Posted by: Ken Riter | September 17, 2012

Local Bigoted Activists Begin Anti-LGBT Petition Drive


OMAHA, NE – Local bigoted activists begin anti-LGBT petition drive to ultimately repeal Omaha’s Equal Employment Ordinance. According to the Omaha World-Herald, a Tea Party group with connections to bigoted mayoral candidate Jean Stothert,  is leading the charge against LGBT protections in the workplace. They call themselves the Omaha Liberty Project, probably as some ridiculous marketing ploy, like Fox News’ “Fair and Balanced” soundbites.  The actual petition is being reviewed by Omaha’s City Law Department, the first step in the petition process. Once it passes that step, it will go to the Douglas County Election Commission’s office.  Once the petition drive is underway, the group will have 30 days to obtain signatures totaling 15% of the number of voters in the last Mayoral election. The magic number is about 11,500 signatures. As usual this recommended blog is covering this situation very well!

Mean Jean Stothert represents bigotry in Omaha

Mean Jean Stothert, Omaha’s Face of Bigotry and that Bigoted Mayoral Candidate.

One of the key figures in the Anti-LGBT petition drive is Patrick Bonnett, who was also a key figure in the Suttle Recall attempt. Patrick, who is the Executive Director of the Omaha Liberty Project, told the Omaha World Herald “the group would issue a statement once the petition  passes the legal phase”. Patrick has a history of involvement in all kinds of  conservative bullshit, including serving as Executive Director of the Douglas County Republican Party from 2010-2011. He was also involved with a group called Nebraska TaxPayers for Freedom where they floated around ideas for conservatism just like a floater would float around in their toilet.   As mentioned before, he was a key figure in the Suttle Recall. Let’s sit back and enjoy some popcorn while the same group of idiotic, ignorant bigots screw up another petition drive, while periodically getting off your ass to register to vote. Thanks.

Executive Director, Omaha Liberty Project

Some bigot, from some bigoted organization with some connections to a bigoted mayoral candidate.

Another key figure mentioned by OWH is Femi Awodele, who has connections to Jean Stothert in this link. Femi Awodele has said there would be an official public announcement about the petition drive in the coming days. He is just another one of Omaha’s most active religious whores, finding more and more political ways to sell out and force HIS religion down all our throats.  Femi runs a business dedicated to Christian radicalism and even testified at an Omaha hearing for LGBT protections claiming the LGBT does not fit the definition of a legitimate minority. He runs a business called the Christian Couples Fellowship. The website is conveniently keeping information hidden.

Bigot who is in charge of some bigoted organization.

Bigot who is in charge of some bigoted organization with connections to some bigoted mayoral candidate.

I find the whole situation just odd. Normally, you’d hear Tea Partiers bitching about foreigners interfering in our government, but
since this foreigner is an anti-LGBT bigot, he’s good in their eyes.  And some people just can’t recognize the bigotry? It’s obvious they are making LGBT issues a wedge issue for the Mayoral election in an attempt to get Jean Stothert elected Mayor.

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Posted in Hate Groups, Jean Stothert, LGBT Queer issues, Statements | Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by: Ken Riter | August 23, 2012

Hate Crimes Are Still Real!


OMAHA, NE – Just in case you think anything has changed, it has not.  Hate Crimes are still real! Real people are still hurt by real hate.  I am just as angry, disappointed and saddened by the situation with Charlie Rogers, aka Rainbow Jane, as anyone else. Maybe even more so, because I refuse to look at this situation as having anything positive come out of it despite the claims of others.  One  fact is, as much trouble as these developments are causing the community,  Charlie is still a victim in her own right even if she is guilty.  Remember, she was arrested, but PLEADED NOT GUILTY to the charges.  Justice must still take its course.  People who live in a society that treats real human beings  like 2nd and 3rd class citizens do crazy things to escape the torment.   If Charlie is ill, I truly hope she receives the treatment she deserves. But, I will not refer to her as Rainbow Jane anymore.

I’m over the whole Charlie Rogers aspect of this anyway. Its done, she’s just a part of the process of justice now and I have other questions.  It seems according to reports the Lincoln mayor and a City Council member heard reports early on. The LGBT organizations of Lincoln were also working close with the LPD. I wonder how soon those organizations heard about the real situation, about how there was something suspicious going on with the case.  Even in the joint statement released by Lincoln’s LGBT groups they say, “Over the past few weeks, law enforcement has been very forthcoming in providing information to leaders of Lincoln’s gay and transgender community.”  This, with all those fundraisers going on and people thinking the money was actually going to help an alleged victim of a hate crime.

