Indeed, the moving force behind the "It Gets Better" Project seems to think that tolerance is only for sexual minorities -- and that hate speech directed against political opponents is A-OK.

As NewsBusters previously reported, Friday's "Real Time" on HBO contained some of the most vile political talk ever broadcast on national television.

In one panel segment, gay sex advice columnist Dan Savage said of Republicans, "I wish they were all f--king dead"

Now just to remind you -- the "It Get's Better" Project immediately asks you to take the following pledge when you go to its website.

THE PLEDGE: Everyone deserves to be respected for who they are. I pledge to spread this message to my friends, family and neighbors. I'll speak up against hate and intolerance whenever I see it, at school and at work. I'll provide hope for lesbian, gay, bi, trans and other bullied teens by letting them know that "It Gets Better."

Apparently, though, Dan Savage believes that this doesn't apply to Republicans (apparently not even bullied teen Republicans), because he wishes death on them. Indeed, imagine what the response would be from Savage if someone were to go on television and make the statement that he wished all homosexuals were dead -- it would be outrage at the hate and intolerance of such a statement. But Dan Savage apparently cannot tolerate a little diversity in the realm of ideas (you know -- the sort of diversity that actually makes a difference) and hates those who go against what he believes to be true.

* For an explanation fo the term "homosexualist", please clock this link.

UPDATE: Savage has offered a half-assed, half-hearted apology.

I was on Real Time with Bill Maher tonight. I was talking to someone at the party after the show, and they asked me how I thought it went. Okay, I said—and then I told them that I said something really, really stupid, half under my breath, and I was relieved that Bill and the rest of the panel didn't hear it. But folks watching the show at home might have heard it... so... I want to apologize for... um... wishing all Republicans dead.

I don't feel that way. My dad is a Republican. (Well, he says he's an independent, but he hasn't voted for a Democrat since JFK. My dad is a Republican.) I'm fond of Michael Bloomberg and William Weld and Lincoln Chafee, and I wish no harm—save the political variety—on those Republicans I loathe. Even the one Republican I really had it in for once upon a time—Ronald Reagan—managed to outlive my anger.

It was a stupid, rude, thoughtless remark. I regret it and I retract it and I apologize to anyone watching at home—particularly my father (!)—who may have heard me say it. I had a drink before the show—first and last time I've ever done that—but this wasn't a case of, "In vino, veritas."

This was a case of, "In vino, stupidtas."

Speaking as a Republican, I accept this apology to the same degree that you would accept an identical apology from a prominent Republican who stated on a national television broadcast, sotto voce, that they wished that all homosexuals were "f--king dead".