Theocratic Homophobes Target the Commercial Appeal

His Great Behindness "Apostle" Alton Williams (see below) and the Memphis City Churches is waging a boycott of the Commercial Appeal because Wendi Thomas has not agreed with their anti-gay, theocratic stupidity.

The Memphis Flyer reports:
Baptist Ministers Propose Boycott of Commercial Appeal

Blogger Thaddeus Mathews is reporting that an alliance of Baptist ministers, led by A.R. Williams of the World Overcomers church (the man who brought us the Statue of Liberty holding a cross) has begun a movement called "Operation Wake-Up Call."
The purpose of the movement is to boycott The Commercial Appeal because it "opposes Christianity."

The group has published a five-page document which it apparently plans to distribute to churches thoughout Memphis. The flier cites in particular CA columnist Wendi Thomas for her "Godless" writing. It seems Wendi has had the temerity to criticize certain preachers and has even quoted Buddha -- which obviously makes her a spawn of Satan. Or something.

In the document posted on Mathews' site, the ministers say they plan to boycott all Scripps-Howard newspapers and their advertisers.

To which we can only say, Jesus H. Christ, Praise Allah, Oy Vey, and Tickle Me, Elmo, these people are a national embarrassment and we're going to renew our subscription to the CA today.

08/30/2007
The Memphis Flyer

Anti-Gay Black Pastors Attack Rep. Steve Cohen

His Behindness, Homophobic Bigot "Apostle" Alton R. Williams (World Overcomers)

Rep. Steve Cohen Meets with Black Ministers Over Hate Crime Bill and was viciously attacked by a group of anti-gay, RACIST, bigots. The Memphis Baptist Ministerial Association, a group of 100 black ministers, have been using Cohen's support for the Hate Crime Bill which includes sexual orientation to argue that he cannot represent blacks. "He's not black and he can't represent me," said Rev. Robert Poindexter of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. "Apostle" Alton R. Williams (World Overcomers) said, "The real motivation...is about getting laws passed that will federally protect gays and lesbians." That is the real issue is not "freedom of speech" or "freedom of religion," it is that these racist bigots do not want a white person representing them and they do not want gays and lesbians to have the same civl rights they have. LaSimba Gray, past of New Sardis Baptist Church, said they were offended by suggestions that the black and gay communities are somehow connected. Well, we are connected, we are human beings and we have suffered as a group from prejudice, bigotry and discrimination. In MLK's words, injustice against any of us is an injustice against all of us. I guess these "ministers" did not understand the MLK's message.

Bush Declares War on Iran

George Bush has basically declared war on Iran in his speech before the Legions, and now this scary report:

U.S. Preparing Massive Military Attack on Iran

I have been arguing that Bush is not this crazy/stupid, but I guess I was wrong!

Same-Sex Civil Unions in Medieval Europe?

According to historian Allan Tulchin, "Gay" Civil Unions Were Sanctioned in Medieval Europe.
ieval Europe, a historian now says.

Historical evidence, including legal documents and gravesites, can be interpreted as supporting the prevalence of homosexual relationships hundreds of years ago, said Allan Tulchin of Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania.

If accurate, the results indicate socially sanctioned same-sex unions are nothing new, nor were they taboo in the past.

Another Anti-Gay Homo Republican Hypocrite

Another anti-gay Homo Repulican hypocrite has been caught with his pants down. Sen. Larry Craig of Idaho Pleaded Guilty for "Lewd Conduct" in a Minneapolis airport restroom. The police report says he signaled to a undercover cop that he wanted to engage in sexual activity, and he was arrested and plead guilty in June, but now denies that he did anything inappropriate and that that the police misinterpreted his actions. Well of course, he is a "family values" Republican hypocrite who opposed gay rights:
Voted YES on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
* Voted NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
* Voted NO on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000)
* Voted YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (Sep 1996)
* Voted NO on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation. (Sep 1996)

Someone needs to defend marriage against these Republican hypocrites!

