Photo Courtesy of Nate Imhoff. Check his blog at www.blazingmonk.com for more great shots
Today I stood in the cold rain for two hours observing 75 Minutemen and Minutewomen. I learned some things. I un-learned some other things. Here’s my observations.
It seemed as if the Minutemen who stormed the SCV in January were on a roll. Bob Kellar never backed down, even when Meg Whitman disowned him and Buck McKeon said he should apologize. They had enlisted several new speakers, including high profile ones like State Senator George Runner, to aid in their cause. They were optimistic that 250+ people would show up at their rally, and they were ready to double down on just about everything they said at the last meeting.
But it didn’t turn out that way.
First of all, our local and out-of-town Minutemen weren’t alone today. They were bested in both turnout and volume by the ANSWER LA immigration activists, who showed off their protesting chops by shouting for their cause in unison and by being mobile.
They shouted the standard ANSWER agitprop “The people, united, can never be defeated!” through their bull-horn. One Angry Minuteman tried to counter that with the awkward and rhythmically-challenged, “We can cross the border illegally!” in an attempt, I guess, to ironically shame them.
Needless to say, the shout didn’t catch on among the largely 50+ year old Minuteman crowd.
The rally itself started quite late, but it didn’t take long for things to warm up. Pastor Audie Yancey, the “illegals are evil” star of the January rally, kicked things off again this time around with a milder invocation.
At least I thought it was milder.
State Senator George Runner (of all people!) didn’t think so, and you can see his animated and heated exchange with Minuteman organizer Frank Jorge in the video below.
As Pastor Yancy went on another tear against illegals and told the protesters to shut up, Runner headed for the exits with his aide in tow. I asked some local Republicans why Runner had left, and the consensus seemed to be that he 1) didn’t like the Pastor telling the protesters to shut up (thereby acknowledging their presence) or 2) the rhetoric was a bit too heated even for his taste.
Runner’s desertion of the Minuteman left Frank Jorge hopping mad:
With Runner out of the picture, I thoguht for sure that Bob Kellar and David Gauny might be having second thoughts about speaking at this rally. I watched them as Jorge made his speech, but they showed no reaction. They were ready to press on even when the high-profile Senator abandoned ship.
Things started to move briskly. Ray Herrera, a veteran, took to the stage and outlined a grand conspiracy for everyone in the crowd. I can’t say I even caught the broad outlines of this theory, but it had something to do with the enduring power of the “Anglo Protestant People,” the Puritans and Pilgrims, World War II and Saipan, tyranny, Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck. After invoking all that, he pointed toward the ANSWER activists and said this:
They don’t have the core values, they don’t have a progressive state. They don’t have the courage to stand up in Mexico and fight for what they want.They want to take it from you. I’m going to say it like it is. They want to take it from the white man.
Of course, Herrera immediately recovered from “saying it like it is,” and said that what the ANSWER activists really didn’t understand was that there was no white man in America because all Americans are equal before the law and when push comes to shove, Americans of all races would fight the Japanese in the foxhole together on the beach at Saipan.
Or something.
In any case, he provided some context that made his remarks seem less like a call to arms in defense of the white man’s things, and especially, his women folk (because who wouldn’t want them some fine white women?)
Moving on, it was David Gauny’s turn to speak. Undeterred by Runner’s exit and Herrera’s grand American theory of everything, he started by poking some fun at Kellar. He then said that many had advised him that showing up at the rally would guarantee he wouldn’t be elected and then launched into campaign mode.
His speech was largely unremarkable, though he did channel Steve Lunetta and mention how bad things are in Newhall with regards to day laborers. Funny that he didn’t mention that those men stand out their because we Santa Claritans are hiring them every day.
David, you’ve lost my vote. I hope your appearance before 75 or so anti-illegal immigration activists, most of whom don’t live here, was worth it. I have my doubts.
Bob Kellar was up next and made sure to emphasize that he was speaking on his own behalf. He was proud to say that those of us who wanted him to apologize were going to have to wait a long time. The rest of his remarks were prepared and it’s safe to say he left Cranky Bob Kellar at home in Sand Canyon today. I only wish he had done the same in January. I genuinely liked this man.
Finally, it was Roger Gitlin’s turn to speak.. I’ve gone back and forth on Roger Gitlin on this blog. Sometimes he seems reasonable, even hinting that he supports humane immigration reform. At other times, he tosses his lot in with the crazies like Frank Jorge. Happily, the former showed up today, and he was engaging and lucid and reminded the Minuteman to protest the issue of illegal immigration, not the illegal immigrants themselves. Of course he then went on about illegal alien criminals, but compared to the rest of the speakers, Gitlin was almost someone I could have a conversation with. Almost.
