Bye, Felicia.

It doesn't get any better than this. When a few vocal curmudgeons howled in protest over this Reno Gazette Journal cover, RGJ editor Brian Duggan responded with this:

Dear people complaining about today's front page: I chose that photo to run on the cover and I'd do it again. Kthxbye pic.twitter.com/dWGttCFNoO

Overall, that was quite the good read. But because we're awfully shady b-tchez, we thought of the perfect response.



Look, hunties. We get it. Not everyone is happy about marriage equality coming to Nevada. But come on, grrl. Just because they want a temper tantrum doesn't mean they have the right to spoil the party for all the rest of us.

News flash: They're not the only people in the world. Hell, they're not even the majority any more. Who do they think they are? Beyonce? Oh, hellz to the no!



Now that the usual H8 filled suspects no longer have a law suit to fight, they have to find something else to fill their time with. So now, they're trolling.

This isn't the first time they trolled. They've just become far more pathetic in doing so over the past five years.

And all we have to say about it is...



#ByeFelicia

Best Foot Forward?

What else could we say? We knew this was coming. Last month, we explained why there was a better chance of hell freezing over than Las Vegas hosting the 2016 Republican National Convention.

This is why Republicans probably won't pick Las Vegas to host their 2016 national convention. While Southern Nevada is home to a diverse electorate who likely resembles the future of America, "Republican rebranding" has accomplished nothing but the repeat of the same old lame excuses of why the G-O-TEA base rejects 21st century America. And even though Nevada is a key state that Republicans need to win more often in order to remain a nationally relevant party, the Nevada Republican Party long ago lost interest in winning elections as it's pursued ideological "purity" to the point of endorsing "Chickens for Checkups" and armed anarchy. Southern Nevada can all too easily remind everyone of why the Republican Party has become radically out of touch with the mainstream electorate, and this is why the Republican National Committee will likely "rebrand" itself into a convention somewhere else.

Surprise, surprise, we were proven correct yesterday. But of course, "reliable sources" claim this happens due to "logistical reasons".

"Logistical reasons"... Like what? Cliven Bundy and his gang of "outlaw cowboys" fighting for free-dumb? Adam Laxalt continually reminding everyone of who's truly in charge of the Republican Party? Cresent Hardy's "segregation laws"? Sue Lowden's return?

Of course, @LV2016 operatives have been engaging in damage control. And to be fair, money (or more accurately, the lack of it) probably did play a role in the untimely demise of @LV2016. And perhaps the lack of an arena... Wait, what?! So Cashman Field, Sam Boyd Stadium, Thomas & Mack Center, and Henderson Pavilion weren't good enough for the RNC? Seriously?

Apparently, this was already a done deal before yesterday. So @LV2016 boosters tried their best to save face as their ship was sinking. And apparently, the best excuses they could come up with were "logistics" and money. (So #1 G-O-TEA Sugar Daddy Sheldon Adelson couldn't save their day?)

The Nevada Republican Party has been trying lately to put its best foot forward. And look how this latest attempt played out. Great job, Nevada Republican Party. And great job on that "Republican rebranding", RNC. So much for that putting best foot forward.

Time to Speak Up

Last month, we gave you a heads up on Mississippi's SB 2681. The Legislature passed it. And Governor Phil Bryant (R) quickly signed it into law.

So now, Mississippi has declared "License to Discriminate" to be state law. And believe it or not, two Nevada based companies are now in the thick of it.

How so? MGM & Caesars both operate casinos in Mississippi. And while the two gaming goliaths have put their money where their mouths are here in Nevada, they've yet to make a statement on Mississippi's new "License to Discriminate" statute.

They'll need to speak up soon. The damage is already being done there. And it's still spreading elsewhere. Kentucky now has "License to Discriminate" on its books. And G-O-TEA Culture Warriors are now pushing in Congress for a federal "License to Discriminate".

We know Cresent Hardy has an affinity for "segregation laws", but does Rep. Joe Heck (R-??!!) share that affinity? Will House Speaker John Boehner (R-??!!) actually allow a floor vote on this while continuing to block ENDA?

Clearly, the struggle over "License to Discriminate" continues. Even though it was stopped in Arizona, the G-O-TEA Culture Warriors have simply moved their fight elsewhere. They've succeeded in Mississippi. They may now try to pass a federal bill through Congress. And more state bills may not be out of the question.

The time to speak up is now. Now is a good time for those who claim to be pro-equality to put their money where their mouths are. After all, we know money talks in out system... Often more so than anything else. Just look at Arizona.

Why Republicans Probably Won't Pick @LV2016

Every so often, a certain local journalist and media pundit (cough- Jon Ralston- cough) has been begging national Republicans to bring the 2016 Republican National Convention to Las Vegas. He's certainly tried his best to promote our region to Republicans and make a convincing case why "The Entertainment Capital of the World" should host what may be the most entertaining political party event ever. Unfortunately for Ralston, most Republicans don't want to listen to his case.

But why is that? Ralston has made many good points. The Strip has plenty of quality lodging, dining, and entertainment options. Nevada will likely be a key Swing State that cycle. And Southern Nevada has become a diverse society that would serve as the perfect backdrop for the Republicans' big party.

Unfortunately for Ralston (and all other @LV2016 boosters), the G-O-TEA Culture Warriors strongly object to this. And why's that? Oh, our lodging, dining, and entertainment options threaten their "Judeo-Christian values". In fact, our "entertainment" is so wicked & sinful that it corrupted poor Rep. Vance McAllister (R-Louisiana) from thousands of miles away! (/snark)

And it's not just our lack of "moral values" that will likely prevent "Sin City" from hosting the 2016 Republican National Convention. There's also the matter of the entire Nevada Republican Party's lack of common decency and common sense. Last week, state & local G-O-TEA politicians rushed to sing the praises of Cliven Bundy violating federal law at Gold Butte. They also tacitly endorsed outside G-O-TEA groups meddling in #BundyRanch to the point of encouraging armed conflict with federal public servants who were just attempting to enforce the law.



But wait, there's more. Republicans just concluded their convention... The 2014 Nevada Republican Party Convention, that is. And while most delegates decided to cast a few votes in favor of the 21st century, they nonetheless decided to spurn the Governor they just endorsed for reelection by rejecting nearly all his preferred candidates in other races up & down the ballot. And even after they endorsed a new platform, they're still fighting each other over it!

But hey, at least they agreed to endorse Sue Lowden for Lt. Governor.



