Memo to HillBuzz: Stop the Outing

I think I can speak for a lot of libertarians and conservatives in saying that we’re glad to have the folks at HillBuzz on our side. They proved themselves to be a force to be reckoned with during Hillary Clinton’s primary campaign, and afterward they jumped the Democratic ship and worked hard for the McCain-Palin campaign against Barack Obama (whom they refer to as “Dr. Utopia”). Right now they’re working against Obama’s radical agenda and are insisting that every Democrat who voted for ObamaCare needs to be purged from Congress.

We’re glad to have them onboard, but this has to stop:

[Florida Gov. Charlie] Crist is, of course, a former patron of the Green Iguana [gay] bar in Tampa, Florida, whose recent marriage to novelty products and fake beards heiress Carole Rome fools no one. . . .

The MSM does not want Dr. Utopia to squeak by with a win, they want him to have a blowout. So, the MSM will push whatever man they think could flame out most spectacularly in 2012. Ain’t no bigger flamer than Charlie Crist. At least that’s what they say down at the Green Iguana.

This is just the latest in a series of HillBuzz posts that have cited so far unsubstantiated rumors that several prominent Republicans — Crist, Illinois Congressman and U.S. Senate candidate Mark Kirk, and Illinois Congressman Aaron Schock — are in fact gay. HillBuzz insists that they are citing such rumors for the good of the Republican Party because, they say, Democrats are planning to out these guys. HillBuzz argues that Dems are going to out Kirk as soon as he wins the Illinois GOP primary, that they will do the same to Crist if he runs for president, and that they’re planning to out Schock if he challenges Dick Durbin for his Senate seat in 2014.

The problem here is that by spreading these rumors, HillBuzz is actually doing the Democrats’ work for them. They are the ones who are outing these guys right now and drawing media attention to rumors that they are gay. In fact, Democrats didn’t have to wait to out Kirk; a wacko primary opponent, Andy Martin, has already done it for them. From CBS News:

Candidate Andy Martin launched a radio ad on Monday against Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), the current frontrunner for the GOP nomination in the 2010 Illinois Senate race. The ad calls into question Kirk’s sexuality. Martin claims Kirk “lives in some kind of ‘Animal House’ in Washington with another gay congressman,” reports CBS 2 Chicago.

Martin says his ad is based on a “solid rumor on the Internet,” CBS 2 reports. . . .

Emphasis mine. We can’t know for sure where Martin found his “solid rumor on the Internet.” But it’s clear that the content of Martin’s ad is virtually identical to the claims that HillBuzz made here:

Kirk not only has infuriated conservatives and moderates in Illinois by supporting Cap & Tax, but he’s a fatally flawed candidate who Democrats are going to expose as a liar and adulterer in the general election. It is an open secret in Illinois that Kirk is gay, and just about everyone in Republican circles has heard the salacious details of his nocturnal antics, as revealed by his own wife in what’s been a nasty divorce. . . .

Voters don’t care if you are gay, but they do care if you are a sleazeball who cheats on your wife with men and gets up to all manner of shennanigans while you are in Washington, typically involving the other closet case you share your Washington condo with.

Again, all emphasis is mine. HillBuzz posted the above on December 28, the same day that Martin released his radio ad. They made identical claims less than two weeks ago on December 18, also writing the following about rising star Aaron Schock, the youngest member of Congress who is currently serving a district once served by Abraham Lincoln:

It is an open secret he is gay…and we finally got confirmation that Democrats do, indeed, have photos of Schock out in Chicago with other men. We’ve been hearing for months this was true, and we’ve seen Schock with our own eyes out in Boystown, having very indiscrete times with Aberzombie sorts of guys. Apparently, he has a boyfriend back in Peoria everyone knows about too. Dems we know here in Chicago had asked us to try to get pics of Schock in MiniBar or other spots in Boystown, but we never got pictures of him. Well, we found out on Wednesday that others do have the pictures. But, they will be held for years until Schock tries to run for Senate himself.

