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Home » August, 2012

Monthly Archives: August 2012

AP: "New Buffalo Bishop Leading Fight Against Gay Marriage"

August 15, 2012 – 2:00 pm

The AP:

A procession of priests, cardinals, archbishops and bishops will lead off the official installation of the new Roman Catholic bishop of Buffalo.

The installation Mass for Bishop Richard Malone is scheduled for Friday at St. Joseph Cathedral.

The 66-year-old Malone spent eight years as bishop in Portland, Maine. Pope Benedict XVI selected him in May to succeed retiring Buffalo Bishop Edward Kmiec (KIHM'-mick).

Malone will stay active in Portland for now as apostolic administrator for the diocese while the Vatican searches for a new bishop there. The appointment will allow Malone to continue to lead the church's fight against the legalization of gay marriage in Maine. A statewide referendum on same-sex marriage is scheduled for Nov. 6.

 

By NOM Staff | Posted in Catholic Church, Maine, Marriage, New York, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (5)

The Hero of G-Street

August 15, 2012 – 1:45 pm

D.C. Police Chief calls "Leo" -- the security guard at the Family Research Council who subdued the armed intruder -- a hero for what he did today:

D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier said the shooter walked into the lobby of the building at about 10:45 and was confronted by the security guard as if the guard was asking him where he was going.

The man then took out a gun and opened fire on the guard, Lanier said. The guard and others wrestled the man to the ground, disarmed him and waited for police, she said. The guard was then taken to the hospital and is in stable condition, the chief said.

The shooter is in FBI custody and has not yet been charged, authorities said.

“The security guard here is a hero, as far as I’m concerned,” Lanier said. ”He did his job. The person never made it past the front.” -- The Washington Post

By NOM Staff | Posted in Civility | Comments (7)

MSNBC's Thomas Roberts Embraces "Freedom From Religion," Pegs Chick-fil-A As Racists

August 15, 2012 – 1:00 pm

Tim Graham of NewsBusters:

[MSNBC's Mr. Roberts told the New York Observer]: We asked Mr. Roberts how the gay movement—consumed over the past week in a battle over the actions of Chick-fil-A, a Georgia-based chicken sandwich-monger—could distinguish between signal and noise. Mr. Roberts didn’t see it that way. “They’ve been a longstanding company, I think since the 1950s, based in Georgia. I would love if we could figure out what they did for Loving v. Virginia back in the 1960s,” he said referencing the landmark case striking down anti-miscegenation laws. “I would venture a guess: I think I know what they would say."

“The great thing that I love about our country is that though we were founded on freedom of religion, most important and most overlooked is that we were founded on freedom from religion … I fully believe in traditional marriage. You want one, go get one.”

By NOM Staff | Posted in Chick-fil-A, Culture, Media | Comments (5)

Brian Brown on Election Day at Chick-Fil-A

August 15, 2012 – 12:30 pm

A must-read from our President Brian Brown on Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day and what it means for the marriage elections in November:

"...This isn’t the first time that supporters of traditional marriage have expressed themselves. The usual method is for them to cast ballots in state elections to preserve marriage. Over 46 million voters in 32 consecutive states have quietly voted to preserve traditional marriage. In no state election has same-sex marriage ever won.

But the public nature of Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day is different from the privacy of the voting booth. We heard from hundreds of people who were heartened to see the long lines — vivid confirmation that they are not alone, that a strong majority of Americans agree with them that the institution of marriage as the union of a man and a woman is worth defending. People were grateful to belong to a community where they could openly meet with like-minded citizens and talk about marriage, family, and the truth of God’s design for society.

The genie is out of the bottle, and there’s no way for gay-marriage activists to put it back. NOM has launched a call to Americans to eat at Chick-fil-A not just once, but every Wednesday through the election. It will benefit a noble family-owned business and, moreover, help people to build on the sense of community that so many of them were surprised to experience last week. We’re encouraging people to go to www.thankchickfila.com to register their support, and then to bring their family, friends, and church groups every Wednesday to enjoy some great chicken, and some wonderful camaraderie in the community of faith. Go before or after church services, have your Bible-study group meet at the restaurant, bring your book club, etc. Whatever you do on Wednesdays, do it at Chick-fil-A."-- National Review

By NOM Staff | Posted in Chick-fil-A, Election Watch 2012, Marriage Election Watch | Comments (3)

Security Guard Shot at Family Research Council

August 15, 2012 – 12:15 pm

We do not know who did this or why. Our heartfelt prayers go out to the injured security guard and all of the good people at the Family Research Council:

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins made the following comments after an FRC security guard was shot this morning:

“The police are investigating this incident. Our first concern is with our colleague who was shot today. Our concern is for him and his family.”

