I think it great that Average Gay Joe will be marching tomorrow (after work).  I also like the fact that we can disagree here at this blog on various issues.  There is quite a split on immigration over at Polipundit as well.

AGJ outlined some good reasons and also articulated the right immigration policy and on those points I completely agree.  But I have to disagree with him marching as he will in effect be lending credence to those who wish not to IMMIGRATE but to INVADE.  The groups organizing these marches are not interested in becoming Americans, but well-paid Mexican workers in a place that happens to be called America.  Frankly, I’m surprised Jesse Jackson isn’t waving a sign saying “Illegal Immigration = Slavery”…cuz it seems that way to me.  But this round of slavery is self-imposed by the illegals.  Bizarre.

AGJ… let me suggest that after you march you then do what I’m planning to do.  Wearing a very large USA flag shirt or lapel pin and going to a restaurant of my choice and waiting as long as I have to for service (assuming there was a walkout at the establishment).  Then after dinner I will thank them and tell the owner he or she doesn’t NEED illegals to have a successful business in the United States.

My family came here as immigrants too.  But they didn’t break the law first and expect to be given a pass.  They followed the rules and then became AMERICANS.  That is not the agenda that AGJ will be helping with his voice tomorrow night.

So my fellow Americans, do your part tomorrow to COMBAT the boycott.  Go out and spend money.  Hell, if it can work against al-Qaeda.. then it can work against the pro-invader illegals.

-Bruce (GayPatriot)

After spending a great work/leisure weekend in Wilmington, NC….. where PatriotPooch visited the beach for the first time….. I had nearly forgotten the Log Cabin Democrat mutual masturbation convention this weekend.

Here’s reason enough for me not to have wasted my time

Blogger/commentator Andrew Sullivan received the “David Brudnoy Award” for “The Courage of a Conservative” from the Log Cabin Republicans Saturday.

I honestly thought that BFT’s headline read “SILLY Speaks to Log Cabin.”   Heh heh.

[RELATED STORY - Brawl Under the Big Tent @ Malcontent]

-Bruce (GayPatriot)

Friday was an interesting day for me. I have many Latino friends that are immigrants and a number of them called me all day expressing fear over being kicked out. Some of this is irrational probably stirred up from political opportunists, rumors, and perhaps bad experiences with the governments in their native countries. I say this because some of my friends I know are here legally with valid work visas, yet they too seem to have caught the “fear bug” going around. These folks, mainly from El Salvador, were granted permission to work in the U.S. and have been here for many years. They have married, had kids, bought homes, and in all respects that I’ve seen are the kind of people we want to have in our country. Instead of leaving them in agonizing limbo for years, extending the expiration of their work visas when business whines, a permanent resolution of their status needs to be made now. I personally believe they should be allowed to stay with permanent residency and later citizenship (assuming they meet all qualifications for such). Others of my friends are illegal immigrants (I reject the PC term “undocumented worker” as pure BS). They came for the obvious reason that conditions in their country sucked and they wanted a better life for themselves and their family, something I myself would have done in their situation.

I’ve previously mentioned on my own blog that I’m torn on the issue of illegal immigration. On the one hand I’m adamantly against open borders, am rankled by the “entitlement” attitude among some illegal immigrants along with some of the other nonsense, and find some of the criticism about the drain of illegal immigration on health care, schools, law enforcement, etc., to be valid. Yet on the other hand I cannot ignore the fact that both political parties have had a “wink and nod” approach to this for years for there own reasons and despite problems from some, most of these people are providing needed labor here and aid to the poor in their own countries. A guest-worker program legalizing their status with all the requirements citizens and permanent residents must meet as far as taxes go should alleviate some of the problems. Anyone who thinks we can maintain a porous border without this being detrimental to our nation or that we are seriously going to round up millions of people and deport them are just not dealing with reality. The border should have been attended to immediately after 9/11 but the politicos on both sides of the aisle ignored it for their own partisan reasons. As for the latter, most people know very well that besides lacking the manpower to carry out such a mass deportation, the first video on TV of some crying mother and her screaming baby being handcuffed by immigration officers to be deported will cause the whole scheme to fold like a house of cards. So let’s cut through the BS and resolve this in a way that may not please everyone but I believe will be the most fair and the best for our country.

The most pragmatic solution I can see for this is a melding of both the hardline and soft approach to illegal immigration. Specifically:

• Build the wall and put in place whatever other security measures are needed. Double the number of Border Patrol agents, particularly for catching suspected terrorists, narcotics traffickers, and gang-members.

