The Christian Right loves martyrs.
Their wacked out Fundie Crusade needs them. Martyrs get FOX, newpaper, and talk radio coverage. Most of all, whenever there is a martyr, there is someone watching who is happily writing out a check. They are always searching for the next martyr who they see as being persecuted by the Godless Left such as
Terry Schiavo or
Tom DeLay.
Desperate Illinois Conservatives, saw the success of the martyr ploy. Last summer, Illinois Cook County Republican Chairman, Gary Scoien was fired from his job in a realty firm for offering a bounty for the conviction of Mayor Richard M. Daley, Chicago for allegations of patronage hiring. Many in the GOP ridiculed the stunt. However, privately they admit not only did they get Chicago coverage but national coverage. To be a Republican in Blue State Illinois nowadays, it is a big deal just to be in the newpaper.
Along comes,
J. Matt Barber, a man seemingly obsessed with homosexuals. Barber writes wingnut articles accusing liberals of aiding terrorists, comparing Democrats to slave masters, and comparing a murder like Scott Peterson to Planned Parenthood and NOW.
He worked for Allstate Insurance. He didn't like the programs at Allstate which advocate diversity. His homophobic piece, Intolerance Will Not Be Tolerated resulted in his firing.
There was a campaign and boycott to champion his "persecution" with some success.
Barber has now been hired to work for Jim Oberweis, the dairyman who is running for the 2006 Governorship in IL. Oberweis will use Barber as the GOP does all its martyrs--to use bigotry and hate to raise cash and push through an agenda of division.