Anti-Gay Facebook Group Includes Who's Who of Christianists

I wrote yesterday how blogger Alvin McEwen had discovered a private Facebook group with a mission of attacking the LGBT community and trashing LGBT blogs.  In his initial post, Alvin did not name names.  Today that changed as he released names in a post and took to SiriusXM to name names on the anti-gay Facebook group.  Here are highlight's from Alvin's follow up post:

 Some members of the religious right are no doubt raising hell amongst themselves about my Truth4Time, yesterday, looking at each other with heightened suspicion.

Like I actually care that these folks are anger. To paraphrase one of my favorite television show characters, their anger only makes the lgbtq community stronger. And I recommend that folks not get discouraged at these groups and the phony facts they attempt to throw out. The gist of the matter is that my post yesterday gave some of these folks a deserved kick where it counts.  And if any of them are reading this post, please be aware that your plans are being watched.

Now - cheap plug time - if you haven't heard the interview I had yesterday with Michelangelo Signorile in regards to the secret Facebook group Truth4Time, please take a listen again:  

The names I listed include:

Oklahoma legislator Sally Kern
Peter LaBarbera
Bradlee Dean
Matt Barber
Scott Lively
Jennifer Morse
Maggie Gallagher
Brian Brown
Phyllis Schafly

These are the people listed as members of this organization. Now how they got involved the group or whether they are fully involved in the group is for them to say. That's not my problem.  But knowing these folks, they will probably ignore this controversy, hoping that it goes away.

That's all very well, but it's like I said before. There are members of the lgbtq community more savvy than those in the past. And while we don't march or shout, we plot and plan because we have to. Our very survival depends upon it.  And to the religious right - your plans are being watched.

 

Sally Kern: Homosexuality Is "More Dangerous" Than Terrorist Attacks

In the first post of the day I mentioned the unleashing of hate that was caused by 9-11, most of it coming from self-congratulatory "Christians" and GOP demagogues. A case in point? Oklahoma hate merchant and GOP elected official Sally Kern. Kern represents everything foul in the GOP and the Christianists who now largely control the GOP. Right Wing Watch looks at Kern's latest batshitery in which she states that homosexuality is more dangerous than terrorist attacks. I suspect the families of those who died on 9-11 might feel otherwise. The fact that Kern continues to be re-elected by her district is an indictment of her constituents. Here are highlights from Kern's most recent missive of hatred:

Oklahoma Republican state legislator Sally Kern spoke on August 31st with Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality to promote her new book, The Stoning of Sally Kern. Kern is best known for saying that homosexuality is “the biggest threat our nation has, even more so than terrorism or Islam.” Kern has tried to explain that her remarks were taken out of context and distorted by the media, but she repeated her claim that homosexuality is “more dangerous” than terrorist attacks while speaking with LaBarbera, lamenting that young people are “bombarded” with the message that “homosexuality is normal and natural.” “It’s something they have to deal with every day,” Kern said, “Fortunately we don’t have to deal with a terrorist attack every day.”

You know if you just look at it in practical terms, which has destroyed and ended the life of more people? Terrorism attack here in America or HIV/AIDS? In the last twenty years, fifteen to twenty years, we’ve had maybe three terrorist attacks on our soil with a little over 5,000 people regrettably losing their lives. In the same time frame, there have been hundreds of thousands who have died because of having AIDS. So which one’s the biggest threat? And you know, every day our young people, adults too, but especially our young people, are bombarded at school, in movies, in music, on TV, in the mall, in magazines, they’re bombarded with ‘homosexuality is normal and natural.’ It’s something they have to deal with every day. Fortunately we don’t have to deal with a terrorist attack every day, and that’s what I mean.

It’s more dangerous, and yes I think that it’s also more dangerous because it will tear down the moral fiber of this nation. We were founded as a nation upon the principles of religion and morality, if we take those out from under our society we will lose what has made us a great nation, we will no longer be a virtuous people, which we see happening already. And without virtue this nation will not survive.

It's people like Kern and her hatred and embracing of ignorance and bigotry who pose the biggest threat to the survival of this nation.

Oklahoma Lawmakers Pass Wrong Hate Crimes Bill

A while back I wrote about the passage of a bill by the Oklahoma State Senate that sought to nullify the effectiveness of the federal hate crimes bill that protects victims of violence based on their sexual orientation. The Bible beaters in Sally Kern land, however, are none too bright apparently - something I don't find surprising - and in passing their Christianist supported bill, the morons screwed up the bill's language and rather than blocking the hate crimes bill they targeted, ostensibly their bill barred the state from reporting hate crimes based on race and religion instead. Personally, I find the idiocy of the Okies hysterical and it truly suggests that someone will be finding their ass in a sling now that the state has made itself look even more ridiculous. Not only are the homo haters bigots, but they are incompetent bigots to boot. Here are some highlights from The Advocate:

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Lawmakers in Oklahoma thought they’d figured out a way to exempt the state from enforcing the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Act, which added protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity to the federal hate crimes act. But thanks to “a legislative error,” the Oklahoma senate has instead passed a bill that sidesteps protections based on race and religion.
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Senate Bill 1965, passed on March 10, states that local enforcement agencies should not enforce any sections of federal law listed under Title 18 U.S. Code Section 245 unless they are already covered by state law. But it’s Section 249, not 245, where sexual orientation and gender identity protections are listed. Section 245 outlines protections based on race and religion.
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Now that the mistake has been made public, the bill has little chance of getting through the House, according to Sarah Warbelow, the Human Rights Campaign’s state legislative director.
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Just perhaps the state would be better served by less Bible beating and religious based hate and more learning how to read and double check citations.

