Liberal Talk Radio

Following up on The Contrarian’s post on Iraqi militias attempting to weed out gays for possible execution, I’m reminded of the eerie similarities between the persecutions of Christians in Afghanistan and the execution of two gay teens in Iran last summer.

I was listening to Condi Rice on Meet the Press when it all came together. Here’s what she has to say about US efforts to transform the Middle East:

SEC’Y RICE: … But if you really believe that the only thing that happened on 9/11 was people flew airplanes into buildings, I think you have a very narrow view of what we faced on 9/11. We faced the, the outcome of an ideology of hatred throughout the Middle East that had to be dealt with. Saddam Hussein was a part of that old Middle East. The new Iraq will be a part of a new Middle East, and we will all be safer.

It’s probably safe to assume that Iran is also part of the “old Middle East,” (”Axis of Evil,” and all) and Afghanistan, then, is part of the “new Middle East.” Anyway, here’s what she has to say on Christians in Afghanistan:

MR. RUSSERT: So Christians should be able to worship. People should be able to convert to Christianity in Afghanistan.

SEC’Y RICE: Of course, Tim. That our—the universal declaration of human rights is, is clear on this. But I would be the first to say that Afghans are going to have to work through some of the difficulties and contradictions.

The follow-up question seems obvious: “If Christians should be given equal rights in this new, democratic Middle East, should the same be true for gays?” This would have put her in the uncomfortable position of having to admit that some folks can still be discriminated against, even in her new, super-democratic-and-shiny Afghanistan.

Unfortunately, for proponents of gay rights, Secretary Rice is safe for now. The Universal Declaration she refers to is surprisingly anti-gay:

Article 16.

(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.

(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.

(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.

Though, in all fairness, it is over 50 years old.