• Deny driver’s licenses and in-state college tuition to those here illegally. This would not include those enrolled in a guest-worker program.

• Require a legal form of identification for voting; reject the bogus Mexican matricula consular IDs.

• Immediately deport those here illegally or who have work visas for crimes from petty theft to murder – after they serve their punishment.

• Establish a guest-worker program which allows those here already to remain as long as they pass a back round check (paid for by them), pay a fine for coming here illegally, and demonstrate that they have employment or are able to obtain a job in a reasonable amount of time and not be on welfare. A path to citizenship will have to be part of this, probably after some waiting period, with the details on this worked out. In my view though it should include a demonstration the candidate can support themselves and has a basic understanding of American history and an ability to speak English (I’m not asking for “Shakespeare”).

• Toughen penalties who continue to knowingly hire illegals after such a guest-worker program is established. By “toughen” I’m speaking of severe as in they lose their business and spend time in jail.

I am probably forgetting something in this list and undoubtedly it will find detractors from all sides, but it is the best solution I can think of to address the legitimate concerns I’ve seen on the many sides of this issue.

When I was growing up my father taught me the most important things in life are God, family, friends, and country. If a conflict between any of these arises than one must do what their conscience tells them is right. I do not agree with all that I’ve heard about the organizations or goals for this planned march, indeed I refuse to participate and condemn the boycott (an arrogant and stupid idea liable to spark a backlash), but I cannot abandon those whom I call friends even though I find some of their fears to be unjustified and irrational. Therefore I will join my friends on Monday – AFTER work – and march, for them. I will, however, be carrying an American flag.

UPDATE:  This column from the Concord Monitor has some items from Mexican law that the president and leaders in Congress should tout as part of an immigration reform program which in my view should also include a guest-worker program leading to citizenship for many here already.

Sorry, I haven’t returned to blogging as quickly as I had hoped, but given my strange mood lately, I thought it better not to post. Without an editor, I may show the more excitable, irritable side of myself and don’t think that’s appropriate for public discourse. (Indeed, I often find myself apologizing when I show that side of myself to my friends and family.)

George W. Bush has the courage to speak out for freedom. — Natan Sharansky

This column is powerful especially coming from the moral voice of Mr. Sharansky.

Sharansky spent nine years as a political prisoner in the Soviet Gulag. A former deputy prime minister of Israel and currently a member of the Knesset, he is co-author, with Ron Dermer, of “The Case For Democracy: The Power of Freedom to Overcome Tyranny and Terror” (PublicAffairs, 2004).

Highlights of his column…..

Political leaders make the rarest of dissidents. In a democracy, a leader’s lifeline is the electorate’s pulse. Failure to be in tune with public sentiment can cripple any administration and undermine any political agenda. Moreover, democratic leaders, for whom compromise is critical to effective governance, hardly ever see any issue in Manichaean terms. In their world, nearly everything is colored in shades of gray.

That is why President George W. Bush is such an exception. He is a man fired by a deep belief in the universal appeal of freedom, its transformative power, and its critical connection to international peace and stability. Even the fiercest critics of these ideas would surely admit that Mr. Bush has championed them both before and after his re-election, both when he was riding high in the polls and now that his popularity has plummeted, when criticism has come from longstanding opponents and from erstwhile supporters.

With a dogged determination that any dissident can appreciate, Mr. Bush, faced with overwhelming opposition, stands his ideological ground, motivated in large measure by what appears to be a refusal to countenance moral failure.

Today, we are in the midst of a great struggle between the forces of terror and the forces of freedom. The greatest weapon that the free world possesses in this struggle is the awesome power of its ideas.

The Bush Doctrine, based on a recognition of the dangers posed by non-democratic regimes and on committing the United States to support the advance of democracy, offers hope to many dissident voices struggling to bring democracy to their own countries. The democratic earthquake it has helped unleash, even with all the dangers its tremors entail, offers the promise of a more peaceful world.

Critics rail against every step on the new and difficult road on which the United States has embarked. Yet in pointing out the many pitfalls which have not been avoided and those which still can be, those critics would be wise to remember that the alternative road leads to the continued oppression of hundreds of millions of people and the continued festering of the pathologies that led to 9/11.

Now that President Bush is increasingly alone in pushing for freedom, I can only hope that his dissident spirit will continue to persevere. For should that spirit break, evil will indeed triumph, and the consequences for our world would be disastrous.

