The MountainGoat Report

Tragedy In Black and White

Today "Zeb at the Ranch" listeners were treated to, what I'd like to say was, an amazing exchange between Zeb Bell and a caller named Tony.  I'd like to say it was amazing, because it really was, but sadly, this sort of exchange is all too commonplace for this bunch.  It involves the recent flooding in North Dakota, the flooding in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina and racial stereotyping.

The most tragic thing of all is that both of these men and I'd wager most of those listening would insist that this exchange is not racist.  In fact, earlier in the show Zeb pointed out that Tiger Woods is his favorite golfer and, if you hadn't noticed, Tiger Woods is black.  (See, that makes it all okay, right?)

Listen to the exchange for yourself; a partial transcript follows:

CALLER TONY:  The churches have opened their doors.  Uh, people have opened their homes to strangers to let 'em in so that they'd have a place to get out of the storm.  The high schools are closed; those high school kids have been sand bagging for the last two weeks.  Uh, that, an-and the mayor said, "We will take care of ourselves."  And...

[Zeb interrupts and there's a bit of talk-over for a moment]

TONY:  Now this community—uh, there are very few minorities in Fargo.  Mostly these people are all Lutheran.  Uh, they're good people—they're good Christian people.  Uh, bu-but, but I'm, uh, not just espousing one religion; all of those churches are pulling together.  Uh, anybody with heavy equipment's got it donated.  There's been fuel donated, uh, labor donated, services donated.  And that community—I'm so proud of that community.  Uh, they, they're working their butt off to take care of themselves.  They haven't been screaming to the federal government for aid.  The federal government's not there and you know what, they're, they will take care of themselves.

[...]

ZEB:  [H]ow classy—underline the word—how classy the people in South Dakota and, uh, I should say, North Dakota, are.  They have not asked for anything.  They haven't wailed and cried to the government and said, "Oh this coulda all been averted if they'd done this, that and the other and now we demand this and we want this and everything."  No.  None of it.  These people are acting like Americans.  They're taking the problem in hand, they're meeting it head on and God bless them, they're taking care of themselves.  It's too bad the people in New Orleans, it's too bad the people in New Orleans couldn't have a little pull-yourself-up-by-the-bootstraps attitude and instead of demanding this from the government and demanding that from the government and condemning the government and condemning the United States, take a look at what the people in North Dakota are doing and try pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps for a change!

No one would suggest that what the people in North Dakota are doing isn't a fabulous example of what people can do when facing tragic circumstances, but to compare this disaster to the disaster that was Katrina and to condemn the people of New Orleans for not being able to pull themselves up by their bootstraps is unfair and simply outrageous.  For one thing, the differences in magnitude between the two disasters are unmistakable.  But there is one overwhelmingly large difference that explains why some are praised and others condemned.

Here is some of the North Dakota flooding:

And here is some of Katrina:

You tell me what the difference is and, well. . . Tony even spells it out for you—almost in black and white.

On A Saturday

Listening

Thea Gilmore
"Crazy Love"

Reading

"Is a readiness to despise, to hate, and to condemn, the temper of a Christian? Can he, who passes sentence on the souls of men with more delight and triumph than the devil can execute it, have the impudence to pretend himself a disciple of One who died for the sins of mankind? Is not such a sanctity the true mark of that hypocrisy, which in many places of Scripture, and particularly in the twenty-third chapter of St. Matthew, is so bitterly inveighed against?"

[...]

"Look well to those 'who bind heavy burdens, and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.'

"'These heavy burdens (says Burket) were counsels and directions, rules and canons, austerities and severities, which the Pharisees introduced and imposed upon their hearers.'  This requires no farther comment; for as I have before said, these hypocrites place all virtue, and all religion, in the observation of those austerities and severities, without which the truest and purest goodness will never receive their commendation; but how different this doctrine is from the temper of Christianity may be gathered by that total of all Christian morality with which Jesus sums up the excellent precepts delivered in His divine sermon:  'Therefore, do unto all men as ye would they should do unto you: for this is the law and the prophets'"

Henry Fielding
An Essay on the Knowledge of the Characters of Men

Confused At The Ranch

In nine months of listening to Zeb Bell's brand of radio-talk on "Zeb at the Ranch," I've heard some pretty incredible things, many of them this week, but none that has left me more confused than on Thursday.

This week, like on many other occasions, I've heard Zeb attempt to justify as anything but racist his use last summer of the term "Negroid" when describing then-candidate Barack Obama.  Zeb's fervid defense for using the word and against it being racist, include claims that it's a scientific term and can be found in the dictionary.

