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DonRedwood

(4,359 posts)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 06:12 PM Sep 2012

Get your gay pen, your gay paper and sit your gay ass down and write this guy a thank you card

Last edited Sat Sep 8, 2012, 12:38 AM - Edit history (1)

Seriously. If your mother raised you right then you know you owe Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe a Thank You, a shout out, a fist bump, a hug, a kiss and your undying respect.

Chris Kluwe c/o Minnesota Vikinks, Mall of America Field, 11th Ave South, Minneapolis MN 55415

His letter in support of gay marriage to Emmett C. Burns after Burns tried to use the power of his office to quiet a football player who supported gay marriage:

Dear Emmett C. Burns Jr.,

I find it inconceivable that you are an elected official of Maryland's state government. Your vitriolic hatred and bigotry make me ashamed and disgusted to think that you are in any way responsible for shaping policy at any level. The views you espouse neglect to consider several fundamental key points, which I will outline in great detail (you may want to hire an intern to help you with the longer words):
1. As I suspect you have not read the Constitution, I would like to remind you that the very first, the VERY FIRST Amendment in this founding document deals with the freedom of speech, particularly the abridgment of said freedom. By using your position as an elected official (when referring to your constituents so as to implicitly threaten the Ravens organization) to state that the Ravens should "inhibit such expressions from your employees," more specifically Brendon Ayanbadejo, not only are you clearly violating the First Amendment, you also come across as a narcissistic fromunda stain. What on earth would possess you to be so mind-boggingly stupid? It baffles me that a man such as yourself, a man who relies on that same First Amendment to pursue your own religious studies without fear of persecution from the state, could somehow justify stifling another person's right to speech. To call that hypocritical would be to do a disservice to the word. Mindfucking obscenely hypocritical starts to approach it a little bit.

2. "Many of your fans are opposed to such a view and feel it has no place in a sport that is strictly for pride, entertainment, and excitement." Holy fucking shitballs. Did you seriously just say that, as someone who's "deeply involved in government task forces on the legacy of slavery in Maryland"? Have you not heard of Kenny Washington? Jackie Robinson? As recently as 1962 the NFL still had segregation, which was only done away with by brave athletes and coaches daring to speak their mind and do the right thing, and you're going to say that political views have "no place in a sport"? I can't even begin to fathom the cognitive dissonance that must be coursing through your rapidly addled mind right now; the mental gymnastics your brain has to tortuously contort itself through to make such a preposterous statement are surely worthy of an Olympic gold medal (the Russian judge gives you a 10 for "beautiful oppressionism&quot .

3. This is more a personal quibble of mine, but why do you hate freedom? Why do you hate the fact that other people want a chance to live their lives and be happy, even though they may believe in something different than you, or act different than you? How does gay marriage, in any way shape or form, affect your life? If gay marriage becomes legal, are you worried that all of a sudden you'll start thinking about penis? "Oh shit. Gay marriage just passed. Gotta get me some of that hot dong action!" Will all of your friends suddenly turn gay and refuse to come to your Sunday Ticket grill-outs? (Unlikely, since gay people enjoy watching football too.)

I can assure you that gay people getting married will have zero effect on your life. They won't come into your house and steal your children. They won't magically turn you into a lustful cockmonster. They won't even overthrow the government in an orgy of hedonistic debauchery because all of a sudden they have the same legal rights as the other 90 percent of our population—rights like Social Security benefits, child care tax credits, Family and Medical Leave to take care of loved ones, and COBRA healthcare for spouses and children. You know what having these rights will make gays? Full-fledged American citizens just like everyone else, with the freedom to pursue happiness and all that entails. Do the civil-rights struggles of the past 200 years mean absolutely nothing to you?

In closing, I would like to say that I hope this letter, in some small way, causes you to reflect upon the magnitude of the colossal foot in mouth clusterfuck you so brazenly unleashed on a man whose only crime was speaking out for something he believed in. Best of luck in the next election; I'm fairly certain you might need it.

Sincerely,
Chris Kluwe

P.S. I've also been vocal as hell about the issue of gay marriage so you can take your "I know of no other NFL player who has done what Mr. Ayanbadejo is doing" and shove it in your close-minded, totally lacking in empathy piehole and choke on it. Asshole

http://deadspin.com/5941348/they-wont-magically-turn-you-into-a-lustful-cockmonster-chris-kluwe-explains-gay-marriage-to-the-politician-who-is-offended-by-an-nfl-player-supporting-it

I hope you will consider sending this man a proper thank you for this. Even if you are not gay but care about civil rights, then maybe you too would thank the fellow.

I think he earned it.