Especially when the opposition party in the United States and its allies in the major media seem to be rooting against America at every turn. This isn’t FDR’s Democrat Party anymore, is it?

-Bruce (GayPatriot)

Go see it this weekend. It is important that we never forget. It is also important we support Hollywood films that show the true enemies of the United States in the War Of Terror.

The reviews are in…

The Cranky Insomniac notes that Salon’s reviewer was upset because it wasn’t cheery enough. Oy.

Here’s a more realistic review from The Hollywood Reporter.

Press notes for motion pictures are usually filled with dispensable, self-congratulatory puffery, but the one for the soul-searing film “United 93″ contains this trenchant comment from its English writer-director, Paul Greengrass: Speaking of the 40 individuals aboard United Airlines Flight 93, the fourth hijacked plane on that day of infamy, Sept. 11, 2001, he notes that these were the only passengers and crew members on any of those ill-fated flights who knew about the other planes having been used as weapons and realized what was happening to them. “They were the first people to inhabit the post-9/11 world,” Greengrass says. These were the first to react to the worldwide conflict we find ourselves in today. Within the microcosm of that reaction, Greengrass has made an emphatic political document, a movie about defiance against tyranny and terrorism.

In years to come, United 93 may enter our mythology in ways unimaginable. But for now, we have a starting point. “United 93″ is a sincere attempt to pull together the known facts and guesses at the emotional truths as best anyone can. Then, in the movie’s final moments, the impact of the heroism aboard United 93 becomes startlingly clear.

Never forget the brave American heroes who launched the first counterattack in the War On Terror aboard United 93. I can only pray that all of us have the strength to see their battle through to victory against Islamic fascism.

-Bruce (GayPatriot)

BFT… during your journey to Washington…. if you find any actual Republicans at the Log Cabin “convention”.. please notify the media!!

I’m sure you will trip over the Gay Rights Pro-Abortion Lobbyist and the Neo-Liberal-Neo-Conservative-Neo-Confused Speaker many times, though.

So-called Republicans high up on the Log Cabin Board of Kings who give their own hard-earned money to Ted Kennedy do not count. Oooops.. now what could I possibly mean by that cryptic sentence? Hmmmm.

-Bruce (GayPatriot)

I’m so bad with keeping up with email. Someone… I can’t remember who… emailed me WEEKS ago asking me to join in his effort to have bloggers list what they are listening to on their mp3 players. In my case, an iPod.

So my apologies for the late response… and my forgetfulness!

But, if anyone cares, here’s what I’m listening to when I’m flying or at the gym. Here is a collection of my most listened to songs that are on my iPod:

Jesus, Take The Wheel – Carrie Underwood
Independence Day – Martina McBride
American Soldier – Toby Keith
When I Get Where I’m Going – Brad Paisley & Dolly Parton
St. Elmo’s Fire – John Parr
Heads Carolina, Tails California – Jo Dee Messina (the unofficial theme song of GayPatriot!)
The World – Brad Paisley (GayPatriot & PatriotPartner can be seen in Brad’s music video!)
Video Killed The Radio Star – The Buggles
When The Heartache Is Over – Tina Turner
I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack
Party For Two – Shania Twain & Billy Currington
I’m Alive – Celine Dion (from the Las Vegas Concert)
Mayberry – Rascal Flatts
Who Says You Can’t Go Home – Bon Jovi & Jennifer Nettles
Perfect – Sara Evans
These Days – Rascal Flatts
Back On The Chain Gang – The Pretenders

I have a lot more favorite songs…. but those seem to be the ones rising to the top of the GP charts right now.

-Bruce (GayPatriot)

After returning to LA following three days of classes, I have had to take care of some busy work today and find myself exhausted, with little energy to write. I wil try to get a few posts up tomorrow, but until then, I’ll do my latest movie open-thread.

Just before heading up to class, I watched one of my favorite screwball comedies, The Naked Gun with a classmate of mine. That fantastic flick included this great silly line, “This is our hill and these are our beans.” Other silly lines that I appreciate include “You made a yummy sound” (Young Frankstein) and “I’ve loved you more than any woman’s ever loved a rabbit.” (Who Framed Roger Rabbit). And that’s just to name a few of my favorites. What are yours?

So, today’s open thread, what’s your favorite silly movie line, one which makes you laugh and sticks in your mind long after the film’s credits have rolled.

I’ve entered into the video age….trailing way behind The Malcontent, I must point out!!

