ORLANDO

     If you look back to the beginning of "Roadhouse Blog", you will notice that I have never made mention of my personal theology.  This has never been an oversight, rather a purposeful decision.  I have always asserted that it is not a prerequisite that you belong to any particular religion to be a conservative.  Though conservative philosophy may be rooted in Judaeo-Christian beliefs, you don't need to be a Christian to understand and adopt the principals of conservatism as your own.  
     For instance, you can be an Atheist and understand free-market economics.  You can be a Buddhist and understand the concept of national sovereignty.  You can worship dirt and still understand the purpose and importance of a strict immigration process.  So I would like to take this opportunity to set the record straight on my personal beliefs and their relevance to this post.
     I'm a Christian.  To "the left", that means I am an in-tolerant, hate-filled bigot who fears anyone different than myself.  To Christians, it means that I am not even allowed to hate others...ANY others.  So, when it is said that a Christian's opposition to certain parts of the  "gay agenda" is based on hatred, I simply remind myself that I know better than that.
     
     Yes, I will always dis-agree with the concept of "gay marriage" for both theological and practical reasons.  Yes, I will always see the "transgendered" as suffering from a dis-associative mental disorder.  And yes, I will always see homo-sexuality as a "sin".  
     That being said, after the terrorist attack at "Pulse", a popular Orlando, Florida night club frequented by the local gay community, I think it's high time we all take a step back and re-examine our priorities...not just as Christians or homosexuals, but as Americans.
     My disapproval of some one's personal choices does not prevent me from accepting their value as an American.  Besides, how ridiculous would it be for me to assume everyone agrees with some of my proclivities. 
     
     So, in the spirit of patriotism, I would like remind everyone of a few things.  When a Muslim extremist attacks a gay bar, he's not just attacking "gays", he's attacking infidels.  In infidel is anyone who is not willing to submit to Islam.  The "gay" thing is really nothing more than a "twofer" for a Muslim terrorist.  Similarly, my Christianity makes me a "twofer" as well.  In that sense, a Christian and a homosexual have a common, equally brutal enemy who would like to see both of our heads removed.  At the very least, it may be time for both of our camps to assert the "the enemy of our enemy is our friend" philosophy.
  
     Furthermore, the Second Amendment protects every one's right to protect themselves...even homosexuals.  A bullet does not care who fires it.  It will take down a bad guy for a gay person just as well as for the strait.  So, before you go sachet'ing on down to protest your local gun shop, maybe you'll want to consider going in and asking them to teach you how to shoot.  A bedazzled pink .45 semi-auto is the perfect accessory to match your chartreuse feather boa...and it might just keep you alive too.
     To sum up, getting shot at a gay bar is tragic, and so is getting shot at a mall, school, sporting event, concert, or on the street.  So, I suggest we move our usual differences to the back burner for now, and focus on the what's really important...life.