The Washington Post is updating this story as more information becomes available.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Washington DC | Comments (5)

Robert Oscar Lopez on the "Soul-Crushing, Scorched-Earth Battle for Gay Marriage"

August 15, 2012 – 12:00 pm

Robert Oscar Lopez on daring to tell his story about being raised by a gay parent:

"...Since my article came out, I have been through far worse than I ever thought would happen. My job is at risk, and worst of all, my coworkers received an e-mail from a gay rights organization with the title "COMPLAINT AGAINST CSUN'S ROBERT LOPEZ: GAY BASHER." Soon I got e-mails from administrators. People really investigate claims like this.

Gay basher?

What the heck has this movement come to?

For God's sake, I am a bisexual raised by a lesbian couple, who helped countless people dying of AIDS. I've spent my life cleaning up the messes left by gay politics. I wrote an honest essay. That's bashing?

The gay marriage movement has finally crossed the line into insanity. They must burn their own villages to save them from their phantasmal bullies. All the real things that gays could do to improve their real problems are right before their eyes: be humane to one another, forgive others, care for their most needy, and most of all, pick their battles. Support pro-life politicians and adopt foster kids saved from abortion. Vote for Republicans who believe in school vouchers, get bullied gays into safer schools... But they choose not to. They have dedicated themselves to a scorched-earth campaign for gay marriage. And when that war is won, they will have conquered a wasteland. I wonder what Eliot would have to say." -- The American Thinker

By NOM Staff | Posted in Civility, Culture, Free Speech, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (9)

CBN News: NOM Calls for Chick-fil-A Wednesdays!

August 15, 2012 – 11:45 am

CBN News:

Piggybacking off the success of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day," the National Organization for Marriage is calling on Americans to support traditional marriage by eating at the chicken sandwich chain every Wednesday through the November election.

Chick-fil-A has taken flap after its president Dan Cathy publicly voiced his support of traditional marriage.

Gay rights activists and other opponents are now working to ban the restaurant because of Cathy's conservative stance.

Over the weekend, Texas governor and former GOP presidential candidate Rick Perry also chimed in on the controversy, telling a group of Iowa conservatives that "political correctness has to stop."

By NOM Staff | Posted in Chick-fil-A, Media | Comments Off on CBN News: NOM Calls for Chick-fil-A Wednesdays!

Republican Who Opposed Minnesota Marriage Amendment Loses 2-1 in GOP Primary

August 15, 2012 – 11:30 am

Good news out of Minnesota, which had its primary yesterday. State Rep. Steve Smith, the longest serving Republican in the Minnesota House, saw his career end as challenger Cindy Pugh overcame him by more than a 2-1.

Smith voted against the Minnesota Marriage Amendment, and went down in defeat to his pro-marriage challenger 29%-70%.

Here's what Pugh told a reporter when asked some time ago what differentiated her from her opponent:

"I would have voted to place the marriage amendment on the ballot because marriage is between one man and one woman and to retain the right of Minnesotans to vote on such an important matter."

Looks like the Republican voters in Minnesota House district 33B agreed with Pugh (who was also endorsed by the Minnesota Family Council). Congrats to her!

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (2)

"Bachelorette" Star Ryan Bowers Tweets Support for Chick-fil-A, "Sanctity of Marriage"

August 15, 2012 – 11:00 am

"Bachelorette" star Ryan Bowers tweeted his support for Chick-fil-A and the "sanctity of marriage" on the Appreciation Day:

"Everyone is eating at chik fil-a today to support the Kathy family and their stand for the sanctity of marriage!!! Lv it!"

