Reading Between The (Head)lines

Someone at Yahoo News (or the Associated Press) certainly has a way with words.

A new what?, we ask…

A Room Full Of Roses For Aravosis And Spaulding

After journalist Helen Thomas went toe-to-toe with George Bush at a White House press briefing, folks sent thousands of roses to her at her bureau office as a demonstration of support.

Blogging is a little more of a "private" affair. Organizing the same type of show of support for bloggers who make honorable decisions could be dicey, since a good deal of us file our reports from home. Yet, prominent bloggers John Aravosis from AMERICAblog and Pam Spaulding of Pam's House Blend truly deserve a similar demonstration of appreciation.

They were asked to speak on a panel with Jeff Gannon, who gained prominence last year when reports revealed he was a $200-an-hour male prostitute. That behavior alone doesn't really raise eyebrows — but this particular whore gained unprecedented access to the White House, claims he was privy to sensitive information and, for a time, was George Bush's favorite plant in the White House press corps. Bush, et. al., still haven't answered for that one.

Aravosis and Spaulding were looking forward to the chance to clear up the exact story about how and why Gannon earned his position — that is, his position in the press corps. But the panel's organizers wanted them to dumb-down their appearance and stick to a pre-arranged list of topics. More here and here.

Aravosis and Spaulding declined.

They're my heros for the day. Blogging is not a profession that pays a lot when it does, in fact, pay. Both of them could have softened their principles and taken the money and run. But they didn't. They both demonstrate that ignoring your convictions just for a little money truly is not palatable, necessary or commendable. It's small acts such as theirs that make a huge impact — and (at the risk of being hyperbolic) are the difference between America stagnating in entrenched corruption and hypocrisy (which doesn't add to our moral authority) or progressing to our highest ideals. They deserve a room full of roses, too.

I don't feel comfortable posting anyone's home information (I'm not Michelle Malkin (scroll down to "Worst Person In The World"), afterall) to make such a display happen. But, thanks to Photoshop, I've tried to at least match the spirit of the demonstration. (I have a feeling Aravosis would prefer orchids, anyway.)

Anyone who feels, as I do, that their prinicpled stands deserve a little bit more, please go to their sites (AMERICAblog/Pam's House Blend) and make a donation.

Parking For Religious Hypocrites Only

Huh.

Well, if these folks think parking laws infringe on their rights and reserve the right to ignore them, I hereby reserve the right to ignore any laws that might ban two people of the same sex uniting in a civil union.

Eye for an eye works for me.


Church-Goers Claim Right To Double-Park

WASHINGTON -- In the nation's capital, where parking is scarce, churchgoers say plans to crack down on double-parking infringe on their religious rights.

Worshipers held a rally Sunday afternoon urging officials to let them continue a practice that has long been overlooked.

The D.C. Department of Transportation was planning to hand out warning tickets this weekend and real tickets starting in July, but officials now say they'll review the enforcement program.

Cars have commonly been double-parked near DC churches on Sundays for decades, but police had largely ignored the practice until neighbors complained.

At the rally, the church-goers blamed new high-rise developments.

Bush, Be Gone!

Only 1,000 more days to go. Let the countdown begin…

Bush: "We're Talking About Human Beings, Decent Human Beings"

Well, finally, George Bush comes around.

Today he told an audience of business leaders in California:

"I know this is an emotional debate, and I can understand it's emotional, but one thing we cannot lose sight of is that we're talking about human beings, decent human beings."

All right — the Chimp-in-Chief was speaking about immigration — not equal rights for Americans who are gay. Yet, he should be reminded he uttered these words each and every time he suggests amending the Constitution to thwart measures that treat gay men and women the same as other citizens.

If You're Making A Comprehensive List Of Ignorant, Out-Of-Touch Bigots, Here's A Place To Start

This article in today's New York Times reminds this "good Catholic boy" (I have the citations from a prominent, national, Christian university and membership in a Christian honor society to back that up) why I am so very glad I no longer associate with the Church; why I am thrilled I don't let a bunch of out-of-touch, dissembling, soulless men do my thinking for me; and why talk of the gradual disintegration of the church utterly delights me.