Apparently, all of this finally weighed on Jon Ralston as he prepared to say farewell to his fantasy of the 2016 Republican National Convention playing out in his back yard...

"Thanks to #BundyRanch and @NVGOP folks for providing great advertisement today why @LV2016 should happen. Thanks, geniuses."

Except that he forgot to mention Nevada Republicans' other great shining moment from last week.



Hillary Clinton may have had a shoe thrown at her, but Republicans are ultimately throwing away whatever chance they have left of defeating her in 2016 by embracing so much crazy. And this visual must be terrifying those in charge of the Republican National Committee.

This is why Republicans probably won't pick Las Vegas to host their 2016 national convention. While Southern Nevada is home to a diverse electorate who likely resembles the future of America, "Republican rebranding" has accomplished nothing but the repeat of the same old lame excuses of why the G-O-TEA base rejects 21st century America. And even though Nevada is a key state that Republicans need to win more often in order to remain a nationally relevant party, the Nevada Republican Party long ago lost interest in winning elections as it's pursued ideological "purity" to the point of endorsing "Chickens for Checkups" and armed anarchy. Southern Nevada can all too easily remind everyone of why the Republican Party has become radically out of touch with the mainstream electorate, and this is why the Republican National Committee will likely "rebrand" itself into a convention somewhere else.

(Sorry, Jon Ralston.)

Still Not Over

Wasn't this supposed to be over by now? The last two Republican Presidential Nominees spoke against it. Arizona Governor Jan Brewer (R) vetoed it. Several Nevada Republicans ran away from it... Despite championing it a year ago. But nonetheless, it was supposed to be "dead".

Yet now, the "TEA" powered "License to Discriminate" movement has come roaring back to life. And why's that, you ask? Thank the Mississippi Legislature for this. It just passed SB 2681, which is Mississippi's version of "License to Discriminate".

SB 2681 now sits on Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant's (R) desk. Yet unlike his Arizona counterpart, Bryant is expected to sign SB 2681 into law. And should Mississippi's Governor soon sign it into law, he'll probably boost efforts in Missouri, North Carolina, and Oklahoma to pass similar "License to Discriminate" legislation.

If Cresent Hardy is still experiencing difficulties in understanding what constitutes "segregation laws", he need not look further than Mississippi's SB 2681. Hell, he need not look further than SB 192, the "License to Discriminate" bill that he & Barbara Cegavske introduced to the Nevada Legislature last year.

This was supposed to be over by now. After all, "Republican rebranding"... Oh wait, that's gone nowhere. Instead, the G-O-TEA has been doubling down on its "Culture War". And the recent developments in Mississippi have only confirmed what we've already known.

Never mind the minor cosmetic changes and changing around of certain words. Pay closer attention to what they're doing. This was supposed to be over... But it's not. It may not be over until the courts weigh in. And it may not even truly be over until the Republican Party can learn to say no to its radical base.

Don't "Rebrand". Do Discharge.

The Senate already passed it with a strong bipartisan vote of approval. The President is ready to sign it into law as soon as it reaches his desk. An overwhelming majority of voters support it. But because of partisan intransigence in the House, it's stuck there without a floor vote.

Yes, this will describe the state of the federal unemployment insurance (UI) extension in Congress once the Senate approves its bill. It already describes the current state of comprehensive immigration reform (CIR) in Congress, as the Senate passed its bill last June. And it describes the current state of the Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA) in Congress.

Even though ENDA passed the Senate 64-32 vote, with Republicans like Dean Heller supporting it, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has refused to allow ENDA a floor vote. Even as ENDA has attracted Republican support in the House, Boehner has refused to allow ENDA a floor vote. And even though ENDA enjoys strong public support, Boehner refuses to allow a floor vote for ENDA.

Why? Why can't ENDA have a floor vote? Because Cresent Hardy still doesn't understand the meaning of "segregation laws"? Because Rush Limbaugh doesn't want "queer cooties"? Because Pat Robertson has curious theories about the manifestation of Satan?



We know what's going on in that lower House of Congress. We know the 21st Century Know Nothings don't want to recognize LGBTQ civil rights. And we know House Republican "leaders" are still pandering to them, even as they continue their charade of "Republican rebranding".

Yesterday, House Democratic leaders unveiled their long awaited discharge petition for CIR. Today, at least some LGBTQ civil rights activists are wondering if they should start planning a discharge petition for ENDA. We keep hearing that there's likely majority support in the House for ENDA, just like it's assumed CIR and UI extension have majority support in the House. Yet despite these whip counts surfacing in the media, Speaker Boehner won't allow a vote on any of these bills. How much longer can this last?

Perhaps it's time to draw up another discharge petition. The "rebranding" song & dance routine is becoming awfully old & tired. We don't need any more "rebranding". We need a floor vote.

Sore Losers

Like a thief in the night, it suddenly appeared... And shocked many. Nearly a year after SB 192 made its shocking debut in Carson City, SB 1062 rocked Phoenix. And all of a sudden, the nation endured a crash course lesson on the budding "License to Discriminate" movement and the shadowy forces behind it.

Yet even with Arizona Governor Jan Brewer (R) vetoing SB 1062, the "License to Discriminate" movement marches on. But how so? Yet another homophobic bill has been introduced in the Arizona Legislature. Meanwhile, SB 192/SB 1062 like "License to Discriminate" bills are still alive & kicking in Mississippi and Missouri. And "License to Discriminate" proponents are now crying "persecution" because they can't discriminate against whomever they want whenever they want.

Oh, yes. That's right. They're going there.

But wait, there's more. G-O-TEA King of Crazy (and still sitting Rep.) Steve King (R-Iowa) had some "words of wisdom" (/snark) on "self-professed behavior".



Perhaps he and Cresent Hardy have been enjoying some heart-to-hearts on "segregation laws"?

This is why we find it ironic that certain "TEA" flavored media pundits are urging LGBTQ Americans not to be "sore winners". Sure, new polls show growing support for LGBTQ civil rights (and more distrust of the G-O-TEA). But even as equality is winning the court of public opinion, and even as equality is increasingly winning in courts of law, we've yet to see full legal equality in practice nationwide. That's why civil rights advocates are decrying the "License to Discriminate" bills. They serve as a reminder that the beautiful struggle for equality may be turning for the better, but it's still far from over.

And if anything, anti-equality G-O-TEA politicians & pundits are the ones behaving like sore losers. They're the ones whining over the expectation that businesses with licenses to serve the public have the right to refuse basic human decency. And they're the ones crying "persecution" because society no longer smiles on their desires to persecute those who they don't like.