As the rally wore on, I became less interested in recording each speaker. They largely said the same thing. I will say that the black man from South Central who got up and defended Bob Kellar and shouted the word “nigger” several times made me wince (that’s a hell of a thing to hear in downtown Valencia, Nate Imhoff told me), but other than that, I was bored. So I decided to confront Pastor Yancey because his January comments bugged me the most:
Yancey comes off less the racism-justifying preacher of yesteryear and more the confused old man who’s past his prime.
By the way, props to Tony Miano, the SCV street preacher, retired Sheriff’s Deputy and blogger who denounced Yancey and said he was at the rally because “people are here” and not because he agreed with the sentiments. You should check out his blog, where he reflects on Pastor Yancey.
Concluding Thoughts
In the end, I didn’t leave feeling triumphant or beaten down. I left feeling pity for these protesters. One of them mentioned “globalization” and touched on the way the world has changed in the last several decades. In his mind, America should be like it was in the good old days, that mythical time of economic security, harmony and good jobs. That time when a man knew his place in the world, rather than finding himself confused and lost in modern American capitalism’s relentless race to the bottom (and that was before the bailouts!) What difference does it make to the American worker, he seemed to mourn, whether the cheap labor we depend on is in China or on the streets of Newhall? Both are bad for American workers.
This, I remain convinced, is what the anti-illegal immigration movement is really about: Economic insecurity.
I did share one thing with the Minuteman. I am angry. I am very angry that Deputy David March was murdered. I am angry there are illegal immigrants driving without licenses or insurance. I’m angry that the taxpayers foot the bill for an undocumented immigrant’s kidney dialysis at my mom’s unit while an elderly American gentleman struggles getting his insurance company to pay for his. I’m angry that Adrian Avilla, an illegal immigrant, raped several women in Canyon Country a few years ago.
I’m also angry that American companies get fat off the backs of these people and no one stops them.
I’m angry about these things but the difference between me and the Minutemen is that I think the solution is to get illegal immigration under control and provide a path to citizenship for the vast majority of illegal immigrants who come here, work hard, and just want to improve their lives. In that sense, I’m on the side of President Bush who tried to fix this problem in 2006. But his effort died at the hands of the Minutemen.
And unfortunately, they’re not giving up and they’re never going to change their tune.
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OMG I loved the little bubble blurbs you added in the video when George Runner realizes what’s going on and decides to leave. Classic.
“Run away sissy man!”
Nice observation Jeff. I share your same feelings of anger. I left the rally full of new emotions and thoughts: some positive some negative.
I didn’t understand the AnswerLA’s plan though. They came. They left. They came back. They left. They hung out under a tree a few yards away. And then they left for good.
No comprendo…
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Pastor Miano is a true man of God. Can I call Pastor Yancey a false prophet?
Funny that you could not drag Jeff Wilson to a Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast to save his soul, but he has a huge fascination with a preacher from Quartz Hill who is clearly outside the bounds of Christian theology. Preacher Yancy is more a man to be pitted than given attention too.
Once again David Gauny was the voice of reason remarkable or not. Instead of throwing up his hands and saying there is nothing to be done at the local level, he actually has a plan. We need this man on our Council. Not only for this issue, but because he is intelligent, does his homework, and isn’t afraid to back down in an attempt to be ‘popular.’
Although I didn’t listen to all the speeches, the Yancy one was enough to make me yark. I don’t advocate the kind of hate this man has for illegal aliens. I simply want everyone to follow the rule of law and wait their turn to immigrate legally. 1 in 6 of our prisoners is illegal is astonishing (I heard recently from the LA times it was 30%).
In any event, we can not continue the course we are on.
CC
I respectfully disagree. The “voices of reason” including George Runner, were either not there or bailed out as soon as they saw what it was. Dave Gauny is either a befuddled nerd or a slick opportunist who used this to at least get some attention. Otherwise he would have had none up until now and no one in the 3,000 to 4,000 unengaged voters would have even known he was running.
Jeff and Timothy:
Have you both taken your meds today? Arrogant is the only word I can think of when I read both of your posts. Gauny did an outstanding job yesterday. He is bright and articulate and we need him on the City Council.
Thanks for continued coverage of this craziness.
Jeff,
It was nice to finally meet you in person, yesterday. And thank you for your kind words.