While many offensive terms can be found in the dictionary, most people realize that it doesn't legitimize their use and in fact, many dictionaries contain some notation that this term can be considered racist and offensive.  As for it being scientific, the term is based on an 18th century discredited racial typological model that is considered outdated and no longer widely used.  As we've learned, just because Zeb says it's so, doesn't necessarily mean it is.

Nevertheless, it was a particularly hot topic for Zeb this week with the news of President Obama's inappropriate and offensive comment demeaning the Special Olympics the week prior.  [See the clip here if you haven't already.]  Zeb devoted a considerable amount of air time to railing against this comment to the point of becoming incensed that he was called a racist for using "Negroid" while Obama got a "free pass."

All of this despite Zeb's repeated and documented use of the r-word to describe anything he finds disagreeable.  On September 9 last year he used it when talking about those who believe in evolution.  On December 4 of last year he used it to describe atheists.  This year on February 10, he used it when describing the legal situation of Arizona rancher, Roger Barnett.

It's a little difficult to take as anything other than disingenuous and self-serving a man who would rant against someone for making an offensive comment toward a group of people when he has repeatedly used demeaning and derogatory language toward that same group of people.  And he has done this knowing that the term is offensive, even prefacing his comments with phrases like, "Some people may be offended when I say this phrase. . . ," and "I'm going to use that word; if they don't like it that's tough."

Pretty incredible, but typical fare for "Zeb at the Ranch."

On Thursday, listeners were treated to a short two minute blurb that might have gone overlooked if not paying attention, but which has left me puzzled ever since.  Take a listen.

I don't always update the Zeb Page daily, but I do spend time every day reading blogs, searching news reports and other media for content to include on what has become a fairly comprehensive collection of resources.  Occasionally, I'll miss something but usually someone will send me the link later.  In everything currently compiled on the page and those written recently yet to be added, I can't find one instance of any blogger writing something negative about Zeb's physical disability, let alone using it to denigrate him or his value system. 

Where did Zeb get this idea?  Is he trying to further demonize and marginalize bloggers?  Would he fabricate a story summoning his listeners' pity to do so?  I don't have a clue.  But if there is something of that sort on the Zeb Page, someone point it out to me and it will be removed because it doesn't belong there.

After nine months of "Zeb at the Ranch," I thought I had Zeb pretty much figured out.  Turns out, maybe I was wrong.  Maybe I've underestimated Zeb.  At the very least, this latest has left me terribly confused.

Zeb's Supporting Cast 3.27.09

Prominent Idahoans and agencies appearing on "Zeb at the Ranch" this week:

• Senator Denton Darrington (R-Declo) — Tuesday 3.24.09 with Megan Ronk discussing meth.  Post here.
• Megan Ronk, Idaho Meth Project executive director — Tuesday 3.24.09 with Sen. Darrington discussing meth.  Post here.
• Representative Bert Stevenson (R-Rupert) — Wednesday 3.25.09 discussing legislative issues, budget, water, wolves and more.
• Kae Cameron, Mini-Cassia Chamber of Commerce executive director — Thursday 3.26.09, discussing Chamber events and encouraging listeners to shop locally.
• Representative Scott Bedke (R-Oakley), House Assistant Majority Leader — Thursday 3.26.09 discussing legislative issues, budget, roads, teacher band-aids and more.

Zeb of the Week:

"Last summer I took a lot of heat—and I'm going to say this just the way it was said on my program.  And I was not the only one that said that this.  There were people on national levels that said the same thing—and it was a true fact—that Barack Obama was the first member of the Negroid race to become a candidate for president of the United States.  I said that last summer and I was criticized as a racist and everything else but many others had said the same thing and it's a true fact.  There was nothing racist about that.  But, I was hammered by the left and they came after me with every hammer and claw they could find.  But now, Joe [his caller], who's more offensive, our own president when he runs down the Special Olympics on Jay Leno?" — Zeb Bell, 3.23.09.

Your Daily Zeb - 3.24.09

8:06 a.m. - Open Forum

Topics:

• Zeb said that he couldn't care less if anyone is offended by him saying "God bless you" at the conclusion of a phone call.  He said that he's in the majority, the majority is supposed to rule and that he will "never bend to your sick, perverted ways."  Supposedly someone called him yesterday to tell him they were tired of hearing him say it on the air.
• Zeb called Timothy Geithner "revolting."
• He said Barney Frank had "his lisp in a twinge," because Frank apparently called Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia a "homophobe." [Find news report here.] 
• He said that Andrea Jackson at the Twin Falls Times-News is perpetrating sleaze for reporting on a police shooting.
• Randy called in a tither again about people attacking Zeb for telling the "truth."
• Senator Denton Darrington (R-Declo) called in with his guest, Megan Ronk, the executive director of the Idaho Meth Project.  They discussed everything you ever wanted to know about meth and then some.  And amazingly enough, they were even able to tie the "pleasures of sex" into this discussion.  No, I'm not kidding.  And of course, Zeb believes tougher border security is key.
• Zeb plugs the "Speak Up for Morality" conference this weekend, cut to "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and the hour is over.

