Homosexual Pressure May Have Forced Target's Salvation Army Eviction

[aikido15]

(AgapePress) - Pro-family groups based in Washington, DC, and in Illinois say homosexuals are behind a new policy at Target stores that has resulted in banning Salvation Army kettle drive activities on the retail chain's premises nationwide.

The familiar Salvation Army bell ringers and their red kettles have been barred from Target stores this Christmas season, and the official reason given by the retailer has to do with its policy prohibiting all nonprofit soliciting at Target locations. However, Bob Knight of the Culture and Family Institute is suspicious of the company's explanation.

http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/12/152004e.asp

Can you believe these people? Wonder what the weather is like on their planet..

[BlueEyedSon]

1. No, it was the atheists. Or maybe the abortionists. I forget.....

[tsuki]

22. It was Clinton...

[KitchenWitch]

47. It was NOT

Gebus, I am so sick of everyone blaming Clinton for everything. LOL

[Kingshakabobo]

54. No, they caused 9/11. The gays only helped. n/t

[Fenris]

2. Homosexual Pressure

That sounds really hot.

[Flammable Materials]

29. I'm a straight guy, and I'M getting horny thinking about it. n/t

[xxqqqzme]

3. they never miss an opportunity 2

spread a little hate. Gotta keep the 'Great' divide 2 stay in power.

[Vanje]

13. On todays Fresh Air (NPR) , GOP fundraiser, Vigorie (spelling?)

Vigorie (however its spelled) claimed that homosexuals go into churches and profane the Eucharist, spilling the wine onto the floor.
Its part of the "agenda".

[DemBones DemBones]

21. Are you too young to remember the antics of Act Up,

a gay rights group? They went to Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral and disrupted it in the middle of Communion, throwing consecrated hosts on the floor. I don't remember if there were other similar incidents but one incidence of behavior that egregrious will be long remembered.

[Puglover]

26. "Antics? ??????

You sound as if Act Up did their "antics" for fun. Aren't YOU old enough to remember why they did these things?
:eyes:

[DemBones DemBones]

33. I was old enough then to know

sacrilege and bad manners when I heard it reported. It was a memorable protest but also quite foolish because it showed their lack of respect for others' beliefs and earned them a lot of anger.

A wise act of civil disobedience shows the wrongness of the policy or people being protested. A foolish act, such as this one by Act Up, shows the protesters to be childishly concerned only for themselves.

In short, I don't believe that offensive or violent means can be justified by the ends, no matter how noble the ends are.

[Liberal Veteran]

46. At the time ACT UP had VERY good reason.....

ACT UP was not a "gay rights" group to begin with. It was an organization specifically formed to bring attention to the AIDS crisis of the 80's.

While everyone was busy ignoring AIDS in the 80's groups like ACT UP were doing their damnest to draw attention to the problem. Their tactics were often over the top and "in your face" but at the time people were DYING.

Two of the most striking accomplishments of ACT UP were in improving treatment for people with AIDS and in generating visibility for AIDS issues. Much of ACT UP's initial activism focused on protesting the FDA and drug companies that controlled access to early AIDS drugs and working with them to streamline clinical trials.

[comsymp]

55. One minor nitpick w/your comments

While everyone was busy ignoring AIDS in the 80's....

A lotta folks weren't just ignoring it... many were making jokes about it and even using it as a tool to resurrect gaybashing (literal and metaphorical)- remember, LGB folks made some pretty impressive strides in the '70s, and the fundies and various haters looked on AIDS as manna from Heaven. Remember that many of the opinionmakers of the day, including some in the Raygun Admin, were openly calling it God's punishment on homos, etc? Ahhh, good times~

These guys (ActUp) believed that they were forced to resort to the most outrageous "antics" possible. My fave was probably when they condomed Jesse Helms' house in Georgetown because he practiced unsafe legislation.


ON EDIT: Assume Sheeptramp was referring to Richard Viguerie. Where to even start with that sphincter that walks upright? Here, I guess

[Vanje]

53. Young!??!!

Shit! I'm probably as old as your grandma! ...And Im a big gray wrinkly old lesbian to boot!

Yet , in all my years, I've never desecrated a Eucharist. Not even once.

[Chovexani]

36. One group did that like 20 years ago.

Funny how the fundie fascists always try to portray gay rights advocates like that, but they get totally incensed when all anti-choicers are portrayed as crazy doctor-shooters. Not so fun when the shoe is on the other foot, is it?

[Elidor]

4. Closely reminiscent of anti-semitic propaganda circa 1939

Homosexuals are fast becoming the bugaboo of the fascist right. "Fags hate Christmas!" is the underlying theme. Shameful.

[UL_Approved]

12. Indeed

Although homosexuals were just as persecuted as any minority back in the day. I keep bringing this stuff up, but few to none listen...

[tuvor]

5. This is exactly why I have no sympathy for SA over this.

Discrimination, faith-based style
Bill Berkowitz - WorkingForChange

07.24.01 - Behind closed doors, the Salvation Army and the Bush Administration spent months working on a secret plan. In exchange for mobilizing on behalf of the president's faltering faith-based initiative, the administration would make a "firm commitment" to legislation circumventing state and local anti-discrimination measures barring discriminatory hiring practices against gays and lesbians. Revelations in the Washington Post blew the lid off that puppy. Now, the president's faith-based initiative may be jammed up for months to come.

The 79-page, Salvation Army internal document, dated May 1, was uncovered by the Post in early July. Within 24 hours of the paper's first story - before you could shout, "compassionate conservatism" - Democratic legislators, and dozens of gay, civil rights and liberal organizations registered their outrage. The administration started backpedaling quicker than a Michael Jackson moonwalk.

As the story unfolded it became a spinmeister's nightmare. It’s standard operating procedure in Washington, regardless of which party is in the White House, that at the first sniff of a scandal the president's handlers shift into all-out denial mode. As details start rolling out, denial turns into damage control. Finally, as the nasty little nuggets become verifiable facts the spin-doctors attempt to dismiss it as an unfortunate misunderstanding.

http://www.workingforchange.com/article.cfm?ItemID=11613

[madrchsod]

6. bob knight

is a conman and a scam artist and he`s also a racist homophobic republican. that just about sums that up

[Cronus Protagonist]

7. Oooohhhh grooaaannn ohhhhh

Sorry, bad case of homosexual pressure here. I'll be alright. Don't worry *cough*... . . .

[rooboy]

8. It's time to call these Christians what they are - Leviticans. n/t

[area51]

24. Leviticus

Good point. And I think Leviticans should be asked why they ignore the part of Leviticus where they're told not to eat pork or shellfish.

[Swamp Rat]

9. The mind reels...

:hurts:

[sonicx]

10. Homosexual Pressure?

sounds like they got fucked

[Chovexani]

37. They need to get fucked

Maybe then they wouldn't be so damn uptight.

[Erika]

11. These people aren't Christians

Christ was for tolerance. I wonder how many of the really high class retailers have the SA there?

[Fleshdancer]

14. and if the Salvation Army was bigoted against different races?

It's not homosexuality. It's the bigotry stupid! If the Salvation Army wanted to discriminate against black people or women, well guess what? Same damn thing.

[purduejake]

15. I'm gay and I initially thought it was pressure from gays...

I know most of my gay friends and I prefer our Super Target to any other stores around here in the middle of Indiana because they seem gay friendly. We were talking about it and were happy the Salvation Army got the boot because we disagree with some of their policies and thought Target was trying to get the bigoted organizations off the property.

BUT, I called the customer service line and Target had a great explanation... no other groups are allowed to solicit, and the Salvation Army was free to sign up for their community support programs. The SA was warned they could not ring bells outside in January 2004, but the SA still refused to seek donations through Target via other methods.

