and make them stand in the harsh light of their hatred and bigotry, where they need to be exposed for their own wretchedness.

[Oilwellian]

9. That would be...

just about the entire Virginia legislature.

This liberal Virginian loved waking up to this story. :D

[SaveAmerica]

10. I think we can change the noun in his sentence to 'Republicans"

Republicans' “behavior,” he wrote, “undermines the American economy, shortens lives, adds significantly to illness, increases health costs, promotes venereal diseases,” among other things.

[pangaia]

16. YEA!!!

GREAT IDEA!!!

[AldebTX]

11. I Look Forward to The Day When

stories like this are delegated to historical archives. I never knew that my partner and I were "undermining the economy". I know I am going to see it in my lifetime.

[madrchsod]

13. poor bobbie ...he`s all in a tither

[pinboy3niner]

14. He forgot the proverb...

"It's better to be silent and thought a fool, than to speak up and remove all doubt."

[Zoeisright]

15. Here's the form to contact them AND repuke Marshall:

http://www.richmondfed.org/contact_us/index.cfm?mapid=pubaff1&ref=,faqs,index.cfm


http://delegatebob.com/contact

[pangaia]

17. Just sent an email

[nonperson]

20. Yet many of these same people have no problem running the rebel flag up the flag pole

They have a problem with inclusion and equality but they have no problem with the rebel flag of treason and sedition, separation and inequality.

They're positively un-American.

[dogfacedboy]

36. Yes, the rebel flag. A flag flown by an enemy of the United States.

That fucking rebel rag makes me sick to my stomach. The trash who proudly fly that thing are flying the flag of an enemy of the U.S. I set one on fire once, while in the South. I was in a cemetery where rebel soldiers were buried. There were those little rebel ass wiping rags placed on graves during some Confederate scum holiday a couple of days before. I lit one up. I should have lit them all up.

Why won't the normal people of the South rise up?

[Zoeisright]

40. Absolutely.

[MedicalAdmin]

57. I like it when they fly the rebel flag.

It's easier to figure out who's a bigot when they self identify.

[certainot]

22. let me guess: the local rat wing radio stations are going all out generating calls

and by what some of their local blowhards are probably saying to generate those calls the local LGBT community maybe ought to pick a prominently placed station to picket, get the banks back before the homophobes win. just sayin.

[underpants]

23. I had totally missed this in the local news (which I rarely watch) or even talk radio

I LOVE IT

Good for the Feds.

[LiberalFighter]

24. Republicans, homophobes and religious nuts don't have a problem with lying about the facts

[Snoutport]

25. I just wrote a thank you card--took 90 seconds. Here is the mailing address:

Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

701 East Byrd Street
Richmond, VA 23219-6105
[phone]

[lunatica]

26. Let the heads explode

It's their turn now. Let them rant and spew all they want. The rainbow flag doesn't hurt them nearly as much as they've hurt the gay community. May they swallow their own sick rage and bile and get a taste of losing to people who are better than they are.

[Yavin4]

27. So, The Huge Wall Street Bailouts Gendered No Protests, But A Flag Does?

And some people wonder why the country is going to hell in a hand basket.

[Botany]

28. ATTN: Mouth Breathers

it is just a flag and it will not make you, your friends, or family have to have "gay sex" or
march in drag dressed as lady ga ga in a Pride Parade. Move on and quit worrying about
stuff that will have zero effect on you.

I have lived in a neighborhood w/ gay and lesbians for years and as a straight man i have
found out that having a rainbow flag in front of a house almost always means that the
property is fixed up, the gardens look nice, and that house will vote democratic almost
every time.

[dogfacedboy]

37. 100% agreement here.

[Botany]

41. Oh and I forgot

Just about 90 times out of 100 the people living in a house w/ a "Rainbow Flag" tend to
be smart and fun to be around too.

[onager]

46. I'd like to introduce him to THIS Lady Ga-Ga...

Afghanistan, where a Czech-built weapon (152-mm "Dana") is being operated by the Polish Army. And named for a Famous American.

Run and hide, Bob Marshall. The whole world is going multi-cultural!

(One of my favorite war stories, as a former Marine: as WWII was winding down in 1945, the Pentagon decided to start a Gay Purge. So some Chairborne commando found himself on a command ship off the coast of Okinawa, where he was supposed to make a little list of suspected homosexuals. He approached the Marine Corps General commanding the invasion, who IIRC was Holland M. "Howling Mad" Smith. Who said something like this: "I don't know if any of my Marines are homosexual. I don't give a good goddam, either. There's about 20,000 Japs right over there, putting up a hell of a fight. But if you really need to know how many Marines are homosexual, I'll put your ass on a landing craft. You can walk around that island and ask 'em yourself." And the purge ended. Temporarily.)

