Tuesday, May 09, 2006
(Weekly Column)For six long years, Mary Cheney backpedaled from speaking out against Republican attempts to write her out of the Constitution, yet emerged from the musty closet just in time to
peddle her new book, which hits stores this week. Cowed Mary now wants to be Proud Mary, but it's too late, for she has already sold us down the river.
From the comfortable confines of the VP mansion, Mary watched the GLBT community get bashed a million times. Yet, she remained a veritable Pet Rock until she received a $1 million dollar advance to pry open her mouth.
Cheney unveiled a major
public relations blitz for "Now It's My Turn: A Daughter's Chronicle of Political Life," but the PR should stand for Pitiful Rationalizations. Instead of garnering sympathy, she has gathered contempt for her meek attempt to justify her silence. She and her family had a unique opportunity to use the bully pulpit to educate Americans, and they failed miserably.
For example, in the 2000 campaign, Lynne Cheney bitterly replied to a question about her daughter's sexual orientation with a sneering denial, "Mary has never declared such a thing."
Of course, maybe it was technically true that Mary had not "declared" she was gay, as few people actually stand on a mountain top and make such a decree. But Mary had come out to her parents and worked for Coors as a gay liaison, which included traveling with Mr. Leather.
Interestingly, Mr. Leather was omitted from her book. I'm sure he was crushed when his index search came up blank. I can picture him standing in Borders wearing assless chaps franticly flipping though the end pages: "Milosevic...Missing WMD...Morning After Pill...Hmm, maybe it's under 'L?'" I guess there is no need to mention the S&M king when the White House bound, gagged and harnessed Mary better than he ever could.
Dick Cheney was as disloyal as Lynne. During a Bush State of the Union address, he clapped as the president expressed support for a constitutional amendment barring same-sex unions. Talk about family values!
The ultimate slap in the face, however, came during the vice presidential debate when the democratic nominee John Edwards mentioned that Mary Cheney was a lesbian. According to Mary, she mouthed an expletive at Edwards from the front row of the audience seating, while her mother and sister maturely stuck out their tongues at him.
Soon after, in a presidential debate, John Kerry also said that Mary was a lesbian. The response was swift and vociferous, with Lynne Cheney accusing Kerry of a "tawdry" political trick.
Apparently, Lynne thinks her daughter is "tawdry" simply for being a lesbian. The shame, disgust and embarrassment were evident by her choice of words and in the disdainful manner in which she uttered them.
The appropriate response to a candidate calling an open lesbian a lesbian is to yawn as if it is no big deal. Why exactly were the Cheney's so hot and bothered over the truth?
Most reprehensible was Mary's bafflingly defiant reaction, accusing the Democrats of using the issue for political gain. Perhaps, she was correct, but Kerry and Edwards were actually trying to offer Mary and her partner relative equality under the law.
Was it not for the sake of political gain when her father and Bush cynically pushed for a federal Constitutional Amendment and also spearheaded 11 divisive anti-marriage state Amendments to bolster their reelection bid in 2004? Did Mary mouth expletives at Dick and George when they won reelection on the backs of her and her life partner?
To the contrary, the dutiful daughter worked tirelessly to reelect the terrible twosome and now we face another vote on a federal Constitutional Amendment this summer. Thanks Mary!
Predictably, sycophants are coming out of the woodwork to cheer her on and snag her for fundraisers, as if Mary is a hero instead of a zero.
"Log Cabin Republicans applaud Mary Cheney for sharing her personal and family story," groveled Log Cabin President Patrick Guerriero.
The most gripping part of Mary's story is when she admits that she was so distraught over a break-up with her girlfriend that she crashed her car and came out to her parents. Unfortunately, many young adults are not as lucky when they engage in self-destructive behavior often associated with coming out in a homophobic society. Mary knew from experience that she could have helped put the breaks on such suicidal conduct. Instead, she let today's youth crash and burn.
I never thought I'd say this, but I agree with Alan Keyes when he said Mary Cheney is a "selfish hedonist." It took a big fat book advance before she stepped out to ostensibly advance gay rights. While I can understand family loyalty, she also had an obligation to defend her GLBT family and she let us down.