In Support of Confederacy?

“With them words, the states of this United States created
the federal government.”
Rep. Dick Harwood (R-St. Maries)

As reported at Eye on Boise, speaking in support of his state sovereignty resolution in the Idaho House of Representatives, Harwood also insisted that the United States is really a confederacy.  "His bill, HJM 4 passed the Idaho House on Monday on a 51-17 vote, and now moves to the Senate."

Your Daily Zeb - 3.23.09

[now including a portion of audio]

8:06 a.m. — Open Forum

Topics:

• March Madness
• Zeb says, "'Even' Democrats are turning against Obama," and mentions a column by Maureen Dowd.  Talks about the 60 Minutes interview last night and says that Obama was acting like a punch-drunk fighter the way he was giggling for no reason.  [Find the interview here.]  Zeb compares Pres. Obama's comment about Special Olympics on the Jay Leno show to his statement last summer that "Barack Obama was the first member of the Negroid race to become a candidate for president of the United States."  Zeb goes on, "I said that last summer and I was criticized as a racist and everything else. ... And it's a true fact.  There's nothing racist about that. ... Who's more offensive, our own president when he runs down the Special Olympics on Jay Leno?"  Then goes on to wonder why Obama is given a "free pass" but he never got one and is incensed about it.
• Caller Tony says, "[Obama] doesn't care if he destroys the country.  He hates the country that he's got into and the only reason why he got into that position is because he had no competetition.  There was nobody else to vote for. ... We're gonna be a 4th world nation.  We're gonna be overrun by every foreign nation there is on this planet, 'cause we will have no protection at all."
• Zeb is upset with the marshmallow approach to security with this administration.  He says that the administration will probably, probably release Guantanamo prisoners into this country, into our society.
• "This violence that's coming over from Mexico into our country.  These poor people that live down there.  They're hoping that somebody's gonna do something about it and I'm gonna tell you, as long as they keep ignoring it and then it gets worse, there will be consequences for Mr. Obama and his batch of whatever you call 'em.  It's such a shame. ... These people can see what's disintegrating before their eyes but they are so busy trying to do their idealism and shove it down our throats.  It just is scary stuff," says caller Randy.  He goes on to say, "If [Obama] has the guts to make fun of Special Olympics, what is he really? ... I bet he makes fun of everything."  Zeb says, "[Obama] is like a little kid who has just absolutely been given his first chemistry set and the kid isn't interested in doing and following directions.  The kid is interested in seeing what he can do that will be the most volatile."
• More about the media giving Obama a free pass over the Special Olympics comment.
• "[Obama] is a Marxist," says caller Jay.
• "They" are going to tell us what we can and cannot sit on.  (Apparently some municipality back East banned couches from people's porches because they were inviting vandalism.)  [news report here] Zeb says, "I'd probably go out and buy a couch ... and I'd stick it out on that porch and then I'd say, 'Come and get me boys.'"
• Former pastor Ted Haggard (involved with drugs and a male prostitute) is going on the TV show "Divorce Court" with his wife to tell people why divorce is not the answer.  Zeb is disgusted with Haggard, calls him the bottom of the barrel and feels sorry for Haggard's wife.

Sunday Reverie

Zeb's Supporting Cast

"Every man is like the company he is wont to keep."
Euripides, Phoenix

Here are the prominent Idahoans or agencies appearing as guests on Zeb Bell's "Zeb at the Ranch" this week:

• Norm Semanko, Idaho Republican Party Chairman and Idaho Water Users Association Executive Director - Monday 3.16.09, discussing water issues.  Briefly mentioned here.
• Jennifer Egbert, American Red Cross of Greater Idaho, Twin Falls Office - Monday 3.16.09, discussing volunteering, donations and fundraising and services.
• Senator Denton Darrington (R-Declo) - Tuesday 3.17.09 with Justice Burdick, discussing the constitution and function of an Idaho Supreme Court justice.
• Justice Roger Burdick, Vice Chief Justice of the Idaho Supreme Court - Tuesday 3.17.09 with Sen. Darrington, discussing the function of an Idaho Supreme Court justice and the Idaho Court of Appeals.  Posts here and here.
• Gerald Orthel, Idaho Power Agricultural Representative, Twin Falls area - Tuesday 3.17.09, discussing irrigation and pumping issues.
• Mike Todd, Idaho Fish and Game biologist, Wednesday 3.18.09, discussing wildlife and sportsman's issues.  Post here.
• Kae Cameron, Mini-Cassia Chamber of Commerce Executive Director - Thursday 3.19.09, discussing Chamber events.  Post here.
• Representative Fred Wood (R-Burley) - Thursday 3.19.09, discussing legislative issues.  Post here.

