Conservatives alarmed by "gay" sponsorship of CPAC
Peter Principle
A campaign is being assembled to demand that the American Conservative
Union, whose annual Conservative Political Action Conference in
Washington draws the biggest names of the movement, reject a sponsorship
from a homosexual activist group.
"CPAC's tenuous' Big Tent' could collapse altogether as social
conservatives led by Liberty Counsel's Matt Barber threaten to launch a
boycott of the conference � unless CPAC drops a homosexual activist
group, GOProud, as a co-sponsor," says Peter LaBarbera of Americans for
Truth About Homosexuality.
Barber, the director of cultural affairs at Liberty Counsel, is leading
the charge to keep the CPAC sponsorship list "conservative," LaBarbera
said today.
Adam McManus, a radio talk show host at KSLR Radio in Texas found at
TakeAStand.net, is helping lead the campaign.
He started out by taking his concerns directly to David Keene, the chief
of the American Conservative Union.
"I have broadcast from CPAC as a talk show host for years. It's been a
win-win. I give you great publicity for South Texas and I get great
guests," he wrote in an e-mail. "But now this weird turn of events. Why
would you allow a pro-homosexual organization to come on as a
co-sponsor?"
He asked Keene for an on-air interview.
"If it's true, I presume you believe it's worth defending. And if you've
changed your mind, I know my listeners would be glad to hear that."
In his e-mail response, Keene admitted GOProud "has signed on as a CPAC
co-sponsor, but will have no speakers and we told them that, in fact,
since opposition to gay marriage, etc are consensus positions (if not
unanimous) among conservatives, these topics are not open to debate."
CPAC offices were closed for the holidays, so WND could not obtain
subsequent comment.
But Keene's e-mail defended the agreement, explaining GOProud's
"interest is in demonstrating that not all gays are liberals rather than
promoting their life style.
"Their group broke away from the Log Cabin Republicans a few years ago
because they thought the LC folks were too liberal on other issues
(taxes, spending, national defense and guns)," Keene wrote.
"I know that there are those who are as opposed to the sinner as the
sin, but our view is that CPAC is inclusive and welcomes all of those
who agree with us on most issues. I don't know the GOProud people
personally, but we find it difficult to exclude groups because of
disagreements on one or two issues no matter how important many of us
believe those issues to be � other examples: we have pro-life and
pro-abortion co-sponsors, advocates of restrictive and more open
immigration, supporters and opponents of the war in Afghanistan and
supporters and opponents of some of the restrictions adopted in the war
on terror since 9/11," he continued.
"Some of these issues draw significant support on both sides of the
question from the broad movement and these we often debate at CPAC �
trade policy, immigration are example � while others like abortion are
consensus positions and while we accept those who differ from the
consensus, we see no reason for further debate. Gay issues fall within
this category," he said.
"GOProud describes itself as 'the only national organization for gay
conservatives and their allies,' but we at AFTAH dispute their
definition of 'conservative,'" LaBarbera said, urging constituents to
call or write Keene.
"Urge Keene to drop GOProud as a CPAC co-sponsor because GOProud
supports the same radical homosexualist agenda as other GLBT
organizations � which is corrupting children and tearing apart America�s
moral fiber," he wrote.
He cited the list of sponsors for the coming conference, scheduled Feb.
18-20, including Concerned Women for America, Eagle Forum, Focus on the
Family Action, Freedom Alliance and the Heritage Foundation.
Barber had written, "Among other things, GOProud advocates in favor of
both 'gay marriage' and 'civil unions,' against pro-marriage
constitutional amendments; is pushing for the repeal of the 'Don't Ask,
Don't Tell,' and advocates in favor of federal 'partnership benefits'
for homosexuals."
"This group is pushing a radical leftist agenda that is an affront to
the GOP platform, conservatism and, most importantly, the Word of God,"
he said.
GOProud stated on its website, "GOProud, the only national organization
for gay conservatives and their allies, announced they are a cosponsor
of PAC 2010. Jimmy LaSalvia, GOProud's executive director, said,
'GOProud is thrilled to be a cosponsor of the single most important
conservative gathering in the country.'"
"GOProud looks forward to continuing to work with the conservative
movement to promote policies that will improve the lives of all
Americans � including gays and lesbians," LaSalvia said.
"I would have thought the American Conservative Union would have had a
higher standard for groups that cosponsor their pivotal annual event,"
McManus told WND. "If there's one time when conservatives need to be
getting their message right and need to be clear about what they
believe, it's right now amidst the Obama socialist push."
Every gay and gay supporter should be dumped on a desert island.
Christopher Helms
You are obviously right. The Republican party must be purged of even
the slightest hint of diversity. The last thing conservatives want is
to look like people who are willing to even listen to different points
of view, much less accept people who hold different points of view.
The time for discussion is over, Comrades! You don't need to listen to
anybody else because you already know everything! Stay with George
Bush's "My way or the highway" approach to everything and keep
narrowing the types of "vehicles" allowed on your highway while you
use the word Elitists to describe Democrats.
Eddie Haskell
"Christopher Helms" <Chrish...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:c2aa20a6-74fd-49f1...@m38g2000yqd.googlegroups.com...
It's all clear to me now, Helms, you're a fag.. That's why you're a
democrat. As such you harbor an inordinate fear of rejection. Otherwise your
thinking would be clearer, but no..
-Eddie Haskell