Sally Kern Blames Gays for Economic Turn Down

Oklahoma's increasingly insane and demented Rep. Sally Kern needs to be, in my opinion, subjected to an involuntary stay in a mental health institution since she clearly is losing what little grasp of reality that once had. Now the homophobe extraordinaire is saying that the crash of the U. S. economy is because of homosexuality. Never mind the eight years of the Chimperator's disastrous rule or the seven years of GOP control of Congress that set the stage for the financial system melt down. How people continue to vote for nutcases like Kern is truly mind boggling. Here are some highlights from the Business Insider on Kern's latest lunacy:

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Sally Kern is an Oklahoma state representative with her own, unique take on the economic crisis: gays are to blame. She's introduced a proclamation stating:

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WHEREAS, we believe our economic woes are consequences of our greater national moral crisis; and

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WHEREAS, this nation has become a world leader in promoting abortion,pornography, same sex marriage, sex trafficking, divorce, illegitimate births, child abuse, and many other forms of debauchery; and

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WHEREAS, alarmed that the Government of the United States of America is forsaking the rich Christian heritage upon which this nation was built; and

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WHEREAS, grieved that the Office of the president of these United States has refused to uphold the long held tradition of past presidents in giving recognition to our National Day of Prayer; and

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WHEREAS, deeply disturbed that the Office of the president of these United States disregards the biblical admonitions to live clean and pure lives by proclaiming an entire month to an immoral behavior;

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NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we the undersigned elected officials of the people of Oklahoma, religious leaders and citizens of the State of Oklahoma, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world, solemnly declare that the HOPE of the great State of Oklahoma and of these United States, rests upon the Principles of Religion and Morality as put forth in the HOLY BIBLE; and

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BE IT RESOLVED that we, the undersigned, believers in the One True God and His only Son, call upon all to join with us in recognizing that “Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord,” and humbly implore all who love Truth and Virtue to live above reproach in the sight of God and man with a firm reliance on the leadership and protection of Almighty God; and

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BE IT RESOLVED that we, the undersigned, humbly call upon Holy God, our Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer, to have mercy on this nation, to stay His hand of judgment, and grant a national awakening of righteousness and Christian renewal as we repent of our great sin.

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You could not make this stuff up if you tried. Of course, Kern's own great sin is her hatred towards and judgment of others, contempt for the freedom of religion of others, and general Pharisee like behavior. If I lived in Oklahoma, I would be seriously embarrassed to have Kern in public office.

Sally Kern's Latest Anti-Gay Screed

Even as more GOP politicos are trashing the sanctity of marriage, Oklahoma nutcase Sally Kern is off making yet another anti-gay screed and blaming LGBT Americans for the decline of morality - as if we made John Stanford and John Ensign somehow cheat on their wives. The woman is seriously disturbed to say the least given her never ending obsession with gays. Kern's latest eruption of batshittery took place at the disingenuous Americans for Truth conference in Chicago on June 17 where she spouted off claiming to highlighting President Obama’s radical homosexualist agenda. Here are some highlights from Kern's latest verbal diarrhea:

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The homosexual agenda is only one symptom of the real problem in America. The problem is that we have forsaken the Judeo-Christian values upon which this nation was founded. Noah Webster declared: “The principles of genuine liberty and of wise laws and administrations are to be drawn from the Bible.”

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There are two conflicting worldviews vying for power. The secular humanist worldview versus the Judeo-Christian or Biblical worldview. Humanism sees the world as impersonal matter shaped by chance with man just another animal. There is no basis for values or laws. The Biblical worldview recognizes a Creator who established moral laws and absolute truth as revealed in the Bible. Man, made in God’s image, is priceless.

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For the first time in America’s history, we have a president who has no understanding of the Biblical worldview and who has even less understanding of the truths of the Bible. This is evident when he says that support for homosexual “marriage” [unions] can be found in the Sermon on the Mount or that certain passages in Romans are just obscure passages. Whereas George Washington expelled from his military those who practiced sodomy, President Obama honors sodomites by proclaiming an entire month as Gay Pride Month, but he won’t acknowledge one day for our National Day of Prayer.

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Today we have a national moral crisis and leading the charge against religion and morality is the homosexual agenda with the president carrying their water.

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If Obama is so busy "carrying our water," why is it that he's under non-stop attack by LGBT organizations for having lied to us during his campaign. I think Kern must be living in some parallel universe from the rest of us.

Chris Buttars- A Reminder of the Real Face of Today's GOP

Last year Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern exploded onto the national scene with her incredibly anti-gay remarks and underscored the bigotry that is a hallmark of today's Republican Party. Now, Utah State Rep. Chris Buttars (scowling at left) has taken up the baton and has taken anti-gay bigotry to an even higher level. However, gays are not the only ones that Buttars has maligned. He doesn't like blacks either and the Utah Chapter of the NAACP is on record calling for his resignation from the legislature due to past racist remarks. In a nut shell, the GOP has become a racist, homophobic, religion based party and has betrayed what ought to be true conservative values. The Party can try t use window dressing like electing Michael Steele as RNC Chair, but Kern and Buttars are the real face of the GOP today. In terms of blacks, here are some highlights from KLS-TV5 from February 4, 2008:

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Utah's chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) says Sen. Chris Buttars should resign. The group's executive committee reached that conclusion after investigating a comment Buttars made on the Senate floor two days ago. According to the NAACP, Tuesday's comment was simply the final straw. For years, they say, Buttars has been making what they call "bigoted" statements about African-Americans, gays and lesbians, and others and getting away with it.

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Tuesday's comment was quick in length, yet explosive with impact. "Senator Stevenson, this baby is black, I'll tell ya. It's a dark, ugly thing," Buttars said on Tuesday. Many people found that comment alone offensive, racist or bigoted. But Buttars has a history of such comments: referring to fellow Sen. Scott McCoy as "The Gay" one year, saying that Brown versus the Board of Education was "wrong to begin with" another time.

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In terms of gays, as the Salt Lake Tribune reports, Buttars out did himself in statements he made during the filming of a documentary for ABC 4. While Buttars is apparently trying to do some damage control - he claims he was set up - his words speak for themselves. Here are some story highlights:

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Buttars' latest remarks come from an interview with documentary filmmaker Reed Cowan that aired on ABC 4 this week. Buttars told Cowan the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community doesn't want "equality, they want superiority." "It's the beginning of the end," the West Jordan Republican said. "Oh, it's worse than that. Sure. Sodom and Gomorrah was localized. This is worldwide."