33 Comments:
Wayne,
I think you're letting your hatred of all things Republican impact your memory.
You seem to have forgotten that Dick Cheney is on record as opposing the FMA. Also you've conveniently forgotten that neither Kerry nor Edwards supported gay marriage. I give them credit for opposing the FMA.
But honestly, their position on the issue was indistinguishable from Dick Cheney's (except that Cheney has never campaigned in favor of a state gay marriage ban, as has Kerry).
It's OK to not like Mary. It's OK to think that she should have campaigned against her father and made speeches and marched and be all angry because she didn't. But it's not OK to make up stuff.
I've noticed now a few anti-Mary rants. And what they all have in common is anger at Bush or anger at Cheney conveniently blamed on Mary. "SHE SHOULD HAVE...."
Of course, nothing she ever did would be good enough. There would always be a long list of what she didn't do (or more likely what her family or friends or acquaintences or sister's neighbor's dog did). I'm surprised you didn't blame her for every hunting accident that has ever happened "She should have campaigned against guns after her father's shooting accident!!"
I'll hold my judgement until I read her book. And then it will be based on her own actions and her own words.
Timothy
posted by , at
5/09/2006 9:09 PM
If she had any decency, self-pride, or shame, Mary Cheney would have stood up for herself and people like her long ago. With gay people like her, there is no need for "ex-gays" like Alan Chambers demonizing the rest of us - Mary does it already, not through her words, but her lack of them.
But characteristics like decency, self-pride, and shame are not in Mary's domain. She is a Cheney and apples do not fall far from their tree.
Wayne is dead right on this one.
posted by Matthew, at
5/09/2006 9:25 PM
"Of course, nothing she ever did would be good enough."
------------------------
That's a bit different than doing nothing.
Enjoy reading her book - I don't anticipate sales to be very high in the gay community.
posted by , at
5/09/2006 9:25 PM
All of Wayne's points are well taken. If Mr. Cheney is on record for opposing a FMA, why the silence? Also, why the silence from Mary? Now all of a sudden "it's her turn". I have always said that in the face of this unprecedented anti-gay bigotry that voices of opposition, ones that are heard a little louder than ours, was sadly needed to bring to light just how wrong, ridiculous and incredibly inhuman these constitutional amendments and votes against equality are. Mary Cheney could have been that voice but now, her voice is irrelevant because most of the damage has been done and much of it in many states is irreversible thanks to her father and the moron George Dubya Bush. Timothy, think about what you just said, and the fact that Cheney could have been a strong voice for the gay community, who amongst the rest of us has the stature that she has had handed to her? Good article Wayne, you expressed the disgust that the rest of us have for the republicans and their unprovoked "terrorism" of the LBGT community.
posted by , at
5/09/2006 10:39 PM
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Contempt is an understatement as I search for the appropriate adjective to describe my feelings about Mary Cheney and her new book. News columns, blog posts and magazine articles are all touting Mary as some long lost soul whose finally made it to the party and she is being lauded for having the *courage* for finally speaking out.
BuLLShit!
That is complete and utter bullshit. Mary had her chance to stand up and be counted ... and she chose to remain *SILENT* for the last six ... count'em *6* years. During this time the GOP has perfected *homophobia - as THE wedge issue du jour* in campaigns across the nation.
What was Mary's response? Nada. Zilch. Was the seven figure income she's been making really blood money ? Was she basically told to keep her mouth shut, don't rock the boat - Don't be an *issue*? Because what is the rationale? Why now is it suddenly *ok* for her to speak? Maybe because Dick won't be on the next ballot or any ballot for that matter ever again?
No - Mary Cheney is no Candice Gingrich. She doesn't even come close. Take your advance Mary - because you'll need it if you believe that the GLBT community wants to hear from you now. Disgust is probably closer to the adjective that is surfacing while I contemplate my utter contempt for Mary Cheney and her cowardice.
Note to Timothy: This *is* about the GOP throwing GLBT citizens under the bus ... Mary was no innocent bystander. She made her decision to support her father's administration and never once did she ever put herself or her salary in harm's way to take a stand. Think about putting country and your own civil rights above Party, Timothy!
