I see where you're coming from but did Dale really say something way out of line? I think what he said was to him (as a straight married guy) it doesn't seem like a guy in a leather thong is the best "image" to promote understanding...maybe I read his intentions wrong. See, what I'm doing here and I think it's fair is giving Dale the benefit of the doubt.

I don't care if guys want to run around in thongs at a gay pride parade. I figure no matter who you are male, female, straight, gay...whatever...if you feel comfortable in a thong in public have at it! I've got no problem with the human anatomy but some folks do. I've got no problem with people being free to express themselves...I'm not sure that's what Dale was saying and it would take Dale stepping in to clear that up. I know certain stuff "mainstream America" would prefer to see repressed...we're not gonna open anyones eyes though with a "big fuck you"...and maybe with Pat there's no way to open his eyes...but Dale...at least as far as I can tell from what he wrote...has an open mind. Maybe the image of a guy in a thong "disturbs" him...but he didn't say he wanted to do any harm to him or use shitty terms to describe him.  

My reason for commenting was that I thought we had a hardcore example of something ugly from Pat and Dale at least was just throwing his two cents into the pot. He also came down on Pat for his comments.

I'm just a little fuzzy on why you guys are being so hard on Dale on this one...he supports the rights of gays is that not the big issue here? He didn't say the guy in the thong should be arrested...or beat up...or forced to wear more clothes...he said it he felt it was not the best image to promote understanding. He didn't say the guy should not be able to wear his thong or that he shouldn't be able to express himself...I think you guys have taken what he said a step beyond his actual words. In an emotional debate that can happen.

I thought his point on the "redneck" and "fags" deal was we should try not to use those terms...if we want to create understanding. It's all name calling. It's all bad. If you use those terms in a derogatory manner...well...you're looking for an angry response.

I don't know maybe I'm missing something but all I was shooting for was a bit more understanding. We need to find that middle ground ya know...