Fair is fair. I'd be happy if gays had that kind of pressure and I think it may be part of it since we do make up a considerable percentage of their customers (at least here), but it's certainly not all our "fault."

[whirlygigspin]

16. more retarded "christian" bullshit

please, what gay person would give up a chance to dress up and ring bells in public?

i'm not buying that for nothin'!

and a p.s. to the "christians"

-gay people have the most beautiful xmas trees and love xmas, and are closer to Jesus than most of you ignorant fucks will ever be...
So go take your grinch lovin' homo hatin' attitude and shove it up your yultide log.

...and a Happy New Year.

[purduejake]

57. HAHAHAHAHA

edit: good point :D

[renaissanceguy]

17. I guess next they'll blame gays

for there being no Santa Claus.

------------------------------------------------
Buy liberal, anti-Bush, and other outspoken political merchandise at www.cafepress.com/liberalissues

[neweurope]

18. THE JEWS HAVE POISONED THE WELLS!!!

:puke:

[saigon68]

19. The Eternal Jew (HITLER'S PROPAGANDA)

This is the book's cover, symbolically presenting many of the arguments against Jews. The ugly Jew is holding part of Russia under his arm, branded with the hammer and sickle. One hand holds a whip. The other hand holds bloody coins



Caption: The Jew in his element: With Blacks in a Parisian night club. The Jew bring people the glittering world of perversion as a way of unnerving and enslaving them. He seems to worry as little about it as the rats worry about the plague they carry. (p. 97)

ROVE KNOWS ALL ABOUT THIS--

Look at this site-- You can see clearly what Rove is doing to the gay community.

http://www.calvin.edu/academic/cas/gpa/diebow.htm

[bunkerbuster1]

31. Loved "the Jew in his element."

reminds me of that cool town that could've been in "It's a Wonderful life," if gangsta Potter had been allowed to run things.

[colonel odis]

20. could be all that witchcraft female target employees practice.

not to mention the baby sacrifices they have back in the infant clothing department.

a lot of people who won't set foot in wal-mart shop at target because of their progressive corporate donation policies. i believe they're also pretty good about health insurance for their employees. wonder how much wal-mart has riding on painting target in this bad light.

[DemBones DemBones]

23. Target supports the GOP, though, "progressive" employment

policies or not.

[Bridget Burke]

40. Yes, but some of us consider an occasional trip to Target....

Is not a mortal sin.

I'm quite sure you support institutions I avoid. Different strokes.

[matcom]

25. Memo To Mr. Knight - It Was ME

*I* did it asshole. Yes, this white, male, heterosexual is 100% responsible for banning them from Target.

why?

BECAUSE I SUPPORT "THE HOMOSEXUAL AGENDA" and they are anti-gay

so, Mr. Knight, shove THAT up your 'moral' homophobic ASS

[JerseygirlCT]

27. So, let me get this straight

it's ok for these fundies to boycott Target and scream about the SA not being allowed to solicit in front of their stores.

It's NOT ok for gay-rights groups to pressure Target not to allow SA there.

Where's the difference? Their hypocrisy is overwhelming.

[PassingFair]

34. This is GREAT!

Target is a big repuke donor, now the fundies will boycott Target?
Perfect. They will be helping the cause.

[arwalden]

28. Trotting Out The Demon Homos Again? (Agape Press?? Please... )

[Angelique]

30. ""homosexuals are behind a new policy at Target stores"".. a.. DUH!

Do reindeer shit on your roof? Does anyone believe this was any other than the tolerant crew that gave the election to the chimp. Boy Scouts, Salvation Army, Gay Marriage.. these bozos are great teachers in HOW TO WIN FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE ENEMIES..

No I do not have any answers.. I am just wondering out loud when will they GET IT.. This petty action will only drive the wedge deeper between US and THEM, and never get us closer to any worthy GAY RIGHTS.

