Pastor Kevin Backus at the Buffalo Let The People Vote rally explaining how New York Senator Mark Grisanti went back on the promises he made to the pastor (and the people who supported his campaign) that he would protect marriage and why, as a result, the people of Buffalo must unseat him in 2012:
Monthly Archives: August 2011
Pastor Kevin Backus: "Grisanti Lied to My Face, Promising He'd Vote Against Gay Marriage"
August 4, 2011 – 10:00 am
IL Foster Care Update: "The ACLU is Putting Their Preference for Homosexual Politics Over the Best Interest of Children"
August 4, 2011 – 9:00 am
Sangamon County Judge John Schmidt agreed on Monday to let the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois (ALCU) join the highly publicized lawsuit filed by four Catholic Charities agencies against the state.
... Peter Breen, executive director and legal counsel for the Thomas More Society and representing Catholic Charities, said “the ACLU’s true colors have now been revealed. “The ACLU had been advocating for the best interest of children,” he said. “Now the ACLU is putting their preference for homosexual politics over the best interest of children.”
... Tom Brejcha, president and chief counsel of Thomas More, agreed that elected officials are willing to sacrifice a proven foster care program, which grew 57 percent in scope and size over the past five years.
“Why would the State of Illinois want to go out of its way to inflict this harm on children and families,” he asked, “putting out of business a vital network of charitable social agencies that have achieved the greatest success and growth rate in serving our state’s most precious and valuable assets, our children?”
NY Sen. Ball, Who Didn't Cave on SSM, Says He Has the Most Campaign Cash
August 4, 2011 – 8:00 am
In Albany Watch:
Sen. Greg Ball, R-Patterson, Putnam County, put out a news release late yesterday touting the fact that he’s raised more campaign cash than any of the 13 freshman in the Senate.
After a bruising election last year, Ball, a former state assemblyman, has been able to restock his campaign coffers, raising $337,000 during the first six months of the year and having $249,000 on hand. The contributions also helped him pay off about $18,000 in outstanding loans he made to his campaign, part of roughly $40,000 in loans he’s paid off since January.
Sen. Greg Ball finally voted NO on redefining marriage. The four republican senators who flip-flopped on marriage experienced a financial windfall from gay activists shortly after they cast their vote.
Marriage, Presidential Politics, and the Iowa Straw Poll
August 3, 2011 – 7:54 pm
Dear Marriage Supporter,
Join us in Iowa next week for the Values Voters Bus Tour!
Next Saturday, August 13th, Republican presidential candidates face the first critical test of their grassroots support and organizational strength at the Ames, Iowa Straw Poll. The winner of the Straw Poll will emerge with new momentum heading into the primary season as Republican voters choose a candidate to oppose President Barack Obama next November.
Join us starting Monday, August 8th, as we team up with the Family Research Council and the Susan B. Anthony List for the Values Voters Bus Tour across the state of Iowa, beginning in Des Moines and making 22 stops in 4 days en route to the Iowa Straw Poll in Ames on Saturday.
I will be joined on the bus by Rep. Steve King (R-IA), Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX), FRC Action President Tony Perkins, and SBA List "Votes Have Consequences" Project Director Marilyn Musgrave. We're expecting presidential candidates Rick Santorum and Tim Pawlenty to join us during the week as well.
One of our key emphases over the coming year is to ensure that presidential candidates are clear where they stand on marriage, and that social issues continue to play a key role in the Republican primaries. Already, we have co-sponsored a presidential lecture series in Iowa, and you’ll want to watch your inbox for another big announcement that we’ll be able to report in just a few days.
Here’s the list of tour stops. If you live in Iowa, I hope you'll be able to come out and join us! And don’t forget to tell family and friends!
