By Joe Murray
December 1, 2003

(AgapePress) - "Get your history straight and your nightlife gay," is the new tale of tolerance emanating from the City of Brotherly Love. Philadelphia, best known for being the cradle of liberty and the birthplace of democracy, is striving to become the new city that lies somewhere over the rainbow.

In an attempt to further pad the city coffers with tourism dollars, the City of Philadelphia has, with the ever-so increasing help of the political correctness pundits, decided to embark on a three-year marketing campaign to lure homosexuals to places like South Street, Independence Mall, and the new Constitution Center. According to Meryl Levitz, the president of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Group, "Philadelphia is here to officially come out as a gay-friendly destination." And coming out it is. Gone are the loose pantaloons of the past and in their place are the tight leather pants of the future.

As part of this little piece of marketing magic, Philadelphia has decided to cash in on the cultural icons that have called the city home for 200 years. In order to fully come out of the closet, however, Philly needed to get a makeover. Thus enter the Atlus Group, a Philadelphia-based ad agency. In an act that is better suited for Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Philly is dedicating $900,000 tax dollars to putting a "gay" face on the City. Atlus' end goal? To design and package a message that will pull directly at the purse strings of the homosexual community.

In one advertisement, Ben Franklin, the political patriot and scientific maverick, is seen flying a kite. This kite, however, is no ordinary kite; for it is a rainbow-stitched, "gay-friendly" kite that now flies over Ben's head.

The next ad, even more distasteful, depicts Betsy Ross sewing a flag, but the stars and stripes of Uncle Sam have been replaced with the colors of the Castro District. Philadelphia has, in essence, sold its historical soul for a one night stand with the gay community.

What would Ben say about Philly's new testimony to Tolerance? He would most likely recoil at the thought that his achievements were trivialized to celebrate the homosexual lifestyle. Although Franklin was not an orthodox Christian, he understood that Christian values and principles were to be the building blocks of liberty. Franklin wrote that "whoever shall introduce into public affairs the principles of primitive Christianity will change the face of the world." Franklin elaborated by stating a "Bible and newspaper in every house ... are the principle support of virtue, morality, and civil liberty." Hence, Franklin's Bible rejects the very type of activity Philadelphia is trying to lure to its streets via his image.

Furthermore, Betsy Ross is probably now turning over in her grave. The P.C. prostitutes of Philadelphia knew exactly what they were doing when they decided to molest the image of Betsy Ross. The picture of Betsy Ross sewing the newly created American flag is a picture that characterizes a culture and defines a people. Ask yourself, what does a flag symbolize? It symbolizes a country and the unity of those who wish to partake in its social construct.

Let's not kid ourselves; to replace Old Glory with a rainbow flag does much more than promote a tourist package, it serves to radically change the societal notions and cultural norms. It is yet another tactic being utilized by far-left foot soldiers to mainstream deviant behavior and undermine the traditional values that obstruct their path victory.

Make no mistake, Philadelphia should be held in contempt for its actions, contempt of common decency. To take American history and prostitute it in order to collect a few more bucks from 2-3% of the American population is not only distasteful, but outright disgraceful.

Philadelphia, despite its present-day standing, is the origin of our form of government and our way of life. The history Philly protects speaks to the heart of every American and defines who we are and what we believe. To take these cultural icons and parade them around in a fashion more fitting for RuPaul is much more than an advertising campaign; it is a direct assault on our cultural foundation and our biblical heritage. It is an attempt to sneak in the backdoor a lifestyle deemed sinful by all the world's major religions.

Regardless of Philadelphia's motives surrounding this campaign, it is evident that the City has crossed the line. In an effort to court a small percentage of the population, Philadelphia has sent a message straight to Main Street America -- your Christian tradition and beliefs are no longer welcome in the City of Brotherly Love. Furthermore, for those Christians living within the city walls, your tax dollars are going to be used to market a message that expressly celebrates a "gay nightlife" and all the dirty details encompassed by that nightlife.

Our cultural foundation, like the Liberty Bell itself, is cracked and continuing to split. Philadelphia has entered into a dance with the devil that stands to burn the City and the 200 years of history that has long been entrusted to it. Philadelphia has betrayed its citizens, sold out its social mandate, and besmirched the memory of the brave Patriots who birthed this nation with their blood and bravery. Listen carefully, for soon we will be asking for whom the Liberty Bell tolls ... God speed, Mayor John Street.