He went on to tweet:

I love people. Their sin is no worse than my own. I'm just willing to recognize mine and work to please my savior 🙂

And:

Obedience to Christ doesn't equate to judgement. Love the sinner just not the sin. Not always easy.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Chick-fil-A, Culture, Free Speech, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (2)

SSM and the Manufacture of Consent

August 15, 2012 – 10:00 am

Doug Mainwaring and Stella Morabito in the Washington Examiner about the constant attempt to shift public opinion on marriage through misleading polling:

"Polling data is easily manufactured through intensive campaigns by special interests such as the gay marriage lobby. Such data are then publicized and repeated to create a false illusion of collective belief. This is known as an "opinion cascade."

White House regulatory czar Cass Sunstein and economist Timur Kuran once wrote a Stanford Law Review article on this topic, referring to a cascade as "a self-reinforcing process of collective belief formation by which an expressed perception triggers a chain reaction that gives the perception increasing plausibility through its rising availability in public discourse."

Poll numbers, celebrity endorsements, politically correct media hype and other forces work together to shut up those who disagree with same-sex marriage and to construct an illusion of much broader support than exists. Once individuals perceive social punishment for expressing a dissenting view, they often clam up, and thereby aid the cascade. But such a process creates fragile support."

By NOM Staff | Posted in Culture, Marriage, Maryland, Polling, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (12)

Maryland Democrat City Council Member Supports New Chick-fil-A Store

August 15, 2012 – 9:30 am

The Washington Times:

The decision whether to eat at Chick-fil-A has become a hot-button issue since the fast food company’s president opened up about his support for traditional marriage, but one local politician says she’s not making a political statement by welcoming the company with open arms.

Prince George's County Council member Karen R. Toles, a Democrat, said she’s attending the opening of a Chick-fil-A in District Heights on Thursday to celebrate the economic development in her community.

“When you have someone who hires over 100 people from your county alone, that is something to celebrate,” Ms. Toles said.

 

By NOM Staff | Posted in Chick-fil-A, Maryland | Comments (2)

Christian Post: Black Bishop Encourages Christians to Leave Democratic Party Over Rejection of Traditional Family

August 15, 2012 – 9:00 am

The Christian Post:

"A black Virginia bishop is calling for Christians to leave the Democratic Party over what he describes as a "cult-like devotion" to abortion and what he terms as a "rejection" of the traditional family.

Bishop E.W. Jackson, a veteran of the Marine Corps and Harvard Law graduate, says the Democrats' enslavement of some Americans, most notably black Americans, is the modern day equivalent of slavery and his focus is to lead an exodus, similar to what Moses did in the Old Testament.

"Let God's people go," Jackson told The Christian Post in a telephone interview.

"Clearly, the Democratic Party is the anti-Christian Party in this nation. They reject the Bible, what Bible-believing Christians embrace and they encourage the growth of what we can a 'non-traditional' family. That is morally wrong and a disgrace to our nation and our Lord," said Jackson."

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage, Marriage Election Watch, Religious Liberty, Same Sex Marriage, United for Marriage, Virginia | Comments (8)

Chick-fil-A Opens New Store in Kansas, Hundreds Turn Up

August 15, 2012 – 8:30 am

The Franchise-Herald:

Following the Chick-fil-A anti-gay marriage controversy that surrounded the fast food chain last month, Chick-fil-A appears to not be slowing down and opened a new west Wichita, Kansas.More than a hundred people woke up early Wednesday morning to line up outside the store for the chance to get a year's worth of free Chick-fil-A.

All those who showed up Wednesday morning got a number and then a raffle was held to choose 100 people plus ten alternates. Those people have to camp out for 24 hours in order to get their reward, according to KAKE News.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Chick-fil-A, Kansas | Comments (2)

Ed Whelan on Hawaii Judge Finding No Right to Same-Sex Marriage

August 15, 2012 – 8:00 am

Legal expert Ed Whelan comments on the good news for marriage out of Hawaii:

Via William Duncan at the Corner, I’ve learned of this strong and sound ruling yesterday in Hawaii by senior federal district judge Alan C. Kay holding that there is no federal constitutional right to same-sex marriage. Judge Kay determines (slip op. at 35-43) that the claim for such a right is foreclosed by the Supreme Court’s 1972 decision in Baker v. Nelson. Alternatively, properly applying rational-basis review and judicial restraint, he finds that such claim fails on the merits.