If you're keeping track:

Molesting boys for decades? Shhhhh -- move along! Nothing to see here. And certainly nothing for us to stand united against -- nothing for us to codify our displeasure with.

A show of love between two people? THAT'S something we need to oppose! Where do we sign?

Fucking hypocrites!

And lest you think this is about actual convictions, this sentence is particularly telling, isn't it?: "Organizers of the petition said it was in part an effort to revive the groundswell of opposition to same-sex marriage that helped bring many conservative voters to the polls in some pivotal states in 2004."

One particularly ignorant archbishop, John J. Myers, said of the campaign: "We think the American people are on our side on this, and we want the Senate to know it." Really? The Times article doesn't include the list -- but I'd like to see it. If it's largely a collection of 50 white men — with women and/or minorities conspicuously underrepresented — I think we can all conclude what this document is really trying to achieve, can't we?

A Religious Push Against Gay Unions

WASHINGTON, Published: April 24, 2006 — About 50 prominent religious leaders, including seven Roman Catholic cardinals and about a half-dozen archbishops, have signed a petition in support of a constitutional amendment blocking same-sex marriage. — David D. Kirkpatrick

Michelle Malkin: Satan's Blow-Up Doll

If you don't know who Michelle Malkin is, you're fortunate. I won't link to her blog because I found out about her tonight and wished I never learned she existed — and I don't want to expose you to such an evil, ignorant woman. She's a breathing endorsement for abortion.

All that's important to know about her is she has taken civil discourse to a new low by publishing the at-home phone numbers of some folks with whom she disagrees — and now they're getting death threats. Did I mention they're just college students?

John at AMERICABlog sizes her up appropriately here:

Top Republican Blogger Posts Phone Numbers Of Liberal College Students On Web Site, Students Say They're Now Receiving Death Threats

Encourage The DCCC To Have Principles — And Enforce Them

It's a sad day when even Democrats can't stand up for fairness and equality.

I urge you to read the entire piece from PageOneQ below and, if it bothers you, too, to write a letter to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee such as the one I sent today (posted below article).


From PageOneQ:

In Response To Inquiry, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Yanks Job Policy From Web Site

Washington, DC — Less than twenty-four hours after an inquiry by PageOneQ about the lack of sexual orientation in the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's (DCCC) non-discrimination hiring policy, the organization removed all job listings and the policy from its website.

PageOneQ, via an on-line messaging service, received a tip from a political activist who was considering applying for a job at the organization. The activist, who asked not to be identified by name because of his intent to apply for a job, shared the information with PageOneQ Monday afternoon.

Bill Burton, a spokesman for the DCCC said that the policy included sexual orientation and that its absence on the website was an error. A return visit to the website revealed that the policy had not been corrected, but completely removed.

…Asked why the policy was removed instead of corrected, Mr. Burton said that perhaps it was a coincidence that the site had been changed so close to the time of this reporter's inquiry, explaining that the web site is managed by a different department and that the change may have been unrelated. When asked to provide a document produced prior to yesterday afternoon that included what Mr. Burton maintained was the policy, he refused. “I’m not going to do that,” he said. [MORE] — Michael Rogers

My note to the DCCC, concise and to-the-point:

From: gaymafioso
Subject: Do You Discriminate, Or Don't You?
Date: April 19, 2006 2:00:52 PM CDT
To: dccc@dccc.org

I was disheartened today to read about emerging details about your non-discrimination policy. This policy should be a clear statement about your principles — not a cloudy passage you are wishy-washy about enforcing.

I expect your non-discrimination policy will again be posted on the "jobs" page of your web site soon — and will include "sexual orientation."

I will not take a stand for ANY candidates, anywhere, who don't take a stand for me.

Encourage The DCCC To Have Principles — And Enforce Them

It's a sad day when even Democrats can't stand up for fairness and equality.

I urge you to read the entire piece from PageOneQ below and, if it bothers you, too, to write a letter to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee such as the one I sent today (posted below article).


