MR

Posted: **Tue Jul 10, 2007 8:53 am**

Chuck Blogged about the reaction his book is getting. Most of it looks like comments towards some of the comments made on this thread below, which was the video interview he did.
http://forums.melodicrock.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=26875

This from http://www.chuckpanozzosblog.com

I knew my book would be lost to those who lack the "emotional and
intellectual "
capacity to understand what it is like growing up gay in the
USA...................
That was a risk I'm glad I took .....I'm sure when this hits the
bloggers it will be great
fun for some of them .. and challenging for others. Some might have to
face there bigotry and Homophobia.

Since the release of "My Story" I've spoken to crowds of people from
every walk of life.
From New York, Florida, S. Francisco, and Chicago on Radio TV and
Newspapers. I can't forget the Internet LOL

None of those enlighted individausls have even come close to the
negativecomments posted here....I thank them for that

To them My Story has brought hope and in some cases a better
understanding
of who they are. How anyone who hasn't read the book and thinks they
know the
the contents hasn't been to school in a long time. Gee I'm too lazy to
read so
I'll just think what he thinks. YIKES!

When I was a HS teacher and gave a reading assignment I knew there
would be
some students that wouldn't read the chapter or the book.
I could always count on this core group of lazy fakers who barely made
it through
school they usually dropped.

Why would anyone admit they never read the book and make negative
comments
about something they have no personal knowledge about??

LET ME MAKE THIS CLEAR AGAIN
-- THIS IS NOT THE DEFINITIVE BOOk ABOUT STYX--
how difficult is that to understand. Most everyone else does my
pubishers
thought

Maybe you think you've never met someone gay.-- No Aunt, Uncle,
Sister, Brother
Son or Daughter, Father or Mother-Your Minister or Priest or a Gay
Soldier serving
our are country in Iraq. Think again......

One day your 18 yr. old son or daughter may tell you there Gay that's
when the
phrase "Unconditional Love "

Chuck

Posted: **Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:06 am**

Wow - holy crap. How incredibly condescending.

Just because I and people who think like I do don't think Chuck is the victim that he wants to paint himself to be doesn't mean we're homophobes. He has no idea who I have in my family - in my circle of friends - or in my life. Thats because it's my private life. If he can't face criticism and just wants to accuse people of not having "emotional and intellectual capacity" then perhaps he has some growing up to do of his own.

If people are moved by his book and it's getting a great reaction - then I think that is terrific. If a life is changed for the better - than who can argue. All I'm saying is I, personally, don't get it and I can't relate. I don't get where he's coming from and I don't see what makes him so damn special. True, I've not read the book - but I'm not criticizing the content, I'm criticizing the premise. Perhaps he lacks the intellectual fortitude to segregate those who really don't think he's a big deal from those who are truly hateful. Oh wait - if you're gay and people criticize you then you must be a homophobe. Thanks for clearing that up Chuck.

Posted: **Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:15 am**

Ash wrote:True, I've not read the book - but I'm not criticizing the content, I'm criticizing the premise.

Judging by your last comments about the book, I'd say you don't actually know what the full premise is. But maybe that's because you haven't read it. lol (it all comes full circle)

Perhaps he lacks the intellectual fortitude to segregate those who really don't think he's a big deal from those who are truly hateful. Oh wait - if you're gay and people criticize you then you must be a homophobe. Thanks for clearing that up Chuck.

No. If you're gay, and people ctiticize you (for being gay) then THEY are homophobes, not you. ;-)

I'm not saying you are, I'm not saying you're not, but I've never met a homophobe who thought he or she was a homophobe.

I've read more condescending remarks than that right here, on this board...some even made by YOU, Ash. Not sure what the problem is, unless he hit a nerve somewhere.

Posted: **Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:17 am**

Ash wrote:If people are moved by his book and it's getting a great reaction - then I think that is terrific. If a life is changed for the better - than who can argue.

Apparently, you can.

