Lloydletta's Nooz and Comments

Prop 8 Overturned Again by Appeals Court

2012-02-07T20:09:00.000-06:00

Project 515 responds:

MEDIA STATEMENT

Project 515 Reacts to Prop. 8 Decision

Minneapolis, Minn. — In reaction to the decision of the United States 9th Circuit Court of Appeals affirming the unconstitutionality of Proposition 8 in California, Ann Kaner-Roth, executive director of Project 515, stated, “Project 515 supports any and all efforts to provide equal rights to same-sex couples and their families. While this decision does not have any direct effect on the 515 Minnesota laws that discriminate against same-sex couples, the fact that Prop. 8 has been found, yet again, unconstitutional is encouraging.”

The Circuit Court announced today that Proposition 8 is in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution. According to the court opinion, “The People of California may not, consistent with the Federal Constitution, add to their state constitution a provision that has no more practical effect than to strip gays and lesbians of their right to use the official designation that the State and society give to committed relationships, thereby adversely affecting the status and dignity of the members of a disfavored class.”

Prop. 8 amended the California Constitution to eliminate marriage rights for same-sex couples in November 2008. The legal team opposing Prop. 8, headed by the American Foundation for Equal Rights, argued that the State of California is in violation of the United States Constitution, which includes the right to equal protection under the law. The decision today affirms a lower court decision that also found Prop. 8 unconstitutional.

The lead attorneys in the case, Theodore Olson and David Boies, successfully argued on behalf of two same-sex couples who wish to marry but cannot because of Prop. 8.

The two attorneys were on opposite sides of the Bush v. Gore decision in the year 2000, and Theodore Olson served in the administrations of two Republican Presidents, Ronald W. Reagan and George W. Bush. Noting this, Kaner-Roth stated, “Equality is not a partisan issue. As we discuss a constitutional amendment to the Minnesota Constitution that would ban marriage for same-sex couples, we hope Minnesota voters acknowledge the fact that state constitutions and the Federal Constitution cannot and should not discriminate against Americans based on sexual orientation.”

Project 515 is a Minnesota non-profit organization working to ensure that same-sex couples and their families have equal rights and considerations under Minnesota law. There are at least 515 current state laws that discriminate against same-sex couples and their families. For more information, visit www.project515.org.

Theocrats Decide on Rick Santorum as Their "Stop Romney" Nominee

2012-01-15T16:31:00.001-06:00

Check it out at the New York Times. The story quotes the usual suspects including the FRC's Tony Perkins, who is well known for purchasing David Duke's mailing list. The leading theocrats met in Texas to discuss stopping Romney's campaign and coming to a consensus. The theocrats were concerned about Newt Gingrich's multiple marriages and attacks on Bain Capital.

They really don't have anywhere to go, since they will all suck it up and support Mitt Romney in the general anyway as Peter LaBarbera stated in a tweet:

.@lloydletta I'd vote for #Romney. But in #gop primary we socialcon Repubs need to find a #pro-life AND pro-freedom-to-oppose-homo'y cand.
— Peter LaBarbera (@PeterLaBarbera) December 31, 2011

Rose Bowl 2011 - On Wisconsin, Varsity, Bud

2012-01-02T19:06:00.002-06:00

Log Cabin Republicans of Minnesota Joins Campaign Against Marriage Amendment

2011-10-06T18:56:00.003-05:00

Log Cabin Republicans of Minnesota Enter Coalition Against Marriage Amendment
(Minneapolis, MN) – Log Cabin Republicans of Minnesota officially announced today, Thursday Oct 6, that it is joining Minnesotans United for All Families, the statewide, multi-partisan coalition working to defeat the constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in Minnesota.
Chapter President Ken Smoron described Minnesotans United as a coalition that respects and aligns with conservative values with regards to the amendment. “As Republicans, we believe in limited government and individual liberty. We believe this amendment violates both principles and will work with others, who share this view, to defeat it, ” He continues, “Log Cabin maintains the position that a constitutional amendment represents government overreach and strips the freedom of the citizenry to petition their legislators to represent their evolving views regarding marriage.”
A Minnesotans United spokesperson said, "The campaign is excited to have the support of Log Cabin Republicans. This is yet another reminder that Minnesotans from across the political spectrum agree that government should not be deciding which Minnesotans have the opportunity to marry."
The decision of Log Cabin to join the coalition comes on the heels of Minnesotans United announcing that they have hired campaign manager Richard Carlbom to lead the campaign to victory. With his diverse political background, we are confident he will maintain a strong focused message needed to succeed.
Smoron said that Log Cabin members will be active in the campaign to defeat the amendment between now and November 2012. “We call on our fellow Republicans and Republican organizations who believe in liberty and equality to join us and Minnesotans United. Get involved. Donate. Volunteer. Show your support in whichever way you know how. Let your voices be heard.” Smoron said.
Log Cabin Republicans of Minnesota joins other Republicans and Republican groups such as Rep. John Kriesel, Wheelock Whitney, RAMMA, and Susan Kimberly, to name a few, in the fight to defeat the amendment in 2012.
Log Cabin Republicans of Minnesota promotes legal equality for every Minnesota citizen regardless of biological gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or social gender role. We believe that equality can best be achieved through the conservative ideals of a smaller constitutional government that protects the unalienable rights of individuals. See our website at: http://mnlogcabin.org/. LCR Minnesota is a chapter of the national Log Cabin Republicans. Visit www.mnunited.org for more information on MN United, Richard Carlbom, and how you can be a part of the effort.

Mailing Address:
Log Cabin Republicans of Minnesota
115 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55401
US

Update: I talked with Ken Smoron briefly. He said that: "Our position is don't use the constitution to lock in social issues. These issues should be dealt with in the legislature. Our major focus this year is to defeat this amendment."

Prohibition on PBS

2011-10-03T20:59:00.003-05:00

Watch here.

Watch the full episode. See more Ken Burns.

Personal Thoughts on Perceived Sexuality

2011-07-04T08:43:00.001-05:00

Hi all-

I know it's a holiday weekend but I need to share some disappointment I have with members of the LGBT and ally community because it reached a tipping point this morning.

In the past week I've had several people, including some from the LGBT activist community, make comments mocking the perceived sexuality of Marcus Bachmann. I find this completely unacceptable. Think about the terrible example being set for kids who overhear such intimations about Marcus Bachmann.

We oppose this exact kind of mockery and bullying in the schools because kids commit suicide over these exact same jokes and perceptions.

If, by some chance, Marcus Bachmann is living a lie we should have compassion and understanding. We know what it's like to live each day hiding truth and fearing discovery by others.

I respect your right to free speech, but I must speak out when I see injustice even when they injustice is levied against those who oppose all that I am.

So please, in the future, don't spout any of this crap in my presence because I don't want to feel the need to exercise my freedom of association and walk away.

Have a happy Independence Day and keep fighting for liberty and justice for all.

-peace-
djd
Stonewall DFL Chair

Theocrat Provisions in GOP Budget Bills Poison Negotiations

2011-07-03T09:48:00.000-05:00

Doug Grow at MN Post writes:

In the end, Republicans and Dayton weren't only separated by fiscal issues. Republicans apparently were still loading bills with other goodies from their platform. In the final days of negotiations, Republicans were still insisting on legislation supporting voter ID and restrictions on abortion and stem cell research in their talks with Dayton.

After the talks had collapsed, Koch said those were matters that could have been "hammered out'' with just a bit more negotiating. Fiscal issues were the key divide, she said.

Remember that this was the same legislature whose chief "accomplishment" was the passage of the Bradlee Dean anti-gay marriage amendment.

New York Passes Same Sex Marriage Bill

2011-06-25T12:18:00.001-05:00

And the usual suspects at NOM are howling.

The GOP Will Pay a Grave Price
June 24, 2011 11:49 P.M.
By Maggie Gallagher
New York Republicans are responsible for passing gay marriage. The party will pay a grave price.

Here is what we know. In state after state, Democrats who control a chamber in support of their base have prevented votes favorable to marriage: Iowa, West Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania.

When Democrats are in the minority, they’ve demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to their base — in Wisconsin and Indiana fleeing the state to prevent a vote.

N.Y, Republicans did not have to bring gay marriage up for a vote: What does it mean that they passed gay marriage in N.Y.?

Michael Long, the Conservative-party chairman, has vowed to withhold his endorsement. The National Organization for Marriage has committed $2 million to persuading Republicans: Voting for gay marriage has consequences.

Sad that the N.Y. GOP has caved. Consequences to be continued.

However others comment:

I can't blame Maggie Gallagher for blustering and issuing threats. She really needs to distract attention from what has been one of the most dismal records of a conservative organization in memory. When NOM was founded in 2007 to be a bulwark against homosexual "marriage," only a single state recognized SSM and, I believe 2 states recognized civil unions. The issue itself was wildly unpopular, running about 65-35 against. And no politician of any significance supported it.

And today, after 4 years of Maggie Gallagher and Brian Brown's political genius? Six states comprising nearly 40 million people recognize SSM. A further 8 states recognize SSM in all but name, and a ninth is expected to join them soon. Maggie's 65-35 advantage has atrophied to somewhere between 55-45 and 51-49 and that's assuming - very optimistically - that the last 6 national polls showing majority support all overstate SSM support.

All of this in four years. Oh, and NOM's online administrator was so appalled by the way NOM has conducted itself that he defected, taking NOM's Facebook page with him, and now actively supports SSM.

This is not a record of success. Gallagher and Brown have been an abject failure and I find it hard to believe that the donors will pony up another $10 million for more of the same. We need a new organization or new leadership.

If NOM follows through on their threat, that means 2 million less being spent in Minnesota.

Pioneer Press Puts Tim Pawlenty's Presidential Announcement in Obituary Section

2011-05-28T09:25:00.002-05:00

Are they suggesting the TPAW presidential race is Dead on Arrival?

Log Cabin Republicans on HRC's Premature Endorsement of Barack Obama

2011-05-26T20:49:00.002-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: MELISSA KENNEDY
(610) 635.8427
Premature HRC Endorsement Undermines Fight for Equality

(Washington, DC) - Log Cabin Republicans firmly disagree with the Human Rights Campaign’s pre-emptive presidential endorsement before the GOP candidate has even been determined.

"By prostrating themselves before Barack Obama eighteen months before the 2012 election, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has effectively told the president that he doesn’t have to do anything more to earn gay and lesbian votes. Given his lackluster record in the fight for ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ repeal, LGBT Americans were counting on HRC to hold the president’s feet to the fire on his other campaign promises, not to become a branch of his re-election campaign," said R. Clarke Cooper, Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director. "This endorsement also sends the wrong message to potential Republican nominees. There are several possible candidates who deserve to be fairly judged on their own merits, and the dialogue on equality issues for the 2012 campaign has barely begun. This decision makes it clear that Joe Solmonese’s greatest priority is an invitation to drinks at a Democratic White House, not securing votes for ENDA, DOMA repeal, or tax equity. Such a pre-emptive endorsement is a mistake and will undermine equality efforts."
Date: 5/26/2011
Copyright 2010 Log Cabin Republicans
Blackbaud Sphere Grow v1.00
###
Log Cabin Republicans is the only Republican organization dedicated to representing the interests of gay and lesbian Americans and their allies. The 30-year old organization has state and local chapters nationwide, a full-time office in Washington, DC, a federal political action committee and state political action committees.

Bradlee Dean With Tom Prichard (MFC) and Bill Walsh (Rep Matt Dean's Aid)

2011-05-26T20:36:00.000-05:00

Photo here.

Bishop Eddie Long Settles Case With Acusers

2011-05-26T19:09:00.002-05:00

CNN has the story. Twitter is buzzing.

Party Activists Angry at John Kriesel for his Speech Against the Bradlee Dean Amendment

2011-05-23T21:30:00.000-05:00

AAARF is tweeting:

@AAARF
Andy Aplikowski
I asked if @johnkriesel was going to leave #Mngop previous asked if others wld bail on him. Asking Qs not name calling @TwoPuttTommy

wgspoulos Bill Poulos
by AAARF@
@AAARF I dropped lit for @johnkriesel and help raise PAC contributions for him. Not sure I would do that again. #hf140 #mnleg
11 hours ago

Kersten makes an interesting point for once

2011-05-22T18:03:00.000-05:00

My second recommendation: We know the precise constitutional amendment language the people will be voting on, so don't distort it.

Marriage has won in every state where the people have had an opportunity to vote on it. To date, citizens in 31 states have voted to enshrine one man-one woman marriage in their constitutions, including, most recently, the deep-blue states of California and Maine.

Yet very often, preelection polls in these states have predicted that marriage would lose. In California, an Oct. 30, 2008, poll showed the pro-gay marriage vote leading by 5 points. In Maine in 2009, the story was similar. Yet on Election Day, Californians voted 52 to 48 percent to preserve traditional marriage; in Maine the vote was 53 to 47 percent.

Why do polls consistently fail to predict voters' behavior? There are several reasons. First, many polls use misleading language. They ask people if they want to "ban" same-sex marriage instead of using the amendment language that voters will actually encounter in the polling booth. (In our state, that language is: "Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota.")

"For years, the 'ban same-sex marriage' language in polls has produced about a 6 to 10 percentage point undercount on support for traditional marriage," says Maggie Gallagher of the National Organization for Marriage. "If you want to get the least favorable result on marriage, this is the language you choose for your poll."

