Family Leaders Come to IFI's Defense, Denounce Blagojevich's and Garcia's Bigoted Attacks against Christians
3/17/2006 5:44:00 AM
By Pro-family leaders in Illinois and beyond
"My experience with radical homosexual activists is that one cannot engage in any kind of mature dialog without being verbally attacked. From January to April of 2005, Rick Garcia and I had exchanged e-mail messages which finally collapsed into an onslaught of vile invectives and insults.
"As a Catholic activist, I was approaching Garcia on the doctrines of the Catholic Church regarding catechetical teachings on homosexuality. I feel I conducted the exchange in a friendly and charitable tone, and expected the same from him. Instead, I was called: A mean, nasty, bitter, deeply-troubled, sexually-obsessed old lady, uninformed, clueless, sick, pathetic woman in need of professional help because I'm adverse to the truth. He claimed:'You wouldn't know the truth if it bit you on your bitter [a-s]!'
'You are obsessed with gay people's genitals and what they do with them. You can't see beyond their crotches!'
'I have seen the filth and lies that you and the CWA put out!' He called Peter LaBarbera a "wacko."
"However, Garcia did offer to say a rosary for my salvation -- the rosary which his dear old Catholic nuns and aunts taught him. Rick Garcia is hardly capable of serving on the Governor's Hate Crimes Commission, when hate-speech is part of his own way of confronting those who disagree with him."
Arlene Sawicki
Veteran Chicago pro-life, pro-decency and pro-family activist
"Rick Garcia is hardly capable of serving on the Governor's Hate Crimes Commission, when hate-speech is part of his own way of confronting those who disagree with him."
--Catholic activist Arlene Sawicki, who received some nasty e-mails from state 'Hate Commission' member Rick Garcia
TWO IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1) March 21 Primary Signature Drive: sign up to volunteer 2-3 hours and gather PMI signatures on Election Day; can you recruit 10 of your friends to do the same?! You can sign up to volunteer March 21 by clicking the orange "Volunteers Needed" bar at the top of the PMI site;
2) Church Bulletins Available for March 21st Drive! You can download a PDF sheet containing two half-sheet church bulletins announcing PMI's March 21st signature drive by clicking HERE or going to PMI's website and clicking the orange "Church Bulletin/General Handouts" button.
The following statements of support for Illinois Family Institute came after report in the Daily Herald that a spokesman for Gov. Rod Blagojevich accused IFI of "spew[ing] intolerance" after we called for homosexual activist Rick Garcia to be removed from the state's Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes. Garcia refused to rescind or apologize for his accusation that Cardinal Francis George is a "bigot" because George defends Catholic doctrine on sex and marriage, including that the latter is not open to homosexual relationships:
"The Family Research Institute of Wisconsin fully supports the Illinois Family Institute (IFI) in its call for the removal of Rick Garcia from the state Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes. Mr. Garcia has clearly shown he both discriminates and "hates" those opposed to his radical position on marriage and homosexuality, a stance that should disqualify him from serving on the commission. Governor Blagojevich's comments regarding IFI and its work are completely out of line. The governor owes an apology not only to IFI, but also to all Illinois citizens who stand for traditional, Judeo-Christian values."
Julaine K. Appling
Executive Director
Family Research Institute of Wisconsin
Illinois Right to Life Committee recognizes the excellent work done by Illinois Family Institute (IFI). These efforts in no way can be legitimately characterized as either hate or bigotry.
Those who are criticizing IFI are demonstrating their own hate and bigotry, directed at true Christians, especially Roman Catholics, and at Christianity in general. It is unfortunate that the Governor of Illinois is numbered among those who are demonstrating such tactics in an attempt to gain political advantage. Such behavior is outrageous. A reconstituted Hate Commission, with the current offenders removed, should investigate these acts of hate and bigotry taken against IFI.
William Beckman
Executive Director
Illinois Right to Life Committee
"As a citizen of the state and as a Roman Catholic, I am offended by Rick Garcia's reported calling the cardinal of the Chicago Archdiocese a bigot and I believe he should apologize, particularly in his capacity as a member of a state commission. I would expect all members of state commissions to rise above name calling and bigotry."