- Tuesday, August 9th
- 9:45 AM – 10:30 AM: Des Moines
Iowa State Capitol, West Capitol Terrace, 400 Finkbine Drive - 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM: Oskaloosa
City Square Park, 150 High Avenue East - 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM: Washington
Central Park, 190 North Marion Avenue - 3:45 PM – 4:15 PM: Muscatine
Riverside Park, Harbor Drive - 5:15 PM – 5:45 PM: Davenport
Lafayette Park, 700 West 4th Street - 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM: Iowa City
Culver’s of Coralville, 2591 Heartland Place, Coralville
- 9:45 AM – 10:30 AM: Des Moines
- Wednesday, August 10th
- 8:30 – 9:00 AM: Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids Marriott, 1200 Collins Road NE - 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Dubuque
Washington Park, 351 W 6th Street - 12:45 PM – 1:15 PM: Waterloo
Lincoln Park, 451 E 4th Street - 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Mason City
Central Park, 75 1st Street NW - 5:45 PM – 6:15 PM: Dickinson County
TBA
- 8:30 – 9:00 AM: Cedar Rapids
- Thursday, August 11th
- 8:30 – 9:00 AM: Sioux City
Holiday Inn Express Sioux Center, 100 Saint Andrews Way - 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM: Le Mars
Bob’s Drive Inn, Highway 75 South - 10:45 AM – 11:15 AM: Sioux City
Sergeant Floyd Monument, 2701 S Lewis Blvd/Old US Highway 75 - 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Council Bluffs
Bayliss Park, 159 South 6th Street - 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM: Atlantic
Atlantic City Park, 51 W 6th Street
- 8:30 – 9:00 AM: Sioux City
- Friday, August 12th
- 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Webster City
Wilson Brewer Park, 280 Ohio Street - 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM: Fort Dodge
City Square Park, 120 N 5th Street - 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Carroll
Carroll County Courthouse, 595 Court Street - 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM: Boone
Pizza Ranch, 1703 South Story Street - 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM: Marshalltown
Susie Sower Park, 60 N 2nd Avenue
- 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Webster City
I hope to see you in Iowa next week!
Faithfully,
Brian S. Brown
President
National Organization for Marriage
P.S. Efforts like the Values Voter Bus Tour are an incredibly effective means of getting our message out, but they take significant resources as well. Can you afford a gift of $20, $35, or $50 today to help fund efforts to protect marriage all across the nation? Please click here to make your secure online contribution today.
Adultery Website Founder Promises Sex or Money Back ... While Renewing His Wedding Vows
August 3, 2011 – 4:35 pm
There will always be opportunists looking to make a buck off of family breakdown:
A controversial adultery website is now providing a money-back guarantee if its customers do not have an affair, the Herald Sun reported Tuesday.
Founder Noel Biderman -- in Australia to renew his own wedding vows -- said he would personally reimburse cheats who could not find a fling by following the website's guidelines.
... The dating site's Australian arm has more than 400,000 members. It claims to protect love rats from leaving a trail of "digital lipstick" by deleting personal communication between users and keeping identities secret.
The website has drawn international condemnation since its launch in 2001, with family groups accusing Biderman of making money from others' grief. In Australia, Family Council of Victoria president Peter Stokes said the website's success was a sad reflection on society. --Herald Sun
Let The People Vote Video: "It's Not Over -- It's Just Beginning!"
August 3, 2011 – 4:01 pm
In this video featuring highlights of the Let The People Vote rally in Manhattan, NOM Chairman Maggie Gallagher, New York Senator Ruben Diaz and other speakers address crowd:
Pawlenty, Santorum, Others to Join Iowa Value Voters Bus Tour Co-Sponsored by NOM
August 3, 2011 – 3:48 pm
From the press release:
FRC Action's Faith Family Freedom Fund, the National Organization for Marriage and the Susan B. Anthony List today announced the "Values Voter Bus Tour" that next week will cover 1,305 miles in four days with events in 22 cities. The tour will pass through 47 of Iowa's 99 counties.
Presidential candidates Tim Pawlenty and Rick Santorum will participate in the tour, and candidate Michele Bachmann and other GOP presidential candidates are expected to join the tour as well. U.S. Reps. Steve King (R-IA) and Louie Gohmert (R-TX) will also join Family Research Council Action President Tony Perkins, National Organization for Marriage President Brian Brown, Susan B. Anthony List's Marilyn Musgrave, and other state and national leaders. The tour will be kicked off by Faith Family Freedom Fund Chairman Connie Mackey on Tuesday, August 9, 2011, at the state capitol and conclude at the Ames Straw Poll on August 13.
Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), made the following comments:
"President Obama has done virtually everything in his power to undermine the institution of marriage, including refusing to defend the bi-partisan Defense of Marriage Act signed into law by President Clinton. NOM is committed to ensuring that the next President is a strong and committed supporter of traditional marriage and will commit his or her administration to vigorously defending marriage in the courts, Congress and in the court of public opinion. We were the largest contributor to the effort to unseat the state judges who imposed same-sex marriage on Iowa by judicial fiat. We look forward to playing an extremely active role in encouraging the people of Iowa, including our tens of thousands of supporters, to make a difference in selecting an unambiguously pro-marriage candidate in Iowa."
