Fail Quote of the Day: Rep. Shelton uses Rightist rhetoric against repealing DADT

Rep. Ike Shelton (D-MO)

I spend most of my time harping on about the idiocy and bigotry pouring in from Republicans, to the point where it largely overshadows the idiocy and bigotry from the Left. (Hey, let it never be said that I, whilst incredibly biased, am unfair.) Here’s what Rep. Ike Shelton, a conservative Democrat from Missouri, said about the impending repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”:

According to the Associated Press, Skelton told reporters that repeal of the policy could put families in a difficult position because it could prompt children to ask about homosexuality.

"What do mommies and daddies say to their 7-year-old child?" he asked.

Skelton, one of the 26 Democrats who opposed repeal in the House, added that his "biggest concern are the families."

Pretty much what you hear all the time from the Right, isn’t it? Yes, Shelton is obviously terrified at the very idea – as weird as it may be – that allowing gays to serve openly in the Military will lead to – *gasp!* – children asking parents important life questions and getting honest answers about real people. After all, why tell kids that, yes, some people are just attracted to others of the same gender rather than the opposite, when you can just ignore the whole subject altogether and let them learn about such sensitive matters elsewhere? Like, say, school playgrounds or all-knowing teenaged friends.

(via @todayspolitics)