June 2011

Right Wing Round-Up

Submitted by Kyle Mantyla on Thursday, 6/30/2011 5:55 pm
  • Towleroad: The FBI Invited Westboro Baptist Church to Train its Police Officers and Agents.

  • Bill Berkowitz @ AlterNet: Why Is Jerry Falwell's Evangelical University Getting Filthy Rich off Your Tax Money?

  • Steve Benen: How health care rulings are covered.

  • Carlos Maza @ Equality Matters: Pat Robertson’s “Sodom” Comments Are In Line With Those Of NOM, FRC.

  • Good As You: Santorum says marriage equality 'an assault at the very core of America.'

  • Media Matters: The 50 Worst Things Glenn Beck Said On Fox News.

Right Wing Leftovers

Submitted by Kyle Mantyla on Thursday, 6/30/2011 5:44 pm
  • Randall Terry is in desperate need of donations.

  • Richard Land supports the DREAM Act.

  • FRC says those who are "pro-life and pro-family" should NEVER donate to the RNC.

  • Herman Cain says President Obama is "not a strong black man."

  • Quote of the day from Matt Barber: ""The true motivation here is not for marriage equality; the true motivation is to, under penalty of law, ensure that all Americans are compelled to embrace the demonstrably destructive and immoral homosexual lifestyle."

Garlow: Civil Government Cannot Recognize Marriage Equality Because God Is The Foundation Of All Government

Submitted by Kyle Mantyla on Thursday, 6/30/2011 4:43 pm

Jim Garlow was on "In The Arena" with Eliot Spitzer earlier this week where the two engaged in a rather tense and spirited debate over the marriage equality law passed by the New York legislature last week.

Garlow refused to say whether he agreed with Pat Robertson's assertion that no society that has "embraced homosexuality" can survive, though he did not disagree with it either, saying that great harm is done whenever God's word is violated.

Spitzer later asked Garlow if he recognized the right of civil governments to establish definitions of marriage that do not necessarily correspond to the Biblical definition, a distinction that Garlow refused to accept on the grounds that such claims are really nothing more than attempts to keep Christians out of the political process before finally asserting that God is the foundation of all forms of government:

Harvey: LGBT Equality Will Usher In "Anti-Family Tyranny"

Submitted by Brian Tashman on Thursday, 6/30/2011 3:56 pm

Mission America’s Linda Harvey, shockingly, is deeply troubled by President Obama’s LGBT Pride Month reception and fears that the push for gay rights will ultimately lead to “anti-family tyranny.” A staunch opponent of LGBT equality, Harvey recently asserted that tolerance of homosexuality caused the housing crisis and that marriage equality exacerbated America’s “perpetual pansexual pagan party.” She argues in her latest radio show that if Obama continues to advocate for gay rights, liberty itself may be at risk:

Harvey: Our President has launched a broad scale attack on traditional values. If homosexuals and transgenders are allowed to live and love as they see fit, we would have a whole societal mess on our hands, which is already starting to happen in some areas. We’re already seeing the denial of liberty, intimidation tactics, and flat out dirty tricks in the effort to silence concerned citizens, especially Christians. And I’m sure many of you are as dismayed as I am over our hyper-sexualized culture, well homosexual activism only puts that trend on steroids.

...

It’s not a rights issue, its cultural revolution, where homosexuality is declared acceptable, the harm and detriments disguised, and no other views are allowed. And that’s not human rights, friends, it’s anti-family tyranny. We need someone else as President, don’t you think? Someone who loves and honors God, His design, and truth itself.

Fischer: "I Have Never Seen A Christian Treat A Homosexual With Hatred"

Submitted by Kyle Mantyla on Thursday, 6/30/2011 1:16 pm

Near the end of the first hour of Bryan Fischer's radio program yesterday, Fischer took a call from "Sue in Elmore City, Oklahoma" who claimed she "went in to the world of homosexuality for a while" but had been delivered from that life by faith in Christ. 

The reason Sue called in to Fischer's show was to explain how, at that time, the gay community had been very welcoming, accepting, and loving to her while the Church and the Christian community had been very hateful and judgmental.  Sue advised that if Christians really want to help gays to leave that lifestyle, they need to be more welcoming, understanding, and loving.

But Fischer just could not believe what he was hearing because he has never in his life seen a Christian be hateful toward gays:

I have never seen a Christian treat a homosexual with hatred. I mean, I've seen them talk to them, I've seen them appeal to them - I mean, I've done this myself, I've counseled with them, I've prayed with them. I've never seen a Christian treat a homosexuality [sic] with vitriol and hatred.

