Sunshine Republicans

I really wonder if Log Cabin Republicans understand how much their own party hates them. The Republican Party does not believe gays and lesbians have the right to serve in the military or marry. That does not stop Log Cabin Republicans from backing a party that treats them with utter contempt.

The Sunshine Republicans have condemned House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for expressing concern over the tone of the tea bagging protests.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL. -- The Sunshine Republicans – GOProud strongly condemn the words of Nancy Pelosi last week invoking the assassination of Harvey Milk in the 1970s. Pelosi’s statement is unproductive to conversation and hyper-political. While wildly over-dramatizing the nature and spirit of Americans attending tea parties and town halls in non-violent protest, Pelosi’s own rhetoric insinuates that concerned Americans are both anti-gay and irresponsible. That is very dangerous language indeed from the speaker of the house.

Pelosi said, “I think we all have to take responsibility for our actions and our words. This balance between freedom and safety is one that we have to carefully balance. I have concerns about some of the language that is being used because I saw – I saw this myself in the late ‘70s in San Francisco, this kind of rhetoric was very frightening and it created a climate in which violence took place and so I wish that we would all again curb our enthusiasm in some of the statements that are made, understanding some of the ears it’s falling on are not as balanced as the person making the statement.”

The speaker’s remarks appear to be based purely on politics. Despite her alleged concern over political rhetoric, Pelosi has a long history of supporting non-violent demonstration when her own leadership is not in question. The short memory of the speaker neglects to inform you that she herself has encouraged vigorous protest when politically convenient for her own gain. During the Bush Administration for example, Pelosi often encouraged dissenters to speak up.

At a town hall in her home district in January 2006, Pelosi greeted anti-war protestors by saying “I understand your anger” and “I am a big fan of disruptors. Nothing could be more American.” Anti-war protestors approached the stage where Pelosi was addressing the group and held their signs just below the congresswoman. They were warmly greeted, “I’m fan of disruptors&hellip people who make change.” She closed her town hall with reassuring sentiment: “Let’s not question each other’s patriotism when we have this very honest debate that our country expects and deserves.”

Flash forward to 2009. On April 15th, Pelosi described tax day tea parties as “Astroturf” and denied any real grassroots concern over the way government spends our money. Speaker Pelosi joined Majority Leader Steny Hoyer in August to call the continuing protests over a government takeover of health care “anti-American”. She has consistently supported public opposition to any ideas or policies contrary to her own, though she is quick to question the motives of those who speak out against her. Last week, Pelosi stooped to a new low by slyly insinuating that concerned, patriotic Americans might lash out violently against homosexuals as a way of channeling their frustrations.

Not only are the speaker’s words regrettable and completely unfair, they are also alarming examples of exactly the same type of dangerous rhetoric that she supposedly wants to see toned down. The Sunshine Republicans – GOProud call on Pelosi to take her own advice and accept responsibility for her words. We strongly urge her to retract her dangerous and unfounded implications immediately and ask that she clarify that nonviolent protest is a welcome, responsible, and patriotic way to show dissent in America.

The Republican Party of Florida backed the anti-gay marriage Amendment 2. Chris Broughton brought guns to a tea party protest and admits he wishes death on President Obama. Conservative pundit Joe Scarborough warned that Glenn Beck's rhetoric is dangerous.

“You cannot say that the President of the United States … hates all white people. You cannot call the President of the United States a racist. You cannot wallow in conspiracy theories — as [Beck] did for about a month — suggesting that FEMA might be setting up concentration camps and going on Fox & Friends and saying. ‘I can’t disprove it.’ … You can’t stir up that type of hatred … and then say, ‘Oh, I’m just a rodeo clown,’” said Scarborough on his program.

Pelosi was in San Francisco when Harvey Milk and George Moscone were assassinated. The Sunshine Republicans consider Pelosi's concerns "dangerous rhetoric" but say nothing about tea baggers calling the President a Nazi. I'm actually giving the Sunshine Republicans more publicity than they deserve. It amazes me they would attack a pro-gay Democrat to defend the Christian fundamentalists that make up the Tea Party movement.