Rep. Virginia Foxx in a Homophobic YouTube Moment

Meet Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) who spoke today during the debate over the Matthew Shepard Act -- the federal hate crimes bill that passed the US House of Representatives 249-175-11 (yea-nay-no vote or abstained).

Ms. Foxx had her very own special YouTube moment during the debate when she said the following:

“I also would like to point out that there was a bill -- the hate crimes bill that's called the Matthew Shepard bill is named after a very unfortunate incident that happened where a young man was killed, but we know that that young man was killed in the commitment of a robbery. It wasn't because he was gay."

She added: "This -- the bill was named for him, hate crimes bill was named for him, but it's really a hoax that that continues to be used as an excuse for passing these bills."

This was said, btw, whilst Judy Shepard was in the room. Real nice.

To their credit, this is what the Democratic response was:

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), who supports the hate crimes bill, stared in disbelief before answering a question about the statement.

"It's just sad the Republican caucus has been reduced such a fringe," she said. "It's sad they would go out of their way to prevent people from getting justice."

And, so, I started to wonder, where the hell would she get an idea like this? Thank god for all of us, Ms. Foxx twitters, a fact which, btw, has not escaped the LGBT activists on the web, and a fact that she may come to regret in the morning... regardless, her tweet sends us to the speech of one Don Feder, from the Jewish World Review, who enlightens us on the wonderment that is the anti-hate crime point of view:

Take the 1998 homicide of Matthew Shepard. Was Shepard murdered because he was a homosexual? Possibly. But it's equally plausible that he died because his murderers wanted drug money, and Shepard (weighing in at 105 pounds) was an easy mark. According to a 2004 report by ABC's "20/20," that's what many close to the case believe.

Well, I'm glad that's off our chest. Although, it sends a chilling tone about future robberies... apparently, it's common practice for robbers to pick up gay men in bars, drive them around, beat them, and then tie them to a fence post a la the crucifixion. Remember, kids: carry a gun or this, too, could happen to you in a simply mugging (I have a sneaking suspicion Ms. Foxx is also a fan of the NRA, unconfirmed, so she would like the sentiment).

Of course, that side would have to ignore the queer panic defense...

So, Ms. Foxx, today I give you a special present:

For being just so-gosh-darn-special. But, you know, at least this little YouTube clip will put you up there with the likes of, oh, I don't know, Marilyn Musgrove, Sally Kern, and Jean Schmidt. And we all know how wonderful those women are.

As for the remainder of Don Feder's article, I'll say this: the majority of it is a mass of slippery slope, "end of the First Amendment" argument that we've become used to. I'm sure I've said this before, but, if not, it bears repeating: freedom of speech does not include freedom to rape, assault, or kill. And, yes, we do consider intent in murders... self defense, what?

Thanks to Glenn Thrush at Politico for the quotes.

GLAAD's Worst of 2008 Awards

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has posted the 10 worst anti-gay voices of 2008. Very few surprises, actually, but good to remember:

• Bill O'Reilly, of FOXNews' The O'Reilly Factor -- For being Bill O'Reilly, but specifically for making statements that Americans don't want to see "homosexual behavior legitimized.
  
• California's Yes on 8 Campaign -- Um, duh.
• Greg Guttfield, of FOXNews' Red Eye -- Because you couldn't turn on his show without hearing homophobic remarks, such as "turning a hole into a pole" in regards to sexual reassignment surgery.
• James Dobson, of Focus on the Family -- Surprised? Isn't he on lists like this every year?
• Jim Quinn, of Clear Channel's The War Room with Quinn and Rose -- For being the kind of enlightened and intelligent person who would state, "Gay sex produces AIDS, which the state doesn't have – or should have an interest in. They should charge homosexuals more for their health insurance than they charge the rest of us." Charming, really.
• John Gibson, of FOXNewsRadio's John Gibson Show -- Because he was sensitive enough about Heath Ledger's death by making anti-gay jokes regarding his role on Brokeback Mountain. Love you, mean it.
• Laura Ingraham, of FOXNews' Laura Ingraham Show -- There's a lot of FOX on this list. I'm sure that means nothing.
• The New York Post -- I mean, that's kind of a big target, but apparently they're sensationalistic... or something. (No, not modern American journalism... it's never sensational. HA! American Journalism - Rarely Exceptional, Always Sensational ... I should be in marketing).
• Pastor Rick Warren -- If you don't know why, you haven't been paying attention.
• Rep. Sally Kern -- Because gays are trying to take over the country, including her own son. But she'll only say it when she thinks no one is listening.
• Sean Delonas, cartoonist of the New York Post -- More specific at the Post. He drew the cartoon above.

Anyone they missed? I really can't think of anyone else. Locally, I think Bill Cunningham should top the list. He said something particularly vitriolic this year, if I remember correctly. Honestly, I don't feel like looking it up. HA! :-)

A prize to the person who finds what nasty thing Mr. Cunningham has said about gay people in 2008.

GAY STUFF: SALLY KERN

I've been waiting for an interesting SOMETHING to post about Sally Kern's rant (posted as the second video). Dr. Seuss style rhyming is perfect: