“It’s clear that the question about the “Pride” is not only a question of homosexuality. It is a question about values. It is a question about whether we know the difference between black and white, or if we are preparing to swallow a coloured piece of paper soaked in poison. The coloured paper, in this case, represents the “Pride’s” slogans about love, friendship, variety, tolerance… the poison is a twisted value system, alien to Latvian culture, that is poised to strike against our very identity and erode our ability to withstand it.
Love should always be stronger than hate. Those who would destroy our traditional values wish to wage battle in the distorted image of this concept. They want to show the counter-protesters as a hate-filled mob, but the “Pride” members as dignified, misunderstood and caring people. Those who throw eggs and excrement, flip the middle finger and yell, serve only to reinforce this carefully crafted scene. If this image cultivation continues, the prophets of false love will inevitably win, never mind the ugly truth their slogans conceal. Should this happen, expect that men will have the right to wed other men, and women marry women—and also to gain the right to rear children in such unions.
It all depends on our common goal. If the point is to divest accrued negation, then the aforementioned scene may not be so bad. I believe, however, that our goal should be to save our traditional system of values—our love of our common culture, time-tested ideals and world-view. This is why I am most pleased that our protest is not the pummeling of the “Pride,” but rather the «Rītdienas» koncerts ("Concert for Tomorrow") in support of Family Values.
If love is the foundation, then hate should have no part here. That the “Pride” attempts to incite unacceptable acts is but a simple test, to see if we are able to stand up to ourselves. If our love of our own values is indeed strong, the goals of the “Pride” will remain unfulfilled. The Riga City Council would have no reason to allow their spectacles, and there would be no need to even discuss such things. The ramblings of a few oddballs would not resound with a larger audience—society in general.
The swill of Prideist poison can only affect an empty vessel. Pouring it into a glass that is already full will dilute the poison, spilling it out harmlessly. The poisoners are persistent, they will pop up in one way or another. After battle with one, another will follow, and the fighting will continue unabated. Their own cups are half-empty. Their love of themselves is minimal, which is why they seek to poison others.”
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loosely translated from here: http://www.apollo.lv/portal/news/articles/101294
It is refreshing to see a Latvian leader embrace the non-violent message of Mahatma Gandhi and the spread the word of love, like Martin Luther King, Jr. did.
Note the cool photo of him and the missus. That kid’s gonna be President someday.
/R
