Rep. Tom Osborne (R-NE) is one of 107 co-sponsors of the anti-gay marriage amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Even after getting killed by Nebraska in the 1996 Fiesta Bowl, never had a reason to hate Nebraska.

Until now. :mad:

This is disappointing, because I know Osborne and know he's a decent man. My father played for Nebraska when Osborne was an assistant and I played basketball with Osborne's son, so you can bet I'll be sending Rep. Osborne a letter expressing my disappointment. I'm not a constituent of his any longer, but I'd like to think the personal connection might at least make him pause to think about things.

While I understand and share your frustration, Jamie, I don't think your hatred for an entire state is warranted. I'm not sure the fine citizens of Florida, or their representatives, would fare much better on the issue. And I'm pretty sure that most football coaches would, unfortunately, fall into line behind Rep. Osborne. So, instead of hating Osborne, his state and others who agree with him, why not join me in trying to educate them about why they're wrong?

[ November 25, 2003, 02:47 PM: Message edited by: NorCalHusker ]

NCH, You are absolutely correct. Mine was a knee-jerk reaction to a political decision by someone whom I had known to be conservative but had still thought was decent. I can take the disappointment of a sports-related butt-whippin,' especially when it was deserved, but the disappointment over Rep. Osborne was more bitter.

You are also correct that the people of Nebraska are decent. Their fans are classy, too. And hell, at least the largest stadium in the state isn't named for one of Katherine Harris' citrus baron kin. eek!

gj

It is very hard when you have gone to an ultra-conservative institution. Most of you know by now my Texas A&M loyalties. I have learned (or at least tried my best to learn) to separate my own personal feelings about things and the fact that my school is supported by very conservative folks that do not believe in any gay or any other initiatives that I typically support. I remember attending an A&M football game with a friend of mine (who was also pretty liberal) in 1990. During the game, they announced a gubernatorial debate at the university between the infamous, rape-joking, Clayton Williams, for whom everybody cheered as he donated tons of money for our beautiful alumni center, and Ann Richards, whom everyone hissed (with the exception of me and my friend who quietly applauded). It was at that moment I thought, if only I was smart enough to get into Rice! But I wasn't, and I understand that I can love my school, but hate its politics. Gig 'em!

[ November 25, 2003, 02:01 PM: Message edited by: Cattledog ]

In my opinion, no. He's not. No decent human being would be a part of this travesty.

Gee . . . pardon the cynicism, but does his "decency", & the perception of his decency by those who vote for him, have anything to do with his ability to win 11 or 12 football games a season?

Personally, until now I was always willing to give him the benefit of the doubt in assuming him to be a basically decent person, even though he seemed to lean politically toward a rather stern conservatism.

But for a congressman such as Tom Osborne who represents a conservative district, basic decency should at least mean a hint of moderation or a willingness to listen, rather than simply taking the hardest stance possible right from the start by advocating something so drastic as amending the constitution so as to permanently deny equal rights to a certain group.

Perhaps he is just trying to represent the majority view of his district. Perhaps he sees a chance to score some cheap political points at our expense, like former Rep. Steve Largent used to do. Perhaps even he is acting upon deeply held conviction that we are so loathesome as to be undeserving of civil rights. Whatever he feels personally, publicly he has no regard at all for our humanity. So as far as it concerns me, he is now a jerk.

[ November 25, 2003, 10:13 PM: Message edited by: BillyBones ]

(JIP - I'm sure you might have guessed I was going to jump to Tom's defense~~~~)

Disappointing, perhaps. But that does not make him an indecent man, Joe. Tom Osborne has stood for other VERY worthy causes in the past (anti-drug efforts, low income family assistance, and prescription drugs for seniors).

Personally, as much as I believe in gay rights, I don't understand why we are going after something that more than 50% of those that have it, give up.
I understand the benefits (see "Union" in Vermont) are important, but I think marriage is a joke these days anyway. As far as I'm concerned, give me the rights that go along with a union, and keep the silly "marriage" label.

JMHO

Thanks, GJ.

As CowboysHskrFan pointed out, Osborne has done a lot of great things for Nebraska and Nebraskans beyond what he achieved for the University and the state as its football coach. Do I agree with him on this issue? Hell no! -- and like I said, I intend to let him know. Do I think this means he is "indecent" and this one decision overrules all the good he's done? No.

If Osborne is indecent for his stance on this issue then so are a large majority of Americans. I prefer to think of Osborne (and similar-minded Americans) as uneducated as opposed to indecent. We *will* have the right to marry. It may not happen during this generation. It may not happen during the next. It may not happen because of legal changes alone, but through education and example in conjunction with legal challenge. Opinions are changing and we *will* prevail on this issue.

Cattledog, this happened long before I had even thought of moving to Texas...hell, this was said when I was in high school, I think. But, since moving here, I've heard all of the grisley details. I think a rainshower was involved in the comment, right?
As for Mr. Osborne, he is considering a move to be the next governor of Nebraska. I say he should go for it so he can stop legislating crap like this in a national office.

Gosh, are we talking about the same Tom Osborne that turned his back on every criminal offense that his players made and never punished one of them or took them out of a critical game situation so he could keep his standing with HuskerNation?

He's not a diety - he's a hypocrite - and this is one more proof statement.