There were other things going on that raised red flags for me. The establishment of a separate fund that was presumably to be for Charlie’s medical bills.  Two board members of Forward Equality, including myself, very early on, were ordered to not speak out and to not ask local officials to speak out on the issue.  That didn’t stop Jim Suttle or Ben Gray from speaking at the Omaha vigil.  Forward Equality was never part of the circle receiving information from the LPD anyway.  If the Lincoln groups knew something and wanted to keep Forward Equality away from it, why did they not do the same with the groups holding the fundraisers, why not tell them to stop?  And they sure are quick to paint a picture of how the community came together.  I think we should examine some of the red flags first. I want to make sure that money doesn’t go to help pay to support or fight a ballot measure in Lincoln.  That money should really go back to the people who donated it.  According to reports, $1800 was raised for a fund for Charlie Rogers, but her current lawyer knows nothing about the money nor the fund.  The Lincoln City Govt recently delayed a ballot vote over Lincoln’s recently passed LGBT protections.  Also, about a couple of weeks ago, I was told that a friend or neighbor of Charlie’s, was ordered by Charlie’s counsel not to speak to any media about the situation or they would be sued.

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Posted in LGBT Queer issues | Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by: Ken Riter | August 21, 2012

Republicans Behaving Badly.


OMAHA, NE – Where do I start?  This article could get long, Republicans get away with all kinds of horrible behavior!  You don’t even have to look far to see it going on right here in Nebraska.  The Nebraska State Auditor finds millions of state tax dollars at risk, all under Governor Heineman’s watch. With state child care and a mental health facility in the dumps and a lieutenant governor in the humps, who went on a fling out in western Nebraska on taxpayer dollars , what else can Heineman get away with? Its sad not much has come out about Lt Gov Sheehy driving around the state on the taxpayers dollar so he can go sleep with his secret mistress out in western Nebraska.

Then we have Lee Terry’s new ad, chastising John Ewing for a deficit only Lee Terry could have helped create by supporting  2 unfunded wars and the Medicare part D program.  The Medicare Donut Hole is something the Affordable Care Act fixes, which both Ewing and Obama support.  Remember, that  if Lee Terry has done anything in Congress, it is naming a post office, and helping Bush run up the deficit.  But don’t forget all those failed bills of Lee Terry, and who would ever forget about that comely lobbyist? Let’s not forget that Lee Terry stood with Congressman Akin as they tried to redefine rape during this Congress.  Disgusted yet?

Next we have those skinny dipping Republicans. Including none other than GOP Kansas Congressman KevinYoder who took off his clothes and jumped into the Sea of Galilee. Of course other Republicans joined him, but they kept some clothes on.  Yes, America, this is what you handed the keys to in Congress in the 2010 elections.  Nice job, America!  Could I be more sarcastic?

Then we have the King of Incompetence, Todd Akin. I wonder which Red State he went to school in?  Really? A woman’s body shuts down after a “legitimate” rape?  Wow, My brain almost shuts down at the stupidity that is still emanating from Todd Akin’s mouth. But, Please stay in the race though!  I want McCaskill to win!  LOL Of course, of all the news outlets out there, The Onion gets it right!

And last, but certainly not least is America’s Go Back team, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan! No flip-flop too difficult, no lie to hard to tell when you have a member of the 1% who wants the Presidency bad enough.  Mitt Romney showed the McCain campaign 23 tax returns for the number 2 spot and was passed over in favor of Sarah Palin as a result. Not that he is running for the top position he won’t show the public what he’s hiding. Must be really damaging.  Obama has even offered to show 5 tax returns if Romney will show 5.  Then we have Paul Ryan, follower of Ayn Rand and another Congressional pal of losers, Lee Terry and Todd Akin. Paul Ryan is happy to be clinging to guns and religion. Just don’t tell him that his idol, Ayn Rand was an atheist and against the Vietnam War!  LOL

Keeping US Tax Dollars for Themselves!

Who is greedier?

Stay tuned for another chapter of Republicans Behaving badly. You know it will never stop!  LOL

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Posted in Conservative Zeroes | Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by: Ken Riter | August 17, 2012

What Happened to Omaha’s Fire Union Contract?


OMAHA, NE – What ever happened to Omaha’s Fire Union Contract?  With all this outcry led by City Council members over Mayor Suttle’s pay increases, you’d think this small group of people were trying to cover their mistakes on a Fire contract.  Negotiations for the Fire contract were taken from the Mayor by the City Council last year this month. The lack of an agreement is costing Omaha taxpayers $4,200,000 in wages and some $15,000,000 in pension shortfalls. Yet our hypocritical City Council is bashing the Mayor over a piddly $59,000 in pay increases to three deserving non-unionized city employees. Who is going to admonish the City Council for their $4,200,000 mistake?   The City Council’s negotiator even agreed to a $94,000 pay increase for the Fire Management Team.  This, after the City Council promised tax payers they would get a better deal.  Too bad City Council members have been tight lipped on what a better deal really IS to taxpayers.  I, for once, would like to see Jean Stothert  practice what she preaches and actually RISE ABOVE THE RHETORIC!!!

City Council's Lack of Leadership Costing Millions!

City Council’s Lack of Leadership Costing Millions!