Who Else Is Behind the "License to Discriminate" Bills?

What a month this has been for LGBTQ civil rights... And the Republican Party's tortured views on them. Earlier this month, Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto (D) and Governor Brian Sandoval (R) decided to drop their legal fight against marriage equality. Yet even after Sandoval did this, his party didn't go along for the ride. Rather, Attorney General candidate Adam Laxalt (R) and Rep. Joe Heck (R-Henderson) twisted themselves into pretzels to try to spin away their opposition to civil marriage equality.

And then, outgoing Assembly Member and current NV-04 candidate Cresent Hardy (R) spoke of "segregation laws", and it all went downhill from there. Shortly after Hardy made those infamous comments, attention turned to Arizona's SB 1062, a "license to discriminate" bill masquerading as "religious freedom" legislation. It was actually based on the same model legislation that inspired the original SB 192 that Hardy cosponsored. And that model legislation has recently been popping up in even more state legislatures across the nation.

So who wrote this "license to discriminate" model legislation? Where did it all come from? Yesterday, we took a closer look at the origins of SB 192/SB 1062 and uncovered a trail that leads to the Ethics and Public Policy Center, a shadowy front group that masks all the Koch Industries/"TEA Party, Inc." money being poured into this "license to discriminate" campaign.

However, there's even more to this story. It turns out that the Ethics and Public Policy Center has been working hand-in-hand with another shadowy front group hiding another set of familiar players.

The Center for Arizona Policy has been decrying Arizona Governor Jan Brewer's (R) veto of SB 1062. After all, it prodded Arizona G-O-TEA legislators to introduce and pass the Ethics and Public Policy Center's "religious freedom" model legislation. And it's a state affiliate of CitizenLink, a nationwide religious right outfit.

But wait, who's CitizenLink? Where did that comes from? It turns out that CitizenLink is the 501(c)4 arm of Focus on the Family, a notorious anti-equality organization that's been devoted to fighting against LGBTQ civil rights for over a quarter century. And not only has Focus on the Family been fighting against LGBTQ civil rights in America, but it's recently become involved with Russia's state sanctioned homophobia & transphobia campaign. And it's never hesitated to stoop to shocking lows to promote its extreme agenda.

In the wake of all this "religious freedom" hogwash controversy, State Senator and Lt. Governor candidate Mark Hutchison (R) performed some linguistic gymnastics to try to distance himself (and running mate Brian Sandoval) from the bill he cosponsored in Carson City last year. Now, we have a better understanding of why he's done this (along with other Republican politicians who are running away from the now toxic legislation). And why's that? Simple: It's not easy conveying a "moderate" persona when one is carrying water (and legislation!) for the Kochs' "TEA" powered empire and the extreme religious right.

"It's Pretty Basic."

On Monday, we looked at the prospect of Congress doing something productive for a change. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) vowed a Senate floor vote on ENDA (the Employment Nondiscrimination Act) next month. And today, he's a few steps closer to that goal.

ENDA already had 53 cosponsors going into this week. But now, that number is up to 54 as Senator Bill Nelson (D-Florida) signed onto the bill. And on top of that, ENDA will gain another cosponsor as soon as Senator-elect Cory Booker (D-New Jersey) is sworn in.

In addition, more Senators have announced support for ENDA or at least openness to considering it. The two remaining Democratic holdouts, Mark Pryor (D-Arkansas) and Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia), recently announced their support. And Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) just said he's "inclined to support" ENDA. And that's not all.

The Washington Post suggests several other Republicans who have previously supported LGBT rights, including Sens. Pat Toomey (R-PA), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Dean Heller (R-NV), and Jeff Flake (R-AZ). Though Flake previously supported ENDA in 2007, he now believes the latest version “will increase the potential for litigation and compliance costs.” This belief contradicts ample evidence showing that businesses of all sizesbenefit from nondiscrimination protections. Flake told the Washington Blade that he also opposes the inclusion of transgender protections, which had been stripped from the 2007 House bill he voted for.

One Senator who it seems will not be voting for ENDA is John McCain (R-AZ). Despite lobbying from his own wife, McCain seems to still be concernedabout “whether it imposes quota, whether it has reverse discrimination, whether it has the kinds of provisions that really preserve equal rights for all citizens.” He went on to draw an odd comparison between ENDA and thedesegregation busing that attempted to break down racial lines after schools were integrated.

Despite McCain’s claims, the bill expressly prohibits preferential treatment, quotas, or any kind of retaliation against people who oppose its provisions. It’s quite unclear who would be bused where if LGBT people were simply protected in the jobs they already have.

Sadly, it's not all good news. Many Republicans remain strongly opposed to workplace equality. Never mind the evidence showing workplace discrimination to be an economic loser, the usual G-O-TEA suspects just can't let go of their H8.

Why is this? As we discussed yesterday, far too many Republicans are following the lead of the 21st Century Know Nothings. And in a column for The Hill, Marge Baker explained just how far they're going to try to kill ENDA.

Liberty Counsel’s Matt Barber said earlier this month that ENDA would be used to protect child predators. Former Navy Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt warned last month that if ENDA passes, Christians could face bankruptcy or even starvation. American Family Association spokesman Bryan Fischer has shared his outrageous – not to mention bizarre – belief that “ENDA would represent the return of Jim Crow laws.” And Liberty Counsel’s Mat Staver may have taken the cake with his prediction that ENDA could result in the “death of some individuals.”

That’s quite a frenzy over a law that would simply protect LGBT Americans from workplace discrimination. And as more and more conservative Americans embrace workplace protections for all, these far-right voices get even fringier.

But some in the GOP are resisting these far-right voices and standing up for decency. This summer three Republican senatorsjoined their Democratic counterparts in a bipartisan vote that moved ENDA out of committee. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski put it simply: “No discrimination against anyone at any time — it's pretty basic.”

It is pretty basic. And since the Senate is expected to vote on ENDA before Thanksgiving, it’s time for senators to ask themselves whether they are going to stand on the side of fringe extremists spouting wild predictions and warning that the sky is falling or on the side of basic fairness and common sense.

We can only wonder if Senator Heller is asking himself this. Perhaps he is, considering that he's not slamming the door on ENDA (just yet?).

It is pretty basic. This is about ensuring equal treatment under the law for all American workers. No really, that's all.

While it's frustrating that it's taken this long for ENDA to near 60 Senate votes for passage, at least we're finally approaching it now. The only question is if more in Congress (including those Republicans on the House side) can recognize something so basic.

