‘Friendly Fire’: Republican Blasted as ‘Homophobe’ for Literature He Didn’t Create
- Posted on October 7, 2010 at 10:29am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Sometimes, we get by with a little help from our friends. But what happens when that help is unwanted and does more harm than good? That’s exactly what happened to Pastor Brian Hale, a state GOP House candidate in Maine’s 85th district.
Hale opened up his mailbox recently to find an anti-same sex marriage flier with his name and e-mail address on it. The only problem is he didn’t commission the flier and was unfamiliar with the organization that did.
From the Kennebec Journal:
The two-sided flier features a smiling family of four with a “Welcome to Maine, the way life should be” placard and a single photograph of Hale. Hale said the family in the picture is not even his family.
On the flip side of the flier is a photograph of [incumbent Rep. Jeffrey McCabe (D)], with his e-mail address and two men in bow ties, arm-in-arm, appearing atop a wedding cake.
“Now it‘s time to let Jeff McCabe know we don’t agree with his decision to back same-sex marriage,” the flier reads.
McCabe voted for the 2009 law legalizing same-sex marriage. The legislation, which was signed by Gov. John Baldacci, was reversed by referendum last November.
Hale says he supports traditional marriage, meaning a union between a man and a woman, but said his campaign did not send the fliers.
The return address on the fliers supports Hale’s claim. The address listed is for the National Organization for Marriage, based in Washington D.C., a group that supports the traditional definition of marriage.
“I never heard of the National Organization of Marriage until I pulled it out of the mailbox,” Hale told the Journal, and then decried the effort as “tasteless”:
“I think this is tasteless; I’m not enjoying this,” Hale said Monday. “I think this is an incidence of friendly fire — someone thought they were helping me and they’re not. I’m running as a fiscal conservative — that‘s what I’m going around talking to people about. I’m not running an anti-gay campaign. …
The gesture by NOM seems to have backfired: “People are seeing this and saying, ‘Pastor Hale is a homophobe’ — and I’m not.”
Both Hale and the local Republican party called McCabe to assure him that they were not involved in the flier campaign.
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conservativeme
Posted on October 8, 2010 at 12:22amI have a question. How is it that anyone who is not for homosexuality is “labeled” a “homophobic” and everyone is all right with that. A “phobic” has a fear of something. I don’t know many anti-gays that are afraid of them. Seems to me labeling anti-gays as “homophobic” is hate speech! Where is the ACLU in this?
Report Post »Atheist
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 9:35pmI find it hilarious that an arm of Glenn Beck doesn’t see the hypocrisy in this. If Obama was mailed an invitation to a Socialist party this site would use it against him as “another dot to be connected.”
Report Post »TheGreyPiper
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 8:35pmIt’s called “black propaganda” — propaganda which appears to originate from party A, but is in fact created and disseminated by party B to discredit party A. Very common technique in wartime. Less common in politics, but we know the lefties are desperate and will stoop to anything.
Report Post »asmith
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 7:56pmProgressivism is a hearty weed that finds it’s self in many gardens. The good pastor just found himself the victim of Progressivism, even if the perpitrators won’t admit it. I call a spade a spade.
Report Post »ItsallaboutJesus
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 5:29pmPastor Hale? Are you there? I find it troublesome when a “Pastor” doesn’t have the guts to stand for the same things the Author of the text book he uses. It’s not homophobia——-He(the Author) says it’s an abomination! Don’t be luke warm on anything, sir!
Report Post »JohnnyJT
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 1:54pmThat’s the DemonCratic way!
Report Post »thedustoffpirate
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 1:44pmThis is why we cannot have nice things! Geez won’t Republicans and all the other conservative interest groups ever learn that running on social issues is always a losing battle. People want government out of their lives!
Report Post »Libertyhight
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 12:42pmDo a bit a research on this organization. No matter your beliefs, what they do doesn’t help any candidate they supposedly try to support. You can‘t shove Christianity down people’s throats or legislate people’s beliefs.
Report Post »DimmuBorgir
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 1:50pm@ LIBERTYHIGHT
you‘re right the govt can’t legislate people’s beliefs, but they can enact laws that go directly against some people’s beliefs.
Don’t look now, but i think they’re already doing that.
Report Post »KenInIL
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 12:32pmFederal and State govt should stay out of Marriage! and be only into Civil Unions – legal contracts between people for tax, health, inheritance, etc purposes. Marriage is a religious ceremony and belongs to the “Church” and need to be separate from the state. That being said, the decision of who to “marry” should be decided by a church.
Report Post »DSTSS2010
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 12:19pm“Homophobe” this woird is BOGUS! I don’t know a single person who is afraid of a homosexual!