40 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Get your gay pen, your gay paper and sit your gay ass down and write this guy a thank you card (Original Post) DonRedwood Sep 2012 OP
Holy fucking shitballs, I think I just became a football fan REP Sep 2012 #1
ABSOLUTELY! (I keep a box of thank yous by the computer...usually used because of some DU post) DonRedwood Sep 2012 #3
Read it, sent it to people, posted it to MyFace REP Sep 2012 #6
Did you really write a thank you? DonRedwood Sep 2012 #8
Jeez, give me a few minutes! REP Sep 2012 #15
It's been "shared" from my FB page already REP Sep 2012 #24
very cool ;) DonRedwood Sep 2012 #26
"Reverend" Burns needs to go back and read the Bible he claims to know. CurtEastPoint Sep 2012 #2
I lost my gay pen. Incitatus Sep 2012 #4
a gay pencil or a pink crayon will do DonRedwood Sep 2012 #9
May I borrow Glassunion Sep 2012 #5
I am monogamous with my gay pen, et al DonRedwood Sep 2012 #13
Cockmonster bigwillq Sep 2012 #7
It's a great letter indeed. Bluenorthwest Sep 2012 #10
He's technically a kicker, Glassunion Sep 2012 #12
Instant fan too. This guy is gonna get razzed, teased, picked on, congratulated, thanked DonRedwood Sep 2012 #19
You could also throw him some support on Twitter Viking12 Sep 2012 #11
Are you a Viking fan? How are the fans handling this? DonRedwood Sep 2012 #17
I am a long-suffering Vikings fan. hifiguy Sep 2012 #22
Why thank you! :0) I do enjoy a bit of snark sometimes! DonRedwood Sep 2012 #27
As a die-hard Packers fan (rivals of the Vikings)... eqfan592 Sep 2012 #32
See! Brave behavior can even move a mountain!! DonRedwood Sep 2012 #35
Yes, I am. Viking12 Sep 2012 #34
DU POST with the full letter (i thought we could only do four paragraphs from another site?) DonRedwood Sep 2012 #14
I have a bisexual pen (writes from both ends). Will that work? Major Nikon Sep 2012 #16
LOL... very very funny!! DonRedwood Sep 2012 #20
K&R! And from his Twitter: NYC Liberal Sep 2012 #18
thank you for sharing that. i don't tweet so nice to hear DonRedwood Sep 2012 #21
Gotta agree with him REP Sep 2012 #29
me too. most of my friends are straight white guys...they need to wake up DonRedwood Sep 2012 #31
I'm married to one of those ... He fucking loves that letter! REP Sep 2012 #33
Very cool. My circle of friends are all straight guys, I've been in all their weddings DonRedwood Sep 2012 #36
He plays for my team!!!!!!! IVoteDFL Sep 2012 #23
Go to a game with a giant sign DonRedwood Sep 2012 #28
Can't believe Burns has a (D) after his name Blecht Sep 2012 #25
For (Dimwit)? REP Sep 2012 #30
Minnesota Vikinks GObamaGO Sep 2012 #37
lol...I didn't see that DonRedwood Sep 2012 #38
I don't normally point out typos GObamaGO Sep 2012 #39
Bookmarked to write him when I get the chance stevenleser Sep 2012 #40

REP

(21,691 posts)
1. Holy fucking shitballs, I think I just became a football fan
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 06:20 PM
Sep 2012

I have never heard of this guy - not a football fan - but he if he plays like he writes, he must be amazing.

Is it okay if I use my Str8 paper? It's Crane's

DonRedwood

(4,359 posts)
3. ABSOLUTELY! (I keep a box of thank yous by the computer...usually used because of some DU post)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 06:24 PM
Sep 2012

Did you go to the link and read the whole letter?

I'm serious when I say I intend to watch Viking football if I get a chance. I want to cheer this guy on.

REP

(21,691 posts)
6. Read it, sent it to people, posted it to MyFace
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 06:36 PM
Sep 2012

We need more Kluwes and Ayanbadejos (and CM Punks, the wrestler who said it was understandable why Abraham Washington got fired "because rape jokes aren't funny&quot .

DonRedwood

(4,359 posts)
8. Did you really write a thank you?
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 06:38 PM
Sep 2012

I post a lot of addresses on here but wonder if anyone ever actually uses them.

REP

(21,691 posts)
24. It's been "shared" from my FB page already
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 08:38 PM
Sep 2012

And I'm a pretty low-volume FB user

Posting to kick since this thread has his contact info

CurtEastPoint

(18,622 posts)
2. "Reverend" Burns needs to go back and read the Bible he claims to know.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 06:23 PM
Sep 2012

Being a Baptist minister and all that, don'tcha know. AND HE CLAIMS TO BE A DEMOCRAT!

Glassunion

(10,201 posts)
5. May I borrow
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 06:26 PM
Sep 2012

a gay pen, some gay paper and a gay ass? I usually borrow my neighbor's, however he's not home.

DonRedwood

(4,359 posts)
13. I am monogamous with my gay pen, et al
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 06:47 PM
Sep 2012

You are on your own procuring your own gay items.