The =

Last week in Tampa, the G-O-TEA doubled down on bigotry with a platform that would have made the Puritans of 1692 Massachusetts awfully proud. This week, we're seeing something completely different in Charlotte.

For the first time, Democrats stated in no uncertain terms that they support “equal treatment under law for same-sex couples,” including a repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act that defined marriage as exclusively between a man and a woman. The Democratic platform also states the party’s opposition to state laws that “deny equal protection under the law” to same-sex couples.

“This is one of the main reasons I wanted to be here this year,” said Chris Miller, chairman of the Clark County Democratic Party and the first openly gay man to occupy the position. Miller is also a delegate to the convention.

“I get to vote for it the first time it happens,” he said. “It’s historic.” [...]

“I started crying when they passed the platform, and I didn’t stop until Michelle Obama,” said Nevada delegation guest Nancy Kuhns, “And I didn’t stop until Michelle Obama.”

By the way, it passed by acclamation. For the first time ever, a major American political party has endorsed civil marriage equality. And for the first time ever, a major American party's convention has placed LGBTQ equality on center stage.

Here's Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colorado) talking about his family and their American life.



And here's DNC Treasurer Andy Tobias sharing his American coming out experience.



And it wasn't just the LGBTQ speakers discussing this. Even Michelle Obama got in on the action!

Barack knows the American Dream because he’s lived it…and he wants everyone in this country to have that same opportunity, no matter who we are, or where we’re from, or what we look like, or who we love…If farmers and blacksmiths could win independence from an empire…if immigrants could leave behind everything they knew for a better life on our shores…if women could be dragged to jail for seeking the vote…if a generation could defeat a depression, and define greatness for all time…if a young preacher could lift us to the mountaintop with his righteous dream…and if proud Americans can be who they are and boldly stand at the altar with who they love…then surely, surely we can give everyone in this country a fair chance at that great American Dream.

The contrast between what Republicans did in Tampa last week and what Democrats are doing in Charlotte this week is like that of night and day. Oh, and certain Republicans want to add an exclamation point to this! No really, they're going there.

Believing in civil rights –and calling out true discrimination when it occurs –isn’t the same as squelching religious freedom. And in much the same way that the imaginary Gay Menace isn’t out to make the bishops teach that marriage is a “genderless contract” with no space for biological babies in it, it’s likewise not attempting to make everybody in America dance in the pride parade. Yet in the most poorly acted clip outside of YouPorn, conservative Gary Bauer and his Campaign for American Values PAC recently unleashed a bizarre pro-Romney plea to keep marriage one-man-one-lady.

In it, a forlorn looking wife shakes her head sadly at the newspaper and tells her husband that “Obama is trying to force gay marriage on this country.” Apparently she’s reading the latest edition of the Things So Crazy Even Paul Ryan Wouldn’t Make Them Up Daily. “That’s not the change I voted for,” she adds to her appropriately sexed spouse. (As one of my Twitter friends astutely added, not what she voted for when she voted for McCain.)

“Marriage,” Sad Wife further explains, “is between a man and a woman.” The husband gives a rueful, uh-huh look at her and agrees, “That’s not the change I voted for either.” And then they agree to vote for someone with “values” and quietly sit around nodding in assent with their three no doubt biological children. Yes, it’s true, conservatives. Obama is going to force us into becoming a gay marriage nation. I’m hoping I get Scarlett Johansson. He’s also going to make everybody get an abortion. Even the men.

Here’s a little message to those of you on Planet La La La I Can’t Hear You. You can keep holding your hands over your ears and saying that “marriage is between a man and a woman” till you turn blue, but it won’t magically stop people of the same sex from entering into committed unions and even starting families. Also known as marriages. Marriages that won’t do anything to erode the heterosexual institution. I live in a gay marriage state and not one hetero married couple I know has spontaneously combusted yet.

Let me reassure you, bishops and Bauers of the world. There’s no shortage of marriage, so you don’t have to worry that if all the gays want it, there won’t be enough to go around. And if there’s a big gay lair out there where the gay supervillains are plotting to eradicate man-on-woman love, you’d think we would have heard about it by now. Probably in Dwell. This is not about taking any of your precious straight culture away. It isn’t about forcing anybody to do anything, other than accept the truth that gay people can love each other as fully, as deeply, and as wholeheartedly as straight people. That’s nothing to be scared of. And if you believe that love and family are a threat to your values, maybe it’s time you got some better values.

I don't care what some media pundit tells you about Mitt Romney "not focusing on social issues". Romney wants to strip away our civil rights. Period. If he didn't, then Bigot King Gary Bauer wouldn't be cutting Super PAC ads for Romney.

Yet while Romney, along with his Nevada henchmen Dean Heller & Joe Heck, wants to party like it's 1692, President Obama, Harry Reid, and the rest of the Democratic Party look to be liking things here in 21st Century America. They've pretty much realized that equality actually isn't a scary word. Rather, it's something beautiful to celebrate.

One More Anti-Choice FAIL

Farewell, personhood initiative.

Personhood Nevada face a Tuesday deadline to collect more than 72,000 signatures to place the proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot.

Organizers told The Associated Press on Friday that they will not meet the signature threshold.

The amendment called "The Right to Live for Young and Old" sought to define life as beginning at conception and prohibit some forms of birth control, fertility treatments when selective reduction is used, and embryonic stem cell research.

This isn't the first time that the "Call the Zygotes People" Initiative failed to make the ballot, but this may very well be the last time that anyone takes them seriously. Especially ever since women's reproductive freedom was enshrined in the Nevada Constitution twenty years ago, voters here have had no appetite for attacking that. And apparently, the recent Mitt Romney/Dean Heller/Joe Heck/"tea party" "War on Women" has done nothing but hurt Nevada Republicans.

So I'm not too surprised that the personhood initiative failed to qualify for the ballot. Frankly, it's just funny to see how the voters themselves scuttled it by declining to sign the petition. Ouch. I wonder if this is finally what it takes to get G-O-TEA politicians to realize that there's no value in attacking women's rights.

Will Dean Heller Join the G-O-TEA's War on Women?

Jon Ralston reported on Twitter early this morning that Senator Dean Heller (R-Tea Party) is leaning toward voting for the Blunt Amendment. OK, so why should we care? Here's why.