Zeb of the Week:

"What's right is right and wrong is wrong and they're painting in the middle.  I just don't understand this:  why we have to loosen and make lax of laws and regulations, and free speech is still free speech and we can speak out against these people and not be called hatemongers or bigots.  You know come on!  Let's stand up America!  Stand up before it's too late." — Zeb Bell, 3.16.09.

Your Daily Zeb - 3.19.09

Live remote from Travelube Supply, Paul, Idaho
8:06 a.m. — Open Forum

Topics:

• Obama is going to "weaken" on requiring veterans to use private insurance to cover service-related injuries.
• Phil Donahue appeared on Hannity last night.  Zeb says Donahue is an avowed socialist and an appeaser.
• Core classes at UI are "indoctrination" - Luke McCall, son of Travelube Supply owner Jim McCall.
• "A lady chaplain at a Florida hospice lost her job ... because she used God's name."  Zeb Bell.  [news report here: "Chaplain at Florida Hospice Resigns Over 'God' Restriction"]
• "I don't care if it's the gays' rights; I don't care if it's the abortion issue; I don't care if it's the illegal alien issue in this country with the liberal left.  I mean, when did we all of a sudden with this new administration just say, 'We're gonna abandon the laws and we're just gonna do it whatever way we wanna do it,'" Zeb Bell asks.  Caller Donna replies, "I think , I think what's gonna happen is, you know, there's there's gonna be a revolt pretty soon."

He's Everywhere

Zeb Bell makes the Idaho Statesman letters to the editor this morning, alongside one from a familiar name, Carol Bachelder, for those who have been around a while.  (Oh yeah, some interesting reading there.)

The topic of this group of letters:  the human rights act.  But. . . apparently these letters only appear in the online edition of the Statesman.  What's up with that?

Your Daily Zeb - 3.18.09

[Editor's note:  Because I know you just can't get enough "Zeb at the Ranch" and because I have complete disregard for these "crippled bloody stumps" I call fingers and because I'm obviously "on the dole" and have oodles of time, I'm going to try out something a little new today.  We'll see how it goes; I'm not promising this will be a daily event (I know... lol).  Please enjoy the condensed milk version of today's show.

Oh, and a PS to Mrs. Sharon Hardy-Mills:  if you'd like the audio clips from any of those quotes from Zeb's page that you claim you never said, shoot me an email.  I'd absolutely love to spend a few minutes digging them up for you... if I can ever get out of this dark hole I seem to have scurried into. ;-) Peace, sister....]

Check Out Speak Out!

Teaching Tolerance, dedicated to reducing prejudice and promoting tolerance, has a great publication called Speak Out! offering suggestions on how to respond to everyday bigotry.

Your brother routinely makes anti-Semitic comments. Your neighbor uses the N-word in casual conversation. Your co-worker ribs you about your Italian surname, asking if you’re in the mafia. Your classmate insults something by saying, "That’s so gay."

And you stand there, in silence, thinking, "What can I say in response to that?" Or you laugh along, uncomfortably. Or, frustrated or angry, you walk away without saying anything, thinking later, "I should have said something."

No agency or organization counts or tracks these moments. They don’t qualify as hate crimes, and they rarely make news. That’s part of their insidious nature; they happen so often we simply accept them as part of life. Left unchecked, like litter or weeds, they blight the landscape.

They offer suggestions on how to handle those and similar situations.  They also gathered stories of everyday bigotry encountered by people across the U.S. and relate many of them as examples within the publication.  Here's one:

‘I’M NOT WEIRD’

Cody Downs, 30, has Down syndrome. He cannot read or write, but he lives on his own, enjoys music and worked as a disc jockey for many years.

Cody and his mother, Kay Parks, were in the checkout line at the grocery store. A woman in line behind them stared at Cody with a disgusted look on her face.

Cody turned to his mother and asked, "Why is that woman looking weird at me?"