I recently bought a very cool SONY digital camcorder. So last night I was able to transfer this clip from FOX News’ Special Report from my TIVO player to my camcorder to my laptop. Then after consulting with Malcontent on a technical matter, I uploaded it tonight to YouTube.com.

Here we go…. Wooo hoooo!

-Bruce (GayPatriot)

Why aren’t gays and lesbians actually marrying when they are given the chance?

I don’t really know the answer to this question, especially when I’m repeatedly told by the Gay Elitists that I must have gay marriage in order to be treated as a real human being by society. But data doesn’t lie when gays and lesbians are given that option…..

Here are the results of a study by The Institute For Marriage and Public Policy. (Full disclosure note… since I saw this story at The Corner, I have to assume this institute has an interest in protecting traditional marriage. However, as I said, the actual data doesn’t lie.)

CONCLUSION
What proportion of gays and lesbians choose marriage where it has been available? The highest estimate to date of the proportion of gays and lesbians who have married in any jurisdiction that permits it is 16.7% (Massachusetts). More typically, our survey of marriage statistics from
various countries that legally recognize same-sex unions suggests that today between 1% and 5% of gays and lesbians have entered into a same-sex marriage. In the Netherlands, which has had same-sex marriage as a legal option for the longest period (since 2001), between 2% and 6% of
gays and lesbians have entered marriages.

Of course our experience with same-sex marriage is in its infancy. The small fraction of gays and lesbians who have currently married may change as cultural mores and expectations in the gay community shift, as some commentators have predicted. Or as others have suggested, once the novelty wears off, same-sex marriage may prove a decreasingly popular personal choice in the gay and lesbian community.

Is marriage another gay community “novelty”? Perhaps, since the heavily advertised “Equality Ride” across the USA is not discussing marriage, but rather “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

-Bruce (GayPatriot)

I’ve repeatedly asked the folks at Log Cabin (Republicans) to account for where they got the money to fund the $1M ad campaign against President Bush in 2004 in key battleground states. This is a Federally-regulated organization (IRS and FEC rules apply!), but they have never documented where this money came from. *crickets still chirping*

I always assumed that the money came from Tim “Deep Pockets” Gill.

A successful entrepreneur, Tim Gill is an active philanthropist who cares passionately about many issues. Through both his philanthropy and socially conscious business practices, Tim is setting a powerful example by valuing all people for their unique talents, backgrounds and skills. Tim founded the Gill Foundation in 1994 with the mission of securing equal opportunity for all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression. Through the Gill Foundation, Tim provides millions of dollars annually to gay and lesbian and HIV/AIDS organizations along with other charitable causes.

Tim has always been an advocate for civil rights. In addition to funding the gay and lesbian movement for equal rights by supporting hundreds of national and state-wide organizations, he is also a strong supporter of social justice organizations and educational institutions. Tim was one of the first major contributors to the Colorado AIDS Project and has long supported local public radio and television through program underwriting.

Through the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado, established by the Gill Foundation, Tim has provided financial support to numerous organizations which serve the general public, such as $100,000 to the American Red Cross for flood relief in Fort Collins, Colorado, more than $200,000 to the Colorado Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, and nearly $1 million to the American Red Cross for Hurrican Katrina disaster relief.

As founder and former Chairman and Chief Technology Officer of Quark, Inc., a desktop and internet software company, Tim was recognized as an innovative business leader. Tim founded Quark, Inc. in 1981 with a $2,000 loan from his parents, and worked to build Quark into a leading developer of page layout software for the graphics market.

The evidence, while circumstantial, is compelling. Log Cabin never had so much money at one time in its life… then suddenly it had one million big ones to bash President Bush in a tough election year. Astounding.

And it just so happens that Tim Gill’s 501(c)(3) charitable organization uses the same public relations firm, Witeck-Combs, as Log Cabin used for the $1M Bush-Bash Ad Campaign.

Please don’t misunderstand me. I highly admire Mr. Gill. He is a successful American and has the resources to be a very giving and charitable man. I completely applaud that. Mr. Gill’s latest effort is what triggered this posting….

Colorado software millionaire and homosexual activist Tim Gill yesterday started an unprecedented advertising campaign aimed at promoting his domestic-partnership referendum, even though the initiative has yet to win a slot on November’s ballot. The $1.5 million television buy, easily the most expensive in state history for a ballot initiative this early in the race, stunned political pros and worried the state’s traditional-marriage advocates, who have their own ballot measure in the works but a significantly smaller war chest.