We were well on our way to getting Domestic Partnerships, but NOOOOOOOOOOOooooo that wasn't good enough.. I have a better idea.. Lets give Rove and the boys, a sure fired winning issue to drive the up the turnout, and elect a slew of Homophobics to the WH and Congress.. GEEZER

[Bridget Burke]

38. So--you believe the "Culture & Family Institute"?

The Salvation Army was Target's only exception to their "no begging" rule. The SA could have been added to Target's list of supported charities--but declined.

Which Gays put the Gay Marriage bills on ballots across the country? Wasn't it the Bush supporters who knew a surefire wedge issue?

Are you one of the "Concerned Women for America"--host of the Culture & Family Institute? Gosh, their think tank is the Beverly LaHaye Institute. Her husband is Tim LaHaye, author of the "Left Behind" series & one of the founders of the Dominionist movement. She's one of those busy, active women who travel the country & get paid large sums of money to preach that (other) women need to stay home & tend to the kiddies.

www.beverlylahayeinstitute.org/bli/

[bunkerbuster1]

32. Guess Target won't be giving 73% of their politial contributions

...to republicans next year, huh?

(if choosetheblue.com's numbers can be believed, anyway)

[Chovexani]

35. You heard them, uppity queers.

We should all just go quietly back into the closet.

It's too much work being responsible for the downfall of Western civilization, ya know.

[SheepyMcSheepster]

39. i think that it is article 689E, section 999654 of the Gay Agenda Handbook

nt.

[Flavin]

41. Target is the Target

Hi All,
I've been reading for a few weeks, and this is my first post.
Yahoo!
Late Saturday night political discussions in my social group (I being the lone left-leaning liberal)have turned into the Westminster Dog Show of Freaked-out Republican ideas since the smirking monkey managed to somehow get reelected.

Well, Target seems to be one of the talking-point for the repugs.

The Repugs in have group parroted these lines as if they were on Moses' tablets:

1) Sacre blue (sp), Target is a.... FRENCH company! AND we will no
longer shop there.
2) Target recently fired 5000 employees who were members of the
Guard and Reserves once they received the notices of call-up.
3) Target Hates Jesus, Cause Their French.

Just thought I'd add this to the discussion.
Flavin

Mr. Bush, Yehaa! is not a foriegn policy

[newyawker99]

42. Hi Flavin!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[ThorsHammer]

43. Welcome to DU

[SnowBack]

45. Halleleuah! I have FELT the pressure!

Sweet Jesus! I feel it! I was in Target and felt the pressure! I bought me some of that Gay... And now I live in the Castro and married a MAN...

Thanks Target!

:evilgrin:

[idiosyncratic]

48. Welcome to DU . . . and you are so right

I have a RW friend who always gives me a Target gift card for my birthday or Christmas. When I saw her last weekend, she gave me my Christmas card but explained there was cash in the envelope this time because she is "mad at Target since they won't let the SA ring their bells outside the store this year."

[Ms. Clio]

44. Are they sure it wasn't the Feminazis? n/t

[LostinVA]

49. I'm POSITIVE it was the statist feminists

With a small "f"... I've heard they've been busy lately. Or was it a lesbian with a small "l." I get so confused sometimes...

[Ms. Clio]

51. Actually it was the secular humanists

working in concert with the homosexuals, lesbians, Feminazis, and pagans.

They all caused 9/11 too, you know.

[Behind the Aegis]

50. It is always the "nasty" homos!

These people are just sick. I think it is even worse that their newspaper name is a Greek word for "love."

On a fun note, my partner came home last night and told me one of our friends was going to ring a bell for the SA, but when he told her about their policy on gays, she called them and told them she wasn't going to ring a bell for them! Now THAT is gay pressure!!! :)

[Forkboy]

52. Homosexual Pressure sounds kind of kinky

:D

[Cocoa]

56. "homosexual humbugs"

lol, the language in this silly story is a hoot, it sounds like the tabloid stuff from "LA Confidential," it almost reads like a parody. :-)

[6000eliot]

58. Of Course

You got an idea of the awful power we wield in the 11 states that passed anti-marriage amendments this past November.