Kay looked at the woman, then looked back to Cody.

Stymied for an answer and wanting to provide Cody information he would understand, Kay said to her son, "Well, Cody, I guess she’s looking at you that way because she thinks you’re weird."

Cody considered that for a moment.

Then he turned to the woman behind him and said, "I’m not weird. I’m a really nice guy."

It is a great resource and highly recommended.

Stevenson: I Don't Recall

The saga of Idaho Rep. John A. "Bert" Stevenson (R-Rupert) and the derogatory comments made toward gay people last month on Zeb Bell's "Zeb at the Ranch" radio show takes another twist.  Today, Rep. Stevenson recounts a different view of Monday's meeting with leaders of Lion's Pride Idaho and the Southern Idaho Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual and Transgendered Community Center, two LGBT groups hoping to to open up a dialog with Stevenson and put a human face to the issue of discrimination.

In a press release, the groups stated they were "encouraged" by the meeting while recognizing that there is much work to be done in educating legislators and others on the issues.  The release also reported that Stevenson responded to questions about his radio comments by indicating he may have "overspoke."

While failing to report that Stevenson told the groups he was unaware that there are currently no federal protections against discrimination for gay people, the Twin Falls Times-News relates today that Stevenson's view of the meeting differs.

Rep. Bert Stevenson, R-Rupert, said Tuesday that a meeting Monday with a gay-rights group over his remarks during a recent AM radio show was "cordial," but he disagreed he "overspoke" as the group claims he said.

"We had a cordial meeting," Stevenson said. "They understand my position has not changed. They understand it was not personal and there are no hard feelings to them individually."

[...]

"I don't recall saying I 'overspoke,'" Stevenson said Tuesday.

Stevenson is scheduled to appear on "Zeb at the Ranch" again today at 9:30 a.m. . . . if he remembers.  Tune in.  Call in.

Update:  Bell confirms on the program just now that Stevenson will not be on at 9:30 due to voting conflicts.  Also, Lion's Pride and SIGLBT report that the complete quote from Stevenson was, "I overspoke...I wish I could have a mulligan but I'd have to play golf."

Bell's Bigots Surface

Bell's Bigots (Zeb Bell's phrase, not mine) are coming out of the woodwork and are showing just what they are capable of.  Here's one attacking as a keyboard coward (another of Zeb's own phrases) a person willing to speak out, using her own name, about the hateful, hurtful speech broadcast daily over the KBAR airwaves.

Apparently this is the sort of thing Zeb meant by "going on the offense" and, amazingly enough, this guy accuses Tara of standing for "filth" using language that neither she nor I allow on either of our blogs!

Is this what Zeb Bell's supporters are all about?  Is this the brand of "John Wayne Christianity" Zeb Bell envisioned?  Is this what these sponsors signed up for?

St. Paddy's Day Lyric

Well ... not really but here's to a friend who knows a little something about hell:

                                 I keep eyes pointed in;
Hoping that, when the devil days of my hurt
Drag out to their last dregs and I resume
On such legs as are left me, in such heart
As I can manage, remember to go home,
My taste will not have turned insensitive
To honey and bread old purity could love.

Gwendolyn Brooks, from "my dreams, my works, must wait till after hell"

Groups Encouraged By Meeting With Stevenson

What follows is a press release from Lion's Pride Idaho and the Southern Idaho GLBT Community Center following a meeting the groups had yesterday with Rep. John A. "Bert" Stevenson (R-Rupert).

In case you haven't been following the story, get caught up here and here.

---

Idaho Rep. Bert Stevenson "Over Spoke" on Radio Broadcast

This afternoon members of SIGLBT Community Center and Lion’s Pride Idaho LGBT groups were encouraged by their meeting with Representative John A. "Bert" Stevenson. After discussing his on-air comments in late February, we were able to inform him that current State and Federal laws are inadequate to protect LGBT in the workplace. He commented that he did not know that there were no Federal protections in place. We learned from Rep. Stevenson that we have a lot of work to do change the Legislature’s perception of LGBT issues.

"We are encouraged by these events and hope to have more public discussions in the future. We feel that Representative Stevenson is very open to listen to any LGBT who wishes to knock on his door," says Donna Harwood, Owner of Lion’s Pride.

When asked what he would like to say to the LGBT community Rep. Stevenson said, "Be patient with us. We need to have identified to us [Idaho Legislature] the differences."

"Rep. Stevenson’s comments on the radio broadcast were obviously not well thought out and were ill informed. The education of Idaho’s Legislative body is going to be a lengthy process. It will take each one of us to reach out to our own lawmakers to make sure we move forward on this issue and the many other LGBT issues," said James Tidmarsh, President of the SIGLBT Community Center.

