Mark Alford @RepMarkAlford
As a country, as a military, as a people, we must get focused.
In what world is it right to use drag shows as a recruiting method to join the strongest fighting force in the world?
[….] 2:02 PM · Jun 23, 2023
Some of the responses:
Blah blah blah
But but but youre invisible sky friend told you that didnt they?
You need to focus and quit bitching about try to tell people how to live there lives
A world in which people have a First Amendment right to expression and can wear whatever the hell they want. If the entire force dressed in drag they’d still kick everyone else’s ass to the moon and back. Now shut up and do something to HELP our vets
And prosecution of Trump is priority. Your cir circle jerk with Greene shows you’re a little bitch
Who did Donald J Trump and the GOP sell out America’s Top Secret Classified Information too?
The GOP refuses to condemn Donald J Trump for stealing classified documents, obstruction and espionage.
Donald J Trump and the GOP have zero respect for America’s National Security.
Jay Ashcroft @JayAshcroftMO
This is a very troubling development. The Communist Chinese government has infiltrated MO and using our land to assault our way of life. I wrote legislation to forbid China from buying ANY land in Missouri, but the Jeff City insiders refused to stand up to China. The China threat is real and as Governor, I will put a stop to their activities in our state.
[….] 1:26 PM · Jun 17, 2023
It’s your party, Jay.
Some of the responses:
Writing legislation isn’t your job as secretary of state. What an embarrassment you are. Unelectable even.
Jeff city insiders? All those republicans. Since this state has been run by republicans for decades. Insiders likes @Eric_Schmitt Who people like you backed and voted for. Will Missouri voters fall for it again?
Yes. This has been another edition of Short Answers to Simple Questions.
This is your party, Jay?!
[….]
We said that.
Thanks to Republicans, eh?
The GOP had held the MO legislature for 20 years. This is all on you.
How long has the @MissouriGOP held a super majority to completely controlled Missouri politics?
Who voted to sell Missouri farmland to foreign buyers, Jay? Tell the folks the truth.
Hint: It was the Missouri GOP supermajority in 2013.
You mean the Republucam leaders that allowed the purchase.
“Jeff City insiders?” Correction: Republicans in Jeff City. Democratic Governor Jay Nixon VETOED the bill allowing the sale of farmland to China, and the GOP-dominated legislature overrode his veto.
Like we believe you-it was the GOP that did this on the first place.
Oh jeez @Eric_Schmitt this is gonna be awkward. Who’s gonna tell Jay why?
You had a 20 year supermajority. You are the one you criticize.
Your hypocrisy is astounding.
Gaslighting, really.
“Jeff City insiders” = Republicans, Jay. You’re one of them.
Have a look in the mirror.
@JayAshcroftMO the Jeff city insiders have been republicans for the last 20 years. You as Governor is NOT the answer to Missouri problems.
Wait…aren’t the “insiders” your own party dumbass? Do you think we don’t know you have a super majority of the legislature and administration? Are you too much of a coward to say it’s your own party?
That’s the problem with legacies…
It was the GOP in MO that refused the block foreign buyers in MO farmland. The calls are coming from inside your own house Jay.
These “insiders” you speak of, is it the same GOP members who have controlled the Missouri legislature for decades??
Yes. This has been another edition of Short Answers to Simple Questions.
GOP did this in 2013. You are in the wrong party if this is your issue.
It’s hard to take you seriously.
Your hypocrisy is mind boggling
Gaslighting.
Missouri’s retrograde politics coming home to roost.
Our way of life? What is that supposed to mean?
Dude… it’s on you. “Jeff city insiders”????
Republicans have had total political control of Missouri for 20 years. Anything that you think is a problem is the fault of the MO GOP.
Man, and I thought your dad was a buffoon. You far surpass him.
When people get confused about the term “gaslighting” I’m going to refer them to this tweet. Your party is the exact reason MO farmland was sold off to China. In fact the MO GOP overrode a veto to make it happen. It’s amazing lying is expected from GOP politicians nowadays.
You must really believe people are idiots, Jay. Maybe supporters of your own party.
