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The Christian Civic League of Maine's Mike Hein calls Pam's House Blend:
"a leading source of radical homosexual propaganda, anti-Christian bigotry, and radical transgender advocacy."

He is "praying that Pam Spaulding will "turn away from her wicked and sinful promotion of homosexual behavior." (CCLM's web site, 10/15/07)


Ex-gay "Christian" activist James Hartline on Pam:
"I have been mocked over and over again by ungodly and unprincipled anti-christian lesbians."
(from "Six Years In Sodom: From The Journal Of James Hartline," 9/4/2006, written from the "homosexual stronghold" of Hillcrest in San Diego).

"Pam is a 'twisted lesbian sister' and an 'embittered lesbian' of the 'self-imposed gutteral experiences of the gay ghetto.'" -- 9/5/2008



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A "vicious anti-Christian lesbian activist."
(Concerned Women for America's radio show [9:15], 1/25/07)

"A nutty lesbian blogger."
(MassResistance radio show [16:25], 2/3/07)


Pam's House Blend always seems to find these sick f*cks. The area of the country she is in? The home state of her wife? I know, they are everywhere. Pam just does such a great job of bringing them out into the light.
--Impeach Bush


who monitors yours Bevis ?? Just thought I would drop you a line,so the rest of your life is not wasted.
--"Joe"

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John Amaechi speaks out about Ann Coulter and 'faggot'

by: Pam Spaulding

Sat Mar 03, 2007 at 17:30:00 PM EST


[UPDATE: John and Elizabeth Edwards post more focused responses to Coulter on the campaign blog that address the bigotry. See them after the flip.]

Well at least Human Rights Campaign found a class act to stand up and actually tie Coulter's remarks directly to the real issue --  homophobia. The org passed along this video from former NBA player and HRC Coming Out Project spokesperson John Amaechi has this to say, and it gets to the heart of the matter:

This is what he says:

"Hello, I'm John Amaechi, a spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign Coming Out Project. "Yesterday, Ann Coulter, in a speech before the Conservative Political Action Committee, used the 'F' word that has long been used as a hateful and harmful slur against gay people.

"I have worked as a youth mentor since I was in college, and in the weeks since I publicly came out I have heard from young people from all over the globe. Coming out and living openly can be challenging - and that challenge only grows when people like Ann Coulter mockingly use it as a cheap joke.

"Words have power - and this word in particular has a ricochet effect, as it emboldens bullies in the school yard, in the work place, and on the streets, and tells them that this kind of hate speech is ok.

"Ann Coulter knows better, yet continues to disparage the GLBT community.  The people in the room with her yesterday would do well to speak out loudly against her remarks and more importantly her sentiment and send a message that harmful slurs never have a place in the public discourse."

As I said in my earlier post, it's not about bashing the tired banshee -- this is how Ann Coulter makes a living. It's about discussing why calling John Edwards a faggot is acceptable to her and those at the Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC) Conference who cheered her on; they are clearly comfortable with tossing out that word, the same word frequently used as LGBT citizens are bashed and killed by members of The Base, and used to taunt and terrorize gay youth.

Speaking of Amaechi, it was just announced by the National Black Justice Coalition that he will be appearing next Friday at the reception for the Second Annual Black Church Summit, which will be held in Philly. He'll discuss life in the closet while playing in the NBA. That event is open to the public. More info on the summit, which will be held on Saturday, here. BTW, I will be there live-blogging the event -- it should be interesting -- there will be a debate about homosexuality and the black church between Rev. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson and anti-gay Bishop Harry Jackson. Chairman of the High-Impact Leadership Coalition. This is a little-discussed topic (though I've blogged about it a lot), so it is likely to be an eye-opener for a lot of folks.

***

Back to Coulter after the jump...

Pam Spaulding :: John Amaechi speaks out about Ann Coulter and 'faggot'
The Edwards camp continues its mop up on the debacle; Elizabeth Edwards does attempt to address the homophobia fomented by people like Coulter and her conservative enablers on the JE08 blog.
"Although her words did not hurt us, they may have hurt some in the gay community. We are all sick and tired of anyone supporting or applauding or introducing hate words into the national dialogue, tired of people thinking that words that cause others pain are fair game. And we are sick and tired of people like Miss Coulter thinking that her use of loaded words about the homosexual community in this country is remotely humorous or appropriate."
And a statement from John Edwards just went up:
Ann Coulter's use of an anti-gay slur yesterday was un-American and indefensible. In America, we strive for equality and embrace diversity. The kind of hateful language she used has no place in political debate or our society at large.

I believe it is our moral responsibility to speak out against that kind of bigotry and prejudice every time we encounter it.

Yes, everyone with a conscience must buck up and speak out about what the real issues are. Coulter is just a puppet for the bigotry of The Base.