[AmericaIsGreat]

29. You know what?

Bob Marshall undermines the American economy, shortens lives, adds significantly to illness, increases health costs, and promotes venereal diseases.

See how easy that is, Bob?

[The Nexus]

31. Hope someone is guarding the flag.

Someone might come up and tear it down.

[westerebus]

32. Couldn't be happier.

It's a shame Mr. Marshall never goes to the Virgina Museum of Fine Arts for a look at some really inspiring artwork. Or lunch on Cary Street. Or dinner and drinks down the Bottom district of Richmond. Not to mention Brown's Island which has some event, band, or social gathering nearly every weekend. Or walks the Fan district just because it's there.

I can tell you from experience Mr. Marshall you are missing the best parts of Richmond and some of the nicest people on the planet.

[TatonkaJames]

34. Bob Marshall, a Republican in the House of Delegates was...

later arrested driving drunk from a gay after hours club with women's clothing on.
Didn't that really happen to a senator last year ? He was on an anti gay committee
and was found drunk driving ? Well, they're just going to have to realize it's part of life, just like
we realize the wealthy tax cuts aren't making jobs for us.

[Loki]

38. I am so tired of these people.

So very tired.

[LetTimmySmoke]

39. K&R

PS: Bob Marshall needs to come out of the closet. For his own sanity at least - the self loathing is palatable.

[ergot]

50. palpable yes, not really all that palatable...

sorry, couldn't resist. :-)

[JAnthony]

42. It was displayed properly, UNDER the American flag. No problem.

I wonder if anyone would have objected to an olympics flag, a United Way flag, a Red Cross flag.

NO! Of course not. But the rainbow flag of diversity? How DARE they?

[awoke_in_2003]

44. with a diatribe like that....

I'd bet dollars to donuts that there are a few bones rattling around in Mr. Marshall's closet.

[kevinbgoode]

45. "“We hope there would be an even hand played when a Christian requests the Christian flag. . .

in September during Christian Heritage month,” said Victoria Cobb, president of the Family Foundation, a conservative advocacy group."

Well, Victoria, that truly wouldn't be any of your concern, because everyone knows there is a difference between real Christians and the phony "Christians" who make up the "Family Foundation." Moreover, since Christianity is an international entity rather than an American one, and since you are referring to a "heritage" month, why don't you pressure the Israeli government to hoist that "Christian" flag among the "heritage" sites over there?

[totodeinhere]

54. Self delete

[eShirl]

61. "THE Christian Flag" ???? WTF is that, what the crusaders carried into battle?

On the other hand, maybe it would be a great idea for all Christians to learn about their religion's history.

[underpants]

63. I found this - yes pretty much I think this is what they meant

[Anakin Skywalker]

64. .

[blackspade]

47. I would transfer my $ to this bank if I lived in Richmond!

That will be what determines the outcome of this event.

And speaking as a straight, happily married father, Bob Marshall can fuck the hell off.
His comments on LGBT behavior is so divorced from reality, he has no business being in a leadership position.

[disndat]

49. A positive Weinergate fallout..

The end of hypocrisy forever. The younger generation probably wonder what this is all the fuss is about. Leave it to Maher to cut through the layers.

[Paula Sims]

51. ALL the Federal Reserve Banks are doing it

in one form or another. They are celebrating GLBT Pride Month as a unit. And yes, they have Asian Pride Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, etc etc.

And WHAT is a "Christian Flag"?? Is THIS what they mean by "Christian Heritage Month"? The stars & bars? I'm an Orthodox Christian and that doesn't reflect MY Christian Rite.

<shaking head here>

[totodeinhere]

55. I guess symbolism like this is OK, but I would rather see some real progress on LGBT rights such as

the repeal of DOMA and legalizing gay marriage nationwide. Anyone can run a flag up a flagpole. But I would rather see some real substantive change rather than empty symbolism.

[Corruption Winz]

56. Jesus... Bob Marshall is an idiot.....

This guy, to an extent, is helping run the country and he believes that gay people

“undermine(s) the American economy, shorten(s) lives, add(s) significantly to illness, increase(s) health costs, (and) promote(s) venereal diseases."

Good Lord. This guy needs to be run out of office and out of the country.

[craigmatic]

58. Until these assholes get upset about these people who still fly these confederate flags they should

shut the fuck up because they have no credibility for outrage.

[DesertDiamond]

59. Shortens lives??? Adds to health costs??? He can't back up a single one of his statements with fact

[nxylas]

60. "Gay and lesbian behavior undermines the American economy"

Not half as much as conservative behavior does.

[Name removed]

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