VIRGINIA: Governor Orders Confederate Flag Removed From License Plates

Via Richmond's CBS affiliate:

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe has ordered the Confederate flag removed from Virginia state license plates. The flag is displayed on a specialty plate designed for the Sons of Confederate Veterans. The governor’s announcement came in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that the state of Texas was allowed to reject a license plate design that featured a Confederate battle flag and the removal of the flag from the South Carolina statehouse grounds following last week’s fatal shootings at am African-American church in Charleston. McAuliffe said he has asked the Attorney General’s office to “take steps to reverse the prior Court ruling that requires the Confederate flag be placed on state license plates.” He also told the Secretary of Transportation to “develop a plan for replacing the currently-issued plates as quickly as possible.” “These steps will, I hope, make clear that this Commonwealth does not support the display of the Confederate battle flag or the message it sends to the rest of the world,” McAuliffe said.

RELATED: Last week the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that the First Amendment does not prevent states from banning Confederate license plates. The appeal was brought by the Sons Of Confederate Veterans.

Church Sign Of The Day

Source. (Via Christian Nightmares)

Eugene Delgaudio To SCOTUS: Say No To Same-Sex Marriage Because Jesus

Citing the bible as the ultimate authority in civil law, crackpot hate group leader Eugene Delgaudio has filed an amicus brief with SCOTUS. Rather than excerpting the crazy, this time a look at the brief's index is all we really need.

LIVE VIDEO: Ted Cruz Makes It Official

VIRGINIA: Catholic Bishops Angry That Pro-Gay Gov Will Lead St. Patrick's Parade

The Catholic bishops of Virgina have issued a joint statement denouncing (of all groups) the Knights of Columbus over their invitation for Gov. Terry McAuliffe to lead this year's St. Patrick's Day Parade.

We are aware that the Knights of Columbus Council #3548 has extended an invitation to Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe to serve as Grand Marshal of the 2015 Norfolk Saint Patrick's Day Parade which the Governor has accepted. Council #3548, a regional, not parish council, has sponsored and organized this parade since its inception in 1967. The invitation was issued without the advice or consent of the local parish priest, the local bishop, or the Knights state council. Together with our brother bishops, we have been clear, consistent and firm in upholding the truths reflected in the fundamental doctrine and moral principles of our faith. It is an erroneous and serious mistake in judgment for any Catholic organization to grant awards, honors and platforms to any public person who clearly acts in defiance to Catholic teaching. While one must always respect the Office of the Governor and the person holding that office, and dialogue should be fostered, one cannot deny that the Governor has made public statements in opposition to the moral teaching of the Catholic Church on issues pertaining to the dignity of human life and marriage.

Wingnut infighting. Never not funny.

VIRGINIA: Gay Man Fires Back At Ex-Gay Crackpots With Billboard Of His Own

Remember the PFOX billboard in Virginia? Remember their humiliation when it turned out that the model on their billboard, Kyle Roux, not only isn't a twin but is proudly gay? It gets even better:

Roux thinks that PFOX, which has since taken down the billboard, purchased the photos of him from a stock photography site. Legally, he said, there’s not much he can do. But this week, he’s striking back in his own way. On Wednesday, Planting Peace, a nonprofit organization based in Topeka, Kansas, erected a new billboard down the road from where the PFOX billboard once stood. The new sign, designed in the same color and style as the PFOX billboard and featuring new photographs of Roux, reads: “Dear PFOX: Identical twins? I’m not. I’m gay. Regardless of what you believe I was born gay. And I’m proud of who I am.” Aaron Jackson, the president of Planting Peace, reached out to Roux after media reports surfaced that he was openly gay. Jackson was concerned about young gays and lesbians who might see the billboard.

(Tipped by JMG reader David)

VIRGINIA: Lawmakers Kill Bill That Would Have Legalized Anti-Gay Discrimination

John Riley reports at MetroWeek:

A Virginia House of Delegates subcommittee dealt the LGBT community in the commonwealth a rare bit of good news after the eight-person panel rejected a bill patroned by Del. Bob Marshall (R-Manassas Park, Sudley, Bull Run), a longtime foe of the LGBT community, that would have essentially allowed any person or business in the commonwealth to discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Marshall’s bill, HB1414, would have allowed a “conscience clause” exemption for people or businesses who must obtain or renew a license, registration, or other certification from the commonwealth of Virginia, its political subdivisions, and its various agencies, boards or departments. Under the bill, those people would not be required to “perform, assist, consent to or participate in any action” that would violate their moral convictions as they relate, not just to to same-sex marriage, but to actual or perceived homosexuality, and behavior that can be interpreted as being homosexual in nature.