By then, very foolish advisors in the GOP will have set him up with a fake wife, and maybe even a kid for a prop. But those pictures of Schock in bars will always be out there…and then when he runs for Senate…BOOM…another Jack Ryan, another Mark Kirk. It is widely expected Schock will run for Senate in 2014, to challenge Dick Durbin.

It may well be that Crist, Kirk, and Schock are all gay. That’s their business, and that’s the point. Gay Republicans (and our allies, like the guys at HillBuzz) should maintain a united front on this issue. It is always inappropriate to invade someone’s personal life and do personal damage for political gain. In the case of Mark Kirk, there’s a military career at stake. In Crist’s case, a marriage — whether it’s a sham, as rumored, or not. In Schock’s case? Who knows? If in fact he is gay, and these aren’t just rumors, has anyone stopped to think how friends and family members might react when he’s outed?

Gay Republicans and allies need to stand up to those who would out their fellow gays and lesbians and say: Enough, and no more. We need to make Democrats own their manipulation of sexual orientation, their blatant use of anti-gay discrimination for their own political gain. We need to point out that the party of supposed tolerance, acceptance, and welcoming of gays and lesbians is ready to destroy the lives of gays and lesbians who don’t toe the party line. Make them own their quiet bigotry.

That becomes a lot harder to do when people on our side are outing these guys before Democrats get the chance. So, memo to HillBuzz: Stop the outing. Make the Democrats own it instead.

UPDATE (1/26/10): I want to make clear that this post predates and has nothing to do with the recent left wing smear against HillBuzz. I’m posting this update because this post has been receiving more attention lately than it did when I actually posted it, and I don’t want what I’ve written above to be construed as in any way supportive of liberal attempts to silence the folks writing at HillBuzz.

This post was intended as constructive criticism of a blog that I, as a conservative, consider an important ally in the fight to take back America. I disagree with HillBuzz’s decision to publish rumors regarding the sexual orientation of certain politicians, but for the same reasons that I disagree with that decision I strongly oppose liberal efforts to reveal the identities of HillBuzz bloggers in an attempt to cause personal destruction and, ultimately, silence them.

Like most of the conservative blogosphere, I stand in solidarity with HillBuzz and I hope they will continue to fight for what they believe in despite liberal efforts to shut them up.

While You’re Sipping Eggnog…

While you’re celebrating Christmas with your family today, President Obama and his family are in Jakarta, Indonesia Hawaii — where he grew up, they say — “celebrating Christmas” as well. They will not be attending church, though. Apparently if it’s not Rev. Jeremiah Wright and his racist, communist ideology black liberation theology, the Obamas aren’t interested. And don’t forget all the Secret Service agents and others the Obamas are depriving of Christmas with their families because of their need to be in Hawaii.

Meanwhile, back at the White House, we wonder who is celebrating around a Christmas tree with ornaments that feature Mao, transvestite “Hedda Lettuce,” and Barack Obama’s face superimposed upon Mount Rushmore (see more commentary here, here, here, and here). Lest we forget, President Obama isn’t the first to toy with Christmas: Adolph Hitler did it, too (h/t Born Again Redneck).

As our president downplays and degrades one of our most treasured holidays, we remember how another president handled his first Christmas as our head of state (h/t GayPatriot, text at RedState):

More beneath the fold…

“For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord…”

But there will be no gloom for her that was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zeb’ulun and the land of Naph’tali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.

Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased its joy; they rejoice before thee as with joy at the harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, thou hast broken as on the day of Mid’ian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

– Isaiah 9:1-6

O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth!
Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy
before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth.

– Psalm 96:1-3, 11-13

For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world, awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

– Titus 2:11-14

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirin’i-us was governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.

And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!”

– Luke 2:1-14

Merry Christmas!! May God bless you and yours in the New Year!!

Mary, Did You Know?

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
That your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you’ve delivered
Will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know
That your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby,
You’ve kissed the face of God.

