Minnesota

• PFAW: America as a 'Christian Nation' -- A Conversation with Experts on Religion, History, Law and the Constitution.

 

• Evan McMorris-Santoro @ TPM: Rick Perry Goes Full Birther: ‘Let’s See His Grades.’

 

• Tommy Christopher @ Mediaite: James O’Keefe Explains His Attack On Huffington Post’s Sam Stein.

 

• Ben Armbruster @ Think Progress Security: Gingrich Suggests Obama Is Ushering ‘Defeat’ In Iraq, Two Days After Saying He’s ‘Right’ To Withdraw.

 

• Media Matters: MSNBC's Buchanan Stands By His Bigoted Remarks About Homosexuality.

 

• Andy Birkey @ Minnesota Independent: Rick Santorum talks sodomy laws on Bradlee Dean’s radio show.

• Michael B. Keegan @ Huffington Post: Cafeteria Libertarianism: Where the GOP Goes to Snack.

 

• Towleroad: Rick Santorum Suggests the GOP Turn Religious Latino Voters Against the Family-Destroying Gays.

 

• Igor Volsky @ Think Progress: Rick Santorum Pledges To Defund Contraception: ‘It’s Not Okay, It’s A License To Do Things.’

 

• Steve Benen: The dangers of accidental candor.

 

• Colby Hall @ Mediaite: Herman Cain: I Misspoke Earlier When I Said That I’d Negotiate With Terrorists.

 

• Minnesota Independent: Defend our free press from legal attacks.

• Southern Poverty Law Center: Whose Values Are Being Promoted at the Values Voter Summit?
• Alex Seitz-Wald @ Think Progress Security: Spencer And Geller Disavow Anti-Muslim Activist’s Call For Violence, Say He Was Never A Board Member.
• Dan @ TFN Insider: More Extremist Gay-Baiting in Houston.
• Andy Birkey @ Minnesota Independent: Bachmann would reinstate Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
• Rachel Tabachnick @ Talk To Action: C. Peter Wagner's Denials About Dominionism and Demonization of Other Religions.
• Sam Stein @ Huffington Post: Herman Cain's 2004 Campaign: 'Godless' Gays And Planned Parenthood Eugenics.
• Warren Throckmorton: Wretched Radio host stays with American Family Radio.

• Towleroad: Cain Campaign Accused of Engaging in Cover-Up Over Gay Strategist.
• Sarah Posner @ Religion Dispatches: Constitutional Progressives Take Critical Fight to Tea Party.
• Alvin McEwen: NOM's sad attempt to steal credit in the New York special election.
• Andy Birkey @ Minnesota Independent: Outrage grows over Bachmann’s comments; groups say HPV vaccine is safe.
• Jon Ward @ Huffington Post: Rick Perry At Liberty University: Faith And Foreign Policy Mixed In Evangelical Address.
• Jillian Rayfield@ TPM: Oklahoma: We Need To Specify Sharia Ban 'To Avoid Confusion.'

• PFAW: Perry and ‘Treason.’
• Think Progress: Rick Perry Questions Obama’s Patriotism.
• Dan Rafter @ HRC Back Story: Rick Perry’s Anti-Gay History.
• Good As You: NH's leading lobby group pushes 'ex-gay' therapy; Rick Perry to either repudiate it or lend tacit approval.
• Eric Black @ Minnesota Post: Bachmann and her unfounded claim that Iran planned to divide up Iraq.
• Rachel Tabachnick @ AlterNet: Meet the Christian Dominionist 'Prayer Warriors' Who Have Chosen Rick Perry as Their Vehicle to Power.
• Chip Berlet @ Public Eye: The Christian Right, Dominionism, and Theocracy.

Perhaps one of the most alarming realizations about Michele Bachmann is that even if she hand never a member of Congress and a Republican presidential contender, we would probably still be writing about her here on Right Wing Watch because she is, at heart, a hardcore Religious Right activist.

Tim Murphy of Mother Jones has a new profile of Bachmann which, I feel, perfectly demonstrates that point: 

There was one issue that seemed to consume Bachmann. The slow creep of the gay rights movement was, in her words, an "earthquake issue," with the potential to shake the foundation of society itself: the family. Taking a page from Schaeffer, who vilified the "rampant sexuality" and moral relativism of the Romans, Bachmann saw the gay rights movement as a secular ideology that posed a direct challenge to traditional marriages.

As she'd done before with the Profile of Learning, Bachmann embraced her role as a messenger. When EdWatch, as the Maple River Education Coalition was later known, invited her to deliver a speech at its 2004 convention, she unleashed a masterful presentation, mixing slides with self-deprecating humor, that hammered home the same urgent message that has since become familiar to a national audience: The forces working against you are bigger than you think.

Bachmann ripped into pop culture, telling her audience about a dangerous show she'd discovered called Sex and the City. ("It's received critical acclaim," she said, "so that tells you, 'Don't watch it.'") She warned that The Lion King soundtrack was potentially toxic to small children because it was written by Elton John, a gay man. She urged her audience to pray for Melissa Etheridge, suggesting that the lesbian songwriter's breast cancer diagnosis might be a wake-up call for her to turn away from her sinful lifestyle. To Bachmann, homosexuals had even usurped the English language. "It's part of Satan, I think, to say that this is 'gay,'" she said. "It's anything but gay."