But Mr. Gill is a far cry from a gay Republican…. He has a very interesting political spending record for being Log Cabin’s assumed biggest donor. He gives mostly to liberal Democrats and their party organizations. (See here and here and here). Including some of the most anti-free market, anti-business, anti-War on Terror Democrats in Congress: Patty Murray, Tom Daschle, Erskine Bowles, and Mark Pryor.

Mr. Gill even maxed out his allowed contributions to Al Gore and John Kerry. And, as North Dallas Thirty will be happy to tell you, Mr. Kerry is no friend of the gay community. Yes, Gill has made token contributions to the usual Republicans that the Gay Left will tolerate: Jim Kolbe, Gordon Smith and Lincoln Chafee (coughing on my own vomit on that one). But Mr. Gill’s track record shows a clear and unwavering pattern to favor the Liberal Democrat over the Republican in key battleground races that would make a difference in which party protected American in a time of war.

Well, at least Mr. Gill has never given money to Ted Kennedy. Though I wonder why not.

So what makes Tim Gill a LOG CABIN REPUBLICAN? Beats me.

So these are my questions, not for Mr. Gill, but for Log Cabin (Republicans):

1 – Why have you embraced Mr. Gill’s money, but not admitted it publicly and to your membership? What’s the big secret?

2 – Why was this money not reported to the Federal Elections Commission?

3 – Why does Log Cabin advocate for gay marriage, but clearly Mr. Gill is putting his weight behind a Domestic Partnership plan in Colorado. Does he know something about winning that you don’t?

4 – Why has your organization accepted money from a man who clearly supports liberal causes over Republican causes?

Most importantly, Mr. Guerriero…. did you accept Tim Gill’s million dollar ‘Deal Or No Deal’ because you were a part of Mr. Gill’s desire to defeat President Bush in 2004? That is a far cry from a non-endorsement. That is being complicit in an organized campaign AGAINST the President of your own party during a time of war.

I expect the crickets will continue to chirp from Log Cabin Unaccountable Central Command.

-Bruce (GayPatriot)

Yesterday, a very special DVD/CD was released and I wanted to bring it to your attention.

Red Hot + Blue brings together a diverse group of A-list artists including U2, The Neville Brothers, Sinead O’Conner, Tom Waits, David Byrne (who also directs one of the videos) and more to cover Cole Porter gems such as “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “Too Darn Hot,” “I Get A Kick Out Of You” and “In The Still Of The Night.” Each artist brings their own unique, sometimes loose, interpretation to these unforgettable hits. As with the original release, all profits from sales will go to the Red Hot Organization.

The Red Hot + Blue DVD, created by Leigh Blake and John Carlin, features artistic videos addressing the effect of AIDS on society from such acclaimed directors as Jonathan Demme (The Manchurian Candidate, Silence of the Lambs), Wim Wenders (Buena Vista Social Club, U2: The Best of 1990-2000), Neil Jordan (The Crying Game) and Jim Jarmusch (Broken Flowers, Mystery Train). As a bonus, the DVD includes a live performance by Annie Lennox with Herbie Hancock and Ron Carter of “Everytime We Say Goodbye” from the 1995 VH1 Honors Awards. Also presented on the DVD are interviews with Roland Gift, Richard Gere and John Malkovich culled from the 1991 Red Hot + Blue TV special.

Considered one of the first major AIDS benefits in the music industry, the original CD, released in 1990, sold over a million copies and spent 24 weeks on the Billboard charts. Sales of the album generated over three million dollars in revenue, which were donated to over 100 organizations helping to fight AIDS around the world.

In the interest of full disclosure, I was given a free advance copy to review. However, due to my travel schedule I haven’t had the opportunity to do so yet. I’m anxious to see and hear it since I missed the original release in 1990. If any of you watch/see this, feel free to add your thoughts in the comments section.

-Bruce (GayPatriot)

Full DVD/CD listings of songs after the break… (more…)

Via Servicemembers Legal Defense Network

The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts has granted the government’s motion to dismiss in Cook v. Rumsfeld, a constitutional challenge to the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual service members. The decision, from Judge George A. O’Toole Jr., was released on April 24.

Text of full decision can be found here.

Here’s more from the Associated Press:

U.S. District Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. on Monday dismissed the suit filed by the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, based in Washington, D.C.

“Don’t ask, don’t tell” has been upheld by appeals courts in several other jurisdictions.

In his ruling, O’Toole cited the authority given to Congress in establishing the country’s military policies.