Yeah, Gauny really nailed it out of the park!
No condemnation of the pastor, no condemnation of Frank Jorge, instead he shared the stage of both. He’s gone all in with the politics of hate and terror.
He would have reached more SCV voters handing out flyers for two minutes to those in the check out line at Trader Joe’s.
He’s committed political suicide. I expected a speech far more courageous. He’s made of much less than we thought.
I’m shocked! shocked! to read that Save our State was until recently run by a White Separatist.
Tony,
That you for putting Yancey’s comments in the proper context.
While Gauny’s comments are reasonable, the company he keeps is not. But he has found an issue that resonates with some people who will come out and tolerate, if not outright support, some wild people on the far right. I don’t think that is where the center of the SC voting public is, and that is why Sen. Runner left. Runner sized up the speakers and the audience as ‘fringe’ and that’s when he made his exit. IMHO, that is the sound judgment of an experienced politician.
Gauny, neither experienced or exhibiting sound judgment in choosing his allies, is going for a segment of the population who might provide campaign funds, but who won’t be able to put him over the top in the election. If this is what Gauny is like ‘being his own man’, it raises questions about his political judgment. Maybe he is not ready for prime time.
Rocky,
I do believe David will be getting funds from this group.
I do not believe that David is any longer his own man.
I will not say anymore until David has answered an email I sent directly to him.
Jeff, I really appreciate that you went to the rally wrote about what you saw. I agree with what you said in the Concluding Comments. That section really should be a separate post. Thanks to all SCV Talkers who contributed.
Jeff, ND, Mike maybe if you paid a little more attention to Gauny’s speach you’d actually here he denounced any action against individuals but the fight was against the system and enforcing our laws.
At least he stuck to his commitments. If Runner had a spine, he would have stayed and done the same thing and distanced his views, but he left like a stubborn child. He lost my vote over this.
I guess since you guys believe the worst of someone just because of any association, you guys are no better than the illegals in our country that break the laws, rape women and kill people because you are fighting for their amnesty.
I now know why this is a ‘blog’ and not a news source. Your coverage is so slanted and weak. Gauny did a good job and you guys didn’t even recognize it.
I guess by the same token I can call
SCV Guy:
The definition of a blog does not include “reporting the news.”
Here, I made it easy for you: “A blog is an online journal where an individual, group, or corporation presents a record of activities, thoughts, or beliefs. Some blogs operate mainly as news filters, collecting various online sources and adding short comments and Internet links (ex: Daily briefs on SCVTalk). Other blogs concentrate on presenting original material. In addition, many blogs provide a forum to allow visitors to leave comments and interact with the publisher(s).”
Yep. Seems like that’s exactly what SCVTalk does.
And Runner thought this was a Tea Party event. He was going to talk about taxes. Once he figured out what the rally was all about, he bailed because he knew that it would be political suicide to associate with those clowns.
I guessed right that there was only one token person of color in attendance, and he was an invited speaker.
Credibility?
Just crazy, scared, old white people. Good thing I’m not crazy or scared!
As previously stated, I attended the rally yesterday because I believe that citizens gathered on any legitimate issue deserve to be heard. Like you, they also want to hear where our candidates stand on their concerns, so I was happy to speak also.
I won’t repeat my views on illegal immigration here as I made them clear in my speech. However, I was very clear that I will never advocate hate or racism and that I did not agree with the extreme views that a few in their crowd may advocate. I also offered several specific and actionable items that could be implemented at the local level with little or no cost. I am disappointed to hear that all of this was “unremarkable” as I’ve been asked to clarify these points many times on SCVtalk.
I am just as much opposed to extremism as I am to the issue illegal immigration itself. As a candidate, I felt it important to make clear that I will only go as far as supporting the law – and that we must attack people, not process. I did so.
With this in mind, I will also NOT advocate or speak at another rally where Frank Jorge is serving as leader or MC. His comments about Runner and other leaders yesterday were inflammatory, offensive and wrong. Jorge may have some good ideas but they were lost among harsh personal attacks and attempts to incite the crowd to anger. There are many good people in this group but, IMHO, there is no future for the movement unless their members oppose the current approach. Beyond the remarks in my speech, I also made my thoughts known to several key people at the event yesterday.
I do believe that Roger Gitlin was genuinely saddened by the same rhetoric. I can’t speak for Roger but I do believe a schism is forming among this group. They have the attention of the nation and although radical views may have helped at one time, I think there are many who see that this approach must be rejected if real solutions are to be found. Roger Gitlin is passionate and while you may not agree with his views, he is genuinely concerned with the future of our country – he is not a bigot or hater of men.
