January 5, 2005 by s.z.

The Party of the Year Here's the story: WASHINGTON -- On Inauguration Day, January 20, pro-life and pro-family church leaders from Catholic, Evangelical, Orthodox and Protestant traditions will stage a rare event combining prayers of thanksgiving with partying the night away. Beginning at 7:00 p.m., Faith and Action, the National Clergy Council and Priests for Life will host 50 VIP guests from around the country at their Victorian-era Capitol Hill row house just a block from the US Capitol. Earlier in the day the group will personally witness the swearing in of George W. Bush to a second term and watch the Inaugural Parade along Constitution and Pennsylvania Avenues. Wow, being inside a Victorian-era row house, watching the parade from the street, and PERSONALLY WITNESSING the swearing in of George!  Could it get any better than this? But who is invited, you ask? The soiree will include both ordained and lay church leaders who played key roles in mobilizing their constituencies to turn out an unprecedented pro-life and pro-traditional marriage vote on Election Day. So, the soiree is for church leaders who were successfully used by Karl Rove to persuade their flocks that unless they voted for George Bush, their marriages would be dissolved in favor of same-sex unions, and their children would be murdered for their stem cells.  I can only hope that following the soiree, the IRS will play a key role in mobilizing the revocation of some tax-exempt statuses. But let's hear more about all cool stuff that will be happening at this rare event. Special guest will be Evangelical author and former Time Magazine bureau chief David Aikman who will autograph copies of Man of Faith, his biography of George Bush. The program includes music, food and elegant horse and carriage rides. A heated tent in the building's garden will include a large-screen television so guests can watch the President and First Lady dance at the main ball. Oooh, it just gets better and better!  A biography of George, horsey rides, a TV so you can watch George and Laura dance -- plus, there will even be heat in the tent!!! The highlight of the evening, though, will be a special prayer service where guests will offer prayers of thanksgiving for the election outcome and intercession for Mr. Bush and members of his administration as they lead the country during the next four years. Special emphasis will be placed on asking God to give wisdom to Mr. Bush as he selects replacements to serve on the Supreme Court, located immediately across the street. You know, I'd join them in praying that George gets some wisdom, but I'm NOT going to thank God for "the election outcome and intercession for Mr. Bush" -- because I can't believe that a just and loving God had anything to do with this. Oh, and instead of praying that Mr. Bush has the wisdom to select good (i.e., anti-Roe Wade) replacements to serve on the Supreme Court, wouldn't it be more pro-life and pro-family to pray that the current Supremes are cured of their ailments, and live long and healthy lives? Members of the media (on assignment) are invited to attend but must call first to arrange entrance. Contact Dane Rose at Faith and Action, 202-546-8329. I wonder if I said that I was on assignment from Judson Cox's newpaper, they'd let me attend ... because I can't see many other reporters covering this, and hey, free food and a heated tent! 4:46:50 AM

A Wingnut to Watch in 2005 I was flipping through the channels and came upon "Scarborough Country" -- the topic under discussion was apparently "Why would a loving God allow the devastation caused by the tsunamis?"  Just then a woman identified as Jennifer Giroux, President of Women Influencing the Nation (WIN), was speaking.  She said, as best as I can recall (no transcripts available yet) that God is loving, but He is also just, and so when we as a society turn away from Him (as demonstrated by our allowing babies to be aborted, not permitting children to be taught about God in the public schools, and taking Christ out of Christmas), we can expect to be smitten. So, everybody who said "Happy Holidays" is responsible for the tsunamis.  I bet that Bill O'Reilly is kicking himself for not having thought of it first. I watched a bit longer, hoping that she would explain her philosophy further, but she never did.  But here is my recap of the next ten minutes:  Scarborough asked Jennifer if God smote the people half a world away for OUR sins.  Jennifer said no, of course not -- but didn't explain why our public schools and our celebration of Christmas would then be relevant to the discussion.  Rabbi Shmuley Boteach called Jennifer a blasphemer who didn't know the Bible.  An atheist said that the secular contributions of money, supplies, and other aid to the afflicted nations were doing more good for the world than than railing about abortion and school prayer.  