Old media, blogosphere reaction to IVA transition

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Bryan Fischer, Executive Director

MEDIA, BLOGOSPHERE REACTION TO IVA TRANSITION

It’s been an instructive experience to watch the left-wing media and blogosphere digest the news that the IVA is in a time of transition as I prepare to assume a new role with the American Family Association in Tupelo, Mississippi.

In the blog entries below, I am blamed for some mythical wave of violence in Idaho, resulting supposedly from my hate-spewing rhetoric, even though one of the writers is honest enough to admit there is no evidence of any connection whatsoever between my social commentary and any act of violence anywhere.

But this does give us all a peek into the mindset of homosexual activists: for them, disagreement is hatred, and they want to shut down anybody who disagrees with them. They will use the hysterically false accusation that critics of homosexuality are responsible for inciting violence merely by disagreeing with them about the morality and health of homosexual behavior.

Both bloggers – Sen. Nicole LeFavour and NewWest writer Jill Kuraitis – blame me for some imaginary wave of teen suicides. But as Adam Graham points out in response, the teenage suicide rate is higher in the Mecca of homosexuality, San Francisco, than in Idaho.

STATESMAN: NOPE, NO BIAS HERE

The Idaho Statesman’s first story on my departure was posted on its website on Monday, written by Brian Murphy. It included this very kind quote from Democrat Senator Kate Kelly, with whom I often disagreed on legislative matters: “The political process requires a lot of voices and a lot of points of view. Bryan was certainly educated and articulate, always gracious and polite. While a lot of the time I didn’t agree with his positions, it’s definitely part of the political process.”

My relationship with Sen. Kelly has always been cordial and mutually respectful, and I am enormously grateful to her for her kind words.

But the fact that one of the state’s leading liberal political figures said something complimentary about someone who is supposed to constantly spew hate, venom and vitriol was apparently just too much for the Statesman’s editorial staff to take.

When the print version of the story appeared the next day, Sen. Kelly’s gracious words had disappeared from the story altogether, and were replaced by this quote from openly lesbian legislator, Sen. Nicole LeFavour: “When you create an environment that perpetuates hate towards a group of people, there can be real consequences.”

Nope, no bias here.

It was almost humorous to read Kevin Richert’s blog post about my departure. First off, he criticizes me this way: “Fischer was the type of person with an opinion about everything, and a penchant for getting ink and airtime.”

But he promotes his own blog, under his picture to the right of this comment about me, by saying, “Editorial Page Editor Kevin Richert always has an opinion about something. Check out his daily comments on politics and Idaho issues.” Words about pots and kettles come to mind.

He criticizes me for not running a true “blog” since the IVA website does not take comments. What he fails to mention is that we maintained a comment section for a long time, but eventually dropped it because of the toxic stream of nasty, profane, hate-filled and blasphemous posts made by folks who consider themselves the very paragons of tolerance.

We created the “Comment” section to foster community dialogue, but the hatemongers on the left were not interested in discussion and debate, only in vomiting up true hate speech.

My good friend Adam Graham wrote a very kind rebuttal to the attack pieces written by Sen. LeFavour and Ms. Kuraitis, and I would encourage you to read it.

Here are links to some of the media and blogosphere reaction:

IVA IN THE NEWS

Let's start talking about 'pro-family' politics | Voices.IdahoStatesman.com

Bryan Fischer is leaving Idaho | Idaho Statesman

Pro-family activist Bryan Fischer leaving Idaho to host talk show | Idaho Statesman

Idaho Values Alliance director Fischer leaves for radio show in Mississippi; organization will go into 'whisper' mode Idaho Press-Tribune

Spokesman.com | Blogs | Huckleberries Online | IVA: No Justification For Tiller Murder

IVA IN THE BLOGOSPHERE

Old and New Left: The Condescending v. The Despicable | Adam's Blog

Notes From The Floor: Without Fischer: Less Violence

Editorial: Fischer’s Fanaticism is Leaving Idaho | Jill Kuraitis | Boise | New West Boise

IVA's Bryan Fischer Gets AFA Promotion | Right Wing Watch

Ridenbaugh Press/Northwest » The Fischer transition

Fischer Was the Go-To “Conservative” for Idaho Media | Sharon Fisher | Boise | New West Boise

IVA SIGNS LETTER URGING TRADITIONAL FILIBUSTER OF SONIA SOTOMAYOR

The IVA is a signatory on a letter urging Sen. Mitch McConnell and other leading Repu

blican senators to lead a full and vigorous debate “that highlights all the issues that come to the fore” over the merits of Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination to the Supreme Court.

Other signers include Tom Minnery (Focus on the Family), Gary Bauer, Grover Norquist (Americans for Tax Reform), David Keene (American Conservative Union), Mark Levin, Wendy Wright (Concerned Women for America), Michael Farris (Home School Legal Defense Association), Mat Staver (Liberty Counsel), Brent Bozell (Media Research Center), and many, many others.

Mouth Of The Potomac - NY Daily News

KUDOS TO GOV. OTTER FOR IMMIGRATION STAND

Gov. Otter, with the help of Sen. Mike Jorgenson, issued an executive order yesterday directing all state agencies to make sure that jobs funded by stimulus money go only to legal residents of the Un

ited States.

Contractors and subcontractors on state projects likewise must demonstrate that their workers are legal. Said Jorgenson, “In this economy, with 53,000 people unemployed around the state, we have to eliminate the possibility of illegals getting jobs. This way, we’ll spend the money the way it was meant to be spent.”

The order also directs the Department of Correction and the Commission for Pardons and Paroles to ensure that any illegal alien prisoners in Idaho’s system are deported after their sentences.

Said Jorgenson, “The governor is taking the lead protecting Idaho citizens. It’s an outstanding move.”

Next year, we hope that the legislature will pass Sen. Jorgenson’s bill that will require all Idaho employers to use the E-Verify internet database to validate the legal residency of every new hire.

Idaho agencies must show workers are legal if they want federal economic stimulus money | News Updates | Idaho Statesman