From PageOneQ:

In Response To Inquiry, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Yanks Job Policy From Web Site

Washington, DC — Less than twenty-four hours after an inquiry by PageOneQ about the lack of sexual orientation in the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's (DCCC) non-discrimination hiring policy, the organization removed all job listings and the policy from its website.

PageOneQ, via an on-line messaging service, received a tip from a political activist who was considering applying for a job at the organization. The activist, who asked not to be identified by name because of his intent to apply for a job, shared the information with PageOneQ Monday afternoon.

Bill Burton, a spokesman for the DCCC said that the policy included sexual orientation and that its absence on the website was an error. A return visit to the website revealed that the policy had not been corrected, but completely removed.

…Asked why the policy was removed instead of corrected, Mr. Burton said that perhaps it was a coincidence that the site had been changed so close to the time of this reporter's inquiry, explaining that the web site is managed by a different department and that the change may have been unrelated. When asked to provide a document produced prior to yesterday afternoon that included what Mr. Burton maintained was the policy, he refused. “I’m not going to do that,” he said. [MORE] — Michael Rogers

My note to the DCCC, concise and to-the-point:

From: gaymafioso
Subject: Do You Discriminate, Or Don't You?
Date: April 19, 2006 2:00:52 PM CDT
To: dccc@dccc.org

I was disheartened today to read about emerging details about your non-discrimination policy. This policy should be a clear statement about your principles — not a cloudy passage you are wishy-washy about enforcing.

I expect your non-discrimination policy will again be posted on the "jobs" page of your web site soon — and will include "sexual orientation."

I will not take a stand for ANY candidates, anywhere, who don't take a stand for me.

Victory!

The Supreme Court today reminded Jerry Falwell that he's not omnipotent — and that he has no greater rights than the people he lives to bash.

Today I'm especially proud to be an American. :-)

Supreme Court Declines To Hear Falwell Domain Name Case

A legal spat over a Web site criticizing the Rev. Jerry Falwell for his antigay views won't ascend to the U.S. Supreme Court. The justices declined without comment to take up the evangelical preacher's appeal, which challenged the operator of Fallwell.com, a site that aims to explain "why Rev. Falwell is completely wrong about people who are gay or lesbian."

University Of The Cumberlands: Bigotry Detected; Commence Fallout

Good for him:

Expelled Student Speaks Out

He spent two years at college.

He was on the dean's list and he participated in student activities.

He was then kicked out for being gay.

Jason Johnson was expelled from The University of the Cumberlands earlier this month after school administrators found out he's gay.

Now, he's leading a fight against what he calls blatant discrimination. … [More]

— Melinda Roeder, WTVQ Action News 36, Lexington, Ky.

And good for them:

Cumberlands student Jennifer Roberts, a friend of Johnson’s, was upset with the school’s decision. "He’s openly gay but doesn’t flaunt it," Roberts said. "I think you would be floored by the amount of gay people at our school."

Roberts added she doesn’t think she’s the only student who will speak out against Johnson’s dismissal. "They’re already printing T-shirts that say, ‘Jesus loves gay people, too,’" she said. [Link]

And them:

Representatives of the Kentucky Collegiate Coalition … said people from nine Kentucky schools will participate (at "a protest rally near the school's Williamsburg campus") on Wednesday. [Link]

— Frank E. Lockwood, (Lexington) Herald-Leader Religion Writer

And, most of all, them:

Legislators Oppose Pharmacy Proposal

Gov. Ernie Fletcher said yesterday that he has not decided whether he will veto state money for a proposed pharmacy school at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg.

Meanwhile, State Sen. Julian Carroll, D-Frankfort, called for Fletcher to veto the $10 million for the pharmacy building because Carroll believes it violates the state Constitution's prohibition against giving state money to a religious institution.

Carroll joined two other legislators, State Sen. Ernesto Scorsone and State Rep. Kathy Stein, both Lexington Democrats, who oppose the pharmacy appropriation to the University of the Cumberlands, formerly Cumberland College.