--
Paul in Houston
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posted by , at
5/09/2006 11:56 PM
You know, I don't think I'd stand up and ruin my relationship with my powerful dad just to make the lives of others easier. Honestly, he's got money and power. Why would anyone give up that kind of a relationship. And for whom? For people she doesn't even know. Really. That would just be plain folly on her part. Tsk, tsk on anyone who thinks they would be any different.
posted by , at
5/10/2006 4:00 AM
In response to mary's post. Alan Keyes' daughter gave up everything when she opposed his viewpoint.
posted by , at
5/10/2006 6:10 AM
If Mary really cared so much about equality and her fellow gays and lesbians, she would have taken a stand long ago, but she didn't, and could have. I would have gladly sacrificed my excellent relationship with my now deceased parents had they been Dick and Lynne Cheney. After all, they have their equality based on their sexual orientation along with every other heterosexual, single or married at the expense of gay and lesbian tax dollars. The truth is Mary, WE don't have any semblance of equality and you could have played an important role in educating this dumb electorate that supported your father and ignoramus George Bush, not once but twice on a divisive issue which served only to promote homophobia. You blew it and its too late. I urge all of you to not buy the book.
Robert, NYC.
posted by , at
5/10/2006 9:01 AM
One could forgive Mary for not wanting to give up her robber baron inheritance or for not wanting to oppose her father in public, *however*, in that case she should have stayed out of the political arena totally! She CHOSE to add her voice and presense to the campaign of our enemies and for that, she deserves our opprobrium.
Gary (NJ)
ps..i doubt if the 'mary post' is really mary cheney.
posted by , at
5/10/2006 9:24 AM
Mary comes from a family of paid mercenaries...they fight battles for money and power. Now that dad and daughter don't have a reelection campaign to run, she can pursue money and power in a different way...hey...isn't there another name name for that profession?...I think there is. I won't be enabling her.
more observations here:
www.thoughttheater.com
posted by , at
5/10/2006 10:04 AM
Did you notice how she never really said anything definatively about what her stance on the issues was? She only said that they were different from her father's and the president's. For someone whose turn it supposedly is, she really doesn't say a whole heck of a lot.
posted by , at
5/10/2006 10:28 AM
Would the word "traitor" be appropriate at this point in the coversation?
--Johnny in Minneapolis
posted by , at
5/10/2006 10:54 AM
To me, she defines what Log Cabiners are all about, afraid to take their right wing compatriots on, please or offend. Instead they choose to cower and grovel and for what? A lucrative job? Puleeez...they're so transparent. They are a mirror image of the administration they eagerly support.
Robert, NYC.
posted by , at
5/10/2006 11:24 AM
Alan Keye's daughter? What's her name? Hmmm. And how's her relationship with her dad? We don't know. Maybe it was folly for her to do what she did? And, NO, this is not Mary Cheney
posted by , at
5/10/2006 1:16 PM
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Response to both mary's:
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
—The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
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http://www.dearmary.com/
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--
Paul in Houston
posted by , at
5/10/2006 1:59 PM
Nobody has said it better than that. Amen and thanks.
posted by , at
5/10/2006 4:45 PM
Whew, normally you wouldn't expect that amount of vitriol and hatred outside of a "family values" convention.
But, as the right wing has shown us, when you can't win with logic just start calling names and accusing. Unfortunately some of you've bought into their tactics.
The truth is that you don't know what Mary has or has not done. Yeah, yeah, I know you have a laundry list of things that you think she SHOULD have done.
But that's amazingly arrogant. YOU know what she SHOULD have done because you believe that there's only one way to be effective, that you know what it is, and that anyone who doesn't do it your way is to be mocked and ridiculed, despised, and hated. You think that the ONLY effective effort is to scream and yell from without the walls and that there's no honor or value to arguing and persuading from within.
I, however, think that both are necessary.
I value and sometimes join those who vocally confront bigots with their actions. But I also realize that it's easy for them to dismiss you and ignore you.
What isn't as easy is for them to dismiss and ignore someone who is cultivating a relationship with them and saying "look me in the face and realize what you are doing". And it's easy to stand outside and scream. It's much harder to face the abuse and try to reduce it.