The Republican Party is Missouri literally okayed this. What a bunch of stinking hypocrites you all are.
Rep. Eric Burlison @RepEricBurlison
Having a “family-friendly activity,” drag shows, and a performance by “Crystal Methyd” all on the same stage & in the same afternoon is wrong. Kids shouldn’t be seeing this stuff!
The City of Springfield and Greene County Health should be ashamed to sponsor this event. 1:15 PM · Jun 10, 2023
Give it a rest, you pearl-clutching busybody.
Rhonda Santis works as a drag queen name in Florida, Crystal Methyd works for Missouri. You go with what you’re famous for.
“…all on the same stage & in the same afternoon…” Why, next they’ll be mixing cotton and polyester fibers in their clothing. The nerve.
Different shows for different crowds? Do tell.
Some of the responses:
Take your kids to Hooters, instead.
I bet you watched the Munsters as a Kid. So maybe you should take a seat.
[….]
Apparently the Munsters mixed fibers, too.
We have one in Kansas City today too. Come on by, homophobe. Cleanse yourself.
We had a Pride Festival in Warrensburg on June 3rd. I had a beer from the bar after standing out in the heat covering and photographing the bigots with signs across the street.
The City of Springfield and Greene county as a whole should be ashamed to have such an ignorant bigot representing them.
Mike Pence @Mike_Pence
Baseball once stood for American greatness, but when it openly invites attacks on Christian faith, sexualizes children with graphic public displays, and undermines the family-friendly environment that baseball has long stood for, it is clear that those days are fading fast.
Read my Full Statement and Open Letter to Major League Baseball and the Los Angeles Dodgers [….] 1:03 PM · Jun 2, 2023
Self-righteous bigot.
Some of the responses:
Can y’all boycott baseball so I can get my game tickets cheaper?
Oh, please stop.
Quit drunk tweeting from Hooters, Michael
What a pathetic attempt to get attention. Keep radical, right wing, pseudo-religion out of sports.
Sir, this is a Wendy’s.
“Not now honey, I need to read Mike Pence’s open letter to the Dodgers”
You guys sure do hate America
It’s a baseball game not a revival. How horrible an organization recognizes pride month or other cultures during the season. Work on polling over 2%.
Wait till you see what apple pie is doing.
Baseball is still great Mike, you jamming the evangelical right into everything, is not ok.
Don’t push your beliefs onto others.
You want to be the victim.
Don’t you have bigger things to worry about?
How is your imaginary issue different than your attacks on LGBTQ people? Why are you so nosy, bossy, and determined to force your religious beliefs on Americans that have different religious beliefs?
That seems awfully arrogant on your part, to think you know everything.
“hey, is this stool taken?” said the fly in a high squeaky voice as it came in for a landing.
[….]
Remember when a mob of “faithful Christians” tried to hang you? I don’t remember any drag queens being part of that.
Stop shoving your religious beliefs down our throats.
And read the constitution.
Our country was literally FOUNDED on the separation of church and state.
You should know this and if you don’t – you’re even more unqualified for elected office then we already believe.
Used to be “christians” followed the loving word of their god. Now “christians” spew hateful & violent rhetoric in the name of their god.
THIS is why millions run away & turn their backs on “christianity,” “religion,” and “church.”
There’s no hate quite like christian love.
American greatness is the striving for embracing others, respecting others, accepting others, human rights and love. Unfortunately, Mike, your version of Christianity is flawed by fear and a dark infatuation with deviant behavior that you project on others. #NeverBePresident
That’s what you care about? Manufactured outrage on inconsequential issues that MAGA pushes into the fore?
That’s really sad, man. Really, really sad.
“when it openly invites attacks on Christian faith,”
“sexualizes children with graphic public displays”
“undermines the family-friendly environment that baseball has long stood for”
None of that ever happened
Please tell me Christianity’s position on bearing false witness.
When it comes to suffering, those early Christian martyrs had nothing on you.
You’ll never be president, Mr. Karen.
None of that is happening.