(and thanks for the good chuckle)

 

Bluenorthwest

(45,319 posts)
10. It's a great letter indeed.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 06:40 PM
Sep 2012

Although I am so not sports ready that it took me a few reads to figure out that he's on a team called the Vikings, and that he plays a position called 'punter'. Like another language.
But...this is the sort of thing that could make me tune in and see what a punter does when a punter punts, assuming that when one is a punter, one does actually punt. At any rate, Chris is my favorite punter of all time, just like that. Instant fan.

Glassunion

(10,201 posts)
12. He's technically a kicker,
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 06:46 PM
Sep 2012

a punt is a type of kick.

His job is to kick the football when required to do so.

The kicker spends the least amount of time on the field than all ofthe other positions. Yet, many a game have been won or lost based solely on the skill and athleticism of the kicker.

DonRedwood

(4,359 posts)
19. Instant fan too. This guy is gonna get razzed, teased, picked on, congratulated, thanked
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 07:30 PM
Sep 2012

and treated with great respect from us and great contempt from anti-gay peeps.

Instant Hero

DonRedwood

(4,359 posts)
17. Are you a Viking fan? How are the fans handling this?
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 06:51 PM
Sep 2012

I must say I've never seen a sports figure attack back like this before. It is pretty amazing!

 

hifiguy

(33,688 posts)
22. I am a long-suffering Vikings fan.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 07:54 PM
Sep 2012

Kluwe is a very bright guy - he is a blogger and a musician as well as being a football player. He even writes for the Star Tribune's sports pages on the Vikings.

BTW, Don, this middle-aged straight guy really likes your writing: snark, substance and style.

DonRedwood

(4,359 posts)
27. Why thank you! :0) I do enjoy a bit of snark sometimes!
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 12:31 AM
Sep 2012

Did you see my Ann Romney post? I enjoyed that bit of snark as well.

eqfan592

(5,963 posts)
32. As a die-hard Packers fan (rivals of the Vikings)...
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 02:03 AM
Sep 2012

...I have to say that I absolutely love it. I think he's fantastic and support him 100%. He's actually made me hate the Vikings a little less! But just slightly so......grrr Vikings.....

DonRedwood

(4,359 posts)
35. See! Brave behavior can even move a mountain!!
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 01:08 PM
Sep 2012

Not that you are a mountain eqfan...but, well, in this case you are.

:0) If you ever see the guy kick live I hope you'll give him a shout out!

Viking12

(6,012 posts)
34. Yes, I am.
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 01:00 PM
Sep 2012

However, I live in the heart of Packer-land so I can't tell you how Vikings fans are reacting.

Kluwe has been on my radar for a while. He's been pretty outspoken on a number of fronts. I think, as a punter, he is less constrained than other players. It's not like a punter has any endorsement deals to lose.

DonRedwood

(4,359 posts)
14. DU POST with the full letter (i thought we could only do four paragraphs from another site?)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 06:49 PM
Sep 2012
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021297598

There is a great conversation going on about this on this DU post.

NYC Liberal

(20,135 posts)
18. K&R! And from his Twitter:
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 06:53 PM
Sep 2012
So over 3000 replies and I've only gotten 2 "LOL UR A FAG PUNTER HERP A DERP"s. I may have to reconsider my pessimistic outlook on humanity.

REP

(21,691 posts)
29. Gotta agree with him
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 01:07 AM
Sep 2012

Of course, him standing up for a fellow player on another team, civil rights for all and the Constitution while being both erudite and obsence gave me hope for humanity

REP

(21,691 posts)
33. I'm married to one of those ... He fucking loves that letter!
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 02:46 AM
Sep 2012

Of course, his aunts, uncle, couple of cousins are gay, so he's never understood what's frightening about giving all people full, equal rights.

His aunts have been together over 50 years. To us, they're role models - not a scary, scary threat!

DonRedwood

(4,359 posts)
36. Very cool. My circle of friends are all straight guys, I've been in all their weddings
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 02:17 PM
Sep 2012

and best man several times. I've watched their kids, had one named after me, and I'm part of their families...almost every one of their mom's think of me as their gay son. (I get a HELL of a lot of cookies at Christmas...I can tell you that much!)

IVoteDFL

(417 posts)
23. He plays for my team!!!!!!!
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 08:06 PM
Sep 2012

Well, he plays for the state I live in anyhow. I sent him a tweet already. Someone will have to explain football to me so that I can start supporting him better.

DonRedwood

(4,359 posts)
28. Go to a game with a giant sign
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 12:36 AM
Sep 2012

I heart Kluwe!

something like that :0) Then you watch guys run around in tight pants, drink a beer or two, watch grown men yelling and screaming for their team, see some cheerleaders jumping around. Oh, and you get to see an American who is brave enough to put himself on the forefront of one of our decades biggest civil rights issues.

A dude on a football team carries a lot of weight with dudes who like football. This is a big deal and a brave move on his part.

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