The blind will see
The deaf will hear
The dead will live again
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know
That your baby boy is Heaven’s perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you’re holding
Is the great I AM.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

British soldiers celebrate Christmas in Afghanistan, 2004

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Iraqi children light Christmas candles, 2008

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny
From depths of hell Thy people save
And give them victory o’er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel

Christmas in Bethlehem

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel

Christmas in China

O come, Thou Key of David, come
And open wide our heavenly home
Make safe the way that leads on high
And close the path to misery
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel

Christmas in Beirut, Lebanon

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height
In ancient times didst give the Law
In cloud, and majesty, and awe
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel

Christmas in Tehran, Iran, 2001

A Christmas Treat

Obviously, posting will be light today and tomorrow as yours truly will be celebrating Christmas with my family. But From the Rust Belt will be offering a bit of a Christmas treat. You’ll see lyrics to some of my favorite Christmas carols, accompanied by seasonal and Christmas-themed art and photography. Hope you enjoy!

Lyrics of the Year

Cult of Personality (1988)
Living Colour

And during the few moments that we have left
We want to talk right down to earth in a language that everybody here can easily understand (Malcolm X)

Look in my eyes, what do you see?
The cult of personality
I know your anger, I know your dreams
I’ve been everything you want to be
I’m the cult of personality
Like Mussolini and Kennedy
I’m the cult of personality
The cult of personality
The cult of personality

Neon lights, Nobel Prize
When a mirror speaks, the reflection lies
You won’t have to follow me
Only you can set me free

I sell the things you need to be
I’m the smiling face on your TV
I’m the cult of personality
I exploit you; still you love me
I tell you one and one makes three
I’m the cult of personality
Like Joseph Stalin and Gandhi
I’m the cult of personality
The cult of personality
The cult of personality

Neon lights, Nobel Prize
When a leader speaks, that leader dies
You won’t have to follow me
Only you can set you free

You gave me fortune, you gave me fame
You gave me power in your God’s name
I’m every person you need to be
I’m – the – cult – of – per-son-al-ity

I am the cult of (8x)
personality

Ask not what your country can do for you… (John F. Kennedy)
The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself. (Franklin D. Roosevelt)

Merry Christmas, Rob Simmons: McMahon’s WWE “Rocked the Vote” for Barack Obama

New polling shows that former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) CEO Linda McMahon has a three point lead over her Republican primary opponent for Connecticut’s U.S. Senate seat, Rob Simmons. This is a major development for the McMahon campaign, which has been looking to take away Simmons’ widely recognized status as the front runner. She is also leading incumbent Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd by either two or six points, depending on whether you’re asking Quinnipiac or Rasmussen.

While McMahon has now demonstrated that she can beat both Simmons and Dodd, she has yet to demonstrate that she is principled enough to beat back President Obama’s big government agenda.

McMahon’s apparent lack of conservative bona fides has been a problem for her campaign time and time again. She has supported the TARP bailouts, eliciting the condemnation of at least one Connecticut state representative. She hedged when asked if Khalid Sheikh Mohammed should be tried in the United States, only belatedly stating her opposition two days later. She opposed the “stimulus,” but accepted about $3 million in government subsidies for the WWE — then turned around and laid off 10% of her workforce at the beginning of this year.

McMahon is pro-choice and has donated to the RINO PAC Republican Majority for Choice, and she and husband Vince McMahon have donated tens of thousands of dollars to Democrats over the years — including now-White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel as recently as 2008.

Today, Linda McMahon has a new problem. From the Rust Belt has learned that, under McMahon’s leadership, the WWE’s Smackdown Your Vote project brought McMahon’s business into direct partnership with liberal youth organizations that got out the vote for Barack Obama and Democrats nationwide. These same organizations are now working to advance big government initiatives like ObamaCare and Cap and Tax, and one of them — Rock the Vote — has recently released a web ad encouraging teenagers and young adults to use their sexuality as a political tool to pressure others into supporting socialized medicine.

