Son Of Frothy Mix Busted For DUI

CNN reports:

Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum's son was arrested and charged last month with driving while intoxicated after registering an initial blood-alcohol level almost twice the legal limit. Richard John Santorum, Jr., known as John, was stopped at a DUI checkpoint in suburban Virginia at about midnight on July 11, according to court papers. "Upon contact, I detected the odor of alcoholic beverages and the accused had glassy eyes and slurred speech," a police officer wrote in Santorum's criminal complaint. During his field sobriety tests, the 22-year-old Citadel cadet "showed specific signs of impairment," according to the complaint.

The Santorum campaign has declined to comment.

SAN FRANCISCO: Archbishop Decrees That Catholic Staffers Must Not Masturbate

Via the SF Gate:

The conservative Roman Catholic archbishop of San Francisco has developed a new document for Catholic high school faculty and staff clarifying that sex outside of marriage, homosexual relations, the viewing of pornography and masturbation are “gravely evil.” Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone’s document applies to faculty and staff at four Catholic high schools: Riordan and Sacred Heart in San Francisco, Marin Catholic in Kentfield and Serra High School in San Mateo. It states that administrators, faculty and staff “affirm and believe” the controversial statements, which will be part of the faculty handbook. The document goes on to say that marriage is between “one man and one woman,” despite California law allowing same-sex marriages. It also notes that sperm donation, the use of a surrogate and other forms of “artificial reproductive technology” are also gravely evil.

Cordileone, who was arrested for drunk driving in 2012, is considered by some to be the "father" of Proposition 8. Last year he led NOM's hate march against same-sex marriage.

UPDATE: Students have launched a petition against the new "morality" edicts.

We call on the Archbishop to cease his efforts to institute outdated and discriminatory “morality clauses,” to retain workplace protections and to allow Catholic school teachers to focus on the work they are doing to educate thousands of Bay Area children. The proposed changes directly contradict the Pope’s teachings, the Catholic values of inclusion and diversity, and the free and open exchange of ideas, which is the hallmark of a good education. They create a culture of fear that denies staff the right to follow their own individual consciences and harms students. As people of faith who value education, equality and freedom of conscience, we ask the Archbishop to remove this language immediately.

KENTUCKY: GOP Pol Claims Immunity From DUI Arrest Due To 1891 Law

GOP Kentucky state Sen. Brandon Smith wants his DUI charge dismissed because an 1891 amendment to the state constitution bars the arrest of lawmakers while the legislature is in session.

Smith was arrested and charged with DUI on Jan. 6, the first day of the 2015 legislative session. Smith had a .088 percent blood alcohol level in a portable breath test, according to a citation filed in Franklin County Circuit court. A person is presumed drunk when the alcohol to blood ratio is .08 and above. But attorney Bill Johnson has filed a motion to dismiss the charges citing section 43 of the Kentucky Constitution which states that "members of the General Assembly shall, in all cases except treason, felony, breach of surety of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance on the sessions of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same." "If you can't arrest them, then you can't try them," Johnson said. That language was added to the constitution in 1891. Johnson said the purpose was to "keep legislators from being bothered by people who would arrest them during sessions."

Smith made his JMG debut last summer when he declared that climate change is a hoax because the temperature on Mars "is exactly as it is here." He also broke the news that there are no coal mines on Mars.

Buzzfeed Writer: I'm In Bieber Hell

Buzzfeed writer Ryan Broderick took a screenshot of his TweetDeck feed, which today is almost entirely Justin Bieber mugshots. (Via Business Insider)

Unshocking Headline Of The Day

Details.

Anti-DUI Prank

Going viral with 1.5M views today. Clip recap:

Pranks typically have little depth to them other than terrifying some unfortunate soul or, in the case of pranks featured in viral marketing campaigns, trying to capture our attention for long enough to convince us to buy something. This prank, however, serves a much greater purpose. The anonymous prankee is taken to a "hospital bed" after passing out in his truck while driving back from a night of heavy drinking. His "Doctor" informs him that he went into a coma after crashing his vehicle, one that he has been in for 10 years. Whether this convinces the man to not drink and drive again remains to be seen, though pranker Tom Mabe certainly got his message across loud and clear.

The 2023 news report on the hospital TV is worth waiting for.

MARYLAND: Anti-Gay State Rep Gets Light Sentence For Two DUI Convictions

You may recall that last year, after he drunkenly crashed his boat, injuring six people (including children), Maryland state Rep. Don Dwyer blamed his alcoholism on being upset about the passage of gay marriage. And he went out and got yet another DUI, this time in his car. You'd think that the sentence for two DUIs would be more than 60 days, but you'd be wrong.

