Randall Terry Vs. Barack Obama

Happy Mother's Day From Zach Wahls

HomoQuotable -Jimmy LaSalvia

"Our organization’s number one goal between now and November 2012 is defeating Barack Obama. We look forward to the Iowa Straw Poll as the kickoff to this effort. Barack Obama’s tenure in the White House has been an unmitigated disaster for all Americans, including gay and lesbian Americans. Defeating Barack Obama and putting a conservative in the White House should be the number one goal of every single person in the conservative movement." - GOProud president Jimmy LaSalvia, who hilariously adds that "this Republican presidential field is shaping up to be an incredibly strong one."

God's Gentle Loving People, Part 98

Outside the American Atheists Convention in Des Moines, Iowa last weekend.

(Via - Good As You)

Iowa GOP Files Impeachment Charges Against Pro-Gay State Supreme Court

Thanks to a truckload of money funneled to them by Newt Gingrich, last year hate groups were able to unseat three of Iowa's seven state Supreme Court justices over their backing of same-sex marriage. Yesterday GOP lawmakers in the state House filed impeachment charges against the four remaining justices. Here's an excerpt of the charges against Justice David Wiggins:

By his action in the Varnum case, Justice Wiggins has created a constitutional imbalance and confusion within the State of Iowa as to the proper constitutional function of each department, thus undermining the integrity of the tripartite separation of powers among the departments and creating social disorder and unrest. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE, That the conduct of Supreme Court Justice David S. Wiggins, in committing malfeasance in office, warrants impeachment, trial by the Senate, and removal and disqualification from any office of honor, trust, or profit under the state pursuant to the procedures set out in Iowa Code 3 2 chapter 68.

The latest move has the backing of Family Leader, Iowa's most prominent anti-gay Christianist group.

Iowa Preacher: God Will Totally Destroy America For Allowing Gay Marriage

According to Pastor Cary Gordon of the anti-gay Cornerstone Outreach, Iowa's voters need to go to the ballots to "faithfully choose the same religion-sanctioned state our insufferable political enemies refuse to acknowledge." Cuz if you don't, the loving and almighty Jeebus is gonna kill the fuck out of you. They really need some new material. Starts at 14:00.

(Via - Right Wing Watch)

Iowa Preacher: Deviant Behavior Is Not The Same As Being Denied Your Vote

Good As You points us to more bigotry at yesterday's anti-gay marriage rally on the steps of the Iowa capitol building.

Anti-Gay Money Gingrich Sent To Iowa Went To American Family Association

Last week the Los Angeles Times revealed that thrice-married serial adulterer Newt Gingrich had arranged for $200K in donations to unseat Iowa's pro-gay state Supreme Court justices. Now it's been learned that Gingrich sent $125K of that money directly to the anti-gay hate group, the American Family Association.

Gingrich, the former U.S. House speaker who has aggressively courted the conservatives who dominate Iowa's lead-off presidential caucuses, raised the money for the political arm of Restoring American Leadership, also known as ReAL. That group then passed $125,000 to American Family Association Action and an additional $25,000 to the Iowa Christian Alliance — two of the groups that spent millions before last November's elections that removed three of the state's seven state Supreme Court justices. The court had unanimously decided a state law restricting marriage to a man and a woman violated Iowa's constitution. The financial transfers, which appear to comply with campaign finance laws, were part of a steady flow of cash into Iowa from conservative groups such as the National Organization for Marriage and the Family Research Council.

Newt Gingrich would like to remind everybody that that marriage is between one man and one woman whom you abandon riddled with cancer on her hospital bed while you fuck the shit out of your mistress whom you later marry and cheat on with a third woman while screaming with Godly moral outrage about the infidelities of the president.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this post mistakenly named Focus On The Family as the recipient of Gingrich's efforts. My apologies. That's what I get for working on multiple posts at the same time. /facepalm

IOWA: Haters Rally At State Capitol

Yesterday failed gubernatorial candidate and Christianist hate group leader Bob Vander Platts led an anti-gay marriage rally on the steps of the Iowa capitol.

Ron Paul Forgets He Hates Gay Marriage

Speaking before Iowa's anti-gay group Family Leader, Rep. Ron Paul said that "states have have a right" to establish same-sex marriage. That prompted a Paul aide to rush forward to remind the libertarian whackadoodle that he actually supported the ouster of Iowa's Supreme Court justices. Last week he also condemned Obama's decision on DOMA.

Thrice-Married Serial Adulterer Arranged $200K To Protect Sanctity Of Marriage

According to the Los Angeles Times, Newt Gingrich served as middleman for an anonymous donor who gave $200,000 in "seed money" to fund the successful campaign to oust three Iowa state Supreme Court justices.

This year, several potential presidential candidates are vying for attention among religious conservatives. But only Gingrich was instrumental in the most heralded event of recent Christian political activism: The effort last fall to remove the Iowa judges. "It wouldn't have happened without Newt," said David Lane, executive director of Iowa for Freedom, the organization that led the campaign. "Newt provided strategic advice and arranged the initial seed money, about $200,000, which is what got everything started." The money came from an anonymous donor whose contribution was arranged by Gingrich, Lane said. Robert L. Vander Plaats, chief spokesman for the judicial campaign, said the former speaker provided key strategic advice. He said Gingrich had won over pastors in the state with his "open and transparent" approach.

