Glen Clark's day job is with the Republican Party and he is a lead Tea Partier! Faith-based? Hardly. I know he is a bully. He's employing the Tea Party's most used political tactic - deceive and deflect. Nino Salvagio has in the past financially supported the Troy Tea Party causes. Check campaign finance reports and I bet you'll find Mr. Pita as well.

I agree with you 1000%.
They speak a good picture but their actions are just the opposite. Total Hypocrites.

Merchants and citizens, and everyone has the right to support whomever they choose. Why must a federal case be made out of it? Tolerance is needed from all sides..not just one person's.

Daniels supporters have every right to voice their opinions, and unless you want a community that is run by mob rule and hysteria, it is important that both sides are heard. Glenn Clark raises a valid point. A boycott of Troy businesses hurts the wrong people. I agree with him completely on this.

That said, I believe Daniels' credibility and ability to effectively run the city have been completely compromised. I hope she resigns. If not, I hope the citizens can mount a recall.

Randy, didn't you use to be a councilman at one time???? If so, I remember going
to a meeting when you were on. I also belong to the tea party and as Oakland talks
she really doesn't know what she is talking about. She should grow up and them open
her mouth. How oftern do you vote??? I have only missed two in my life.

Mike, both sides don't deserve a voice at the podium all the time. I'm not about to give equal time to the Klan after Jesse Jackson speaks on racism. I'm not about to give time to the side of people who are pro-pedophilia if we hear the voice of anti-abuse activists. This idea that "both sides" have to be heard all the time is dumb. If one side is to oppress people, I have no need for that "side."

A boycott of Troy businesses would be the right move, if Ms. Daniels had not apologized. Her apology could be a bit better (don't say "it's just a word.") But ya, I think what's done is done. However, we can forgive, but certainly not forget, and pay close attention to the words she uses in the future. Fool me once, shame on me, fool me twice, shame on you.
Troy businesses that get their products locally should be ok. They should be even more ok if the Chamber of Commerce issued a statement denouncing Ms. Daniels hate speech.

I would like everyone who thinks after reading and hearing all of the comments over the last few days that..........if these are the attitudes of Troy residents...and if this is how Troy residents talk and handle serious situations ...this is what would keep me out of Troy...if these are the kinds of neighbors I would have it would make me quite uncomfortable to live there......

HELL NO You weren't that good of a councilman when you and your group were
running the city. By the way, I did all my shopping at Summer Set, so I am done
Christmas shoppiing I hope all of you have a Very Merry Christmas, if not it will be
your own fault.

Bob gives you a big HELL YA !

I don't remember any of this garbage coming out of people's mouths when Clinton did
what he did in the White House and that was worse. Where were all of you then. I wrote
to newspapers and the White House and guess what they just slapped him on the
hand and said be a good boy. Think before you keep beating Mayor Daniels up.

Really Audre? You have to go all the way back to Clinton to find a way to contribute to this? Was that 1997... 1998?! I want to make sure I understand you correctly, you think it's hypocritical for all these people to be upset about Mayor Daniels' words and actions because you believe nobody was upset at Clinton in 1997 when he lied about his affair with Monica Lewinski. Is that correct?

Yes, these are the type of people that keep this unnecessary stuff going...you had to scold them for foul language and makes them no better than what has happened...this is all I have read pertaining to the Mayor thing,....whether on facebook or on the patch. If this is how the Troy people react ? Then perhaps because of just that....others won't come to Troy.....ever think about that? Are these really resident of Troy?

Kim....very well put. From my angle, it appears it is the people of Troy that are displaying the hate....the mayor never said she hated the gay community.

Once again I hear people talking the talk but not walking the walk - watch the news and read the papers and who is more hateful than the Tea Partiers & religious right?
It's all about ME is their philosophy. Good luch shopping and Merry Christmas.

BRAVA, Linda! Let he who is without sin throw a stone! Are you people crazy?! All of your hate comments are no better than Ms. Daniels' Facebook comment. You all should be asamed of yourselves.

Kimberly: Sorry but No. She can have her "opinion" all she wants. But when you advocate taking away, stoping or limiting the protections and rights of my family, don't' think I'm going to just smile and say "Oh dear... that's her opinion." Not going to happen.

Linda: Saying that she doesn't want to be associated with or promote tourism to a state that allows "the queers" to get married IS hating the gay community. Spin it all you want... if you want my family to be legally below yours, that's hate. Don't agree with me, look up "Rosa Parks" to see what she had to say on the subject.

Lori: The first stone has already been thrown. Sorry but you can't pick a fight with a whole community and then decide that "it's time to move on" when you see what a storm you've stirred up. We were the ones attacked and WE will decide when it's time to let it go. (and spare me those silly bible verses you all hide behind. The day you follow 5% of the rules laid out in the bible is the day I'll die of shock.)

