What the Iowa Supreme Court and Home Depot Have in Common

Some folks in Elvis' hometown are all shook up over marriage equity in Iowa.

The Tupelo-based American Family Association is, according to its public policy director, pumping $200,000 into Iowa for Freedom's drive to remove three Iowa Supreme Court justices up for retention in November. Iowa for Freedom is an AFA affiliate group.

Now, sure 'nuff, there's nothing improper about this Magnolia State meddlin' in our local affairs. It's a free country.

Iowa for Freedom's chief, Bob Vander Plaats, says he's “thrilled” to get association support, but insists that this is an Iowa effort staffed and supported by Iowans. He says the notion his group is being “hijacked” by Dixie activists is untrue.

I appreciate Bob's tenacity and sincerity. But I'm not thrilled.

The AFA's public policy director, Bryan Fischer, says he believes that gays and lesbians should not only be barred from marriage and the military, but even from serving in public office. He likened gay relationships to domestic terrorism. And that's just a small sampling of his small-minded screed.

The AFA has targeted scores of private businesses that had the audacity to treat employees fairly, promote equality and even advertise in media aimed at gay and lesbian consumers. Its latest target is Home Depot, which sponsored gay pride events and offered insurance coverage to domestic partners.

AFA calls it the “Homosexual Depot.” Clever.

The AFA is offended. Always. Companies including Hallmark, offensive cards, Campbell's Soup, offensive ads, and AAA Motor Club, offensive family memberships, have been hit with protests and boycotts. When GAP failed to mention Christmas in its holiday ads, AFA was there with bells on. The group found naughty posters for sale on the Sears website and went ballistic. Why were they looking?

And why bring this up? Two reasons.

First, when you hear the sweet tea refrain that this ouster effort is all about the right to vote and the voice of the people, remember how one of its biggest backers wants to shove millions of gay and lesbian Americans to some sort of sub-citizenship. That's the agenda.

Second, this isn't about freedom. These are the nannies, folks. They want to tell us who we can love, what TV shows we can watch, what stores we can go to, how to celebrate holidays, and what we can view on the Internet. They want to tell private firms how they must operate.

They'll maul any institution that doesn't fall in line to make their narrow worldview the law of the land. They've set their sights on our courts.

And if you disagree with them, it's time for a little less conversation and a little more action.

Comments: (319) 398-8452; todd.dorman@sourcemedia.net