Because the proper exercise of rational-basis review has been so rare of late in the marriage context, I’m going to briefly outline Judge Kay’s reasoning... [continue reading]

By NOM Staff | Posted in Hawaii, Law, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage, Supreme Court | Comments (1)

Announcing Chick-fil-A Wednesdays!

August 14, 2012 – 2:15 pm

Email Header Image

Dear Marriage Supporter,

It was a historic day, for Chick-fil-A and for marriage supporters alike.

The tremendous outpouring of support for the Cathy family and their stand for marriage on August 1st, Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day, was simply astounding! Hundreds upon hundreds of emails continue pouring into our office, each with a new word of encouragement, a photo from Chick-fil-A, or a story about how people cheerfully stood in line for more than an hour to show their support, chatting in line with newfound friends about the importance of marriage and free speech, or even breaking out into an impromptu rendition of "God Bless America!"

Because of the groundbreaking significance of Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day—and because the attacks on Dan Cathy and his freedom to speak out in defense of marriage aren't going away—we're calling on all supporters of marriage, free speech and religious liberty to make every Wednesday a "Chick-fil-A Wednesday!"

I am profoundly grateful to Gov. Mike Huckabee for his leadership in sponsoring and promoting last week's "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day." No politician has the right to discriminate against private business owners simply because they believe what God says about marriage.

At my own local Chick-fil-A here in Philadelphia, I was struck how the turnout reflected the breadth and diversity of support for marriage in our community. Blacks, whites and Hispanics, Catholics and evangelicals—all coming together in a unified show of support for a good man who dared to speak out about the meaning of marriage.

This was an important moment for America. Even the media was forced to acknowledge the amazing turnout as hundreds of thousands lined up at Chick-fil-A stores across the nation.

But I think the media missed the most important part of the day.

While Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day sent an important message to company president Dan Cathy (and to the liberal activists trying to shut his company down), it sent an equally important message to the hundreds of thousands of supporters who showed up: "You are not alone."

This important day was a cultural turning point as hundreds of thousands of Americans realized just how many of their neighbors share their support for marriage. In today's media-saturated culture, it's easy for marriage supporters to feel as if they are all alone, isolated outposts standing for the truth against aggressive forces determined to coerce them into silence. But for one day at least, these silent thousands were unified, reminded that we are not just a remnant—we are a majority.

I know that at the end of the day, the American people will put aside their differences and stand up for marriage.

And that is why I'm urging you to continue your support for Chick-fil-A every Wednesday through the remainder of 2012. We're calling them "Chick-fil-A Wednesdays."

The attacks on Dan Cathy and Chick-fil-A aren't going away. And we will continue to stand strong in solidarity with anyone who feels pressured by the gay marriage bullies.

Here's what you can do:

  • Take the Chick-fil-A Wednesdays Pledge! Join the Chick-fil-A Wednesdays community on Facebook to show your support for Dan Cathy, for marriage and free speech, and for your fellow Americans who believe in marriage like you do: use this page to remind yourself and one another that we are not alone!
  • Look for events and opportunities to take your business to Chick-fil-A, especially on Wednesdays. Whether it's a church catering event, a political meeting or a weekly Bible study, look for opportunities to support Chick-fil-A with your fast-food dollars.
  • Keep up your support! Have you thanked Dan Cathy for his brave stand in support of marriage? If you haven't, be sure to send him a note at ThankChickfilA.com! Share this page with your friends and let's make sure that Mr. Cathy and Chick-fil-A—as well as the gay marriage radicals who would silence him—know how very many Americans support his position and his right to publicly express it!
  • Spread the word! Join our "Chick-fil-A Wednesdays" Facebook page. Share it with your friends (share this email too!) and let's start building a community of solidarity and support for marriage and for freedom of speech.

Together we can build on the momentum created last week, establishing new relationships and building bridges that will help to preserve marriage for our children's and grandchildren's generations!

By Brian Brown | Posted in Chick-fil-A, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (32)
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