One reason for the undercount is that some people interpret the "ban" language as implying that same-sex marriage or homosexual relationships will somehow be criminalized or made illegal, according to Gallagher. The "ban" language also casts traditional marriage supporters in a negative light. It compels them to say they are against something, rather than allowing them to articulate what they are for.

Most important, people often hesitate to tell a pollster their true beliefs about marriage when traditional marriage supporters are routinely demonized as bigots and haters. (Katherine Kersten, Star Tribune, 5-21-2011)

This suggests to those who oppose this amendment ought to make sure to communicate, that this is a ban on same sex marriage (which is the effect of the amendment), rather than letting the proponents define the amendment and avoid the issue with "let the people vote" or saying this is about "traditional marriage". The other thing that will be important in this campaign is to get positive images of gay couples in advertising about this amendment.

In the rest of the column, Kersten whines about gay "bullies", all the while asking for civil discourse, stating that those supporting this amendment shouldn't be called "bigots". Kersten is great at name calling herself, but seems to have a problem taking it, when it is dished out back at her.

Good As You Exposes Minnesota Family Council for Their Anti-gay Animus

2011-05-22T16:41:00.000-05:00

Read the whole thing here.

House Votes to Put Bradlee Dean Amendment on Ballot - 70-62

2011-05-21T23:30:00.002-05:00

From what I saw it was party lines, except two republicans - Kriesel and Kelly, voted no. Denise Dittrich and Patti Fritz (who have voted for this amendment in the past) voted no.

Update: Ditrich and Koenen (DFL) voted yes. Krisel, Kelly, Murray and Smith (R) voted no. Bobby Champion - DFL, North Minneapolis was excused, and did not vote.

Debate on Bradlee Dean Marriage Amendment Going on Right Now

2011-05-21T20:37:00.000-05:00

Watch the debate live at the Uptake.

Sprint Pulls Ads After Getting Transgender Community Complaints

2011-05-20T16:26:00.001-05:00

From a Lloydletta reader tip. Sprint has been advertising against the T-Mobile/ATT merger. The image they used was a man with a cigar wearing a dress. More about this here. After getting criticized, Sprint has apologized for their insensitivity.

The offensive ad appeared in the Star Tribune.

Jason Lewis Compares Gays to Smokers, Drug Users and Loan Sharks in his Oped Supporting Gay Marriage Constitutional Ban

2011-05-15T16:37:00.000-05:00

Jason Lewis makes some very poor arguments for the anti-gay marriage constitutional ban in his oped here:

Let's remember, the law by definition discriminates -- against smokers, drug users, loan sharks. But heretofore, as long as it was applied with equal vigor, it passed constitutional muster. No more, now the "law itself must be equal."

Commenters weigh in:

ollie3
May. 14, 11
9:00 PM
Of course, we could just turn the headline around and say "Oh, so when it's marriage, Jason Lewis likes big government". anyhow, i do get a kick out of a person who wants to narrowly define how people can live calling others "elitists"

5012
xenonimus
May. 14, 11
9:06 PM
I think you are wrong on this one Jason. As a libertarian, I'm not a fan of the government sticking it's nose into anyone's private affairs, but when it does the laws do indeed need to be equal. As you noted, the differing tax brackets are inherently unfair. We could instead have a tax code that treats everyone exactly the same by adopting a sales tax based system that excludes food and primary housing. Everyone would benefit from the exclusions, but the poor would benefit proportunately more because most of their money is spent on food and housing. There would be no issue of fairness, only a debate on the exact percentage. Similarly, the state should be agnostic with regard to marraige. In fact, the state should only provide for civil unions for all couples, with all the same benefits and responsibilities currently associated with marraige. The various churches could then conduct marraige ceremonies with whatever rituals and/or restrictions they want. That way everyone is treated the same under the law, and seperation of church and state are strictly maintained. I could provide many other examples that would demonstrate the benefit and the need for laws to be equal, but a little bit of critical thinking should lead most any reasonable person to the same conclusion.

278
aviendha
May. 14, 11
9:23 PM
The law discriminates against smokers, drug users and loan sharks because smoking, drugs and unregulated usury all cause severe harm to both the people who engage in those activities and the surrounding community. There are countless studies supposedly demonstrating that marriage is the ideal state for the nuclear family, and that gay marriage has no negative impact on society and that children who grow up in families with gay parents are just as well-adjusted as kids who grow up with straight parents. The ONLY argument for banning gay marriage is that a minority of the population thinks it's against their personal religious beliefs, which is clearly against the UNITED STATES Constitution (First Amendment) and thus should not be included in the Minnesota Constitution.

4112
aviendha
May. 14, 11
9:34 PM
By the way, a brief Google search brings forth a PDF listing all the Minnesota Constitutional amendments. You will see from this list that every one of these amendments is to preserve our infrastructure, our natural resources and make our laws more efficient. These are all good and necessary things that benefit all our citizens or reward those who have served. OF COURSE WE OBJECT to a Constitutional amendment that only hurts citizens and benefits no one! Here are the last 10 in reverse chronological order: 2006 - To dedicate the motor vehicle sales tax to highways and public transportation. 1998 - To abolish the office of state treasurer. 1998 - To preserve hunting and fishing heritage. 1998 - To extend use of lottery for environmental trust fund. 1996 - To provide for recall of elected state officials. 1996 - To authorize a bonus for Persian Gulf War veterans. 1994 - To permit off-track wagering on horse racing in a manner prescribed by law. 1990 - To dedicate 40% of the state lottery proceeds to the environment and natural resources trust fund until the year 2001. 1988 - To permit the legislature to authorize a lottery operated by the state. 1988 - To allow the use of juries of fewer than 12 members in civil and nonfelony cases.

316
iluvminn
May. 14, 11
10:14 PM
The attack from the left is on the IDENTITY of Marriage. If identity is declared illegal, there are no longer men:women, young:old, or dogs:cats. If the left wants legal standing for homosexual relationships, they could ask. Instead, they join a growing list of activists doing a great job tearing America down. Seems everybody has plenty of reasons to hate the nation that gave so much peace, prosperity, and freedom to a world population that doesn't seem to be suffering.

841
dbsdbs
May. 14, 11
10:18 PM
Lewis says the law discriminates against smokers, drug users and loan sharks -- but that discrimination is a result of choices those folks have made. They only have to make different choices to avoid "persecution." No law should place limits on people's rights and no law should limit people based on how God has created them.

Anti-Gay Minnesota Minnesota Family Council on the Amendment to Ban Gay Marriage

2011-05-15T16:32:00.000-05:00

URGENT - Contact your State Representative and urge them to vote "yes" on marriage amendment now!

At long last the marriage amendment has passed the Senate 38-27 and is headed for the House Rules Committee. Contact your legislator and tell them to vote yes on the marriage amendment. Also, tell them that now is the time to pass the amendment and that any effort to postpone, delay or table the bill will be considered a vote against the amendment.

To email, Click here to contact your state legislator. Please contact them and urge them to vote yes on the amendment and that a vote to delay or postpone the bill will be considered a vote against the amendment. You can also include the following points:

This is about letting the people vote.
Tell them that any vote to postpone or table the bill will be considered a vote against the marriage amendment.
74 percent of Minnesotans want to vote on marriage, just like voters in 31 other states have done.
The people of Minnesota overwhelmingly believe the people of Minnesota should decide the marriage issue – not the courts or legislature.
The institution of marriage predates government and has served as the foundation of society for thousands of years. If marriage is to be redefined, it should only be society, speaking through the electorate who makes this decision.
Last year, several bills were introduced to legalize same-sex marriage in the Minnesota legislature. The only way to protect marriage is with a state constitutional amendment.
This issue has been pending for many years. Now is the perfect time to address preserving marriage between one man and one woman.
Make plans to come to the State Capitol and show your support for the marriage amendment on Monday or Tuesday.
Spread the word! CLICK HERE to visit our Facebook page with up-to-date information on the marriage amendment.

Note they still reference there own poll, while refusing to provide the questions for the poll to the public. Note they also have veiled threats against legislators who vote to table this motion.

Make a much needed donation. Fighting for the peoples right to vote on marriage costs money - and we need your financial support. Please make a generous donation now.

MN House Civil Law Committee Pushes 2011 Version of Bachmann Amendment Forward

2011-05-02T20:34:00.001-05:00

This time the wording of the amendment is marriage alone, rather than "marriage or its legal equivalent" as it was during Bachmann's days in the legislature. It was also interesting that proponent legislators didn't say much during the hearing, while opponents did. Andy Birkey has coverage of the hearing at the Minnesota Independent.

Compare and Contrast Tim Pawlenty and Fred Phelps

2011-04-26T19:54:00.000-05:00

In honor of the re=introduction of the Bachmann amendment in Minnesota, I repost the following:

Demonstrators at the 2004 Bachmann Amendment Rally at the Minnesota Constitution Express themselves. Governor Tim Pawlenty and Speaker Steve Sviggum spoke at this Rally. They have yet to make a public statement condemning the anti-gay signs at the rally.

Welcome Pharyngula readers! PZ Myers agrees with me.

Eva makes a very good point: the Republican leadership in this state seems to share Fred Phelps' values. She has photos of a rally at the capitol in support of Michele Bachmann's anti-gay amendment, a rally that was approvingly attended by our Republican governor. Those signs aren't being carried by crazed Kansans, but by people of our state with good ol' "Minnesota values".

A Pharyngula commenter notes:

You know, he's just a few punctuation marks away from an accurate placard:

"Intolerance of,
Discrimination against,
Death penalty for,
homosexuals".

As it stands he's using such a mangle of double-negatives and unknowingly ironic statements that the universe must surely be about to implode.

These people aren't the brightest bulbs....

Another commenter notes:

Of course these disgusting protests at military funerals enrage me, but I can only imagine how much righteous indignation Gov. Pawlenty would cough up if Phelps and his minions were protesting at the funerals of peace activists instead.

Another adds:

As PZ hinted, this is really about taking a popular political stand in defense of the troops. Notice that no one had proposed this kind of legislation when Phelps and his group were protesting at the funerals of gay people.

Kelly Doran, a Democratic Candidate for Governor has a letter about this:

FUNERAL PROTEST

Time for action

When six individuals who believe God is killing American soldiers because they fight for a country that tolerates homosexuals protest at the funeral of a Minnesota soldier killed in Iraq, it is time to do something drastic:

Our state and nation should move away from the kind of politics that help to create an environment of fear and intolerance.
We should quickly pass a law that would restrain or eliminate the ability to protest at funerals.
KELLY DORAN, ST. PAUL; DFL CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR

Other Strib letter writers come to similar conclusions:

Enabling hate So Gov. Tim Pawlenty attended a funeral and "was appalled by the behavior and message and insensitivity of the protesters" (Star Tribune, Feb. 24), yet he sees no connection between his support for the constitutional amendment to ban marriage or civil unions for gay couples and the division and hatred it promotes -- such as the antigay picketers at the soldier's funeral last week in Anoka. Maybe if we called it a fee rather than a marriage or a union, he'd support it. TROY TEPLEY, MINNEAPOLIS Sharing a message Outside a military funeral, they chant "God hates America." We easily recognize the hate in the actions of this antigay group from a Kansas church. Jesus weeps. Those wanting the gay-marriage-ban amendment are more subtle in their approach. Though our law already prohibits gay marriage, they tear apart churches over this amendment issue, all the while claiming not to hate gays. Jesus weeps. NANCY LEWIS, BLAINE This is nothing new I applaud the state governments that are taking steps to outlaw or limit distasteful funeral protests. However, I would like to point out that the Westboro Baptist Church has been protesting funerals for more than a decade and has visited Minnesota before. Families that have lost a gay son or daughter have had to deal with this group's demeaning tactics while they said goodbye to their loved ones. Unfortunately, it took the picketing of military funerals before any legislative action was considered. Everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, should be afforded the right to pay their final respects to the people they love in peace. RYAN BOLIN, MINNEAPOLIS

I happen to disagree with the idea of legislation for this. While I oppose what Fred Phelps and his band of lunatics says, I think a better way to respond to him is to ignore him. Phelps wants bills passed so he can challenge them on first amendment grounds. Average Gay Joe over at Gay Patriot says it well.

This may not be a popular position to take, but this bill seems to be an unconstitutional abridgement of free speech. I will admit to having probably the most unChristian view of Phelps and his coterie of nut-jobs and I also despise their protests of military funerals. These wackos offend me greatly given that I am Catholic, gay, and former military, all of which they seem to have problems with (as if I cared). I sympathize and agree with Delegate Mary-Dulany James, who sponsored the bill, that "We shouldn't have to subject any family to this. I'm stunned anybody would do that when people are grieving." These people are heartless, cruel bastards and hardly paragons of Christian morality. Yet, I do not have to like these clowns in order to stand for protecting free speech nor is it the job of government to regulate what is acceptable speech at a protest (save in very extreme cases such as incitement to violence). The First Amendment gives no guarantees that one will like what another has to say, only that they have the right to say it regardless. The provision to prohibit "obstruct[ing] mourners from funerals or burials" should pass constitutional muster and is one I could support, but not the portion to "ban protests at funerals within an hour before they start". That will be tossed out in court as it should be. It pains me to say this, but Shirley Phelps-Roper, daughter of the 'Rev.' Fred Phelps, is right when she says, "They're going to give away rights that they claim these soldiers have died for? They're going to spit in their graves - for what? Some words?'. Of course when she also adds that this proposal is "spitting in the face of God", I have to laugh. She and her group have done this so many times with their anti-Christian behavior it makes one sick.