We presented Rep. Stevenson with a DVD copy of Voices in Exile: Stories of Lesbian Mormons, a documentary by an Idaho Director, a copy of Andrew Sullivan’s book Virtually Normal and "No More Goodbyes: Circling the Wagon Around Our Gay Loved Ones" by Carol Lynn Pearson.

We hope this meeting was able to put human faces to the LGBT community and to bring a little bit of understanding of the struggles that LGBT face on a daily basis.

Some 'Splainin' To Do?

Seems others are wondering about this too.

According to Zeb Bell, he and Rep. Bert Stevenson (R-Rupert) had a three-hour meeting at Bell's home to discuss the recent controversy over a segment Stevenson did on Bell's talk show.  As Bell tells it, this meeting took place on the same day that an individual claims to have received a harassing phone call from Zeb.  The individual, who had written an email to Rep. Stevenson about the controversy, also claims that only his family and Stevenson knew the phone number on which he received the call.

On Tuesday, Bell bragged on his program that he had "managed to get the telephone number" for someone who he called a trouble maker from Jerome County.  Bell says he called the man seeking to meet him "face to face to discuss" things and called the man a coward because he hung up on him.

Now here's the conundrum: 

Now WHATEVER would possess someone who serves as state representative in the legislature to pass along to anyone - let alone a bully such as the likes of Mr. Bell, who calls out people who differ from him in whatever way as cockroaches, rats, sleaze, low-classed, ... the personal email and cell phone number of someone who had written to him, Mr. Stevenson?  Not Mr. Bell; Mr. Stevenson.  Ignorance? Boundaries? Stupidity? Duplicity? How could such an individual use such poor judgment?

It's an interesting question.

I Am in Need of Music

With apologies to Elizabeth Bishop, here's Joshua James and "Soul and the Sea."

LGBT Groups To Meet With Rep. Stevenson

The following is a release from Lion's Pride Idaho and comes after the group requested an apology from Rep. John A. "Bert" Stevenson (R-Rupert) for comments made during a segment on "Zeb at the Ranch" with Zeb Bell.

Yesterday Rep. Stevenson made another appearance on the program where he said to Bell, "If I've offended somebody, I apologize but I want people to realize that the question you asked me the last time was my opinion and that hasn't changed at all.  And so if I've offended someone I apologize for that but my opinion hasn't changed," indicating that he has held his position for 30 or 40 years.

Representative Stevenson to meet with Lion's Pride and SIGLBT

Following Lion's Pride's call for John A. "Bert" Stevenson to apologize for his radio remarks made on February 25, Lion's Pride Idaho and the Southern Idaho Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual and Transgendered Community Center requested a meeting with him to discuss our shared concerns.

Representative Stevenson has graciously agreed to meet with representatives from the two groups next week in Boise.

Who You Gonna Believe. . .

. . . me, or your lyin' ears?

This morning, expecting some fallout from an article published in the Boise Weekly today, "Zeb at the Ranch" listeners were instead treated to an hour-long tirade from Zeb Bell directed at a Twin Falls Times-News letter to the editor writer.

From the letter:

Now having listened to Zeb, I'm troubled that he still is able to hold on to a radio spot. He seems to be an equal opportunity hater targeting not only gays but Hispanics, Native Americans and the race of our president. He refers to people as "cockroaches," "despicable, filthy and low classed" even to the point of encouraging violence. I for one will never set foot into businesses that sponsor this hate. And my state is too great for hate.

That prompted an angry Bell to call the writer a liar in various ways for nearly the entire first hour of the program today, saying he said never said such things despite evidence to the contrary.

Check it out:

And that's what you call a bully, folks.

Update:  For another interesting twist to the letter writing, check out this post at The Political Game.  If true, it appears that an Idaho legislator may have participated in an individual getting a harassing phone call from Zeb.  In fact Zeb bragged about just such a call yesterday.  Check out the audio of that here.

Bell's Bigots vs. Bloggers

Apparently Bell's Bigots don't like seeing their own words in black and white and they probably aren't going to like seeing this tomorrow either.  This morning Zeb Bell and his guests and callers spent a considerable amount of time discussing, you guessed it, bloggers, and mysteriously how we must be "on the dole" in order to do what we do.  Pretty hilarious.

This first clip is of Randy.  He's a regular on "Zeb at the Ranch" and if you've been reading for awhile you'll recognize him.  If you take a gander at the right sidebar, that's his quote that he'll mention at one point in the segment.

