Attorney General Samuel Scott “Sam” Olens is an exceptionally open-minded individual who possesses unrivaled character. Those who protest his appointment at Kennesaw State University have allowed their emotions to hinder objective thought.
This perverse form of liberal fascism ironically demonstrates the bigotry with which they have slandered Olens’ good name for weeks.
Students and faculty took to The Green on Oct. 3 protesting the rumors that Olens may be appointed KSU’s next president. The following day, a committee recommended that the full Board of Regents vote on Olens to fill the position.
This reasonable recommendation sparked further controversy across campus and inflamed accusations that Olens holds a personal vendetta against the LGBTIQ community.
Is Olens bigoted against the LGBTIQ community? A petition against Olens says that he “mocked those who argued for marriage equality” and that he called traditional marriage “an accepted truth…in any society which marriage ever existed.”
I would argue that this isn’t mocking in the least. It is a simple statement of the fact that throughout human history, the majority of marriages have been between a man and a woman. A quote that was not disclosed in the petition sheds much more light on Olens’ far more accepting personal view.
“The love that plaintiffs articulate for their partners and children is clear, as are their contributions to our society,” Olens told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “The state values plaintiffs as its citizens, and readily acknowledges its responsibility to ensure that they, too, enjoy due process and equal protection under law.”
Olens further explained that his “job is to answer legally, not emotionally.”
These statements were in regards to a lawsuit against Georgia for its 2004 ban on gay marriage. By requesting the lawsuit be dismissed, Olens was simply performing his duty as the attorney general, which is to defend the state when one of its laws conflicts with federal law.
In 2015, Kentucky Rowan County clerk Kim Davis simply went against the Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality by denying marriage certificates to gay couples. She was jailed for contempt of court. Olens, however, legally appealed, then accepted the Supreme Court’s decision.
“There’s a distinction between me defending the law and the order from the Supreme Court,” Olens told the Atlanta Press Club. “When the Supreme Court rules on an issue, we’re going to follow the order.”
I think Olens showed civility and compassion following the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Davis disagreed with a differing opinion and actively suppressed it. Olens also disagreed, but he acknowledged the rights of the individual to their view.
This perfectly demonstrates the time old saying: “I may disagree with what you say [or do], but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” When did this idea cease to be relevant?
Differing from the Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality was President Barack Obama’s mandate that states must allow transgender students of public school systems into the locker rooms and bathrooms of their choice. Olens led the fight against this mandate, but not because of a disdain for those with gender dysphoria. He did so because of gross executive overreach.
“The guidance letter is yet another example of the president’s unconstitutional overreach,” Olens told NPR. “The Constitution gives only Congress the power to write and rewrite laws. Threatening to withhold taxpayer dollars from schools if they don’t comply with this new and legally unsound mandate is unconstitutional. I will continue to defend the Constitution on behalf of Georgians.”
If Olens disagrees with LGBTIQ ideals, then that is his right as an individual. It is fine as long as he is not actively suppressing their opinions and he is not a bigot.
Protesting Olens’ appointment, however, and denying him a position at the university because he holds a different opinion is acting just as bigoted as Davis.
Olens is no bigot, and I refuse to be silent and let a good man be slandered.