I swear republicans live on a different planet.
Same planet, different world.
So conservatives are waging their war with virtually everything because as we know, what voting Americans want is to have their porn, sports, retail products and lifestyles all policed by a theocratic nanny state.
Please continue making really bad political decisions!
You think you’re still relevant?
I bet your social media manager double spaces after a period.
Baseball is a sport that people play & watch. People are different, so now, so is baseball. White Christians don’t own baseball or America.
When has it openly incited attacks on Christian faith? Maybe Christian nationalist’s trying to insert their demands on others, which is how it should be.
Keep your religion in the church and no one will care.
I’m sorry. Who are you again?
Attacks on Christian faith? I’m looking but I don’t see that. Unless you mean supporting LGBTQ people and their organizations, but I know a lot of gay Christians, so I really think this is your personal problem.
Okay Karen
Pride is only an attack on your Christian values if your Christian values are un-Christ-like
Jesus accepted everyone, you Christofascist bigot.
Imagine being an adult and having to resort to tweets like this to be able to run for President as a Republican..
Remember that time a bunch of Republicans took over the Capitol and smeared shit on the walls?
That was some great Jesus-y and family friendly behavior.
The Warrensburg Pride Festival started at 11:00 a.m. today. In addition to the vendors, activities, and entertainment inside the venue a number of intolerant people stood across the street to express whatever.
It was hot and humid.
“…your sin…”
At one point a somewhat irate older man in a pickup truck stopped in the road in front of me and yelled at me for photographing the picket signs, adding something unintelligible about photographing the activities in the venue behind me. Where did he think I just came from?
Another individual yelled that he would sue me for taking his picture or something. For the millionth time, if you’re doing something in public you have no expectation of privacy when it comes to news coverage. And, in a world of social media. We didn’t use that image because his sign just wasn’t that photogenic.
“If U R lukewarm, I will vomit you out!”
First rule of signs, don’t run out of green letters.
“Woe to them who call evil good and good evil”
“We stand for protecting your chidren not exploiting them!”
How would he know?
A possible short lecture on when crossing the line becomes trespassing.
“…kid-friendly!”
Matthew 18:6
But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
So much for “love”.
“…loves the sinner!”
Is that like a get out of jail free card? Just asking.
Denny Hoskins (r).
Yeah, Denny Hoskins (r) signed that nasty letter. Nice t-shirt. Running for something?
Interestingly, Denny Hoskins (r) worked the folks with the intolerant signs, walked across the street and shook the Warrensburg Police officers’ hands, but he didn’t bother to go into the venue to greet his constituents attending the Pride Festival.
“…no peace”
The graphic design is a mixed message.
This one is much more on brand:
“This pastor loves you”
Gather ’round to hear the word of the law.
Three Warrensburg Police vehicles. Warrensburg Police officers. And an armed private security team hired for the event venue.
We don’t allow ignorant comments out of moderation to be linked with the original post, but we will present some of them in subsequent posts for the purpose of public derision and mockery. As we see fit.
Some of us happen to agree this is a detestable event. Evidence was given to City Council exposing the truth of the content of those events.
Do your homework instead of a sales pitch!
Evidence? We were there in 2021 and 2022. How about you?
They tried it again:
Some of us happen to agree this is a detestable event. Evidence was given to City Council exposing the truth of the content of those events.
Do your homework instead of a sales pitch!
Then, another:
Most of us are NOT in support of this kind of behavior and want children protected! PERIOD!!
It’s sad we can’t all agree we need to be on the same page. Which would be that page labeled , Moral. Kudos to those standing up for justice, morals. and the Children.
“Some of us…”? “Most of us…”? Which is it? Get your talking points in order.
With all the respect due to you, take your pages and shove them up your bigoted self-righteous ass.
By the way, the IP address and email address of all comments are attached to the original comment in our blog operating system.
Dumbasses.
Meanwhile, we think we’ll have an ice cold beer or two.
