Pat Robertson: You Should Beat Your Wife, But First Move To Saudi Arabia

Because it's legal there. Clip via Right Wing Watch.

Headline Of The Day

Source.

Marriage Opponent And Former NY Sen. Hiram Monserrate Is Going To Prison

Convicted Friday on felony charges of campaign finance improprieties, former NY Sen. Hiram "Slasher" Monserrate has become the second Democrat from his chamber to be sentenced to prison this year. Last month former Sen. Carl "Closet Case" Kruger was sentenced to seven years for corruption and bribe-taking. Both senators were part of the notorious "Democratic Eight" who bucked their party leadership and sank marriage equality in 2009.

A crooked pol who avoided prison time for beating his girlfriend won’t catch the same break for swindling city taxpayers. Disgraced ex-state Sen. Hiram Monserrate pleaded guilty yesterday to corruption charges yesterday in a deal that calls for him to spend 21 to 27 months behind bars. Monserrate, 44, admitted scamming more than $100,000 in City Council “slush” funds approved by Speaker Christine Quinn to help fund a failed campaign for higher office while he served on the council in 2006. Reading from a prepared statement, Monserrate said he got the city to fund a nonprofit known as the Latino Initiative for Better Resources and Empowerment, or LIBRE. The group got about $300,000 in public money during 2005 and 2006, ostensibly so it could work with “churches, civil- rights organizations and community organizations . . . to counsel and assist individuals to secure their legal rights.”

RELATED: And about to make it a prison hat trick for Senate Democrats is former NY Sen. Pedro Espada, who is currently on trial for embezzling as much as $14M in public funds from a Bronx health clinic. Espada, you may recall, hijacked the entire New York Senate in the summer of 2009, temporarily joining the GOP in a wild-eyed bid to become the Majority Leader.

BRITAIN: Leading Christian Homophobe Stephen Green Unmasked As Wife Beater

Infamous anti-gay activist Stephen Green, who is well known as a British version of Peter LaBarbera, has been divorced by his wife. Because he'd been beating her with a piece of wood.

Caroline Green was often punished by her husband Stephen for failing to be a dutiful, compliant wife, but his final act of violence against her — the one that prompted her long-overdue decision to divorce him — was all the more chilling because it was coldly premeditated. Stephen Green wrote a list of his wife’s ­failings then described the weapon he would make to beat her with. ‘He told me he’d make a piece of wood into a sort of witch’s broom and hit me with it, which he did,’ she recalls, her voice tentative and quiet. ‘He hit me until I bled. I was terrified. I can still remember the pain. ‘Stephen listed my misdemeanours: I was disrespectful and disobedient; I wasn’t loving or submissive enough and I was undermining him. He also said I wasn’t giving him his ­conjugal rights. ‘He even framed our marriage vows — he always put particular emphasis on my promise to obey him — and hung them over our bed. He believed there was no such thing as marital rape and for years I’d been reluctant to have sex with him, but he said it was my duty and was angry if I refused him.

Green's wife also claims that their son had to be hospitalized after a beating from him.

RELATED: Last month the BBC raised the ire of LGBT activists when they interviewed Green as an "opposing voice" in a story about the birth of Elton John's son. Green has publicly endorsed Uganda's plan to execute homosexuals and his group, Christian Voice, has advocated for the overturn of Britain's laws against marital rape, saying that the Bible demands that all women must submit sexually to their husbands. Green has been the subject of numerous praising posts on Peter LaBarbera's site.

Chilean Domestic Abuse PSA: Don't Beat Your Wife, Don't Be A Faggot

Former NY State Sen. Hiram "Slasher" Monserrate Indicted For Corruption

Former New York state Sen. Hiram Monserrate, who was expelled from the Senate after being convicted of slashing his girlfriend's face with a broken glass, has been indicted on felony charges of campaign finance fraud.

Monserrate, 43, was charged with funneling taxpayer money to a non-profit group, Latino Initiative for Better Resources and Empowerment, or LIBRE, that provided support services for his unsuccessful campaign for the state Senate in 2006 and his re-election campaign to the New York City Council. He pleaded not guilty to his arraignment for mail fraud and conspiracy and was released on $500,000 bond. The Democrat was a member of the city council from 2002 through 2008. Prosecutors say he requested $300,000 in discretionary funds allocated by the council annually to non-profits for LIBRE, and then directed the group to use a third of it for his efforts to gain his party's nomination for the state Senate.

Monserrate was one of the notorious "Democratic Eight" who voted against marriage equality. Days after the vote, Monserrate objected without irony to the order of protection that kept him away from his slashed girlfriend, saying, "The state should not keep apart two people who want to be together."