A white-haired, WASPy-looking woman said that God is a loving God, and that while we can't know why He allowed the tsunamis to afflict these people, at least we are better off than the atheists who have no hope or purpose in life.  Then Tim LaHaye said that God is indeed a loving God, and we have to have faith that all the deaths and suffering served some greater purpose. He agreed with Scar that the Bible predicts that there will be earthquakes and natural disasters as we approach the time of the Apocalypse, but Tim said this doesn't mean that God CAUSES them, it just means that God knew they were going to happen.  Rabbi Boteach called Tim and the white-haired lady blasphemers for believing that God endorses death and suffering.  Jennifer asked the others if they didn't believe that God sends natual disasters to teach lessons to sinning nations -- Tim and the WASP kind of hemmed and hawed, then the Rabbi said that biblical prophets stated this, and Jen was no prophet, so she should shut shut the hell up. Then everybody was talking at the same time, with the discussion between Jennifer and the Rabbi getting particularly animated, and I decided I should get my theological guidance elsewhere. But the program made me curious about this Jennifer Giroux, the woman who was the first to come up with super wingnutty idea that the ACLU, secularists, Democrats, and all those who don't believe in Christmas are responsible for the tsunamis. Well, I learned that Giroux is a devout Catholic, and the mother of nine.  She apparently started Women Influencing the Nation in order to counter feminism, to chastise the media, and to give a voice to the "average person" who is tired of Frank Rich saying bad things about the sainly Mel Gibson. Here's part of a Talon News story about Jennifer and her group: To help continue with that trend [of people supporting The Passion just to spite the secular critics], an independent website called See the Passion was created by Ohio-based group Women Influencing the Nation (WIN), a conservative Christian alternative to the National Organization for Women (NOW). "NOW is the absolute opposite of what we believe," WIN President Jennifer Giroux told Talon News, explaining that the See the Passion website is the group's first major initiative. Giroux, a mother of 9, including a special needs child, as well as a part-time nurse, said she became committed to opposing the extreme feminist agenda through political activism after observing this vocal minority claim to speak for people like her. "They are not the majority," she contended about groups such as NOW. "We really feel time will tell we are the majority." Giroux explained to Talon News that WIN now consists of more than 75 women who are committed to stand for what is right for the sake of their children's future. These women have been literally shocked by the revisionist history being promoted by the radical feminist agenda. Hey, that would have been a great story: "NOW literally shocks women, using revistionist history hooked up to a giant genator and faulty wiring." The group cites the latest attacks on Mel Gibson and his movie as an example of this [NOW was behind the attacks on Mel Gibson???] and states that this "has wakened the sleeping giant," referring to Christians. WIN says on its website that these negative reports from the media have motivated "the millions of us out there who will not stand by silently and watch such destructive forces re-write and distort the passion and suffering of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." So, Jennifer and her group of 75 speak for the millions who think Mel's movie is really cool despite what NOW said about it, but who don't want to bother joining her group. But actually, Jen DOES seem to have been given more exposure by that danged liberal media than would seem warranted for a woman whose only weapon is a website and an almost fanatical devotion to Mel Gibson. Media Matters reported that Jennifer was on "Scarborough Country" fourteen times -- and that was just from February-April 2004!  Here's part of their info about her: According to The Dallas Morning News, Giroux is "a former Republican who followed Mr. [Pat] Buchanan to the Reform Party." The Cincinnati Post reported that Giroux hosted a fundraiser and book-signing for Buchanan for his 1999 book A Republic, Not an Empire -- a book that, as The Philadelphia Inquirer reported, "reignited allegations that [Buchanan] is anti-Semitic." A Republic, Not an Empire was published by the conservative press Regnery Publishing. The following year, Giroux spoke at the 2000 Reform Party Convention in Long Beach, CA. Hmm, Pat Buchanan is a frequent guest host on "Scarborough Country" (and was the guest host for many of Jenny's appearances).  So, maybe the fact that she used to campaign for Pat explains her frequent appearances on the show.  (Well, that, and the fact that she's an outspoken kook, and so makes for Fox News-esque TV, which seems to be what MSNBC is aiming for these days.)  [But we find it interesting that Jen hosted a booksigning for a book which some felt was anti-Semitic -- could that be relevant to the Jennifer Giroux story?  Stay tuned for the answer to that and other important questions.] But for now, here's more about her Reform Party speech in 2000, courtesy of "Network America News": Jennifer Giroux, long time Buchanan supporter and mother of nine (the last of these about to born later this year) saved the day. Speaking from the heart, she articulated the frustration she and millions of American mothers feel as they are forced to watch the establishment Big Media say that “women” don’t like Pat Buchanan. She spoke for the broad middle “silent majority” of American women – the ones who would put Buchanan in the White House with a fair vote count. She talked of the need for an organization called “WIN” with Buchanan, that is, “Women Influencing the Nation” with Buchanan --- to counteract the 20 or 30 omnipresent Media-approved liberal/leftist women who are passed off as “American woman.” Jenny Giroux also spoke about all the traditional values that are dear to all the women – and men – who love candidate Pat Buchanan. It was a classic Buchananesque speech. Many in the audience had a tear in their eye, and the rest of the evening Jennifer was approached by well-wishing delegates and Buchanan supporters thanking her for what she had said. I know she was besieged by well-wishers the rest of the night, because I was (most of the time) close by. For the sake of truth in advertising, --- now it can be told --- Jennifer Giroux is my little sister --- AND --- she met her husband, Dan Giroux, through the Buchanan campaign in 1992! Jim Condit Jr. Director, Citizens for a Fair Vote Count So, WIN was originally going to be a voice for the millions of women who love Pat Buchanan -- but it apparently didn't come together until Jennifer made it be about Mel Gibson instead (because women just seem to like Mel more than Pat). But let's learn more about big brother Jim Condit Jr, okay? Well, it seems that Jim ran for Congress in 2004, on an Independent ticket with a platform based on Constitution Party ideas, Catholic principles, and general anti-media/anti-government wingnuttiness.  Here's the story from Jim's website: Jim Condit Jr. is a legally qualified candidate in the 2nd District of Ohio. The sitting Congressman is Rob Portman, who is one of President George W. Bush’s right hand men. Mr. Portman can often be seen sitting near President Bush at White House meetings. Jim Condit Jr. is running to win and get his important messages out – regardless that a victory against incumbent Congressman Portman is admittedly quite a long shot. You have to kind of admire a guy who comes right out and says, "Hey, I'm a loser, but at least I don't sit by George W. Bush."  But Jim's platform was, well, unique.  It was based on claims that the media and the government are lying to you about 9/11 (which was actually caused by the Jews, not by al Qaeda), in order to help Israel -- because the Jews secretly run our government.  Here are a couple of transcripts of Jim's radio ads. 7. Overview of 9-11 and a 2nd Terror Attack Are you ready for a SECOND terrorist Attack? Strong evidence indicates that the 9-11 terror attacks were NOT done by Arabs hiding in caves in Afghanistan, but were pulled off by well placed pro-Israeli operatives in our Federal government and military intelligence, using high technology remote control to crash the 9-11 planes into the World Trade Center. All such evidence has been suppressed by ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, and FOX. I believe that a “Phase II” of 9-11 is now in the planning, a SECOND terrorist attack against the USA or Europe, this time biowarfare or nuclear. The Big TV Networks will again BLAME the Arabs on cue, to trick you into letting your son and daughter be drafted to go and fight and die in a needless war in the Middle east for Israel’s benefit – not for America’s. Help us prevent a needless World War III. For the full story, go to realnews247.com and click on “2nd Terrorist Attack”, and tell your contacts nationwide to go to realnews247.com – Paid for by Jim Condit Jr. for Congress. 10. Merry Christmas, AND OFF WITH YOUR HEAD! Many people in the US military believe they are defending our way of life, and our freedom of speech and religion.  But, in fact, in 1991, our Israeli run Congress passed a bill that replaces our system. Congress now says America's basic laws are the Noahide laws -- laws invented by Jewish rabbis.   Under the NOAHIDE laws, if anyone practices Christianity [such as celebrates Christmas], they will be tried by a court of Jewish rabbis and sentenced to death.    Sound fantastic?  