Under the measure, an insurer or an employer would be able to claim a moral or religious objection to covering HIV/AIDS screenings, Type 2 Diabetes treatments, cancer tests or anything else they deem inappropriate or the result of an “unhealthy” or “immoral” lifestyle. Similarly, a health plan could refuse to cover mental health care on the grounds that the plan believes that psychiatric problems should be treated with prayer.

Individuals too can opt out of coverage if it is contrary to their religious or moral beliefs, radically undermining “the basic principle of insurance, which involves pooling the risks for all possible medical needs of all enrollees.” As the National Women’s Law Center explains, Blunt’s language is vague enough that “insurers may be able to sell plans that do not cover services required by the new health care law to an entire market because one individual objects, so all consumers in a market lose their right to coverage of the full range of critical health services.” As a result, a man “purchasing an insurance plan offered to women and men could object to maternity coverage, so the plan would not have to cover it, even though such coverage is required as part of the essential health benefits.”

And of course, all this madness started with the G-O-TEA's urge to crawl into women's pants to probe their private parts. YUCK!



Even a few Senate Republicans, like the retiring Olympia Snowe (R-ME), think this goes way too far.



67% of Americans oppose anti-woman legislation like the Blunt Amendment, and health care policy experts have warned about the major risks of restricting access to all kinds of necessary preventive care because of vague "moral" objections. So why are Congressional Republicans so eager to vote on this crap?

So far, it seems like Dean Heller wants to join his BFF Mitt Romney in playing both sides of this issue and pandering to the radical "tea party" right while still looking vaguely "moderate".



I guess he's afraid that his other BFF, Joe Heck, was perhaps a little too blunt on Blunt.



I guess we'll have to wait and see if Heller tries to claim "this has nothing to do with women's health issues". Joe Heck already proved how radically out of touch he is with Nevada women. Will Dean Heller show the same?

(By the way, now's a great time to sign PLAN's petition to Heller and Senator Reid to ask them to oppose the Blunt Amendment and stop the attack on women's health care.)

Just Who Is Mittens, Really?

(I wrote this earlier in the week for Nevada Stonewall. And after seeing Mittens' disgusting and juvenile reaction to the Prop 8 ruling, I just don't see how anyone can keep calling him "moderate".)

One of the most carefully set up constructs of Mitt Romney's campaign is his "moderate" persona. It's what's convinced so many pundits of his "electability". But conversely, it's also convinced so many "tea party" types that he's not a "true conservative"... Which has led Mittens to take increasingly extreme radical right positions on nearly every issue to win them over. Yet despite all this, many media pundits continue trying to convince us that Mitt Romney is still "moderate".

So is this really true?

Looking at his record on matters of equality, I'd say not. Don't believe me? See for yourself.



He's given at least $35,000 to homophobic, anti-equality organizations. One of the groups Romney supported was the Massachusetts Family Institute, an organization that's tried to repeal Massachusetts' marriage equality law, as well as engage in irrational fearmongering over public education. Another beneficiary of Romney's largesse was The Becket Fund, another intensely homophobic religious right organization that openly supports anti-LGBTQ discrimination. When it comes to following Mitt Romney's money trail, that trail definitely leads to discrimination.

Now yes, in the past Romney seemed much more open-minded towards LGBTQ equality. But even before he began running for President, Romney often sent mixed messages. And ever since he began running for President, Romney's message started sounding much clearer in its embrace of discrimination.

One of Romney's top fundraisers is a foreign agent of the United Arab Emirates, a country that has landed in hot water recently for its embrace of forcing "ex-gay therapy" on its citizens. Another of Romney's top endorsers is an extremely homophobic minister who actually tried to blame the 9/11 terrorist attacks on marriage equality! And in case the people Romney surrounds himself with isn't bad enough for us, then check out Willard's own words.



He now speaks against marriage equality constantly, he's signed NOM's radical, pro-discrimination, anti-marriage equality pledge, and he's even proposed a "3 tier system" to segregate LGBTQ families and treat us differently! Not even the Log Cabin Republicans could stomach this, and they have strongly condemned Romney's proposal to bring back segregation in the 21st century. WTF??!!

Anyone who continues to tell us with a straight face (pun intended?) that Mitt Romney is "moderate" either does not know his real record or is being deceitful. Romney is now on record opposing our economy, and he merrily accepts support from the most extreme anti-equality radicals who want to turn the clock back and shove us all back in the closet. If that's "moderate", then are the likes of Richard Ziser and Michele Bachmann also "moderate"?

Thoughts on Christianity Flame Wars... From a Jaded Ex-Fundamentalist

(Originally from Daily Kos)

OK. I must admit it. Even though I try to deliberately avoid the religion flame wars of late, I sometimes feel compelled to read a few of the diaries anyway. However, I'm nonetheless saddened by all this nasty infighting. It's really compelled me to open up and talk about a personal experience I don't always share too many details about.

Believe it or not, it helps me put into proper perspective all the flame wars here over Christianity and progressive values.

I grew up as a frightened, closeted gay kid in a scary fundamentalist church. I was constantly told I would go to hell if I were to live my life as the person I really felt I was. I tried to repress what I was feeling inside. After all, I knew how the church felt about "those wicked perverts".

You see, my family was part of no ordinary church. My mother was "saved" there, and she subsequently placed me in "Christian School" there. She listened dutifully to the wise pastors and did as they told her. But when I started to question what I was being indoctrinated "taught", she became very concerned.

She took me to pastors for brainwashing "counseling". She had friends pray over me to "remove the demons". At one point, she even removed me from school, had us fleeing from our own home, and then did the unthinkable: She hit me with her cane, then called the police and falsely accused me of attempted murder. County social services later removed me from my mother's custody, and my relationship with her has never been the same since.

Why, you ask? Why would a mother turn on her own child like this? The pastors at Calvary Chapel encouraged her to give me this "radical treatment" because I didn't conform to the church's "godly standard" of a typical straight Republican blindly following every command sermon given from the pulpit. And instead of recognizing my mother's mental health problems stemming from unresolved issues over her mother's death, they allowed her to engage in destructive "spiritual warfare" conspiracy theories that ultimately resulted to permanent division in my family.

Needless to say, I did not have a great church experience growing up. And though I tried and tried and tried again in my early college years (after coming out as gay) to rediscover Christianity, I ultimately found solace in Julia Sweeney's musings and allowed myself to let go of god.

So why am I not comdemning all churches and calling Christianity the greatest evil known to humankind? Let me explain.

