Man, my hat is very much off to Tully Satre, who had the sheer big brass cojones to go to a town hall meeting in heavily conservative Virginia country and ask the Senator the following question:
I first want to thank you for being here. I really appreciate when our elected officials are so willing to allow the public to speak with them. I wanted to speak with you in regards to a Hate Crimes bill that was introduced in Congress not too long ago. This bill sought to add ’sexual orientation’ to the country’s list of types of people that are victims of hate crimes. I myself have been victim to threats and assaults of hate crime based on the fact that I am gay, and I am a Virginian. Only two weeks ago my friend was in Richmond when he walked out of a restaurant with his partner another person called him a ‘faggot’, drew a knife, and attacked my friend. Luckily, my friend lived — others are not so lucky. Last year, you supported legislation which sought to add ’sexual orientation’ to the nation’s hate crime list, and for that I thank you — but later this year you said that you regret your support for this bill and would not support this bill in the future, why is that?
What’s so amazing?
Well, Tully Satre happens to be 16.
Think about it. You’re a 16-year-old and you have the amazing strength of will to go to a town hall meeting where everyone is cheering every word a neocon demagogue (and possible 2008 Presidential candidate) says … and you face down that demagogue.
While you’re a teenager.
A gay teenager.
In neocon country.
And then look at that paragraph again, and look at the eloquence in it.
Damn, I hope that kid runs for office some day. I gotta have someone to vote for when I’m looking for denture cream.
Check out the kid’s full account.
Wow.
Still shaking my head in admiration and amazement.
