NOTE: Apparently I didn't look hard enough for other diaries on this subject when I wrote this one. It has been brought to my attention that kestrel9000 and alguien both wrote diaries on this before me. I was going to delete this, but I was encouraged to keep it up, so I'll do so just so others can see the story who haven't already seen it...but I just wanted to give credit to these other diaries that preceded mine.
Ever wonder what Rush Limbaugh or Bryan Fischer looked like at age 14? Look no further. This kid has it down. The language, the speaking style, the vitriol, the hate, everything.
Meet Caiden Cowger. Just watch.
If you can't watch the video, The New Civil Rights Movement touches on the highlights:
“You know what? I knew these kids — some of them I was friends with,” Cowger confesses, insisting, “they were not, homosexuals.”
“They just decided, ‘I think I’m going to be gay,’” Cowger says. He claims that “they are being encouraged” to become gay, by President Obama.
Cowger continues, “When you’re trying to teach them the word of God, and they consider that bullying, yeah, I find that a big problem with not being lowed to convert other people to my religion.”
“And telling them, ‘it is wrong, homosexuality, the belief is condoned by God and you will go to hell if you continue to follow this belief unless you repent.’ It’s getting to the point where I can’t say that anymore.”
“Homosexuality is a belief. It’s not mandatory in that person.”
Cowger is under the mistaken belief that it not only is his right but his duty to “witness” to them, which in his mind means he is required to “convert” them from their homosexual “belief.”
Wow. That Caiden Cowger...he's really something, huh? He's 14 years old, lives in West Virginia, and hosts "The Caiden Cowger Program" on Speaker Online Radio. He wrote a book called Being a Young Conservative, which includes notes of support from the likes of Rudy Giuliani. The New Civil Rights Movement notes:
Cowger has become so famous he has interviewed Herman Cain, and West Virginia candidate for the U.S. Senate John Raise, adding that he “spoke at the Annual Harrison County Lincoln Day Dinner. He spoke following Senate Candidate John Raese, with Candidate for Governor Bill Maloney, and Candidate for Congress David McKinley.”
From his
Facebook page:
I have been interested in politics, believe it or not, when I was only 6. It started during the 2004 election of Bush vs. Kerry. I drove my teachers crazy (some of the were democrats). Then I backed of of it for a little bit, and it started back up in 2008 when Obama was running against McCain. I listened to Obama's views and that was when I started to get involved! I handed out McCain cards all around town, telling people to vote for him. But then the results came back and sen.McCain lost! America elected a socialist. I knew what this guy stood for abortion, mandatory healthcare, higher taxes. How could America do that? Normal politicans kiss babys but this guy believed in aborting them. We were in deep trouble.
[...]
I make up my own mind. People don't do that for me. I can make deside my own beliefs. A matter effect my mom was a democrat! I know scarry right? Good thing is she was really young and didn't know what a "democrat" was. She is a Republican now! I listen to the news and care about this country. Just because your young doesn't mean you're a brainless zombie! Some kids care too. I focus my life on real things like politics, not a stupid VIRTUAL video game. That is not going to get you any where in life. And before you liberals ask, I wrote this my self.
Under the "Awards" section on his Facebook:
I have got a certificate for being a page for the WV House of Deligates, I have got a letter from president Obama which didn't mean much, and a LETTER FROM GLENN BECKS OFFICE WHICH MEANT A LOT!
His personal interests:
conservtive politics, influences: Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck
I am Christian, Pentecostal.
This is what brainwashing looks like. You can bet this kid was fed this shit his entire life from his parents and his church. In a way, I feel sorry for him. I don't think this bigotry came out of nowhere.
The New Civil Rights Movement also notes:
What’s important is that we not attack Cowger. We should offer him help, and support, and let him know that his behavior — trying to change gay children, or telling them they’re going to hell if they don’t “repent” — is unacceptable. Hopefully his parents will do a better job.
Cowger is advocating bullying, plain and simple. I have zero tolerance for that. At the same time, yes, he is 14 years old. He's clearly misinformed, even though it's obvious that he really
does believe what he's saying.
My first reaction at this kid's words was anger. I grew up around kids like this. I was bullied as a child for being who I was, and this mindset is what enabled that bullying.
But the more I think about it, the more sadness I feel. To some degree, I see in him the environment in which I was raised. I was fed the same bullshit he was fed. I was convinced at an early age, even though I knew I liked other boys, that I was in a sinful lifestyle. At age 14, it's not too late to change. Of course, Cowger's problem is that, unlike other brainwashed kids who later change their beliefs, his words are going to live on forever through the Internet, not to mention his book. I'll give him ten years before he really starts to regret the hate he's spewing.
I'm even angrier at Cowger's parents and the other "responsible adults" in his life who have so failed him and brought him into this miserable life of hatred and vitriol. They've created a monster. And they say we're the "recruiters." I just hope it's not too late for Cowger's mind to change.