The Bachmanns worked as a tag team. In 2005, they both participated in the Minnesota Pastors' Summit, a conference sponsored by the Minnesota Family Council that was designed to train religious leaders for the culture wars. Michele led a session on a state gay marriage amendment; Marcus, in a rare moment of public activism, moderated a talk called "The Truth of the Homosexual Lifestyle."

Imagine if Sally Kern or Janet Porter were not only running for president but winning the Iowa Straw Poll and being treated like a front-runner and you start to get an idea of just how truly amazing/terrifying this development is.

• PFAW: PFAW Celebrates Victory of Wisconsin Voters Over Corporate Special Interests.
• Good As You: Burt Prelutsky, I live for this kind of thing.
• Sofia Resnick @ Washington Independent: Anti-LGBT group launches campaign to keep gay people from donating blood.
• Warren Throckmorton: David Barton’s claims about gay indoctrination are false says American Academy of Pediatrics.
• Julie Ingersoll @ Religion Dispatches: Bachmann’s Law School Mentor Asserts Biblical Roots of American Political System.
• Andy Birkey @ Minnesota Independent: Minnesota Family Council launches efforts to pass marriage ban.
• Finally, Stephen Colbert's SuperPAC wants Iowa voters to support "Rick Parry":

The head of far-right Minnesota-based ministry is suing Rachel Maddow for $50 million over her reporting on the group’s militantly anti-gay beliefs. You Can Run But You Cannot Hide, an organization led by Christian metal rocker Bradlee Dean, believes, among other things, that gays are responsible for the Holocaust and is closely tied to Michele Bachmann, who once publicly prayed for the ministry’s success. Larry Klayman, the founder of Judicial Watch, who recently condemned “heterophobia” in America, filed the suit against Maddow, alleging that the TV host slandered Dean by reporting his favorable comments about radical Muslims who want to execute gays and lesbians:

In the course of his ministry, Dean once made a statement on radio criticizing his fellow Christians for not taking a stronger stand about the gay rights lobby promoting homosexuality in the schools. He made a strong reference to Muslims taking the issue more seriously in the context of Shariah law, but did not condone their practices. It was Bradlee's intent to focus attention on the issue, not to advocate harm to anyone.

…

In the past, Dean and his ministry have been complemented by presidential candidate Michele Bachmann (who prayed for the ministry) for their work in promoting values for the nation's youth. The left wing media's effort to defame Dean is an obvious way to try to harm Bachmann's presidential prospects, who they fear and despise. Other left wing media outlets have followed MSNBC and Maddow in their slanderous efforts. This suit may just be the first in a series of cases meant to protect the fine reputation of Dean and his ministry.

The lawsuit is filed by attorney Larry Klayman, the founder of Judicial Watch and Freedom Watch, in DC Superior Court and seeks in excess of $50 million in damages. However, money is not the issue. "This case is filed as a matter of principle," stated Klayman. "We need more Bradlee Deans in the world and hateful left wing television commentators must be made to respect not only his mission but the law," he added.

Apparently, Dean wants to change the meaning of his remarks after he said them. Here is the statement at issue:

Muslims are calling for the executions of homosexuals in America. This just shows you they themselves are upholding the laws that are even in the Bible of the Judeo-Christian God, but they seem to be more moral than even the American Christians do, because these people are livid about enforcing their laws. They know homosexuality is an abomination.... If America won't enforce the laws, God will raise up a foreign enemy to do just that. That’s what you are seeing today in America.

Listen to Dean’s remarks here and judge for yourself:

Michele Bachmann’s relationship with Jan Markell, a Messianic Jewish activist who leads Olive Tree Ministries, recently faced growing scrutiny because of Markell’s End Times beliefs and claims that “the gay agenda and abortion” bring God’s judgment on America. Bachmann was once a frequent guest on Markell’s radio show, where she attacked gay rights and complained about the alleged persecution of American Christians.

Despite her numerous appearances with Markell the congresswoman has denied knowing her, maybe because Markell contends that the deadly earthquake in Japan was punishment for the Japanese not converting to Christianity and that the Mattel toy Little Mommy Cuddle 'n Coo subliminally promotes Islam.

But now Markell wants to set the record straight that she is not only a Bachmann stalwart but a longtime friend. She told the American Family Association’s OneNewsNow that she has known Bachmann for thirty years and “cannot speak highly enough of” her:

The head of a Minnesota-based Messianic Jewish ministry says she's known Michele Bachmann for 30 years and can testify that the Republican presidential candidate stands for "all things righteous."

…

But Jan Markell, founder and director of Minnesota-based Olive Tree Ministries, has known Bachmann for 30 years and says she is convinced that she "absolutely has national leadership written all over her."

"If anyone is truly competent to hold the office of president or vice president of the United States -- and particularly, I think starting out as vice president would be a little bit more suited at this time -- it is Michele Bachmann," Markell contends.

Moreover, she has much to say about Bachmann's faith.

"This woman is a wonderful Christian; she is as pro-Israel as they come," the Olive Tree Ministries founder accounts. "I cannot speak highly enough of Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and her stand on all things righteous."

She adds that Bachmann has taken the country by storm, but only God knows if she will continue to do so through November of 2012.