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Cowan conducted his interview with Buttars on Jan. 30, days after Buttars helped defeat the initial bill in the Common Ground Initiative, a legislative effort that would have expanded legal protections for gay and transgender Utahns. The Legislature has stopped the initiative for 2009, with a House committee voting down the final bill Wednesday. Of that first bill, Buttars boasted to Cowan, "It lost 4-2, and I killed it. I've killed every one they've brought for eight years."

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Sadly, the fact that Buttars has been consistently re-elected speaks volumes about his district. People need to take a long look at Kern and Buttars and ask themselves whether this is what any responsible political party should have among its ranks.

Growing Lunacy in the GOP Base

There has been much conjecture as to whether or not newly elected RNC chair, Michael S. Steele (pictured at left), can lead the Republican Party back from lunacy and potentially irrelevance down the road if the party remains on its current delusional course. A recent Newsweek article looks at this precise issue. The author of that piece concludes in part as follows:

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[A] political party can only run in a different direction than the country for so long. And America was changing, not only in its demographics—which were increasingly ethnic and "minority"—but in its attitudes, which were increasingly inclusive. . . . For Americans to regain faith in the party of Lincoln will require more than cosmetic change at the top. And it is not clear that Steele represents anything more than that. . . . But even if Steele were inclined to try to reinvent the party, it's not clear the party would let him.

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Many Republicans like it pretty much the way it is. A new Rasmussen Reports survey found little appetite among Republicans for ideological moderation. . . . the problem is not just the Republican selling job. . . . It's the Republican reality. And unless Steele recognizes that and is empowered to act on that knowledge, it's hard to see how his smiling face will make much difference.

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For a glimpse of the true Republican reality, one need only look at a recent gathering in Oklahoma attend by homo-hater, Sally Kern, who was a speaker. As a former member of the GOP some years back, I am increasing shocked at just how unhinged the GOP base has become. Sadly, I believe that the Republican Party of Virginia is largely on the same page as the folks in Oklahoma - making it critical that Bob McDonnell NOT be elected governor this coming November. Here are some highlights from a Right Wing Watch piece that show just how scary the GOP has become:

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The crowd in the banquet hall at the Character Conference Center, housed in an old Holiday Inn in downtown Oklahoma City, sat packed, rapt with attention as Oklahoma state Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, told them she’d found it: the gay agenda.

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Kern said the agenda is in a book called “After the Ball,” by Marshall Kirk and Hunter Madsen, a book named after a musical adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s “Lady Windermere’s Fan.” She recounted the bullet points of a secret public relations campaign to have gays accepted by the general public — step by step — with the final goal being not just acceptance of gays by heterosexuals, but eventual triumph of homosexuality as a superior lifestyle.

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“This theme of equality and freedom is the approach that the homosexuals are using today — totally perverting the true intention of what our Constitution meant. … The homosexuals get it — it’s a struggle between our religious freedoms and their right to do what they want to do.”

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Around the banquet hall, Kern’s speech met with applause and calls of “Amen!” from a crowd stoked in a crucible of conspiracy and intrigue. For the whole day, the “Clouds Over America” conference, run and organized by the John Birch Society, held lecture after lecture Jan. 23 and 24 dedicated to explaining their various conspiracy-laden tenets. Here’s one — that a godless secret society, the Illuminati, has been battling against the founding of the United States of America and decent citizens to live in peaceful, worshipful freedom.

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To get the full grasp of just how much these people need a mental heath care intervention, read the full story at the Oklahoma Gazette. These people are batshit crazy. Perhaps the most frightening revelation was that attendance at the event this year was up four fold from last year.

Oklahoma Race For Governor Reveals Anti-Gay Conspiracy

As Gossip Boy, Good As You, and other blogs are starting to report, Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett wants to be Oklahoma's next governor and it has been revealed that he thinks the way to the governor's office is via a concerted anti-gay jihad, including packing the Metropolitan Library Commission of Oklahoma County with anti-gay extremists. Not surprising, another figure in the conspiracy is nutcase Sally Kern's husband, Steve Kern, pastor of the Olivet Baptist Church. We have always known that anti-gay rhetoric is cynically used by far right candidates to court religious extremist voters, but it is rare that we find such revealing evidence of a plan to dupe and manipulate the fundie voters. Here are highlights from Gossip Boy:

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A special investigation has revealed Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett has his eyes on the state executive office and is working closely with religious extremists to fill the Metropolitan Library Commission of Oklahoma County with anti-gay members in order to court the fundamentalist vote.

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Cornett and Steve Kern, pastor of the Olivet Baptist Church and husband to State Rep. Sally Kern, are being accused of teaming up to rid the library system of all gay and lesbian materials, as well as those their church-based philosophies find objectionable. A source close to Cornett alleges, “The Mayor is looking to become Oklahoma’s next governor in 2010. With the conservatism rampant in the state, he feels now is the time to fully side with fundamentalist Christians in order to get their backing. He believes one way of doing that is going on an all-out assault on gay citizens. Even if things are done that would later be overturned in court at a great cost to the City, he will walk away a hero to certain people.”

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The insider also stated, “The Mayor is aware that Ernest Istook is returning to Oklahoma to join the governor’s race again. Istook has the conservative base locked in, so the Mayor must shake loose Istook supporters if he is to get past the Republican primary. Gays are easy targets for him. He tried to use them in 2006, but it backfired. This round he wants to make it clear he is without a doubt against gay rights.”

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Gossip Boy received other tips regarding Cornett’s ambitions and the scheme to appease Christian extremists, who sided against him in the 2006 race for 5th District Congress, and began a covert ploy to expose it. A reporter posed as a citizen working with the Mayor to push gay and lesbian literature out of city libraries and contacted Steve Kern.