I do not regret attending yesterday but energies are better served in gatherings where people are more focused on the ISSUES rather than personal attacks. Venomous rhetoric offered up in a rally format will not continue to serve the purposes of this group moving forward. My views on illegal immigration have not changed one iota but I will not visit this group again until a more solution-oriented leader steps forward. When that happens, I also think the attendance will begin multiply over and over.
I hope this clarifies where I stand – thank you for reading.
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Dave, you can’t say I didn’t warn you!
“With this in mind, I will also NOT advocate or speak at another rally where Frank Jorge is serving as leader or MC. His comments about Runner and other leaders yesterday were inflammatory, offensive and wrong. Jorge may have some good ideas but they were lost among harsh personal attacks and attempts to incite the crowd to anger.”
What I don’t get is that you knew this going in. To quote Dennis Green, “They are who we thought they were.”
As a former supporter, I tried my best to warn you against associating with this group. You got the same exact pastor and the same MC as last time. The only thing surprising was the lack of political savvy. You think they’d prune a little of the crazy off the bush when some respectable company came knocking.
How are his comments towards Runner, as classless as they were, a) any worse than what he said in Harrisburg b) any worse than what he said about the President last time or c) come as a surprise.
You and Kellar lent legitimacy to this group, but whatever legitimacy gained on their part, is legitimacy lost by those who lent it.
I agree that Gitlin, as much as I disagree with him, looks like Ted Kennedy compared to this crowd. Neither of you belonged on their stage.
(anyone catch Kellar’s head bowed in prayer during the invocation? What God do you serve that would want you to bow in a prayer that insults His teachings?)
A final note: Jeff, I am sorry to have lost your vote but here’s what you conclude in your article:
”I did share one thing with the Minuteman. I am angry. I am very angry that Deputy David March was murdered. I am angry there are illegal immigrants driving without licenses or insurance. I’m angry that the taxpayers foot the bill for an undocumented immigrant’s kidney dialysis at my mom’s unit while an elderly American gentleman struggles getting his insurance company to pay for his. I’m angry that Adrian Avilla, an illegal immigrant, raped several women in Canyon Country a few years ago.
I’m also angry that American companies get fat off the backs of these people and no one stops them.”
These are my sentiments exactly. So, how and where do people hear, share, and do something about the problem if not for demonstrating? Every movement for change has extreme views in it but if we just denounce the whole group and refuse to engage how do we lead the conversation to a better, more solution-seeking direction. All we wind up doing is saying those “right-wing extremists” and “stupid left-wing nut jobs.” There’s no solution in this either.
This issue is not a political stunt for me – it is a cause I am deeply concerned about. All of our national, state, and local public programs we enjoy –affordable education, public safety, healthcare, etc- will continue to be hurt until we get a grip on this problem. We simply cannot afford to fund the current open border, selective enforcement agenda.
I don’t care about how many people came to the rally or whether I gained or lost votes – the conversation needs to be had and these are my concerns as a citizen. I presented my concerns and I hope they change the course this group taking. If not, I hope a new group will form with a more solution-oriented agenda.
By the way, I arrived late and did not hear the pastor’s remarks that everyone keeps referring to here. Those too were way off the mark.
Mike – you were right. But I don’t regret making the effort. I went, presented some ideas that we could take action on, and rejected the negative tone of some speakers.
But maybe, jut maybe, a few will listen and come forward with a more constructive format in the future. The issues themselves have merit and they are worthy of discussion by our public.
Dave Gauny:
If you are really this clueless and ignorant, then I feel sorry for you. You should have stayed in college. Your self education did you little good.
However, if you are doing this as some kind of slick, cheap way to appeal to the worst fears of the electorate then you are making my blood boil. When you help bring the likes of Frank Jorge and Pastor Yancey into OUR house to foul our nest you should be ashamed.
Once an issue turns to extremism it distracts and hurts the issue it self. The few solutions that were given at this rally would do very little to curb Illegal immigration and would most likely result in lawsuits. Which will again cost our community more money.
I don’t understand why anyone would go to this Rally reading all the research Jeff, Nickeldime and myself have done on these groups?
Tim – listen very closely: I do not regret going to this event. I know exactly what these men said in previous meetings and I NEVER said that I agreed or supported this. Moreover, I did NOTHING to bring them here.