…The University, a Southern Baptist school, dismissed a student last week because he declared he was gay, in violation of university policy. National accreditation rules for pharmacy schools prohibit discrimination against gays. … — Art Jester, Herald-Leader Staff Writer

After You Find All The Eggs, See If You Can Track Down The President

It's Easter time at the White House today! And when the gays show up on the South Lawn — George Bush runs and hides. (More at Time Magazine: Walking On Egg Shells)

I know G.W. has the fabricated reputation of being a "cowboy" — but doesn't this type of behavior (in addition to his penchant for speaking only in front of crowds cherry-picked and paid to be there) classify him as a first-degree pussy? I'm just asking…

The interesting thing is that this never was about getting an audience before the President. Gay families wanted to bring their children to an event at the White House so their kids could enjoy an Easter tradition with the children of other Americans. And, the gay folks who decided to attend wanted to say to America: "We're just like you. We raise children, too. We watch with joy and aprehension as they grow up and discover new facets of life. We love our children dearly, want the best for them, painfully go between the extremes of holding them too close and increasingly giving them their independence. And we, too, think they grow up too fast."

Mission accomplished.

One father, Terrance who writes on the blog The Republic of T, analyzes it more eloquently:

It’s easier for people (to) demonize what they don’t see, and harder for them hate good neighbors who take good care of their kids and try to give back to their community like everyone else. It’s harder to stereotype the gay dad who’s sitting next to you at the little league game, cheering on your kid as much as his own, or the lesbian mom who pitches in for the P.T.A. bakesale. It’s harder to hate people and discriminate against them when you see with your own eyes that they are people, just like you. It is if you have a heart, anyway.

Come Monday, we won’t be doing anything that we haven’t always done in our own backyards. the only difference is that we’ll be with other families like ours, and on America’s front lawn. And if America’s watching, and maybe (a) few more shed their misconceptions and begin to see us as neighbors and as American families an awful lot like theirs, it will make a difference.

If Bush had made an appearance, it more than likely would have ruined the day for many people. Isn't it a sad statement when a President's presence at a signature American event is superfluous and painfully undesirable?

Growing Evidence Ann Coulter Was Born A Man

It's official. Ann Coulter, herself, is not sure whether she is a man or a woman (via PageOneQ). Or, perhaps she knows precisely, and that's why she's keeping it secret.

Cumberlands President: We're Christian, So We're Hateful & Ignorant

Another report about the University of the Cumberlands student who administrators expelled because he is gay. While the college president spews bigotted rhetoric, using his religion to espouse his embracing of ignorant intolerance and hatred, the students there say the gay student is as Christian as anyone else — and the campus is suffering because of his absence.

Someone in this situation ought to ask, "What Would Jesus Do?," don't you think? Here's an answer that seems accurate to me:

Jacob Reitan, the co-director of the Soulforce Equality Ride, which is touring universities and colleges that have anti-LGBT policies, took issue with the school's claim that it was enforcing its Christian beliefs.

"I don't think this is Christian to do this," Reitan said. "Jesus fought continually to get to know those people others would not. He was always about expanding the kingdom."

Baptist College Expels Gay Student

Monday, April 10, 2006 — The University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Ky., has kicked out a sophomore because he revealed he was gay on his MySpace.com page, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported.

Jason Johnson, 20, was expelled last week from the Baptist school, according to Larry Cockrum, the school's director of media relations. Johnson was majoring in theater arts.

"Everybody on campus is extremely upset about this," Jennifer Roberts, a Cumberlands senior, told the newspaper.

Roberts, who told the paper she is a close friend of Johnson, described him as honest and trustworthy.

"I would consider Jason a Christian because so many of his values are Christian," she said. "He embodies everything a friend should be. A lot of people are suffering because he is not here."

The university has a policy that says, "Any student who engages in or promotes sexual behavior not consistent with Christian principles (including sex outside marriage and homosexuality) may be suspended or asked to withdraw from the University of the Cumberlands."

"We are different by design, and are nonapologetic about our Christian beliefs," said university president Jim Taylor in a written statement.

Jacob Reitan, the co-director of the Soulforce Equality Ride, which is touring universities and colleges that have anti-LGBT policies, took issue with the school's claim that it was enforcing its Christian beliefs.