We don't know what anti-gay plans were diverted. We don't know what persuasions were used to stop worse things.
We all agree that this administration has been the most anti-gay in a very long time. Yet even so, while policies that harm our lives were put in place, at least there wasn't language about "sin" or "agenda" coming from the administration. Perhaps part of that may have been due to Mary.
I really don't know if Mary was helpful to us or was a complete sell-out. And neither do you. But I'm not going to jump in there with my baseless assumptions, like some here have.
So, yeah, go on and hate her. But realize that she may actually be someone who has been fighting for you for six years without one iota of appreciation from either you or from the administration. In my opinion, that would make her a better and more admirable person than you.
Timothy
posted by , at
5/10/2006 5:57 PM
"Alan Keye's daughter? What's her name? Hmmm. And how's her relationship with her dad?"
she was kicked out and, from what I last heard, has no relationship with her father
timothy
posted by , at
5/10/2006 5:59 PM
"If Mr. Cheney is on record for opposing a FMA, why the silence?"
Perhaps if you watched the news...
"Think about putting country and your own civil rights above Party, Timothy!"
Right back at ya, Paul. I don't make excuses for any political party, do you? Did you make excuses for Kerry when he campaigned for a state gay marriage ban? Do you make excuses for Hillary and her betrayal of our community?
I'm hoping Feingold wins the Dem nomination. But if not, will you find the Dem nominee's anti-gay marriage position as horrible as the Rep nominee's? I will.
Timothy
posted by , at
5/10/2006 6:11 PM
I certainly would like to know where her partner has been in all this!! Did she take a whoopping payoff to keep her mouth shut?
Can somone dig into that relationship and come up with some answers? Was she harrased into believeing she'd be sold into slavery somewhere in the Taliban or something if she ever said anything about Mary and her dysfunctional Mom & Pop?
posted by , at
5/11/2006 12:28 AM
Response to Timothy:
Whatch you talk'n about Timothy: I'm still smarting and never will completely recover from Bill Clinton's signature on DADT and DOMA.
On Feingold we can agree - now here's a politician whose voting record matches his rhetoric. How refreshing. How nouveau in the world of politics Aye?
I'm on the record calling Hillary, Dean, Kerry, Gore and every other Dem/Rep on their lack of *complete* support on Gay Rights issues - including but not limited to Gay Marriage Equality.
We'll have to agree to disagree on this topic of Mary. Here's a women who was an *Out and Proud Spokesperson* for Coors Beer - a Lesbian who previously made her living pimping Coors beer to the Gay community.
Lets work together to get Feingold on the ticket so we have Leaders who *do* support our cause. On this we can agree!
--
Paul in Houston
posted by , at
5/11/2006 1:32 PM
My comments are in my Kos diary...
posted by , at
5/11/2006 2:45 PM
Paul,
I take back my criticism of you. Hats off for your integrity.
As you probably guessed (and now I'll get inundated with hate) I am a registered Republican so I can't help with getting Feingold on the ticket. I can't even promise that I'll vote for him - it depends on who gets the Rep nod and what they run on and what other issues are out there. For example, as it stands now I could see myself voting for Guilliani if he were nominated (especially if Feingold doesn't make it).
But I still am rooting for Feingold for the Dem nomination because it would definitely change the location of the center of the debate and that would do our community a world of good. I'd love to see some politician say in the Presidential debates that thinks all Americans, gay and straight, deserve the same rights from their government and see how the Rep responds. That's far better than the two agreeing that we shouldn't get married and only disagreeing on what level (state or fed) that they're going to kick us in the groin.
The ideal situation would be for Feingold to say "gay citizens should have as much right to marriage benefits as straight citizens" and someone like Guilliani to say "yeah, I agree" and move right on to arguing over taxes and budget issues.
Timothy
posted by , at
5/11/2006 9:13 PM
Wayne,
You hit the nail on the head! Mary Cheney does not deserve allocades. She had a rare, precious moment in her life to speak out and make a difference, and she chose not to take a stand. She knows the absurbity of homophobia, yet she did nothing.
posted by , at
5/14/2006 5:44 PM
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