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Here's what Steve Kern had to say about gays: We have to get rid of that [information on gays in libraries] and start curing those sinners. It’s past time that this nation stopped placating sin and start putting them in education programs. Courts can force drug offenders into treatment centers and violent people into anger management. There’s no reason our courts can’t do that with homos.

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The Gossip Boy post deserves a full read because it also looks in detail at the hold the Christianists already have over the Metropolitan Library Commission. The picture that emerges is one that makes it clear that the Oklahoma City area is NOT one in which any remotely progressive business should consider as a relocation option. I shudder to think what it must be like to be gay and live in such a homophobic area of the country.

Sally Kern's Anti-Gay Rants Are Hurting Business

Hopefully some other cities - e.g., Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake for starters - will learn from Oklahoma City the possible consequences of harboring anti-gay sentiments and/or electing extreme homophobes to office. It seems that while the Kool-Aid drinkers in Oklahoma City are reveling in Kern's message of hate, big bussiness and the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce in particular are less than joyous. In fact, they are already learning that Kern's posionous mindset is turning away progressive businesses and has made the city a place consultants advise clients to avoid.

I have stated in the past and say again that the LGBT community needs to use its financial purchasing power to punish states, cities and businesses that are anti-gay and take their gay dollars elsewhere. With a purchasing power greater than that of the Africa American community within the USA, a concerted LGBT boycott of cities and/or products WOULD have an impact. In short, hate should carry a price. According to this story from the Oklahoma City Journal Record, perhaps it is already happening in Oklahoma City. Here are some highlights:

OKLAHOMA CITY – A San Francisco Bay-area financial services company has not yet ruled out Oklahoma City for a major office relocation, a vice president of a real estate search firm confirmed. A decision is expected in three to four weeks. But Tom Maloney, vice president of California-based Staubach Co., would neither confirm nor deny that the 1,000-employee, AAA-rated client company’s top executive is a lesbian who expressed concern over Oklahoma Rep. Sally Kern’s recent anti-homosexual statements, as has been the topic circulating among local business leaders.

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Roy Williams, president of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, said the issue is a major concern the chamber is trying to address. He confirmed a Staubach consultant was troubled by Kern’s comments during a recent visit to the city. “He told us straight up … ‘I cannot recommend to any of my clients that they should consider Oklahoma City because of that,’” Williams said. “When you have one of the nation’s premier relocation experts making those statements, you should pay attention to that and not dismiss it.

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The significance of the Staubach visit to Oklahoma has grown with e-mail rumors. A representative of a national gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgender (GLBT) organization said notes are being circulated that the unidentified company is actually a motorist group – skewing references to the company’s triple-A credit rating – that 6,000 jobs are involved, and that the executive stormed out of the meeting in anger. When asked about Kern’s recorded statements and their effect on any potential company relocations to Oklahoma City, Maloney said, “I’ve got no comment as to what, if any, impact that they’ve had.”

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As for Kern’s comments, “They no doubt send a message out there that no city wants to send, and that is one of divisiveness instead of unitedness,” he said. For the last five years, the chamber has made a greater effort “to embrace differences and embrace diversity, to build a community that is open and welcoming to anyone.”

Cultivating Hate - The Aftermath

Colette Beighley has a great post on her blog (http://www.chanceofgay.org/) that looks at the aftermath of bullying and hate speech such as that of Oklahoma Rep. Sally Kern. Specifically, the post looks at the survivors of youths who have chosen to take teir own lives as a result of bullying and other mistreatment by their schoolmates and others. What I find so amazing is how people like Ms. Kern - who claim to be Christian - can be such vicious fountains of hate towards other human beings. Another such individual is Missouri House Rep. Jane Cunningham (R-86) who chairs of the Missour Legislature's Elementary And Secondary Education Committee. While I have been unable to confirm Ms. Cunningham's religious denomination, from her official biography I suspect she is purportedly a Christian, yet as Pam's House Blend has reported (http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=99096D01350D0518F9E724032622D1BD?diaryId=4915), she made the following remarks to some students who had piercings:

Cunningham told the youth to leave, as she "couldn't look at [them] anymore," because their appearance "offended" her. Both youth have facial piercings as many students do. The youth thanked Rep. Cunningham for her time and left the office. . . . "I don't see how any human being could look at them for any prolonged period of time without getting physically ill... I thought I would throw-up if I looked at them any longer."

Jesus associated with the social outcasts of his day and healed lepers, yet Ms. Kern and Ms. Cunningham look down on their fellow humans and disparage them and, in the case of Ms. Kern, make statements that actively incite hatred. What kind of perverted form of Christianity these women purport to follow? I just do not get it. How can anyone be so unkind and hate-filled?

Sally Kern - Shoots Herself in the Foot [Head] Again

Having called attention to herself through her ignorant, hate-inspired anti-gay rant that she did not realize was being taped, Oklahoma Rep. Sally Kern clearly has not learned to shut her mouth and keep it shut. Her latest effort to show herself to be a totally ignorant ass can be found in her letter to the editor in the Bethany Tribune (http://www.bethanytribune.net/opinion.htm) which serves portions of Oklahoma City.

The "facts" she cites to justify her anti-gay bigotry and hatred are pure Paul Cameron quality and on their face probably came from Cameron’s web site and/or some of his dubious pay to publish articles. By way of background, Cameron was officially expelled from the American Psychological Association in 1983 and officially condemned by both the American Sociological Association and the Canadian Psychological Association, because of his fraudulent research. Sadly, it’s no surprise that Kern relies on a quack like Cameron and those in Christianist circles who continue to cite him as an expert. Also, note that she has to cite a 1952 article as one of her sources, obviously because any more current reputable source would not support her claims. The more Kern keeps it up, the more likely she is going to be either forced to resign or be defeated in her next re-election effort. She is a one woman negative advertising campaign for the State of Oklahoma, who has now added the States of New York and California to the list of persons and places she has insulted. Here are highlights from her latest rant:

“The International Journal of Epidemiology” states that the mortality rate for those engaging in homosexual relations before age 20 have their life expectancy reduced by as much as 30 years. The study “The Longevity of Homosexuals” found that the average lifespan for lesbians is only slightly higher than that of homosexual men.

