Did Liberty University Remove Official Video of Miss California?

Yeah I know this issue is getting on your nerves but this is an interesting development.

Apparently Liberty University has allegedly removed the official video of Carrie Prejean's chapel appearance from Youtube.

The news comes from this religious site which tears Prejean and the religious right to shreds. You can't blame gays for this one:

It is a tragedy for Carrie. If she truly knows Christ, she is poorly taught and in real need of discipleship and mentoring by older Christian women in the faith. Instead, she was given the spotlight and a role she was not ready for. Also, just as fast as she was embraced and used by many of these groups, she risks now being dropped due to the appearance of these shameful photos, both those from the past and those she defends in her “Christian” modeling. Welcome to the evangelical celebrity circuit where souls and hearts don’t matter as much as an effective PR blitz for the “cause.” People are expendable.

Friends, as believers, our cause is the honor and glory of our Savior, King Jesus. The haste with which the present Religious Right leadership jumped on the bandwagon is resulting in unnecessary additional ridicule and mockery of Christianity. We didn’t need this. The cause of Jesus Christ did not need this.

Ouch!

Wednesday afternoon news briefs

Ugh is all I can say about today.

Those who keep up with this blog know that it is a part time gig which I do not get paid for. I post three times a day - when I get up in the morning, on my lunch break, and when I get home.

So imagine my surprise when I discovered that the library, the place where I do my noon postings, was closed.

Subsequently, my search for another library downtime led me to go on one of those legendary mythical journeys that's doomed for failure from the start (i.e. Orpheus and Gilgamesh).

But whereas Orpheus and Gilgamesh went to the underworld, I had to slog through the hot downtown area and lawns of dog crap (people really need to clean up after their pets) where my journey had an unsurprising unsuccessful end.

So here I am a post behind and I just know something good would happen today that I probably missed out on (like pictures of Peter LaBarbera in drag).

But bear with me while I try to catch up and thank you for your support thus far. Please continue to support this blog ;p.

Maine governor signs bill allowing same-sex 'marriage' - We get marriage in Maine and the One News Now commentators are pissed. Suddenly this day is looking up.

House passes same-sex marriage, 178-167; bill now moves to governor's desk - Hot damn! We almost get marriage in New Hampshire too. The governor needs to sign this bill.

If It Smells Like Coffee & Tea Here, It's Time To Cool Baser Instincts & Practice Counting To Ten - A good conversation on Pam's House Blend regarding us as community. When we attack others and ourselves with nasty language, we become exactly what the religious right says we are.

M*A*S*H star comes out - Welcome to the family, David Ogden Stiers. However that gay ray I hit you with was set for Phillip Seymour Hoffman.

James Dobson's Hate Crimes Freak-Out - What's the deal with James Dobson? It's one thing to lie but it's another thing entirely to lie even when folks know you are lying.

Homosexual demon my foot!!

In the video clip below, this so-called reverend, overseer, prophetess (I don't know which name the silly woman prefers) is taking it upon herself to "exorcise" an alleged "demon of homosexuality." (Editor's note - The video has been removed but I posted another video that tells of the account).



Scenes like this that make me sad. On one hand, it's funny the depths of ignorance that some so-called Christians are stooping to.

And on the other hand, it's a reason why it's so hard for lgbts of color to be accepted for who we are in the black community.

All I can say is that if someone tries to play that "cast out" game with me, that someone is getting cut.

One more thing - feel free to share this hot mess of nonsense with others.

Monday afternoon news briefs

Today has been wild with so much stuff going on. So I am going to make a special new briefs edition of events happening today:

BREAKING: Confirmed, Mormon Web site shows Obama's mother as baptized after death - The controversy I linked to today regarding the Mormon Church and President Obama's mother has been confirmed. Batten down the hatches!

Photos Taken of Me as a Teenager - So was Carrie underaged when she took the pictures or not? I also hear that she may be in trouble for contract violation. Oh well, she can always blame THE GAYS.

Gov. Lynch at center of gay marriage debate in NH - Look at this! The New Hampshire House Committee just endorsed the marriage equality bill. Will the Governor sign it?

Washington, D.C., Council Approves Recognition of Out-of-State Gay Marriage - And the vote wasn't even close.

Same-Sex Marriage Advances in Maine - One more step to go! All we need is the Governor's signature.

The Irish Association of Social Workers Reject ‘Ex-Gay’ Therapy - There is NO such thing as too much good news.

Tuesday midday news briefs

Will Maine house accommodate its gay residents? - Keep your fingers crossed.

Uganda Gays Arrested, Blackmail Attempts Reported - Things are getting worse in Uganda.

Did the Mormons baptize Obama's mother, after her death, without his knowledge or consent? - This ain't good.

'You spin it right wing Maggie, right wing (like a record, Maggie) right wing, right wing' - Oh look! Maggie Gallagher tries to sidestep Carrie Prejean's newest controversy.

Petition filing in new fight for rights - And the fight against our rights never stop.

Larry Stickney's Referendum off to a Bumbling Start - But apparently the effort isn't going so well for those who are against us.

NC congresswoman claims Shepard murder 'not a hate crime' - One News Now's take on the Virginia Foxx controversy. One guess what position the article takes. Here is a hint - Peter LaBarbera is the only person interviewed. The article has a comments section so feel free to comment away. But be nice.

Sorry Carrie Prejean but you brought this on yourself

Unless you have been in a cave on Mars with your fingers in your ears (sorry Simpsons), you have no doubt heard about the newest controversy involving Miss California and National Organization for Marriage "spokesperson" Carrie Prejean.

The web is abuzz over a series of racy photos that she took, including the one featured here.