Report Post »joetrain
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 12:36pmThat just depends on if they are in front or behind me in line at disneyland, or if I had just been sent to prision with two broken arms. Then I think being a little nervous might be appropriate, if not outright fear.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 11:09amThe term homophobe is inaccurate. It means fear of gays. If you don’t like legitimizing homosexual behavior, the term should be antisodomite.
Report Post »DimmuBorgir
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 11:21amexactly my point, and good term
Report Post »roninshaman
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 11:33amThat is a great word. Thanks.
Report Post »ToledoTea
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 2:13pmI prefer “Pro-hetero”
Report Post »teahugger
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 6:54pmantisodomite would limit one’s disfavor to a single act…and doesn’t specify the genders of the involved parties. but i don’t have a good alternative.
Report Post »RightWingKookTank
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 9:09pmButt (intentionally misspelled) if you’re an “anti-sodomite” then you have to be against ALL ppl who engage in sodomy……….I’ll bet my life there are people on this very discussion board who have given or taken one (or more) up the arse. Careful who you single-out…
Report Post »HippoNips
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 11:08amA phobia is an irrational fear. You don‘t have a fear of something is you just don’t like it,.or if is a natural response to something gross.
Report Post »An “irratiaonal fear” of homosexuals is limited to people who freak out and run everytime they see a gay guy or Rosy O’Donell
DimmuBorgir
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 1:51pmI’d run from here for fear of being gobbled up
Report Post »DimmuBorgir
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 10:52amAnd it’s too bad that being oppsed to same sex marriage is such poison for this GOP candidate. If he wants to change marriage to include the gays, he should run with a (D) by his name.
Report Post »BetterDays
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 10:48amWhen I first read this my initial thought was that NOM was a “false front” organization for the democrats/SOROS so I did some homework before I posted. NOM is run by one Brian S. Brown, President
Brian S. Brown serves as President of the National Organization for Marriage. Prior to coming to NOM, Brian was the executive director of the Family Institute of Connecticut. During the five years he was with the Family Institute, he developed it into one of the largest statewide pro-family organizations in the Northeast.
Brian is a C. Phil. at UCLA in American History, earned his B.A./M.A. in Modern History at Oxford University, and received his B.A. in History from Whittier College
Report Post »I could find no ties between Mr. Brown and the Democratic apparatis or SOROS, but I only did a direct name only pelimanary search. That being said such a quick search is normally all that is needed to bring up the ties that I was seeking.
That being said, Mr. Brown is apparently a well meaning, if uncooth assistant, he ment to help but instead he has hindered. His error, not asking how he could help, and just doing. Perhaps MR. Brown and his organization should inquire how they can help campagins in the future, instead of useing the “bull in a china shop” plan?
SeekerEmerald
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 10:58amBut, then again, maybe this whole thing is designed to generate the backlash which can then be responeded to, which then results in free press and airtime?
I’m not suggesting Hale had anything to do with this, but maybe this is doing “more good than harm than good?
I’m probably overthinking it… I know… just a thought…
Report Post »moriarty70
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 5:05pmPeople who tracked the California Prop 8 case know the name of this organization and know that this is not a “false front” or secret arm of the progressives. They were firmly on the side of the proposition but couldn’t bring any evidence to the case other than “well, I heard it’s bad and hurts kids”. When asked for proof they couldn’t provide any.
Report Post »StonyBurk
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 10:47amIt is Never a good Idea for anyone to put someone else’s name on their advocacy. That being said -Marriage = one man and one woman. There is no just cause to change the definition of marriage to
Report Post »accommodate the reprobate.Same sex marriage- unions= Fraud and fornication.We need to get back to
Noah Websters idea for selection of our leaders.(Just/ honest men who will rule in fear of God)
wingedwolf
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 10:42amHe should sue. He should make just as big a deal as Ms. Alred is making by suing for the week’s unpaid wages of an illegal worker fired by Ms. Whitman, which firing complied with the existing law which penalizes employers for hiring illegals. These latest tactics by lefties of misrepresentation of the facts and outright lies needs to start having consequences. Isn’t there some requirement to inform under whose authorization political commercials. etc. are produced? I would get on that sooooo fast, their heads would spin.
Report Post »Bullcop34
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 10:55amThat would be a great way to take it back too them…..it’s just that most every lawyer out there that takes up the battle to sue another for “damages” is a liberal.
Report Post »DimmuBorgir
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 10:42amand i’m seriously annoyed with the term Homophobe.
since when is not agreeing with something the same as being afraid of it??
if i disagree with building webs and eating bugs does that make me an arachnophobe??
pretty sure the qualifier in there is being afraid of something.