Homosexuals insist they are born gay, yet a study by Dr. Neil Whitehead and Briar Whitehead on various cultures states: “If homosexuality were influenced by genes, it would appear in every culture, but in 29 of 79 cultures surveyed in 1952, homosexuality was rare or absent.” Regarding homosexual couples and domestic violence, a recent study by the Canadian government states that “violence was twice as common among homosexual couples compared with heterosexual couples.”

The homosexual agenda’s influence on education is evident from their own organization’s literature. The book, “Tackling Gay Issues in Schools,” for K-12 gives teachers reasons for including homosexual, bisexual and transsexual lifestyles in schools. The Gay Straight Alliance offers instruction on teaching homosexuality in every subject. The Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN) has materials promoting the homosexual lifestyle. The National Education Association is sending all 16,000 public school districts in the U.S. a 24-page pro-homosexual booklet telling students that homosexuality is normal. “It’s Elementary” is a training video used in schools to persuade children that the homosexual lifestyle is normal. There is a homosexual agenda in our schools.

Homosexuals are already citizens who have equal rights. They want “special rights” for the acceptance of their deviant lifestyle. I’m thankful that Oklahoma is different than California and New York. I pray it stays that way.

Sally Kern, District 84
Oklahoma State Representative

Sally Kern Continues to Demonstrate Her Ignorance and Hate-filled Mentality

In her anti-gay rant, the new Queen of Hate, Oklahoma Rep. Sally Kern cited the threat of gays infiltrating city councils and cited the cities of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Eureka Springs, Arkansas as examples of such cities. As I previously posted, Pittsburgh was quick to slam Ms. Kern and demand an apology. Now, Eureka Springs has also taken her to task as reported in the Carroll County News (http://www.eurekaspringstimesecho.com/articles/2008/03/21/news/we2.txt):

EUREKA SPRINGS - Statements made by Oklahoma State Representative Sally Kern (R), secretly recorded and released on YouTube.com on March 7 brought a rebuke from Mayor Dani Joy at the conclusion of Monday's's city council meeting. Kern used Eureka Springs as an example of a town “taken over by the militant homosexual agenda,” and can be seen on the Web at http://www/youtube.com/watch v=1T7s3x4JoQ.\

The mayor's statement, released earlier on Geekfest, an electronic community bulletin board, describes Eureka Springs as “welcoming to all visitors and residents without regard to their race, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability or national origin.

It is our hope that all people would aspire to this ideal.”She also added that in her opinion it was appalling that Kern used Eureka Springs and its citizens to further a private agenda. Elected officials, she said, are put into office for other reasons, and added that she feels that Kern owes the city an apology.

Meanwhile, the sadly deranged and hate-filled Ms. Kern doesn't seem to know when to shut her mouth and is managing to continue to dig her hole deeper and show her incrdible level of ignorance. Contrary to her allegations, the Christianist organizations outspend the LGBT organizations by a margin of almost 10 to 1 and no legitimate science/medical knowledge supports her position that sexual orientation is a choice. The woman is a moron. Here are highlights from this past weekend when she was on television in a debate with a gay pastor (http://pageoneq.com/news/2008/kern_032508.html):

Oklahoma House Rep. Sally Kern made an Easter Sunday appearance on KFOR-TV's "Flash Point" to face off with an openly gay pastor, elaborating on her recent leaked speech and defending her views. A spirited theological and political debate ensued between Rep. Kern, host Kevin Ogle, panelists Burns Hargis and Mike Turpen, and Dr. Scott Jones of Oklahoma City's Cathedral of Hope.

I was talking about the homosexual agenda, and how they are out there putting forth--funding very heavily--homosexual and pro-homosexual candidates to run against, and defeat, conservatives across the nation. "I did talk about what I believe...scientific evidence, health evidence...proves that the homosexual lifestyle is a dangerous lifestyle. And, yes, I did compare it to being more dangerous than terrorism. And my point in doing that, gentlemen, was this: Everybody knows terrorism destroys and tears down, and that was the only analogy I was making is that the homosexual agenda, this lifestyle which is so destructive to individuals, is at the heart trying to tear down what is the bedrock foundation of our society, which is the family and traditional marriage."

If a person is born black, they can't change that," Kern explains. "You see, that's the heart of this issue is the homosexuals believe they're born that way. No medical research--" "--Even Al Mohler, the president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has agreed that all science is leading toward the idea that we are born that way." "I disagree with that wholeheartedly," Kern says. "We're all born with a sinful nature. I'm just as sinful as anybody else in this world."

"The American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association all disagree with you, ma'am," Jones responds, "and they're the people I would respect as having a mainstream view, and yours is in an extreme view." "Mine is not an extreme view," counters Kern. "Mine is the view of the average American citizen, and I disagree with you."

Judy Shepard: Sally Kern’s Free Speech

I realize that there have been numerous stories on the hate speech of Sally kern, the deluded hate-merchant member of the Oklahoma legislature. None the less, I believe that thses comments by Judy Shepard (http://www.gaypolitics.com/?p=367) should be repeated over and over because it is people like Ms. Kern who create the mindset for violence against gays - as they all the while pat themselves on the back for being good "Christians," which, of course they are not. Compare Judy Shepard's remarks with those of Ms. Kern, and I believe it is obvious who is the true Christian. Here are some highlights from her comments:

Sally Kern’s comments hit me like a punch to the gut. I was enormously saddened that someone—anyone, really, but especially an elected official—could say such mean things about other human beings.

But as despicable as Sally Kern’s ideas are, she is of course free to shout them from the rooftops. One of the oddest responses of people who agree with her has been that we are trying to restrict her freedom of speech. In reality, the Victory Fund gave her a megaphone. If she’s that proud of her speech, she must be thrilled that more than 1 million people have listened to it. No, the question isn’t whether she has a right to spew hateful rhetoric. The question is whether she ought to.