In the last five years, I've come to experience another side of Christianity. When I still lived in Orange County, I found plenty of comfort in another Costa Mesa church... And attended LGBTQ community meetings at the local Irvine UCC.

And when I moved to that dreaded Sin City two years ago, I continued meeting new friends who I now call part of my family. Some of them are atheists, some of them are Jewish, some of them are Muslim... And yes, some of them are Christians.

One of the most important things I learned out of my painful Calvary Chapel experience is the constant need to think critically. And strangely enough, I see this lacking in the comment sections of far too many religious pie fights here at Daily Kos.

When I read this from commonmass...

I have a great deal of understanding about why some people are angry with religion in general, and Christianity in specific. It's not like we have a stellar record when it comes to human rights and other things most progressives hold dear.

However, in this day and age, some of us--Roman Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox, Lutheran and others--are standing up for human rights, including LGBTQ rights, standing up for the end of war, for a human, fair solution to issues in Palestine/Gaza, for a lot of things. We're working hard on social issues. We're committed to them. Jesus demands it.

We may not be "you", but we stand with you. We stand for peace, justice, love, equality, representative democracy, you name it. We--at least here on Anglican Kossacks--ARE you. We are us.

I knew what he was saying, because I've seen it in action myself. Just because we're all on our own respective spiritual journeys doesn't mean some of us are "holier" or "smarter" than others here.

Just because I found comfort in letting go of god doesn't mean my Christian friends and family are wrong in finding comfort in embracing god. Again, we're all on our own respective spiritual journeys. I learned the hard way the consequences of blind allegiance to one set of beliefs.

All I ask is that we remember to think for ourselves and treat others with respect and dignity when we discuss matters of faith.

Sharrontology Wants to Drain Our Economic Lifeblood?

Another day, another Angle scandal...

Former Republican National Committee Chairman Frank Fahrenkopf Jr. has endorsed Democratic Sen. Harry Reid, saying it would be a mistake for Nevadans to elect Republican Sharron Angle and lose Reid's clout to protect the state's lifeblood gambling industry.

Fahrenkopf, president of the American Gaming Association, suggested Angle should distance herself from the anti-gambling Campaign for Working Families, which has endorsed her and begun running television advertisements attacking Reid.

The political action committee's founder and chairman is Gary Bauer, a former Republican presidential candidate affiliated with several Christian right groups over the years.

"It's disturbing that she (Angle) is taking money from people who oppose gambling," Fahrenkopf told The Associated Press. "She may not even know it, but Gary Bauer has been a longtime, outspoken opponent of legalized gambling. I did a double-take when I read she was receiving assistance from someone who has opposed Nevada's chief industry for so long."

So let's recap this. Sharron Angle is being supported by Gary Bauer's PAC, which OPPOSES legalized casino gaming. So she's happily being supported by an extreme religious right group that wants to shut down the lifeblood of our economy? WTF??!!

No wonder why even sane Republicans, especially those in the gaming industry, are rejecting her dangerous extremism.

Fahrenkopf said Nevadans need Reid's power to protect an industry that has been hard bit by the recession and likely will be tapped as a revenue source to deal with the budget deficit. Reid is the most knowledgeable member of Congress about gambling issues, Fahrenkopf said, and has the ability to control what bills reach the floor for votes as Senate majority leader.

The leisure and hospitality industry, which includes hotel-casinos, is Nevada's largest employer, accounting for 304,300 jobs statewide.

"We just can't take any more assaults on us tax-wise or otherwise," Fahrenkopf said. "We need someone strong to protect the state and the industry. No freshman senator would have clout. To trade the most powerful position in the Senate for a freshman senator doesn't make sense."

MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren, a Republican, agreed.

"For a small state like Nevada to have the most powerful person in the Senate is not something we should be willing to let go," he said in a statement. "Simply put: Harry Reid is a better choice for Nevada's future. He has far more experience and can wield far more authority and influence on our behalf than any freshman senator."

So we have someone who's worked hard to promote and protect the best interests of our state... And we have someone who's nothing but a tool of outside forces that essentially want to shut down our state. The choice can't be clearer.

Why on earth would we want to lose our biggest advocate? And instead get someone "representing us" who actually wants to destroy our economy? Sharron Angle just doesn't get it...
Yet again...

Sharrontology & Her "Calling from God"

What? You thought it was bad enough that Sharrontology Obtuse Angle believes she's on a "mission from God"? And that she's palling around with extremists who want to impose the death penalty against "homosexual sodomites and abortionists"? And that she thinks people in need of Medicare or unemployment aid are "heathens"?

Well, get a load of this...

When Republican Senate candidate Sharron Angle told a Christian news interviewer this year that “entitlement programs (are) built to make government our God,” she voiced a central tenet of Christian Reconstructionism, according to academics who study the movement.

Christian Reconstructionism is a political-religious movement formed in the 1960s and ’70s that seeks to return American society to the rule of biblical law. Any attempt to expand government beyond the dictates in the Old Testament — for example, by establishing Social Security benefits, education policy or property taxes — turns government into a false idol, reconstructionists believe.

“The problem is that government becomes an idol when it overspills its biblically proscribed boundaries, and people start looking to government for salvation,” said Julie Ingersoll, a religious studies professor at the University of North Florida, in explaining a tenet of Christian Reconstructionism. [...]

Many of Angle’s religious and political beliefs appear to align with the tenets of Christian Reconstructionism. She’s supported eliminating Social Security and Medicare, is a home schooling champion, sees the separation of church and state as an unconstitutional doctrine that was never meant to protect the state from religious belief, and believes public policy should support the traditional family structure as defined in the Bible.

She also helped resurrect the Nevada affiliate of a national party founded by a prominent Christian Reconstructionist and has raised campaign money from reconstructionists.

But Ingersoll said Angle’s comments on government as a false idol come directly from the movement’s founder, R.J. Rushdoony, an orthodox Presbyterian minister.

It's become increasingly clear that Sharron Angle has rather strong ties to the Christian Reconstructionist movement. The late RJ Rushdoony is commonly credited as the intellectual parent of this movement. Now he had some very... Ummm, let's say interesting ideas for this country that now form the basic "platform for change" that Christian Reconstructionists seek.