“…[turning to the gallery] So many times I cannot hear the words of love you are professing because your actions are too loud…”
A group billing themselves as Johnson County Citizens for the Protection of Children is still up in arms about the Warrensburg Pride Festival scheduled for June 3, 2023. There will be drag shows on the program. You know, fancy costumes, theatrical makeup, show tunes. This is nothing new. There were Pride Festivals in Warrensburg in 2021 and 2022.
These right wingnut busybodies had organized on-line to present a petition to the Warrensburg City Council during the public comment portion of the City Council’s evening meeting on April 24th to limit or cancel the Pride Festival. A loosely organized group of LGBTQIA+ allies organized on-line to speak in support of the Pride Festival.
The pearl clutching busybodies returned to last night’s City Council to demand an ordinance banning drag shows in Warrensburg, this time with photos on posterboard. In the period between the two council meetings the producers of the Pride Festival had already changed the festival format to 18 years of age and older due to reported threats against the festival and the venue. A similar group of LGBTQIA+ allies attended and signed in to speak in support of the Pride Festival and against a city ordinance.
This time there were about fifty individuals in the city council chamber gallery.
The portion of the meeting for public comment was again prefaced by a brief explanation of the ground rules. Individuals who signed up for public comment were allotted three minutes, with a city official acting as the timer. Speakers were asked to state their name and address. Some did, some didn’t.
…I appreciate the chance to speak to you as a city council. I am a Johnson County central committee [political party] member, a wife, a mother, a grandma, a christian, and a very concerned citizen of Johnson County. Let me ask you a few questions. Do you want Warrensburg to be known as a safe community for families and children? [….] But are we really thinking about the long-term consequences of allowing drag shows and their perversion into our town. Uh. how important is the safety of our kids’ souls? I’m a mom and a teacher so I am very in tune with children. If you’re not thinking about long-term, how this would affect our community, I would encourage you to do that. You’ve been entrusted to protect Warrensburg citizens and provide day-to-day public service. This includes protecting our children and I understand that you are in a challenging position. But now you have a chance a decision that will impact children and generations of young people for years to come and our community. I am requesting that you as the city council would consider two points today. One, to protect the children. And, two, I’m requesting a city ordinance to ban all drag queen shows to protect the children, now and in the future, and all public areas, libraries included. Missouri senator Rick Brattin [r], District 31, sent a letter to the Warrensburg chief of police and the police department April the 21st, sharing several Missouri laws that prohibit these activities. And to be truthful, I didn’t even know there were this many laws against sexual, uh, deviance with children. But I am, uh, now understanding that there are Missouri laws, there’s federal laws [….] And I really do propose that having these drag queen shows in our community is illegal and it does psychological damage to our children. It’s known as grooming. And as you can see with these signs [posters], uh, this is pictures from last year’s drag show here in Warrensburg [….] Uh, they have drag queens that are stripping in front of children. I get chills just thinking about this. I cannot believe this is where we are at in our society. So I am encouraging you guys to stand strong, don’t cave into political pressure. But, where would this ever be okay, to strip in front of children? Thank you.
.
Sure. “…ban all drag queen shows…”
Rick Brattin (r) is the pre-eminent legal scholar and final arbiter of the law in the State of Missouri, said no one ever.
Rick Brattin (r) [2013 file photo].
Stripping? Uh, you do know what drag actually is, right?
“…I cannot believe this is where we are at in our society…” Ditto, but for much different reasons.
The busybodies had more individuals who signed up to speak, and they were, for the most part, at the top of the sign-up list.
…So, I know a lot of people…So, my purpose in telling you all that is to let you all know I know a lot of people around town. Uh, and since the last city council meeting two weeks ago I have been approached by a lot of citizens who were made aware of the drag show from the article in the paper. Um, they didn’t know about the all ages drag show until that information came out. A hundred percent of the people I spoke to were absolutely against a drag show for kids. Now, while I don’t mean that as any threat, I do mean to report that many of them said that the council was to allow this drag show for kids to continue they would certainly remember that come the next election. From what I learned the silent majority is not gonna remain silent on this issue. So, I want to make it clear to the council that when people spoke at the last council meeting it was misinterpreted that we were against the drag show. That’s not true. Personally, I have nothing against someone performing for adults. But, when you consider the age of the kids, please keep in mind I can’t send my underage kids to buy alcohol, they can’t buy cigarettes, they can’t drive, and they sure can’t attend an R rated movie. All these rules put in place to protect the kids. So why should an all ages drag show be any different? In closing my recommendation to this council would be to implement an ordinance against allowing an all ages drag show in the future. If people want a drag show for kids they can do that in the privacy of their own home. Thank you very much.