My son died nearly ten years ago at the hands of people whose hatred changed many lives that day. It hardened hearts and brought others to their knees. It shook a nation and enraged millions. At that time, I knew there was a window of opportunity that I could use Matthew’s story and my voice in replacing hate with understanding, compassion and acceptance. Through the Matthew Shepard Foundation, we are reaching young people who are at risk of being poisoned by the dark ideas of people like Sally Kern.

I don’t know why Sally Kern is proud of comparing gay people to cancer or terrorism, but count me as someone who’s listening now to people like her. She may be free to say people like my son are a threat to America, but when she does she puts other mothers’ sons in danger. I pray she doesn’t say it anymore.

Pittsburgh, PA City Coucil Rips into Oklahoma Rep. Sally Kern

Among the many nasty anti-gay comments Sally Kern made was that "gays are infiltrating city councils," including that of Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh city fathers have a slightly different view of the gay menance and Douglas A. Shields, President of the Pittsburgh City Council sent Ms. Kern a rather strongly worded letter. I am still at a loss as to how an elected official like Kern can be so consumed by hate and intolerane. Perhaps Ms. Kern should move to Iran where as a woman she'd find out what it's like to have religious fanatics limit one's rights. I surely will not book any trips to Oklahoma any time soon. Here are some highlights via Pam's House Blend (http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=4774):

Ms. Kern:

Today I listened to your remarks (http://www.victoryfund.org/listening. ) related to your views on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people (GLBT). I was thoroughly disgusted by what you had to say and astonished that someone who presumably took an oath of office to uphold the U.S. Constitution and the laws of this nation would espouse hateful, bigoted and un-American views.

I sit here in my office and only wonder who else might be on your "less equal" list. I also wonder, if we should follow your illogic, what it is we should do about this "threat" to the nation? Round them up and put them in extermination camps? How would you have us "cut out this cancer" assuming we do away with our Constitution and Bill of Rights and host of other civil rights we enjoy in this free and democratic nation?

Your remarks, whether you know it are not, provided an incredible display of ignorance and intolerance. You incite others to cause harm and even death to those who are of the GLBT community. New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned his office for far less an offense than the ones you committed in your remarks. I would hope that you too would recognize your offense and do likewise - resign.

As the President of the Council of the City of Pittsburgh, I require an apology from you for your senseless, mean spirited attack on one my colleagues and the Council as a whole. I would think, should you take the time to reflect upon your hateful, bigoted words. An apology is also in order to the GLBT community, their families and their friends. Short of a a miracle, I do not expect that you will. I find persons of your ilk completely blind to your ignorance.

Does Oklahoma Rep. Sally Kern Have a Gay Son?

Like many gay bloggers, I have done a number of posts on the still changing story on the extreme anti-gay comments made by Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern. Perhaps I should have seen it coming, but now stories are flying about that Sally Kern may have a gay son herself. A son that she has reportedly disowned. While Jesse Kern has denied that he is gay (http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080314_1__OKLAH67120), it would certainly fit a pattern where some of the most outspoken anti-gay bigots are themselves the parents of gay children. A few that spring to mind are Phyllis Schlafly, Beverly LeHaye, Alan Keyes, Randall Terry (there are many more). The irony of course is that according to these homophobes, homosexuality is the result of dysfunctional families and poor parental relationships. Thus if their theory were true, these folks should be the last ones giving advice to others about how to avoid raising children who turn out to be gay. They failed with their own children by their own standards. Why on earth trust them with yours?

I suspect that time will tell if Jesse Kern’s denial is true. It does seem strange, however, that Kern changed her homepage to delete references to her children. Most GOP politicians ALWAYS mention their children - to document that they are married with children and, therefore, cannot be gay or lesbian . However, in the interim, here are highlights from Queerity (http://www.queerty.com/sally-kern-scrubs-gay-son-20080312/):

The Oklahoma lawmaker’s homophobic remarks have been the talk of the town recently, especially her assertion that gay folk are infiltrating schools to indoctrinate children. And, sensing a critical national spotlight, Kern made a very suspicious change to her official government homepage. If you compare a March 4th cache and today’s version, you’ll notice that Kern and/or her staff deleted a biographical sentence mentioning her two adult sons, Jesse and Nathan. Obviously our warning bells went off, so we did a little digging and found something quite queer.

Consider comment seventeen on this Tulsa World article: “How come no-one asks this “supposed” christian woman..about her own GAY son? The one she basically has dis-owned…ahh so christian.” What?! Kern and her Baptist preacher hubbie had a homo? And they disowned him? That’s some Alan Keyes shit. A little more digital detective work dug up numerous postings naming Jesse as the outcast offspring. One even recalls Jesse’s time at Oklahoma Baptist University, where he was apparently “the biggest queen on campus”: I find it hilarious that Salacious Sally is such a bigot. Her son Jesse was the biggest queen on the campus of OBU in the mid-90’s. Twice he almost was expelled for making inappropriate advances in the library toilets. When he wasn’t cruising the toilets he was in the glee club and a piano major…there’s your sign.