Read about the Noahide laws in a basic Jewish religious book, the Talmud -- go to Sanhedrin 56 and 57.   The thought of killing a person for celebrating Christmas is downright un-American. That’s why our US military MUST NOT fight wars for the Jewish state, Israel. And if you ever wondered why the Jewish Led ACLU is always trying to tear the Ten Commandments down from our public buildings – now you know. They’re preparing the way for with the artificial Noahide Laws. To find out more, go to realnews247.com and click on "Merry Christmas, and OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!" And E-mail your friends nationwide to go to realnews247.com.  Paid for by Jim Condit for Congress. So, you can see where Jennifer might have gotten the idea that anti-Christmas people were enough to cause the tsunamis: because soon they would be killing our citizens for celebrating Christmas, as directed by Jewish law -- and that's just not American!  And that's why God smote Asia. Interestingly enough, anti-Semitism was a big factor on Jennifer's appearance on "Scarborough Country" on December 8th.  Pat Buchanan was the guest host.  Rabbi Boteach was also a guest.  Here are some highlights from the transcript: RABBI SHMULEY BOTEACH, AUTHOR, “FACE YOUR FEAR”:  But I‘ve got to tell you, Pat, the fact that Christians around the country be offended if Mel Gibson‘s “The Passion” doesn‘t win best Oscar is shocking to me.  First of all, “The Passion of the Christ” was an domination [an abomination?] for Christianity.  It really should win the World Wrestling Federation Oscar for best movie.  It‘s a guy for two hours being kicked, beaten, his blood gushing everywhere.  It‘s just a diabolical, criminal, violent mess.  WILLIAM DONAHUE, PRESIDENT, CATHOLIC LEAGUE:  I spoke to Mel a couple of weeks ago about this.  And I don‘t think it really matters a whole lot to him.  It certainly doesn‘t matter to me.  We‘ve already won.  Who really cares what Hollywood thinks?  All these hacks come out there.  Hollywood is controlled by secular Jews who hate Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular.  It‘s not a secret, OK?  And I‘m not afraid to say it.  That‘s why they hate this movie.  It‘s about Jesus Christ, and it‘s about truth.  It‘s about the messiah.  Hollywood likes anal sex.  They like to see the public square without nativity scenes.  I like families.  I like children.  They like abortions.  I believe in traditional values and restraint.  They believe in libertinism.  We have nothing in common.  But you know what?  The culture war has been ongoing for a long time.  Their side has lost.  You may have seen that quote previously.  But if not, you now know that William Donahue believes that Hollywood is controlled by secular Jews who hate Catholicism, but like abortions and butt sex. And here is so more stuff from further into the discussion, including Jennifer's best contribution (which I bolded): BOTEACH:  I‘m amazed that we‘ve made this a discussion about secular Jews.  I have got to tell you that Bill Donahue, who I otherwise love and so respect, ought to be ashamed of himself, the way he‘s spoken about secular Jews hating Christians.  That is a bunch of crap, OK? DONAHUE:  Who‘s making the movies? [...] Who‘s making the movies?  The Irishmen?  [...] BOTEACH:  Pat, the reason why many Jews—I‘m not among them—are fearful of Christianity is, they‘re tired of Christians saying that we‘re a bunch of Christ killers.  They‘re tired of the lie that we killed Jesus. [...] DONAHUE:   I‘m talking about secularists in Hollywood.  They‘re not Rastafarians.  They‘re Jews.  Just pick up any copy of the Jewish...[...] You‘re going to tell me that the Chinese don‘t live in Chinatown, right?  To say that Hollywood is dominated by secular Jews...  ...is just saying that Hollywood is Jewtown.  Anyway, snip a lot more stuff about secularists and/or Jews in Hollywood, and how secular Jews used to be GOOD, in that they made Song of Bernadette and Going My Day, but now they're just in it for the butt sex. BUCHANAN:  Jennifer, you want to come back in here. GIROUX:  I would love to. All I can say, Rabbi, is, you‘ve got to concede the fact—and it‘s difficult because we all at times in life have to say, I‘m sorry, I was wrong—we cannot go back and make it that the Hawaiians killed Christ.  Mel Gibson and all Christians... BOTEACH:  What are you talking about?  GIROUX:  I‘m saying you can‘t rewrite history. BOTEACH:  Jennifer, you are so ignorant, it‘s embarrassing.  And that's as close to that classic SNL line, "Jane, you ignorant slut," as you'll probably see this year. Anyway, I think that Jennifer Giroux is a wingnut to watch in 2005 (her brother Jim Condit, Jr., while just as entertaining, might not be as visible this year after losing the election). And I think that all of you who caused the earthquake and the tsunamis by not wishing James Lileks a Merry Christmas should be very ashamed of yourselves. 1:29:31 AM