(audio edited)
.
The plural of anecdote is not data. And, if you don’t live within the city limits you don’t get to vote in city council elections.
“…while I don’t mean that as any threat..” Yes, yes you do.
“…So, I want to make it clear to the council that when people spoke at the last council meeting it was misinterpreted that we were against the drag show…” Uh, no, that was quite clear.
Missouri has graduated drivers license starting at age 15, when accompanied by a parent.
A rated movie? A parent or guardian can accompany their child to a movie.
“,..If people want a drag show for kids they can do that in the privacy of their own home…” You mean like on private property? Interesting. Wait, if you really believe it’s illegal then it’s illegal everywhere.
…I was thankful to learn that the drag show scheduled for June 3rd is now an eighteen and over only event. I wish their decision to limit the event to adults could be the end of this affair. I’m sure you all hope for the same thing. It is clear from their statement that they intend to try again in the future to bring an all ages event back to Warrensburg. I never again want to see photos of children in our community holding up dollars for drag queens like patrons at a strip club posted on social media. More importantly, I want to insure that the children of our city are never exposed to such environments in the first place. And I know that I’m not alone in that hope. In speaking with our state senator, Rick Brattin [r][…] I urge you to act quickly. Doing so will add additional support to our great police. And, most importantly, protect the children of Warrensburg and surrounding communities from these highly sexualized and inappropriate performances in the future…
. “…I wish their decision to limit the event to adults could be the end of this affair…” Well?
“…holding up dollars…” Never heard of tips? Busking?
“…like patrons at a strip club…” How would anyone know?
Again, Rick Brattin (r) is the pre-eminent legal scholar and final arbiter of the law in the State of Missouri, said no one ever.
…Judge righteously…
.
Well?
…My husband and I are new to the area. And, um, you could only imagine my shock and dismay at learning that the past two years there’s been a drag queen performance that included children, um, being invited to it, encouraged to come to it. Uh, advertised as being appropriate for children and families. I couldn’t disagree with something like that more…
. “…you could only imagine my shock and dismay…” Don’t need to. You’re telling us.
“…advertised as being appropriate for children and families…” And it was.
“…I couldn’t disagree with something like that more…” Yet you weren’t there because, you know, you’re new to the area.
Maybe ask for an ordinance where you actually live? Just to see how that works.
(personal information omitted)
.
…So I guess we’re quoting the bible. But, I don’t know if we’re paying attention to them ten commandments where it tells you not to bear false witness. Lady stood up here, at least she didn’t call me pedophile this time, that said that there was stripping going on. None of the performers took off any clothes. I understand you, you folks in the audience, look at those pictures and say, oh that’s terrible, I don’t want that for my child. I would again tell you, not your child, I think it should be legal.
But it doesn’t matter because we had some people with guns make threats. People talking about building bombs, blowing up the Elks. So we have decided to make it, what the folks here said was gonna be okay with them, just a pride event, a drag show with no kids, eighteen and over. But yet we’re still here talking about it.
Thank you very much.
.
…I thought I wouldn’t be here today because I thought that the goal from last time was to have an adults only drag show. And because of concerns about the safety of performers and attendees that’s what’s happening now.
Um, I’ve heard a lot about biblical reasons not to have drag shows. Um, the legal reasons I’m a little iffier on. [….]
One of my biggest concerns about the bible being used is, um, as a legal argument, is a phrase that was recently used about the issue, that says, I don’t think we have the command to kill anyone. I hope that nobody thinks that the bible has told them that they need to kill people who are supporting our LGBTQ people. Um, and I’d hope that we’d move on to something that is actually harmful to kids.[….]