NOTE: based on a comment on the Tulsa World article, I did a OCIS search and found the following which I have no way of confirming is the same Jesse Kern as Ms. Sally's son. Given his reported age currently, it's probably not him - perhaps a relative then:

Count as Filed: , ATT ORAL SODOMY , in violation of 21 O.S. 896 Date Of Offense: 03/27/1989
Party Name: KERN, JESSE JACOB

http://www.oscn.net/applications/ocisweb/GetCaseInformation.asp?submitted=true&viewtype=caseGeneral&casemasterID=446&db=Cleveland

Oklahoma Bigotry and a Letter from Tucker on Real Christian Values

If any further proof was needed that the GOP is the party of hatred and intolerance, the Oklahoma Legislature’s Republican caucus has refused to condemn Rep. Sally Kern (R) for saying – among other bigoted anti-gay remarks – that gays pose a greater danger to the United States than terrorists. Here are some highlights from 365gay.com (http://www.365gay.com/Newscon08/03/031208ok.htm):

Thousands of emails have flooded into the state mailboxes of lawmakers demanding an apology but House Speaker Chris Benge (R) tells the Oklahoman newspaper that he has no plans to punish Kern. Democrats want a House committee to investigate the remarks to determine if a censure is warranted. Benge says no. "We're not putting a committee together, no," he told the Oklahoman. Asked by the paper if Kern's remarks represent the House GOP caucus Benge said, "Each member has their own opinion, there's no way that I can say whether that reflects the rest of the Republican caucus or not."

These folks call themselves Christian, yet the one hallmark of their mindset is a hatred of those who are different. Is this what Ms. Kern’s preacher husband teaches at his church (pictured above)? What kind of cruel and vicious God do these people worship?

Meanwhile, as reported by Pam’s House Blend, among the letters sent to Kern is one from a high school student named Tucker (http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=4756) who lost his mother in the Murrah Federal Building bombing in 1995. The full letter can be found on Pam’s blog, and it is obvious that this 18 year old has far more Christian love, common sense and decency than uber-bigot/moron Sally Kern. Perhaps he should run for Ms. Kern’s seat. But no, he wants to get the Hell out of Oklahoma – I cannot say that I blame him if Ms. Kern is typical of Oklahomans. Here are some highlights from Tucker’s letter:

Rep Kern:

On April 19, 1995, in Oklahoma City a terrorist detonated a bomb that killed my mother and 167 others. 19 children died that day. Had I not had the chicken pox that day, the body count would've likely have included one more. Over 800 other Oklahomans were injured that day and many of those still suffer through their permanent wounds. That terrorist was neither a homosexual or was he involved in Islam. He was an extremist Christian forcing his views through a body count. He held his beliefs and made those who didn't live up to them pay with their lives.

As you were not a resident of Oklahoma on that day, it could be explained why you so carelessly chose words saying that the homosexual agenda is worst than terrorism. I can most certainly tell you through my own experience that is not true. I am sure there are many people in your voting district that laid a loved one to death after the terrorist attack on Oklahoma City. I kind of doubt you'll find one of them that will agree with you.

I've spent 12 years in Oklahoma public schools and never once have I had anyone try to force a gay agenda on me. I have seen, however, many gay students beat up and there's never a day in school that has went by when I haven't heard the word **** slung at someone. I've been called gay slurs many times and they hurt and I am not even gay so I can just imagine how a real gay person feels. You were a school teacher and you have seen those things too. How could you care so little about the suffering of some of your students?

Let me tell you the result of your words in my school. Every openly gay and suspected gay in the school were having to walk together Monday for protection. They looked scared. They've already experienced enough hate and now your words gave other students even more motivation to sneer at them and call them names. Afterall, you are a teacher and a lawmaker, many young people have taken your words to heart. That happens when you assume a role of responsibility in your community. I seriously think before this week ends that some kids here will be going home bruised and bloody because of what you said.

I wish you could've met my mom. Maybe she could've guided you in how a real Christian should be acting and speaking. I have not had a mother for nearly 13 years now and wonder if there were fewer people like you around, people with more love and tolerance in their hearts instead of strife, if my mom would be here to watch me graduate from high school this spring. Now she won't be there. So I'll be packing my things and leaving Oklahoma to go to college elsewhere and one day become a writer and I have no intentions to ever return here. I have no doubt that people like you will incite crazy people to build more bombs and kill more people again.

Sally Kern - Action Update

Pam Spaulding has a lengthy update on the Sally Kern debacle and a good deal of information which can be found here: (http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=7C2A2ED54EA11A80569DB57ED48763BF?diaryId=4745). One great point that Pam makes is that the business community and Oklahoma City - which is in Kern's district - Chamber of Commerce and Convention Bureau need to be aware that Kern's bigoted views are NOT acceptable to most people, particularly business people and event planners from other areas. There is contact information for some of those who need to hear that Ms. Kern has done serious damage to the image of their city and region. Here is a portion of Pam's excellent post:

We should politely and rationally point out that Rep. Kern's POV as the city's representative of state government isn't exactly creating a business climate to attract $$$ to the city, or create a quality of life for its LGBT citizens when hate is fomented. This isn't about free speech. It's about the consequences of a public official creating a dehumanizing climate for any LGBT employees of forward-thinking, successful businesses that might want to relocate there who would be paying taxes to enrich the city's coffers.

Roy Williams - President & CEO

rwilliams@okcchamber.com
Ph: 405/297-8939
Fax: 405/297-8908

The Economic Development Committee is here, including:

Robin L. Roberts, Executive Vice President
rroberts@okcchamber.com
Ph: 405/297-8945
Fax: 405/297-8908

Michael Chumo - Manager, Business Development Existing Industry
mchumo@okcchamber.com
Ph: 405/297-8803

Fax: 405/297-8908

Michael Ogan - Director of Business Development Business Recruitment, Business Relocation mogan@okcchamber.com
Ph: 405/297-8956

Fax: 405/297-8908

Marketing and Communications:

Cynthia Reid - Vice President, Marketing and Communications Economic Development Marketing Initiatives, Media Relations, Chamber Events, Chamber Publications, Capital of the New Century and other Image/Branding Programs, National Advertising, Forward OKC III Investor Relations:

creid@okcchamber.com

Ph: 405/297-8942

Fax: 405/297-8919

Christine Berney - Manager, Public Relations and Image Development Local, regional, and national media relations
cberney@okcchamber.com

Ph: 405/297-8990

Fax: 405/297-8919

Rep. Sally Kern Remains an Unrepentant Bigot

Oklahomans for Equality has published Oklahoma Sally Kern's written response to the furor that has arisen over her wildly homophobic remarks caught on a recording while Ms. Kern though she was off the record with a small group of fellow bigots. Kern's reponse can be found here (http://okeq.org/kernresponse.cfm). In the process of trying to make herself seem the victim and give the appearance that it was the "homosexual activists" who were in the wrong, Kern made this comment:

“To put this simply, as a Christian I believe homosexuality is not moral. Obviously, you have the right as an American to choose that lifestyle, but I also have the right to express my views and my fellow Oklahomans have the right to debate these issues. “In recent years homosexual activists have begun to aggressively promote their agenda through the political process, . . . That is their right, just as it is my right to voice opposition to their agenda, which I have been asked to do at several public forums in recent months. That’s what democracy is all about. It appears some homosexual activists believe only one group is allowed a voice in this debate. I disagree.