Now, I'm not saying it hasn't happened. I mean, I know what Fred Phelps does, but outside of him I just haven't seen it.

Is he serious?  Fischer has "never seen a Christian treat a homosexual with hatred"? Maybe he ought to watch the first two minutes of this video:

Hartzler: Gays "Shouldn't Feel Bad" That She Passed Constitutional Amendment Banning Marriage Equality

Submitted by Brian Tashman on Thursday, 6/30/2011 12:17 pm

After we attended and posted video of a speech by Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) to a group of young conservatives, in which she compared marriage equality to pedophilia, incest, and allowing three year old children drive cars, Hartzler faced criticism and tried to explain that her comments were “misconstrued.” Then, on Wednesday, a young Missouri activist confronted Hartzler at a public forum, asking her about her anti-gay comments and leadership role in the campaign to pass a state constitutional amendment banning marriage equality. Hartzler repeated her line that her Eagle Forum Collegians speech was misconstrued and said that the activist, who is openly gay, “shouldn’t feel bad” about the constitutional amendment because gays were already banned from marrying by statute. Now, the discriminatory ban is just enshrined in the Missouri Constitution.

Watch Hartzler’s original comments:

H/T Danny Ferguson, Liberaland

Faith Leaders Meet With Akin's Staff To Seek Real Apology

Submitted by Brian Tashman on Thursday, 6/30/2011 11:12 am

A group of clergymen visited Missouri Congressman and US Senate candidate Todd Akin’s district office to address his claim, first reported at RWW, that “at the heart of liberalism really is a hatred for God.” The groups Faith in Public Life and Faithful America have reached-out to local faith leaders to respond to the Congressman’s statement and helped organize the meeting. Akin however did not attend, citing prior commitments, and stood by his claim that liberalism is rooted in the hatred of God. Beau Underwood of Bold Faith Type reported on the attempts to win a “real apology” from the Congressman:

In response to Rep. Todd Akin's recent, insensitive comment that "at the heart of liberalism is a hatred for God," a group of clergy from Akin's district visited his office today. In light of his failed attempts to justify his statement yesterday, the group of faith leaders sought a real apology from their Congressman for the disrespect his remarks showed towards their religious commitments. Instead, the Congressman sent a staff person to meet the group, while refusing to address the substance of his offensive remarks.

Outside of his office, clergy members spoke out against Akin’s extreme rhetoric:

 

God Has Chosen Tony Perkins To Save America

Submitted by Kyle Mantyla on Thursday, 6/30/2011 11:03 am

Back in 2009, the Family Research Council launched a prayer effort timed to coincide with the 4th of July holiday called "Call 2 Fall" during which churches across the country would commit to dedicating several minutes to praying that God will save our nation.

It has since turned into an annual event and, as FRC reports, the event is needed now more than ever because, thanks to the passage of marriage equality in New York, "our nation has already crossed thresholds of decline and decadence which, unless the spiritual leaders of our nation (pastors and churches) arise to pray, take hold of God and follow His leadership to turn the tide in our nation, America's destruction is virtually assured."

So it is perfectly understandable why FRC would undertake this endeavor, especially considering that Tony Perkins was personally chosen by God for just this purpose:

The rot in American culture and our social institutions is beyond man's redemption.

Our hope is in God, not men! ... FRC President Tony Perkins has long pondered the promise of Scripture in 2 Chronicles 7:14. He was uniquely prompted by the Holy Spirit to lead this effort.

In early 2009, Tony preached in a large Southern California church about "Real Change" in America -- the message of "repentance," preached by Jesus, John the Baptist, Peter and all of the apostles (see Mt 3:2; 4:7; Mk 6:12; Acts 2:38; 17:30). After church a little lady stood in line to greet Tony. When she reached him, she told Tony his message was for the entire Church in America; that God was calling him to call the Church to get on its knees. Tony thanked her, and told her he would pray about it. But she stopped him, "No, you don't understand... God has called you to call His people to get on their knees." Later that day, flying home, Tony opened a book he had been reading, Ira Stoll's biography of Samuel Adams, and began to read where he left off.