Will Tinker Play the Gay Card Against Cohen? (Yes)

It Looks like Rep. Steve Cohen will Face a Tough Challenge from Niki Tinker who has been cozying up to the anti-gay Baptist Ministerial Ass. who have been attacking Cohen for supporting the Hate Crime Bill that adds sexual orientation to the federal hate crime laws. A group of predominantly black ministers have been misleading their people into believing that the bill would prohibit them from preaching their anti-gay sermons. Funny how this was never an issue when Harold Ford Jr. supported the same legislation. Could politics have anything to do with this new attack on Steve Cohen? Will Niki Tinker play their anti-gay political game? I'm afraid so. Progressive Democrats need to support Cohen at all costs and stop these bigots.

Democratic Congress Gets Lowest Approval Rating Ever

The Democratic congress has failed the American people. Gallup: Approval Rating for Congress Matches Lowest Ever Recorded Only 18% of the American people approve of the job of this Congress, matching the lowest ever in 1992. It is even lower than George Bush's 32% approval rating. We can thank the Bush Dog Democrats who capituated on the Iraq War and unconstitutional wiretapping. Tennesseans are responsible for FOUR Bush Democrats: Cooper (TN-05), Lincoln Davis (TN-04), Gordon (TN-06), Tanner (TN-08).

There they Go Again

There they go again, the anti-gay "Memphis Baptist Minsterial Association" continues its attacks on the Hate Crimes Bill and Rep. Steve Cohen. Baptist Pastors Slam Hate Crime Bill Why do they oppose the Hate Crime bill? Because it "is a subtle attempt on the part of the gay community to further legitimize itself as an acceptable lifesylte." Well, I don't like the lifestyle of hypocritical preachers who preach prejudice and bigotry in the name of Jesus Christ either, but I oppose hate crimes attacking them. You bigots have the freedom to preach bigotry and homphobia, and I have the freedom to speak against religious fanatics and defend the separation of church and state, we just can't commit "hate crimes", i.e., physically attack each other! (Do they teach these preachers how to read? Read the damn bill!)

Well, autoegocrat has a better response to these bigots.

Kos Smacks Down Harold Ford Jr.

See Markos Moulitsas smack down Harold Ford Jr. on Meet the press!

How the Democrats Blew It

Great article by Alexander Cockburn over on The Nation on How the Democrats Blew It In Only Eight Months

"Thanks to the Dems' inaction on Iraq and compliance with Bush on the FISA bill, the Democratic-controlled Congress now has a "confidence" rating of 14 percent, the lowest since Gallup started asking the question in 1973 and five points lower than Republicans scored last year."

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My only disagreement with him is on the need for Impeachment. Bush and Cheney have committed serious crimes and must be held accountable, and the only way to do that is to hold impeachment hearings in the U.S. House of Representatives. They would probably not be convicted in the Senate, but Impeachment hearings to publicize all the crimes that have been committed is a must.
IMPEACH BUSH/CHENEY!

While the public's approval of the Democratic congress is sinking fast, Bush's approval rating is starting to edge up. I can't find the links, but several recent polls show that Bush's approval rating has gone up a few points from about 30 percent to about 36 percent, all among Republicans who believe the troop surge is working in Iraq and are rallying around Bush and the "war on terror". What this shows I think is that Republicans will be using the "war on terror" once again to win in 2008 and they will emphasize any "good news" in Iraq to rally Republican voters around Bush and the GOP in 2008. If the Democats think they can just sit this out and let Bush sink the GOP they are WRONG. They must aggresively attack Bush fight like hell to end the illegal occupation of Iraq. And they must hold IMPEACHMENT hearings to expose the lies and crimes of Bush and Cheney so the public will know the truth, otherwise, they can kiss the White House good bye in 2008. Some Democrats, including some progressive ones, feat impeachment will help Bush, I disagree. When his crimes are exposed for all to see his poll numbers will continue to sink and the GOP will be forced to either defend him or jump ship. Otherwise, I see Bush and Cheney getting away with their crimes, like Reagan did, and the public will not face the truth about this criminal administration, and the GOP will gain popular support in 2008.

And the Democats will blow it again if they nominate Hillary Clinton! Here's Why: Democrats Fear Clinton willl be a Drag

LOGO/HRC Democratic Presidential Forum

LOGO/HRC had a historic Democratic Presdiential Forum" tonight. All of the Democratic candidates support ending Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Support ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act) and want to repeal or revise the "Defense of Marriage Act" and all support, in theory, "civil unions" to provide "equal" rights to gay and lesbian couples. In one uncomfortable moment after another, each candidate was asked why they could not support gay marriage, and all of the "leading" candidates gave horrible excuses about why they could not support marriage rights but were still for equality. Only Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinich support full marriage equality and in my opinion they are the two best candidates! Not just becuase they support gay marriage, but more importantly, they gave HONEST answers! Hillary, Obama and Edwards just didn't seem very sincere when they tried to explain that they opposed marriage rights for personal/religious reasons. Bullshit! Everyone knows it is becase of political reasons and they were not honest about it.