Guest Submission by DB Reader Nick Scott

2011-04-09T19:21:00.002-05:00

Cutting the budget, raising health risks

With gas prices increasingly high and employment a major issue, many are up in arms these days. Things like high gas and low employment have driven the GOP to fire away at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and aiming to reduce their budget by a third from the 2010 slate. With a decrease of budget for an organization that’s main goal is to combat toxins and pollution, there’s certainly an increased risk of certain diseases such as asthma, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other health problems. Some of the EPA’s major projects are responsible for improving fuel economy, air quality, and drinking water, while cutting down on the health risks that are related.

The EPA’s work with air quality involves the AQMG or Air Quality Management Group. This is an organization that’s run by the EPA as a resource for state and local environment groups. Their main task is to make models and programs for these smaller groups to follow through and improve air quality with. A reduced budget could mean a decreased impact on air quality, as well as higher related health risks such as asthma and other respiratory issues.

Another of the EPA’s important issues is the Safe Water Drinking Act. Through this initiative, the EPA regulates standards for most local water systems. They also communicate with local government and water suppliers to enforce their set standards. Overseeing these systems is greatly important in the battle to reduce health problems related to contaminated water, such as Hodgkin’s disease and some forms of cancer.

The EPA does a lot of work to have asbestos material removed from older buildings all over the country. Previously used as a common building material, asbestos is now known as the cause to diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis, while both can be life threatening. With mesothelioma life expectancy being so severe, asbestos has been banned from use by most everyone. The EPA continues the removal process in a number of areas affected by asbestos and helping to put people out of danger. A reduction in resources for the EPA could mean fewer initiatives like asbestos removal which aim to keep health risk at a minimum.

It’s fairly obvious that the EPA is responsible for a number of health involved projects such as reduced water contamination, asbestos removal and air quality systems. Disregarding health risks and lowering the budget and resources of the EPA could spell life threatening issues for some.

Photos of Wisconsin's Rallies

2011-02-19T21:02:00.000-06:00

I went to the Madison, Wisconsin rallies. I took photos which are available on my flickr stream.

Bryan Fischer's Racist Rant

2011-02-10T18:17:00.000-06:00

And why did Tim Pawlenty recently appear on this guy's radio show?

Native Americans Morally Disqualified Themselves From the Land

By Bryan Fischer

In all the discussions about the European settlement of the New World, one feature has been conspicuously absent: the role that the superstition, savagery and sexual immorality of native Americans played in making them morally disqualified from sovereign control of American soil.

International legal scholars have always recognized that sovereign control of land is legitimately transferred in at least three ways: settlement, purchase, and conquest. Europeans have to this day a legitimate claim on American soil for all three of those reasons.

They established permanent settlements on the land, moving gradually from east to west, while Indian tribes remained relentlessly nomadic.

Much of the early territory in North American that came into possession of the Europeans came into their possession when the land was purchased from local tribes, Peter Minuit’s purchase of Manhattan being merely the first.

And the Europeans proved superior in battle, taking possession of contested lands through right of conquest. So in all respects, Europeans gained rightful and legal sovereign control of American soil.

But another factor has rarely been discussed, and that is the moral factor.

In the ancient tradition of the Hebrews, God made it clear to Abraham that the land of Canaan was promised to his descendants. But he told Abraham the transfer of land to his heirs could not happen for 400 years, for one simple reason: “[T]he iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete” (Gen. 15:16).

The Amorites, or Canaanite peoples, practiced one moral abomination after another, whether it was incest, adultery, sexual immorality, homosexuality, bestiality or child sacrifice, and God finally said “Enough!”

By the time he brought the nascent nation of Israel to the borders of the land flowing with milk and honey, he had already been patient with the native tribes for 400 years, waiting for them to come to the place of repentance for their socially and spiritually degrading practices.

His patience was not rewarded, and finally the day came when the sin had reached its full measure. The slop bucket was full, and it was time to empty it out. Israel under Joshua was God’s custodian to empty the bucket and start over.

The native American tribes at the time of the European settlement and founding of the United States were, virtually without exception, steeped in the basest forms of superstition, had been guilty of savagery in warfare for hundreds of years, and practiced the most debased forms of sexuality.

One of the complaints listed by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence was that King George “has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.”

The Lewis and Clark journals record the constant warfare between the nomadic Indian tribes on the frontier, and the implacable hostility of the Sioux Indians in particular.

The journals record the morally abhorrent practice of many native American chiefs, who offered their own wives to the Corps of Discovery for their twisted sexual pleasure. (Regrettably, many members of the Corps, Lewis and Clark excepted, took advantage of these offers and contracted numerous and debilitating sexually transmitted diseases as a result.)

The native American tribes ultimately resisted the appeal of Christian Europeans to leave behind their superstition and occult practices for the light of Christianity and civilization. They in the end resisted every attempt to “Christianize the Savages of the Wilderness,” to use George Washington’s phrase.

They rejected Washington’s direct counsel to the Delaware chiefs in 1779, “You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ.”

Thomas Jefferson three times signed legislation appropriating federal tax dollars for the evangelizing of the Native American tribes. It all came to nought, as one tribe after another rejected the offer of spiritual light and advanced civilization.

Missionaries were murdered in cold blood, including Marcus Whitman, who was tomahawked to death in his own house in 1848 by the Cayuse and Umatilla Indians in what became the Oregon Territory.

God explained to the nation of Israel that because of the “abomination(s)” of the indigenous Canaanite tribes, the land had become unclean and “vomited out its inhabitants (Lev. 18:25).”

Is this to say the same holds true for native American tribes today? In many respects, the answer is of course no. But in some senses, the answer is yes. Many of the tribal reservations today remain mired in poverty and alcoholism because many native Americans continue to cling to the darkness of indigenous superstition instead of coming into the light of Christianity and assimilating into Christian culture.

The continued presence of native American superstition was on full display at the memorial service for the victims of the Tucson shooter, when the “invocation” (such as it was) was offered by a native American who sought inspiration from the “Seven Directions,” including “Father Sky” and “Mother Earth,” rather than the God of the Bible.

Sadly, this column will likely generate a firestorm of nuclear proportions among wingers on the left rather than the thoughtful reflection the thesis deserves.

Even worse, the reaction will likely obscure the sobering lesson for today. America in 2011 is as guilty of “abominations” as the native American tribes we replaced. We have the blood of 53 million babies on our hands through abortion. We have normalized sexual immorality, adultery, and homosexuality, all horrors in the eyes of God, and are witnessing a surge in incest, pedophilia and even bestiality in our midst.

God warned the ancient nation of Israel not to lapse into the abominable practices of the native peoples “lest the land vomit you out…as it vomited out the nation that was before you” (Lev. 18:28).

Time eventually ran out for the Canaanites, because they filled up the full measure of their iniquity. Time ran out for the native American tribes for the same reason.

The only question that matters today is this one: how much time does America have left to repent of its superstition, its savagery and its sexual immorality before it is too late, before we will have filled up our own slop bucket and will have morally disqualified ourselves from sovereign control of our own land?

Thomas Jefferson wrote at the time of the Founding, “I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever.” It is long past time for us once again to tremble for our country.

(Unless otherwise noted, the opinions expressed are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Family Association or American Family Radio.)

The Moral Liberal contributing editor, Bryan Fischer, is Director of Issue Analysis for Government and Public Policy at the American Family Association, and is the host of the daily ‘Focal Point’ radio talk program on AFR Talk, a division of the American Family Association. ‘Focal Point’ airs live from 1-3 pm Central Time, and is also simulcast on the AFA Channel, which can be seen on the Sky Angel network. Follow Bryan on Twitter.

Will Republicans Push the Bachmann Amendment?

2011-01-17T09:46:00.000-06:00

Politics in Minnesota reports:

The new legislative order is cause for optimism in the eyes of Tom Prichard, president of the Minnesota Family Council, who has been lobbying unsuccessfully for years to get legislators to pass a ballot proposal that would change the constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

“Until both bodies shifted, we weren’t going to have an opportunity to bring it up,” Prichard noted. “This has made it a possibility.”

In Minnesota and elsewhere, bills to amend state constitutions have been a key means for Republicans to generate voter turnout by rousing their base with amendments that address themes of limited government and social conservatism.

During the 2004 presidential election year, former Republican state Sen. Michele Bachmann led a heated campaign to get her gay marriage amendment on the ballot.

Even though Minnesota has a so-called Defense of Marriage Act in statute, Bachmann raised the specter of activist judges who might rule counter to the will of the people. Similar proposals were presented to voters in states like Ohio, where they boosted turnout among conservatives.

In Minnesota, Bachmann’s bill died in the DFL-controlled Senate.

The Peter Has a Cow Over Possible DADT Repeal

2010-12-08T22:35:00.000-06:00

From Peter LaBarbera's E-Lerts:

Dear Readers, I cannot state this emphatically enough: if you do not want to see the Pentagon turned into the world's biggest homosexual activist agency, please call your U.S. Senators NOW and urge them not to repeal the military's common-sense ban on homosexuality. Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. There is a HUGE "GAY" LOBBY PUSH on this and we need everyone we can muster to call now to prevent the lame-duck Congress from homosexualizing our military!

Illinois residents: I've tried to get through to new Senator Mark Kirk but all I get is an answering machine that's full; here is a Chicago office number that works: 312-886-3506.
I am on the e-lists for the various homosexual lobby organizations, and all of them are DESPERATE to repeal the military's homosexual ban (commonly mislabeled, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell") in this lame-duck session before the arrival of a more conservative Congress. Below is an adapted portion of an alert by ultra-hateful "queer" militant Joe Jervis:

____________________________________________

Call Your Senators Now!
"[The pro-homosexual group] Servicemembers Legal Defense Network has issued an "all hands on deck" alert, asking you to call your Senators ....

If you live in the following states, call the Capitol switchboard number: 202-224-3121:

Maine
Indiana [call Sen. Lugar, who is waffling!]
Massachusetts [Sen. Scott Brown has pledged to support the repeal!]
Ohio
Missouri
West Virginia
Arkansas
Illinois (Sen. Mark Kirk: 312-886-3506)

KEY SENATORS WHO NEED TO HEAR FROM ... SUPPORTERS NOW:

--Susan Collins (R-ME)
--Olympia Snowe (R-ME)
--Richard Lugar (R-IN)
--Judd Gregg (R-NH)
--Scott Brown (R-MA)
--George Voinovich (R-OH)
--Kit Bond (R-MO)
--Joe Manchin (D-WV)
--Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
--Mark Kirk (R-IL)
__________________________________________________

The Left is furious at President Obama for his tax agreement with the Republican leadership, and they want a left-wing agenda victory badly! They don't care about the military as much as they do their powerful and well-financed LGBT allies. Don't let them use our military men and women as guinea pigs in a grand new and reckless social experiment to advance the mainstreaming of homosexuality!

Anti-Christian Joe Solmonese of the Human Rights Campaign -- the world's biggest homosexual lobby group -- just sent out another Alert urging his "gay" followers -- urging them to tell the Senate not to take a vacation in order to push through the proposed repeal of the military "gay" ban. Please call 202-224-3121 today and urge your friends to do the same -- especially if they live in one of the states above.

If you are really concerned about Social Security

2010-12-08T21:49:00.002-06:00

The tax deal wouldn't include a payroll tax holiday - which takes money out of the Social Security System. That's the type of thing that makes me dislike the Democratic agenda.

Color me irritated.

Dan Hall, Urban Ventures and the Midwest Chaplains

2010-10-27T21:06:00.001-05:00

Since state senate candidate Dan Hall has been in the news lately, I thought I'd repost this background from Lloydletta's Nooz.

Vultures Preying on the State Capitol

The Rake has an excellent article in the current issue: Church and State: The myth of separation crumbles in the halls of the Minnesota State Capitol.

It talks about Dan Hall of Midwest Chaplains who has had a prayer "ministry" at the state capitol for the last three years. Lloydletta's Nooz broke the story about Urban Ventures and the Colin Powell Youth Center signing on to Midwest Chaplains Day of Prayer for the Bachmann amendment (An image of Prayer Proclamation is available here.)

Well here's some more background on this ministry:

Chaplain Dan Hall's Wednesday prayer meeting attracts a range of high-powered guests, including lobbyists, but the group is most animated when legislators stop in to visit and pray. Thus, when Republican Representative Larry Howes of Walker was introduced, everyone straightened in their seats. "What you’re doing makes a difference here at the Capitol," Howes began. "It may not always seem that way, but I can assure you that your prayers are heard."

"What's your passion?" Hall asked.

"Politics," Howes answered, before transitioning into a detailed policy discussion about what’s really on his mind—namely, a nursing home in his district that is in danger of losing its state funding. "It's a big payroll, and the loss of that would devastate our local economy," he said.

The formerly gay man raised his hand. "Should we pray that the governor will sign the bill for the nursing home?"

"Sure," Howes replied. "Yeah."

He then launched into another passion, concerning a letter someone had sent to Republican Representative Paul Gazelka, which disapproved of his support for a measure that would ban gay marriage. According to Howes, the author works for the Crow Wing County Human Services Department. "And I want you to know that I've already looked into de-funding that agency," he announced with a pointed look at Hall.

A constituent writes a letter that the representative disagrees with. So the representative tries to defund the agency for whom the constituent works. Chilling.

