US Ambassador designate Carlos Moreno arrived in Belize on Saturday morning to take over from his predecessor, Vinai Thummalapally. The retired California Supreme Court Justice turned diplomat made it official with the presentation of his credentials to Governor-General Sir Colville Young this morning to begin his diplomatic tour. But there was a slight glitch to his welcome. Even as his term gets underway, his appointment has been criticized by anti-homosexual activists. They say that Moreno is pro-LGBT and has been sent to Belize to further the homosexual cause. Today there was a small protest on the Belmopan Ring Road outside Belize House to greet Ambassador Moreno. Mike Rudon was in Belmopan and has the story.
Mike Rudon, Reporting
Exactly five protesters carrying placards greeted new Ambassador Carlos Moreno as he headed to Belize House to present his credentials to the GG. These protesters, led by Belize Can president Patrick Menzies, are opposed to the appointment of Carlos Moreno.
Patrick Menzies, President, Belize Can
“We’re out here because the new Ambassador of the United States to Belize is presenting his credentials and we oppose the fact that he was the only judge to go against Prop Eight in favour of families in California and was selected by Obama just like he did in the Dominican Republic of sending them a homosexual ambassador. We now have one that supports the LGBT agenda.”
That’s their story and they’re sticking to it. They premise their opposition largely on a position taken by Moreno when he was a Supreme Court Judge in California in 2009. That position was in support of gay marriage in that state, and according to Menzies, that’s enough to determine the cut of Moreno’s jib, so to speak.
Patrick Menzies
“He basically said he would teach us to obey international law. Reality is that the US…and that is my understanding and I could be wrong and I wish they would correct me if I am…the US ambassador is an agent of the US. They are sent out to spread democracy, not homosexuality. But this is Obama’s new democracy. Obama’s new democracy is homosexuality and that’s why we reject it. Because this man, this man is the only judge that fought against Prop 8 in California which defended families against gay marriage. This man has plans very evident to come and teach us a lesson. The only lesson I want him to teach us are the good lessons from American. America has great things. Bring us and show us the great things. And if you want to withhold your money, keep it. We can eat bananas and mangoes before we eat your beefsteak and go to hell and damn our nation because the bible teaches that the land will be cursed because of homosexuality. So we invite Mr. Moreno to keep his beef steak. Let us eat our bananas and oranges and mangos and you can just stay out of our business.”
So even as Moreno held cordial discussions with Governor-General Colville Young this morning inside Belize House, outside sentiment against him was far from cordial.
Patrick Menzies
“I don’t care what his personal view is, but I don’t want him to bring that to Belize. If he feels that everyone should be gay, that’s his personal issue and that’s between him and God…”
Reporter
“But sir, he’s not gay…”
Patrick Menzies
“I didn’t say he was. I said if he feels that everyone should be gay…that’s an example I’m giving…if he feels that he should promote homosexuality in California, keep it in California. This is Belize CA, Central American…not Ca for California. Don’t get your CAs confused. Ca is California there…C dot A dot is Central America. Keep your trash in America.”
Will Omar Sanchez, Protesting US Ambassador’s Appointment
“Jesus Christ died for everyone…for alcoholics, LGBTs and whatnot…so the church is standing for everybody. So this is not a matter of hatred. It’s a matter of love. But the prejudice is not on our side. We are not against homosexuals, or lesbians or whatnot community. We are in favour of these people, but they are misinterpreting us as the church. So when we talk against homosexuality we are not talking about homosexuals. We are talking in favour of them because we want to help them. But they need to agree that we help them over. So it’s a matter of prejudice when they say that the church is disseminating a kind of hatred against them. So I would definitely ask the Ambassador of the US to please respect tour laws because our laws are based on moral values which we need to protect and stand on.”
Menzies led a protest of only five this morning, even though there have been many anti-homosexual voices raised in past months, especially from church related organizations. He says that he has no problem standing alone because his God is a macho God.
Patrick Menzies
“If I am far out there, I have not whipped the members of the honourable House yet…neither have I overturned your tables. I’ve never done that. If I am extreme, then Jesus Christ must be Taliban. Because he overturned tables and he whipped them. So any person out there that claims Christianity…if you believe in God, you must believe in some limp-wristed sissy that you want to call Jesus…my Jesus had a backbone. If yours doesn’t then I am sorry for you, but mine does.”
Duly recognized US Ambassador Carlos Moreno left Belize House at a few minutes to eleven. The protesters had already departed, their message sent in no uncertain terms. Mike Rudon for News Five.
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