Richardson was awful. He just didn't seem to be comfortable and rambled around the questions focusing on his (good) record on LGBT issues as Gov. of New Mexico. He is a good man and has been an ally, but like Hillary, Edwards and Obama, did not give honest answers. In my opinion, only Kucinich and Gravel deserve our votes in the PRIMARY, I'm supporting Kucinich.

Melissa Etheridge asked the worst question of the night when she asked Richardson if he thought being gay was a choice or not? Who Cares! I'm sick of that stupid question being asked of Presidential candidates! It doesn't matter if people are born gay, choose to be gay, learn to be gay or listen to too many Madonna records... We should be all have equal rights! Human rights are not based on "biology"! I find the whole "its not a choice" argument to be demeaning. No one asks if being Mormon or Catholic is a choice? Or what about being straight, is that a choice?? What a stupid question, and the answers are always stupid. What a waste of time...

Obama gets an extra point though for having a Gay Pride Web page! I'll have to check to see if Hillary or Edwards have one...

Of course, I will vote for Hillary in the general election, only because the GOP candidate will be far worse. As disappointing as most of the Democratic candidates were in this forum at least they showed up and are trying to win our support. None of the GOP candidates accepted the invitation, and none of them returned HRC quesionnaires. But the Democrats should not take our votes for granted.

You can read the candidates positions/responses to the HRC Questions on the HRC website.

UPDATE:
Bill Richardson has issued some statements trying to clafiy his response to Melissa Etheridge's question about whether being gay is a choice. I didn't catch it, but he did say "It's a Choice.." and was hissed and booed at. I think he was trying to say that it doesn't matter if it is a choice or not, but he didn't do a very good job and was misunderstood, and a lot of people at the forum are not happy with him.
Here is a statement from Richardson clarifying his response:
"I misunderstood the question. Let me be clear- I do not believe that sexual orientation or gender identity happen by choice. But I'm not a scientist, and the point I was trying to make is that no matter how it happens, we are all equal and should be treated that way under the law. That is what I believe, that is what I have spent my career fighting for. I ask that people look at my record and my actions and they will see I have been a true supporter of the LGBT community."
Pams House Blend has more on Richardson and the forum.

Pathetic Harold Ford jr. Attacks Democratic Base!

The PATHETIC Harold Ford Jr., the new leadere of the "Democratic Leadership Council" (sic), appears on FOX NEWS to bash the Daily Kos Yearly Kos convention, and writes a pathetic column attacking the BASE of the Democratic Party, Our Chance to Capture the Center. The DLC, and yes BILL CLINTON, has almost destroyed the Democratic Party! Here is the record HFJ and the DLC are so proud of: NAFTA (destroying U.S. jobs), "welfare reform" (cutting AFDC for poor women and children), telecommunications act (media consolidation), "Defense of Marriage Act" (DOMA), enshrining discrimination against LGBT Americans into federal law, "Don't Ask Don't Tell" (throwing thousands of military people out of the military for being gay), cave in on Health Care (leaving 50 million people without insurance still..), etc. etc. On issue after issue Clinton and the DLC have abandoned the PRINCIPLES of the Democratic Party, their legacy has been to join the Republican Party and the radical right to DESTROY the legacy of FDR and LBJ! And all of HFJ's pandering to the homophobic bigots in TN couldn't get him elected! Wake up Jr.! The BASE of the Democratic Party was at the Daily Kos convention, NOT the DLC convention! The Democratic Presidential candidates didn't even come to your little meeting in NAshville! And your pathetic DLC Democrats have caved in to BUSH over and over, funding the illegal war that the MAJORITY of Americans oppose, and making Bush's illegal wire-tapping of Americans legal! We can only hope the DLC continues to wither and die so we can save the Democratic Party and our democracy!