Today's news isn't all good as the same subcommittee also tabled a bill that would have outlawed anti-LGBT discrimination in housing.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG:  Bob Marshall is the author of Virginia's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and back in July 2014 he had an awful case of the sadz. In February 2014 Marshall filed an amendment that would grant Virginia state legislators the right to claiming standing in marriage lawsuits. In September 2013, Marshall petitioned the US Supreme Court to overturn Virginia's legalization of sodomy. In May 2012, Marshall attempted to block the appointment of an openly gay state judge because the nominee has "an illegal husband." In 2011 Del. Bob Marshall claimed it is a felony for a state office to fly the rainbow flag. Marshall has also called on Virginia to issue its own currency, and has claimed that God punishes women who have abortions by giving them deformed children. After the DADT repeal bill passed, Marshall tried to have gays banned from the Virginia National Guard.

VIRGINA: Ted Olson's Law Firm Wins Settlement In Same-Sex Marriage Case

From the Associated Press:

Virginia will pay $520,000 to the lawyers for two same-sex couples who successfully challenged the state’s gay marriage ban. The settlement agreement was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Norfolk. The attorneys had sought more than $1.7 million. The law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher will receive $459,000. Shuttleworth, Ruloff, Swain, Haddad & Morecock will receive $61,000. Court papers show that attorneys logged 2,372 hours on the case. Their fees will be paid by the state Department of Treasury’s Division of Risk Management.

Ted Olson is a partner in the first firm. The settlement comes out to about $219 per billed hour.

VIRGINIA: Bill To Ban "Ex-Gay" Torture Of Minors Introduced In Both State Chambers

From the National Center for Lesbian Rights:

Today, Virginia Delegate Patrick Hope and Senator Louise Lucas introduced a bill protecting children and their families from the dangerous and discredited practice of conversion therapy, joining a growing number of states and jurisdictions to consider and pass legislation to put an end to the discredited practice. The bill reflects the unanimous view of medical, mental health, and child welfare experts that attempts to change a young person’s sexual orientation or gender identity are ineffective and unsafe, putting youth at risk of severe long-term health impacts, including depression, substance abuse, and even suicide.

“Today, more than ever, it is clear that state legislatures need to step up to the plate to protect LGBT youth from the dangerous and discredited practices of conversion therapy,” said National Center for Lesbian Rights Staff Attorney and #BornPerfect Campaign Coordinator Samantha Ames. “We commend Delegate Hope and Senator Lucas, as well all the local organizers who have worked tirelessly to get this bill introduced and ensure all Virginian children are able to grow up in communities and families where they are loved for exactly who they are.”

RELATED: "Ex-gay" torture is currently banned in California, New Jersey, and Washington DC. Similar bills have stalled in several other states due to pressure from anti-gay groups. In New York the GOP-led Senate blocked the bill from even coming to a vote.

Email Of The Day: Eugene Delguadio

"Dear Joe, I’ve just come from a meeting with top Washington leaders, and I had to contact you right away. Many conservative leaders are worried about the Republican leadership’s ability to resist the Homosexual Lobby. Even after pro-Family voters worked so hard to break the Homosexual Lobby’s stranglehold on Congress. GOP leadership is under tremendous insider pressure to throw conservatives under the bus and continue confirming anti-Family judicial nominees and abandoning Real Marriage. But I am resolved to rally pro-Family resistance against the radical Homosexual Agenda on Capitol Hill. Right now, radical homosexual activists are executing a full-scale covert operation designed to regain their grip on Washington, D.C. And while my warnings regarding the Homosexual Lobby’s unquenchable thirst for power have been proven right, the news media focuses their attacks on me instead. But the Homosexual Lobby’s operatives inside the Republican Party are still trying to convince them they must sell out Traditional Values to stay in power. Will you chip in $10 or $20 or even $35 to fund the mail, telephone operations, and internet campaigns needed to expose their covert operation?" - Eugene Delgaudio, in a money beg which warns that GOProud is trying "pass themselves off as part of our movement." (GOProud collapsed into a dusty pile of self-hate last summer.)

Robertson: Bob McDonnell Was Seduced By A Woman, Just Like Adam Was

One of Pat Robertson's "charities" had offered to employ McDonnell in lieu of a prison sentence.

McDonnell Gets Two Years In Prison

Former GOP Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell was sentenced to two years in prison today after being convicted on eleven counts of corruption late last year.

