Brownback's Mistake

I just heard about the dust-up over Sam Brownback supposedly using an anti-gay slur. Sam Brownback's mistake wasn't that he called gay Swedes "fruit." He didn't. Here's the original quote:

“You look at the social impact of the countries that have engaged in homosexual marriage.” He shakes his head in sorrow, thinking of Sweden, which Christian conservatives believe has been made by “social engineering” into an outer ring of hell. “You’ll know ‘em by their fruits,” Brownback says. He pauses, and an awkward silence fills the room. He was citing scripture — Matthew 7:16 — but he just called gay Swedes “fruits.”

He didn't even mention Sweden. That was the reporter's pithy interpretation. Sam Brownback's mistake seems to be expecting any kind of biblical-literacy from a Rolling Stone reporter. The "fruit" analogy is a pretty common theme among Christians and this isn't the first time Brownback has used it. He recently displayed concern over the fruit being produced by the Republican Congress. I doubt he was referring to homosexuals.

Has this reporter graduated from junior high yet? Giggle, giggle: Sam said 'fruit'. Giggle, giggle.