Ash wrote:True, I've not read the book -

You don't say.

Posted: **Tue Jul 10, 2007 10:33 am**

The book is titled Grand Illusion and also has the name Styx (in larger type) in the title. I think people should be excused for buying it thinking it may have more Styx stories than it does. Not everyone reads the publishers synopsis on these things.

If you refuse to read the book or don't like it because Chuck is a gay man and talks about it, it may be correct to call many of these people narrow minded, bigoted, or religious zealots, but it is no reason to stoop to their level. Chuck wrote a book he should be proud of and should not worry what people think. By being condescending referring to someone’s inferior intellectual and emotional capacity he has stooped to the same level when he should have taken the higher road.

To say someone does not have the emotional and mental capacity assumes that the book is "lost" on people for the same reason (i.e. that people don’t understand what it was like growing up gay at that time). However, as I indicated in this thread: http://forums.melodicrock.com/phpBB/vie ... hp?t=25526, there are reviewers that do understand but still have problems with it.

Posted: **Tue Jul 10, 2007 11:36 am**

Zan wrote:
Ash wrote:True, I've not read the book - but I'm not criticizing the content, I'm criticizing the premise.

Judging by your last comments about the book, I'd say you don't actually know what the full premise is. But maybe that's because you haven't read it. lol (it all comes full circle)

Perhaps he lacks the intellectual fortitude to segregate those who really don't think he's a big deal from those who are truly hateful. Oh wait - if you're gay and people criticize you then you must be a homophobe. Thanks for clearing that up Chuck.

No. If you're gay, and people ctiticize you (for being gay) then THEY are homophobes, not you.

I'm not saying you are, I'm not saying you're not, but I've never met a homophobe who thought he or she was a homophobe.

I've read more condescending remarks than that right here, on this board...some even made by YOU, Ash. Not sure what the problem is, unless he hit a nerve somewhere.

The only nerve he hit is he just seems to be taking a victim's mentality in all of this. That's all I'm saying. Some people grow up loud and proud about who they are, no matter what or who they are - and others make themselves out to be victims. Some say nothing.

::shrug::

Beyond that, I really could not care less. I just get tired of hearing the "awww poor me, I'm <insert victim adjective here>" story. We all have our stuff to overcome in life.

Posted: **Tue Jul 10, 2007 12:56 pm**

Ash wrote:Beyond that, I really could not care less. I just get tired of hearing the "awww poor me, I'm <insert victim adjective here>" story. We all have our stuff to overcome in life.

Interesting.

Posted: **Tue Jul 10, 2007 4:01 pm**

Ash wrote:The only nerve he hit is he just seems to be taking a victim's mentality in all of this.

This is what I was trying to say. I could care less about his persuasion. But, victims bore me. And, yeah... look at the book's title.

I guess. I just ....

lack the "emotional and
intellectual "
capacity to understand

David

Posted: **Tue Jul 10, 2007 4:09 pm**

DavidD wrote:
Ash wrote:The only nerve he hit is he just seems to be taking a victim's mentality in all of this.

This is what I was trying to say. I could care less about his persuasion. But, victims bore me.

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

Posted: **Tue Jul 10, 2007 10:40 pm**

stabbim wrote:
DavidD wrote:
Ash wrote:The only nerve he hit is he just seems to be taking a victim's mentality in all of this.

This is what I was trying to say. I could care less about his persuasion. But, victims bore me.

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

That would be completely and utterly inconceivable.

Posted: **Wed Jul 18, 2007 11:09 pm**

Ash wrote:Wow - holy crap. How incredibly condescending.

Just because I and people who think like I do don't think Chuck is the victim that he wants to paint himself to be doesn't mean we're homophobes. He has no idea who I have in my family - in my circle of friends - or in my life. Thats because it's my private life. If he can't face criticism and just wants to accuse people of not having "emotional and intellectual capacity" then perhaps he has some growing up to do of his own.