According to an online resume, Dan Hall has no formal religious training nor even a formal ordination, despite serving as an assistant pastor, administrative pastor, associate pastor, and senior pastor to four congregations dating back to 1982. This is not unusual. Among some Pentecostals and members of other independent, evangelical denominations, there is an institutional suspicion of formal religious training, and many of their church leaders are not ordained, at least not in accredited seminaries or divinity schools. Instead, they are accepted as spiritual leaders on the basis of their faith, leadership, and charisma. Hall, a married father of eight, seems to have established himself in that tradition and done quite well. In addition to being founder and executive director of Midwest Chaplains and its Capitol Prayer Network, he is city chaplain of Burnsville, where he ministers to police and emergency services personnel.

Hall claims his voluntary ministry at the Capitol began after House Chaplain Lonnie Titus told him "he couldn't handle it all on his own." In contrast, Titus claims that Hall approached him about getting involved at the Capitol. Regardless of whose idea it was, nobody disputes that Hall's Capitol ministry began in the fall of 2001, when he stationed himself outside the Senate chambers and introduced himself to members.

My guess: Hall is lying on this one.

Four years later, his routine hasn’t changed much. "I come down to the Capitol after the traffic," Hall explains. "And I begin my route." He starts on the top floor of the State Office Building. "I peek my head into offices, say hello to staff and legislators and just see where that goes. I see what I can do to help, and I always try to bring God into it." When he is not busy with the individual needs of legislators and staff, Hall conducts "prayer tours" of the Capitol for groups interested in praying at the usual tour stops, such as the Senate chambers.

Hall also maintains an email list of "Capitol intercessors" whom he contacts with specific prayer requests when a "moral or spiritual issue" such as abortion, gay rights, or methamphetamine use arises. "I've been told that because I'm a chaplain I must be a Republican," Hall admitted. "I'm more conservative, yes, but really what I'm doing is based on Biblical truth. I call it 'political evangelism,' but it's not politics."

Lonnie Titus disputes Hall's depiction of his ministry. "I serve as a chaplain to all of the people [at the House of Representatives]," Titus explained. "But Dan, he's the front guy if you're pro-life, pro-marriage." The distinction is important and legal. For Dan Hall's ministry to be granted federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status as a nonprofit organization it must meet several criteria, one of the most important being that it "may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities"—even, presumably, if that means influencing God to influence legislation. Bluntly, the regulations prohibiting religious organizations from explicit political advocacy do not allow for much interpretation, and Hall—otherwise a literalist in Scriptural matters—knows it. "A lot of pastors don't stand up for issues and that’s how we got into the mess that we’re in today," Hall said. "They're all worried about losing their 'tax-exempt.'" Intentionally or not, Chaplain Dan Hall and his supporters at the Legislature may be redefining the boundaries of religious political advocacy in Minnesota.

There needs to be complaints filed with the Minnesota Department of Revenue and the IRS about this organization.

But look who walks in for a prayer:

The last guest at Chaplain Dan Hall's Wednesday prayer meeting was Duane Coleman, vice president for Development at the Colin Powell Youth Leadership Center in South Minneapolis. Supported by organizations like Best Buy, ADC, and General Mills, the center is a $12.6 million South Minneapolis project designed to help inner-city youth acquire secondary-school educations. Duane Coleman has been a repeat guest at Dan Hall's prayer gatherings, and when he arrived on this day, Hall encouraged him to describe the results of the prayers he’d received the week before.

Coleman said that, before last week, only the Senate version of the new bonding bill included cash for the Colin Powell Youth Leadership Center. "So I came last week and we prayed over this," Coleman explained. "And somehow, through divine favor, the money ended up in the House bill, too."
A late arrival, a woman in the back of the room, raised her hand. "Is your group Christian?"

Coleman nodded vigorously. "Yes."

"So what are we praying for today?"

"Success in conference committee!" Coleman replied.

Like many before him, Coleman stood before the group with his eyes closed as the Cannon Falls ladies and Myrna Howes prayed for him. "Lord, my husband is a legislator and I know he received a lot of letters on behalf of this saying it won't do anything," Howes intoned. "Well, I hope those letters to turn to dust."
With that, the meeting was over. The group quickly dispersed into dimly lit Capitol hallways filled with legislators on their way to lunch. Charlotte Herzog, however, stopped to tell me how much she appreciates Dan Hall’s ministry at the Capitol. "You know," she said. "Prayer is just so much more effective than all those committee hearings and meetings."

I guess on this one, my prayers were answered. The taxpayers were saved from subsidizing the Colin Powell Boondoggle. It was stripped from the conference committee.

Shelley Madore Goes After John Kline for His Vote Against Anti-Bullying Legislation

2010-10-08T15:32:00.001-05:00

Dear ,

My name is Shelley Madore and I am running for Congress in Minnesota's Second District. First and foremost, however, I am the mother of two incredible children.
Recently, incumbent John Kline voted down legislation designed to prevent harassment, humiliation, and torturous bullying of our children. The legislation was appropriately titled, “The Safe Schools Improvement Act (SSIA)”. The SSIA would call on schools and districts that receive federal funds to adopt anti-bullying policies and codes of conduct that specifically prohibit bullying or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation and perceived or actual gender identity. More than 120 organizations supported this legislation including ARC, PACER Center,
and the Autism Society.

As anyone who has been through adolescence knows, harassment and bullying can take an incredible toll on a child’s education and daily mental and physical well-being. As a mother of two children with disabilities, this resonates even more.

How could any rational adult deny our children a safe school environment?

John Kline did.

While in school, our children deserve an atmosphere where they can be themselves, without ridicule or bullying of any kind. We all know that growing up is difficult and that life won’t always present us with situations that are fair. But our kids deserve an educational environment that encourages healthy growth and learning.

If the Republicans take over Congress, incumbent John Kline stands to become the head of the House Education Committee. When our children board the bus each morning, as parents we expect that they will be safe in school. If John Kline remains in Congress, we stand to lose that assurance.

As your next Congressperson, I will work hard to provide a world-class education for every American. But I need your help. Our school children need your help!

Don’t let John Kline become the next Education Committee Chair.

Please, go to MadoreForCongress.com and make a contribution of $50, $100, $250 or whatever you can
afford.

I ask for your support. Click HERE to contribute today.

Together, we can assure that our children are safe from harm in school.

Sincerely,

Shelley Madore

Anti-Gay Activist Bishop Eddie Long Accused of Sexually Harrassing Teen Age Male Parishioners

2010-09-23T20:14:00.002-05:00

More here.

NOM Loses Big in DC Ward 5

2010-09-14T22:44:00.002-05:00

They spent big trying to effect the Ward 5 Primary in DC. They lost big. Their candidate, Delano Hunter got 17% of the vote in the primary. I doubt they will be tweeting about that one.

Tom Emmer's Toxic Personality Alienating Business Supporters

2010-09-12T18:43:00.001-05:00

So they are moving to Tom Horner. The Strib has the story.

Theocrats Upset About Being Treated Like Cheap Dates By Republicans

2010-09-08T20:30:00.002-05:00

From Focus on the Family's Citizen Link:

SOCIAL ISSUES STILL RESONATE

Nevertheless, Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellow Ministries, president of the Colson Center and catalyst behind The Manhattan Declaration, cautioned Republicans not to be overly confident with an "economics alone" strategy.

A political tactician in his own right, Colson wrote on www.ManhattanDeclaration.org:

We have just learned that the Republican congressional leadership--feeling supremely confident that they can win back Congress campaigning only on economic issues--seems poised to promote a midterm election agenda that does not even mention the party's historical commitment to life, marriage and religious liberty.
…
We long for the day when both of our great political parties embrace a culture of life, a defense of the traditional family, and a commitment to religious liberty. For the one party which has in recent years officially supported these issues to now retreat would be a dreadful and highly symbolic act.
…
We also ask you to e-mail the offices of Republican House leader John Boehner and Republican Whip Eric Cantor urging them not to backtrack on the Republican Party's commitment to life, liberty, and traditional marriage. Or you can call Rep. Boehner's office at (202) 225-4000, or Rep. Cantor's office at (202) 225-0197.

Some high-profile conservative leaders have in recent weeks weakened their support of traditional marriage. We know the supporters of so-called gay "marriage" are well-financed and aggressive. But this struggle within the Republican Party tells us we've got to do a better job of making our case.

Use the arguments so well articulated in the Manhattan Declaration. And remember, your job is not just to sign a statement or even get others to do so, important as that is; it is for you to become an advocate.

Minnesota Republican governor candidate, Tom Emmer is running away from emphasizing social issues during the campaign, preferring to appeal on these issues under the radar. Teresa Collett, who testified in favor of the Federal Marriage Amendment is saying squat about that issue in her campaign for congress against Betty McCollum.

Theocrats are like Cockroaches

2010-08-30T21:43:00.001-05:00

When someone shines a light on them, they run for cover.

Ken Blackwell Fires Shot Across the Bow to the Republican Party

2010-08-26T21:44:00.002-05:00

Fox News:

Republican leadership is working hard to prevent a party split. Millions of Tea Party supporters are justifiably fed up with the GOP, and threatening to abandon the GOP in favor of a third party if Republicans do not fully attack out-of-control federal spending and power with a commitment to constitutional government.

That danger cuts both ways.

Social conservatives cannot be played as fools by the Republican Party. They are not “useful idiots.” If Republican leaders abandon social conservatives and the party platform, then they will face the same kind of disaster they could be facing if Tea Partiers abandon the GOP. -- Millions of social conservatives will either stay home, or will vote for a third-party candidate who takes up the mantle of marriage, life, faith and family.

Now even anti-gay activist candidates such as Michele Bachmann and Theresa Collett are downplaying their support of constitutional amendments to ban gays from participating in the institution of marriage. Collett testified in favor of the Federal Marriage Amendment. Now on her campaign website, the issue is nowhere to be found.

Peter LaBarbera Has the Vapors Over Former RNC Chair Ken Mehlman Coming Out of the Closet

2010-08-26T20:31:00.003-05:00

Americans for Truth:

Indeed, the former Republican chief is just one of several political VIPs whose homosexuality Rogers correctly exposed — giving added credence to Rogers’ accusations against his latest target, Illinois Republican and U.S. Senate hopeful Rep. Mark Kirk. Here is a piece in Chicago’s HillBuzz blog — run by homosexuals — that claims that both Kirk and Illinois Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Peoria) are homosexuals. (Both Kirk and Schock have denied that they are homosexuals.)

Homosexuals have the complete freedom to compete in the battle for control of the Republican Party, but they shouldn’t do so in secret. Republicans deserved a party chairman who was really working to defend tradtional marriage, not a fake conservative like Mehlman who, as a covert “gay” activist, was actually working to undermine it. Too bad Steele couldn’t find words to address that aspect of the Mehlman story instead of acting like the embrace of homosexuality is a swell thing.

What got Peter's undies in a bunch? Party chair, Michael Steele, said positive things about Ken Mehlman coming out as gay.

LaBarbara is shocked, shocked I tell you:

The latest GOP hypocrisy: Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele’s congratulatory words for former RNC chief Ken Mehlman, who has confirmed longstanding rumors that he (Mehlman) is a practicing homosexual.

The Washington Post reports that Steele said this about Mehlman’s “coming out”:

’I am happy for Ken,’ Steele said. ‘His announcement, often a very difficult decision which is only compounded when done on the public stage, reaffirms for me why we are friends and why I respect him personally and professionally.’”

Why couldn’t Mr. Steele just have kept quiet about this tragic revelation by which another sexually confused man seeks to rationalize his misbehavior (sin) by declaring homosexuality part of his inherent being? Nope, instead, like a three-year-old boy approaching a puddle, Steele just had to step in it.

Anti-Gay Activist Peter LaBarbera Gets His Undies in a Bunch Over Ann Coulter

2010-08-21T14:23:00.002-05:00

Welcome Gay Patriot readers.

Gay Patriot has the story about anti-gay activist Peter LaBarbera calling on Ann Coulter to donate her speaking fees from GOP Proud to anti-gay groups.

Image of National Organization for Marriage/Minnesota Family Council Mailer Going After Paul Koering

2010-08-19T20:25:00.003-05:00

Paul Gazelka, who won the primary distanced himself from the mailing publicly. NOM refused to comment when contacted by local media.

Shadow Group Forms in Anoka Hennepin School District To Oppose "Gay Agenda" In the Schools

2010-08-19T18:21:00.003-05:00

It's the Parents Action League. They have put alot of effort into hiding who they are.

The group's concerns include:

The pro-gay activist teachers who fail to abide by district policies and use their classroom to promote their personal agenda(s)

An increase in pro-gay curriculum materials and resources used in our schools
The health risks to students who are affirmed and labeled as "gay" and who may participate in homosexual acts

Lack of resources and assistance for those students seeking to leave the homosexual lifestyle

The first middle school Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) at Anoka Middle School for the Arts

There are no names associated with the group, though, Barb Anderson, MFC employee has been active with promoting anti-gay hysteria within the Anoka Hennepin School District. Some of Anderson's letters to the editor are quoted on the PAL website.

Anderson also recently was a guest on hate-monger Bradlee Dean's radio show. On the show, she gloats about how as one person, she has become very powerful within the Anoka Hennepin School District.

Governor candidate Tom Emmer has been harshly criticised for his connections to Bradlee Dean. In response, he gave a statement to the Minnesota Independent distancing himself from Dean:

“You Can Run But You Cannot Hide International is a ministry based in Annandale, a few miles north of Tom’s home town Delano. As a representative of the Wright County area, Tom has met with many, perhaps most of the residents of the area, and has doorknocked across the county.

Tom did meet Bradlee Dean while campaigning, and may have doorknocked his house.

Tom has also appeared on AM1280 and KKMS, including on Bradlee Dean’s radio show. Tom has appeared on many other radio stations and shows as well.

