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I don't think Doc's answer has anything to do with the fact that you're straight (which actually was your argument), just that he doesn't agree with you. Any group of people who protest publicly, whether they are loud and obnoxious or they are quiet, respectful, and clean up their trash afterward, are all "screaming" their agenda. Perhaps not as a literal vocalization in terms of volume, but it's all the same. Just because the teabaggers don't wear leather chaps in public doesn't mean they are trying to attract any less attention.

Second, the fact that you went out of your way to describe Anderson Cooper as "closet Anderson Cooper" is the EXACT reason why gay people and black people feel the need to be so vocal about the perceived discrimination against them. It's the same as when someone says "this huge black guy in a bar...". Why do you have to throw in "closet" or why does someone have to throw in "black?" Is that descriptor so integral to your story that you absolutely had to include it or the message would have been lost? You could just have easily have said "Anderson Cooper" and left it at that; everyone would have gotten your meaning. Going out of your way to add "closet" in your post gives off the perception of your homophobia and that's where the kneejerk reaction occurs. Perhaps you are not homophobic (I have no idea), but saying things like "closet Anderson Cooper" is one of the fundamental reasons why we have these problems to begin with. Should we say "pill-popping Rush Limbaugh" or "coke-snorting President Bush" or "money-grubbing record label owner" every time we talk about them?

I find it very interesting that you find the word "teabaggers" to be "a disgusting insult to people against taxes" and yet you have no problem calling AC "closet Anderson Cooper" and think that's a perfectly acceptable thing to say. Can you honestly not see the hypocritical logic that causes these problems? Amazing that after all this time in our history you guys still haven't figured it out yet. It's always just going to keep being you against them unless you just stop it. Group A can't use the word teabaggers, but Group B is allowed to call people closeted homosexuals and it's perfectly fine. How about you ALL STOP SAYING THIS KIND OF CRAP and perhaps the problem will start to go away. Better yet, why don't you stop judging people based on your narrow-minded view of the universe and what you think is correct, and allow people to be happy and live their lives as they wish. Someone being gay doesn't affect you, and they should be able to say so publicly, just like a Christian should be allowed to wear a cross and say "God Bless You" when you hold a door open for them. Should a gay person get all offended when that happens? Homosexuals aren't going away, no matter how much you want them to. Black people, until they are all treated as equally as whites, are going to continue to speak up (as they should). Until you can say "Anderson Cooper" and others can say "this huge guy in a bar" without feeling the need to include closeted and black, we won't get anywhere. (And I know the "black guy in a bar" is my reference and not Shawn's, so let's not miss the point. I know Shawn never said that, but the example holds true.)

The reason why black and gay groups are so vocal about their opinions and what they want is because they don't feel that they have enough representation for their rights, and because there is still a huge group of people - some of which are obviously on this board - that still have an issue with it. They have tried to do it quietly, but change isn't happening fast enough. It's the same damn reason as why we claimed independence from Britain violently back in 1776. Don't see any of you guys having an issue with that one.

Do any of you have an problem with Yankees fans shouting from the rooftops, "I love the Yankees!"? I suspect you probably don't, but I don't see any backlash about World Series parades or the huge slew of Yankees shirts and hats being worn around the world.

The reason why you see a backlash when you promote being white and straight is because you are the majority. You have representation, you are in control, and you're not being oppressed. Others don't feel the same way as you and so they want their voices to be heard. Get over it. Better yet, do a little bit of traveling and discover that you aren't the center of the universe.