Newt Gingrich would like to remind everybody that that marriage is between one man and one woman whom you abandon riddled with cancer on her hospital bed while you fuck the shit out of your mistress whom you later marry and cheat on with a third woman while screaming with Godly moral outrage about the infidelities of the president.

Iowa GOP Intro's Bill Granting Immunity To Murderers Of Abortion Providers

A coalition of 29 Tea Party-backed GOP members of the Iowa House have introduced a bill that would grant criminal and civil immunity to any person who uses deadly force to prevent an abortion. The bill further stipulates that if the police do make an arrest in such a case, the arrested party has the right to sue them.

House File 7, which has been sponsored by 29 GOP House members, seeks to expand state law regarding use of reasonable force, including deadly force. Current state laws provide that citizens are not required to retreat from their dwelling or place of business if they or a third party are threatened. The proposal would significantly expand this to state that citizens are not required to retreat from “any place at which the person has a right to be present,” and that in such instances, the citizen has the right to use reasonable force, including deadly force, to protect himself or a third party from serious injury or death or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.

Also included in the proposal is a new section to the Iowa Code that would provide automatic criminal and civil immunity to a person who uses deadly force, unless a police investigation proves that the person was not acting “reasonably.” Also key to the immunity clause is the fact that law enforcement would likely be barred from arresting a person at the scene of an incident “unless the law enforcement agency determines there is probable cause that the force was unlawful under this chapter.” If law enforcement does make an arrest, and if that person is later found to have used reasonable force by a court of law, taxpayers could be on the hook for the reimbursement of the person’s attorney fees, court costs, compensation from loss of income and other expenses.

A companion bill filed by the above group defines human life as beginning "the moment the female ovum joins with the male sperm to create a fertilized egg."

UPDATE: A similar bill has just been re-introduced in Nebraska.

Iowa GOP Attempts To Bypass State Supreme Court On Latest Marriage Bill

Another attempt to thwart civil rights in Iowa:

County recorders would be prohibited from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples and the Iowa Supreme Court would be unable to rule on the issue under a new bill sponsored by six conservative House Republicans. House File 330 specifically says that the Supreme Court shall not be able to prohibit or restrict the law if the bill were passed. Review of laws by the Supreme Court is one of the fundamental pieces of Iowa’s checks and balances system.

However, there is a provision in the Iowa Constitution (Article 5, Section 4) that allows lawmakers the ability to make laws that skip Supreme Court review, noted Drake Law Professor Ian Bartrum. “It’s technically probably constitutional but it’s a pretty rare and radical step and probably an ill-advised one,” said Bartrum. “I think this is a knee-jerk reaction. They say, we have this power and they don’t think about what this means to the outcome on the ground.”

GOP state Rep. Glen Massie openly admits that his bill is an attempt to install biblical law.

“The Republic is ruled by law. Now the question is from what source do those laws come,” Massie said. Massie continued: “Everything I do in this building I look at as: I swore an oath to a supreme creator to uphold his law. I know that’s something more of a lecture but I want you to know where I come from. Is this guy just another religious Bible-thumping nut or do I have some reasoning for my thoughts? Historically, I think I have some reasoning for my thoughts.”

Still pending is Iowa House Study Bill 50, which would allow the refusal of jobs, goods, housing, and services to LGBT people on the basis of "personal religious conviction."

Iowa GOP Narrowly Loses Senate Bid To Vote On Same-Sex Marriage Ban

This morning Iowa GOP state Sen. Kent Sorensen called for a suspension of chamber rules in order to force a vote on a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. His motion was narrowly defeated along party lines.

Sorenson asked all 50 senators to call up Senate Joint Resolution 8, a bill that would amend the Iowa Constitution to specify that marriage between one man and one woman is the only legal union valid or recognized in the state. Senate President Jack Kibbie (D-Emmetsburg) said “no,” but agreed to allow a vote on whether to suspend the rules and override his objection. Twenty-six Democrats voted “no” and 24 Republicans voted “yes.” The motion was defeated. Danny Carroll, chairman of the controversial Christian organization The Family Leader, told supporters in an e-mail Wednesday night that Sorenson was planning to “file numerous amendments and use any other tactic at his disposal” in order to force a vote on same-sex marriage. Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal has vowed to never allow such an amendment to come up for debate.

Gronstal: “It’s clearer than ever that Republicans will stop at nothing to take away the constitutional rights of Iowans. I hope that Republicans will join our efforts and focus their energy on helping Iowans recover from the worst national recession since World War II.”

Iowa: Marriage Referendum Bill Advances

Anti-gay hate groups have succeeded in getting the Iowa House to move its marriage referendum bill out of committee.

