A friend of mine emailed me a link that he said drove him out of his mind. In reading the link, I don't blame him for wanting to cut someone.
The link is a webpage for a new book, Crooks and Homos in the Pulpit (not that's not a typo). The preview of the book says the following:
Do church leaders such as Bishop T.D. Jakes, Bishop Eddie Long, Dr. Creflo Dollar, Joel Osteen, or reported homosexual Pastor Ted Haggard truly understand God's Word? If so, why have they become corporate CEO's, allowing money, greed, and materialism to take over their souls? These leaders are whoring God's people from the pulpit, while teaching legions of pimps, crooks, liars, and homosexuals, who pose as pastors, to follow in their footsteps.
In Crooks and Homos in the Pulpit, author Reuben Armstrong exposes the false doctrine of prosperity and "feel good" message that Jakes, Long, Dollar, Osteen, and Haggard proclaim. You will discover what the Bible says about false leaders such as these men and the judgment they face.
Armstrong points out that too many churches have become corporate meet and meat markets. Through extensive research, he outlines what really goes on inside the "house of worship." He exposes the shocking lifestyles of prosperity preachers, the sexual favors given in pastoral studies and Sunday School rooms, and the church hoochie mommas and puff daddies these people attract as their groupies.
Armstrong's book is a wake up call to the Body of Christ. He points to the crooks, liars, thieves, and homosexuals who are flaunting their sickening lifestyles in front of God's people, while taking the last dollar that church folk have. Christians can no longer allow the likes of Jakes, Long, Osteen, Dollar and Haggard in their pulpits. It's time for God's church to rise up against all false teachers and say, "Enough is enough! Take your false doctrines with you straight to the pits of hell!"
Just another piece of trash masquerading as an expose. No doubt it's going to be a big seller in the black community.
This book reminds me of that ridiculous mess by J.L. King a while back which help to fuel the so-called "down low" phenomena.
Very few individuals know just how stupid this "spotting down low men" mania got. A wannabe writer by the name of Sharahzad Ali wrote a book which featured "signs" for women to recognize if their mate was secretly gay:
1) Men are very territorial, if another man enters their space or violates their square, he'll move away or take a step back, if he doesn't move this might be a sign that he's open for getting closer. Notice if they brush shoulders or lean over across each other touching ever so slightly – like lovers do.
2) Is he effeminate? Some men slowly move into a more feminine stand, or pose. They might start wearing their belts tighter to show their shape, or it might just be the flinging up of a finger or how they place their feet when standing. Or they may start wearing footies around the house and walking on their toes. It's doubtful they'll slip and do any of this.
3) If he holds eye contact too long with a man, or if he holds on to his hand after shaking it, or if he prolongs hugging a man past the greeting stage.
4) If you notice him watching other men just a little bit too much, or if he raises his voice a bit too loud when he's with you and other men are present to get their attention. Does he seem to follow a man to the restroom at a restaurant or club?
5) Check out his friends, how do they act with each other, are they masculine or working hard to appear so, do they talk on the phone a bit too much for two adult men?
6) How does he sleep at night, what position does he sleep in? Does he sleep like a woman, or like a man? What does he talk about in his sleep?
7) Has he been single just a bit too long? What is his history with women? Why did they break up, Does he go on long drives alone? Is he cruising?
8) Discuss homosexuality with him, see how he reacts. If he reacts too strongly on the negative or too violently – perhaps he's protesting so strongly to throw you off track so he isn't suspect himself.
9) Discuss child molestation with him and see how he feels about it, ask him was he ever molested, does he know any men who were, and how does he think it affects a man's sexuality.
10) You can touch his rectum to see if he has those tell-tale humps on his anus from having it stretched open with a penis. Then later on ask him if he's ever had hemorrhoids really bad.
11) Check his underwear for tiny streaks of bloodstains, or clear stains which may be semen. There may not be any because men on the DL are usually `Tops' so they can justify themselves as not being Gay.
12) Chart your sex life. Note how often you and he are intimate and if you're always the one who has to start the process rolling. Is he in a hurry? Is it a problem for him getting an maintaining an erection, when it never used to be that difficult?
13) If he has a lot of unexcused absences, and if he's out later than he usually is a couple of times a week. He might be cruising or stopping by a Gay after-hour joint after his regular activities.
14) If he likes anal stimulation, or likes to have his prostrate massaged – and asks/begs for it.
15) If he wants to have anal sex more than vaginal sex, or skips your vagina altogether.
16) If he asks you to "toss his salad" and you agree, and his legs go up too quickly, he's probably used to doing it.
17) Some women get their Gay friend to "hit" on their man to see if he goes for it (Not good).
18) If he asks you to strap on a dildo and do him in the rear this may be a hint of what he's used to.