Del. Don Dwyer Jr. of Anne Arundel County was sentenced Friday to 60 days in jail — to be served on weekends — on charges of drinking and boating and drunken driving in separate incidents. In issuing the sentence Judge Emory Plitt, a retired Harford County judge who was brought in to hear Dwyer's cases in Anne Arundel Circuit Court, admonished the delegate, saying public servants must be held to a high standard for their actions. "We hold ourselves out to the public as their representatives," Plitt said. The judge said he had no doubt about Dwyer's guilt in both cases. "He was driving both times. He was drinking both times. Let's just face the facts," Plitt said. Plitt sentenced Dwyer, 55, to one year in jail, with all but 30 days suspended, for operating a boat under the influence. He also sentenced him to another 30 days for a charge of driving a vehicle while impaired, a charge Dwyer pleaded guilty to Friday morning.

Sixty days is a "higher standard"?

RELATED: In 2011 Dwyer sat next to Maggie Gallagher during Maryland's marriage equality hearings, telling the committee that any state delegate that testified in favor of the bill should be "arrested for perjury" because saying that gay people deserve equality "is a lie and they know it." During the hearings Dwyer presented documents from the SPLC-certified hate group, MassResistance, claiming that gay activists want to introduce sadomasochism to grade school children. Dwyer also recorded an anti-gay robocall for NOM.

Another Drunk Driving Catholic Bishop

Bishop Robert McManus of the Diocese of Worchester, Massachusetts was arrested in Rhode Island last night and charged with drunk driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and refusing a Breathlyzer test.

McManus is to be arraigned Tuesday in district court in Wakefield, R.I. “I made a terrible error in judgment by driving after having consumed alcohol with dinner,” McManus said in the statement. “There is no excuse for the mistake I made, only a commitment to make amends and accept the consequences of my action.” “More importantly,” he said, “I ask forgiveness from the good people whom I serve, as well as my family and friends, in the Diocese of Worcester and the Diocese of Providence.” Pope John Paul II appointed McManus as the fifth bishop of the Worcester diocese in 2004.

Last year McManus forced Anna Marie College to cancel a commencement address by Sen. Ted Kennedy's widow, allegedly because of her support for marriage equality. (Tipped by JMG reader Allen)

RELATED: San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone was arrested for DUI in San Diego last August.

RI Gives SF Archbishop The Sadz

"The meaning of marriage cannot be redefined, because its meaning lies in our very nature. Therefore, regardless of what law is enacted, marriage remains the union of one man and one woman – by the very design of nature, it cannot be otherwise. Marriage is the only institution that unites a man and a woman to each other and to any child conceived of their union. While those making great sacrifices to raise their children in less than ideal circumstances need and deserve our love and support, we cannot claim to have a just society if we do not look out for the most vulnerable among us: children." - San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, in a statement published by the Rhode Island Catholic Conference.

VIRGINIA: Anti-Gay Mormon Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) Busted For DUI

Anti-gay Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) was arrested in Virginia early this morning and charged with driving while intoxicated.

"Sen. Crapo was identified as the driver and arrested after failing several field sobriety tests," Donaldson said in a statement. "He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Alexandria Adult Detention Center where he was released on a $1,000 unsecured bond." Crapo released a statement through his office Sunday, saying: "I am deeply sorry for the actions that resulted in this circumstance. I made a mistake for which I apologize to my family, my Idaho constituents and any others who have put their trust in me. "I accept total responsibility and will deal with whatever penalty comes my way in this matter. I will also undertake measures to ensure that this circumstance is never repeated."

Crapo, a Latter Day Saints member for whom alcohol is forbidden, had a .11 blood alcohol level at the time of his arrest.

RELATED: Crapo has a perfect track record of voting against LGBT rights. In June he cosigned the GOP amicus brief on behalf of the defense of DOMA. He twice voted for a federal constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and he voted against both the Hate Crimes Act and the repeal of DADT.  Crapo has a 100% rating from the Christian Coalition and a 0% rating from the Human Rights Campaign.

UPDATE: JMG reader Brad points out this line from Fox News: "Crapo has told the Associated Press in past interviews that he abstains from drinking alcohol."

Richard Roberts Busted For DUI

Televangelist Richard Roberts, the son of Oral, has been busted for DUI.

Richard Roberts, 63, was stopped by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol just after midnight after a trooper observed him traveling at about 93 mph on a turnpike in his Mercedes-Benz sedan, according to an arrest report. The speed limit on the road is 65 mph, the report said. The trooper "detected the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage about Roberts' breath and person," the report said, and Roberts failed field sobriety tests. Roberts consented to a breath test, which showed his blood alcohol level at .11%, higher than the .08% limit for legal intoxication. He was booked into the Tulsa County Jail.

