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Next entry: Interview with U.S. Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-PA) on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal Previous entry: Mad Men extravaganza!

Audio: Ron Reagan interview at Netroots Nation

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On Thursday, Ron Reagan was broadcasting his show from Netroots Nation and Megan Carpentier, one of the behind-the-scenes people at Air America came up to me during an earlier panel and asked if I do a segment with Ron Reagan about LGBT issues later in the day. Of course I was surprised that I was a first pick for this, considering the many great peeps in attendance. Anyway, I said sure, and showed up early since it was hard to find the radio row.

So I’m standing around chatting and all of a sudden his producer comes up and says that I was going to go on right now because the slotted guest was late. YIPES. So before I knew it, I was in the hot seat with the headphones on and doing the interview with Ron, who is a really nice guy who works well in this challenging environment with a wide variety of guests who are here.

It was a fun interview (radio is infinitely easier than doing TV) we talked about Prop 8 repeal, the Maine ballot initiative to roll back marriage equality, allly support, and minority outreach.

 

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Posted by Pam Spaulding on 10:09 AM • (17) Comments

Lucky.

Comment #1: asdf  on  08/15  at  10:16 AM

What a great interview. I liked how you fairly described the reasoning of those who want to overturn Prop 8 in 2010. And the issue of discrimination against gay-welcoming Christian churches needs much more sunlight.

Comment #2: asdf  on  08/15  at  10:30 AM

I’m so jealous… I love Ron Reagan.

And I still find myself amazed by the fact that such a tremendous voice for the progressive community could be the spawn of the 20th century patron saint of reactionary conservatism.

I think he clearly loved his father very much, based on his eulogy of him in 2005… and didn’t agree with the man on a damn thing politically.

That said, I get it on a much smaller level… being the son of an extremely socially conservative lifelong activist in the anti-choice movement, I understand the complexity of loving the parent while detesting their political beliefs.  You can choose your friends, but not your family.

Great interview.

And somewhat OT… but Congressman Patrick Murphy is saying that a DADT Repeal Bill will wind up on Obama’s desk THIS YEAR (it already has 168 House co-sponsors), and Harry Reid is saying that he’ll push it through the Senate as long as the House gets the bill passed first.

Comment #3: DTG in STL  on  08/15  at  11:03 AM

Sorry, meant to hyperlink the news on Rep. Murphy’s pending DADT repeal legislation…

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/14/dem-rep-dont-ask-dont-tel_n_259838.html

Comment #4: DTG in STL  on  08/15  at  11:05 AM

“And the issue of discrimination against gay-welcoming Christian churches needs much more sunlight.”


My sister-in-law’s Episcopal Church now openly ordains gay ministers. The notion that Christianity and gay people are in conflict seems to come mainly from the more Fundamentalist denominations. I have read the Gospels, and Jesus never said a word condemning gays. If the Man Himself wasn’t anti-gay, why should anyone else be?

Comment #5: EricJG  on  08/15  at  11:23 AM

I wonder if he gets along well with his crazy-ass brother.

Comment #6: BrianX  on  08/15  at  11:57 AM

I wonder if he gets along well with his crazy-ass brother.

Doubtful.

But they aren’t blood-brothers, in any case.

Michael Reagan was the adopted son of Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman (Reagan’s first wife).  Ron and Patti Davis have no biological connection to Michael, and Nancy Reagan isn’t even Michael’s adoptive mother.

Comment #7: DTG in STL  on  08/15  at  12:32 PM

I dunno about Ron Reagan. He says all the right things, but I just can’t bring myself to like or trust the guy. There’s something about him that whispers (to me, at least) “smarmy opportunist.”

Comment #8: Bitter Scribe  on  08/15  at  01:16 PM

I think he’s just smooth, because I’ve listened to him on several occasions and never heard anything but a stand-up dude.

Comment #9: Punditus Maximus  on  08/15  at  01:52 PM

That misses the point, Eric. The fundamentalist churches are welcome to refuse to conduct gay marriages. The issue is whether a state like California should be allowed to deny churches like the Metropolitan Community Church the right to solemnize marriages between their gay parishioners.

Comment #10: asdf  on  08/15  at  01:59 PM

“That misses the point, Eric. The fundamentalist churches are welcome to refuse to conduct gay marriages. The issue is whether a state like California should be allowed to deny churches like the Metropolitan Community Church the right to solemnize marriages between their gay parishioners.”


I’m guessing, by current trends, voters in CA are moving towards gay marriage. The most recent vote was 52% against, previously in 2000 it was more like 60% against. In 4 years, it may be 48% against.

Anyway, as a libertarian, I think churches ought to marry whoever they like. Gay marriage is fine if they want it. And if other churches don’t, that’s fine for them, too.

Comment #11: EricJG  on  08/15  at  02:59 PM

Churches and other places of faith already marry whomever they like.  No one has ever tried to force an Orthodox Jewish rabbi to marry an Orthodox Jew and a Catholic, as an example.  This whole “churches ought to marry whomever they like” is a strawman, since that’s not being challenged.

Comment #12: Susanne  on  08/15  at  03:57 PM

Nice dance, Eric. Here’s a more complicated step. See if you can keep up.

The issue is also whether a state like Utah should be allowed to deny the Sacred Light of Christ church in Salt Lake City the right to solemnize marriages between their gay parishioners.

Comment #13: asdf  on  08/15  at  04:51 PM

I look fine on TV, but could never do radio. Electronics filter out all my undertones and I sound like a thoughtful 8 year old.  smile

Comment #14: Samantha Vimes  on  08/15  at  08:43 PM

Why is asdf attacking eric here?  He didn’t say anything contentious.

Comment #15: Crissa  on  08/16  at  02:49 AM

He might surprise me and say something decent yet.

But given that he is a right-wing libertarian (fancypants talk for states’ rights conservative dinosaur), I expect him to say that the state of Utah has the right to deny its citizens this individual freedom.

It’s been my experience that such conservatives try to portray themselves positively with liberals by giving lip service to gay rights in the abstract, while refusing to allow that the federal government should step in as a better protector of its citizens’ rights than the a state government like Utah’s.

Comment #16: asdf  on  08/16  at  08:22 AM

I thought you did a Wonderful job Pam: rational, articulate, intelligent, thoughtful and interesting!!  Keep on keeping on!!!

Comment #17: Meady  on  08/18  at  12:04 AM
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