I don't know what's funnier - the signs or the fact that someone took this mess seriously.
This new book about "crooks and homos in the pulpit" is like Ali's book - a symptom of ignorance in the black community.
That's the problem with not discussing vital issues - there tends to be a lot of fear, bad information, and an unnecessary salacious quality added.
If there were real discussions in the black community about lgbts of color, it would go a long way to dispelling so many inaccuracies.
Until we start having these real discussions, expect see more exploitation by phonies masquerading as concerned professionals.
Hell, I may just write my own book.
Analyzing and refuting the inaccuracies lodged against the lgbt community by religious conservative organizations. Lies in the name of God are still lies.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Hate crimes legislation passes Judicial Committee - now the real fun begins
By a vote of 15-12, hate crimes legislation passes the House Judiciary Committee. It could go up for a vote by the full House as early as next week.
And the religious right are just itching for a way to defeat it.
Just in case the lie about pastors going to jail isn't enough the derail the bill, the religious right are now inaccurately claiming that the bill is not clear on what exactly is a sexual orientation.
Aiding and abetting this nonsense is Republican Congressman Steve King:
Steve King (R-Iowa) told Democratic members that "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" are vague terms that need to be specifically defined since courts will be analyzing those terms.
"This panel -- this Judiciary Committee, including the authors of this bill -- either don't know or won't say what the definitions are, for example, [of] gender identity [or] sexual orientation," King stated. "Does sexual orientation...include transvestism? Does it include transgendered? Are those two that are also part of sexual orientation?" he asked. "And if so, if that's two of 30 [orientations], what are the other 28 that are part of sexual orientation?"
This is nonsense. It's a lie perpetrated by the Traditional Values Coalition. What King was referring to are paraphalias, which are described as:
. . . fantasies, behaviors, or sexual urges focusing on unusual objects, activities, or situations . .
Paraphilias have nothing to do with sexual orientation.
King also inaccurately linked the transgendered community with paraphalias.
As this legislation moves to a vote, expect to see the religious right pull out all of the stops. According to People for the American Way, they already have.
Link here to read a listing of religious right lies and generally inaccurate statements about hate crimes legislation including:
Focus on the Family - Under "hate-crimes" laws like H.R. 1913, pastors could be prosecuted for preaching the biblical view of homosexuality. Similar laws have been used to prosecute religious speech in the U.S. at the state level and abroad.
"The homosexual activists' mantra is no longer tolerance — it's embrace and promote," said Ashley Horne, federal policy analyst at Focus on the Family Action. "Anything less will be silenced. Christians must speak up."
Family Research Council - The act would establish a new FEDERAL offense for so-called "hate crimes" and add "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" as protected classes. It will mandate a separate federal criminal prosecution for state offenses.
Adding "sexual orientation" to thought crimes legislation gives one set of crime victims a higher level of protection than it gives to people like you and me.
And of course the Traditional Values Coalition - The main purpose of this “hate crime” legislation is to add the categories of “sexual orientation” and “gender identity,” “either actual or perceived,” as new classes of individuals receiving special protection by federal law. Sexual orientation includes heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality on an ever-expanding continuum. Will Congress also protect these sexual orientations-zoophiles, pedophiles or polygamists?
Gender identity includes such gender confused behaviors as cross-dressing, she-male, drag queen, transvestite, transsexual or transgender. Under the Act, neither “sexual orientation” or “gender identity” are really defined. How can a law be enforced if the new classes receiving special protection remain undefined?
By a vote of 15-12, hate crimes legislation passes the House Judiciary Committee. It could go up for a vote by the full House as early as next week.
And the religious right are just itching for a way to defeat it.
Just in case the lie about pastors going to jail isn't enough the derail the bill, the religious right are now inaccurately claiming that the bill is not clear on what exactly is a sexual orientation.
Aiding and abetting this nonsense is Republican Congressman Steve King:
Steve King (R-Iowa) told Democratic members that "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" are vague terms that need to be specifically defined since courts will be analyzing those terms.
"This panel -- this Judiciary Committee, including the authors of this bill -- either don't know or won't say what the definitions are, for example, [of] gender identity [or] sexual orientation," King stated. "Does sexual orientation...include transvestism? Does it include transgendered? Are those two that are also part of sexual orientation?" he asked. "And if so, if that's two of 30 [orientations], what are the other 28 that are part of sexual orientation?"
This is nonsense. It's a lie perpetrated by the Traditional Values Coalition. What King was referring to are paraphalias, which are described as:
. . . fantasies, behaviors, or sexual urges focusing on unusual objects, activities, or situations . .
Paraphilias have nothing to do with sexual orientation.
King also inaccurately linked the transgendered community with paraphalias.