I don’t expect to convert Jorge or the Pastor to new thinking but I do hope to convert some in their group to wake up and understand that this is hurting the cause. I did this by first expressing my shared concern and concluding that we must attack policy and not people. We’ll see but I have done what I felt was my obligation as someone who’s taken a position on this issue.
Leadership’s job is to engage tough issues with extremist views on both sides. There will always be critics who fault-find no matter what direction leadership takes. But whether you agree with my positions or not, I am neither stupid nor manipulative.
BTW… How was Frank Jorges response a surprise?
http://www.blazingmonk.com/2010/02/extremist-frank-jorge-responds/
David Gauny says: ” I did not agree with the extreme views that a few in their crowd may advocate.”
MAY ADVOCATE?!!
You indeed are a politician. A sleazy one at that for trying to pass this tired excuse on us.
Well, IF I said something which MAY have offended someone, then I’m sorry THEY feel that way!
It’s just like that! Dishonest!
FAIL! No vote!
Jesus Christ was criticized for associating with the prostitutes and unsavory characters as I recall. There is something to be said for walking into such a situation and stating that you disagree with the hatred being espoused by some, while sharing other concerns. Politically naive perhaps. But “clueless and ignorant?” No.
Gauny did not bring these people to SCV. He spoke to them. He used the same stage, but I don’t believe he caught racist cooties from doing so.
The more you rant against Gauny, Tim (and I didn’t miss your slam against him in today’s opinion piece in TMS) the more I like him.
not to worry David……the people that left negative comments towards you on this blog do not have the influence over the voters in SCV that they think they have. If they were not worried about you winning this election they would ignore you. Good job!
American Girl says: not to worry David……the people that left negative comments towards you on this blog do not have the influence over the voters in SCV
Wanna bet?
@readermama: great point.
Odd aren’t conservatives all about association? What about Pal’in around with terrorist? Then there is Glenn Beck has made an entire career about associations… Real or imagined.
I told Roger Gitlin this when we spoke on the phone, if he cut out the extemist I would be the first guy in board. I can’t associate with a group led by a man that says there is no middle ground. That is never true.
Dave G,
Who mows your lawn?
To SCV Voter:
I couldn’t steal your money like that….way too easy.
Brian: Okay, I do not agree with some in their crowd who do advocate extreme positions.
Good Question: I mow my lawn. (And yes I am here legally.)
RM: Thank you very much and I am grateful for the thoughtful consideration of what I am saying.
AmGirl – Thank you.
BlazingMonk: As we’ve discussed before, there are many issues where I reject the simple left/right compartmentalizing of complex problems in this country. The problem is that serious issues don’t tend to galvanize a bunch of people who are in the rational middle somewhere. They don’t hold rallies. In fact, there’s really just philosophical debate a lot of the time. So, as I asked at the beginning, what format do we have to bring attention to the problem?
These people are making noise on an issue that needs attention now. Get them working smarter and keep them focused on the issue. Whether or not you agree with my idea for resolution, I believe someone has to engage people that are doing something. There will always be extreme viewpoints in those groups but I see a failure to engage as cowardice, not leadership. Obviously, it’s much easier to point at them, label them all extremists, and do nothing.
Me thinks Gauny would be whistling an entirely different tune if the rally had drawn more potential voters. Distancing yourself after the fact reeks of opportunism. Your presence on the stage and mingling with the “in crowd” lent legitimacy to these nutters. Thanks for that.
Better luck next issue.
On a totally immature side note: Did anyone get a whiff of Frank Jorge? Man, that guy smelled like open ass and Axe body spray! Fitting scent, but I almost puked on his back when walking behind him as I arrived. Blame it on the rain?
GangFang: I spoke my views and distanced myself from the extremism at the event with a speech that was written long before I ever went there. This was my plan when I was first asked to speak several weeks ago.
Also, I have now said repeatedly that I have no regret about speaking to people who gathered on this issue, despite the extreme views of some. What different tune would I be whistling?
Why say that you would never attend another Frank Jorge event just because he did and said what you knew he already says and does?
Mike: Because I share the concern of the root issue and the people that are gathered to do something about it. My belief is that most in that crowd want action, not extremism. Not too many were clapping when Jorge was making his remarks. And the people who want action are worth talking to.
All of my efforts on G&L and other projects have been accomplished by meeting a few people at a time, and then connecting to others who connect to others. Eventually you find the right people real movement starts to occur – but you have to be there and talking and learning.