Tom is not a donor to the You Can Run But You Cannot Hide ministry, and has never appeared as a spokesman at one of their fundraising events. He did attend a meet-and-greet before a fundraising event held by the ministry to mingle with the hundreds of attendees.

Tom’s position on social issues has been very clear and consistent. He is a supporter of traditional marriage, and he strongly opposes any kind of violence or unfair discrimination against any group.

Some of Bradlee Dean's greatest hits include:

Muslims are calling for the executions of homosexuals in America. This just shows you they themselves are upholding the laws that are even in the Bible of the Judeo-Christian God, but they seem to be more moral than even the American Christians do, because these people are livid about enforcing their laws. They know homosexuality is an abomination.

On his website, Dean states he was taken out of context. However you can listen to the full context of his remarks in the above video.

Dean went on to state:

The bottom line is this… they [homosexuals] play the victim when they are, in fact, the predator. On average, they molest 117 people before they’re found out. How many kids have been destroyed, how many adults have been destroyed because of crimes against nature?

Barb Anderson is an employee of the Minnesota Family Council. The MFC frequently claims they are not a hate group. Why do they send their employees on a radio show that regularly spews hatred for gays?

Tom Emmer Bravely Runs Away from Greater Minnesota Cities Debate

2010-08-17T21:20:00.002-05:00

Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities:

The Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities is excited to be joined by gubernatorial candidates Mark Dayton and Tom Horner for a forum on rural issues at our annual summer conference, Thursday, August 19, at 4:00 p.m. in Winona. We look forward to hearing how their visions for improving the economic viability of our communities fit into their overall solutions for bridging the state’s $6 billion budget gap.

There is no better opportunity to explain why you will be a champion for rural Minnesota than by debating the other candidates for governor in front of the mayors, city council members, and city staff that make up the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities. That is why we are disheartened that Rep. Emmer has declined this opportunity. We hope Rep. Emmer reconsiders his invitation and joins Mark Dayton and Tom Horner in an open and honest conversation on the issues that will affect the 2.4 million Minnesotans living in greater Minnesota. We also hope Rep. Emmer reevaluates the message that his absence at this critical forum sends to greater Minnesota communities.

Emmer probably didn't want to answer questions about Local Government Aid.

Log Cabin Republicans on Tom Emmer and Bradlee Dean

2010-08-15T19:30:00.003-05:00

According to Mark Knief President of Log Cabin Republicans of Minnesota, Tom Emmer did offer to speak to Log Cabin Republicans last winter prior to the endorsement. "We haven't worked out the arrangements yet."

"We haven't decided whether to endorse Tom Emmer for Governor - or to make any endorsements with the slate of constitutional offices."

I asked for his comment about the Republican Party and Tom Emmer's relationship with Bradlee Dean and You Can Run But You Cannot Hide, and he said: "Bradlee Dean and You Can Run But You Cannot Hide are Extremists, and the Party should distance themselves from them."

"There is no doubt in my mind that the general tide is turning within the Republican Party. I think this is the theocratic right's last stand."

I also asked about legislative candidate endorsements, and Mark said they endorsed a number of candidates, and that "The pro-equality candidates are typically city candidates and candidates all over the state are more willing to be educated."

Jim Abler on Tom Emmer: "He Has UnResolved Anger Issues Towards Me"

2010-08-15T09:49:00.002-05:00

This raises the issue: Why Would the Chamber of Commerce support Tom Emmer? Repost of Lloydletta's Nooz, March 12, 2008.

Emmer Shows Up at Abler's Convention
Dear Colleagues,

You may be wondering why I am behaving as I have been since my convention voted 58-42 to ratify my votes and actions over my 10 years.

Shockingly to me, Rep Emmer showed up at the convention on Saturday around 9:45, declaring himself as representing the caucus. “Marty went south, and I went north.”

Following a nice commendation of Rep Hackbarth for providing good representation of his district (no mention of me), Tom went onto bash the “Democrat transportation tax bill.” The entire speech lasted 7 or 8 minutes, during which time the crowd got actively engaged, since as a group they were about 3:1 opposed to the bill and many were angry at me anyway. When comments came about “those 6 republicans” Tom gestured in an encouraging way, and crowd whipped into a frenz y against those 6 (including me) resembling an Obama rally. There was no doubt as to the local object of this aggression, me. As he closed, he received tumultuous applause and left.

When David Olson of the Mn Chamber arrived, he was treated harshly by the crowd and booed due to the firey mood of the crowd after Emmer’s speech.

When I approached Marty prior to the convention for a letter stating that I had been a good caucus member except for this singular vote with which he vehemently disagreed, he declined stating that didn’t I remember that the caucus was not going to do any help in my election. Which I accepted.

What shocked me is that the caucus would send Tom Emmer who has obvious and unresolved anger issues toward me and expect his appearance in already tense situation to go well. I think in human resource circles they call this the Worst Possible Decision.

I have been a member of the caucus for 10 years, but cannot recall even any stories about the caucus attacking a sitting member during an endorsing process, especially when the opponent is “no endorsement” and particularly when that member is supported by business and the MCCL.

The caucus punishment story about us 6 had died down with the advent of the budget forecast and the governor’s response. The Emmer rant at my convention has given all of this retribution talk new life, and we are now becoming known as the party of the robot.

I think we had better look inside each of ourselves and see where we are going to wind up politically and as a coalition.

I am sending this to members and staff both, because we are all in this together. There has been too much silence already, and this matter has escalated way too far. All our loyal crew deserves to know what is going on and what transpired.

Now you know what happened.

If you don’t happen to see me at caucus, you shouldn’t be surprised. It is hard to leave your backside open to a “family” who has tried to blatantly defeat you.

State Rep. Jim Abeler
Former Minority Lead
Health and Human Services Finance
Room 203 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155

Rachel Maddow on MN Governor's Race

2010-08-09T22:50:00.003-05:00

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/ns/msnbc_tv-rachel_maddow_show/#38633909

She shares the great stories about Bradlee Dean, Tom Emmer Target, Tim Pawlenty and his mosque panic, et al.

Good times

Is NOM Backfiring on Paul Gazelka

2010-08-09T20:22:00.002-05:00

The National Organization for Marriage paid for some ads that attacked openly gay Republican Paul Koering. Now Paul Gazelka, his opponent is distancing himself from those ads. Are the ads backfiring on Gazelka?

My Letter to the Target CEO

2010-08-06T18:34:00.002-05:00

Nothing is more irritating than the 'non-apology' apology.

I read the text of your 8/5/10 letter on the Star Tribune website. I didn't see any acknowledgement that making the $150k donation to Minnesota Forward was a mistake, nor did I see an apology for making the donation. What I did read was was that you were sorry that your decision hurt some feelings, and you're planning on some meetings to talk about diversity. In the sole interest of supporting 'a business climate conducive to growth' (maybe), Target's generosity is helping a candidate for governor who is, in my opinion totally unsuitable for the role of governor. Have you paid any attention to Rep. Emmer's prior speeches and writings? Have you heard any specifics about his plan to make massive cuts in state spending? Did you ever watch him in action on the floor of the Minnesota House?

I know many smart, intuitive, ambitious people who have been successful in careers with Target. I would suggest that Target wouldn't be able to hire Mr. Emmer for any sort of management role - if he had to take the personality test. If he answered the questions honestly, he would not fit the profile of a successful leader at Target. Further, based on my understanding of the Target corporate culture, Rep. Emmer's unwillingness to present any specific plans that support his rhetoric would not be acceptable to Target management. Nobody (including Mr. Emmer's supporters) is holding him accountable for his rhetoric.

And yet, in the interest of 'a business climate conducive to growth ' (maybe), you think it's a good idea to have him in the governor's office for four years. I am stunned at the prospect.

I am in the process of transitioning my pharmacy needs from Target to Walgreens. I'm probably going to lose some savings and convenience, but I'm okay with that loss.

I have no idea whether this dust-up has caused any harm to your company, other than bad publicity - I'm sure somewhere there is a forecast model being updated that addresses a loss of sales, but it may not be significant to the overall corporate results.

But, be assured, I will never again spend another dollar at Target, and I am encouraging friends and family to do the same.

Excellent Prediction of WWKD (What Would Anthony Kennedy Do?)

2010-08-05T19:25:00.002-05:00

Wall St Journal:

Scalia Was Right
Why the same-sex marriage ruling will stand.

By JAMES TARANTO

For the first time, a federal judge has held that the Constitution mandates the legal redefinition of marriage. The California Supreme Court had reached a similar conclusion in 2008, and voters responded by amending the state constitution via a ballot measure known as Proposition 8. If yesterday's ruling is eventually upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, it would mandate same-sex marriage nationwide. The Los Angeles Times describes the ruling in Perry v. Schwarzenegger:

"California 'has no interest in differentiating between same-sex and opposite-sex unions,' U.S. District Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker said in his 136-page ruling. . . .
Previous court decisions have established that the ability to marry is a fundamental right that cannot be denied to people without a compelling rationale, Walker said. Proposition 8 violated that right and discriminated on the basis of both sex and sexual orientation in violation of the equal protection clause, he ruled.
"Walker stayed his ruling at least until Friday, when he will hold another hearing," the Times reports. Presumably it will be appealed to the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. That circuit is notoriously liberal, so one would expect the ruling would be likelier than not to be upheld, whereupon it would go to the Supreme Court.

If the Ninth Circuit upholds Walker's decision, the Supreme Court would almost certainly agree to hear an appeal, which would present the practical equivalent of a circuit split. Although this is, so far as we know, a novel question for U.S. appellate courts, such a ruling by the Ninth Circuit would establish same-sex marriage as a federal constitutional right within that court's jurisdiction (nine Western states plus a couple of insular territories), at a time when it is illegal in all but a handful of other states.

So how would the Supreme Court rule? In the sense that it is a speculative question, nobody really knows. The New York Times has an amusingly uninformative piece, the gist of which is that hardly anyone is willing to venture a prediction:

Professor [Doug] NeJaime suggested the case might turn on the court's traditional swing vote, Anthony M. Kennedy, who has shaped decisions that struck down laws that discriminated against gay men and lesbians. The rational basis test used by Judge Walker is in line with the standard used by Justice Kennedy in cases like Lawrence v. Texas, which struck down a state sodomy law. By structuring an opinion that allows the Court to use the lower level of scrutiny, Judge Walker "is speaking to Justice Kennedy," he said.
Professor Jesse H. Choper, a professor of law at the University of California, Berkeley, said that it was too soon to tell which way Justice Kennedy might come down on the issue of same-sex marriage. "I have no way of predicting how he'd come down on this, and I don't think he does, either, at this point."
So it all comes down to that wild and crazy Justice Kennedy, and by gosh, you just never know what he's going to do!

We disagree, and we are prepared to offer up a prediction: When the Supreme Court takes up Perry v. Schwarzenegger--perhaps under the name Brown v. Perry or Whitman v. Perry--the justices will rule 5-4, in a decision written by Justice Kennedy, that there is a constitutional right to same-sex marriage.

This accepts the conventional assumption that the court's "liberal" and "conservative" wings will split predictably, 4-4. Yet while Kennedy cannot be pigeonholed in terms of "ideology," on this specific topic, he has been consistent in taking a very broad view of the rights of homosexuals. He not only voted with the majority but wrote the majority opinions in two crucial cases: Romer v. Evans (1996) and Lawrence v. Texas (2003).

Romer struck down an amendment to the Colorado Constitution that nullified state or local ordinances barring discrimination on the basis of "homosexual, lesbian or bisexual orientation, conduct, practices or relationships." This provision, adopted by ballot initiative, violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, Justice Kennedy wrote for the court:

We must conclude that Amendment 2 classifies homosexuals not to further a proper legislative end but to make them unequal to everyone else. This Colorado cannot do. A State cannot so deem a class of persons a stranger to its laws.
In Lawrence, the court overturned a 1986 ruling and held that state laws criminalizing consensual homosexual sodomy violated the constitutional right of privacy:

In our tradition the State is not omnipresent in the home. And there are other spheres of our lives and existence, outside the home, where the State should not be a dominant presence. Freedom extends beyond spatial bounds. Liberty presumes an autonomy of self that includes freedom of thought, belief, expression, and certain intimate conduct. The instant case involves liberty of the person both in its spatial and more transcendent dimensions.
In his Perry ruling, Judge Walker cited both Romer and Lawrence, arguing that their logic leads inexorably to a finding that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right. One jurist who agrees is Justice Antonin Scalia, who sharply dissented in Lawrence (citations omitted):

Today's opinion dismantles the structure of constitutional law that has permitted a distinction to be made between heterosexual and homosexual unions, insofar as formal recognition in marriage is concerned. If moral disapprobation of homosexual conduct is "no legitimate state interest" for purposes of proscribing that conduct, and if, as the Court coos (casting aside all pretense of neutrality), "[w]hen sexuality finds overt expression in intimate conduct with another person, the conduct can be but one element in a personal bond that is more enduring," what justification could there possibly be for denying the benefits of marriage to homosexual couples exercising "[t]he liberty protected by the Constitution"? Surely not the encouragement of procreation, since the sterile and the elderly are allowed to marry. This case "does not involve" the issue of homosexual marriage only if one entertains the belief that principle and logic have nothing to do with the decisions of this Court.
Those who see Justice Kennedy's position in Perry as difficult to predict in effect entertain "the belief that principle and logic have nothing to do" with his decisions on the court. Is this belief justified?