If people are moved by his book and it's getting a great reaction - then I think that is terrific. If a life is changed for the better - than who can argue. All I'm saying is I, personally, don't get it and I can't relate. I don't get where he's coming from and I don't see what makes him so damn special. True, I've not read the book - but I'm not criticizing the content, I'm criticizing the premise. Perhaps he lacks the intellectual fortitude to segregate those who really don't think he's a big deal from those who are truly hateful. Oh wait - if you're gay and people criticize you then you must be a homophobe. Thanks for clearing that up Chuck.

If Chuck wants to put his life out there, and make some of the remarks that he is making, then he needs to be a big boy and understand that some out there are going to have a different viewpoint.

Posted: **Thu Jul 19, 2007 12:38 am**

rajah2165 wrote:
Ash wrote:Wow - holy crap. How incredibly condescending.

Just because I and people who think like I do don't think Chuck is the victim that he wants to paint himself to be doesn't mean we're homophobes. He has no idea who I have in my family - in my circle of friends - or in my life. Thats because it's my private life. If he can't face criticism and just wants to accuse people of not having "emotional and intellectual capacity" then perhaps he has some growing up to do of his own.

If people are moved by his book and it's getting a great reaction - then I think that is terrific. If a life is changed for the better - than who can argue. All I'm saying is I, personally, don't get it and I can't relate. I don't get where he's coming from and I don't see what makes him so damn special. True, I've not read the book - but I'm not criticizing the content, I'm criticizing the premise. Perhaps he lacks the intellectual fortitude to segregate those who really don't think he's a big deal from those who are truly hateful. Oh wait - if you're gay and people criticize you then you must be a homophobe. Thanks for clearing that up Chuck.

If Chuck wants to put his life out there, and make some of the remarks that he is making, then he needs to be a big boy and understand that some out there are going to have a different viewpoint.

He does. He is just disapponted that in today's day and age that the "fight" still has to go on. Look at the response to Gay Marriage. How many states banned it by ammending their constitutions. Just a really sad state of affairs.

Posted: **Thu Jul 19, 2007 1:06 am**

styxfanNH wrote:
rajah2165 wrote:
Ash wrote:Wow - holy crap. How incredibly condescending.

Just because I and people who think like I do don't think Chuck is the victim that he wants to paint himself to be doesn't mean we're homophobes. He has no idea who I have in my family - in my circle of friends - or in my life. Thats because it's my private life. If he can't face criticism and just wants to accuse people of not having "emotional and intellectual capacity" then perhaps he has some growing up to do of his own.

If people are moved by his book and it's getting a great reaction - then I think that is terrific. If a life is changed for the better - than who can argue. All I'm saying is I, personally, don't get it and I can't relate. I don't get where he's coming from and I don't see what makes him so damn special. True, I've not read the book - but I'm not criticizing the content, I'm criticizing the premise. Perhaps he lacks the intellectual fortitude to segregate those who really don't think he's a big deal from those who are truly hateful. Oh wait - if you're gay and people criticize you then you must be a homophobe. Thanks for clearing that up Chuck.

If Chuck wants to put his life out there, and make some of the remarks that he is making, then he needs to be a big boy and understand that some out there are going to have a different viewpoint.

He does. He is just disapponted that in today's day and age that the "fight" still has to go on. Look at the response to Gay Marriage. How many states banned it by ammending their constitutions. Just a really sad state of affairs.

Some of us still think a marriage is between a man and a woman.

Posted: **Thu Jul 19, 2007 1:16 am**

LifeGiver wrote:Some of us still think a marriage is between a man and a woman.

Who says that instituting marital rights for gays would somehow take that away?

Posted: **Thu Jul 19, 2007 1:20 am**

LifeGiver wrote:Some of us still think a marriage is between a man and a woman.