What bothers me more than anything else in this is that LBGTQ young people are four times more likely to attempt suicide. And these are the children who deserve to be proud of who they are. Because I was raised to believe that god made me who I am. And I cannot imagine that same god wants me to kill myself because people in my community can’t accept who I am. Thank you.
“…I am a person. I think that’s what we’re down to here, an issue of people. And we’re forgetting that we are people…”
A group billing themselves as Johnson County Citizens for the Protection of Children is up in arms about the Warrensburg Pride Festival scheduled for June 3, 2023. There will be drag shows on the program. You know, fancy costumes, theatrical makeup, show tunes. This is nothing new. There were Pride Festivals in Warrensburg in 2021 and 2022.
These right wingnut busybodies organized on-line to present a petition to the Warrensburg City Council during the public comment portion of Monday night’s meeting to limit or cancel the Pride Festival. A loosely organized group of LGBTQIA+ allies organized on-line to speak in support of the Pride Festival.
Over 100 individuals crowded into the city council chamber.
The portion of the meeting for public comment was prefaced by an explanation of the ground rules. The city council was there to listen, but would not comment nor respond to questions. Individuals who signed up for public comment were allotted three minutes, with a city official acting as the timer. This worked well, with one glaring exception. Speakers were asked to state their name and address.
…I’ve been to drag shows before. I went to one last year. Been to Pride festivals, never saw any sort of child abuse going on.
I respect their rights to come and protest that if they want, that’s their choice. But that’s why we’re here.
Rather what I saw going on there and what my family saw going on there was messages of empowerment and joy…
…I just wanted to say I have attended one of these drag shows in Warrensburg with several of my family. I’m a thirty-three year resident of Warrensburg, I’m married, we have five children together, four who are adults.
The drag show was quite enjoyable. I did not see anything objectionable from my point of view. I did not see any potential for harm to anybody. There were some people who were wearing nice clothing. There were people wearing makeup. They lip-synched. Some of them did quite a good job, some of them did okay. [laughter] We all enjoyed it.
The additional point that I just wanted to bring up is that I believe it’s in the economic interest of Warrensburg to support a diversity of events to which people with different interests feel welcome to attend. And to the extent we don’t do that I think it contributes to an image problem that can only hurt the city economically.
So I support Warrensburg being open to holding a variety of events for people with a variety of preferences and interests.
Thank you.
…I’ve lived here in Warrensburg for eleven years I think now…I have never been this disappointed in our elected officials in this country as I am standing here today. I remember years ago it was common, it was a very common to hear the phrase it takes a village to raise a child. And there was a time that we knew as a country that we knew we were working as a united team. The parents, our extended families, our church family, and of course, our government supporting the traditional family and the ideas attached.
Sadly, our villages are broken. Families are divided. Our schools are busy trying to be politically correct. And all the while trying to convince our youth that America’s moral ground has shifted.
The saddest, most pathetic part of all of this is that our churches have forgotten their own role, in not just the family, but in our nation.
Then there’s the smaller government such as city boards, school boards that continually change the rules, that despite all the logic and moral facts that would negate their divisive changes and actions. So, I find myself in front of one of those smaller governments. And, let’s face it, you all need a gentle reminder every now and then that you do represent we the people.
And many of these people are too young and, and they have a voice that is just not heard so we have to be their voice. I do attend church and I am fully aware that [inaudible]. And even though my kids are grown I can tell you this, my job has not ended.
The majority who didn’t get out and vote who are represented here through myself and in people in this room today do not want this mislabeled immoral cabaret event in our county. Honestly, we don’t want it anywhere.
We can clearly see, this is the national consensus, all you have to do is look at the bills that are currently waiting for amending and vote [….] and Tennessee just passed anti-drag queen legislation, Ohio did as well.
Here we are relying on you to make a fair, sound, moral, ethical assessment and judgment based on the following facts, all the while remembering you are the voice of we the people. And that includes our children.