In arguing that it is, one might point to Boy Scouts of America v. Dale , a 2000 case in which Kennedy joined Chief Justice William Rehnquist's 5-4 opinion striking down New Jersey's effort, pursuant to state antidiscrimination laws, to force the Boy Scouts to admit gays. But this was not in reality a decision against gay rights; it was a decision in favor of the scouts' rights to free expression and association. Kennedy's vote in this case showed him to be more principled than the court's liberals in his adherence to the First Amendment.

In Perry, however, the defendants are unlikely to be able to counter the plaintiffs' claims by arguing that forcing states to recognize same-sex marriage violates anyone's individual rights. Their appeals are to tradition, morality and the collective right of the people to self-government--worthy arguments, we would say, but ones Justice Kennedy has already rejected in Romer and Lawrence.

As to why we think Kennedy will write the decision, that's easy: The writing of opinions is assigned by the most senior justice in the majority, and Kennedy is now the court's most senior member outside the conservative bloc.

Some proponents of same-sex marriage have argued that bringing this litigation now was a foolish move. "The Supreme Court, they reasoned in early 2009, was not ready to declare a right to SSM," as Dale Capenter puts it at Volokh.com. "Premature litigation, they feared, would do more harm than good. . . . Well, nothing has changed." Purely as a bit of strategic analysis, this argument seems wrong to us.

Arguably "nothing has changed" since 2009 in terms of either side's prospects for success before the Supreme Court. But with four justices now in their 70s, including Kennedy, the makeup of the court is likely to change considerably over the next decade.

The direction of that change depends on who is president and on the partisan split in the Senate, which means that it is anyone's guess. Plausible scenarios for just three years from now range from President Obama and a modest Democratic majority to a conservative Republican president and a large GOP majority.

The former outcome would produce a court more amenable to same-sex marriage, but as a hedge against the latter--which, by the way, now seems likelier than it did in 2009--it was smart for the plaintiffs to move ahead when they did, so that they are almost assured of reaching the Supreme Court while Justice Kennedy is still there.

Tom Emmer Becoming National Anti-Gay Bogeyman

2010-08-05T18:44:00.003-05:00

From the Huffington Post analysing Obama's tepid response to Prop 8 overturn:

Still, it's probably unfair of me to single out the White House and the president for this shameful display of muddle-mouthed lip service. After all, they're just behaving like typical Democrats. Sure, there are individual exceptions, but as a general rule, Democrats treat the LGBT community as a captive constituency. They may not be able or willing to come out in favor of gay marriage, but at least they aren't Republicans, right? Democratic party leaders may oppose gay marriage -- or at least demonstrate a studied unwillingness to take a stand on the issue. But at least they aren't Tom Emmer -- openly hostile to equal rights of any kind and friendly with groups who take a Uganda-esque view of homosexuality -- right? That counts for something, doesn't it?

OutFront Action has compiled Tom Emmer's anti-gay voting record. It goes beyond supporting the Bachmann amendment.

Evan Wolfson v Maggie Gallagher on AC 360 Respond to Prop 8 Ruling

2010-08-05T05:57:00.001-05:00

LA Times: Ruling Likely to Convince Justice Kennedy

2010-08-05T00:17:00.001-05:00

LA Times:

At least some legal experts said his lengthy recitation of the testimony could bolster his ruling during the appeals to come. Higher courts generally defer to trial judges' rulings on factual questions that stem from a trial, although they still could determine that he was wrong on the law.

John Eastman, a conservative scholar who supported Proposition 8, said Walker's analysis and detailed references to trial evidence were likely to persuade U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, a swing vote on the high court, to rule in favor of same-sex marriage.

"I think Justice Kennedy is going to side with Judge Walker," said the former dean of Chapman University law school.

Barry McDonald, a constitutional law professor at Pepperdine University, said Walker's findings that homosexuality is a biological status instead of a voluntary choice, that children don't suffer harm when raised by same-sex couples and that Proposition 8 was based primarily on irrational fear of homosexuality "are going to make it more difficult for appellate courts to overturn this court's ruling."

Prop 8 Overturned in Federal Court

2010-08-04T21:26:00.000-05:00

Proposition 8, the California Constitutional Amendment banning gay couples from participating in the institution of marriage has been overturned in federal court. From the decision:

Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples. Because California has no interest in discriminating against gay men and lesbians, and because Proposition 8 prevents California from fulfilling its constitutional obligation to provide marriages on an equal basis, the court concludes that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.

Where is the self-described "tip of the spear" with the "titanium spine"?

Liberty Counsel is blaming the Alliance Defense Fund for the loss.

The screeching and whining from the usual suspects is expected. Pam Spaulding has an amusing collection.

Ruling here.

Dale Carpenter opines on the decision here.

Alpha Dog of the Week - George Rekers

2010-05-06T21:11:00.001-05:00

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Alpha Dog of the Week - George Rekers

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor

Fox News

Tom Emmer on the Age of the Earth

2010-05-02T22:37:00.000-05:00

Leslie Davis Will Challenge Endorsed GOP Candidate Tom Emmer in the Republican Primary

2010-05-02T20:25:00.001-05:00

I don't think he'll get very far.

Leslie Davis for Governor
www.LeslieDavis.org

May 2, 2010

FAX 1 PAGE, NO COVER
IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Leslie Davis 612/522-9433

Leslie Davis to the primary

Leslie Davis officially announced today that he will enter the August 10th Republican Party gubernatorial primary election.

Davis said, “I will not sit idly by while Tom Emmer, the endorsed Republican Party candidate for Governor, and his cohorts, Coleman, Weber, Palin, Gingrich, et al, further the financial destruction of Minnesota and America. At this critical time in our history, having an insurance company lawyer representing our great state and the wonderful people of Minnesota is abhorrent to me.”

Had Mr. Seifert been the endorsed candidate I could have supported him because he would have supported the Davis Money Plan. Tom Emmer wouldn’t even read it. Even though I disagree with Mr. Seifert on the expansion of nuclear power and continuing the drug war, he is an ethical and reasonable man who, over time, may have been influenced to re-consider his position on those issues.

On the contrary, I have observed Tom Emmer carefully during the many months of campaigning and I have determined that he is a shallow, mean-spirited demagogue. While it is no secret that Emmer is an insurance company lawyer, he often obfuscated that fact by referring to himself as a small business owner. No one I know considers a lawyer a small business owner. Emmer has sworn an oath to the judiciary (MS 358.07) and that is where his loyalty lies. He cannot serve fairly.

Davis said he will continue his quest for the Governorship because his Money Plan is the only way to restore Minnesota's economy and balance the budget. Implementing the Davis Money Plan will create jobs and the cash flow needed by the economy with no new debt, no new taxes, and no cuts to programs.

The Davis Money Plan provides for a statute that will enable state-regulated banks to create the money, just like they do now when they make loans, to pay for the construction and maintenance of all Minnesota roads and bridges. The exception is that under the Davis Plan, the new electronic numbers will be an evidence of wealth not debt. Remember, “you can’t pay debt with debt and get out of debt.”

-30-

Amy Klobuchar Compared to Michele Bachmann at GLBT Rally

2010-04-23T22:13:00.003-05:00

Andy Birkey at Minnesota Independent has the story.

I called Klobuchar's office for comment. They indicated they were aware of the story, but their communications person didn't return my call to comment on it. I also contacted Monica Meyer from Outfront Minnesota for comment, and she has not returned my call.

Several hundred LGBT-equality supporters rallied at the State Capitol Wednesday to urge elected officials to move forward on key provisions such as same-sex marriage, a repeal of the military’s ban on openly LGBT servicemembers, and LGBT-inclusive immigration reform. Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Rep. Michele Bachmann were the expected targets of rally attendees, who say both are detrimental to LGBT rights. But Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar drew a surprising amount of criticism — from a community that votes largely DFL — for her lack of leadership on several key pieces of legislation.

Wes Davey of Veterans for Peace was especially critical of Klobuchar. Davey — who served in the armed forces for three decades, including in Iraq and Kuwait — has been working toward a repeal of the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. He praised Sen. Al Franken for being among 25 Senate cosponsors of a bill to repeal the policy as well as House repeal supporters Reps. Tim Walz, Betty McCollum, Keith Ellison and James Oberstar.

“Unfortunately, Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s name is absent form the list of cosponsors; her lack of support for the repeal is difficult to understand,” he said. “Despite our campaign contributions and our overwhelming support for her during the 2006 election, Sen. Klobuchar’s lack of support has put her in the company of Michele Bachamnn, Tim Pawlenty, John Kline and Collin Peterson.”

“I’m asking you here today to say enough is enough.”

Davey and a woman held up a sign bearing Klobuchar’s office phone number. “Join me in making a daily phone call,” he said. “Please get out your cell phone right now and take down her Washington phone number. If you are visually impaired, I will read that for you: 202-224-3244.”

I hope the Minnesota Independent follows up with Klobuchar to get a comment.

Sue Ek Running King Banaian's Campaign

2010-04-07T21:05:00.002-05:00

From Sue Ek's facebook:

King Banaian recently asked me to run his campaign and I was honored to accept. Besides that and the other interests listed above, I run a national non-profit organization representing the Billings Ovulation Method that has its world headquarters in Australia. Our website is www.boma-usa.org.

Sue Ek lived in St Paul, but ran for a St Cloud seat in a special election for the state house. She had to pull out of the election because her residency in the district was challenged in court.

Good for the Campaign Finance Board

2010-03-26T18:28:00.001-05:00

Minn Post:

The ruling was sought by Hennepin County (PDF), when four of its board members — Mike Opat, Peter McLaughlin, Mark Stenglein and Randy Johnson — were invited to participate in opening day ceremonies. Those were the four who faced public wrath when they voted in favor of using a special Hennepin County sales tax to fund the public's portion of the new ballpark.

Opat will play the biggest role in opening day ceremonies, because he played the biggest role in pushing the measure, which did not allow a public referendum, through a reluctant Legislature. He's to be one of four people throwing out the first pitch at the first regular-season home game.

Opat, it should be noted, will have a seat because he had purchased a season-ticket package through regular means.

But even though the others were asked by the team to participate in the ceremonies and even though the team was willing to sell them seats at face value, the campaign finance board answered with a resounding "No!"

Purchasing those tickets, the board ruled, would be a gift.

News Footage Documenting Milk/Moscone Assassination

2010-03-18T00:17:00.003-05:00

Blogswarming ENDA

2010-03-17T22:45:00.001-05:00

There is now a blogswarm to get Nancy Pelosi to take some leadership on ENDA, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. More at Bilerico.

Shirley Witherspoon on Youtube

2010-02-27T21:29:00.001-06:00

There's not much, but here's one:

I used to go see her regularly when she would play at the Brass Rail.

Stopping Marriage Equality at the Bottom of CPAC Attendees Concerns

2010-02-22T22:23:00.002-06:00

Pam's House Blend has the story.

Blogswarm to get HRC to Take Action on DADT

2010-02-16T22:35:00.001-06:00

Pam Spaulding has more.

The role of HRC in pressing the WH

The largest LBGT organization in the country, the Human Rights Campaign -- with nearly a million members, according to president and executive director Joe Solmonese -- is seen by the White House, Congress, and the mainstream media as the community's official representative inside the Beltway. HRC had the ear of the White House -- attending strategy meetings on LGBT policy, and appeared numerous times at public social and political events, such as the signing of the hate crimes bill.

While many in the LGBT community have criticized HRC on many occasions (including yours truly), the motivation, at least on my part, I cannot speak for others, is that its position and responsibility is so critical now that we have an administration that has made promises --and dodged action.

Why now?

If DADT is not repealed in 2010, you're not going to see it happen in this administration's first term. Between retirements, deaths, and poor leadership, Democratic control of Congress is in jeopardy this year. When Scott Brown won the "Ted Kennedy" seat in Massachusetts, you saw a distinct panic and desire to move to the middle, a signal that hot button issues (read: civil rights for LGBTs) were going to be submerged, deemed too controversial. The administration cannot guarantee there will be a second term either.

Repealing DADT is not controversial with the public -- polls have been strongly in favor of repeal for some time now with Colin Powell and Dick Cheney of all people calling for repeal. There is no reason for timidity in calling for accountability now that Secretary of Defense Gates and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Mullen have called for this policy to end.

Tax-paying LGBTs have pulled out their wallets for the Human Rights Campaign for years, waiting for the day their investment would result in action once a gay-friendly administration and Congress were finally in place. Now is the time time to act. We need the full force of HRC flexing its political muscle to call for the President to publicly press for repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell.

If we have "White House officials" floating that it could take years before repeal, then we know there is not leadership going on at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. But we do know that repeal of DADT could be included in the Defense Budget he sends to Congress soon if pressed to do so.

What can you do?

This is a call for you to tell HRC that it's time to use its role and reach in an assertive, public manner as other organizations -- such as the AFL-CIO -- have had to do to move its issues onto the priority list of this White House.

HRC Front Desk: (202) 628-4160
TTY: (202) 216-1572
Toll-Free: (800) 777-4723

Nancy Elliott Reprise

2010-02-16T21:55:00.006-06:00

Remember Rep. Nancy Elliott, who shared her anal sex fantasies at a hearing to repeal same sex marriage in New Hampshire? Well now she has been called to back up her claims that anal sex is being taught to 5th graders in the Nashua public schools, and she has now backed off her claim.

CONCORD – Merrimack Republican State Rep. Nancy Elliott apologized Tuesday and withdrew her claim that gay sex was being taught to fifth graders in Nashua public schools.