Report Post »Handsome Pete
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 11:27amBravo! That word has been bugging me since the 90′s.
Report Post »roninshaman
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 11:31amI’m a Jihadiphobe and a Progessivephobe.
Report Post »seayalater73
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 11:49amI suffer from Mediabiasophobia. I think I‘ll file for workman’s comp…
Report Post »joetrain
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 12:31pmAMEN, I’m not afraid of an efeminate man in bottomless chaps riding a genetalia shaped float down mainstreet, but I reserve the right to laugh wholeheartedly at the obsurdity of it. I don’t care what you do in your bedroom, or how many sheep or old San Fransickos you do it with. Just get out of my way, I have a job and I’m late for work. I wonder how much tax money funds those floats? Just a thought.
Report Post »DimmuBorgir
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 1:46pmSWEET
i actually got replies that agree with me :)
Report Post »Ch
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 10:40amYou know [incumbent Rep. Jeffrey McCabe, D] put out this flier…it’s a cinch.
Report Post »pmjme
Posted on October 8, 2010 at 12:45amSure smells…
Report Post »DimmuBorgir
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 10:39amagain with the gays?
Report Post »MAULEMALL
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 11:18amThey are the soup of the day it seems…
Report Post »mizflame98
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 9:29pmSome of these mercenary groups will really do more harm than good to candidates we desperately need. They need to think before they act.
Report Post »letmykidsbfree
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 10:36amthe Fabian Society revealed by Kevin Rudd to China…Pass it on put it on your FB share share share.
Report Post »tell your neighbors to wake up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjhFfEG4t84
walkwithme1966
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 12:50pmGees – do you believe every video that is on the internet – give me a break!!! http://wp.me/pYLB7-bg
Report Post »FSUDAVE
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 12:51pmHow can they talk so openly about this? It must be a lot further along if they don’t even fear any repercussions.
Report Post »FSUDAVE
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 1:18pmThe man that translates this says it is in HIS own words. Since I don’t know Australian, I wonder if he translated it correctly or his interpertation?
Report Post »NRABIBLETHUMPER
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 1:49pmIt is fake, the guy even admits it was for humor. It’s all a joke…
don’t forward without investigation…….
Report Post »awakenowtoo
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 2:07pmThis video was a hoax, supposedly someone trying to be funny. And someone showing really poor judgement.
Report Post »flamedone1968
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 2:12pmA link to a fake video… what game of misinformation are you playing?
Report Post »heidi586
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 10:36amBad deal…but here is his chance to turn lemons into lemonaid. Free newspaper and air time – don’t go on defense; just get your free face time to tell what you do stand for. Wouldn’t be surprised to learn the organization that printed the flyer is part of his opponents team.
Report Post »wingedwolf
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 10:54amWell said, great advice! LOL
Report Post »americanfirst
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 12:09pmThat is exactly right. For all he knows his opponent piad for the flier to defame him.
Report Post »You don’t let someone else define you – YOU define yourself.
Tell them what you stand for. Period! You have a great opportunity…
klstj
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 4:10pmI agree, this was probably the work of opponents. They’re even posing as tea party and conservatives. Put nothing past them…everything is on the line. Get these mobsters out before they do more harm.11/2 …mark your calendar and your history book!
Report Post »tobywil2
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 10:35amThe “Wannabe Tyrants” will publicize the irrelevant using their “preponderance of the propaganda” to avoid a discussion of the issues. Pay no attention to the smoke screen. http://commonsense21c.com/
Report Post »Alan
Posted on October 7, 2010 at 12:03pmSo, Tobywil2, are you a lefty equating the right to tyrants, or are you a righty, equating the left to tyrants? Cause that blog didn’t make sense as it stands.
Report Post »*************************
Posted on October 8, 2010 at 3:06amOh, the blog makes perfect sense. If you’re going to fight evil, you fight any evil that comes along.
Hale SHOULD have said “Great campaign idea! Wish I’d thought of it!” and promptly hired the company that made those fliers.
Hale and the Republicans are nothing but Democrat-lite. Both are the PROBLEM in America. And if Maine’s citizens think so well of perverts (who deserve the death penalty, mind you — yes, it’s THAT serious a crime), THEY are the problem, too.
Wake up, people. Half measures won’t cut it:
1 Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, That it cannot save;
Report Post »Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear.
2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God;
And your sins have hidden His face from you,
So that He will not hear.
3 For your hands are defiled with blood,
And your fingers with iniquity;
Your lips have spoken lies,
Your tongue has muttered perversity.
4 NO ONE CALLS FOR JUSTICE,
NOR DOES ANY PLEAD FOR TRUTH.