Rep. Vicky Hartzler Compares Gay Marriage To Incest, Polygamy, And Pedophilia

Before being elected to Congress, Hartzler headed the Coalition to Protect Marriage in Missouri, which in 2004 backed the successful campaign to install a statewide constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

Tornado Devastates Joplin, Missouri

MISSOURI: Chamber Of Commerce Cancels Speech By Chick-Fil-A President

Responding to complaints from LGBT activists, a St. Louis-area chamber of commerce has canceled a planned speech by Chick-Fil-A president Dan Cathy over his company's affiliation with the Family Resource Institute, an SPLC-certified hate group.

The decision to cancel Cathy's March 18 presentation here was made after PROMO, a statewide organization that advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality, protested his appearance and asked Focus and the Chamber of Commerce to reconsider. Ellen Gale, the head of the chamber, said today that when the groups agreed to co-sponsor Cathy's appearance, they had no idea he held controversial views. We are a pro-diversity culture here and certainly don't want to offend anyone," Gale said. "We didn't know anything about this when he was booked." Focus said in a statement that inclusion and acceptance for all people in the community is a core principal of the organization.

Stand by for the screams of outrage about those damned homofascists.

(Tipped by JMG reader Jeff)

Teabagger Rep. Vicky Harzler (R-MO) Plans Bill Mandating Enforcement Of DOMA

Even though there's no current plan to stop enforcing DOMA, the lying teabaggers are acting like there is. Right Wing Watch tips us to this announcement on the Eagle Forum blog by Tea Party-backed freshman GOP Rep. Vicky Hartzler:

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) is the lead sponsor of legislation calling on President Obama and his Department of Justice to respect the law and enforce the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). “President Obama’s decision to order his Justice Department to stop defending DOMA is not a surprise but it is disappointing,” Hartzler said. “Once we start going down the road of selectively enforcing our laws we are headed for chaos. President Obama took an oath to uphold the laws of the United States and he is breaking his word to the American people.” “The 1996 Defense of Marriage Act was enacted through large majority votes in both the House and Senate and was signed into law by President Clinton,” added Hartzler. “President Obama is subverting the will of the representatives of the people. The good citizens of the 4th Congressional District are expected to follow the law and President Obama should not put himself above the law."

Hartzler is the former spokesbigot for the Missouri Coalition to Defend Marriage.

Today In Anti-Gay Robocalls

ZOMG! A Democrat took a donation in the hundreds of dollars from an unidentified person who works in the "hardcore gay pornography" industry. Clearly she wants to destroy Christianity. Stone her! Stone her NOW.

MISSOURI: Westboro Baptist Church Wins Right To Picket Funerals

A federal judge in Missouri ruled yesterday that a ban on political protests near funerals is unconstitutional. In 2006 Missouri legislators passed the ban in an attempt to thwart the Westboro Baptist Church.

The primary state law had barred protests near any church, cemetery or funeral establishment from an hour before until an hour after any funeral ceremony, procession or memorial service. The secondary measure specifically stated protesters must stay back at least 300 feet from ceremonies and processions. Both provisions levied the same penalty: up to six months in jail and a $500 fine for a first offense and up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine for repeat offenders. Judge Gaitan concluded Missouri officials did not demonstrate the protest restrictions served a significant government interest nor that they had been narrowly tailored to prevent the harm of interruptions of funeral services. The judge wrote he was sympathetic to the argument people attending a funeral deserve some protection but noted a federal appeals court already had previously rejected that argument.

The case was brought on Westboro's behalf by the ACLU, who always does the right, if difficult, thing.

At NOM's Rally In St. Louis

St. Louis' LGBT title, Vital Voice Magazine, covered yesterday's Hate Tour stop in their hometown, where NOM blocked them from attending the rally, probably so all those post-overturn red faces couldn't be recorded.

Today In Crazy Teabaggers

Joe The Plumber is making and paying for the airing of ads endorsing fellow teabaggers.

Powerball Winner Caught On Tape

As a local Missouri television crew followed Powerball officials at the convenience store that sold the winning $258M ticket, a rather ramshackle looking fellow walks up to inquire about his numbers. I love it when these winners seem to be hard luck cases. How did he stay so calm?