St. Sen. Bill Brady
GOP Candidate for Governor of Illinois
"Contrary to recent unjust characterizations by Governor Blagojevich,
the Illinois Family Institute and its Executive Director Peter LaBarbera are champions of families and traditional values in Illinois. By contrast, Rick Garcia is well-know for his position as an advocate for homosexual extremism and his obvious bias against values that are held dear by the majority of Illinois citizens. Garcia's participation on the Illinois Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes is therefore inappropriate and unacceptable, and Family Taxpayers Network joins the Illinois Family Institute in calling for Governor Blagojevich to remove him from that board."
Lidia Downs
Executive Director
Family Taxpayers Network
"Catholic Citizens of Illinois has called for the immediate removal of Rick Garcia from the governor's Commission Against Discrimination and Hate Crimes because of his own hate mongering. We are outraged by his attack on Cardinal Francis George, calling him a 'bigot.'
As Archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal George has a duty to defend the teachings of the Catholic Church against homosexuality as a "disordered lifestyle" and to oppose efforts to undermine marriage as it was established in the beginning by God.
"We are offended by Garcia's frequent attacks on the Catholic Church and all Christians for their belief in biblical values. We repudiate his attacks on the Illinois Family Institute which has been effective in the defense of marriage and efforts to place a referendum on the ballot to define marriage in Illinois as a union between one man and one woman.
"Anyone who has studied the agenda of the homosexual rights movement will understand that a major platform for establishing acceptance of homosexuality in America is to silence the churches by vicious attacks and name-calling. We will not be silenced.
"The type of hatred Rich Garcia spouts on a regular basis has no place on a commission financed by the taxpayers and he must be removed from the Commission at once."
Mary Anne Hackett
President
Catholic Citizens of Illinois
"Concerned Women for America's Illinois chapters stand with the Illinois Family Institute in calling for Rick Garcia to be removed from the state Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes because of his obvious hatred toward Christians with whom he disagrees. And we reject Gov. Rod Blagojevich's irresponsible and unjust characterization of IFI.
"The governor turns a blind eye to statements of outright bigotry against Christians, and then commits the same offense himself with his distortion of IFI. He owes IFI, the Roman Catholic Church and all tradition-minded Christians an apology, and he should clean house at the Hate Commission, which is oddly living up to its nickname."
Karen Hayes
Associate Director
Concerned Women for America of Illinois (an online interview about the Hate Commission controversy featuring Hayes, Peter LaBarbera, and CWA analyst Martha Kleder can be heard by clicking on Concerned Women for America's website)
"Republican Young Professionals calls upon Governor Blagojevich and Equality Illinois' Rick Garcia to apologize for the reprehensible, defamatory insults recently directed at the members and leadership of the Illinois Family Institute (IFI). While IFI has always welcomed open, spirited debate on the issues -- there is no place for personal insults. IFI is an outstanding organization of honest, regular citizens, tirelessly standing up in defense of traditional marriage and other pro-family concerns. We condemn these latest desperate tactics which chill honest debate and seek to bully any opponent of gay 'marriage.'
Doug Ibendahl
Chairman
Republican Young Professionals (RYP)
"It is my understanding that Rick Garcia, a member of Rod Blagojevich's 'Hate Crimes Commission' has called Cardinal Francis George, the venerable leader of our Catholic Church in Chicago, a 'bigot' because he teaches and promotes the time-honored tenets of the Catholic Church. I also understand that Garcia has labeled as 'rank bigots,' millions of Illinois citizens who believe in the sanctity of traditional marriage. This type of anti-Christian/anti-Catholic intolerance has no place in any state sanctioned commission purporting to advocate tolerance. I call for Rod Blagojevich to immediately remove Rick Garcia from his 'Hate Crimes Commission.'"
"Additionally, I was very disappointed to hear that Rod Blagojevich has leveled personal attacks against both the Illinois Family Institute, and its tens of thousands of members. IFI is a Christian organization committed to 'defending marriage, family, and the sanctity of life in the land of Lincoln.' IFI is a voice for millions of Illinoisans who honor traditional family values. The Governor's attacks are offensive, and are a personal affront to a majority segment of Illinois citizens, and to the pro-family values they hold dear."