As this legislation moves to a vote, expect to see the religious right pull out all of the stops. According to People for the American Way, they already have.
Link here to read a listing of religious right lies and generally inaccurate statements about hate crimes legislation including:
Focus on the Family - Under "hate-crimes" laws like H.R. 1913, pastors could be prosecuted for preaching the biblical view of homosexuality. Similar laws have been used to prosecute religious speech in the U.S. at the state level and abroad.
"The homosexual activists' mantra is no longer tolerance — it's embrace and promote," said Ashley Horne, federal policy analyst at Focus on the Family Action. "Anything less will be silenced. Christians must speak up."
Family Research Council - The act would establish a new FEDERAL offense for so-called "hate crimes" and add "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" as protected classes. It will mandate a separate federal criminal prosecution for state offenses.
Adding "sexual orientation" to thought crimes legislation gives one set of crime victims a higher level of protection than it gives to people like you and me.
And of course the Traditional Values Coalition - The main purpose of this “hate crime” legislation is to add the categories of “sexual orientation” and “gender identity,” “either actual or perceived,” as new classes of individuals receiving special protection by federal law. Sexual orientation includes heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality on an ever-expanding continuum. Will Congress also protect these sexual orientations-zoophiles, pedophiles or polygamists?
Gender identity includes such gender confused behaviors as cross-dressing, she-male, drag queen, transvestite, transsexual or transgender. Under the Act, neither “sexual orientation” or “gender identity” are really defined. How can a law be enforced if the new classes receiving special protection remain undefined?
It's going to be very interesting to see what happens. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope that the bill passes the other hurdles.
Thursday midday news briefs
Gay-themed library celebrates opening in Fort Lauderdale - An excellent idea that should be spread across the nation.
Vote caps decade-long Conn. gay marriage fight - More good news from Connecticut!
WA passes trans hate crimes bill - Nothing wrong with more good news.
The Zapata murder trial coverage - and the missed opportunity of the LGB media and blogosphere - In the midst of all of the good news, let's not forget we still have work to do.
For first time since early 2004, more Americans think nation is heading in the right direction than not - While not necessarly an lgbt issue per se, it's still nice to take note of this in light of last week's teabag parties.
Gay-themed library celebrates opening in Fort Lauderdale - An excellent idea that should be spread across the nation.
Vote caps decade-long Conn. gay marriage fight - More good news from Connecticut!
WA passes trans hate crimes bill - Nothing wrong with more good news.
The Zapata murder trial coverage - and the missed opportunity of the LGB media and blogosphere - In the midst of all of the good news, let's not forget we still have work to do.
For first time since early 2004, more Americans think nation is heading in the right direction than not - While not necessarly an lgbt issue per se, it's still nice to take note of this in light of last week's teabag parties.
The reason why Black Prides must exist
Forgive me for doing a little advertising this morning
Last night, I got angry with an episode of Tyler Perry’s House of Payne.
One of the child characters, Malik, found himself in the middle of the dilemma because one of his friends was HIV positive. The child was ostracisized and Malik had to defend him from the other children.
This the second time House of Payne focused on the issue of HIV and AIDS in the black community. The other time, another one of the leading characters was dating an HIV positive woman.
But at neither time did this show even talk about black gay men who are one of main groups affected in startling large numbers by HIV and AIDS.
It's almost as if the show was saying that HIV and AIDS is a problem only when it affects the "normal folks" in the black community.
But it’s par for the course with this show. House of Payne is one of the most popular shows in the black community and it has yet to have even a guest character who is lgbt. But it doesn’t seem to have a problem with making jokes about someone being gay or being on the “down low.”
And its indicative of the black community. No one in the black community seems to care about lgbts of color - our issues, or our lives in general.
Instead we are supposed to be placated by ridiculous assurances that "no one has a problem with our 'lifestyle' as long as we aren't in anyone's faces about it."
Meanwhile, we are pushed in a psychological closet and muzzled like dogs.
When our leaders talk about the problems of the black community, we know they won't include us.
When well meaning activists focus on the "State of Black America," we are absent.
When magazines like Ebony write articles comparing "black civil rights" and "gay civil rights," they conveniently can't find lgbts of color to comment.
Well that's nonsense and I'm tired of it. I'm gay, I'm an African-American and I am proud of both of my identities.
I don't feel as if I have to choose between the two. That's why I have been busy helping to coordinate Black Prides in South Carolina. This year will our the fourth one.
Black prides must continue to exist so that we can remind people that lgbts of color exist. Whether the rest of the black community approves of us or not is irrelevant. We deserve acknowledgement and respect.