"I don't think this is Christian to do this," Reitan said. "Jesus fought continually to get to know those people others would not. He was always about expanding the kingdom." — Christopher Curtis, PlanetOut Network

Washington Post: "Christian Coalition Shrinks As Debt Grows"

I admit — I took a special glee in this piece from the Washington Post today.

It's funny that you never read articles about the gay community shrinking — nor articles that say gay people are deadbeats who don't pay their bills.

Oh, how the (high and) mighty fall.


Christian Coalition Shrinks As Debt Grows

…The once-mighty Christian Coalition, founded 17 years ago by the Rev. Pat Robertson as the political fundraising and lobbying engine of the Christian right, is more than $2 million in debt, beset by creditors' lawsuits and struggling to hold on to some of its state chapters.

In March, one of its most effective chapters, the Christian Coalition of Iowa, cut ties with the national organization and reincorporated itself as the Iowa Christian Alliance, saying it "found it impossible to continue to carry a name that in any way associated us with this national organization."

"The credibility is just not there like it once was," said Stephen L. Scheffler, president of the Iowa affiliate since 2000. "The budget has shrunk from $26 million to $1 million. There's a trail of debt. … We believe, our board believes, any Christian organization has an obligation to pay its debts in a timely fashion."

…Lawsuits for unpaid bills have multiplied. The Christian Coalition's longtime law firm -- Huff, Poole & Mahoney PC of Virginia Beach -- says it is owed $69,729. Global Direct, a fundraising firm in Oklahoma, is suing for $87,000 in expenses. Reese & Sons Inc., a moving company in District Heights, is trying to recover $1,890 for packing up furniture when the Christian Coalition closed its Washington office in 2002. The list goes on. … — By Alan Cooperman & Thomas B. Edsall, Washington Post Staff Writers © 2006 The Washington Post Company

The Reason Why So Many Pseudo-Christians Are Poorly Educated OR The Reason The Church Keeps Losing Good People

A Kentucky newspaper reports about another reason to hate the psuedo-Christians. Now they are expelling students for being gay. Nevermind that the official Christian stand is that the orientation is okay while gay behavior is sinful — just saying you're gay online without evidence you've acted on it is cause for some to feel compelled to cut you away from the flock.

This reminds me of the dumb-ass bishops in St. Louis, Oregon and Nebraska last year who aimed to refuse communion to those who voted for candidates who were pro-choice or open-minded about gay issues. If you believe the act of receiving communion brings one — ummm — in COMMUNION with God, why would you refuse it to someone you think might need more divine guidance in his or her life? Wouldn't it make more sense for you to insist an individual such as this should receive double communion? Or don't you honestly believe in the essence and power of your ritual?

But it's so much more empowering (to you, that is) to treat receiving communion — or being allowed to continue religious study, as the article below relates — as a system of reward and punishment, isn't it? Where is God in these types of decisions? Are you trying to enhance His power on earth — or just yours?

It's too bad the student described below was expelled. But there are plenty of other, higher-quality, more respected, liberal schools he can attend (If I knew him, I'd recommend the major Catholic University I attended). And the dumb-ass, holier-than-thou Baptists at the University of Cumberlands have done their best to drive him there.

If you're keeping track, that's one more intellectual, truthful, good-hearted American who — through no fault of his own — has had to move away from his religion — probably never to return as devotedly again.

Student Who Wrote He Was Gay Dismissed From School

WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. — A University of Cumberlands student who revealed he was gay on a personal Web page has been expelled.

A university spokesman says 20-year-old Jason Johnson was asked to leave the small Baptist school earlier this week.

The student from Lexington was dismissed after he posted on his Web page at the popular Internet site MySpace.com that he was gay.

The university has a policy that says it reserves the right to expel a student who — quote — "promotes sexual behavior not consistent with Christian principles."

The university would not comment specifically on Johnson's expulsion, but school president Jim Taylor says in a statement that the school is unapologetic about its Christian beliefs.

Feingold Announces Support For Marriage Equality

Russ Feingold announced today he supports marriage equality and opposes discriminatory amendments that seek to ban civil unions and marriages between gay people.

