by Pa Rock
Citizen Journalist
Saturday is the day when I receive a weekly email from my congressman, Jason Smith (R, MO-8). I depend on that email to know what he is up to. I have to depend on the weekly email because Congressman Smith seems to have an active aversion to holding town halls or public events where he can interact with the public on an unscripted basis.
A few months ago Smith and the FCC director, Ajit Pai, held a public forum here in West Plains, a meeting that I would have loved to have attended. Unfortunately, the congressman's office did not release word of the event until late on the evening prior, and by the time my local newspaper reached my house, the meeting was over. I called the local newspaper office to air my concerns about the timing of the event, and a representative there told me that was a usual tactic of Congressman Smith. One would almost think he did not want to interact with the public.
One item in today's newsletter was a photo of Congressman Smith standing with Donald Trump and a group of people. (Interestingly, one person in the small group appeared to be texting.) Smith never misses an opportunity to brag on Trump and his "achievements," and he ardently strives to link his own career to the Trump family.
But, a Republican congressman trying to ride on the coattails of a Republican president, even one as erratic as Donald Trump, is not all that surprising - particularly in a district that is as red as Missouri's 8th.
What did surprise me in this week's email was this blurb placed below a photo of the congressman receiving a small award:
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, "the FRC often makes false claims about the LBGT community based on discredited research and junk science." The FRC is known for being anti-same-sex marriage, anti-hate crime laws, and opposing anti-bullying programs in the schools.
The Family Research Council stated this succinct view on homosexuality on its website in 2016:
Congressman Smith was careful to cage his award as some sort of recognition for his anti-abortion positions. What he neglected to say was that an organization which advocates for harmful outcomes for gay people thinks enough of him and his voting record to give him an award.
The Family Research Council is shameless in its pursuit of hateful treatment of LGBT groups and individuals, and "True Blue" Jason Smith is no better - and if he ever dared to appear in an announced public forum, people would tell him so!
Sadly, like most members of Congress, Jason Smith only hears what he wants to hear.
Citizen Journalist
Saturday is the day when I receive a weekly email from my congressman, Jason Smith (R, MO-8). I depend on that email to know what he is up to. I have to depend on the weekly email because Congressman Smith seems to have an active aversion to holding town halls or public events where he can interact with the public on an unscripted basis.
A few months ago Smith and the FCC director, Ajit Pai, held a public forum here in West Plains, a meeting that I would have loved to have attended. Unfortunately, the congressman's office did not release word of the event until late on the evening prior, and by the time my local newspaper reached my house, the meeting was over. I called the local newspaper office to air my concerns about the timing of the event, and a representative there told me that was a usual tactic of Congressman Smith. One would almost think he did not want to interact with the public.
One item in today's newsletter was a photo of Congressman Smith standing with Donald Trump and a group of people. (Interestingly, one person in the small group appeared to be texting.) Smith never misses an opportunity to brag on Trump and his "achievements," and he ardently strives to link his own career to the Trump family.
But, a Republican congressman trying to ride on the coattails of a Republican president, even one as erratic as Donald Trump, is not all that surprising - particularly in a district that is as red as Missouri's 8th.
What did surprise me in this week's email was this blurb placed below a photo of the congressman receiving a small award:
"Finally, I was honored to receive the "True Blue" award from the Family Research Council. I am proud to be a pro-life Member of Congress and defend Missourians' family values with my vote in the House of Representatives."The Family Research Council, a political organization founded and run by Tony Perkins, has been recognized by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a "Hate Group." A primary purpose of the FRC is the denigration of gay and lesbian individuals and groups
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, "the FRC often makes false claims about the LBGT community based on discredited research and junk science." The FRC is known for being anti-same-sex marriage, anti-hate crime laws, and opposing anti-bullying programs in the schools.
The Family Research Council stated this succinct view on homosexuality on its website in 2016:
“Family Research Council believes that homosexual conduct is harmful to the persons who engage in it and to society at large, and can never be affirmed. It is by definition unnatural, and as such is associated with negative physical and psychological health effects.”
Congressman Smith was careful to cage his award as some sort of recognition for his anti-abortion positions. What he neglected to say was that an organization which advocates for harmful outcomes for gay people thinks enough of him and his voting record to give him an award.
The Family Research Council is shameless in its pursuit of hateful treatment of LGBT groups and individuals, and "True Blue" Jason Smith is no better - and if he ever dared to appear in an announced public forum, people would tell him so!
Sadly, like most members of Congress, Jason Smith only hears what he wants to hear.
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