In 2007 Roberts was forced to step down as president of the university his father founded after several lawsuits were filed alleging embezzlement of school funds. He continues to make over $500,000 annually from the school and hosts a nationally syndicated television scam.

Ron Paul Fanboy Explains DUI Rights

A man arrested for DUI after testing at four times the legal limit goes on a drunken Ron Paul-citing rant about his constitutional rights. Obviously, the producer of this segment is not a Ron Paul fan.

Montana GOP Rep Defends Drunk Drivers

Two Months Jail For George Michael

George Michael has been sentenced to eight weeks in jail for driving under the influence of GHB on his way home from London Pride in July. Michael had passed out at the wheel and crashed into a photography shop. No one was injured. Last month he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of drugs and possession of marijuana.

BRITAIN: George Michael Pleads Guilty To DUI, Faces Possible Jail Time

George Michael pleaded guilty today to driving under the influence of GHB after attending London Pride on July 4th. He now faces possible jail time.

In a 15-minute appearance at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court, Michael admitted driving under the influence of drugs and possession of cannabis following the July 4 crash, where police say they found him "spaced out" and with dilated pupils. Judge Robin McPhee banned the hitmaker behind "Faith" and "Father Figure" from driving for six months, and sternly warned he could face a prison sentence. "It is a serious matter. Your driving was extremely poor and there was an accident," McPhee said, adding that Michael has already had one conviction. Three years ago, Michael was found slumped over the wheel of his car, which was blocking an intersection. Michael, 47, whose real name is Georgios Panayiotou, spoke only to enter his pleas and confirm his identity. The former Wham! lead singer needed help from police to get through a swarm of photographers and cameramen as he arrived at the court.

Michael was found guilty of similar charges in 2007.

Roy Ashburn Sentenced For DUI

Formerly closeted California state Sen. Roy Ashburn has been sentenced to two days in jail and three years of probation for last month's DUI arrest as he left a Sacramento gay bar with a young Latino man in the front seat.

Ashburn entered his no contest plea to the misdemeanor charges Wednesday in Sacramento County Superior Court. He will also pay fines and fees of about $2,000, attend a mandatory first offender DUI program and have his license suspended for 30 days, according to the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office. "Ashburn received no lesser penalties associated with his crime than your average citizen," said Deputy District Attorney Robert Clancey. Ashburn was pulled over on March 3 shortly after 2 a.m. when CHP officers saw his state car driving in an erratic manner. A breath test was conducted and a subsequent blood test turned up a blood alcohol level of .15 percent. Under California law, a driver is under the influence with a blood alcohol level of .08 percent.

Asburn refused to resign after the scandal broke and has said he will continue his anti-gay voting habits, because that's what his constituents want. He will be term-limited out of office this year.

Sen. Roy Ashburn Comes Out But Plans To Continue Voting Anti-Gay

Gay Politics reports that CA state Rep. Roy Ashburn came out on a Sacramento radio station today. But he says he's going to continue his anti-gay voting ways, because that's what his constituents want.

“I am gay. Those are the words that have been so difficult for me for so long. It is something that is personal, and I don’t believe I felt with my heart that being gay would affect how I do my job,” Ashburn said. Asked about his anti-gay voting record, Ashburn said, “I felt my duty, and I still feel this way, is to represent my constituents.” Radio talk show host Inga Barks wanted assurances that Ashburn would continue to vote in a conservative manner on LGBT rights issues. Ashburn responded, “I believe firmly that my responsibility is to my constituents. I will take a careful look at each measure and apply that standard. How would they vote on this? How would they want me to vote on this,” adding that most people understood what that means.

What tiny bit of pity I had for Ashburn (and I did have a sliver) is now completely gone. Somebody start a Facebook group: 1,000,000 Gay Men Against Roy Ashburn Having Sex Ever Again.

UPDATE: The Facebook group has been created. Pile on, my lovers.

UPDATE II: Here's the radio interview. The host is a complete twat.

Roy Ashburn's 2005 Press Release

Talking Points Memo dug into Sen. Roy Ashburn's official California government site and dug up this 2005 press release
touting an anti-gay marriage rally he co-hosted with the Traditional Values Coalition's Right Detestable Rev. Lou Sheldon.

COLLUSION: People Knew Roy Ashburn Was Gay And They Said Nothing

At least two California newspapers and the openly gay mayor of West Sacramento knew anti-gay state Sen. Roy Ashburn was gay and yet they said nothing. On Wednesday, Ashburn was arrested for DUI while leaving a Sacramento gay bar in the company of as yet unidentified man.

Last summer an editor at Ashburn's hometown paper, the Bakersfield Californian, heard that a Sacramento paper was about to out him. So they called him and asked him point-blank if he is gay.