If flip-flopping is what killed the idea of John Kerry as president for the people who said they believed Bush was a man who stubbornly stood by his convictions — even if he was misguided — then I'm pleased Feingold is coming out strong as a man of principle. Compared to the way John McCain is flip-flopping these days, saying anything that might manipulate another vote, Feingold has been (and continues to be) a maverick all along.

I don't know about you — and I think I would say this even if I didn't live in Wisconsin — Feingold is looking more and more like my front-runner everyday.

More information here, here and here.

Feingold Opposes Discriminatory Amendment, Supports Marriage Equality

April 4, 2006, Washington, D.C. — Responding to a question posed at his Kenosha County listening session over the weekend, U.S. Senator Russ Feingold said he strongly opposed the proposed civil unions and marriage ban facing Wisconsin voters this November. He also expressed his support for the right of gays and lesbians to marry. Feingold holds listening sessions in each of Wisconsin’s 72 counties every year. Later this year, Feingold will hold his 1000th listening session as a U.S. Senator.

“The proposed ban on civil unions and marriage is a mean-spirited attempt to divide Wisconsin and I indicated that it should be defeated,” Feingold said. “It discriminates against thousands of people in our communities – our co-workers, our neighbors, our friends and our family members. It would single out members of a particular group and forever deny them rights and protections granted to all other Wisconsin citizens. It would also outlaw civil unions and jeopardize many legal protections for all unmarried couples, whether of the same or the opposite sex. We shouldn’t enshrine this prejudice in our state’s Constitution.”

At the listening session, held at the Village Hall in Paddock Lake, Wis., Feingold also expressed his support for the right of gays and lesbians to marry.

“As I said at the Kenosha County listening session, gay and lesbian couples should be able to marry and have access to the same rights, privileges and benefits that straight couples currently enjoy,” Feingold added. “Denying people this basic American right is the kind of discrimination that has no place in our laws, especially in a progressive state like Wisconsin. The time has come to end this discrimination and the politics of divisiveness that has become part of this issue.”

Feingold noted that removing the prohibition against gay marriage would not impose any obligation on religious groups. He indicated that no religious faith should ever be forced to conduct or recognize any marriage, but that civil laws on marriage should reflect the principle of equal rights under the law.

More Fun With Forms!

You know the drill. The American Family Association sends an e-mail asking me to participate in some misguided campaign to bully fair-minded people into being intolerant. I change a few words around and effectively use their technology to thwart their hateful mission du jour.

Today's installment: Send an email to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and major investment firms, letting them know about Ford

Here's what the AFT wanted me to say:

Dear Chairman:

I want to alert you to the fact that more than 20 pro-family organizations, including American Family Association, are boycotting Ford Motor Company because of Ford's support for homosexual marriage.

You have a responsibility to inform your investors and shareholders of the Ford boycott, so that they can make informed decisions.

For more information on the boycott, go to BoycottFord.com.

You probably will want to alert your clients who hold Ford stock of this boycott.

Here's what I actually sent from their web site:

Dear Chairman:

I want to alert you to the fact that Ford Motor Company has taken a strong stand against more than 20 militant Christian conservative organizations, including the American Family Association, by supporting tolerance and equality for all Americans.

I hope you will inform your investors and shareholders that Ford is a exemplary American corportation — adhering to true American ideals and refusing to be bullied by radical groups with an intolerant agenda.

Please alert your clients who hold Ford stock about Ford's responsible and fair behavior in the face of attacks by misguided zealots lately, reminding them that embracing diversity is simply good business.

You might also tell them the American Family Association has a history of announcing boycotts that have little impact -- except to lure a small group of manipulated people into sending donations to the AFA. A quick Internet search will reveal that the group has tried to organize boycotts of Kraft Foods, Walt Disney, Target, etc., and all have ended in failure — or often in increased publicity (and, thus, increased revenues) to the targets of their mean-spirited crusades.

To wit, you can even inform them about the AFA's effort to boycott Procter & Gamble in 2004. The petition at http://www.pgboycott.com/SignPetition.asp?id=1270&sid=174930031 indicates a grand total of 17 people across the nation signed on.