“Deference to Congressional judgment is of even greater importance in a case such as this one where the legislation challenged was enacted pursuant to Congress’ authority over the national military forces,” O’Toole wrote.

“In Congress, there were hearings by committees of both Houses at which the arguments for and against the policy were aired and debated. The resulting legislation was the end product of a focused process of debate and deliberation.”

One of the reasons the service members filed the lawsuit in Boston is because the appeals court here — the 1st Circuit — has never been asked to rule in a case involving the policy. Steven Ralls, a spokesman for the servicemembers network, said they would likely appeal the ruling, although a final decision has not yet been made.

“We’re obviously disappointed in the court’s decision,” said Ralls.

Obviously this is a significant setback to overturn this Clinton-era policy. There is legislation slowly gaining traction in Congress to overturn the ban. To pass, that would require Republican votes. To secure Republican votes, that would require a Republican gay organization that has some clout on Capitol Hill. It might also be nice to have traditionally Democrat gay organizations (HRC, NGLTF, Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund) actually put some skin in the game and (*gasp*) meet and donate to Republicans on this issue. But alas, the fight for gay marriage and the ignoring of political reality trumps all in our community.

But hey, at least the SLDN had actual names of plantiffs in their lawsuit, unlike the early public relations ejaculators over at Log Cabin.

-Bruce (GayPatriot)

This falls under the category of “Gay People — Watch Your Wallet!!” I’ve discovered some troubling financial ties to another one of those national gay organizations that claim to be “non-partisan.”

Case in point: The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. I was under the very false impression that this was a balanced, shall we say at least, a “non-partisan” organization.

However, a simple search of the publicly available Federal Elections Commission reports show that they are nothing more than a tool for Organized Labor — their single biggest contributor.

Between 1999 and 2005, Organized Labor has donated close to $70,000 to “The Fund.” Here’s a sample from the 2004 election cycle:

AFSCME – $17,500
Carpenter’s Union – $5,000
National Teacher’s Association – $10,000
Service Employees International Union Committee – $2,500

Now there is nothing wrong with that. Unless you are still under the delusion that the Gay Rights Organizations in the US haven’t been co-opted by the Democratic Party and left wing radicalism. And it certainly isn’t an organization that I, as a Republican with pro-free enterprise and free market beliefs, could ever support.

There’s much more to come on this story in the next day or so… including how one prominent member of Patrick Guerriero’s hand-picked Log Cabin Board fits into the picture. Facts are a bitch.

But for now, if you support all that is great about America and its democracy and economic freedom — be very aware of where the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund is getting a lionshare of its money.

-Bruce (GayPatriot)

As PatriotPartner and I discussed the latest news from the gay holocaust in Iran, a thought struck me.

Jimmy Carter chose not to stand up for the secular government of the Shah of Iran in 1979; instead he allowed Islamic fundamentalism to take root in a major country in the Middle East. He continually wimped out of the way of the growing threat and the best he could do was crash eight helicopters into the desert in 1980.

So now, when you see pictures like this…

…you must remember that Jimmy Carter is to blame for the rope as he was in the unique position to step in and disrupt the series of events that instead he allowed to play out that has led us to today’s War Against America.

Powerline agrees:

It was he and his feckless boss President Carter who saw no cause for concern in a potential Iranian mullocracy, and hence no reason to back the Shah of Iran who stood in the mullahs way.

Now, more than 25 years on, the old foreign policy hand is still assuring us that we have little to fear from the mullahs. He seems to take it as a given that, through negotiations, we can talk them out of developing nukes. Alternatively, he assumes that the mullahs won’t be around much longer. Indeed, in the familiar “blame America first” tradition of his party, Brzezinski suggests, without presenting any evidence, that the mullahs were on their way out until the U.S. gave them a lease on life by being so confrontational. If only we would “treat[] Iran with respect,” our problems with that country would work themselves out.

Wishful thinking is a powerful force in human thinking, but the Carter administration confirmed that it’s a recipe for disaster in foreign policy. But all these years later, wishful thinking is all Brzezinski has to offer.

I certainly hope President Bush will stand up to the mullahs in Iran as he did to Saddam. It is just a shame that it took the attacks of 9/11 to focus this nation’s eyes on the mistakes of its leaders before in not standing up to the threat.

President Bush may have hesitated for eight minutes on 9/11 in Florida, but President Clinton squandered eight years while allowing the threat to build.

