First of all I do not want to wish this militant anti-gay group anything good and I am sure the thousands of gay residents living in Miami Dade County don't want to welcome anyone to the Christian Family Coalition Dinner. And I am sure County Commissioners Dennis Moss, Jean Monestime and State Rep. Illeana Ros Lehtinen wish this letter was never written on their behalf.
All Carlos Gimenez had to do was write "residents" without thenumber: 2.5 million. It insults all of us who do not ascribe to the beliefs of this group. The Christian Family Coalition is Anti-Gay and hurls insults at anyone that disagrees with them - Like Dennis Moss and Illeana.
Here is a statement released by the group:
"The United States Senate voted 68-29 in favor of a so-called "hate crimes" provision part of the extremist homosexual agenda to silence Christians and people of faith and use the government to marginalize anyone whose faith is at odds with homosexuality! This legislation clearly violates the principle of equal justice under the law and infringes on the free speech rights of ALL Americans!
The passage of this bill enshrines hate, bigotry, intolerance and discrimination into federal law.
Dangerous homosexual extremists who try to manipulate public opinion by playing the so-called victims who need special legal protections are truly the VICTIMIZERS who promote HATE, BIGOTRY, INTOLERANCE and DISCRIMINATION against anyone who dares to speak up against their agenda and shares an opinion different from theirs." (their caps, not mine)
Readers: This law they are describing is to stop people from beating up on people just because they are homosexuals. The US Senate, that can't agree on much of anything, passed this law by a wide margin because it was the right thing to do.
You have to hit on this press release to read it. It really should be read by every friggin' politican in Miami Dade County who goes to this group for an endorsement. You should be ashamed, Democrats and Republicans alike. This press release is a travesty.
Yeah, I really don't have much use for Congresswoman Ilena Ros-Lehtinen but I would never call her corrupt like the Christian Family Coaltion did in this press release. Corrupt is a very harsh word. I never called Natacha Seijas corrupt, I don't even think I ever called David Rivera corrupt. Hell, this is a blog and if I am not using that word I'm damn sure that a group that calls itself 'Christian' should NOT be calling a Congresswoman corrupt. Lets look at the meaning: Having or showing a willingness to act dishonestly in return for money.
Why is the Christian Family Coalition calling the Congresswoman corrupt? Because of a vote Ileana Ros-Lehtinen cast that they didn't like. If I used the same barometer, every single politician whoever served anywhere in Miami Dade County would be corrupt, including Katy Sorenson. Katy cast a few votes I didn't like. I am just not that extreme.
There are always going to be some votes I won't like that is life. Granted the Christian Family Coalition are pretty much a two trick pony, their issues are Anti-gay and Anti-choice and their mouth piece is Anthony Verdugo (If he disappeared so would the group). I do recognize that with only 2 issues, the group would put great importance on a vote they didn't like. But there is a way to phrase displeasure that is not hateful and vengeful. Especially if you want to act like a real Christian.
I, of course, am following a lot more issues. Some votes I get madder at than others. I just put the politician on my shit list. But I still don't call them corrupt.
Frankly, I am shocked that any politician or judge would want to be endorsed by a group that releases threatening, nasty press releases against fellow politicians and sitting judges. Be strong public figures: stand firm and boycott this group when they reach out to you. You owe it to U.S. Congresswoman Ilena Ros-Lehtinen and to County Commissioner Dennis Moss.I wrote about the CFC's nasty press release on Dennis Moss on Saturday. Also, do it for the judges. In a Press Release from the CFC dated 9/22/2010 (in response to the 3rd DCA opinion upholding Judge Lederman in the Gil adoption case) Anthony Verdugo said:
"Corrupt Appeals Judges VIOLATE Oath of Office, Irrationally Attack Law Protectng Children! Florida Voters: Lawless Judges Must Be Impeached!"
Whoa! I implore every reader to send an email or call their county commissioner, their city officials and their State officials: Tell them "Don't go for a Christian Family Coalition endorsement." If a politician comes to your door, ask them if they have the CFC endorsement or if they have gone to a Christian Family Coalition meeting to speak. If they have, say thank you and close the door.
There is a way to behave and even I behave better than this...hard to believe. Read the damn press release! and hit on the link.
To see an older list from 2010 who supported/was supported by the CFC, hit read more:
I DID NOT WRITE THE FOLLOWING, ONLY THE WORDS IN CAPS ARE MINE. THIS IS QUOTED FROM A PRESS RELEASE FROM THAT WACKY GUY VERDUGO OF THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY COALITION. (I LIKE CJ AND I LIKE DENNIS MOSS... HIS POSITIONS I LIKE MOST OF THE TIME. IN THIS CASE I AGREE WITH DENNIS MOSS):
"Homosexualist "leader" loses credibility
trying to cover up hate and discrimination!