To sum, Ford is continuing to do what any successful company in America should do: focusing on what they do best, marketing to a broad audience and taking a stand against the politics of division in which some fringe groups yearn to embroil them.

You can do it, too! Send your own message supporting Ford right from the AFA web site! Go here.

On The Christian (Not Always) Right

Wow. An amazing article in today's New York Times expounds upon nuances that many Christian conservatives just don't get — that their embracing of the politics of division is not fundamental to the essence of their religion, that all Christians don't feel certain issues are "set in stone," that even their leaders disagree about what is good, right, moral and Christian.

How many issues can we apply that to these days?

If you don't read the article, which I felt compelled to post in its entirety below, at least don't skip this excerpt, which is telling and illustrative:

Mr. MacColl said a parishioner called him the next day to comment: "That's all very well for you to say, but you don't drive to church with a 4-year-old in the back seat of your car and have to try to explain to him when a woman holds up a picture of a dead baby and screams through the window, 'Your church believes in killing babies.' "

Mr. MacColl said of the abortion protester: "She would, I suspect, count herself a lover of life, a lover of the unborn, a lover of God. And yet she spoke in harshness, hatred and frightened a little child."

Mr. MacColl quoted the theologian Reinhold Niebuhr: " 'Sometimes the worst evil is done by good people who do not know that they are not good.' "

The Abortion-Rights Side Invokes God, Too

April 3, 2006 Political Memo — In any given week, if you walked into one of Washington's big corporate hotels early in the morning, you would find a community of the faithful, quite often conservative Christians, rallying the troops, offering solace and denouncing the opposition at a prayer breakfast.

So you might be forgiven for thinking that such a group was in attendance on Friday in a ballroom of the Washington Hilton. People wearing clerical collars and small crucifixes were wedged at tables laden with muffins, bowing their heads in prayer. Seminarians were welcomed. Scripture was cited. But the name of the sponsor cast everything in a new light: the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

To its critics, Planned Parenthood is the godless super-merchant of abortion. To its supporters, it is the dependably secular defender of abortion rights. But at this breakfast, God was everywhere, easily invoked by believers of various stripes.

"We are here this morning because, through our collective efforts, we are agents in bringing our fragile world ever closer to the promise of redemption," Rabbi Dennis S. Ross, director of Concerned Clergy for Choice, told the audience. "As clergy from an array of denominations, we say yes to the call before us. Please join me in prayer: We praise you, God, ruler of time and space, for challenging us to bring healing and comfort to your world."

"Amen," the audience responded.

The Interfaith Prayer Breakfast has been part of Planned Parenthood's annual convention for four years. Most ministers and rabbis at the breakfast have known the group far longer.

Margaret Sanger, founder of the organization that became Planned Parenthood, drew clergy members in the early 20th century by relating the suffering of women who endured successive pregnancies that ravaged their health and sought illegal abortions in their desperation, said the Rev. Thomas R. Davis of the United Church of Christ, in his book "Sacred Work, Planned Parenthood and Its Clergy Alliances."

In the 1930's, Jewish and mainline Protestant groups began to voice their support for birth control. In 1962, a Maryland clergy coalition successfully pressed the state to permit the disbursal of contraception. In the late 1960's, some 2,000 ministers and rabbis across the country banded together to give women information about abortion providers and to lobby for the repeal of anti-abortion laws.

"The clergy could open that door because the clergy had a certain moral authority," said Mr. Davis, who is chairman of Planned Parenthood's clergy advisory board but whose book is not sponsored by the group. "They balanced the moral authority of the critics."

As the scrape of silverware quieted at the breakfast, the Rev. W. Stewart MacColl told the audience how a Presbyterian church in Houston that he had led and several others had worked with Planned Parenthood to start a family planning center. Protesters visited his church. Yet his 900 parishioners drove through picket lines every week to attend services. One Sunday, he and his wife, Jane, took refreshments to the protesters out of respect for their understanding of faith, he said.