It's as simple as that:
South Carolina to be United 4 Change:
Black, Bold & Proud in June
The African-American lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community of South Carolina and its allies will be out and proud June 18-21 as the state holds its Fourth Annual SC Black Pride in the state’s capital, Columbia.
The theme, United 4 Change: Black, Bold & Proud, promises many surprises that will celebrate the richness of South Carolina’s same gender loving community of color as well as the diversity of the LGBT community at large.
“Our purpose is to celebrate the often subjugated creativity, beauty, dignity, and brilliance of South Carolina’s Black LGBT community,” says Dr. Todd Shaw, Chair, of the SC Black Pride Committee. “Racism and homophobia attack same-gender loving [African-American] sisters and brothers [conjointly]. Now’s the time for the Black community to understand how much we contribute to the larger freedom struggle and for society to understand how much we contribute as loving mothers, fathers, teachers, preachers and young leaders.”
Organizers anticipate a record 4,000 South Carolinians and out-of-town guests will participate in the scheduled events, official parties and community expo.
All are welcome to attend! To learn more about this Pride’s many empowering events (including becoming a vendor and advertising in the Pride Guide), refer to:
South Carolina Black Pride
P.O. Box 8191
Columbia, SC 29202
www.southcarolinablackpride.com
info@southcarolinablackpride.com
2009 SC Black Pride Events
(All events are in Columbia, South Carolina)
*** Pre-Pride Events ***
Friday, May 29th
Sexxy Redd Party, $10 Admission
PT’s Cabaret, 1101 Harden St., 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Friday, June 12th
Mr. & Ms. SC Black Pride Pageant, $10 General Admission
PT’s Cabaret, 1101 Harden St., 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Sunday, June 15th
Volunteering Training & Appreciation Dinner, Free Admission
Harriet Hancock Center, 1108 Woodrow St., 6:30 – 8 p.m.
*** Pride Week ***
Thursday, June 18th
Welcome Reception, Free Admission – Cash bar
HUSH Restaurant & Tappas Bar, 1004 Gervais St., 7 – 9 p.m.
Friday, June 19th
MSM (Men who have Sex with Men) HIV Prevention Institute
"Evidence That Demands Action", 5605 Bush River Rd., 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 pm
$20-25 registration
Sponsored by AID Upstate, Greenville, SC with support from the AAMSM Workgroup
Juneteenth Black LGBT Film Fest & Talk Back, Free Admission
USC Law School Auditorium, 701 Main St., 7 – 10 p.m.
Saturday, June 20th
Community Expo! Free Admission
Vendors, Entertainment, Door Prizes
Courtyard by Marriott, 630 Assembly St.
Presidential Ballroom, 12 noon – 6 p.m.
Women’s Party!
Sponsored by SC Black Pride, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m., TBA
SCBP Ball Hosted by Econ Blahnik
“Operation Enduring Freedom,"
$30 Admission
Courtyard by Marriott, 630 Assembly St.
Presidential Ballroom, 12 midnight – 5 a.m.
Sunday, June 21st
Community Worship Service, Free Admission
Courtyard by Marriott, 630 Assembly St.
Co-Presided by
Pastor Rashawn Flournoy, Freedom Worship Church, Greenville, SC and
Bishop Tonyia Rawls and Rev. Marage Romeo of Unity Fellowship Church, Charlotte, NC
Forgive me for doing a little advertising this morning
Last night, I got angry with an episode of Tyler Perry’s House of Payne.
One of the child characters, Malik, found himself in the middle of the dilemma because one of his friends was HIV positive. The child was ostracisized and Malik had to defend him from the other children.
This the second time House of Payne focused on the issue of HIV and AIDS in the black community. The other time, another one of the leading characters was dating an HIV positive woman.
But at neither time did this show even talk about black gay men who are one of main groups affected in startling large numbers by HIV and AIDS.
It's almost as if the show was saying that HIV and AIDS is a problem only when it affects the "normal folks" in the black community.
But it’s par for the course with this show. House of Payne is one of the most popular shows in the black community and it has yet to have even a guest character who is lgbt. But it doesn’t seem to have a problem with making jokes about someone being gay or being on the “down low.”
And its indicative of the black community. No one in the black community seems to care about lgbts of color - our issues, or our lives in general.
Instead we are supposed to be placated by ridiculous assurances that "no one has a problem with our 'lifestyle' as long as we aren't in anyone's faces about it."
Meanwhile, we are pushed in a psychological closet and muzzled like dogs.
When our leaders talk about the problems of the black community, we know they won't include us.
When well meaning activists focus on the "State of Black America," we are absent.
When magazines like Ebony write articles comparing "black civil rights" and "gay civil rights," they conveniently can't find lgbts of color to comment.
Well that's nonsense and I'm tired of it. I'm gay, I'm an African-American and I am proud of both of my identities.