Jim Oberweis
GOP candidate for Governor of Illinois
Culture Campaign would like to thank Governor Rod Blagojevich and staff for making clear in this election year their confused position on the greatest moral conflict of our day...homosexuality. Illinois Family Institute believes marriage should be between a man and a woman....that there is a God who didn't get it wrong when He said homosexuality was a sin. Peter LaBarbera is a voice for that truth, held at its very core by hundreds of thousands of Illinois voters. Truth telling may feel like "spewing" when one is the recipient, but morality is not now nor ever more will be.....bigotry or hate. In his heart, Rick Garcia knows this too. It's a shame the Governor doesn't.
Sandy Rios
President
Culture Campaign
"Illinois Family Coalition stands with Illinois Family Institute in its efforts to have Gov. Blagojevich remove Rick Garcia from the Commission on Discrimination and Hate. Mr. Garcia has a long history of speaking hateful of Christians who believe in the Word of God that homosexuality is sinful and immoral. Standing for the Word of God is not intolerance, but truth, and it is intolerant to speak hatefully about Christians who hold that view. Mr. Garcia is not a person who should be on a commission that is meant to work toward reducing hate."
Ralph Rivera
President
Illinois Family Coalition
"My experience with radical homosexual activists is that one cannot engage in any kind of mature dialog without being verbally attacked. From January to April of 2005, Rick Garcia and I had exchanged e-mail messages which finally collapsed into an onslaught of vile invectives and insults.
"As a Catholic activist, I was approaching Garcia on the doctrines of the Catholic Church regarding catechetical teachings on homosexuality. I feel I conducted the exchange in a friendly and charitable tone, and expected the same from him. Instead, I was called: A mean, nasty, bitter, deeply-troubled, sexually-obsessed old lady, uninformed, clueless, sick, pathetic woman in need of professional help because I'm adverse to the truth. He claimed:'You wouldn't know the truth if it bit you on your bitter [a-s]!'
'You are obsessed with gay people's genitals and what they do with them. You can't see beyond their crotches!'
'I have seen the filth and lies that you and the CWA put out!' He called Peter LaBarbera a "wacko."
"However, Garcia did offer to say a rosary for my salvation -- the rosary which his dear old Catholic nuns and aunts taught him. Rick Garcia is hardly capable of serving on the Governor's Hate Crimes Commission, when hate-speech is part of his own way of confronting those who disagree with him."
Arlene Sawicki
Veteran Chicago pro-life, pro-decency and pro-family activist
Dan Zanoza, founder of Republicans for Fair Media, wrote the following column about his encounter with the spiteful Garcia:
One would hope individuals who are leaders in the public light would advance the same lofty principles they would in their role as private citizens. I have always tried to communicate with those I disagree with in a manner which reflects dignity and respect--both in my journalistic writings and in communications of a more private nature. Unfortunately, there are those who hold leadership roles in activist organizations who do not apply this consistency of thought and their behavior holds fast to the saying that it is not only what a man does in public, but what and how he acts in private, which should be the true judge of an individual's character.
I am referring to a bevy of recent attacks levied against conservative leaders and politicians by Rick Garcia, Director of Public Policy of Equality Illinois, a pro-homosexual organization. In past days, Garcia has referred to Chicago's Francis Cardinal George as a bigot. Garcia has also attacked and attempted to bury other individuals, targeting among others, Illinois Family Institute's (IFI) director, Peter LaBarbera; and Republican gubernatorial candidate, Jim Oberweis under a sea of charges including false allegations of their intolerance and mean-spiritedness.
What I have learned over the years is if one does not agree with Garcia's homosexual agenda--for any reason--he runs to an all too often cooperating press to spread his message. Cardinal George is a Catholic leader who must abide by the tenets of his faith. In fact, the Christian position on homosexuality is far less draconian than the teachings of Islam or the Torah. But, in modern days, Christianity has become an easy target, constantly attacked by Hollywood and Wall Street ad merchants and protected by the guise of political correctness.
LaBarbera has become a focus of Garcia's anger because he and IFI are leading a legislative initiative that would define marriage as a union solely between one man and one woman--not two men, not two women, not one man and two women, but strictly abiding by a cultural norm that has been the centerpiece of Western civilization for over 3,000 years. More recently, Garcia attacked Jim Oberweis, who supports LaBarbera's initiative. He took Oberweis' words out of context on other matters as well and used the same flurry of "correct speak" which has served Garcia well in the past to attack the Republican gubernatorial primary candidate.