At the beginning of a House Judiciary Committee meeting, Elliott read a statement.

“I would like to apologize to Judiciary Committee, the Nashua public schools and its employees and the speaker as well as anyone else affected by what I said,’’ Elliott said. “I will try much harder in the future to verify fully my statement.’’

The Telegraph reported Friday on Elliott’s comments, made during a judiciary committee hearing last week for a bill that would repeal same-sex marriage, in which she said she had been told by a “mother” that fifth-graders in Nashua had been shown pictures of naked men and taught about gay sex. Nashua school officials insisted her charge was false.

“This statement made in the Judiciary Committee had caused some controversy so I went back to my source for the statement to verify the information that I had received,’’ Elliott said. “I found that I could not confirm the accuracy of the information.”

From the comments:

Nancy Elliott's To Do List
====================
1. Make a weak attempt at covering my a$$ (DONE)
2. Apologize to Nashua educators and students for getting them caught up in my lies
3. Apologize to GLBT community for attempting to deny them their civil rights
4. Apologize to citizens of Merrimack for making people think we're ALL idiots
5. Apologize to fellow NH Representatives for my vile public sex talk and video
6. Apologize to police for asking them to investigate my false report and making them look bad
7. Apologize to YouTube for bogging down their servers from downloads of my vile video
8. Apologize to Republican party for being yet another unbridled wing nut
9. Apologize to staff, pack up my office and put boxes into storage
10. Apologize to God, parents and family for not making better use of my life

well yeah watch em all distance themselves from her. Now some other house republican is carrying the torch to repeal same sex marriage in NH. But thanks to the power of the internet the video will never, ever go away. It's there forever and for always and we can use it to hammer home the message of the kind of mentality that is anti-civil rights. It can be used in other state battles as well. Good Going Nancy!!!

Nancy Elliott is a liar. The withdrawal of her egregious and inflammatory statements proves what many have known all along: that she has no credibility and no business being in public office. Rather than serve the interests of her constituents, she uses her position as a platform to spew bigotry, hate and insults.

Ms. Elliott has lied to her peers, made a mockery of her office and the Government of the State of New Hampshire. This has played out on a global technological stage to worldwide jeers and disgust. The negative attention she has generated through her lies will likely be economically damaging to many New Hampshire industries as her actions reflect poorly on the perception businesses have of our state as a stable, tolerant and inclusive place.

The only acceptable apology from Ms. Elliott should be her resignation. We must take steps immediately to remove her from office before she causes further damage and embarrassment to the State and it's residents. Letting the world know we do not tolerate behavior such as Ms. Elliott's will be a good start to what may be a lengthy repair process.

Rep. Nancy Elliott's remarks have made international news.

WaPo's Piece on Rachel Maddow and Her Coverage of Don't Ask, Don't Tell

2010-02-15T19:56:00.001-06:00

Check it out here.

It was a dramatic moment for Lt. Dan Choi -- revealing his sexual orientation on national television -- but he couldn't resist paying tribute to the host.

"I love your show, Rachel," Choi said. And then, last March, he told Rachel Maddow why he was there: "By saying three words to you today -- 'I am gay' -- those three words are a violation of Title 10 of the U.S. Code. . . . Basically, they want us to lie about our identity."

Seconds later the satellite feed went down, and the glitch forced the Army lieutenant to come back to the MSNBC program the following night. But it was the start of a sustained effort that reached a milestone this month when the nation's top military officer said he wanted to abolish the hotly debated policy of "don't ask, don't tell" -- at a hearing attended by Maddow.

As one of the few openly gay television anchors, Maddow has kept the spotlight trained on the contentious issue of whether service members known to be homosexual should face discharge proceedings, as Choi did after that interview. But she doesn't view herself as mounting a crusade.

"I was an activist before I went into the media," Maddow says. "It is useful for me to tell my opinion on some things I cover. But I'm not trying to get people to march in the streets or call their congressmen. I don't believe that's my role."

Read the whole thing.

Advocate's Kerry Elseveld Challenges HRC

2010-02-15T19:52:00.002-06:00

Why has HRC accomplished so little for the gay community since Obama has been elected President, and Democrats hold strong majorities in both houses? Kerry Elseveld's piece in the Advocate sheds some light on this matter.

Harold Ford: Tax Dodger

2010-02-13T11:24:00.001-06:00

Gawker has the story.

When it comes to his shadow run for Senate, Harold Ford is a New Yorker through and through. When it comes to paying taxes, though, he's still a Tennessean — he's never filed a New York return.

Ford claims to have moved to New York three years ago, and says paying "New York taxes" makes him a New Yorker. But his spokeswoman confirms to Gawker that he's never filed a New York tax return — meaning that he's never paid New York's income tax, despite keeping an office and a residence in New York City as a vice chairman of Merrill Lynch since 2007: "He pays New York taxes and will file a New York tax return in April for the first time," Ford's spokeswoman Tammy Sun told Gawker. "He will file all necessary personal disclosure and tax forms that candidates are required to file if he chooses to run." (According to Sun, Ford admitted to the tax dodge yesterday at a press availability in Albany, but we can't find any news accounts mentioning the remarks.)

Michele Bachmann Wannabee NH Rep Nancy Elliott Talks Anal Sex at NH Bill to Repeal Same Sex Marriage Hearing

2010-02-13T10:26:00.003-06:00

Hat Tip: Towleroad and Joe My God.

Transcript from Towleroad:

"We're talking about taking the penis of one man, and putting it into the rectum of another man, and wiggling it around in excrement, and you have to think. I'm not sure. Would I allow that to be done to me? All of us — that could happen to you — Would you like that happen to you? Is that normal? Is that something that we want to portray as the same as the one-flesh union between a man and a woman?" Rep. Nancy Elliott

Full video here:

Reenactment of Prop 8 Trial

2010-02-08T21:52:00.000-06:00

Check it out here.

I'll Take You There

2010-02-05T20:58:00.001-06:00

Former Federal Bachmann Amendment Supporter Harold Ford is Now Supportive of Marriage Equality

2010-01-12T22:31:00.002-06:00

Edge Boston shows the flip flop.

It seems like a position of convenience, now that he is running for Senate in New York.

Rather Unique for the DFL

2010-01-08T17:45:00.000-06:00

They usually don't get upset by anti-gay comments. However this time, Brian Melendez is going after Mike Parry, a Republican State Senate candidate for anti-gay tweets.

Michele Bachmann Gets Wingnut of the Year Award

2010-01-04T21:24:00.000-06:00

CNN:

Via Minn Post.

Hakuna Matata

2009-12-27T15:46:00.000-06:00

It means no worries....

Jeremy Calls Maggie Gallagher Out on Her Disingenuous "Merry Christmas" message

2009-12-24T18:46:00.003-06:00

Read the email exchange here.

GOPProud Sponsors CPAC.... Peter LaBarbera Has a Cow

2009-12-19T23:05:00.002-06:00

GOP Proud is a Gay Republican group. They have sponsored CPAC - and the theocrats, led by Peter LaBarbera are having a cow. Will CPAC kowtow to this caterwauling?

Minnesota Teen Challenge Called Out on Their Lies

2009-12-18T20:51:00.001-06:00

Andy Birkey at Minnesota Independent has the story.

Maureen Reed Pledges to Take Race to Primary

2009-12-07T22:09:00.001-06:00

This means that should Tarryl Clark win the DFL nomination, she will still face Maureen Reed in the DFL primary. The St Cloud Times has more.

Memory (Cats)

2009-12-06T21:22:00.000-06:00

Atlanta's Mayor's Race Hinging on the Gay Vote

2009-12-01T21:03:00.000-06:00

The LA Times has the story.

Stonewall DFL, Constituency Caucus Screenings Closed to Press and Bloggers

2009-11-30T21:01:00.002-06:00

From the Stonewall DFL Chair:

Subject: Dec 12, 2009 Candidate Screenings for Governor

Dear Stonewall DFL Friends,

The 2009 election results are in and SDFL had an 89% success rate on getting our endorsed candidates elected into public office!

Next up for our caucus is the candidate screenings for the 2010 Gubernatorial races Dec 12 at Patrick Henry High School in Minneapolis 8a-6p. Candidates have already been sent our new 2010 State Questionnaire. Each candidate screening is approx 30 minutes. Nine candidates have confirmed for this event!

This year it is a joint event with the other DFL Constituency Caucuses. ***This is a closed event to Constituency Caucus members only.*** Guests, press, bloggers, laptops, and cameras are not permitted at this event.

If you are not a member already please complete a membership form and send it in with your dues. It must be post marked 7 days before the event ( Dec 5) in order to participate. We are not able to process new memberships the day of the big event on Dec 12 per our Constitution and Bylaws. Memberships run a calendar year, but if you become a paid member in December you are considered a member for all of 2010.

Dues are used to help get pro-LGBT candidates elected all across Minnesota. 2010 dues also include a membership in National Stonewall DFL which has funded campaign field staff in the 3rd and 6th CD's in 2008 and is expected to assist our state again in 2010.

Our next board meeting is on Dec 13 where we expect to discuss and endorse a candidate for Governor of Minnesota! The process is moved up this cycle because of the early caucus and DFL Convention dates. The remaining candidates for 2010 office will be screened in January where possible.

If you have questions or comments about anything please let me know via email at deldjenkins@yahoo.com. Please visit our website http://www.facebook.com/l/883f5;www.stonewalldfl.org for other details.

With DFL Pride,

-D

Del D. Jenkins
Chair, Stonewall DFL

I wrote Del Jenkins to ask why press, bloggers and cameras were not going to be allowed at this event. Here is his response:

Hello Eva,

It is good to hear from you.

I am certain no one is trying to hide anything. Candidate debates and forums are considered public much like the large event in Hopkins last night. Candidate screenings are typically private and thus closed to the press and non-members. The results are usually later announced in a press release.

Stonewall DFL has had both open and closed screenings in the past with recent years tending towards keeping it open to everyone to the point where we allowed a republican tracker at our 08 screenings who then later used the footage negatively and out of context. Unless in executive session our board meetings are always open as are conventions.

The processes for the rest of the 2010 screenings has not been formally finalized yet. I expect we will not allow trackers at any of our other internal screenings. It remains to be decided if we will allow non-members and some press. An answer to that is due by mid-December. If someone wants to participate in our screenings, all they have to do is become a member as defined in our caucus charter/constitution. It is quite simple to do. In fact, an updated form will be on the "Join" page of our website within a day or 2.

I hope this helps answer your questions. If you have any more, please let me know.

With DFL Pride,

-D

Del Jenkins,
Chair, Stonewall DFL

Stonewall DFL screenings in the past have allowed for public observation. Other organizations that screen candidates (labor for example) holds private screenings.

Chris Matthews Plays Hardball With Bishop Who Refused Communion to Rep Patrick Kennedy

2009-11-24T21:28:00.001-06:00

Take a listen.

Why did Tom Emmer Fail to Talk About His Appearance at the You Can Run But You Cannot Hide Fundraiser

2009-11-16T18:32:00.003-06:00

From Emmer's Email to Supporters:

Last Week's Highlights

November 11: Toured Ralco, an agriculture feed manufacturer, in Marshall and attended the Lyon County Forum.

November 12: Participated in the UMD College Republican Candidate Forum and won the straw poll with nearly 50% of the votes.

November 12: Participated in the College Republican Forum in Mankato.

November 13: Met with Rockford High School Students about "Jobs for America's Graduates" and discussed activism with home school students in Maple Grove.

Bradlee Dean mentions that Tom Emmer was among the attendees at his hatefest:

Here's Dean talking about the recent passage of Hate Crimes legislation:

Does Focus on the Family Indirectly Fund Abortions

2009-11-13T20:18:00.002-06:00

Time's swampland blog has the story.

Spot on Editorial in Strib

2009-11-10T22:34:00.001-06:00

Read it here.

Editorial: A troubling pattern of misconduct at U

Athletes need to face real consequences for misdeeds.

No Minnesotan should be surprised by the off-the-field screw-ups that have made this an especially embarrassing period for the University of Minnesota's Athletic Department. Deeply disappointed, yes, but not surprised. As long as the university's coaches take chances recruiting at-risk student-athletes in an effort to win at almost any cost, police and lawyers will make frequent visits to campus.

And if the athletes most likely to offend in the future see that the most serious punishment handed out in these cases amounts to a few missed games and extra wind sprints, the out-of-control culture will flourish. Unfortunately, the initial disciplinary response to the latest batch of troubles does not inspire confidence that coaches and Athletic Department officials will come down hard enough on troublemakers to get the attention of the rest of their players.

"It seems to snowball,'' Athletic Director Joel Maturi told the Star Tribune last week. "When you have so many instances at one time, you wonder, what's going on at the asylum?'' That's the right question, but it's one the athletic director and his multimillion-dollar coaches should be answering, not asking.

Peter LaBarbera and Matt Barber Claim Credit for Yes on One

2009-11-07T13:55:00.002-06:00

LaBarbara and Barber also are not happy with this Yes on One ad:

Here's LaBarbara's and Barber's bleatings:

Dear Readers,

I agree with my good friend Matt Barber, who is also a Board Member of Americans For Truth in addition to his important work at Liberty Counsel. It is not ethical nor good strategy for the “pro-family” movement to promote one evil and public-policy disaster (changeable and sinful behavior as a government-backed “civil right”) to fight another (homosexual “marriage”). Yet that is precisely what the Yes on 1 campaign’s pro-domestic partnership ad called “It’s Possible” did. [Click HERE for AFTAH's election story.] Here again is the text of that misguided Yes on 1 ad used in Maine:

‘Abandoning traditional marriage entails real consequences, yet we want to be tolerant of gays. Maine’s Domestic Partnership laws provide substantial legal protection for gay couples. Any problems remaining can be addressed without dismantling traditional marriage. It’s possible to support the civil rights of all citizens and protect traditional marriage at the same time.’