United States District Court Judge James R. Spencer announced his ruling just shy of 3 pm local time early on Tuesday, four months and two days after a jury there found Mr McDonnell and his wife guilty of public corruption charges. The Twitter account for the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia confirmed the ruling shortly after. Going into court on Tuesday, McDonnell faced a maximum sentence of 12 years. Judge Spencer unexpectedly reduced the outcome range during the hearing, however, and said the governor would only face upwards of eight years behind bars since he did not obstruct justice or accept more than a certain amount of bribes.

More from USA Today:

Included among the nearly 1,000 pages of documents filed by McDonnell's legal team are 443 letters from family, friends and former colleagues urging the judge to give the former governor a lenient sentence. Each of McDonnell's five children — he has three daughters and twin sons — wrote letters on their father's behalf. Some children told the judge that their mother made bad decisions and solicited money and gifts behind their father's back and without his knowledge. McDonnell once was considered a possible running mate for 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney. McDonnell delivered the 2010 Republican response to the State of the Union Address and became chairman of the Republican Governors Association in 2011.

McDonnell's estranged wife, who shocked onlookers when she appeared in the courtroom for today's hearing, will be sentenced next month.

Pat Robertson Tries To Keep Former VA Gov. Bob McDonnell Out Of Prison

Via the Associated Press:

Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell should perform community service rather than serve prison time for his federal corruption convictions, an international relief organization said Tuesday. Operation Blessing International said it offered McDonnell jobs heading its hunger relief program in Appalachia or working at its orphanage and fish farm in Haiti if U.S. District Judge James Spencer agrees to spare McDonnell prison time.

"As with his volunteering during Hurricane Katrina, Bob has shown an authentic willingness to serve others no matter how difficult the task," group president Bill Horan said in a statement. "We believe that we can leverage his energy and expertise to better serve those in need."

Operation Blessing spokesman Chris Roslan said the organization collaborated with defense attorneys ahead of Tuesday's deadline for lawyers to file sentencing recommendations. Virginia Beach-based Operation Blessing was founded by religious broadcaster Pat Robertson. McDonnell is a graduate of Robertson's Regent University law school.

McDonnell is due for sentencing early next month. Operation Blessing, of course, has long been saddled with accusations of fraudulent practices.

HomoQuotable - Greg Quinlan

"The [PFOX 'ex-gay'] billboard speaks to the scientific fact that to quote the American Psychiatric Association, 'there still remains no replicated scientific studies supporting any specific biological etiology for homosexuality.' There is zero evidence that a person is born a homosexual. In fact, Dr. Francis Collins of the human genome project with the National Institute of Health, who was appointed by President Clinton to do the project said homosexuality was 'not hard-wired.' The reason we see so much of a proliferation of homosexuality in our society now is because we live in a sex-saturated culture. The first century church thrived in a hyper-sexualized homosexual culture in an age of sexual anarchy. So can the 21st century church. We do not need to compromise our message in order to bring homosexuals into the church or accommodate them. The truth is the truth, and if we love someone, we will tell them the truth that homosexuality is destructive to someone. I know because I watched 100 of my friends die of AIDS." - Former PFOX president Greg Quinlan, in a World Net Daily piece that does not mention that the model on the billboard is not a twin and is in fact proudly and openly gay. Quinlan is currently head of the virulently anti-gay New Jersey Family Policy Council.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: PFOX former president Richard Cohen earns national ridicule after CNN broadcasts a demonstration of his "gay cure," which involved Cohen pounding a pillow with a tennis racket while screaming, "Why, Mommy, why?" PFOX files "ex-gay" discrimination complaint with state of Maryland. PFOX kicks Right Wing Watch reporter out of "Ex-Gay Awareness Dinner." PFOX announces "the end of homosexuality." PFOX head Greg Quinlan declares that President Obama and Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy are secretly gay. Quinlan says gay men are sexual cannibals. Quinlan says he's gay because he was molested. Quinlan defends the "ex-gay" therapy of Ladybird Bachmann. Quinlan claims gay activist Wayne Besen threatened to inject him with AIDS. Quinlan testifies against New Jersey marriage.  Quinlan attempts to distribute "ex-gay" flyers at public schools. Quinlan demands that FDA cease linking gay sites in harm reduction campaign. Quinlan files SCOTUS brief in support of DOMA.