Cohen Co-Sponsors Bill to IMPEACH Cheney

The Commercial Appeal reports that Rep. Steve Cohen is Co-sponsoring a Bill to Impeach Cheney! "Before returning to Memphis on Sunday after a marathon weekend House session, U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., signed on as a co-sponsor of bills to impeach Vice President Dick Cheney and to censure both Cheney and President Bush." ANother reason to support Tennessee's ONLY progressive U.S. Congressman! We have our own Bernie Sanders here in TN! Folks this is very important, and we MUST do everything to support Steve Cohen and show that we want Bush and Cheney to be IMPEACHED! We must (a) contact Steve Cohen and tell him we support the impeachment of Bush/Cheney (b) organize! We need to get on the street (Poplar/Highland) every Sat./Sunday with signs to Impeach Bush/Cheney! (c) We need to get a petition going in Memphis and present it to Cohen to show the support here in Shelby County to Impeach! Go to Impeach Bush and AfterDowning Street and World Can't Wait and get your t-shirts, signs and bumper stickers, and lets hit the streets in Memphis! There will be a march in Washington on Sat. Sept. 15 to Impeach Bush & Cheney, let's organize a street protest on that day at Poplar & Highland 11 AM to 2 pm! Get your signs and T-Shirts now!

Lesbian Attacked in Jackson

A Dyer Co. Lesbian Was Attacked in Jackson Club
Miranda Greer told Jackson police that a man approached her when he saw her dancing with a male friend. The man thought she was a gay man because she looks masculine, and started calling her names and telling her to leave. When she told him she was a lesbian, he responded by punching her in the face, and then used a beer bottle to jab her in the eye four times before smashing the bottle over her head. I wonder if he thought he was also doing God’s will?

Congress Kisses Bush's Ass Again

The Democratic-led Congress has once again kissed Bush's ass. The same "Democratic" Congress that continues to cave in on funding the illegal occupation of Iraq, has now also caved in on illegal wiretapping of U.S. citizens. Congress has just approved Bush's Request to Expand Wireless Wiretapping. The vote was 227-183, with 180 Democrats voting against it, but enough Democrats voted for it to pass. The bill will expand FISA to allow wiretapping of calls with foreigners. Congress has also passed a Record $460 billlion "Defense" Bill which includes such wasteful spending as $8 billion for "missle defense." This Congress is pathetic! The Green Party or Socialist Party is looking better everyday, but I know, the Democrats are our only hope to hold off total fascist control of our country, gods help us!

Anti-Gay Black Pastors Attack Rep. Steve Cohen

A group of predominantly African-American pastors calling themselves Memphis City Churches is waging a campaign against gay and lesbian civil rights, especially marriage equality, but now are focused on stopping the Hate Crimes bill (H.R. 1592), and are attacking Rep. Steve Cohen for supporting it. Their web site is filled with fallacious attacks on gays and attempts to use homophobia and anti-gay prejudice to scare people into opposing the hate crimes bill by erroneously claiming that the bill would prohibit preachers from preaching against homosexuality and make anti-gay religious views a crime. H.R. 1592 says NOTHING about prohibiting anti-gay speech and was amended to specifically states that the bill will have no effect on free-speech rights. So who is behind this anti-gay campaign? Their web page is linked to anti-gay religious right groups, including the Family Research Council and the American Family Assocication. I suspect these groups are orchestrating a nation-wide campaign to mislead African-American religious groups and pastors to oppose hate crimes legislation and any other legislation that recognizes the civil rights of gays and lesbians.

Rep. Steve Cohen spoke out in support of H.R. 1592 in the House of Representatives.

This group of black minister, including Dr. Bill Adkins of Greater Imani Church and Rev. LaSimba Gray of New Sardis Baptist Church, who tried to get A.C. Wharton to run against Herenton in the Memphis mayoral election have now endorsed Herman Morris for Mayor. Hmm. I wonder if they knew that Herman Morris spoke at the Mid-South Pride Rally in June in support of gay and lesbian rights? And I wonder if Herman Morris knows this group is anti-gay? I know these "black leaders" don't represent all of the black community, but will the progressive African-American leaders (Herman Morris?) stand up to them and denounce their bigotry??

UPDATE: As I suspected, the Memphis City Churches, the group behind the attacks on Rep. Steve Cohen and the Hate Crimes Bill, are getting their talking points from the anti-gay Family Research Council which attacks Steve Cohen on their webpage.