I don't feel as if I have to choose between the two. That's why I have been busy helping to coordinate Black Prides in South Carolina. This year will our the fourth one.
Black prides must continue to exist so that we can remind people that lgbts of color exist. Whether the rest of the black community approves of us or not is irrelevant. We deserve acknowledgement and respect.
It's as simple as that:
South Carolina to be United 4 Change:
Black, Bold & Proud in June
The African-American lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community of South Carolina and its allies will be out and proud June 18-21 as the state holds its Fourth Annual SC Black Pride in the state’s capital, Columbia.
The theme, United 4 Change: Black, Bold & Proud, promises many surprises that will celebrate the richness of South Carolina’s same gender loving community of color as well as the diversity of the LGBT community at large.
“Our purpose is to celebrate the often subjugated creativity, beauty, dignity, and brilliance of South Carolina’s Black LGBT community,” says Dr. Todd Shaw, Chair, of the SC Black Pride Committee. “Racism and homophobia attack same-gender loving [African-American] sisters and brothers [conjointly]. Now’s the time for the Black community to understand how much we contribute to the larger freedom struggle and for society to understand how much we contribute as loving mothers, fathers, teachers, preachers and young leaders.”
Organizers anticipate a record 4,000 South Carolinians and out-of-town guests will participate in the scheduled events, official parties and community expo.
All are welcome to attend! To learn more about this Pride’s many empowering events (including becoming a vendor and advertising in the Pride Guide), refer to:
South Carolina Black Pride
P.O. Box 8191
Columbia, SC 29202
www.southcarolinablackpride.com
info@southcarolinablackpride.com
2009 SC Black Pride Events
(All events are in Columbia, South Carolina)
*** Pre-Pride Events ***
Friday, May 29th
Sexxy Redd Party, $10 Admission
PT’s Cabaret, 1101 Harden St., 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Friday, June 12th
Mr. & Ms. SC Black Pride Pageant, $10 General Admission
PT’s Cabaret, 1101 Harden St., 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Sunday, June 15th
Volunteering Training & Appreciation Dinner, Free Admission
Harriet Hancock Center, 1108 Woodrow St., 6:30 – 8 p.m.
*** Pride Week ***
Thursday, June 18th
Welcome Reception, Free Admission – Cash bar
HUSH Restaurant & Tappas Bar, 1004 Gervais St., 7 – 9 p.m.
Friday, June 19th
MSM (Men who have Sex with Men) HIV Prevention Institute
"Evidence That Demands Action", 5605 Bush River Rd., 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 pm
$20-25 registration
Sponsored by AID Upstate, Greenville, SC with support from the AAMSM Workgroup
Juneteenth Black LGBT Film Fest & Talk Back, Free Admission
USC Law School Auditorium, 701 Main St., 7 – 10 p.m.
Saturday, June 20th
Community Expo! Free Admission
Vendors, Entertainment, Door Prizes
Courtyard by Marriott, 630 Assembly St.
Presidential Ballroom, 12 noon – 6 p.m.
Women’s Party!
Sponsored by SC Black Pride, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m., TBA
SCBP Ball Hosted by Econ Blahnik
“Operation Enduring Freedom,"
$30 Admission
Courtyard by Marriott, 630 Assembly St.
Presidential Ballroom, 12 midnight – 5 a.m.
Sunday, June 21st
Community Worship Service, Free Admission
Courtyard by Marriott, 630 Assembly St.
Co-Presided by
Pastor Rashawn Flournoy, Freedom Worship Church, Greenville, SC and
Bishop Tonyia Rawls and Rev. Marage Romeo of Unity Fellowship Church, Charlotte, NC
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Wednesday musings - hate crimes legislation, One News Now whiners
Apparently the hate crimes legislation vote has been delayed until tomorrow during today's Judiciary Committee.
Some Republican senators kept tacking on ridiculous amendments in an effort to undermine the bill.
Strange though how none of them offered up an amendment to eliminate religion as a protected class under hate crimes legislation.
Tomorrow will tell whether or not this was a stall tactic or just sour grapes.
Let's keep our fingers crossed.
And while those fingers are crossed, I've seen something that is sure to put a smile on your face.
Right wing writer Michelle Malkin has written a very interesting piece in One News Now today that's sure to set conspiracy theorists on their asses.
She links several controversial incidents (including the Miss America controversy and the mocking of teabaggers ) to the election of President Obama.
Feel free to read it if you want because I won't go into detail about it. I just think it's sad that Malkin is obviously running out of material to write about.
Maybe too much teabagging has affected her?