And do, I don’t know if any of you know the definition of pedophilia, but I’m gonna share it with you [inaudible] the dictionary. [voice: “So now I’m a pedophile?”] Pedophilia is a psychiatric disorder [….] [timer: “Fifteen seconds.”] …So, they are attracted to these age groups. Now, knowing this, what part of a performance begins with a goal of a man dressing as a woman [timer: “Time.”], putting on makeup [voice: “Ma’am, that’s the expiration of your time.”] and strapping on body parts and dancing provocatively. And by the way, you all have a picture…[shouting][gavel]
Silent majority? That’s not how this all works.
Tennessee? Ohio? Uh, we’re in Warrensburg, Missouri.
Rules. How Ironic.
—–
—–
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…
Is this a great country, or what?
…I am a Silver-haired Representative for Pettis County, retired Air Force, and I’ve been to both of the previous Pride events. As a Silver-haired representative I’m a required reporter as well. And there was never any occurrence in which I felt a need to call Social Services.
What I did see was love and inclusion, which is sorely lacking in today’s society. Ones what I think we’re supposed to be trying and do better for our children, and by showing the good in everyone.
So, the pride is just that…
…I come to you tonight as a white woman, speaking from the Christian faith. And my concern goes back to pledging allegiance a little earlier tonight and the freedoms that we enjoy to congregate with those we want to. My faith tradition came in 1720 to Pennsylvania, persecuted in Germany. If you baptized an adult you were killed. And so they came here seeking religious freedom. Freedom we enjoy today. To choose what church we want to attend, what community event we want to be part of. And I believe, tonight we are here for a much larger issue. And that is the freedoms we enjoy which are being threatened by persons who want to pinpoint one group.
And I want to share the importance of that in a quote by Martin Niemoller, a Lutheran pastor, who spoke after Nazi Germany. And he said:
First they came for the Socialists. And I did not speak out, because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade-unionists. And I didn’t speak out because I was not a Trade-unionist.
Then they came for the Jews. And I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me. And there was no one left to speak for me.
I think we need to take those words to heart tonight as we speak up for those who are on the margins of our society. I believe Jesus did that, as he gave me that example. I want us to love others and to lift up those on the margins in or community. And to celebrate the gift of God’s creation in each human being.
Thank you.
…I would just like to say, what exactly are we talking here? Kids like me? People who encourage them to be who they are? I don’t understand why a woman, pardon, a man in a dress is a problem if they want to wear a dress. I don’t understand. I, my rights are being threatened at the state level and yet we’re here worrying about this?…
…You’re not allowed to tell me what I can and cannot do just because, you, your religion or beliefs say it. I have my own beliefs. I am a person. I think that’s what we’re down to here, an issue of people. And we’re forgetting that we are people.
A group billing themselves as Johnson County Citizens for the Protection of Children is up in arms about the Warrensburg Pride Festival scheduled for June 3, 2023. There will be drag shows on the program. You know, fancy costumes, theatrical makeup, show tunes. This is nothing new. There were Pride Festivals in Warrensburg in 2021 and 2022.
These right wingnut busybodies organized on-line to present a petition to the Warrensburg City Council during the public comment portion of last night’s meeting to limit or cancel the Pride Festival. A loosely organized group of LGBTQIA+ allies organized on-line to speak in support of the Pride Festival.
Standing room only.
Signing in.
Over 100 people crowded into the gallery of the city council chambers by the scheduled 7:00 p.m. start of the meeting. We asked a city council meeting regular if they recalled any other meetings with this large of a crowd. “No.”
After the city council convened and worked through the beginning of the agenda the portion of the meeting for public comment was prefaced by an explanation of the ground rules. The city council was there to listen, but would not comment nor respond to questions. Individuals who signed up for public comment were allotted three minutes, with a city official acting as the timer. This worked well, with one glaring exception. Speakers were asked to state their name and address.
…I’m the one that invited the folks to come to our community and have a Pride event. I tried to get one started in 2020, didn’t work out. 2021, we had our first one, I thought it went very well. We also had one last year, and evidently some folks not real happy about having that event. I’m not sure what to say.