His response: "Why would that be anyone's business? Including The Californian's? "I think there are certain subjects that are simply not relevant and this is one of them. It has no bearing on the job I do." During the course of our conversation I listed several instances in which a politician's sexual orientation, or even just their sexual activity -- straight or gay -- would be relevant. If Ashburn were a staunch anti-gay activist but was secretly gay, I said, that would be a legitimate concern to his constituents. Ashburn agreed but said he didn't believe he had been such an activist. I pointed out he had voted conservatively on gay issues throughout his career. Yes, he said, but he'd done so on almost all social issues. He represents a conservative district and votes as his constituents would want him to, he said. Several political organizations have ranked Ashburn's voting record as extremely unfriendly to gays. (I'm not sure where those organizations rank Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez, a Democrat, who initially voted against all gay issues for much the same reason, but since has turned a new leaf.) And Ashburn did organize a "Traditional Family Values" rally in 2005 to drum up support for a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

The Californian decided that Ashburn's sexuality wasn't "relevant." The unnamed Sacramento paper apparently did too and never published. To recap: It's not relevant that a state politician with a 100% rating from an anti-gay group is gay himself. Can you fucking BELIEVE that? And it turns out that the openly gay mayor of West Sacramento has known about Ashburn for a long time.

Christopher Cabaldon, the openly gay mayor of West Sacramento told KOVR he has spotted Senator Ashburn at gay hot spots a number of times. According to Project Vote Smart, Ashburn's has consistently voted against gay rights legislation including no on recognizing out of state same-sex marriages, no on creating a state recognized Harvey Milk Day, and no on expanding anti-discrimination laws. "To live a secret life and at the same time be attacking the people who you're one of but are too ashamed to admit, that's hypocrisy," said Cabaldon to KOVR CBS 13.

That hypocrisy apparently didn't bother Mayor Cabaldon enough to actually fucking say something. And you know that if Cabaldon knew, many other queers in Sacramento knew. If I lived in West Sacramento, I'd want to have a long angry talk with my mayor.

At this moment, I'm not so interested in the detestable Roy Ashburn and his pathetic defense of "I was voting the way my constituents wanted." Because to my mind, the biggest story here isn't Ashburn's closeted homosexuality and anti-gay voting record. As we all know, that is a story we have seen a hundred times. And will see a hundred times more. The REAL story here is the media's collusion and the conspiracy of silence on the part of our own people. Folks, when you know somebody is actively working day and night to thwart the rights of your FAMILY, of your PEOPLE, you fucking say something.

Anti-Gay GOP CA State Sen. Roy Ashburn Busted For DUI While Leaving Sacramento Gay Bar With Another Man

Anti-gay GOP California state Sen. Roy Ashburn was arrested for DUI yesterday after leaving Faces, a popular Sacramento gay bar, with an unidentified male passenger. Ashburn has been a loud opponent of LGBT rights and has organized and hosted anti-gay marriage rallies for the Traditional Values Coalition. He also has a 100% rating from the anti-gay Capitol Resource Family Impact group for voting against every LGBT rights bill during his tenure.

The California Highway Patrol pulled over Senator Roy Ashburn at 2:00 a.m. Wednesday after an officer noticed a black Chevy Tahoe swerving at 13th and L Streets. When the officer stopped the state-issued vehicle, the driver identified himself as Senator Ashburn. He was arrested without incident and charged with two misdemeanors: driving under the influence and driving with a blood alcohol level higher than .08% or higher. A male passenger, who was not identified as a lawmaker, was also in the car but was not detained. Ashburn was booked into the Sacramento County Jail and released on $1,400 bond. Ashburn, a father of four, is a Republican Senator representing parts of Kern, Tulare and San Bernardino Counties with a history of opposing gay rights. Ashburn issued a statement on the arrest Wednesday afternoon: "I am deeply sorry for my actions and offer no excuse for my poor judgment. I accept complete responsibility for my conduct and am prepared to accept the consequences for what I did. I am also truly sorry for the impact this incident will have on those who support and trust me – my family, my constituents, my friends, and my colleagues in the Senate."

Ashburn is being term-limited out of office in 2010. In January he surprised supporters by announcing that he would not be running for the U.S. House or the powerful California State Tax Board, two jobs he'd publicly had his eye on for the last year. Ashburn divorced his wife in 2003.

ANTI-GAY VOTING RECORD: In March 2009, Sen. Ashburn voted against a Senate resolution declaring Proposition 8 unconstitutional. Ashburn voted three times to oppose the creation of Harvey Milk Day. In September he voted against California recognizing out of state same-sex marriages. In 2008 he voted to oppose an expansion of the state's insurance laws to include sexual orientation as a protected class.