But there is a different and darker side of Rick Garcia that many haven't seen. I have had the fortune--or dare I say misfortune--to see that dark side and it is indeed not tolerant or well-meaning.
In 1994, I wrote in my Media Watch column for the Illinois Leader, (a conservative online publication which is no longer in existence). In the piece, I took offense over the attempt by homosexual leaders to equate their behavior with the issues of race and physical disabilities. Being legally blind, I felt it necessary to disagree with Garcia and his agenda and my column expounded on that fact. However, I took great means to be tactful, kind and relevant.
But what I received in an e-mail from Garcia was truly shocking. I can safely say it was the most offensive e-mail I have ever received concerning any issue at any time. This was from a man who readily charges others, accusing his foes of being akin to social barbarians. According to Garcia, they have no right to observe their religion, they neither have the right to hold a political position because of their moral beliefs and, in Garcia's opinion, they should not be considered for public office. But I need not say more. There is no reason to accept my words on the subject.
The following letter from Garcia exposes his true character which lacks tolerance, is mean-spirited and is crude beyond belief. In fact, I had to put a great deal of thought in to the prospect of publicly publishing his letter in an open forum, but Garcia's hate-filled rhetoric, in lieu of the fact he was recently appointed to Governor Blagojevich's committee on hate crimes and speech, made the decision for me.
This is not meant for the eyes of children and I would hope parents will consider the content warning posted above.
Here is Garcia's letter to me in its entirety. It speaks for itself. He again attacks Catholics and refers to statistics about blacks out of context. In reality, this must be the real man behind the facade, who represents the homosexual movement in Chicago and Illinois.
The uncensored letter to Dan Zanoza from Rick Garcia:Gay rights about more than sex
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
What an intriguing opinion ["Illinois Leader Media Watch: Is the media pushing gay rights as civil rights?," May 24].
You reduce gay people to our genitals and what we do or don't do with them.
Get your head out of our crotches. Stop being obsessed with homosexual genital activity. If you could get beyond gay folks' genitals and same sex sexual activity you might be able to come to a clearer and better understanding of gay people and our lives.
By the way, lesbians have the lowest incidence of AIDS, Catholic nuns have the highest incidence of breast cancer and only black folk have sickle cell anemia. What does that mean?
Rick Garcia
Chicago
Can You Give Us 2 Hours for Marriage on Tuesday, March 21st?!
March 21st is Primary Election day and millions of citizens will be coming out to vote. It is a wonderful opportunity to collect more than 100,000 signatures of known registered voters, on this one day alone. (Click HERE to download a church bulletin.)
Will you join us?
Will you donate 2-3 hours of your time on Primary Election day to help us gather signatures to defend marriage in Illinois?
How YOU can help:
Register to help us on March 21st at www.protectmarriageillinois.org; you can also register by calling toll-free 1-877-787-8011;
Download a Protect Marriage Illinois petition sheet and instructions HERE;
Since political leaders in Springfield won't stand up to defend marriage as between one man and one woman, we the people are taking it upon ourselves to gather 500,000 signatures across Illinois to put this issue on the ballot in November.
David E. Smith, Project Director
Protect Marriage Illinois
877-787-8011
630-790-9044 or by email: info@protectmarriageil.org
Background
We must act now to permanently protect marriage in Illinois! Since the forced legalization of same-sex "marriage" in Massachusetts in 2004, fifteen states have adopted constitutional amendments preserving traditional marriage through ballot initiatives, averaging a winning percentage of over 70 percent. That brings the total to 19 states that have added marriage amendments to their state constitutions. Another 11 states are currently pursuing similar measures.
Illinois does not want to become another Massachusetts. We simply cannot afford to sit on the sidelines while other states move quickly to defend marriage.
Illinois citizens who want to permanently protect marriage have until April 20, 2006 to gather 283,111 valid signatures in order to put an Advisory Referendum on the ballot calling on political leaders in Springfield to pass a state constitutional amendment protecting marriage as one man and one woman.
If we do not push for an Amendment to the Illinois State Constitution, liberal activist judges will redefine marriage forever. If we allow that to happen, what would prevent further redefinition of marriage to include polygamy, group marriages, etc.? If marriage is redefined it loses all meaning.
We need your help! Please take the time to register to help us on Tuesday, March 21st! You can also download copies of the Marriage Referendum Petition and Circulators Instructions by clicking HERE.
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