Now before anyone thinks that this photo is fake, please be aware that Prejean sent out a statement acknowledging the fact that it is her in the picture. And it's not the only thing she said:

I am a Christian, and I am a model. Models pose for pictures, including lingerie and swimwear photos. Recently, photos taken of me as a teenager have been released surreptitiously to a tabloid Web site that openly mocks me for my Christian faith. I am not perfect, and I will never claim to be. But these attacks on me and others who speak in defense of traditional marriage are intolerant and offensive. While we may not agree on every issue, we should show respect for others’ opinions and not try to silence them through vicious and mean-spirited attacks.

Save it, Carrie. No one forced you to take those pictures and I sincerely doubt that this entire thing is a plot to destroy you because of your Christian beliefs. What probably happened is that someone is cashing in on your notoriety. No one is out to get you, because you are too profitable.

This is known as "game," Carrie. And you should know it well. You have been playing the "game" ever since this entire thing began.

When this controversy started, I was in your corner. I never did like Perez Hilton and I felt that his comments were uncalled for. And after all, you were merely stating your opinion.

But now you have been shown to be a hypocrite and though there will be some who will engage in all sorts of logical gymnastics and finger pointing to push blame off of you, the fact remains that this embarrassment is your fault.

Not for stating your opinion but for the position you took afterwards. You allowed yourself to be manipulated by Maggie Gallagher and the National Organization for Marriage into being their spokesperson.

You soaked in all of the adulation and praise from your church, various religious right groups while fully aware that you may not have been worthy of such canonization.

Remember how they called you brave for supposedly standing up for Christ and traditional values. Remember how they called you a "modern day Queen Esther?"

Remember all of those friendly interviews you conducted with Fox News, the Today Show and other various news sources in which you channeled Joan of Arc seconds before she was burned at the stake?

You allowed yourself to become a symbol, a paragon for virtue. You allowed yourself to be placed on the pedestal that you may not have deserved.

That's why I don't feel sorry for what's happening to you now.

You are now what folks call a cash cow. I suggest you learn how to moo.

I also suggest that you buck up and stop portraying Fay Wray on King Kong. The damsel in distress routine is so old.

And it's no longer working.

Two anti-gay nuts for Monday afternoon

1. What's the deal with Joe The Plumber?

Joe The Plumber: I Would Never Let "Queers" Near My Children

Joe the Plumber, aka Samuel Wurzelbacher, sat down for an lengthy interview with Christianity Today to discuss his views on the future of the Republican party. Wurzelbacher took the opportunity to speak out against gay marriage, which he says is wrong. The unlikely conservative spokesman went so far as to say he doesn't allow openly gay people "anywhere near" his children.

The word "queer," Wurzelbacher noted, "means strange and unusual."

Christianity Today: In the last month, same-sex marriage has become legal in Iowa and Vermont. What do you think about same-sex marriage at a state level?

Wurzelbacher: At a state level, it's up to them. I don't want it to be a federal thing. I personally still think it's wrong. People don't understand the dictionary--it's called queer. Queer means strange and unusual. It's not like a slur, like you would call a white person a honky or something like that. You know, God is pretty explicit in what we're supposed to do--what man and woman are for. Now, at the same time, we're supposed to love everybody and accept people, and preach against the sins. I've had some friends that are actually homosexual. And, I mean, they know where I stand, and they know that I wouldn't have them anywhere near my children. But at the same time, they're people, and they're going to do their thing.

No he didn't! If I wasn't so mature, I would be going for my razor right now.

THIS is what the Republican Party is reduced to? Sad.

I'm going to put it more succinctly. I refuse to believe that Wurlzebacher has any gay friends. That's right - I think he is lying and channeling the standard I'm not really prejudice because I am friends with THOSE people line that I've heard on occasion when some whites talk about African-Americans.

But just in case he is telling the truth, someone needs to give those "gay friends" a talking to about self respect.

2. Hey Stephen Baldwin! THIS is what persecution looks like

Last weekend, former actor, born-again Christian, and dismal talking head Stephen Baldwin claimed on Larry King Live that folks like him and Carrie Prejean who are against gay marriage are being "persecuted." However, when pressed about said persecution, Baldwin couldn't give any details.

Persecution, you dipstick, looks a little like this:

‘THEY KILL PEOPLE LIKE US,’ SAYS GAY IRAQI

Widespread violence is down across Baghdad, but not for one minority group.

Iraq’s gay population is being targeted by militia groups in a wave of killings that has claimed the lives of up to 25 young men and boys in the past month.

"They know I am gay. I don’t know if I am going to be killed, this is up to God," said Moyad, a 38-year-old Baghdad resident who would not give his last name out of fear for his safety. Visibly frightened, he said that he has many friends who have been sadistically tortured, some even murdered. "They are sticking glue up their anuses; some hospitals refuse to treat them. Is it a war waged against homosexuals?" he asked.

International outrage Most of the attacks have happened in Baghdad’s Shia neighborhoods, and many believe that religious leaders have used Friday sermons in Sadr City as a platform to incite hatred and violence toward homosexuals. The bodies of three gay men were reported to have been found in Sadr City in April with pieces of paper bearing the word for "pervert" attached to them.

Posters and leaflets have been distributed in the Baghdad neighborhoods of al-Shola, al-Hurya and Sadr City with orders to, "Cleanse Iraq from the crime of homosexuality."

Baghdad police didn’t respond to inquiries from NBC News about the attacks, but the surge in violence has gained attention by the international media. In a letter to Iraqi President Nouri al-Maliki in April, Amnesty International called for "urgent and concerted action" to stop the killings of men because of their sexual orientation.

More here.

Maybe it's just me but being booed at a pageant doesn' t exactly rank up there with what's happening to gays in Iraq.