We who claim to follow God are lacking in integrity if we promote the normalization of homosexuality as part of some (perhaps well-intentioned) utilitarian plan to ostensibly “save” traditional marriage. Indeed, the irony of the ad text above is that progressive concessions on “domestic partnership” and “civil unions” legislation will, in fact, dismantle traditional marriage. Yes on 1 PR consultant Frank Schubert’s compromising spin will pave the way for disaster in the pro-family movement, as it undermines our greatest strength: our commitment to the truth. It’s time to reject Political Correctness and get back to basics in the pro-family movement. — Peter LaBarbera, www.americansfortruth.org; e-mail: americansfortruth@comcast.net

P.S. Young people won’t buy this political spin anyway: looking for hypocrisy, they will merely say that if “gay domestic partners” truly are worthy of state recognition in the name of civil rights, then why NOT allow them to marry (and why NOT teach children “gay”-affirming lessons in school)? The debate will only turn around when we succeed in re-explaining to Americans — both young and old — why homosexual behavior is wrong and is NOT anything like a “civil right,” and about how newfangled homosexual “rights” negate our precious First Amendment freedoms.

Read Matt’s statement below and then his additional remarks that follow it:

_______________________________________

STATEMENT BY MATT BARBER
Contact: jmattbarber@comcast.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Nov. 4, 2009
Counterfeit Marriage Rejected in Maine

Lynchburg, VA – Matt Barber, Director of Cultural Affairs with both Liberty Counsel and Liberty Alliance Action, issued the following statement on news that the voters of Maine have rejected counterfeit “same-sex marriage” by 53% – 47%:

“There’s good news and bad news here,” said Barber. “The good news is that even in one of the most liberal States in the Union, Maine, the people have once again rejected the ridiculous and oxymoronic notion of ‘same sex marriage.’ The momentum has again shifted –– hopefully for good this time –– in favor of protecting legitimate marriage. A counterfeit is a counterfeit. An orange is an orange no matter how much you want it to be a turnip. This isn’t about ‘marriage.’ It’s about hurting and broken people desperately seeking affirmation of an objectively deviant lifestyle. One that, even in their heart of hearts, they know to be a dead end. As for the militant ‘No on 1’ homosexual activists? I’m reminded of spoiled children dressing up and playing house, refusing to come in when mom calls for dinner.

“Here’s the bad news. The margin of victory could have been greater. Many behind the ‘Yes on 1’ campaign, rather than simply telling the truth, chose the Neville Chamberlain approach. They merely circled the wagons around the word ‘marriage,’ even suggesting that ‘domestic partnerships’ (‘gay marriages’ by another name) are acceptable. This makes no sense. If that’s a viable compromise, then why not simply allow ‘gay’ duos the word ‘marriage’? It’s an incongruity that demands an explanation. This is an historic battle for the minds and souls of our children –– for our very culture. The mealy-mouthed approach must end. This is not just about ‘marriage.’ It has everything to do with forced affirmation of homosexuality – under penalty of law. Indeed everyone who fought hard to defend marriage in Maine is to be congratulated, but if it weren’t for a brave group of truth tellers – Paul Madore, Peter LaBarbera and Brian Camenker –– who came to Maine in the final hour to hold a press conference and address the pink elephant in the room –– homosexual deviancy and the radical ‘gay’ agenda –– counterfeit marriage might have prevailed.”

###

Added comments by Barber for Americans For Truth:

“Here’s is a mere sampling of what God – the sovereign creator of the universe – has to say about deviant homosexual conduct which He calls ‘abominable’:

‘Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.’ Leviticus 18:22

‘Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.’ - Romans 1:26-27

“By contrast, here’s what the organized “Yes on 1” campaign had to say about the same topic in an ad they ran up to yesterdays vote:

‘Abandoning traditional marriage entails real consequences, yet we want to be tolerant of gays. Maine’s Domestic Partnership laws provide substantial legal protection for gay couples. Any problems remaining can be addressed without dismantling traditional marriage. It’s possible to support the civil rights of all citizens and protect traditional marriage at the same time.’‘

“It’s simply impossible to reconcile the two. If the Pro-Family movement wishes to survive, we must stop listening to political focus groups and PR , and start listening to the inerrant word of God.”

They should be happy they narrowly won this referendum. Over time, the margin of victory for these referendums on marriage equality are moving.

Rep. Tim Walz Raises Money Off Notariety of Opponent Allen Quist

2009-11-07T13:45:00.004-06:00

From the Walz campaign:

Dear Friend,

While we are working hard this week, day and night, to get a health care bill that improves the lives of Minnesotans – just as we promised last November – my opponent, Allen Quist, is in Washington working the right-wing into a frenzy.

Quist and Michele Bachmann are two peas in a pod – they have been teammates for more than ten years.

He launched his campaign this week by asking people to join him and Rep. Michele Bachmann at a rally in Washington, DC. Their first goal: preventing Congress from reforming America’s broken health care system.

Allen Quist, a former GOP endorsed candidate for Governor in Minnesota, first began working with Rep. Bachmann in 1998 – two years before she ran for office in Minnesota. It’s clear from their extreme right-wing ideology that they are kindred political spirits. Indeed, he got her elected to the State Senate, the first political office she held.

Now, my opponent is actively receiving the support of the extreme right-wing money machine. He’s building an attack fund and it will not be long before he fills our airwaves with negative ads.

We’ve seen this before!

Quist is committed to the notion that America’s best days are behind us, that the only way to move forward is by turning back the clock. Today, he led a delegation from Minnesota to Rep. Bachmann’s Tea Party Protest where they are pushing solutions that are nothing more than failed policy from the past.

I need your help today.

You know that First District voters support effective leadership, not extreme right-wing offensive agendas, but we cannot let the big money of the extreme right-wing shout down common sense.

Please contribute $25, $50, $100 or more today to ensure we show voters they have a clear choice!

Because of his fierce allegiance – and arguable founding of the extreme right-wing in Minnesota, Quist has quickly earned the backing of Michele Bachmann.

As Allen Quist stands with Rep. Bachmann today in an effort to prevent health care reform for millions of hard working families… I need you to stand with me.

I need your help – today – to ensure voters know they have a choice. A very clear choice.

Sincerely,

Congressman Tim Walz

Walz ought to look up the ads that Arne Carlson used against Allen Quist in 1994. Quist used an ad that showed two men dancing - and the song was "Clinton and Carlson..... go together on all of the issues." Arne Carlson's reaction to the ad: "I'm a better dancer than that."

Marriage Equality Rally in DC Calls Out Maggie Gallagher and National Organization for Marriage's Lies

2009-11-07T13:16:00.001-06:00

Allen Quist to Run for CD 1 Seat

2009-11-05T19:00:00.002-06:00

For those Lloydletta readers who don't know who Allen Quist is, watch this report on a Pittsburgh, PA station.

Update: Quist is running in Minnesota's CD 1 - against Tim Walz.

Excellent Youtube Channel

2009-11-03T00:00:00.002-06:00

There are a number of videos here, that address Evolution and Creationism.

North Carolina's Michele Bachmann

2009-11-02T23:37:00.002-06:00

That's Virginia Foxx. She gives Bachmann a good run for her money.

Cosmic Latte

2009-11-01T21:11:00.001-06:00

It's the average color of the Universe.

Christian Science Monitor Writeup of the Maine and Washington State Referendums on Marriage Equality and Domestic Partnership Laws

2009-11-01T12:07:00.002-06:00

Read it here. As some of you may have noticed, I haven't been blogging here much lately. If you want to read more coverage of the Maine and Washington Referendums, surf on over to Pam's House Blend, which has been offering day to day coverage of these.

Minnesotans Against Michele Bachmann Facebook Group

2009-11-01T12:04:00.002-06:00

Check it out and join here.

Instant Runnoff Voting

2009-11-01T10:08:00.002-06:00

The city of Minneapolis is doing its first election by Instant Runoff Voting. MPR has a story that describes what a pain this will be in terms of counting the votes.

There's a vote on the issue in St Paul. This arcane issue has brought out lots of heated discussion on the St Paul Issues list. He also penned some commentary on the MPR website on this.

Advocates claim IRV would save money by eliminating primary elections. This is not true. In St. Paul, the School Board will still hold a costly primary election, though the turnout for that primary will be hurt by the absence of mayoral and council races.

IRV advocates claim the system is "democracy of the future," "as simple as one, two, three." In the last two years, seven cities or counties in the United States have used it, and three of them have either repealed IRV or have IRV up for repeal this year. Cities are suffering buyer's remorse:

Tacoma, Wash. Pierce County spent $1.6 million on a voter education campaign for IRV in 2008, yet 66 percent of 90,000 voters polled said it was confusing, frustrating and a waste of time. It is on the ballot this year for repeal.

Cary, N.C. After the IRV election in 2007, 30 percent of voters polled found it confusing and 22 percent said they "did not understand IRV at all." Cary has stopped using IRV.

Aspen, Colo. The results of an IRV election revealed that one losing candidate for City Council would have won the election if 75 of his supporters had voted for him as their second instead of as their first choice. The complicated IRV counting system cost him the election. The repeal of IRV is on the ballot this year.

Advocates claim that IRV will increase turnout. This is not true. In San Francisco's first mayor's race with IRV, voter turnout was 40 percent less than in its last traditional election.

This year the IRV-format election in Minneapolis may hit record low turnouts. With 11 candidates running, there has been almost no media coverage of the mayor's race, and the incumbent has agreed to debate only one of his opponents.

In St. Paul, meanwhile, Eva Ng came in second in the primary and has moved on to the general election. Her primary showing enhanced her credibility and has given her access to media coverage as the alternative candidate for mayor.

Advocates claim that IRV makes sure that the winner "always has a majority vote." This is not true.

In Burlington, Vt., the mayor was re-elected with only a majority of those ballots still being counted in the final round. Seventeen percent of ballots cast for candidates in the first round were eliminated during the IRV counting.

In San Francisco, in 10 of 11 elections for which IRV has been used, the winner received less than the 50 percent plus one that would constitute a majority.

Advocates claim that IRV increases minority participation and thereby helps minority candidates. This is untrue. Using IRV, Takoma Park, Md., with close to 40 percent minority population, elected an all-white City Council.

There is no evidence that IRV helps minority candidates. In the highest-minority and lowest-income precincts of San Francisco, 20 percent of the voters do not fill in a second choice on their ballot.

Free, fair elections are the hallmark of any democracy, and every voter deserves to be treated equally. Voters need to know that their votes count, and that voting for the candidates they want can only help them, not hurt them. Instant runoff voting is far too likely to confuse, frustrate and inhibit voters.

Comment: I hadn't followed this too closely when I had an opportunity to vote on this in 2006, but at this point, I think IRV is a bad idea, and St Paul voters would be well-served to send it back to the drawing board. I like having primaries weed out the weaker candidates, and then have debates between the stronger candidates during debates before the general election.

I anticipate historically low turnout in this Minneapolis election, and that's unfortunate. It is extremely unfortunate that no vigorous challenger to Mayor RT Rybak was found.

Monster Mash

2009-10-30T20:22:00.000-05:00

Good video for Halloween.

Fruit Salad at the Grocery Store

2009-10-21T20:00:00.001-05:00

Barb Anderson from the MFC, Gloats About Shutting Down Sex Ed/AIDS Education on Bradlee Dean's Show

2009-10-04T12:56:00.005-05:00

Listen here. She gives a number of examples of how she has been successful in the Anoka-Hennepin School District in shutting down sex education classes and AIDS education classes.

Here's her report about the Minnesota School Health Education Conference. She claims that after she wrote the report, the University of St Thomas withdrew their sponsorship of the conference.

What's Happening in the GOP Tent

2009-10-03T18:21:00.001-05:00

Eric Zaetsch is asking a few questions. Checks and Balances has the Republican Straw Poll results.

Gay Blogs Finally Start Defending Kevin Jennings

2009-10-03T18:13:00.002-05:00

Good As You points out some of FRC's deceptions. Pam's House Blend has more analysis.

For Those Who Worry that Liberals Rule....

2009-09-30T23:05:00.003-05:00

I beg to differ

From The Associated Press

Panel Votes to Restore Abstinence Education Money
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 11:32 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A Senate committee voted Tuesday night to restore $50 million a year in federal funding for abstinence-only education that President Barack Obama has pushed to eliminate.

The 12-11 vote by the Senate Finance Committee came over objections from its chairman, Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana.

Two Democrats -- Kent Conrad of North Dakota and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas -- joined all 10 committee Republicans in voting ''yes'' on the measure by Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah.

The measure would still have to pass the full House and Senate. Hatch said abstinence education had been shown to work, though Baucus disagreed. Obama had proposed in his 2010 budget to direct money spent on abstinence-only education to broader teen pregnancy-reduction programs.

An alternate measure offered by Baucus also passed. Baucus' measure, which passed 14-9, would make money available for education on contraception and sexually transmitted diseases, among other things, in addition to abstinence. Lawmakers will have to reconcile the two measures, both approved during debate on a sweeping health overhaul bill, as the legislation moves forward.

This is insanity, especially since this prudishness has not proven to be effective.

Exhibit A: Bristol Palin