In contast, Mayor Suttle successfully negotiated agreements with police and fire unions that froze wages, ended spiking, raised the retirement age, increased individual pension contributions, cut benefits, increased health care premiums and would have settled all pending litigation against the city. Even if the contract wasn’t where the City Council demanded it be at, Mayor Suttle’s Fire contract still would have saved the taxpayer $4.2 million in Union wages, plus it froze wages, something the Fire Union agreed to.

Jean Stothert’s FaceBook page has had Omahans ragin about the issue. Some people actually had facts to bring up. One Fire Union member, Adam Ohrt, posted this on Jean Stothert’s FB page, “As a union we voted for pension concessions for current members and to pay more for our health care. The contract that the city council claimed to be a bad deal in the long run would have a little more than a year left now. In 2010 alone voting the contract down cost the city over 4million just in wages. I do not know of any firefighter who is worse off now because the contract was voted down. I know of many (myself included) who are better off. These are the facts. ”    What I don’t understand is why didn’t the City Council just approve the contract to save taxpayers $4,200,000 if they were planning on taking over negotiations from the Mayor.  Ohrt’s realization as too the costs of the City Council’s mistakes is an eye opener.

In the same thread, Jean Stothert makes this false claim, “Also – the $4.2 million that OFD is overbudget – is NOT because of the lost salary freezes for 2010 and first half of 2011. That amount is budgeted and incumbered in the budget in the wage adjustment account. The “overage” is due to overtime and other operational expenses.”  What a coincidence that it amounts to $4,200,000, right Jean?

Here is Ohrt’s response, “This a visual representation of the cost of you voting down the last contract. As far as the comment of our children and grandchildren paying for the contract just goes to show how out of touch you are. That contract would have expired in 16 months. We would currently be going back to the negotiating table in a weaker position paying more for health care and getting less in pension benefits. This would be to the advantage of the city, but thankfully we are not at that point. It does however pain me to see you spin this for your political gain at the expense of the taxpayers. ”

I would like to hear what exactly the City Council to trying to get in it deals with the Unions.  Perhaps some TRANSPARENCY on the part of Omaha’s City Council is in order.  Perhaps the real question to ask your City Council member concerning the Fire contract is, “What is it costing the city now vs. what it would have cost the city for the time these negotiations are going on?”

If you are on FaceBook, be sure to LIKE this new Facebook page, Omaha City Council Watch.  Let’s hold the Omaha City Council accountable for its actions for a change!

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Posted in Conservative Zeroes, Franklin Thompson, Jean Stothert, Omaha City Council | Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by: Ken Riter | July 31, 2012

Hate Crimes Rise Nationwide, Nebraska’s Elected Officials Remain Silent.


OMAHA, NE – Members of the LGBT Community experience more hate crimes than any other group. A study from the SPLC agrees with this assessment.  The SPLC’s analysis of 14 years of hate crime data found that homosexuals, or those perceived to be gay, are more than twice as likely to be attacked in a violent hate crime as Jews or blacks; more than four times as likely as Muslims; and 14 times as likely as Latinos. The findings are based on FBI hate crime statistics from 1995 to 2008, the period for which there is complete data. The basic pattern also holds true in individual years.

We as a community must stand strong. We must build up our institutions to be prepared for such tragedy, because as the statistics show, the horror that happened to a lesbian sister in Lincoln, Nebraska, a gay couple in DC,  many queers around the nation and the world is sadly far from the last. A vigil in Lincoln for Rainbow Jane saw an estimated 500 in attendance, a vigil in Omaha Thursday night saw thousands in attendance.  Omaha City Councilman, Ben Gray, spoke at the vigil saying, “And we as a community, we as a city, we as a state, we as a nation need to stand up and say hate no longer lives in our country, our city and our state, and we will do whatever it takes to end the hatred in this country.”   In contrast, no Nebraska officials have spoke on the incident being investigated as a hate crime.  I hope it propels people to be more active in our LGBT organizations, from the social to the political and to the activist ones we have out there. We need more participation to keep our community moving forward, politically and socially. The Lincoln Mayor spoke out earlier in the week saying, ” Hate crimes are despicable and appalling to me and to all Lincoln residents… Lincoln strives to be a community that embraces tolerance and equality. We stand united with our gay and lesbian citizens in denouncing violence directed at any group.”  Not surprisingly, none of Nebraska’s elected officials  had anything to say about the tragedy.

I think its great Mayor Jim Suttle and Councilman Ben Gray spoke at the vigil. Certain people told me that politicians should not make any statements due to a possible negative impact on the community. I fail to see how Suttle and Gray have impacted us negatively in the bigger picture of things. They said what needed to be said, they gave support to a community that needed it, and they displayed to all that they are as affected by hate as much as we are.  It is time to let the LGBT movement happen openly in Nebraska, instead of just behind closed doors. There is more to our beloved LGBTQ Community than just white lesbians and white gay men in the movement.  We are also bisexual, transgender, queer and all colors of the racial spectrum!! We all have a voice, and we should never be afraid to use it!

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Posted in Hate Groups, LGBT Queer issues | Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

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