“Pam’s House Blend”: “Always Steamin’” Because It’s Made from Toxic, Old Crap.

Things always taste sour over at Pam’s House Blend.  But lately, all Pam is serving up over there is a “blend” of ignorance and name-calling.

Pam absolutely loathes Log Cabin Republicans…and that’s fine.  We understand that.  We’re okay with that.  We’re big boys and girls.

But, like many angry Democrats who refuse to understand where Log Cabin Republicans are coming from or what we do on a daily basis, Pam resorts to the same familiar lines about Log Cabin when her steam runs out–and that’s often.

Sarcastically recounting Sen. John McCain’s previous statement that he was “unashamed, unembarrassed and proud” to meet with Log Cabin Republicans, Pam says, “Guess that and low taxes are good enough for them.”

Yes, Pam.  We’re Republicans because we like low taxes.  We’re also Jews for Hitler, Auntie Toms, and whatever other choice phrases you and your readers like to call us.

Pam, why don’t you give me a ring sometime?  Over the years, we’ve received much smarter insults than the ones you use when you’re too intellectually lazy to argue on the merits of the issue at hand.  I’d be happy to share them with you so your audience doesn’t have to suffer through the “tax cut” bit again.

Better yet, give me a call so we can go to lunch next time you’re in DC.  You obviously have no clue about the work that many of our dedicated members are trying to do each and every day to make the GOP a more tolerable place for gay and lesbian Americans.  I’d be more than happy to tell you about it.

Perhaps then, even despite our ideological and partisan differences, you might not have such disgust in your heart and mind for 25% of your fellow LGBT Americans who vote Republican.

Maybe (just maybe) you might even thank us for the work we do.

-posted by Scott Tucker

Posted: June 30th, 2008 under Democrats, Elections, GOP Progress, In the News, Log Cabin In Focus, On the Lighter Side.
Comments: none

It is always disappointing to see members of the GLBT community so blinded by the “R” after a lawmaker’s name that they can’t tell the difference between friend and foe.  In an article which freely admits that “measured by words spoken, legislation sponsored, events attended and miles traveled, there can be only one conclusion about Sen. Gordon Smith: He loves the gay community,” the Oregonian reports that “some gay-rights advocates question the Oregon senator’s commitment.” Log Cabin President Patrick Sammon answers their doubts, calling Smith

“somebody who understands our country needs to do more to treat gay and lesbian citizens the same as every other person in this country…He’s been a strong ally and a strong advocate.” Read more here.

Ironically, the Oregonian article comes only one day after Sen. Smith took to the pages of the conservative Washington Times to argue for the passage of the HIV Nondiscrimination in Travel and Immigration Act, which would end the policy forbidding people with HIV or AIDS from entering the United States. As a leading sponsor of the bill, Gordon writes,

“There is no excuse for a law that goes out of its way to stigmatize a particular disease and separate parents from children, sisters from brothers, and people of all stripes from their work, travel and dreams of a better life.” Read the whole thing here.

This measure has been included in the Senate version of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) reauthorization bill. Contact your Senators and encourage them to join Sen. Smith in ending this disgusting, embarrassing policy.

-posted by Casey Pick

Posted: June 26th, 2008 under Democrats, Elections, GOP Heroes, In the News, Log Cabin In Focus.
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This just in from Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council:

While liberals like to talk about “rights,” it is becoming ever clearer that those rights are only reserved for whomever the Democrats deem deserving.  Men in dresses, homosexuals, and statutory rapists who bring underage children in for an abortion all deserve special rights.  However, unborn children, Christians and conservative radio hosts do not.

At some point, you begin to wonder whether these people actually believe the things they say.  Get a grip.

-posted by Scott Tucker

Posted: June 26th, 2008 under From the Right, In the News, On the Lighter Side.
Comments: none

The Liberty Education Forum has known for years that the answer to the question, “do people choose their sexual orientation?” is critical to achieving equality for gay and lesbian Americans.  As marriages go forward in California this month, the LA Times has an interesting article about the science of sexual orientation, or as they put it, the scientific effort to determine “what does gay look like?“  For a more thorough examination of the evidence that sexual orientation is not chosen, see LEF’s new white paper, “Is It a Choice? The Science of Sexual Orientation.”

-posted by Casey Pick

Posted: June 23rd, 2008 under In the News.
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Log Cabin Republicans is pleased to note that federal Department of Justice employees held their first Pride event in five years at the department’s Great Hall this week.  The event was able to take place this year because U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey in January revised the equal-employment-opportunity policy barring discrimination in the department.  For more information, click here.

-posted by Casey Pick

Posted: June 23rd, 2008 under GOP Progress, In the News.
Comments: none

We go into the toughest environments to be gay or lesbian – in this case, the Texas State Republican Convention, home of perhaps the most anti-gay party platform in the nation – and we make the case for freedom and fairness, using political savvy, personal stories… and sometimes, free pizza.  LCR President Patrick Sammon reports back, saying:

For three hours, Log Cabin members served 1,100 hundred slices of pizza and 10 cases of soda.  We expected 50 people.  500 showed up before the night was over. They appreciated our hospitality and learned about our work.  Only a few people left the reception after finding out about Log Cabin’s work (they usually took their slices of pizza with them).  Others knew Log Cabin’s mission & came to offer their support.  Others understood Log Cabin’s mission and came to ask questions or challenge our agenda.

We have a similar opportunity at the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis but we need your support to make it happen. Before I tell you more about what we’re planning in Minneapolis, here are some highlights from my conversations at the Log Cabin reception in Houston…

Click here to read more… and nice work, Log Cabin-Dallas!