If Frank Jorge doesn’t change, someone else will come out of this group and get it on track. His approach got them on the map but they need a different plan to move forward. My belief is staying message with a rational approach will bring out the right leaders who can deliver the right change. If I want to lead on the issue, it is my job is to find them and I know of no other way.
American Girl:
Maybe we don’t influence the voters, but we certainly influence David Gauny, because he spends a lot of time and effort responding to our criticisms in his beige, referee way.
By the way, I did not intend to convey that I want to lead this group in any way… but I do actively try to find people who offer thoughtful ideas and energy to addressing the problem. Again, I think that’s what leaders should be doing on this and many other issues.
Tim, As with the SOS group, I only reply for the benefit of the people who want to get past the rhetoric and on to the real issue.
I’ve stopped including you in this group. You are an extremist and your comments are pretty much always inflammatory these days.
I say again, the laws are on the books and the problem is enforcement.
What have our elected officials, Kellar, Runner and McKeon, done to enforce the laws? Yet they talk trash to like minded extremists.
The problem is political will. Or the lack of it,
Dave Gauny:
Only extremist when it comes to you and your candidacy.
You (Tim) are an extremist and your comments are pretty much always inflammatory these days.
Really Mr. Guany, Tim Meyers “extremist”? This from a person who up until a month ago could only distinguish himself from the other members of the Council by his position on the Hospital, until an issue completely under the rader and outside the purview of the Council arises and you embrace it for all the opportunistic value it brings. Pander to the Minutemen and Rodger Gitlins, show up at that dispicable “rally” and Tim Meyer is the extremist?
I’m not calling you an extremist, however resorting to call others who differ from your opinion as an extremist is certainly rich.
Fair enough, SCV Voter. I meant this tongue-in-cheek as Mr. Myers’ and I have been exchanging barbs for sometime.
I mean, when Myers’ suggest (as he does above) that I am somehow responsible for bringing “the likes of Frank Jorge and Pastor Yancey into OUR house to foul our nest” I can’t help but feel like this is a bit extreme.
Other attempts to tear me down have gone further, including his effort to tie me to the global financial meltdown in 2008: http://www.the-signal.com/news/archive/3490/
So, please forgive me… it’s not that I disagree with Myers’ viewpoint, I just think he makes stuff up to discredit me – and he uses really extreme stuff to do it.
I am the same person whether running for council or not and I will stand on what I believe. I don’t agree that illegal immigration is something better left to someone else in some other layer of government and the fact that this all happened now is not some grand plan I crafted. There really is no play here – I’m just a guy who’s really upset at what I see happening in our government and I want to do something about it. There really isn’t much more to it than that.
David: You did stay on topic, and not wander down the Jorge path TOO much. I give you that. But I still say that your mere presence at the rally was observed as an endorsement.
As Mike stated: “Why say that you would never attend another Frank Jorge event just because he did and said what you knew he already says and does?” Attempting to distance yourself after the fact doesn’t add up. Frank said what he has always said. You knew the pot you were climbing into. It’s a little too late to complain that the water is too hot.
It kinda seemed you were there merely to remind people to vote for you. If there had been more potential voters there, and not ones with such wacked views holding American flags suspended on “waternoodles”…I think you may have backed away from the mic to preserve your integrity. Guess you thought that since the attendance was so damn weak that not much damage could come from talking the stand. Oopsy.
Just my observation as someone familiar with the historical and cultural background of pastor Yancy worldview.
In a strange roll reversal, Gauny’s critics here, who are for the most part of the progressive demo side, are applying the same “secondary separation” principles to Gauny’s participation in this little rally as the fundamentalist pastor would when criticizing some “evangelical” pastor for speaking on the same platform with a Catholic priest. His presence causes confusion and gives the impression he favors ecumenism.
It’s amusing in a way.
Secularists have their dogmatic, unyielding fundamentalist principles as well. And all of this vitriol toward a politician coming from a group who generally pride themselves as being open minded and tolerant.
The mind boggles at how you all would have reacted if this had been a pro-gay marriage rally with wack-a-doodle activists in leather screeching at the audience.
SCV Voter, does your vote count more than mine? I doubt it. David Gauny is the reasonable voice here.
I don’t judge people by who know, but what deeds they do. I am so happy to find SOMEONE willing to talk about the real issues in this City, State, Country rather than the talking heads that spend their time cutting ribbons and naming streets after themselves.
The fact that Tim continues to make personal attacks makes him sound more like Yancy and not anything like a reasonable voice.