Rushdoony's most important area of writing, however, was law and politics, as expressed in his small book of popular essays Law & Liberty and discussed in much greater detail in his three-volume, 1,894-page magnum opus, The Institutes of Biblical Law. With a title modeled after Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion, Rushdoony's Institutes was arguably his most influential work. In the book, he proposed that Old Testament law should be applied to modern society and that there should be a Christian theonomy, a concept developed in his colleague Greg Bahnsen's controversial tome Theonomy and Christian Ethics, which Rushdoony heartily endorsed. In the Institutes, Rushdoony supported the reinstatement of the Mosaic law's penal sanctions. Under such a system, the list of civil crimes which carried a death sentence would include homosexuality, adultery, incest, lying about one's virginity, bestiality, witchcraft, idolatry or apostasy, public blasphemy, false prophesying, kidnapping, rape, and bearing false witness in a capital case. Although supporting the separation of church and state at the national level, Rushdoony understood both institutions as under the rule of God, and thus he conceived secularism as posing endless false antitheses, which his massive work addresses in considerable detail. In short, he sought to cast a vision for the reconstruction of society based on Christian principles.

The book was also critical of democracy. He wrote that "the heresy of democracy has since then worked havoc in church and state ... Christianity and democracy are inevitably enemies." He elsewhere said that "Christianity is completely and radically anti-democratic; it is committed to spiritual aristocracy," and characterized democracy as "the great love of the failures and cowards of life."

No wonder why Sharrontology has embraced such hardcore homophobia, transphobia, and all around xenophobia! This is just plain frightening.

And you know what's even more frightening? Sharrontology's embrace of these "tea party doctors" who want to reject proven science! I'm not even kidding here, Sharrontology is supported by the "Association of American Physicians and Surgeons" teabagger front group, and will be doing a rally with them in San Diego tomorrow. These "tea party doctors" claim President Obama performs "covert hypnosis" on crowds, call Medicare "evil" and "immoral", and claim "there are real grounds for positively denying that HIV causes AIDS."

Why am I getting the feeling we're talking about voodoo doctors here? Remind me not to go to them when I have a fever. I suspect they'd recommend I have leeches suck out the "impure humors" from my body. So does Sharrontology's God tell her to reject real science in favor of this mumbo jumbo? And Obtuse Angle's God wants her to reject Constitutional representative democracy for some hocus-pocus theocracy that would make Iran and Saudi Arabia look "liberated" by comparison?

Now do we have to ask any more why Sharron Angle is unfit to serve in the US Senate? This country was founded on religious freedom, NOT religious extremism. Our Country is governed by The Constitution, not RJ Rushdoony's radical interpretation of The Bible. And for being such a "Constitutional expert", she has no idea what's actually in The Constitution. (Hint, Sharrontology... It's not this theocracy crap!)

Sharrontology Strikes Yet Again, Vowing to Deny Me My Civil Rights

You think that's bad enough? Get a load of this!

Among her positions, outlined in answers to 36 yes-or-no questions, Angle would oppose making sexual orientation a protected minority in civil rights laws. In a section on school prayer, she affirms that students and teachers should be able to talk openly about religion in schools, including the right to "publicly acknowledge the Creator." [...]

In the questionnaire, submitted to the Washington-based Government is not God political committee, Angle said she would vote in Congress to prohibit abortion "in all cases," and considers a fetus a person under the Constitution.

The Washington-based group's website says it supports candidates who oppose abortion rights and "stand firmly against the unbiblical welfare state that is destroying the spiritual and economic greatness of our nation."

So since I'm gay and I'm essentially an atheist, I deserve absolutely NO civil rights according to Sharron Angle. WHAT THE FUCK??!! And apparently if you're a working woman or someone of a different faith or anyone else who doesn't fit into her narrow interpretation of Christian fundamentalism, you're also a "heathen" undeserving of civil rights. For being such a "Strict Constitutionalist", Sharrontology seems rather eager to throw our Constitution out the window and impose some sort of "Christianist Sharia law" on us!

No wonder why Lois Tarkanian, mother of one of Angle's GOP primary opponents, joined other working Nevada moms today in denouncing Sharrontology's extremism.

A Las Vegas city councilwoman, a comedian, a lawyer, a restaurant owner, a Realtor and an executive, along with a handful of other Nevada women, gathered today at a downtown café to send U.S. Senate candidate Sharron Angle a message: Don't tell us how to live our lives.

The women, all working mothers, came together to pledge their support for Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and to speak out against his Republican challenger, who has said that one parent should stay home with children because that is the "acceptable" and "right" thing to do.

Comedian Rita Rudner called Angle's remarks "disturbing" and argued that a woman fulfilled by her job is a better mother.

City Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian said she was personally offended by Angle's comments. Tarkanian, a Democrat, is the mother of Republican Danny Tarkanian, who ran unsuccessfully in the GOP primary to try to unseat Reid.

Lois Tarkanian, who endorsed Reid on Thursday, said she worked both because she had to -- young basketball coaches don't make a lot of money, she said -- and because she wanted to.

"I was not a better mother when I stayed home full time," Tarkanian said.

Speaker after speaker said many women don't have the luxury of choosing whether to work -- especially in this difficult economy. And women are an integral part of the workforce, they said.

It's become increasingly clear that Sharrontology Obtuse Angle is far too extreme to be allowed anywhere near The United States Senate. She opposes even the most basic civil rights for LGBTQ Americans. She refuses to allow women to make their own reproductive health care decisions. She refuses to allow women to even work outside the home to provide for their families!

Simply put, Sharrontology is far too radical to be any good for Nevada.

Sharrontology's Holy War... On The Constitution

Is this for real? Is this for real?

We have become a country entrenched in idolatry, and that idolatry is the dependency upon our government. We’re supposed to depend upon God for our protection and our provision and for our daily bread, not for our government. And you’ve just identified the real crux of the problem. I’ve also been endorsed by a PAC out of Washington D.C. and the name of that PAC is Government is not God. And I thought that that was so appropriate because that is really what’s happening in our society and we need to take our country back.

But whose god are we supposed to depend upon? Her god? Or John Ensign's god? Or Jim Gibbons' god? Or Mitch McConnell's god?

And for being Ms. "I ONLY go by The Constitution", how is this Constitutional? I don't remember reading anything about "depending on God for our protection and our provision, not upon government" in Article I, Section 8. In fact, it starts off like this...

The Congress shall have power To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defence and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

So what are we supposed to believe, The US Constitution or Sharron Angle's crazy rants?

And I knew that all along when I started praying over a year ago over it. And this just seemed to be the battle that I needed to go to war with. And I need warriors to stand beside me. You know, this is a war of ideology, a war of thoughts and of faith. And we need people to really stand for faith and trust, not hope and change.