Anyway, some of the comments to her article are positive and some (including mine) are negative. One comment in specific caught my eye:
I am so confused. Lately on OneNewsNow, which is a Christian news site, and the AFA, a pro-family, Christian organization, there are all these comments that are from non-Christians. There seems to be a massive infiltration happening. I certainly don't surf liberal or gay web sites looking to stick my nose into their business. I would appreciate the same courtesy but, as I type, I know who I'm dealing with (yes, you) and know that that will not happen. Civility is only civil when you want it for yourself.
Now that just brings a smile to my face. Am I being juvenile? Maybe. But then again probably not.
One News Now invites people to comment on articles It's obvious that many of us have been taking advantage of this courtesy to remind the phony news service that sometimes it conveniently omits crucial portions of current events in an attempt to stigmatize the lgbt community.
I'm guilty of it and I will do it every chance I get.
In fact, more of us should.
But please be respectful. None of that Perez Hilton type of name calling. State your facts accurately and courteously.
As long as One News Now extends the courtesy, lgbts and our allies have every right to take advantage of it.
Apparently the hate crimes legislation vote has been delayed until tomorrow during today's Judiciary Committee.
Some Republican senators kept tacking on ridiculous amendments in an effort to undermine the bill.
Strange though how none of them offered up an amendment to eliminate religion as a protected class under hate crimes legislation.
Tomorrow will tell whether or not this was a stall tactic or just sour grapes.
Let's keep our fingers crossed.
And while those fingers are crossed, I've seen something that is sure to put a smile on your face.
Right wing writer Michelle Malkin has written a very interesting piece in One News Now today that's sure to set conspiracy theorists on their asses.
She links several controversial incidents (including the Miss America controversy and the mocking of teabaggers ) to the election of President Obama.
Feel free to read it if you want because I won't go into detail about it. I just think it's sad that Malkin is obviously running out of material to write about.
Maybe too much teabagging has affected her?
Anyway, some of the comments to her article are positive and some (including mine) are negative. One comment in specific caught my eye:
I am so confused. Lately on OneNewsNow, which is a Christian news site, and the AFA, a pro-family, Christian organization, there are all these comments that are from non-Christians. There seems to be a massive infiltration happening. I certainly don't surf liberal or gay web sites looking to stick my nose into their business. I would appreciate the same courtesy but, as I type, I know who I'm dealing with (yes, you) and know that that will not happen. Civility is only civil when you want it for yourself.
Now that just brings a smile to my face. Am I being juvenile? Maybe. But then again probably not.
One News Now invites people to comment on articles It's obvious that many of us have been taking advantage of this courtesy to remind the phony news service that sometimes it conveniently omits crucial portions of current events in an attempt to stigmatize the lgbt community.
I'm guilty of it and I will do it every chance I get.
In fact, more of us should.
But please be respectful. None of that Perez Hilton type of name calling. State your facts accurately and courteously.
As long as One News Now extends the courtesy, lgbts and our allies have every right to take advantage of it.
Wednesday midday news briefs
The Globalization of Gay Bashing - This is damned scary - that's all that needs to be said.
Orson Scott Card Joins NOM Board - It's like the hydra. One head drops and another one takes its place.
More Republicans embrace gay equality - It's about time, too!
Perez Hilton vs Dennis Prager on Marriage Equality - Because I'm all obsessive-compulsive about completing things, I am including this. When I first heard of this debate, it reminded me of those Lucio Fulci movies where zombies ate people alive. I was only hoping that Hilton would get away with only one body part chewed up. From what I hear though, he did rather well. That doesn't mean my opinion has changed about him, but I admire his tenacity to fight in a situation he unnecessarily exacerbated.
ACLU demands LGBT website access for TN students - Because according to One News Now, when anyone is looking for lgbt-related information, it's ALL ABOUT SEX!
The Globalization of Gay Bashing - This is damned scary - that's all that needs to be said.
Orson Scott Card Joins NOM Board - It's like the hydra. One head drops and another one takes its place.
More Republicans embrace gay equality - It's about time, too!
Perez Hilton vs Dennis Prager on Marriage Equality - Because I'm all obsessive-compulsive about completing things, I am including this. When I first heard of this debate, it reminded me of those Lucio Fulci movies where zombies ate people alive. I was only hoping that Hilton would get away with only one body part chewed up. From what I hear though, he did rather well. That doesn't mean my opinion has changed about him, but I admire his tenacity to fight in a situation he unnecessarily exacerbated.
ACLU demands LGBT website access for TN students - Because according to One News Now, when anyone is looking for lgbt-related information, it's ALL ABOUT SEX!
Will lies about hate crimes legislation ever die?
As Congress gets ready to take up the issue of adding lgbts to existing hate crimes laws, the religious right have quietly been trying to rally the troops against it by using the same old inaccuracies.