This next clip is of Sharon Hardy-Mills, a regular guest, and a couple of other callers.  If you can spare the eight and a half minutes, it's worth your time.

Be sure to pick up a copy of Boise Weekly tomorrow morning and then tune in to Zeb at 8:06 a.m. for a first-hand account of the next exciting episode of Bell's Bigots.

'Still I Rise'

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

— Maya Angelou, from Still I Rise

'If You Care . . . '

. . . go here, "We Can't Do it Alone," read and follow the links. 

Bell's Bigots 'Get Down Dirty and Vile and Filthy'

Here's just a sampling of how Zeb Bell and Bell's Bigots reacted to Thursday's front-page Twin Falls Times-News report that Lion's Pride Idaho called for an apology from Representative John A. "Bert" Stevenson (R-Rupert) for disparaging comments made against gay people in his February 25th appearance on Bell's "Zeb at the Ranch" radio show on KBAR in Rupert.

The entire first hour of Bell's three-hour program they carried on in this fashion and then less frequently through the remainder of the show. 

Find another brief sample after the fold.

NASW Sends Open Letter to Rep. Stevenson

The Idaho Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers has sent an open letter to Representative John A. "Bert" Stevenson (R-Rupert) for comments made February 25 on "Zeb at the Ranch" with host Zeb Bell.

Representative Stevenson,

You owe Idahoans an apology.

Your recent comments on public radio regarding gay and lesbian people are not appropriate for a state legislator.  The radio host was engaging in hate speech and you not only did not challenge any of his bigoted comments but participated in spreading false and dangerous statements regarding millions of Americans.  As a member of a group of people (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) who were once heavily discriminated against in the State of Idaho (including within the state constitution) we would hope that you would be an advocate for any legislation that is trying to protect Idahoans from discrimination.  Senators Coiner's and LeFavour's bill would have helped move Idaho in a direction of equality for all citizens.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons continue to suffer from social stigma, harassment, hate-crimes, and discrimination. The United States Supreme Court issued a landmark decision in Lawrence v. Texas, 123 S.Ct. 2472 (2003), that clarified the right of adults to engage in private, consensual sexual activities regardless of sexual orientation and removed the cloud of possible criminal prosecution for such acts.  In spite of that ruling, same sex couples in committed relationships, are not afforded basic benefits, rights and protections granted heterosexual couples under state and federal laws.

Your statement as an elected leader, "If those people want that kind of lifestyle we will do away with the human race," is completely irresponsible and misleading.  You have much to learn about sexual orientation, sexuality, and the importance of civil rights in a democratic republic.  Our state is not a theocracy and your role as a legislator is not to impose your church's doctrine on your fellow citizens but to assist in expanding civil rights for all people, including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender.

We hope that you will gain education to eliminate your heterosexism and homophobia.  We hope that one day you will join with us and the President of the United States in saying, "While we have come a long way since the Stonewall riots in 1969, we still have a lot of work to do. Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans. It's about whether this nation is going to live up to its founding promise of equality by treating all its citizens with dignity and respect." (Barack Obama, June 1, 2007, www.whitehouse.gov)

Delmar Stone, LMSW
Executive Director/Lobbyist
National Association of Social Workers
Idaho Chapter

More Fallout

The fallout continues after the defamatory anti-gay comments made by Rep. John A. "Bert" Stevenson (R-Rupert) on "Zeb at the Ranch" last week.

From the Twin Falls Times-News this morning:

A Rupert legislator is under fire from a gay-rights group for comments he made on a local AM radio talk show.

[...]

On Wednesday, Stevenson defended his comments, saying that he feels federal protections against discrimination are adequate and don't need to be replicated by the state. He said his statement about the human race ending simply pointed out that if everyone was homosexual, no one would procreate any more - though he didn't seem to recognize his words about intent.

"You're the only person that's said a word about it," he told the Times-News about the matter.

Perhaps someone should inform Rep. Stevenson that there are currently no federal protections against gay discrimination.  Perhaps he should also hear about this "matter" from more than just a Times-News reporter.  Contact him here or email him here.

Update:  For a taste of Zeb Bell's reaction this morning check out The Political Game.  Here's a hint:  he's already called Senator Nicole LeFavour a sleaze and he's pleading with listeners to flood Rep. Stevenson's inbox with thank you notes.

Update 18:12:  From  Boise-based LGBT advocate, PrideDEPOT:

PrideDEPOT.com calls for the immediate resignation of Idaho State Rep. John A. “Bert” Stevenson (R-Rupert), for his hateful and incendiary comments about Idaho’s gay and lesbian people Wednesday, February 25th on Zeb Bell’s radio show.