-posted by Casey Pick

Posted: June 20th, 2008 under Action Alert, Chapter News, Elections, Log Cabin In Focus.
Comments: none

Today, as joyous Californian couples celebrate their loves and lives with legally recognized marriages, everybody is aware that tears of joy could turn to sorrow in November with the passage of an anti-marriage constitutional amendment.  Log Cabin Republicans is committed to seeing that that does not happen.  Today, President Patrick Sammon issued a challenge to our community.

Every LGBT American has an obligation to step forward during this important time. Victory will be determined by what of each of us does to help the effort. Some might go door to door or give speeches to community groups or call talk radio stations. Others may write a check. Others might simply have a conversation with a friend, a family member, or even a stranger.

Think about how you can help this effort. Everyone must step forward in big and small ways to help this cause. It doesn’t matter if you’re from California or Connecticut or Sacramento or Savannah. This is the fight of our generation—now is the time. If not this, what? If not now, when?

Read more at Advocate.com.

-Posted by Casey Pick

Posted: June 17th, 2008 under Action Alert, Elections, In the News, Log Cabin In Focus.
Comments: none

Associated Press: “Dems reluctant to take on “don’t ask, don’t tell”

-posted by Scott Tucker

Posted: June 13th, 2008 under Democrats, Elections, From the Right, In the News, Log Cabin In Focus, On the Lighter Side.
Comments: none

Clearly, Log Cabin is an uncommonly unique political organization.  To many on the left, the phrase “gay Republican” is such an oxymoron that their self-professed and self-congratulated “tolerance” flies right out the window. 

Admittedly, Log Cabin is a tough organization to define in traditional political terms.  We have members who think we are too liberal.  We have members who think we are too conservative.  And of course, we have non-members who think we are just crazy.

Any attempt at defining Log Cabin would have run into trouble last night at an event we hosted honoring Senator Susan Collins of Maine.  In a classic sense, she is the “fiscal conservative and social moderate” that now represents the largest share of the American electorate.  (How many times have you heard someone, someplace, self-describe their political views as “fiscally conservative, but socially moderate…”?   Next time you hear that phrase, think of Susan Collins.  She lives it every day, and we are very proud to call her our friend.)

As Senator Collins concluded her remarks last night to those gathered, another United States Senator dropped by to express his support and friendship for his colleague.  Dr. Tom Coburn, the junior senator from Oklahoma, spoke with great praise of Susan Collins.  Said Coburn: “I always come to a fundraiser for Susan Collins.  The Senate needs more people like her, and I’m proud to call her my friend.”

As I watched this scene develop, I was so proud of Log Cabin, proud of the work we are doing, and the people on the front lines making this happen.  Here were two members of the Republican caucus in the Senate, with one of the most conservative members warmly and genuinely praising one of the most centrist members.  And it all happened at a Log Cabin Republican event.

Many of you are probably scratching your heads, “Coburn at a Log Cabin event?  What is the world coming to?”  The reality is he’s been at several of our events, and has always taken our call. 

Log Cabin lobbied Senator Coburn several years ago when the Ryan White reauthorization was being debated in Congress.  Senator Coburn took the lead on that bill, and his credentials both as a physician and as a conservative, helped many on the fence to vote in favor of the bill. 

It’s true we disagree with Senator Coburn on a host of topics and issues.  But in politics, you find allies where you can.  HIV funding issues are far too important to throw away because of monolithic political views.  The millions of people who benefit from Ryan White and other HIV funding legislation would likely agree.

The reality is that because we have a friendship with Senator Coburn, those other issues are always on the table.  We believe that LGBT issues are indeed conservative, born out of limited government, individual liberty and personal responsibility.  We will keep trying to make this case to Senator Coburn, and others.  And we are very proud to know Senator Collins is on our side in this effort.

After all, is that not what this movement is about?  Aren’t we all supposed to be “out there” working to change the hearts of minds of the people we meet in our lives?  That is what Log Cabin does.  It’s often hard work, too, not because of the Republicans we encounter, but because many intellectually lazy people on the political left prefer we don’t succeed. 

Last night was just a small example, but it highlighted again that Log Cabin’s role in this movement is important and has been effective.  To our friends and supporters, be proud of your involvement with Log Cabin.  To our opponents, feel free to say thank you.

-posted by John Sinovic

Posted: June 12th, 2008 under Chapter News, Democrats, Elections, From the Right, GOP Heroes, In the News, Log Cabin In Focus, On the Lighter Side.
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Last night, Log Cabin Republicans hosted a fundraiser in Washington, DC for one of our endorsed Senate allies, Susan Collins (R-ME)…pictured here at the event with Log Cabin president Patrick Sammon and U.S. Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK), who surprised the crowd by stopping by to express his support for Sen. Collins.

Sen. Collins has been one of Log Cabin’s strongest allies in the Senate.  She’s a true friend to LGBT Americans.  She’s a strong supporter of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and is a co-sponsor of the hate crimes bill.  She opposed the anti-family federal marriage amendment and has been a leader in the Senate on HIV/AIDS funding. 

Recently, Sen. Collins pressed Joint Chiefs Chairman Michael Mullen on the harmful “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law.  During a Senate hearing, she expressed to Admiral Mullen growing concern that the loss of gay service members under the law is harming our nation’s security.

-posted by Scott Tucker

Posted: June 12th, 2008 under Chapter News, Elections, From the Right, GOP Heroes, In the News, Log Cabin In Focus, On the Lighter Side.
Comments: none