Pastor Refuses To Do Funeral Service For Lesbian Who Shot Self While Cleaning Gun

Outrage, and rightfully so, after a Pastor refused to continue a funeral service for a Lesbian because of photos showing her kissing her wife. Nowhere in the Think Progress story is a reason for a 33 year old to have died suddenly. The answer is buried in the story at this link. Social media has taken the Pastor and the church to task for demeaning and insulting the service and the friends and family who had gathered to attend. Yet, hardly anyone has pointed out that she died while cleaning her gun.

I can think of dozens upon dozens of postings on social media about how yet another "backwards", "gun lover" idiot shot himself (it always seems to be a man) to death while cleaning their gun. The righteousness in pointing out other people's misfortune, especially when it comes to gun owners, boarders on and sometimes teeters over into morbid gleefulness. Or perhaps, perverse satisfaction is a better phrase.

(Photo by Nick M; under Fair Use)

Yet, is the idea of a left-wing, Lesbian gun owner something that cannot be reconciled? I don't think so. When reading through most of the articles about this outrage and the accompanying social media comments, however, one would be hard pressed to find mention of how she died. I think it is that it would screw up the narrative of yet another backwards church refusing services for homosexuals. Throw in that she was a gun owner and that she accidently killed herself while cleaning her gun and too many people, both on the left and right of the spectrum, would probably have a "system's overload". They couldn't reconcile two seemingly different narratives because that's not what they have been hard-wired for.

This appears to one of those "have your cake and eat it to" situations. Simple narratives would like to focus on the outrage of a Pastor refusing funeral services on the basis of sexual orientations and leave the whole gun owner cleaning a loaded gun out of it. Simple narratives would like to focus on the gun owner cleaning a loaded gun and keep the church, Pastor and sexual orientation out of it.


 

Dear Health Care System

Dear Health Care System,

Well, it's been quite a week, hasn't it? It seems you have reached a point with me wherein you haven't a clue what to do with me anymore. You wanted me there at 9am to withdraw some blood and I was there at 8:58am. At 10:36am, after several people were called ahead of me, I just fucking left.

Of course, once a specialist sees me and renders his/her verdict, then you will have something to sink your teeth into. Until that time, when I visit your crowded ER once again I am sure, you will shake your weary head and shrug your weary shoulders. You will wonder aloud how strange it is that a man should be having such a problem, and whether or not I have an infection to go along with the 1/2 pint or so blood loss per event (which alarms me more than you), you'll give me some antibiotics, pat me on the head and send me home.

I know you desperately want some satisfaction and sometimes you seem a bit hostile that I don't have any kidney, bladder, prostate or even liver maladies. You're left holding an empty bag and the best you can do is wave a scolding finger at me because I smoke (even though that has nothing to do with it). Yet, fear not! Perhaps the bubble on my bladder will burst and you can get all atwitter with excitement treating some good old fashioned peritonitis! The cutting, the sucking, the sewing! You will be very pleased with yourself then and have a feeling of accomplishment.

Signed,
Your Health Care Pal