France Outlaws Insults

The French parliament has approved a law that calls insults "psychological violence" and makes it a crime to repeatedly insult someone. The law is primarily meant to protect victims of domestic violence.

"We have introduced an important measure here, which recognises psychological violence, because it isn't just blows (that hurt) but also words," Nadine Morano, the minister for family affairs, told the lower house of parliament. Those found guilty of breaking the new law will face up to three years in jail and a 75,000 euro (£60,840) fine. "The judge could (also) take into consideration letters, SMSs or repetitive messages, because one knows that psychological violence is made up of insults," Ms Morano said. Some critics of the new bill say the crime will be very difficult to prove. They also criticise the government for getting involved in private matters like arguments and fights between married or cohabiting couples.

Convictions are expected to be difficult to obtain without physical evidence.

Quote Of The Day - Eric Schneiderman

"I've watched the video of him assaulting Karla Giraldo enough times. I don't have any interest in watching him hit anyone else - including me. This is a guy who battered a woman. I am not going to a shooting competition with the Son of Sam, either." - NY Sen. Eric Schneiderman, turning down disgraced former Sen. Hiram Monserrate's offer to fight him in a charity boxing tournament. Schneiderman lead the successful drive to expel Monserrate from from state Senate.

Sonoma County On Gay Seniors Harold & Clay: It Was A Case Of Domestic Abuse

We've been hearing for a day or so that there may be much more to the story of Sonoma County gay seniors Harold and Clay, whose handling by hospital authorities has so riled much of the nation over the last week. According to county officials and the local sheriff's department, in 2008 Harold attacked Clay, putting him in the hospital.

The Guerneville man suing Sonoma County for separating him from his partner and selling their possessions had attacked the other man and at one point threatened to kill him, according to the sheriff’s department report of the 2008 incident released Wednesday. But no charges were brought against Clay Greene, 78, accused of attacking Harold Scull, 88, because prosecutors said there was insufficient evidence. Greene has repeatedly denied the allegations of abuse and Scull at the time was unwilling to pursue charges. “As far as we’re concerned, it’s a closed matter,” Diana Gomez, assistant district attorney, said. “We rejected it two years ago.” That opinion in the criminal case could chip away at the underpinnings of the county’s response to a lawsuit filed by Greene that is drawing national and international attention and has become a cause célèbre in the gay community.

Officials claim that Clay wanted to be put in a nursing home, away from Harold's reach.

Spaulding said the allegations of abuse is the real case. Greene, he said, attacked Scull and the county stepped in to protect the elder man at his own request. In court documents, Spaulding said Scull was admitted to Kaiser Hospital in Santa Rosa on April 27, 2008 as a result of domestic violence-related injuries inflicted by Greene. The case was reported to the Sheriff’s Office, adult protective services and the county’s public guardian, who all conducted investigations, he said. Scull allegedly told officials he no longer wished to live with Greene, so he was placed in a nursing home. Greene was later deemed incapable of caring for himself and was sent to a different facility, Spaulding said. The men were given a chance to remove possessions from their rented Sebastopol house, he said. What was left was sold at auction to cover their expenses, Spaulding said.

Today the Sonoma Country Sheriff's released the below statement. Embiggen to read. Even if the domestic abuse allegations are true, I doubt it will clear the county of all of the charges in the lawsuit filed against them.

Iowa Pol Seeks To Exclude Married Gays From Domestic Abuse Bill

Yesterday Iowa state Rep. Chris Hagenow attempted to exclude married gay couples from protection under a domestic abuse law.

Senate File 2357 brings federal laws concerning protective orders and conviction of domestic violence with relation to possession of guns into Iowa’s law. Rep. Chris Hagenow, R-Windsor Heights, offered an amendment that would define the term spouse to be a person of marriage that is valid under Iowa law that says marriage is between one man and one woman. The Iowa Supreme Court, last year, ruled the law was unconstitutional, which Rep. Rick Olson, D-Des Moines, pointed out on the House floor. Ultimately the proposal was deemed not germane to the bill. Hagenow’s call to suspend the rules to move forward anyway failed, largely along a party vote.

LGBT rights group OneIowa blasted Hagenow's action as "shameful" and has launched an email campaign to him demanding that he cease his attacks on Iowa's LGBT community.

Hiram Monserrate, Remixed

Gothamist notes that Hiram "Slasher" Monserrate has stolen Barack Obama's campaign slogan and iconic "O" graphic in his campaign to retake his seat in the NY Senate. Below is the remix of his sign. The special election is one week from today in Queens. Fight Back New York.