Yesterday, Matt Barber wrote a piece in One News Now which was full of his usual hyperbolic exaggerations. One passage in particular caught my attention:
While debating the notion of "conspiracy to commit a hate crime" in the last Congress, Representative Artur Davis (D-Alabama) admitted that the legislation could be used to prosecute pastors for merely preaching the Bible under the concept of "inducement" to violence.
This in an inaccuracy and I have a feeling that Barber knows this. Let's look at the original transcript passage courtesy of goodasyou.org (who broke the story of how Davis's supposed admission was a distortion in 2007 when the incident took place):
Mr. Gohmert: Even with your amendment, you still have to go back to the "rule of evidence" at page 15 of the underlying bill. And it says that these things may not be introduced as substantive evidence at trial unless the evidence specifically relates to the offense.
And if I understood the gentleman's amendment—and I will put the question back to you—if a minister preaches that sexual relations outside of marriage of a man and woman is wrong, and somebody within that congregation goes out and does an act of violence, and that person says that that minister counseled or induced him through the sermon to commit that act, are you saying under your amendment that in no way could that ever be introduced against the minister?
Mr. Davis: No.
Please bear in mind that this exchange said nothing about putting ministers in jail.
If someone commits a crime and blames a third party, then the police have an obligation to question that third party.
Then Barber relates this blatant lie (which was debunked by Pam Spaulding):
But the Christian needn't even touch the homosexual. If the homosexual merely claims he was subjectively placed in "apprehension of bodily injury" by the Christian's words then, again, the Christian can be thrown in prison for a felony "hate crime." The FBI has included mere words – "insults" and "intimidation" – in calculating "hate crimes" statistics and – under the current political regime in Washington – there's every reason to believe they'll subjectively consider "insults" and "intimidation" (read: traditional sexual morality) for purposes of prosecuting "hate crimes."
Spaulding said:
This law wouldn't do anything to stifle free speech. The ACLU's Washington Legislative Office passed along this document outlining that the legislation protects First Amendment rights of free speech and free association:
III. The New Bill Provides Strong Protection of Free Speech
The ACLU has a long record of support for stronger protection of both free speech and civil rights. Those positions are not inconsistent. In fact, vigilant protection of free speech rights historically has opened the doors to effective advocacy for expanded civil rights protections.
Fourteen years ago, the ACLU submitted a brief to the Supreme Court urging the Court to uphold a Wisconsin hate crime sentencing enhancement statute as constitutional. However, the ACLU also asked the Court "to set forth a clear set of rules governing the use of such statutes in the future." The ACLU warned the Court that "if the state is not able to prove that a defendant's speech is linked to specific criminal behavior, the chances increase that the state's hate crime prosecution is politically inspired." The evidentiary provision in the House bill will help avoid that harm.
And I would be remiss if I didn't include one of Barber's personal tactics - making wild unsubstantiated claims:
The entire push for federal "hate crimes" legislation is rooted in fraud. In fact, many of the most high-profile reports have turned out to be false. For example, investigators determined that the very "hate crime" (Andrew Anthos in Michigan) exploited by liberal lawmakers to justify the same legislation in the last Congress, was a false report. It never happened. (See report from Detroit News) And instances of such fabricated and politically motivated "hate crimes" continue to pile up.
If politically motivated hate crimes are truly piling up, then the proof is obviously somewhere in Barber's head because he doesn't elaborate on this point (much like last year when he attacked six Canadian researchers for complaining about how the religious right was distorting their work. Barber said they were under "tremendous pressure" to do such but he conveniently didn't elaborate on that either)
But Barber isn't alone in his pathetic attempt to talk against hate crimes legislation. Regina Griggs of the ex-gay group PFOX wrote a piece also. She should have left well enough alone:
Griggs say the bill puts hatred of ex-"gays" into legislation. "The legislation doesn't protect my organization, and it doesn't protect the rights of former homosexuals to live free, happy out of the closet, if you will, and to be getting their message out to the public and into the schools," she adds. "Change is possible; it's proven scientifically."
God. Where to start in proving that this statement is beyond stupid? First of all the legislation adds sexual orientation in general to exisiting hate crimes legislation; not just the lgbt orientation. This means a group of gays who physically assault a heterosexual simply because of his orientation could be prosecuted under the legislation.
This means it would in fact protect those who call themselves "ex-gays."
And lastly, if it has been scientifically proven that people can change their sexual orientation, then perhaps Griggs keeps that knowledge in the same place Barber keeps his knowledge about the "epidemic" of phony hate crimes.
Really though, if this is the best the religious right has in their attempts to stop hate crimes legislation, then I actually feel sorry for them.
As Congress gets ready to take up the issue of adding lgbts to existing hate crimes laws, the religious right have quietly been trying to rally the troops against it by using the same old inaccuracies.