For a full schedule of the tour, visit www.valuesbus.com.
Political Cartoon: Sun Sentinel On Rep. West Controversy
August 3, 2011 – 12:00 pm
National Organization For Marriage Condemns “Intolerable” Gay Activist Harassment Of Congressman Allen West
August 3, 2011 – 11:21 am
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 3, 2011
Contact: Elizabeth Ray (x130) or Mary Beth Hutchins (x105) at 703-683-5004
Group Criticizes Business Association For Buckling To Gay Pressure
WASHINGTON – The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) today condemned the Florida Gay, Lesbian, Transgender Democratic Caucus for harassing Congressman Allen West over his support for traditional marriage, and sharply criticized the Wilton Manors Business Association for rescinding a speaking invitation to Congressman West in response to pressure from gay activists. At the same time, NOM praised the Sun Sentinel for editorializing against these intimidation tactics.
“It is outrageous that gay activists would harass Congressman West because he believes in marriage between a man and a woman, and threaten to boycott members of a business group who invited him to speak on business issues,” said Brian Brown, NOM’s president. “Unfortunately, this is the new approach being utilized by the gay marriage movement in America. They do not want to civilly debate the issues; instead, they attempt to silence opponents through intimidation, harassment and threats.”
In response to the threatened boycott of its members by the gay activist group, the Wilton Manors Business Association rescinded its speaking invitation to Congressman West to discuss business issues.
“It is equally outrageous that the local business group buckled under this pressure and rescinded their invitation to Congressman West. What kind of business group cowers in the face of intimidation directed at its members?” Brown said. “This is a group that claims to fight for businesses, yet buckles in the face of pressure from a small, partisan group that represents a tiny fraction of the community. Perhaps businesses should reconsider their support for such a cowardly association.”
In an unusual development, the Sun Sentinel, a Tribune Company newspaper based in south Florida and a supporter of same-sex marriage, editorialized against the tactics deployed by gay activists, calling them “intolerable.”
“We praise the Sun Sentinel for speaking out against these tactics of intimidation,” Brown said. “This is one of the few times where a mainstream newspaper, regardless of their position on same-sex marriage, has publicly spoken out against the tactics of intimidation increasingly being adopted by gay marriage advocates. We hope that other media outlets will similarly condemn this ugly course of conduct. Reasonable people can disagree about gay marriage, but there is no room for harassment, intimidation and threats against supporters of traditional marriage.”
To schedule an interview with Brian Brown, President of NOM, or Maggie Gallagher, Chairman of the Board of NOM, please contact Mary Beth Hutchins, [email protected] at 703-683-5004 ext. 105.
###
Highlights From Gay Activist Letter Threatening Boycott Over Rep. West's Florida Invitation
August 3, 2011 – 11:00 am
Michael Emanuel Rajner is the Legislative Director of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus. Here are some highlight from the letter he sent to Celeste Ellich, President of the Wilton Manors Business Association as soon as he found out Rep. Allen West had been invited to address the business group (formatting original to Rajner):
This morning I was shocked to read your email below announcing that WMBA is hosting anti-gay and fear-mongering Allen West who in his role has publicly worked to advance social injustice.
... Bullies and opportunists like West have actively worked against the advancement of social justice for GLBT-people and others.
... Celeste, I’m demanding that you take a courageous stand of leadership for the rights of GLBT-Americans as President of the Wilton Manors Business Association and disinvite West to your August 8th meeting. If not, GLBT-community leaders and other social justice advocates will:
- Call for your resignation;
- Call on businesses to disavow the Wilton Manors Business Association for placing profits ahead of human rights; and
- Call on the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender-community to boycott any and all businesses who are a member of the Wilton Manors Business Association, including GLBT-owned businesses willing to put profits ahead of human rights
Rajner concludes his letter by signing it "Yours in the struggle for social justice".
Irish Presidential Candidate Withdraws After It Became Public He Sought Pardon for Partner Convicted of Statutory Rape
August 3, 2011 – 10:30 am
An update on Ireland's gay candidate for president, who was once leading in the polls, and had already begun to lose support after revelations emerged he advocated legalizing adult-child consensual sex. Now he's withdrawing from the race:
Senator David Norris has withdrawn from the presidential election campaign following the controversy over letters he wrote to the Israeli authorities seeking clemency for his former partner.