-Bruce (GayPatriot)

Ah yes, another “Repulsive Republican” who raises the ol’ barnyard animals canard:

Ohio’s Secretary of State is coming out strong in support of Issue One, the measure that would ban same-sex marriage. Kenneth Blackwell spoke to an energized crowd at the Cathedral of Praise Tuesday night.

Blackwell said it’s time for people of God to take a stand. He even drew a comparison between same-sex couples and farm animals. “I don’t know how many of you have a farming background but I can tell you right now that notion even defies barnyard logic … the barnyard knows better,” said Blackwell referring to the idea of same-sex marriage.

By this I take it that ol’ Kenny means gays are morally beneath even these critters. Far be it for me to assign more than basic instinct to animals and their mating habits, but homosexual behavior has been observed in all “barnyard animals” including cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, along with quite a number of species in the animal kingdom. This of course doesn’t mean a thing on whether homosexuality is moral or not, innate or not, etc., but it certainly does reveal Blackwell to be an ignorant boob. He is free to hold whatever religious view he wishes, including about my sexuality, but kindly keep your paws off of my rights and direct your narrow-minded idiocies elsewhere. Surely ol’ Kenny wouldn’t care for anyone to dredge up abandoned reasoning, from Scripture no less, why blacks are supposedly inherently inferior to whites?

When will the Republicans free themselves of these people who treat faith as some cheap whore in order to curry favor and gain power?

From 365Gay.com:

Another Democratic state senator is calling on Governor Ernie Fletcher to veto $10- million dollars earmarked for a pharmacy school at the University of the Cumberlands.

Senator Daniel Mongiardo, from Hazard, says the building isn’t needed because there is already a rural pharmacy program in the works in Hazard. Mongiardo, who is also a medical doctor, says money for health care must be used wisely.

He says the University of Kentucky Center for Rural Health, which is located in Hazard, was built to meet the needs of the area and help recruit pharmacists to work in rural areas.

The funding for the Cumberlands pharmacy school has been criticized after the Baptist school expelled a student who announced he was gay on a personal Web site…

Although I was sympathetic to the gay student expelled from the University of the Cumberlands, the fact remains that it is a private institution “affliated with the Southern Baptist Church” and is entitled to its beliefs under the First Amendment. I strongly disagree with the University on this but such is their right. Having said that, the University is not entitled to also receiving state funds. State Senator Mongiardo is right and I hope others will assist him in stripping this University of taxpayer-dollars. Kentucky’s own state constitution provides the grounds for doing so regardless of the University’s position on homosexuality:

No portion of any fund or tax now existing, or that may hereafter be raised or levied for educational purposes, shall be appropriated to, or used by, or in aid of, any church, sectarian or denominational school. [Section 189]

How ironic though that the Blaine Amendment adopted to the Kentucky Constitution, and indeed most state constitutions, during the height of anti-Catholic hysteria in the late 19th-century could now come back to bite them in the ass.

As I reviewed the agenda of the Log Cabin “Convention”/Liberty Education Forum Symposium, I was generally disheartened by what seemed the banal agenda of a group eager to please the gay left. That said, the confab does show some signs of free thought, having included one of the most thoughtful (& responsible) advocates gay marriage — Jonathan Rauch — as well as a strong gay advocate of liberty — the Cato Institute’s David Boaz. And to my delight, it appears that gay abortion rights’ advocate Joe Solmonese will not be speaking in the panel on the State of the Gay Civil Rights Movement.

But, despite the recent lurch to the Left of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), the Liberty Education Fund decided to feature its executive director, Jody Huckaby in its “Symposium.” I laughed when I read that Log Cabin was calling its tribute to Andrew Sullivan, “The Courage of a Conservative.” Andrew Sullivan did indeed once have a great deal of courage where he raised his voice to challenge gay orthodoxy. And at one time, it might have been acccurate to call him a conservative.

Lately, however, Andrew has been anything but courageous, bending over backwards to badmouth the president in order to curry favor with the gay left and others in the B.D.S-afflicted MSM. While he may continue to hold some conservative views, no conservative would endorse John Kerry for President — or adopt that the tone he has used these past 2 years and (nearly) 2 months to describe the incumbent Administration. Log Cabin may well be the only group which calls itself Republican that honors individuals who endorsed John Kerry in 2004. This is not the first time. Others who have endorsed that left-of-center Democrat — and even renounced their GOP affiliation — remain members in good standing of the organization.

What is missing from this agenda is the stuff that makes up a real convention of a partisan political organization. There is no plenary session, to elect officers and to debate and set policy. Chapters can offer reports but club leaders have no forum where they can participate in the governing of the organization. They can’t even vote on resolutions.