Yesterday, Matt Barber wrote a piece in One News Now which was full of his usual hyperbolic exaggerations. One passage in particular caught my attention:
While debating the notion of "conspiracy to commit a hate crime" in the last Congress, Representative Artur Davis (D-Alabama) admitted that the legislation could be used to prosecute pastors for merely preaching the Bible under the concept of "inducement" to violence.
This in an inaccuracy and I have a feeling that Barber knows this. Let's look at the original transcript passage courtesy of goodasyou.org (who broke the story of how Davis's supposed admission was a distortion in 2007 when the incident took place):
Mr. Gohmert: Even with your amendment, you still have to go back to the "rule of evidence" at page 15 of the underlying bill. And it says that these things may not be introduced as substantive evidence at trial unless the evidence specifically relates to the offense.
And if I understood the gentleman's amendment—and I will put the question back to you—if a minister preaches that sexual relations outside of marriage of a man and woman is wrong, and somebody within that congregation goes out and does an act of violence, and that person says that that minister counseled or induced him through the sermon to commit that act, are you saying under your amendment that in no way could that ever be introduced against the minister?
Mr. Davis: No.
Please bear in mind that this exchange said nothing about putting ministers in jail.
If someone commits a crime and blames a third party, then the police have an obligation to question that third party.
Then Barber relates this blatant lie (which was debunked by Pam Spaulding):
But the Christian needn't even touch the homosexual. If the homosexual merely claims he was subjectively placed in "apprehension of bodily injury" by the Christian's words then, again, the Christian can be thrown in prison for a felony "hate crime." The FBI has included mere words – "insults" and "intimidation" – in calculating "hate crimes" statistics and – under the current political regime in Washington – there's every reason to believe they'll subjectively consider "insults" and "intimidation" (read: traditional sexual morality) for purposes of prosecuting "hate crimes."
Spaulding said:
This law wouldn't do anything to stifle free speech. The ACLU's Washington Legislative Office passed along this document outlining that the legislation protects First Amendment rights of free speech and free association:
III. The New Bill Provides Strong Protection of Free Speech
The ACLU has a long record of support for stronger protection of both free speech and civil rights. Those positions are not inconsistent. In fact, vigilant protection of free speech rights historically has opened the doors to effective advocacy for expanded civil rights protections.
Fourteen years ago, the ACLU submitted a brief to the Supreme Court urging the Court to uphold a Wisconsin hate crime sentencing enhancement statute as constitutional. However, the ACLU also asked the Court "to set forth a clear set of rules governing the use of such statutes in the future." The ACLU warned the Court that "if the state is not able to prove that a defendant's speech is linked to specific criminal behavior, the chances increase that the state's hate crime prosecution is politically inspired." The evidentiary provision in the House bill will help avoid that harm.
And I would be remiss if I didn't include one of Barber's personal tactics - making wild unsubstantiated claims:
The entire push for federal "hate crimes" legislation is rooted in fraud. In fact, many of the most high-profile reports have turned out to be false. For example, investigators determined that the very "hate crime" (Andrew Anthos in Michigan) exploited by liberal lawmakers to justify the same legislation in the last Congress, was a false report. It never happened. (See report from Detroit News) And instances of such fabricated and politically motivated "hate crimes" continue to pile up.
If politically motivated hate crimes are truly piling up, then the proof is obviously somewhere in Barber's head because he doesn't elaborate on this point (much like last year when he attacked six Canadian researchers for complaining about how the religious right was distorting their work. Barber said they were under "tremendous pressure" to do such but he conveniently didn't elaborate on that either)
But Barber isn't alone in his pathetic attempt to talk against hate crimes legislation. Regina Griggs of the ex-gay group PFOX wrote a piece also. She should have left well enough alone:
Griggs say the bill puts hatred of ex-"gays" into legislation. "The legislation doesn't protect my organization, and it doesn't protect the rights of former homosexuals to live free, happy out of the closet, if you will, and to be getting their message out to the public and into the schools," she adds. "Change is possible; it's proven scientifically."
God. Where to start in proving that this statement is beyond stupid? First of all the legislation adds sexual orientation in general to exisiting hate crimes legislation; not just the lgbt orientation. This means a group of gays who physically assault a heterosexual simply because of his orientation could be prosecuted under the legislation.
This means it would in fact protect those who call themselves "ex-gays."
And lastly, if it has been scientifically proven that people can change their sexual orientation, then perhaps Griggs keeps that knowledge in the same place Barber keeps his knowledge about the "epidemic" of phony hate crimes.
Really though, if this is the best the religious right has in their attempts to stop hate crimes legislation, then I actually feel sorry for them.
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