Anti-Gay Religious Groups Endorse Former NY Sen. Hiram Monserrate

In response to Fight Back New York's campaign to thwart former NY Sen. Hiram Monserrate's return to office, the convicted girlfriend slasher has proudly announced that he's been endorsed by anti-gay religious groups in Queens.

Monserrate announced he's being supported by a bunch of clergy who are praising him for his support on one particular issue: same-sex marriage. Specifically, his opposition to it. The clergy members announced their support of Monserrate in response to a a pro same-sex marriage P.A.C. that is trying to oust Monserrate. "We find their tactics to be offensive and disrespectful," said the Rev. Andy Torres, in a statement sent out by Monserrate's campaign. "Their overall goal supporting Gay Marriage is contrary to our moral principles. We unequivocally support Monserrate in the special election as a legislator who will defend our position." A more nuanced position was expressed by Gilbert Pickett, another church spokesman. "Monserrate has supported many gay groups that provide services in this community for years but did not vote for Gay Marriage. He should not to persecuted by rich gay outsiders for his vote of conscience which is consistent with church values."

Monserrate betrayed the Empire State Pride Agenda last year by voting against same-sex marriage after telling ESPA in writing that he supported them. The special election to fill his seat takes place on March 16th. Visit Fight Back New York for information on how to donate or volunteer to support LGBT friendly candidate Assemblyman Jose Peralta. Turnout for the election is expected to very low, so all help will be critical to the result.

NY Sen. Hiram "Slasher" Monserrate EXPELLED By Fellow Lawmakers

Tonight Hiram "Slasher" Monserrate was expelled from the New York Senate over his domestic abuse conviction of last year, which stemmed from a broken glass attack on his girlfriend, leaving her with 40 stitches in her face. This is the first time in almost 90 years that a New York state legislator was expelled from office by fellow lawmakers. Monserrate earned the outrage of gay activists late last year when he betrayed his previous commitment to vote in favor of same-sex marriage.

New York state troopers were on hand in the state house tonight in case Monserrate followed through in his promise that he would have to be removed from the building by force. And it's not over yet.

Rather than bringing a close to Mr. Monserrate’s legislative career, the expulsion could be the beginning of a lengthy fight that would play out in the courts and create further instability in the already volatile political atmosphere in Albany. As the Senate moved forward with a vote, Mr. Monserrate’s lawyers were drafting a temporary restraining order seeking to have him reinstated. One of the lawyers, Norman Siegel, said the order would be filed Wednesday in federal court in Manhattan. “This case raises substantial questions concerning what a constitutional democracy is all about,” Mr. Siegel said. “The New York State Senate does not have the constitutional and legal authority to expel Senator Monserrate. And even if they did, their actions have not been consistent with due process of law.”

The expulsion followed roughly five hours of closed-door negotiations among Senate Democrats, though Mr. Monserrate was asked to leave the room for part of the deliberations. “Nobody was happy about this,” said Senator Eric T. Schneiderman, the Manhattan Democrat who led the special committee that recommended that the Senate consider expelling Mr. Monserrate. “But most senators on both sides of the aisle felt that we had to do something. The days of sweeping things under the rug are over.”

The last time New York legislators booted out a colleague was in the 1920s, when six members of the Socialist Party were expelled from the Assembly.

NY Senate Panel Recommends Expulsion Of Hiram "Slasher" Monserrate

Local NYC television reports this afternoon that a NY Senate panel has just recommended the expulsion of Sen. Hiram Monserrate, the Queens Democrat convicted last month of slashing his girlfriend's face, causing 40 stitches. Monserrate enraged gay activists late last year when he reneged on a promise to vote for marriage equality. This morning he told reporters that even if he is expelled, he will "refuse to leave" but did not elaborate on what that means. Among those screaming for Monserrate's departure is the National Organization for Women, which has been very critical of the state Senate's closed-door policy for these decisions.

NY Senate Lays Groundwork To Expel Sen. Hiram "Slasher" Monserrate

Yesterday a New York Senate committee report indicated that the expulsion of Sen. Hiram Monserrate may finally be in the works.

Senator Hiram Monserrate behaved recklessly and callously after his companion was hurt during an argument at his Queens home, failing to call 911, dragging her violently through a hallway and taking her to a hospital miles away, according to a State Senate committee investigating Mr. Monserrate. A draft of the committee’s final report concludes that Mr. Monserrate seemed to be as concerned with keeping the confrontation last December from becoming public as he was with the safety and health of his companion, Karla Giraldo, according to a person familiar with the report. The report also found that Mr. Monserrate, a Democrat from Queens, refused to take full responsibility for injuring Ms. Giraldo, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the report is confidential. While it is not yet clear what sanctions the panel may recommend for a vote by the full Senate, the report’s harsh findings suggest that the committee is laying the groundwork for a stiff punishment for Mr. Monserrate, possibly even his expulsion.

