JISHOU, HUNAN — Hooray for small town journalism! The aptly named Elkhart Truth did its civic duty, and printed the engagement announcement of a local man now living in Iowa.

So, what’s so great about that? The man’s fiancé is also a man.

Of course, even that should be no big deal, since such matters are now legal in Iowa, but to a certain segment of the population, printing the engagement announcement of a gay couple was like inciting everyone in Indiana to fuck their cows and sheep and to sell their children into white slavery.

You think I am joking.

The backlash from groups who oppose marriage equality began 48 hours later. At first the announcement became fodder for local radio station, then the American Family Association of Indiana, according to Indiana reporter Bil Browning, e-mailed an action alert to its membership, suggesting that the paper would also soon print “anniversary announcements for polygamous marriages” and “incestuous birth announcements.” Conservative Indiana blogger Brian Sikma, citing the fact that Indiana law does not recognize same-sex marriages, encouraged readers to contact the The Elkhart Truth’s parent company, Federation Media, to launch a complaint.

Rightwingers responded to the call to action in droves. The reaction of the newspaper was at once professional and sharply critical of the rightwing fear-mongering. It represents what journalism should be. I’ve highlighted the best parts.

July 18th, 2009 | Tags: backlash, Elkhart Truth, fearmongering, gay marriage, Indiana, iowa | Category: Civil liberties, Commentary, Media | Comments (2)

JISHOU, HUNAN — A religious nutjob in Southport, Indiana, made a scene during a city council meeting recently, because the meetings no longer start with a spoken prayer. Instead, on the insistence of the new Republican mayor, they open with a moment of silence.

So, as soon as the moment of silence started, David Lynch, 70, started praying loudly in the council chambers. When he was told to be quiet, he got louder. Eventually, the chief of police had to drag away him in cuffs.

Lynch had earlier told the Indianapolis Star that “a moment of silence is not prayer.”

While I doubt that Lynch reads my blog, I will nevertheless quote some Scripture — some of few words in the NT that scholars believe Jesus actually spoke.

[5] “When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most assuredly, I tell you, they have received their reward.
[6] But you, when you pray, enter into your inner chamber, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
[7] In praying, don’t use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking.
[8] Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need, before you ask him. – Matthew 6

November 24th, 2008 | Tags: arrest, Indiana, matthew 6, moment of silence, prayer, southport | Category: Civil liberties, Random rants, religion | Leave a comment