eva young
Eva Young is President of Log Cabin Republicans of Minnesota and lives in Minneapolis with her cat, Kiddleleewink. You can also read her other blog here.
	latest posts   Christian Grantham Gets GayPatriot on the Record   Exit Stage Right for Gay Patriot   More on HRC's Joe Solmonese   Bachmann Critic Gets Hate Mail

March 28, 2005

Here's an update to a story I've been following: why has GayPatriot has quit blogging. Last night GayPatriot emailed me the story Christian Grantham broke here.

Christian posted the complete text of GayPatriot's post:

Wanted for crimes against the gay community. Wanted for repeatedly conducting outing witch hunts against gays who do not believe in radical liberal anti-American ideals. For repeated violations of privacy of gay Americans. For conducting systematic civil liberties attacks on gay Americans.

WANTED! Let's do something about these gay terrorists who have infected our community with their hatred and self-loathing bigotry of gay Americans who wish to live their lives in peace.

I didn't see this post, but understand it included pictures of both John Aravosis and Mike Rogers. The conservatives commenting on this post thought it over the top.

Hmm, c'mon now GayPatriot. You are more than capable of writing convincing arguments against John Aravosis and Michael Rogers. This is eerily familiar to weblistings of abortion doctors.

While "terrorists" could apply in the true definition of the word, it is a bit salacious since most modern people think of terrorists using physical violence. Idiots reading this posting might be tempted into doing something stupid. This has a bad "Law & Order" episode written all over it.

Lets fight arguments with arguments, not namecalling.
Mickey

And, GP, while I appreciate your vigor and fire on the issue, Mickey is right -- this is a little over-the-top. While I'm not uncomfortable with calling them "terrorists", because, in the strictest sense they are, it probably would be better to stick with "hatemongers and bigots".
North Dallas Thirty | Email | Homepage | 03.25.05 - 12:06 pm | #

I would venture to suggest "terrorist" goes a bit too far, it's kind of the same as when lefties say that sleep deprivation or putting a wet blanket on a terrorist's head is "torture."

Calling them "Extortionists," I wouldn't have any problem with. "Bullying Hypocrites," ditto. Given the way they act toward those who disagree with them, you could make a case for "Fascist Bullies" as well.
V the K

I think a commenter on the Independent Gay Forum says it best:

Calling someone a "terrorist" would probably be a cause for a libel lawsuit; it certainly isn't in the normal realm of the back and forth of vigorous political debate.

GayPatriot went over the top and beyond decency, and it sounds like Rogers did as well (the proper response would be to contact an attorney, not to harass your opponent at his place of employment).

This whole thing is a soap opera and both sides deserve each other.
Mike Silverman

Though I do not believe that calling someone a terrorist is libelous. That is an opinion. However calling Gay Patriot's boss at work was not the action of someone who fears being stalked. Gay Patriot doesn't mention his workplace on his blog - so there's no good reason for bringing his employer into it - except if the motivation is silencing Gay Patriot. It was the action of someone wanting to escalate the situation.

I contacted John Aravosis this weekend, and he told me he did not know about why this happened, though believed the post had something to do with it. I just emailed Rogers at blogactive@blogactive.com to get his side of the story. Rogers claimed in comments to Christian's post on the topic, that Christian had gotten the story wrong.

March 25, 2005

Gay Patriot Abruptly Quits Blogging

In a post time originally time stamped after 12:00, Gay Patriot signed off from blogging:

This Is My Last Posting Posted by GayPatriot at 04:49 PM - March 25, 2005

For personal and professional reasons that I am unable to fully discuss, I have to stop blogging as GayPatriot effective immediately. This has been a great experience for me and I have learned a lot. And I have met a lot of good people along the way (if only through email). As of this moment, I am no longer affiliated with this blog and I turn over all control to GayPatriotWest who will keep the fires going. Thank you for letting me come into your homes since last September. It has been an honor.

When I looked at the site and saw this post, this second post had not appeared. Later the time stamp changed for Gay Patriot's Last Stand, and this post was inserted.

GayPatriot Advocates Non-Violence Posted by GayPatriot at 04:32 PM - March 25, 2005

In the interest of constructive political discourse and open and free discussion, GayPatriot.org and those responsible for its content always urge its readers to practice non-violence in their daily lives and political activities.

No posting on this site shall be construed as advocating for violence against anyone or any organization.

I love peace.

Evidently Gay Patriot had posted a picture of John Aravosis and Mike Rogers with the comment:

"WANTED! Let's do something about these gay terrorists who have infected our community with their hatred and self-loathing bigotry of gay Americans who wish to live their lives in peace."

This post has been deleted. However Central Front and Lime Sherbet reported on it.

Central Front covers this here, here and here. Lime Sherbet and Michael Demmons also comment.

Comments thread for GayPatriot's last post is available here. The Comment thread for Gay Patriot's deleted post is available here.

March 14, 2005

From the Advocate:

The announcement of Solmonese's hiring brought praise not only from Democrats on the Hill but also from some of the most moderate Republicans. "Ensuring that every American is treated fairly and equally has no partisan boundaries, and I'm pleased that Joe is committed to working with Republicans as the new head of HRC," said Republican senator Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island. Added Republican Rob Simmons of Connecticut: "Since I've been in Congress, HRC has always displayed a long-standing commitment to bipartisanship. I have very little doubt that Joe will aggressively maintain this tradition, and I look forward to working with him."

It would be interesting to get Arlen Specter's take on Solmonese.

From Steve Miller's Culture Watch:

Update: Log Cabin put out a press release. At first, taking the headline at face value, I feared they were in fact sending a congratulatory message. But it's actually pretty snide:

The selection of an experienced Democratic activist will allow HRC to solidify and strengthen Democratic support for equality. As the leading voice for moderate and conservative gay Americans, Log Cabin recognizes our unique responsibility to make new allies in the Republican Party," said Log Cabin Political Director Chris Barron.

"Log Cabin is expanding its commitment to work with people in the Heartland, conservatives in red state America, and with people of faith. In addition, we are pursuing an aggressive legislative agenda that includes Social Security reform...."

Well, it's good that somebody is going to focus on something beyond solidifying MoveOn.org's support for gay equality!

Realistically Log Cabin Republicans doesn't have the budget or person power to be an effective lobbying organization. Historically they have always excelled at a high profile press strategy.

So I'm happy to see that moderate Republicans in congress are expressing an interest in working with Solmonese. I'd like to see HRC become a leaner and more effective organization. Far too much money is spent raising money for HRC - and this distracts from HRC's core mission.

As I said earlier, Solmonese should make it a point to attend Log Cabin Republicans upcoming convention in the Big Easy.

March 07, 2005

A friend of mine wrote a letter to the Editor critical of Michele Bachmann - who is running for congress as Minnesota's answer to Marilyn Musgrave. This is what he got in the mail.

Fan Mail for Bachmann Critic