Much more, including screencaps, beneath the fold…

Some Perspective, Please

Dr. Jehuda Hiss, the chief pathologist at Israel’s top forensic institute, has admitted that Israel harvested the organs of slain Palestinians (along with IDF soldiers, Israeli citizens, and foreign workers) without the permission of their families (h/t Blue Collar Republican). The practice stopped a decade ago. Clearly, there is nothing that could justify this practice and Israelis — along with Jews the world over — who had no idea what was going on will now have to deal with the consequences of their government’s mistakes. One of those consequences will undoubtedly be a reinforcement of anti-Semitic libel*.

Still, some perspective, please:

“I’m horrified but I must say it’s comforting that it’s not only Palestinians whose organs were taken,” said Galia Golan, a professor of international relations and a longtime peace activist. “The real problem is what it shows about the level of morality in Israeli society. Here the Palestinians were just as much victims as the citizens of Israel.”

“…the level of morality in Israeli society”? Really?

You know, call me crazy, but nothing says immorality like encouraging your own people — including women and children — to walk into crowded areas and commit murder-suicide on a massive scale. Nothing says immorality like firing rockets into civilian areas, actually in the hopes of killing civilians. And you just get all the more immoral when you not only condone these war crimes, but declare them holy obligations mandated by your god.

Any discussion of “immorality in Israeli society” must be accompanied by a discussion of immorality in Palestinian society. When you put the two side by side and compare, the Israelis are still going to win the morality award every time. The basis of Palestinian nationalism, whether secular or religious in its focus, is the complete annihilation of Israel by whatever means necessary. Neither the secular Palestine Liberation Organization nor the Islamist Hamas will expunge the goal of eliminating Israel from their foundational charters.

To be sure, the practice of harvesting organs from anyone without permission is a heinous offense against the dignity of the human person (although, one could argue, no more heinous than destroying living embryos by harvesting stem cells from them and justifying it by saying “they were going to be destroyed anyway” — so choke on that for a while before you speak up to condemn Israel, leftists).

But let’s have some perspective. At least the victims in this situation were already dead. When a Palestinian terrorist sorry, I forgot, freedom fighter walks into a cafe or dance club and blows himself up, the civilians whose lives he is about to take are very much alive. We can all agree that harvesting someone’s organs without permission is gravely wrong. But we can never forget that the indiscriminate murder of innocent civilians in the name of a god is far worse.

– – –

* I’m not saying that anti-Semitic libel is ever justified, only that the actions of the Israeli government will likely exacerbate such libel. And before you release a firestorm of condemnation, please bear in mind that I have declared myself a Zionist and Benjamin Netanyahu is my favorite foreign leader. That will be all.

Strickland Trumps Obama’s Arrogance

Believe it or not, there is a Democrat in America who is more arrogant than President Obama. America, meet Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland:

Asked to grade his performance this year, the Democratic leader, heading into a crucial 2010 re-election campaign, coolly said, “certainly a solid B.”

Care to explain such a high mark, governor?

“Well, it’s because I’m too humble to say a solid A,” Strickland said in an interview with The Plain Dealer Monday. “But I think the affairs of this state have been managed responsibly in the midst of the most serious economic recession in many, many decades.”

The emphasis is mine. Let me briefly unpack this for you: Strickland doesn’t really think he deserves a B, he thinks he deserves an A. He’s just too humble to say so (even though, well, he kind of did).

Third Base Politics points out all the many reasons Strickland deserves a big, fat F. Among them are a 10.6% unemployment rate (up a whopping 36% in just one year) and a 4.2% tax increase to solve a budget crisis that was put off until literally the very last minute. We’ve lost jobs, we’ve raised taxes — and the worst part is that Strickland reveals in the very same interview that he has no real plan for improvement. But then, how do you improve on an A a solid B?

Thankfully, the governor doesn’t get to grade himself. That’s our job. Let’s not just give him an F; let’s tell him he’s expelled.