The House Judiciary Committee approved the measure on a 13-8 vote, sending the measure to the full House for debate. Earlier, a subcommittee of that panel voted 2-1 in favor of the resolution. House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer, R-Garner, says the full House could take up the resolution within a few days, but next week is more likely. Republicans control the House on a 60-40 margin, and top leaders have predicted approval. Senate leaders promise to block the proposal in a chamber where Democrats are clinging to a 26-24 margin. Critics argued that basic rights shouldn't be left to a vote of the people, while backers said voters are demanding that right.

The bill must be approved by both chambers in two consecutive years before it can go on the ballot, meaning that 2013 will be the earliest that voters would see it.

IOWA: We Hate You, Have A Cookie

Today an Iowa House committee will meet to consider a proposed 2013 ballot referendum that would repeal same-sex marriage. While that is happening, anti-gay activists plan to show their "Christian love" to protesters by offering them cookies. SRSLY.

The state's most vociferous opponent of gay marriage, The Family Leader, which is headed by former GOP gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats, has announced it will hold a prayer meeting in support of the bill in Room 305 from 12 to 1PM. “Several of us plan to bring a token of Christian love (like a small bag of cookies or other treats) to share with homosexual activists who we'll be encountering Monday,” the group wrote in a newsletter to supporters. “It's time we dispel lies about Christians, by tangibly showing love to people who struggle with homosexuality.”

Iowa Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal has vowed that the bill will never reach the floor of his chamber.

IOWA: Hate Group Announces Statewide Tour To Repeal Same-Sex Marriage

IOWA: Republicans Draft Bill To Impeach Four Remaining Supreme Court Justices

Unsatisfied with the November retention vote that ousted three pro-equality Iowa Supreme Court justices, GOP lawmakers there are drafting a bill to impeach the remaining four for "malfeasance" because they enabled the legalization of same-sex marriage.

State Reps. Tom Shaw (R-Laurens), Glen Massie (R-Des Moines) and Kim Pearson (R-Pleasant Hill) are working on the legislation that could result in the removal of the four justices — Mark Cady, David Wiggins, Daryl Hecht and Brent Appel. During last month’s judicial retention vote, three justices were removed from the bench after a contentious campaign that saw five out-of-state anti-gay organizations spend nearly $1 million to oust the judges. The impeachment effort got a boost Wednesday when Speaker-elect Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) said if he thought Iowans wanted the four justices removed, he would not stand in the way. A few days earlier, state Sen. Kent Sorenson (R-Indianola), who will sit on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he will also push for impeachment proceedings.

RELATED: Last week an anti-gay Christian group filed a lawsuit demanding that the public be allowed to vote on the appointments of all future state Supreme Court justices.

IOWA: Lawsuit Seeks To Overturn Ouster Of Pro-Equality Supreme Court Justices

A lawsuit has been filed in Iowa claiming that the retention vote that resulted in the ouster of three state Supreme Court justices was illegal. According to the suit, by state law that issue should have been on a separate ballot.

The ballot used Nov. 2 included the names of the justices standing for retention on the back of a single sheet, "combined with other elections, nonpartisan offices, Constitutional questions and public measures," the lawsuit says. Thomas W. George, John P. Roehrick and Carlton Salmons are asking for a temporary judicial order that would bar the justices from leaving the Supreme Court when their terms end Dec. 31. The attorneys are suing Democratic Secretary of State Michael Mauro, who, as elections commissioner, is responsible for state voting and ballot practices.

RELATED: Last week an anti-gay group filed suit demanding that the public be allowed to vote on the appointments of state Supreme Court judges.

(Tipped by JMG reader Bruce)

IOWA: Focus On The Family Files Federal Lawsuit To Stop Court Appointments

Focus On The Family has filed a federal lawsuit demanding that the public have a say in the appointments of state Supreme Court justices. After a NOM-led campaign succeeded in deposing three justices in the 2010 retention vote, the Christianist hate group Focus is intent on thwarting the replacement of those pro-marriage justices with similarly equality-minded people. And in a death-of-irony moment, the suit alleges that the plaintiffs have been denied equal protection.

The Des Moines Register reports:

Four Iowans allege in a federal lawsuit that the commission process used to select finalists for the Iowa Supreme Court denies them a chance to participate equally in the selection of justices and judges. The lawsuit in U.S. District Court seeks a judge’s order to prevent seven lawyer members of the state judicial nominating commission from selecting finalists to replace three Iowa Supreme Court justices, who were denied new terms by voters last month. The four plaintiffs contend that including the lawyer members — who are elected by other bar-member attorneys — violates their constitutional equal-protection rights. The lawsuit was filed by a James Bopp Jr., a lawyer from the conservative James Madison Center for Free Speech in Terra Haute, Ind.

Currently a 15-member commission nominates appellate and Supreme Court justices, who are then appointed by the governor. That system was adopted by a state constitutional amendment in 1962.

NOTE: JMG reader Enzo, whose blog is linked below, clarifies that the suit was filed by Focus On The Family lawyer James Bopp Jr on behalf of the Indiana-based James Madison Center for Free Speech.

(Via - Aksarbent)