The remainder of her press release is basically a lot of unrepentant blather. Many people are not buying what Kern is selling and a petition has been started calling for her resignation. The petition sign up can be found here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/333266961. Pam Spaulding has a great letter authored by Rev. Russell Mark, who is actively involved with the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists (www.wabaptists.org). This letter, while blames Kern and those like her for the increase in hate crimes against gays can be found here: http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=4735. Given Kern's ignorant nastiness, I also sent her the following letter myself:

Dear Ms. Kern:

I guess under your definition, I am a “homosexual activist” because I find your recent anti-gay remarks bigoted, moronic and reprehensible. It is true – at least until you and those with your mindset take over the nation – we have the right to differ on matters of religious beliefs, but that is not an excuse for your recitation of factually erroneous statements. I would also add that your so-called “vigorous debate” was in a small closed session hidden from view. That’s hardly a vigorous debate and you know it. Please don’t lie about it. Thus, what I find truly offensive is the utter ignorance and dishonesty displayed in your remarks. You have certainly done your part to make the citizens of Oklahoma look like fools both in the USA and internationally. I have a few brief additional points I’d like to make.

First, as a history major, I suggest you take some refresher courses IMMEDIATELY. Perhaps a few courses on Classical Greece and Rome, each of which by any calculation lasted far longer that the USA has to date, might be a good starting point to show the erroneousness of your comment “Studies show, no society that has totally embraced homosexuality has lasted for more than, you know, a few decades.” I might also add that individuals like Socrates, Plato, Alexander the Great, numerous successful Roman Emperors, are but a few of the contributors to western civilization who were involved in same sex love. Please know what you are talking about before running your mouth.

Second, some of your other comments also suggest you rely on those like Paul Cameron for ”expert” opinion on gays and our “lifestyle.” Not that I realized, living, breathing and having emotions, feelings and bleeding when cut constituted a “lifestyle.” I suppose you engage in a heterosexual “lifestyle” under your feeble reasoning. By your apparent analysis, you were not born heterosexual, but rather chose that “lifestyle.” Again, you show your ignorance since Cameron was exposed as a fraud some 28 years ago. True, disingenuous “pro-family” organizations continue to disseminate lies based on his fraudulent work, yet one would think an elected official such as yourself would make sure that your statements had some shred of truth to them. I would also suggest you review the newly released booklet compiled by the American Psychological Association and other LEGITIMATE experts on sexual orientation. You can find it here: http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbc/publications/justthefacts.pdf

Lastly, your comments were particularly outrageous in light of the recent murders of gays. In one case, a 15 year old boy was basically executed by a middle school student who obviously had been indoctrinated by people like you. You see, words do have consequences. You are little better than the Nazi regime who made similar remarks about Jews in the 1930’s to dehumanize and stigmatize them. We all know what that led to – well, perhaps not since history is obviously NOT your strong suit. Check out the Holocaust while you are doing your history refresher courses. Good “Christians” like you have a great deal of blood and guilt on your hands for every gay, lesbian or trans-gendered individual who has been brutalized or murdered based on simple minded hate like that which your remarks exhibited. I hope you will do some soul searching. If not, at least educate yourself so you do not show yourself to be an ignorant ass.

Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern’s Anti-gay Speech Made Public

Personally, I love it when wingnut bigots speak their mind to what they believe is a select few only to have their nastiness thrown out for the entire world to see. Such is the case with State Rep. Sally Kern of Oklahoma who went on an anti-gay tirade to what she thought was a small friendly audience, not realizing that her comments were being recorded (highlights are set out below). One of the standard Christianist myths she cites is that “no society that has totally embraced homosexuality has lasted for more than, you know, a few decades.” Obviously, in my opinion she is (1) an ignorant idiot and (2) surely needs to take some refresher courses in history. I guess she’s never heard of classical ancient Greece and Rome or the Hellenistic Period, for example, all of which lasted for far longer than the period of time that the USA has existed. I am not aware that she’s made any apology whatsoever, but at least the world is getting to see what a mean spirited bigot she is. Those who would like to let Ms. Kern know what you think of her can e-mail her here: sallykern@okhouse.gov. Here are some samples of this ignorant twit’s statements about homosexuality and homosexuals:

Studies show, no society that has totally embraced homosexuality has lasted for more than, you know, a few decades. . . I honestly think it’s the biggest threat our nation has, even more so than terrorism or Islam.

They want to get them into the government schools so they can indoctrinate them . . . They are going after our young children, as young as two years of age, to try to teach them that the homosexual lifestyle is an acceptable lifestyle. You know, Gays are infiltrating city councils. . . Did you know that the city council of Eureka Springs is now controlled by gays? . .. They are winning elections.

One of my colleagues said We don’t have a gay problem in our community… well you know what, that is so dumb. If you have cancer in your little toe, do you just say that I’m going to forget about it since the rest of you is fine? It spreads! This stuff is deadly and it is spreading. It will destroy our young people and it will destroy this nation.

Ms. Kern, you are an embarrassment not only to yourself but also to your district, your state and this nation. Shame on you!! Take a few history courses too while you are at it.

Update: Here's a link to a local TV News story provided by a reader: http://www.news9.com/Global/story.asp?S=7983168