Mr. MacColl said a parishioner called him the next day to comment: "That's all very well for you to say, but you don't drive to church with a 4-year-old in the back seat of your car and have to try to explain to him when a woman holds up a picture of a dead baby and screams through the window, 'Your church believes in killing babies.' "

Mr. MacColl said of the abortion protester: "She would, I suspect, count herself a lover of life, a lover of the unborn, a lover of God. And yet she spoke in harshness, hatred and frightened a little child."

Mr. MacColl quoted the theologian Reinhold Niebuhr: " 'Sometimes the worst evil is done by good people who do not know that they are not good.' "

The crowd murmured its assent.

Then Mr. MacColl challenged them. "The trouble is, I find myself reflected in that woman," he said. "Because I can get trapped in self-righteousness and paint those who oppose me in dark colors they do not deserve. Is that, at times, true of you, as well?"

This time, people were silent.

It is not lost on Mr. Davis how the passion of the Christian right in its effort to abolish abortion and curtail access to birth control now mirrors the efforts of clergy members 40 years ago to do the opposite.

"They're a religious tradition, too, and they are moved by Scripture," he said, although the Bible says nothing explicit about abortion. "When we understood the suffering in these kinds of situations that women were in, we understood that for reasons of justice, we had to act. We're doing it for theological and Biblical reasons."

A perception may exist that the denominations supporting abortion rights are outnumbered and out-shouted by their more conservative brethren. But that worried Mr. Davis little, he said, for he and other like-minded clergy members were in the minority in the 1960's, too.

Still, some clergy members could barely contain their outrage. "The more we are able to cultivate the capacity in every person — women and men — to make informed ethical judgments both in ourselves and our society, the more we are coming into relationship with the transcendent, with God," said the Rev. Susan Thistlethwaite, president of Chicago Theological Seminary.

"Human existence as a materialistic quest for power and dominance, a crass manipulation of fear and intolerance for political gain, drives us apart both from one another and from God," she said. "For what does it profit you to gain the whole world and lose your soul?" — Neela Banerjee

"It's Not Gay," The Series

Seeing that the American Family Association has an eye to an ever growing product line (see previous post), I thought perhaps they could produce a whole series of "It's Not Gay" DVDs. Here are a few suggestions to get them started!

"It's Not Gay" But It's Okay

In an e-mail last week, the American Family Association thought I might be interested in buying a DVD they are selling called "It's Not Gay." Um…no.

However, if anyone has seen this — I'd love to hear a report. It's probably good for camp value alone. Otherwise, this is what I'm imagining I would hear:

Ever since those times alone with Father Scalia in the back of the rectory, where he showed me how two men can tongue-kiss, I thought I was GAY! But, then I met up with a group known as Celebrating Unity through Life-Long Theology (CULT), had my brain washed and finally realized sucking dick is something I only had the urge to do and talk about because of Satan. Now I don't do that anymore. Talk about it, I mean — I still suck dick.

It's interesting to note that a 501(c)(3) organization has such a robust e-commerce section on its web site. But I suspect the folks at the AFA are fully aware that turning a healthy profit through hawking products could endanger their not-for-profit status with the IRS (well, at least in years when a responsible president is in the oval office). I'm sure that's why items are marked with a "suggested donation" rather than a selling price. Or maybe that's because chairman Donny Wildmon, et. al. are hoping a prospective buyer will be moved with some sort of sanctimonious spirit/guilt to give more than is called for. Whatever the case, how moral is it to knowingly skirt laws in this manner in a greedy crusade to enrich your own coffers?

It doesn't take an "expert" to agree this type of unethical, degenerate behavior is a clear warning that the sanitized version of hypocrisy being presented to students [in this particular DVD] is not the whole truth…


It's Not Gay

It's Not Gay presents a story that few have heard, allowing former homosexuals the opportunity to tell their own story in their own words.

Along with medical and mental health experts, these individuals express a clear warning that the sanitized version of homosexuality being presented to students is not the whole truth.

Uncompromising, yet compassionate, It’s Not Gay is a fair and balanced approach to this challenging subject.

Runtime is 28 minutes. (Editor's note: 28 minutes too long, I'm presuming.)

Suggested Donation: $15.00

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