One of Jim Inhofe’s constituents wrote him concerning the draconian “Kill the Gays” legislation in Uganda, and got the following reply:
Thank you for contacting me regarding anti-homosexual legislation being considered in Uganda. As your voice in Washington, D.C., I appreciate you taking the time to share your views with me.
As you know, the Ugandan Parliament is currently considering legislation that would impose strict penalties for homosexual acts. The Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2009 would require severe prison sentences for someone caught in a homosexual act and for helping or counseling another person engage in a homosexuality. Additionally this legislation would allow for the death penalty if someone is convicted of having sex with a minor or disabled person, if the offender is HIV-positive, and for “serial” offenders.
I was shocked to learn that this legislation was being considered in Uganda. I do not, nor have I ever, supported or condoned this legislation. It is my hope that Uganda will abandon this unjust and extraordinarily harsh legislation.
I have worked closely with Ugandan President Museveni on many important issues. In fact, I have made over 100 visits to the African continent and have met with and built relationships with people from all walks of life. During my time on the continent, I witnessed first-hand the significant and strategic place in the world that Africa holds. It is the world’ second-largest and second most-populous continent, comprised of 53 nations and over 900 million people. Africa has largely been ignored and neglected by the rest of the world — initially seen as the impenetrable “Dark Continent,” then colonized and exploited, and then neglected. However, I believe there is much hope for the future of African countries and better days are ahead.
Please do not hesitate to contact me again regarding issues that are important to you.
Interesting. The constituent notes that there were some formatting inconsistencies in the third paragraph, which leads him to suspect that there might be several versions of the paragraph, depending on the nature of the constituent’s concerns. There’s no proof for that, but it’s a realistic possibility. The constituent also adds:
I don’t really have much editorializing to do, but frankly for someone who is “shocked” and who hopes for the abandonment of such “unjust and extraordinarily harsh legislation” it seems odd that he, who has “worked closely with Ugandan President Museveni on many important issues”, has decided not to work with him on this one.
It would also be nice if he would make more public his “shock”, but even that might be too much to wish for from the man who practically (if not literally) invented the “God, Gays, and Guns” platform.
Well said. That seems to be the pattern, though, with conservative Christian legislators, when they’re called on this. They express shock, shock, utter shock and say that the legislation is awful (so awful), but then make no discernible moves to do anything about it. They just don’t want to look like complete ghouls in the public eye.
(h/t Jeff Sharlet)