It emerged last weekend that Mr Norris wrote a letter in 1997 to the Israeli authorities pleading on behalf of Ezra Yitzhak Nawi, who had been convicted of the statutory rape of a 15-year-old boy.
... “It is essential that I act decisively now to halt this negative process. I do not regret supporting and seeking clemency for a friend, but I do regret giving the impression that I did not have sufficient compassion for the victim of Ezra’s crime," Mr Norris said.
... Meanwhile, it has emerged that a number of letters written by Mr Norris on behalf of Mr Nawi have not come into the public domain. Ex-campaign workers said he wrote letters appealing for clemency for Mr Nawi to a range of public figures in Israel and beyond. After they were shown the letters last Thursday, a number of Mr Norris’s campaign team resigned. --Irish Times
With Gay Man as Top Editor, American Heritage Dictionary Redefines Words
August 3, 2011 – 10:00 am
In the gay news source The Advocate:
The job of dictionaries is primarily to describe how language is used, not to dictate how it should be used,” lexicographer Steve Kleinedler, The American Heritage Dictionary’s new executive editor, wrote in a 2009 op-ed.
The statement is part American Heritage Dictionary ethos, part personal experience. In 2009, Kleinedler’s husband died suddenly, just two months after Kleinedler and fellow editors had revised the definitions of several marriage-related words to reflect the changing culture. The definition of widower, for example, was revised from "a man whose wife has died and who has not remarried" to "a man whose spouse has died and who has not remarried."
Paul Clement Fires First Salvo In Defense of DOMA on Behalf of Congress
August 3, 2011 – 9:30 am
The New York Law Journal reports:
"Congress has fired back in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act's definition of marriage as between one man and one woman.
In a motion to dismiss in the Southern District, former solicitor general Paul D. Clement and his legal team argue that the act, 1 U.S.C. §7, is entitled to a presumption of constitutionality, and that U.S. Supreme Court precedent holds that an exclusively heterosexual definition of marriage does not offend the equal protection clause.
... In his papers yesterday, Mr. Clement said that rational basis review, not heightened scrutiny, is the appropriate standard in judging the constitutionality of the statute and §3 "easily" passes that less exacting standard.
In support of that view, he argues that DOMA does not infringe on the fundamental right to marriage, that "same-sex marriage is not a fundamental right" and that "DOMA implicates federal benefits, not the right of same-sex couples to marry."
... Under the rational basis test, Mr. Clement said, Congress could have acted rationally "in the face of the unknown consequences of a proposed novel redefinition of the foundational social institution," and it could have acted rationally to "protect the public fisc" in the balance it strikes in allocating federal burdens and benefits, and providing "consistency in eligibility for federal benefits based on marital status."
Congress also could have acted rationally "to avoid creating a social understanding that begetting and rearing children is not inextricably bound up with marriage" and to "foster marriages that provide children with parents of both sexes."
Finally, Mr. Clement states "any redefinition of marriage should be left to the democratic process.
The issues will be decided by Judge Barbara Jones, who could schedule oral arguments as early as October."
Currents TV: Young People Pledge at Let The People Vote Rally to "Help Make It Happen"
August 3, 2011 – 9:00 am
This Currents TV coverage of the Let The People Vote rally includes two young people excited about making a difference for marriage:
Sun Sentinel Editors: Gay Group Wrong to Demand Business Association Disinvite Allen West
August 2, 2011 – 4:51 pm
The editorial board of the Sun Sentinel newspaper comment on news that Rep. Allen West was uninvited from speaking at a business association meeting after gay activists threatened to boycott local businesses:
... we defend the Wilton Manors Business Association's right to host U.S. Rep. Allen West at a public meeting on Aug. 8.
The group's president, Celeste Ellich, is correct to argue the association has a clear interest in discussing financial and economic policy with Rep. West. The Plantation Republican is, after all, a sitting member of Congress.
... we object to Rajner's demand that the business group withdraw its invitation to Rep. West. One form of intolerance simply does not justify another.
In civil society, the goal is to challenge opposing viewpoints in respectful dialogue and debate. The idea is not to exclude or prevent another side from expressing a viewpoint one might find objectionable or disagreeable.
... perhaps an ongoing dialogue between the two groups might produce a healthier end result than boycotts and alienation.
What isn't acceptable is to pressure the business group to drop its invite to Rep. West. That much Rajner and the caucus must rethink.
Related: Rep. West has written a letter (PDF) to the business association.
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