This really explains it all. Sharrontology views this election as a "holy war", and all of us who don't agree with her are heathens... And we're all heathens for believing in the Constitution and in government's proper role in providing for the common defense and general welfare. I know Obtuse Angle wouldn't have allowed for this...

“Today’s vote offered a simple choice, we could either stand up for the jobs of teachers, firefighters and police officers by saying yes, or we could have turned our back on them and their families by saying no,” Reid said. “By overcoming this procedural hurdle, we are one step away from ensuring teachers jobs are secure for this school year, that funds are available for Nevadans who rely on Medicaid, and that our state avoids a budget shortfall that could result in more layoffs.”

The Education Jobs Fund provides an extension of Recovery Act funding to help preserve educator jobs. This fund will provide nearly $10 billion, fully offset by spending cuts, and will save an estimated 140,000 jobs. It is projected that Nevada schools will see an additional $83 million to keep educators working. This is fully paid for without cutting President Obama’s Race to the Top program, funding to expand charter schools or for the Teacher Incentive Fund.

More than 160,000 children, parents, seniors, and people with disabilities in Nevada rely on Medicaid funds for quality, affordable medical care. These funds also help states like Nevada retain employees and relieve state funding shortfalls. When passed, this bill will direct an additional $79 million in Medicaid funds to the state.

The Senate just voted to save critical teaching jobs at Nevada schools and keep people in need of health care on Medicaid... But Sharrontology views them as "sinners" because they're depending upon government and not her god. But hey, who needs The Constitution when we can just govern with Sharrontology's interpretation of The Bible?

(Oh, and forget what Jesus said about helping the poor and paying to Caesar what is Caesar's... What, you thought this dirty f*cking hippie didn't know what's in The Bible?)

Sharrontology: Divine Intervention? UPDATED w/ New Poll #s

Why am I not surprised? Come on, this ad wrote itself!

Let's see, Harry Reid helped save 22,000 Nevada jobs. Sharrontology Obtuse Angle believes her job does NOT involve caring about any of our jobs. And GOoPers wonder why I and most everyone else I know consider Sharrontology a wackadoodle extreme right crackpot?

If it weren't for Reid making those calls to save CityCenter, most of us probably wouldn't even be here at this blog. (We'd all be fleeing a state in collapse...)

Oh, but Sharrontology believes God has a very special plan for her.





So is this really God's plan for her? And for Nevada? Is she really that much of a vengeful God?







Yes, and let's not forget Sharrontology is part of the extreme religious right that believes "God wants all the homosexuals and abortionists dead".

Perhaps that's the warped "Christianity" that defines Sharron Angle, but most people of faith here in Nevada would disagree with her on what God wants. Does God want her children to suffer from unemployment, lack of shelter, and lack of food? Does God hate the idea of bringing more renewable energy jobs into the state? Does God want young gay kids killing themselves because they think their families hate them and they're destined to go to hell anyway? Does God want young girls to suffer even more when someone impregnated them by way of violent rape?

But who knows, maybe God does have a plan for Sharron Angle... Perhaps a plan that involves showing Nevadans why we should NOT elect extreme right wing crazies?

UPDATE: Whoops! So is this God's plan for Sharrontology?

We now have something we haven't had in awhile: A poll, albeit a partisan poll, showing Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) ahead of his Republican opponent, Sharron Angle. Also, the data looks a bit old.

As Jon Ralston reports, the new poll by Fairbanks, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates, commissioned by the liberal Patriot Majority PAC, shows Reid at 44%, and Angle with 40%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4% margin of error.

Interestingly, the poll was conducted from June 28-July 1, giving us a fortnight-old data set.

Hmmm... And this was data from two weeks ago? BEFORE Obtuse Angle stepped into "CityCenter-gate"? And "Rape-victims-need-to-make-lemons-into-lemonade-gate"? And "Death-panels-for-those-who-disagree-with-me-gate"? And private polls are confirming what this one shows? Jeez, Sharrontology really is digging herself into quite the hole. Thank you, Lord! ;-)

Sharrontology Likes Her Some Pure Homophobic Bigotry

Oh, it keeps getting uglier for Sharrontology Obtuse Angle. Desert Beacon found yet another endorsement that Sharrontology doesn't want us to know about. Phillis Schlafly's Eagle Forum gave Obtuse Angle their stamp of approval, as she agrees with them on the "evils" of women in the workplace, legal protection for women escaping abusive relationships, "homosexual perversion", and legal challenges to hedge fund creators' "patent rights" (HUH??!!).

But wait, it gets weirder... And nastier. The Independent American Party (IAP), Sharrontology's political home base during most of the 1990s, was involved in one of the ugliest and most homophobic campaigns in Nevada's history... And Sharrontology was right there with them on it!

1994 IAP 16 Page Newspaper Insert

In 1994, the party attracted considerable controversy by placing a 16-page advertising insert in Nevada newspapers promoting an amendment to the state constitution that would explicitly permit discrimination against LGBT people by businesses and government.

Janine Hansen, the current executive director of the party and the editor of the '94 insert, told TPM earlier this month that "in general [Angle] agreed with our position on the issues." [emphasis mine]

The ad insert, which approvingly cites an 1814 legal treatise titled "Consequences of Sodomy: Ruin of a Nation," is a digest of articles that refer to LGBT people alternately as "homosexuals," "sodomites," and "brazen perverts." The insert includes virtually every homophobic myth ever conceived.

Sample headlines include: "Homosexual Curriculum In The First Grade" ... "Flawed Science Nurtures Genetic Origin For Homosexuality" ... "No Constitutional Right To Be A Sodomite." Here's a passage from an item headlined "True Homosexual Character Revealed":

"Homosexuals argue that they are a peaceful and gay people. Yet ... Dr. Paul Cameron of the Family Research Report writes 'the top six U.S. male killers were all homosexuals.'"

Probably the coup de grace of the insert is the article "Can the HIV Virus Survive in Water?". Writer Lorraine Day, M.D., concluded that yes, the virus can survive in the water. Citing medical journal articles, she raised the specter of HIV infection through public pools, hot tubs, and municipal water supplies.

So did you get that? Sharrontology Obtuse Angle was a leading figure in the IAP when they decided to openly campaign to legalize all wrongful discrimination against LGBTQ Nevadans! She was in the position to tell them to stop the disgusting campaign of pure hatred, but instead she quietly gave them the blessing to proceed in demonizing Nevada's LGBTQ families.

Is there any reason for any queer Nevadan with any sort of dignity and self-respect to support Sharrontology?