***

BTW, The Nation isn't happy with the original lame responses by the HRC or the DNC either:

Let's ponder the possible meanings behind our village idiot's latest ramblings. Surely not even Coulter can believe that Edwards is actually gay (unless she's knows something we don't -- an unlikely scenario). So perhaps she intends to tar Edwards with a patently false but nonetheless toxic slur. This is puerile name-calling to be sure. In Coulter's twisted little mind, "faggot" is an insult, not because it's true, but because "faggot" is so radioactive that even to be called one is damaging.

But this homophobic logic is exactly what Dean and Solmonese recapitulate in their over-zealous response. One can only believe that being called a faggot is "vile," "digusting" and "low" if one believes, as Coulter does, that being a faggot is vile, disgusting and low. Do Howard Dean and Joe Solmonese believe that?

H/t Neil (the Ethical Werewolf), and Michael Petrelis.
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John Edwards Has the Money of Oprah and The Voice of Opie
Mr. Edwards quite craftily worked in a jab at professional Sappho Mary Cheney during his 2004 debate with Cheney, a backhanded compliment to the Cheney family for being so sweet and understanding under the terrible weight of having a l-l-lu-luh-lesbian daughter.  He said this as though
Mary had spina bifida.  Darth warmly (for him)
thanked Edwards, and closed the topic.  Whew!  Later, Mary told Larry King that she was fuming in the audience, and mouthed the words, "Go fuck yourself!", which is Cheney-speak for "hello."  Edwards is a prick who is not for marriage equality and would have us believe that he is still grappling with the issue.  He's 53 years old and has a Christian upbringing, he explains... therefore how could he be for all American citizens being able to legally marry the person of his/her choice?  "Ah'm still not there yet," he drawls.  I have this to say to Edwards.  Hey, Johnny,
if you're reading this... HEY, FAGGOT!  Yeah, I mean you,
Johnny... you faggot!  (deep breath) I feel better now!

=>The truth usually isn't pretty. Don't blame me for telling it.<=

Great statement from Amaechi/HRC
Hard to imagine a better statement.

Pam, a suggestion for "the media"
This whole thing has me thinking.  So far, the LGBT-related challenging question for candidates has been "do you support marriage equality".  They have almost all answered "no, but gay couples deserve legal protections."  Ok then, I suggest a  new tough question: "Great!  What steps are you taking today to make this a reality in your state and at the federal level?"  It's all well and good to say that people should be protected, but it's just feel-good tripe if not backed up by action.  I think we should start pushing them for real action.  I believe, for example, that there is an anti-gay amendment in the offing in Edwards's state...

Click HERE and sign up: Campaign For Military Partners.

Lurleen on Twitter.


Been saying the same thing for several weeks here
Well, not constantly, but off and on.  Usually when there was a thread about some politician saying we should be treated equal or just not "being there yet" on our marriage rights.

I don't want to hear anymore high and mighty, well-intentioned talk, but action, movement, attempts (even if legislation will get shot down by Republicans) at equality, real everyday legislation that makes a difference in our lives.


[ Parent ]
scooped!
Callie, I didn't realize I'd stolen your thunder!  but I suppose more thunder is better than less. :)

It's a real cop out for candidates to say 1) gays deserve legal protections, and 2) it's a states thing, then not go about working for legal protections for gays in their own states.  As far as I know, Richardson is the only candidate presiding over positive state-level steps in their home states.  Am I correct on this?

Click HERE and sign up: Campaign For Military Partners.

Lurleen on Twitter.


[ Parent ]
Didn't steal my thunder
Just making note that more than one person thinks the same thing.

[ Parent ]
John Amaechi
John Amaechi may be the one thing that can restore my faith in the HRC.

I can't imagine a better spokesman for the gay community.


Amaechi for President
How about Amaechi for president? He was raised in England, so he it's unlikely he's as backward as our Democrats. He couldn't possibly be as lacking in principles.

People are crowing about the virtue of the United States because this time around, a woman and a black man are real contenders for president. Well, in that case, we can give further evidence of this country's "virtue" by going one better: black and gay.

Yes, I know the Constitution has to be changed. But the Rethugs were about to do that a few years ago for the sake of Ahnold, so we might be able to make it a bi-partisan thing.


no need to change the constitution
if he was raised in england.  the only thing that matters constitutionally is if he war born here.

Click HERE and sign up: Campaign For Military Partners.

Lurleen on Twitter.


[ Parent ]
Good constitutional question, actually, but...
...recall that Barry Goldwater had been born in the AZ territories when it was still a territory, and he had no trouble running for the presidency (other than the electorate, of course).  And some proposed presidential candidates had been born in Mexico of American parentage. 

So, query me this, what limitations do the the constitutional provision actually impose?  Ahnold is definitely out, but I'm not sure about the other categories.


[ Parent ]
I Didn't Know
Here is the relevant passage of the U.S. Constitution:

"No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty five years, and been fourteen Years a resident within the United States."

And I did a search for Amaechi's biography, and you are right. I had no idea. Although he was raised in England, he was born in Boston.

But, was he born a citizen?