His "Official Statement" undermines his credibility"
(IS HOMOSEXUALIST EVEN A WORD?)
"The "head" of local homosexualist group "SAVE Dade", exposed his brazen bigotry and intolerance of Christians by trying to cover up hate and discrimination against the residents of Miami-Dade County, alerts today the Christian Family Coalition, Florida's premiere human rights and social justice organization. (WHAT?...BRAZEN BIGOTRY?)
C.J. Ortuno, who bills himself as being "anti-discrimination," issued an "official statement" released on the March 6th, 2013 Miami Herald blog calling County Com. Dennis Moss "a leader who wants to ensure every Miami-Dade resident is treated with the same rights and respect." Does C.J. really believe that? Why is he covering up the facts? The facts speak quite differently.
On Tuesday, December 4th, as CFC successfully got the Miami-Dade County Commssion to restore legislative invocations, or prayers, at all County Commission meetings, Moss lost all control and defamed his own community along with CFC members and supporters by disrespectfully calling prayer ordinance supporters "racist, anti-immigrant and h---phobic", whatever that last slur means."
VERDUGO CLEARLY KNOWS WHAT THE QUOTE MEANS. DENNIS MOSS GAVE EXAMPLES FROM PAST ENCOUNTERS WITH THE CFC, AND THE HISTORY OF THE CC/CFC, EXPLAINING FULLY HIS REASONING. LYNDA BELL, JOHN DUBOIS, A GOOD BUT MISGUIDED JUDGE, AMONG OTHERS LIKE MIGUEL DIAZ DE LA PORTILLA AND ERIK FRESEN, WERE ENDORSED BY THIS VERDUGO GROUP. HOLY CRAP! THERE IS MORE TO THIS PRESS RELEASE:
"Homosexualist "leader" C.J. Ortuno sadly lost all credibility by brazenly trying to cover up for Com. Moss' blatant act of hate, defamation, and discrimination at last December 4th's Commission meeting. It is deeply troubling and offensive that Mr. Ortuno would deliberately ignore the facts and dishonestly attempted to justify the unjustifiable.
Given the opportunity to do the right thing, Mr. Ortuno turned his back on his own community and betrayed the very values of equality and respect he so angrily demands for himself. Certainly, he does not speak for most of the members and supporters of the group he leads, who may not agree with CFC, but that certainly do not condone disrespect, defamation, or discrimination of any kind, against anyone."
OMG, HERE IS WHAT CJ OF "SAVE DADE" SAID THAT IS SO OFFENSIVE TO VERDUGO (SEEMS LIKE A VOICE OF REASON):
SAVE Dade expresses deep concern over the recent actions taken at the Miami-Dade Commission meeting by the Christian Family Coaliftion. It is truly unfortunate and highly offensive that Mr. Verdugo continues to target Commissioner Moss for his leadership on ensuring every Miami-Dade resident is treated with the same rights and respect. We also commend Chairwoman Rebecca Sosa for her efforts to maintain decorum and ensure that respect is shown by all when addressing the Commission. We look forward to the work ahead as SAVE Dade continues the fight to safeguard the values and rights of every resident of Miami-Dade County.
POLITICIANS WHY DO YOU GIVE VERDUGO CREDIBILITY? DO NOT GO THERE FOR ENDORSEMENTS. RENOUNCE YOUR CFC ENDORSEMENT IF YOU HAVE ONE. I LOVE CHRISTIANS. I AM A CHRISTIAN. THIS IS NOT CHRISTIAN SPEAK. CFC JUST HAPPENS TO HAVE THE WORD "CHRISTIAN" IN ITS NAME.
Former candidates for District 8, Annette Taddeo (above at a Flinn fundraiser), Pam Gray, and Jason Culler are endorsing Mayor Eugene Flinn. Also the two environmental groups mentioned Thursday, Clean Water Action and Sierra Club are in support. He has the 3 mayors: Paul Vrooman, Philip Stoddard and Cindy Lerner who have signed on. Three of the good County Commissioners (hold the UDB line) Sally Heyman, Carlos Gimenez and Dennis Moss also support Flinn. He has the Miami Herald, the Community Newspaper and Eye on Miami in his corner. He also has Katy Sorenson's endorsement. Lynda Bell, his opponent, I would suppose has the support of Christian Family Coalition. Not sure of who else is in her corner as it was not on her website.