Fallout

An Idaho group is calling for an apology for statements made by Representative John A. "Bert" Stevenson (R-Rupert) in his February 25th appearance on Zeb Bell's "Zeb at the Ranch" radio show on KBAR in Rupert.  In that appearance, Stevenson said that gay people intend to "do away with the human race."

Calling his remarks "irresponsible and ludicrous," Lion's Pride Idaho, a community resource for LGBTA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Allied) groups in Idaho, says that Rep. Stevenson needs to apologize for his gross misrepresentation and completely un-factual statements against the LGBT communities of Idaho and their families.

To Rep. Stevenson's claim in the same appearance that if gay people are fired, it is due to poor work habits, Lion's Pride Owner Donna Harwood asks, "Are you trying to call all LGBT people lazy, Representative Stevenson? Obviously you've never seen a group of lesbians in action!"

The Lion's Pride release went out to statewide media outlets last night.

Dixie Siegel, writing at the Twin Falls Times-News Progressive Voice blog is asking readers to contact Rep. Stevenson along with Lee Family Broadcasting which owns the station leasing time to Zeb Bell.

Also found at the Times-News blogs, Gary Eller at In The Middle, takes on Zeb Bell's wistful claim that "the way things used to be is the way that they ought to be" frequently used by Bell to reinforce statements such as those made in the segment with Rep. Stevenson.  Gary says when doing so, Zeb "is doing more than revising history, he is out and out lying."

Why

I woke early this morning and like nearly every Monday through Thursday morning since last July, in a few minutes I'm going to listen to three hours of Zeb Bell's "Zeb at the Ranch" through my internet connection.  With my faithful collaborator, I'm going to listen as I work on other projects and I'll take notes of the especially egregious statements, which, I have to confess, shock me less and less every day.  It's not that the statements have grown any less egregious.  It's that my mind has grown accustomed to hearing them and most I can tune out by now.

After the show, if I have time, I'll write about a particularly offensive comment or segment.  It might take me a couple of days or so to post something.  Maybe I'll include a bit of audio.  Maybe I'll even make a YouTube video to make it easier for you to listen; maybe then you'll be inspired to write a letter to the editor of your local paper or who knows, maybe you'll even feel inspired to write one to a legislator.

I'm going to do this not because I enjoy it and not because listening to Zeb's hate-filled rants are especially good for my mental health.  As others have told me, they're not.  And it's definitely not because you enjoy hearing about the latest Zeb scandal because as my readership statistics will attest, you most definitely don't.

I'm going to do this because there are kids out there wondering how it is that a loving God can hate something that He has created—how a loving God can hate them—because as people like Zeb and Bryan Fischer will tell them, He most certainly does.  I'm going to do this on the off chance that even just one of these kids might hear something positive or might be affected by something positive that you did because of something said here.

Maybe you think this quest is quixotic.  Maybe it is.  But until I figure out a better plan, in five minutes I'm going to tune in Zeb Bell and, who knows, maybe later today I'll have something to say about it.  And I'm going to do this for every kid in every small town within reach of Zeb's voice who needs to know love instead of hate.  Maybe this isn't the best way to do that but, for now, at least it is something.

'Courteous' Gay Bashing

You've heard what Zeb Bell thinks about gay people.  Let's see... recalling just a few of the choice invectives he's used on "Zeb at the Ranch."  He's called gay people the "cockroaches of our society" (11.10.08); he's called them despicable, filthy and low-classed and promised to "go on the attack and ridicule them" and their supporters, insisting that others "go on the offense" as well (12.08.08) and he's said that it would be all right with him if they just wanted to kill themselves (11.06.08).  All consistent with his version of "John Wayne Christianity" which also dispenses with turning the other cheek.

Last week, on air an Idaho legislator agreed with him.

On Wednesday, February 25, Rep. John A. "Bert" Stevenson (R-Rupert) told Zeb that he appreciated his position on the issue, saying that the intent of gay people is to "do away with the human race."  All of this took place while the two were insisting that it was unnecessary to include discrimination protections for gay people because (amazingly enough) they aren't discriminated against!

Listen as Zeb and Rep. Stevenson discuss the unsuccessful attempt last month by Senators Nicole LeFavour (D-Boise) and Chuck Coiner (R-Twin Falls) to introduce a bill in the Idaho State Legislature extending anti-discrimination protections in employment, housing and education to cover gender identity and sexual orientation and a Times-News editorial a few days later.

That, folks, is a state legislator publicly disparaging gay people, "courteously."