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www.ambiente.us AUGUST |AGOSTO 2010
EDITORIAL | Politics | No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
By Herb Sosa
Passion is defined as the state of the mind when it is powerfully acted upon and
influenced by something external to itself; the state of any particular faculty
which, under such conditions, becomes extremely sensitive or uncontrollably
excited; any emotion or sentiment (specifically, love or anger) in a state of
abnormal or controlling activity; as, to be in a passion; the passions of love,
hate, jealously, wrath, ambition, avarice, fear, etc.
Passion definitely describes the issues relating in many of this August 24ths local
elections.
Passion to win, passion to defeat, passion to lead and passion to hate, all play
into politics. As many of you know, in another of my daytime roles, I am president
of Unity Coalition|Coalicion Unida, a Latino|Hispanic gay civil-rights initiative,
offering leadership on issues that concern LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender) Latino|Hispanic and other minority groups since 2002. Every
election our board of directors tries to best review the issues that concern our
community & membership, develop questions that are relevant & revealing for
candidates, and ultimately, publish a list of what we deem to be the best
choices for voters, based on this research. We do this to assist in your voting
process, not dictate.
EDITORIAL | Politics | No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
By Herb Sosa
Passion is defined as the state of the mind when it is powerfully acted upon and
influenced by something external to itself; the state of any particular faculty
which, under such conditions, becomes extremely sensitive or uncontrollably
excited; any emotion or sentiment (specifically, love or anger) in a state of
abnormal or controlling activity; as, to be in a passion; the passions of love,
hate, jealously, wrath, ambition, avarice, fear, etc.
Passion definitely describes the issues relating in many of this August 24ths local
elections.
Passion to win, passion to defeat, passion to lead and passion to hate, all play
into politics. As many of you know, in another of my daytime roles, I am president
of Unity Coalition|Coalicion Unida, a Latino|Hispanic gay civil-rights initiative,
offering leadership on issues that concern LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender) Latino|Hispanic and other minority groups since 2002. Every
election our board of directors tries to best review the issues that concern our
community & membership, develop questions that are relevant & revealing for
candidates, and ultimately, publish a list of what we deem to be the best
choices for voters, based on this research. We do this to assist in your voting
process, not dictate.
Never in our recent past has there been so much emotion, anger, passion
and discussion in our suggested list of candidates than this year.
We have been professionally & personally praised,
complimented, yelled at, written about, condemned and
threatened with everything from lawsuits, slander and yes,
even eternal damnation in Hell.
Now I have a tough skin, and understand the importance of leadership,
elections and our communities’ political future, but this is decided by
informed & active voters electing good leaders – not by intimidation, lies
and threats. This is schoolyard bullying at its best.
This zealous and often hate-filled attitude has not been limited to our
endorsements, but onto many of the candidates. Scott Galvin, running for
U.S. Senate as politician with a stellar record of serving the city of North
Miami and his community for most of his adult life, who happens to also be
openly gay, woke last week to a rash of defaced signs that had been
sprayed with FAG over them, and mangled bus benches. Mimi Planas,
running against a career politician with a record of opposing all things fair &
equal – as they relate to anything LGBT – has also been the target of a
smear campaign of defacing & stealing signs and attacking her personally
for being a single mother who is openly gay.
Another of our endorsements of a candidate running for circuit court judge
has been met with threats of lawsuits, slander and a sure-fire ticket to Hell
for all of us suggesting that a man that has a strong religious faith can
and discussion in our suggested list of candidates than this year.
We have been professionally & personally praised,
complimented, yelled at, written about, condemned and
threatened with everything from lawsuits, slander and yes,
even eternal damnation in Hell.
Now I have a tough skin, and understand the importance of leadership,
elections and our communities’ political future, but this is decided by
informed & active voters electing good leaders – not by intimidation, lies
and threats. This is schoolyard bullying at its best.
This zealous and often hate-filled attitude has not been limited to our
endorsements, but onto many of the candidates. Scott Galvin, running for
U.S. Senate as politician with a stellar record of serving the city of North
Miami and his community for most of his adult life, who happens to also be
openly gay, woke last week to a rash of defaced signs that had been
sprayed with FAG over them, and mangled bus benches. Mimi Planas,
running against a career politician with a record of opposing all things fair &
equal – as they relate to anything LGBT – has also been the target of a
smear campaign of defacing & stealing signs and attacking her personally
for being a single mother who is openly gay.
Another of our endorsements of a candidate running for circuit court judge
has been met with threats of lawsuits, slander and a sure-fire ticket to Hell
for all of us suggesting that a man that has a strong religious faith can
LGBT/Latino/Hispanic Civil Rights unitycoalition.org |
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somehow meet with and also be endorsed by an LGBT group – imagine
that! I must have missed the part where God encouraged unconditional
love & compassion without judgment for all, except when hate & personal
prejudices can overrule his own word.
Unfortunately even more of the negativity and false accusations of
wrongdoing came from our own community, from lawn chair politicos, mail
order critics and just plain born angry people, who can’t imagine doing
something like donating your time & energy to choosing who the best
candidate for your communities’ needs & issues is, without there being a
hidden agenda. There hasn’t been, and there isn’t one now. Our
endorsements were based on good old fashion research, work, time,
education and reporting –that’s it.
No back room deals, no kickbacks and no promises beyond our candidates
commitment to do right by our community if elected. This concept has
been, and probably will be, lost on anyone with access to a computer, cell
phone or spray paint can, but no concept of the responsibility or
repercussions of their hate-filled words and actions.
The best revenge will by yours. Go out and learn about your candidates, as
well as their opponents. Educate yourself on the issues. GO VOTE. Only then
can we have a seat at the table. Only then can we hold accountable our
elected officials. Only then can we show what love, compassion and
equality is all about.
I will continue to give back to my community. I will vote on August 24th.
that! I must have missed the part where God encouraged unconditional
love & compassion without judgment for all, except when hate & personal
prejudices can overrule his own word.
Unfortunately even more of the negativity and false accusations of
wrongdoing came from our own community, from lawn chair politicos, mail
order critics and just plain born angry people, who can’t imagine doing
something like donating your time & energy to choosing who the best
candidate for your communities’ needs & issues is, without there being a
hidden agenda. There hasn’t been, and there isn’t one now. Our
endorsements were based on good old fashion research, work, time,
education and reporting –that’s it.
No back room deals, no kickbacks and no promises beyond our candidates
commitment to do right by our community if elected. This concept has
been, and probably will be, lost on anyone with access to a computer, cell
phone or spray paint can, but no concept of the responsibility or
repercussions of their hate-filled words and actions.
The best revenge will by yours. Go out and learn about your candidates, as
well as their opponents. Educate yourself on the issues. GO VOTE. Only then
can we have a seat at the table. Only then can we hold accountable our
elected officials. Only then can we show what love, compassion and
equality is all about.
I will continue to give back to my community. I will vote on August 24th.
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I will keep using my words to inform, share, love and express myself – but
never to hurt, lie about or demean others.
Those are my passions.
As for spray paint, there are those two rusty awards I won in debate club
that need a makeover…
CLICK HERE for more Herb Sosa
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source
never to hurt, lie about or demean others.
Those are my passions.
As for spray paint, there are those two rusty awards I won in debate club
that need a makeover…
CLICK HERE for more Herb Sosa
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source
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