Monserrate has refused to appear before the committee, probably sealing his fate. Stunning LGBT activists, last month the Queens Democrat voted against marriage equality, despite his previous promise of support. Adding assholery to injury, he later complained that just because he slashed his girlfriend's face, causing 40 stitches, he should be allow to see her: "Two adults who are consenting and who are like-minded and within their mental capacities should be allowed to be with each other. I think it's an outrage."

A Very Hiram Christmas

A group of gay protesters crashed the holiday party of NY Sen. Hiram "Slasher" Monserrate last night on the one year anniversary of his assault on his girlfriend. Monserrate is still not allowed to see her, you may recall his recent insanely hypocritical complaint about that: "Two adults who are consenting and who are like-minded and within their mental capacities should be allowed to be with each other. I think it's an outrage." Stay for the end of the clip for some commentary from his chief of staff.

(Via - JMG reader Jon)

Monseratte Gets His Payoff From Diaz

Convicted girlfriend slasher Sen. Hiram Monserrate has gotten his reward from Sen. Ruben Diaz for his vote against marriage equality. Monserratte's payoff? A letter from Diaz to Senate leadership decrying any attempt to expel him for being a domestic abuser. Paul Schindler at Gay City News:

Surprise, surprise — on December 7, Diaz sent a letter to the Democratic and Republican leaders of the Senate urging that they “be fair, impartial and transparent in the way in which you treat people of different races, ethnicity, creed and nationality. I must question your initiative in creating a committee to investigate Senator Hiram Monserrate when you have not done the same for Senator Kevin Parker,” an African-American Democrat also convicted of a misdemeanor.

It’s unclear if Diaz was suggesting that African-Americans get preferred treatment to Latinos — the Democratic leader is John Sampson, a Brooklyn African American, but he did end his letter with a humdinger: “The Romans used to say back in those days that ‘Caesar’s wife should not only be pure, but she must also have the appearance of purity.’” Something Diaz’s letter certainly did not have. And, here’s hoping our society has advanced in its treatment of women since those long-gone days of Caesar.

Write the New York Senate and demand Monserrate's expulsion.

The Definition Of Assholism

"Two adults who are consenting and who are like-minded and within their mental capacities should be allowed to be with each other. I think it's an outrage." - Anti-marriage equality NY Sen. Hiram Monserrate, clearly oblivious to the meaning of hypocrisy, complaining that a court order prevents him from seeing the woman whose face he slashed with a broken glass.

Monserrate escaped felony charges when his girlfriend recanted her statements to police, but still received three months probation, 250 hours of community service, and one year of anger management classes. He maintains that he will retain his seat in the NY Senate. His complaint about the order of protection comes halfway through the below clip.

(Tipped by JMG reader Lisa)

Larry Stickney - Defender Of Marriage

Pam's House Blend contributor Lurleen has just posted an astounding evisceration of Larry Stickney, the campaign manager for Protect Marriage Washington, the group behind the effort to repeal that state's brand new "everything but marriage" domestic partners law. Among Lurleen's revelations is that the three-times married Stickney has had a restraining order issued against him by one of his ex-wives who alleged that he had beaten her. Stickney says that marriage equality "will demolish the historical understanding and definition of marriage as that of uniting a man and a woman for life." Life, or until she gets tired of you beating the crap out of her. Oh, and there is so much more.

Domestic Abuse Protection For NYC Gays

If your significant other is getting abusive, you may soon have redress in New York City.

Legislation will be introduced next week in New York City council to make it easier for same-sex partners in abusive relationships to seek help. The measure is sponsored by Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Mayor Michael Bloomberg. It would allow anyone who is living, or has lived, with their attacker the right to seek an order of protection.

Under current New York law, victims can only take civil action against someone they've been married to or have children with. It means that a partner in a same-sex relationship must file a criminal complaint with police. Unless the partner has been physically attacked there is little police can do.

"Domestic violence manifests itself in lesbian and gay relationships at the same rate it does in heterosexual relationships," Quinn in announcing the bill. "Passing a bill like this will also send a message to people who may be in LGBT or other relationships that they now have a new avenue."

I'll confess that I would have thought that this issue had long ago been addressed in NYC.