[ Parent ]
If he was born in Boston MA, he's a natural born citizen...
...check the 14th amendment.

Section. 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.


[ Parent ]
Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm
also is on the short end of this Constitutional stick inasmuch as she was born in Canada.

[ Parent ]
The Nation's Conclusion
In the Nation piece referenced, Bill Clinton was labeled the "First Black President" and John Edwards should be called "First Fag."  Yet, this perpetuates the slur, doesn't it?  It's not funny.

If the community here isn't denouncing that comment, however funny the writer intended, it's the same as tolerating the comment Coulter made yesterday in response to GOP criticism, "Come On, it was just a little joke.  I would never insult gays by suggesting that they are like John Edwards. That would be mean."

And this other one by Coulter on her Queen of Mean site: "I'm so ashamed I'm still laughing."

The Nation should retract that comment about "First Fag."  And you are in the position as I am to take them to task.


the Nation's article was over the top
It makes me wonder why folks on all along the political spectrum have completely missed the boat in their ability to seriously discuss the broader issues that Coulter's nonsense raises.

[ Parent ]
No...
...In the Nation piece referenced, Bill Clinton was labeled the "First Black President" and John Edwards should be called "First Fag."  Yet, this perpetuates the slur, doesn't it?  It's not funny.

Lighten up.  The Nation was obviously belittling Ann Coulter, and doing so by throwing her own words back at her.  It is a well known and highly regarded rhetorical artifice.  I tend to believe that people react too viciously against perceived slights when obviously none are intended

Actually, the First Fag (president) was probably James Buchanan.


[ Parent ]
Lighten up, right
The slurs weren't comparable in the first place, as you can read btwn the lines, but I don't want them either.

I'm a straight person who has grown up with gays for over 35 years.  I take offense to balderdash that Coulter pushes out and the GOP is silent on, especially since they love Rudy.  I take offense because when Coulter does this, she bashes me, as an old supporter of ERA, and I wish privacy was another constitutional amendment.  I take offense because I know what it is like to be a target of hate within my own family for supporting gays.  At my first wedding (yes, I'm a second timer), my family were politely unkind to my employee who had been in a union ceremony a couple of weeks before I got married. They targeted him and his husband in a video.  Prolly, I should have kept the video of interviewing them, but I was so upset and disgusted, I discarded the video.



[ Parent ]
Another comment
When my first spouse, who is still a good friend,  and I saw this, we were so appalled.  It sorta put a damper on our wedding day, because we had little to assist us in putting a wedding as it was.  Both of us made the decision to discard hate, and thus that video is gone.

My friend supports Edwards in the sense of repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell".



[ Parent ]
Along the lines of
homophobia and chirping crickets from "our side," this morning I happened by Calling All Wingnuts and read through some of Mike Stark's posts regarding his visit to CPAC.  In both the posts and comments, there seems to be snarkiness, which is fine, except that it rings of homophobia and and sexism:
Audio of Malkin and her panty-waste lackey, Brian Preston, chatting with me about the lack of recruiters

And what exactly is he trying to uncover with this? 
I repeated this sort of interview several times throughout the conference. I'd look for the most attractive college republican girls standing with their boyfriends

Also, the comments in a post about Mike with a picture of Jeff Gannon are mostly jokes based on what straight guys assume about sex between two men.

If you remember, Mike Stark is the blogger attacked by former senator George Allen's staff for asking a question.

Maybe I'm perceiving a tone that's not there; I'm more than willing to consider that.  But reading through his site and its comments, it didn't feel like I was at an ally's  pad.

Electricity's for light bulbs!


She knew exactly what she was doing.
John Amaechi may think Fraulein KKKoulter "knows better," but she really doesn't.  Not really, not the way we want her to.  What she knows is, not the power of this word as hate speech, because she doesn't care about that, but what the use of this word means to her audience. 

I was watching her live in cable at the moment she made that statement.  NO ONE BOOED. There was no heckling, no noise from the audience OTHER THAN LAUGHTER. 

She was playing to the crowd.  The one that thinks like she does.

And lookee here: she's back in the headlines, the better to sell her books.


Gannon on Coulter!
I had to post this tidbit I came across; it should have you falling out of your chair...

Jeff Gannon on Ann Coulter and "faggot". From a blog called The Right Field, which interviewed the heralded faux journalist/overnight White House cub reporter:

Gannon told me that he did not believe Coulter's phrasing meant that she actually called Edwards a faggot and refused to go so far as to even call the word "faggot" hate speech, though he added "It's not a word in my vocabulary." Gannon saw Coulter as something of a righteous comedian, "She's mocking the liberal outrage machine."
O.M.G. Take it away, folks.

Coulter always falls back on the "I was only joking" mantra when she is attacked...
...She did so when she was attacked for her idiotic comments in her last book.  At some point, it wears thin.

She's as much a comedian as Dinesh D'Sousa-phone is an intellectual.


[ Parent ]
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