Tony's eyes fixed upon a paragraph recounting how the Continental Congress proclaimed a day of "public humiliation, fasting, and prayer throughout the Colonies on July 20th, 1775," a full year before the Declaration of Independence. Military clashes between Britain and the colonies were already underway. It was a time of great perplexity, but God-fearing men like Samuel Adams, knew what they had to do. They called Americans to seek the face of God. Three million heeded that urgent "call to fall." Later, Adams' friend, James Warren, described what he observed in his own church that day.

This fast," he wrote, "has been observed as you could wish; with that deference to the authority that appointed it; with that devotion that our circumstances require. It is a grand solemnity. Three millions of people on their knees at once, supplicating the aid of Heaven, is a striking circumstance, and a very singular one in America. May the blessings of Heaven follow in answer to our prayers!

When Tony saw, "three millions of people on their knees at once...," he remembered the little lady's words, "God has called you to call His people to get on their knees."

Deeply stirred, Tony conferred with FRC's Pastors Council, who wholeheartedly affirmed the call and the need to obey. The urgency of the hour demanded a response. July 5th, 2009, the Sunday after "Independence Day," was chosen to declare our "national dependence upon God." Obedience was our driving motivation.

Allowing Other Faiths To Participate In Gov. Perry's Prayer Rally Would "Be Idolatry Of The Worst Sort"

Submitted by Kyle Mantyla on Thursday, 6/30/2011 10:16 am

A few weeks ago Eric Bearse, the spokesperson for Rick Perry's "The Response" prayer rally, explained that people of all faiths were welcome to participate in the event and "seek out the living Christ."

Organizers have made it abundantly clear that this is an exclusively "Christian prayer meeting" ... and according to this email from Allan Parker of The Justice Foundation, who was part of an organizing conference call for the event, it has to be that way because the inclusion of other faiths "would be idolatry of the worst sort":

Recently, I was very privileged and honored to be on a conference call with national religious leaders and Governor Rick Perry. He explained his call for a national solemn assembly to repent and seek the Lord on August 6 in Houston, Texas. I believe the Lord is calling Rick Perry to lead us in a day of national repentance before the Lord. It is a solemn assembly according to Joel 2. As we are approaching the end times, it is even more important than ever for the Body of Christ to pray and seek His face. We must repent and turn from our wicked ways so that God may heal our land.

This is an explicitly Christian event because we are going to be praying to the one true God through His son, Jesus Christ. It would be idolatry of the worst sort for Christians to gather and invite false gods like Allah and Buddha and their false prophets to be with us at that time. Because we have religious liberty in this country, they are free to have events and pray to Buddha and Allah on their own. But this is time of prayer to the One True God through His son, Jesus Christ, who is The Way, The Truth, and The Life.

Parker's email also contained a link to a message [PDF] from Gordon Klingenschmitt who warns that the event "may be interrupted by Muslims who are already demanding to share our stage to pray to Allah."

Anti-Choice Groups Urge FDA To Place Graphic Warning Labels On Emergency Contraceptives

Submitted by Brian Tashman on Thursday, 6/30/2011 10:04 am

A coalition of groups opposed to abortion rights wants the government to place graphic warning labels on emergency contraceptives and abortion clinics in the same way cigarette packs are now required to display explicit images. Disregarding the fact that abortion is an exceptionally safe medical procedure, a spokesman for the campaign said, “If you’re going to force cigarette manufacturers to put graphic images on every single pack of cigarettes, you should do the same thing with abortion.” In fact, a number of states already force doctors to read false statements that abortion causes breast cancer and other ailments. In a petition-drive launched by organizations including The Radiance Foundation (best known for placing billboards that refer to legal abortion as “black genocide”), Operation Rescue, Pro-Life Nation, and Students for Life, the coalition urges the government to impose labels to shame women:

The FDA recently announced new restrictions on cigarette packages, forcing manufacturers to feature prominent graphic images on the front of every cigarette package to warn smokers of harmful effects that smoking can have on their health and those around them.

When picking up their cigarette packages, smokers will see pictures of a man blowing smoke out of a hole in his neck, a smoker’s mouth riddled with cancer, a baby under a cloud of smoke, and a deceased man, among other colored graphics.

This marks the biggest change in cigarette package warnings in over a quarter of a century and notes the shift in American public opinion about smoking. Smoking has become passe.

Yet, what about abortion?

Where are the warning labels on abortion?

Where are the warnings to tell women that abortion will kill their child and scar them for life?

Sign your name to this petition to tell the FDA that all abortion facilities and abortion-causing drugs should come with graphic warning labels - showing women what an abortion really does.