Rachel Maddow aired the end of her jaw dropping interview with David Bahati, the mastermind behind Uganda's "Kill the Gays" bill. Of course, the reasons why Mr. Bahati introduced this bill to the Ugandan Parliament are draped in scare tactics about the "gay agenda" and "recruiting our kids to be gay". Not only are these claims ludicrous and unfounded, but they are shrouded in homophobia, bigotry, hate, and xenophobia.
The most interesting fact about David Bahati, though, are his connections to a secretive group of Christian politicians and religious leaders known as The Family. The Family has been a huge player in American politics ever since the group was formed, and their power grew exponentially when George W. Bush was sworn into office as the President of the United states.
Before the rest of the interview aired, Rachel talked about The Family, and their influence on policy making in the United States, and their connection to the "Kill the Gays" bill in Uganda. Of course, Mr. Bahati did not name names, but in a previous statement did say that the bill is The Family, and that it indeed reflected the fellowship's views about homosexuality and "Gods Law". That statement, which RM read aloud before she aired the rest of the interview, absolutely blew my fucking mind.
So essentially, there is a group of powerful Washington politicians and policy makers who support the idea of locking up, and in some instances executing gays and lesbians simply because of their sexual orientation. Mr. Bahati said during the interview that some people in the Family disagreed with his bill, but he did not specifically say who. That is a disturbing statement. "Some" disagreed with him. You would think that a group of American legislators, when considering a bill that would essentially make homosexuality illegal, would say "what are you, out of your fucking mind?" and leave it at that. But no, Mr. Bahati said only "some" disagreed with him. And that is astonishing, given the power of The Family on policy crafting in the United States.
Mr. Bahati went on to say that Americans shouldn't interfere with with Uganda's parliamentary processes, which are ultimately democratic, and posited that as Americans we should appreciate that. While, I don't advocate for meddling in others democratic processes, I am appalled that David Bahati would use that to excuse the nastiness in the bill. If this bill passes, I would hope to God that the international community and step in, regardless of Uganda's "democratic process".
The even more scary part is that there are forces in America, that, given the opportunity, would push a bill just like this one at the drop of a hat. There are people in America that would, in a fucking second, criminalize homosexuality in the name of "God's law". This is not hyperbole, the Family is an American group. If you don't think this could happen here, then you really need to reassess your understanding of the religious right. These people will stop at nothing -- nothing, to impose their God's laws on the rest of world, and drag us kicking and screaming back to the middle ages and the days of the Spanish Inquisition.
Mr. Bahati's opinions are not unique. They are outrageous, but not unique. The fact that a group like The Family can be allowed to operate in the United States should scare the shit out of every single one of you. It scares me. The religious right scares me. If we, as the populace of the United States of America take our eyes off the ball on this one, the American values that we hold dear could be shredded right before our very eyes. It happened with the PATRIOT Act with nary a whimper. It can happen with this too.
I would like to thank Rachel Maddow for her journalistic integrity and grace, given the fact that she came face to face with the physical embodiement of bigotry and hate last night. She is every bit the classic journalist, truth-seeking, fierce, and independent. She puts journalists across the United States to shame night after night, and tonight is no different. So, all of the CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC screamers take note. Not once did RM lose her cool, not once did she scream and yell. She gave Mr. Bahati just enough wiggle room to crush him. That is how you do a fucking interview.
I leave you with Rachel's last words to David Bahati.
It is more than your opinion, sir, it is proposed legislation to subject to life imprisonment or possibly execution a relatively significant of the population -- okay, life imprisonment. To subject to life imprisonment a relatively significant portion of the population of your country. It has made you internationally famous. It may be the thing ultimately that results you in charged with crimes against humanity with some international tribunal. If that happens, I wish you luck in your defense but I don't expect it'll go far.
(h/t shrekk)
Damn, could she be any more on point??
Here is a link to the video (transcript included)
small edit: changed the title