I'm heterosexual. I could give a flying flip if it's two men, two women, or a man and a woman. If two people care about each other, why does it matter? If a homosexual couple adopts a child, it by no means equates to making that child gay. You are entitled to your opinion, but seeing as how heterosexual marriage ends up in divorce more than 50%, give the other half a shot lol

Posted: **Thu Jul 19, 2007 1:53 am**

LifeGiver wrote:Some of us still think a marriage is between a man and a woman.

Which is fine. Debate and diverging viewpoints are expected. But, Chuck still has the right to critique the state of affairs.

You know, I never knew where I stood on this issue for the longest time. Canada legalized same sex marriage last year. What I have come to realise is that it has absolutely no impact on my life, my wife's and son's life or any other heterosexual persons life. What was huge debate before all of this happened in Canada has really become inconsequential to day to day living. It has done nothing to take away from mine or anyone else's marriage.

The problem as I see it is that marriage is both a religious institution on the one hand and a government one on the other. No one is forcing organized religion in performing same sex marriages. The issue really is whether government should recognize lifelong commitments from same sex couples the same way it does from hetero couples and not whether the church should be forced to do so. Why can't we separate these?

Posted: **Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:44 am**

"Some of you" need to wake up and realize that not everything in the world fits into your value set.

Right on Chuck. His comments were dead on.

Also, if you haven't read it, you really shouldn't be so quick to write it off. While there were some 'uncomfortable moments' in the book, it was what he went through and it's his story. I gained a lot of respect for the guy after reading the book. He went through a lot.

Posted: **Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:54 am**

StyxCollector wrote:
LifeGiver wrote:Some of us still think a marriage is between a man and a woman.

I'm heterosexual. I could give a flying flip if it's two men, two women, or a man and a woman. If two people care about each other, why does it matter? If a homosexual couple adopts a child, it by no means equates to making that child gay. You are entitled to your opinion, but seeing as how heterosexual marriage ends up in divorce more than 50%, give the other half a shot lol

That's the exact argument I make! Here in Tennessee, of course, there was a vote on this, and this state being what it is I knew it would pass an amendment to "protect marriage", as they so charmingly put it. I have otherwise intelligent, reasonable friends who just think it would destroy the universe if gay couples had partnership rights. Now, mind you, one particular friend of mine who thinks this way is on his fifth - yes, I did say FIFTH - marriage, and he is his wife's fourth husband. Nine marriages between the two of them. The argument I always make to him is, do you really think homosexuals can possibly do any worse with marriage than YOU have? LOL

Sterling

Posted: **Thu Jul 19, 2007 9:17 am**

I really didn't intend my comment earlier to take us down this path.

But I think politically, the move to bring civil unions equal to the status of marriage was so close to becoming accepted that some decided to go for the whole shebang and lost. If they had gotten civil unions eleveated to the same status as marriage, It would have been tons easier to change it to marriage ten years down the line. Now the backlash from Massachusetts making it legal, has set the movement for equality back quite a bit.

Personally, I don't care what people do in their bedrooms. If it is all about love, then the more power to those that are in love. Homosexuality isn't going to go away either way. The least that can be done is that the government can force insurance companies to recognize the relationship to afford life partners equal access to benefits, instead of lining their pockets with money.

Posted: **Fri Jul 20, 2007 9:14 am**

I am on BOTH sides of the fence on this.

For me Chucks book is all about understanding and forgiveness. Then when Dennis maybe tries to reach out a hand in friendship he wont even speak to him. I

Isn't that hypocritical?? Shit, if it wasnt for Dennis DeYoung......................................................

I also think our society is ALOT more understanding these days. Early this June we took our kids to Disney World. We happened to go during Gay Week. None of this actually bothered me. Some of the T shirts were DAMN funny.

' I Can't Even Think Straight' ' I am Not Gay But My Boyfriend Is' Pretty funny shit!!! I didnt dare wear red at any of the parks.

We have come a DAMN looong way. Can you imangine Gay Week at Disney World 25 years ago????

Still sometimes I wonder is our 'enlightment' always a good thing????

MR

Chuck Comments on Book Comments

Chuck Comments on Book Comments