I was thinking Carrie might be here, but I guess I don’t see her right now. I know she used to live right close here. But, I thought when we got rid of the Nineteenth and adopted the Twenty-First that we might have been a little closer to understanding that we should let people have their freedoms and do things. And if we don’t like it, don’t go. That would be the point of this Pride deal, is that if don’t want to go, you don’t have to go. If other people want to go to do a legal activity in a enclosed environment, they should be able to do that.
Now, I’ve heard about those other people in Columbia, those fearful people from a big city. But, again, they were invited to come to our community. Many speakers here today will tell you that they want to have that activity occur.
The other thing I guess I was hearing is that there was abuse last year. I’m a father, a grandfather, I served twenty-one years in the Army, I was a required reporter for child abuse for more than twenty years in Missouri. Used to inspect day cares and home care providers. If I saw abuse I would have reported or stopped it. There was no abuse.
If you look on social media you’ll see some pictures. That’s not anything filmed in Johnson County. I don’t recognize any of those performers. They didn’t come to our town to perform. I don’t know where that was filmed at, but that didn’t happen here. Nor, would we allow that type of performance.
So, let’s be a little clear, you know [….]. Anyway, I guess I don’t see Carrie, but I think her spirit is here. If you want to know Carrie’s last name, it’s Nation. She’s the one with the Tomahawk. [“Time”] [laughter] Thank you.
…the advertisement for the Burg Pride Fest. And the thing that caught me on the invitation was there are seven and a half hours specifically allotted for children and/or their parents or their supervisor. And there’s one and a half hours allotted for adults. So that gives a message to me. It’s like why is there this inordinate desire for these people to be in front of kids? So, that was my first thought…
Never been to a movie theatre? Never watched television?
“Inordinate desire”? Don’t think of an elephant.
“These people”?
… [501(c)3 or 501(c)4] …I was super curious about the organization that brought this petition up, or will be bringing the petition up….I looked on our Secretary of State’s site and found that this organization, We the People of Missouri, was registered as a 501(c)4 which says they are non-partisan and educational…
…that in order to be considered educational it must present a sufficiently full and fair exposition of pertinent facts, to permit a formation of an independent opinion or conclusion.
Now, I do believe there will be items raised on both sides of this concern tonight, I do not believe they will be brought by the same people…
…I come before you tonight as one of many citizens standing up to protect our children from exposure to inappropriate performances that are commonplace at drag shows…
…Like many of my neighbors and friends I’m very concerned about what children see and learn. For instance, there’s an organization here tonight and I think it’s awful that kids learn hate and Fascism and things like that. So, what I’m gonna do about it is, I’m not gonna take my kids. And what I’m not gonna do about it is come to this, this, government and ask you to infringe on their First Amendment rights…
…Our LGBTQ community are not nuisances. They’re not. So, if you don’t like Pride, don’t go. And the last thing I have to say is, you know, don’t be, don’t be the council that signs on to Fascism…
I attended last year’s event. There was no abuse anywhere. There were a lot of adults there. There were a lot of kids there. It was publicized, no one was caught off guard, and it was a voluntary event. People could choose to attend or not attend.
I have a problem with the characterization of performers as being evil, or predatory, or whatever they want to call it. There is no evidence of that. And that is not a way that we address human beings. Out of such language come things like mass shootings. And we don’t need to do that.
This is a group within our community. It is not the entire community. There are other groups in the community that hold different views on how to raise their children. I do not tell them how to raise their children, and I respectfully ask that they not tell me how to raise mine. I will choose the events that they go to, I will choose the books that they read, and I expect that others will grant me the same respect.
This is not a necessary petition.
It was on private property. It was closed. The children did not get there by nefarious means, they did not magically transport there. Their parents brought them there.
And their parents have the right to emphasize the values that they consider important. You may not like that…but it is still their right to raise their children according to their values. Just as it is to raise your children according to your values.
So, I would suggest that we understand within a much larger community of other groups and that they do not speak for all of us. And they do not speak for me. Thank you.