Model On PFOX's "Ex-Gay" Virginia Billboard: I'm Proudly Gay And Not A Twin

(Tipped by JMG reader Homer)

Billboard Of The Day

The "ex-gay" crackpots of PFOX have posted the above billboard in Richmond, Virginia. PFOX has launched similar billboard campaigns over the years. (Tipped by JMG reader Dwight)

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: PFOX former president Richard Cohen earns national ridicule after CNN broadcasts a demonstration of his "gay cure," which involved Cohen pounding a pillow with a tennis racket while screaming, "Why, Mommy, why?" PFOX files "ex-gay" discrimination complaint with state of Maryland. PFOX kicks Right Wing Watch reporter out of "Ex-Gay Awareness Dinner." PFOX announces "the end of homosexuality." PFOX head Greg Quinlan declares that President Obama and Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy are secretly gay. Quinlan says gay men are sexual cannibals. Quinlan says he's gay because he was molested. Quinlan defends the "ex-gay" therapy of Ladybird Bachmann. Quinlan claims gay activist Wayne Besen threatened to inject him with AIDS. Quinlan testifies against New Jersey marriage. Quinlan works to increase attacks on LGBT children.  Quinlan attempts to distribute "ex-gay" flyers at public schools. Quinlan demands that FDA cease linking gay sites in harm reduction campaign. Quinlan files SCOTUS brief in support of DOMA.

Virginia Goes For LGBT Tourists

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe yesterday announced that his state has formed a task force to pursue LGBT tourism.

Speaking to a crowd of 400 tourism industry professionals, McAuliffe said the creation of the task force continues upon his campaign theme of openness and equality for all Virginians. “I've been very vocal on the topic,” McAuliffe told the Times-Mirror. “As I mentioned, I came right out on day one and did an executive order on adoption, and I'm really promoting the causes to make sure that Virginia is open and welcoming.” The LGBT community spends as much as $100 billion annually on travel, McAuliffe said. The governor's 20-minute address focused on the broad impact the $21.5 billion tourism industry has on Virginia's economy, employing more than 213,000 people and returning $5 in revenue for every $1 in investment, according to the Virginia Tourism Corp. “Tourism plays an important role in attaining that goal, building communities, and helping drive the new Virginia economy,” McAuliffe said. “We have an opportunity to build upon the progress Virginia made this year in achieving marriage equality and ensure that visitors across the globe know that the commonwealth is open and welcoming to all.”

(Tipped by JMG reader Alan)

Email Of The Day: Eugene Delgaudio

"Dear Joe, Congress's lame duck session begins today. As you're reading this email, the radical Homosexual Lobby is pulling out all the stops to bend the ear of Republican House leadership. They're desperate for a vote on the Gay Bill of Special Rights before the new Congress -- with a Republican Senate -- convenes in January. They know that right now -- while defeated and retiring representatives still have the power to vote on laws -- is their best chance they have to get a vote for at least two more years. Fortunately, this is also our best chance to derail their agenda. If Republican House leadership holds the line against the Gay Bill of Special Rights, it wipes out the Homosexual Lobby's success in passing it through the Senate for the first time ever. Public Advocate can make this happen. My staff and I have already drawn up a hard-hitting grassroots campaign to keep Republican House leadership's feet to the fire. But I need your help to raise our $15,000 program budget by midnight. And time is running out. Without your signed petition and financial support of $15, $25, or even $35, the Homosexual Lobby's dirty tricks might win the day. Joe, you and I can't let that happen." - Eugene Delgaudio, in his third money beg this week, the first of which claimed credit for the ruling by the Sixth Circuit Court.

VIRGINIA: Democrats Retain Senate Seat

Eugene Delgaudio: Gays Want To Make It Legal To Rape And Murder Young Boys

"My health is suffering under the strain of fighting the radical Homosexual Lobby with limited help. I can't eat, I can't sleep and I am sick with worry. Many nights I stay up and worry -- worry about my family, worry about Public Advocate's future, worry about the future of the American Family and morality. I'm expected to expand programs to stop liberals in Congress from allowing homosexuals to run rampant over our country. These people admit that they want to molest our children. They admit that they want special rights that no American has. They admit that they want to infiltrate and weaken our military's moral fiber. They admit that they want complete control over the national law enforcement apparatus. They admit that they're deviants. And just as Jesus showed us by example and could not have stood back and done nothing at the Temple, I couldn't stand back and do nothing in the face of the growing power of the radical Homosexual Agenda. I won't allow my children to grow up in a nation where police are forced by gay 'rights' laws to allow sexual predators like 'Uncle Ed' Savitz and Jeffrey Dahmer to rape and murder young boys in the streets. And I won't stand by while pro-homosexual school teachers expose our children to 'gay filth and call it AIDS education." - Hate group leader and Virginia elected official Eugene Delgaudio, in today's money beg. He is awaiting your call.