There’s a speech “on the need for stronger Republican outreach to women,” but no seminars on how to elect Republicans or build bridges to the GOP. There is a panel discussion on the State of the Gay Civil Rights Movement, but no discussion of what it means to be a gay conservative, no consideration of whether the equality agenda of the gay left is compatible with the principles of conservatism. If Log Cabin were a serious Republican organization, instead of having speakers who, by and large, would not be out of place at the gathering of any other gay group, they would have more leading Republicans — and not just former and retiring elected officials. Once again, it seems Log Cabin is eager to conform to ideology of the gay left rather than offer a true conservative perspective (& agenda) on gay issues.

Nearly every time I write a post critical of Log Cabin national, I get an e-mail from a chapter leader (or member) detailing what his club is doing at the local level to help the GOP or to stand up to Democrats. While the national office may be kowtowing to the gay left, many of the clubs are working with their local Republican committees, elected officials and candidates — doing what it takes to help build the party. It’s too bad Log Cabin doesn’t see fit to have a panel discussion featuring chapter presidents — giving these gay Republicans a chance to provide other Log Cabinites the tools they need to build a more broad-based GOP.

With a few bright spots, this “convention” is just another gay confab with the Republican label pasted on. In recent e-mails — and other communications — Log Cabin has gone to great lengths to call itself a conservative organization. Yet, calling Log Cabin conservative is like calling the Easter Bunny a Jewish marsupial. Sure, there are some similarities — bunnies and marsupials are both mammals and some marsupials hop around like rabbits. And the faith which celebrates Easter did grow out of Judaism. But, despite these similarities, they are very different animals.

If Log Cabin really wants to be a conservative organization, it needs to do some things that a gay conservative group would do — and call the national gay groups on their left-wing agenda and their hateful anti-Bush rhetoric. And stand up for conservative principles of freedom, limited government and a strong national defense.

-Dan (AKA GayPatriotWest): GayPatriotWest@aol.com

The UK gay rights group, OutRage!, has just issued a sweeping report of the gay exterminations going on in Iran. (They are one of the Axis of Evil, remember?)

Iran’s state murder of gays….Victims framed for kidnap and rape….”Deportation would be a death sentence”….Asylum urged for gay Iranian refugees

London – 20 April 2006

The Iranian government is executing gay and bisexual men under the cover of rape and kidnapping charges, according to a major new investigation by Simon Forbes of the UK-based gay and lesbian human rights group OutRage!

Mr Forbes’s nine-month investigation, published today by OutRage!, is based on information gathered from sources inside Iran. His research reveals:

- Lynchings by Iran’s security forces, and ‘honour killings’ by families in the south western province of Khuzestan

-Secret hangings in prison

- The method of hanging is designed to cause slow, agonising strangulation

- Internet entrapment of gay Iranians using foreign-based online gay dating agencies

- A pattern of framing gay people on charges of kidnap, rape and paedophilia, as the following five sample cases suggest:
– The Gorgan case where two men were publicly hanged for Lavaat (sodomy) in November 2005

– Details of the Kermanshah case where three men were hanged in prison in November 2005 for sodomy that was alleged to have taken the form of the kidnap and rape of a younger male

– The Arak case of two men sentenced to death for sodomy in August 2005, which also involved the alleged kidnap and rape of a younger male, the son of an officer

– Two cases of public execution for sodomy in Mashhad in December 2004 and July 2005 that involved suspiciously similar charges

– Claims of rape are sometimes made to save the family’s honour or to save the passive partner from execution, and are part of an Iranian government propaganda offensive to scapegoat and demonise gay people

– Comparisons with Saudi Arabia, where it is also suggested that bogus rape charges are levelled against gay men

– Hypocrisy of the mullah’s attitudes towards the abuse of young girls, the rape of both males and females in custody, and widespread sodomy in religious colleges

I hope no one is surprised by this. I must say it is still shocking to me that the American Gay Left views President Bush of more of an enemy to gays than Islamic fundamentalists who want to destroy Western Civilization with gays as the first in their crosshairs. Maybe American gay activists are so upset that Christianity is the foundation of America that they are willing to take their chances with Islamic rule? How tolerant, no? What it really makes me think is this: Choosing Islam over America in the War on Terror is the ultimate in being a gay who is self-loathing.

-Bruce (GayPatriot)

FULL REPORT AFTER THE BREAK (more…)