Every once in awhile, a politician says something stupid and perfectly encapsulates the heart of an issue. Representative Larry Brown belittled those concerned about anti-gay bullying by calling them "queers" and "froot loops" from his Legislative email. And the GOP leadership yawned.
Below the fold, two simple ways to fight back. Embarrass Larry Brown, and defeat the NC GOP Minority Leader.
UPDATE: EQUALITY NC is joining the fight. Send some froot loops to Larry Brown
Every once in awhile, a politician says something stupid and perfectly encapsulates the heart of an issue. So it is with NC State Representative Larry Brown, a sad old Republican in a safe seat, who received an email notice that our Democratic Speaker of the House had received an award from EqualityNC because of North Carolina's landmark anti-bullying legislation -- one of the first in the country to explicitly protect LGBT youth.
Representative Brown had voted against North Carolina's bill, and the recent spate of gay teen suicides evidently means nothing to him. So you can imagine his response. Or maybe you can't:
Representative Brown responded to 67 legislators:
Great. I hope all the queers are thrilled to see him. I am sure there will be a couple legislative fruitloops there in the audience.
The response of the GOP leadership? YAWN. "It was not sent to a public group," said Minority Leader Skip Stam, of Apex. "There's a lot of language that is used by public officials in public and private that should not be used."
Larry Brown has no opponent in this election. His views are likely onsidered progressive in his district, and no Democrat is even running there.
So how do you register your displeasure?
Well, Rep. Brown's mailing address is:
Rep. Larry Brown
NC House of Representatives
300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 609
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925.
Take some froot loops. Put them in an envelope, and send Larry some breakfast.
You can even mail whole boxes if you like. I'm sure we can convince Larry to donate them to a food bank. Even Republican troglodytes can seize bad publicity for a good cause.
But what else can I do to have a real effect, you ask?
Well, Larry isn't opposed, but Minority Leader Skip Stam is. He has a real opponent, and her name is Debra McHenry. A lifelong Democratic activist, businesswoman, and community volunteer.
Here's her website. Please go give her a hand. In a state legislative race, thousands of dollars from inerested Americans can make a HUGE difference.
Debra is a good person running against the personification of Republican smallmindedness. Skip Stam is anti-choice, anti-woman, anti-everything that matters to Progressives.
AND HE CAN BE BEATEN. He is in a swing district of great suburban growth on the outskirts of Raleigh. With money, he can be beaten.
Throw some Froot Loops at sad old Larry Brown. And throw some cash at Debra McHenry.
Tell the GOP that there are conequences to hate speech.