Cathy you are so wrong when you say it wasn't what she said in June, why do you think all those people came to the council meeting if someone didn't get if off her Facebook,
and then sent to to someone to put it on a blog and pass it all over the country. It could have stayed right here in Troy and would have been handled just fine, but no that couldn't be -- all the hate had to come out. This was a political thing done by the people that didn't win and now they want everyone to hate her. I know gay people and have gone to their parties, but not one acted like the people that went to
the council meeting, infact why didn't this come out when she was running for Mayor, that is when people go after them, NO they waited until she won the Mayor's race,
SHAME ON ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE Like Mr. Clark said enough is enough.

Audre,

This is were you are wrong, Much of the anger, upset and hurt has as much to do with her handling of this situation when news broke as what was said on FB in June. My opinion of her has dropped dramatically at each turn of her handling of this since I read the quote to begin with.

It was 100% in her power to handle it completely had her first instincts not been to push back rather then make a genuine apology. Apologies that have conditions, caveats and "buts" in them are not genuine apologies.

I asked you twice now, if the military families have the patriot guard to shield them from hate, who do the LBGT youth of Troy have. I can only feel from your lack of response that you either don't know, don't care or you think it is a non issue.

So let me make this perfectly clear to you. This is not political to me, this is not about who was or was not elected, this isn't about the Transit, the Library, how long people can speak at council meetings, who hooks up in the oval office or anything else so meaningless and petty when compared to the lost lives when our youth take their own lives, unable to face hate and bulling any longer.

You know what I saw at monday nights council meeting--people facing a bully, and not backing down, some could have said things in a more "gentle" way--I also saw a defiant Mayor who was not going to give an inch, because she thinks she has the high ground.

So Audre, I pose a new question to you, maybe this one you will answer. I will make it multiple choice...

Playing the part of political strategist, when is the most advantageous time time to reveal her fb remarks--
a) After Mayor Daniels wins the election and can only be removed either by her resignation or a recall election that can't take place for many many months.
b) Never, things such as bigotry, racism, sexism, and like should be kept within that inner circle of those in the know.
c) Before the election, when the voters have the chance actually have more of a say at the voting booth.

For me, I find it a slap in the face that one of those people that did see it in June didn't bring it to light. More then likely alot of people knew about this comment, but kept it in the circle of those in the know, for all we know, you knew about this comment yourself back in June, you certainly comment as if you are her bff, defending her as a nice person and all.

I think that often with this type of comment someone slips and tells someone that doesn't see things the same way as that inner circle sees it. --A little off the subject, but not exactly, a few years ago, a guy working for me called in sick, shortly after posted to his status that he had called in sick and was really going hunting.... Less then 4 hours later someone in the office was showing me his status--they thought it was hilarious that he was that "ignorant" to post that on his fb page...

One Last Thing Audre

(I was away from the computer most of the day---lots of stored up thoughts)

Speaking about the council meeting last monday. How many of the people getting up to make comments are regulars at meetings? This thread may have more people that don't mind going to a meeting, and some even that are not afraid to stand up and comment about something--

I think tho, most people would rather have a root canal then go sit at a council meeting then get up and speak in front of the council and the audience. For a normal meeting, I for one think I could go, but then I would have to get in the car, drive down there, etc., and I could just stay home and skim the report on the meeting later and hope the people that were elected do thier job.

And so many people, they got in their cars, drove down there, and they had something to say, hours of comments, and it makes you wonder, if so many people, many of which probably havn't been to a council meeting in months, years or ever and how many would normally get up in front of a group and speak--I just think it should give you pause to think how seriously Daniels comments--their tone and context and her lack of genuine apology--has really hit a nerve with the community at large.

Really?

funny I don't remember Barney Frank saying "I'm going to throw away my Texas Rangers shirt, too many breeders there."

Danny, if you had been at the council meeting when all the hatred came out from the
people, you would have heard her say all that you wanted her to, I was at home and
heard everything, but there was more hatred in the audience and that is why you
didn't hear her say the words. I also said enough is enough it is time to move on and I don't mean with the transit.

Audre, please look back at everything she said publicly since she was called out. She didn't seem to have a problem saying what she wanted to say. And boy did she say a lot. Take the time and look it up. It's all there. By the time the council meeting took place people were fed up with her irresponsible and blatant combative attitude. She is willfully and stubbornly ignorant. I wouldn't even care except that she is in a position to cause much damage. Not only because she is bigoted, but she will also take an innocent city down with her. Guaranteed. I honestly cannot recall witnessing someone so incapable of holding a public leadership position as her. Equally, i am shocked at the reversal of blame for this saga. She is making an unfortunate situation completely radioactive. She has yet to own this and it's a week later! She is not fit to hold her position if she is incapable of recognizing what she did wrong. It doesn't seem to matter how many people address her and what tone they do it in. It's been said already and she is holding firm on stupid.

Audre,

Just when I thought you and I were making progress in a different thread here you are, I am feeling a bit cheated, as you never answered my question.

I am glad you brought up the Patriot Guard in a different thread, as they have been a god send for so many military families.

So here is the question I pose to you, since we think in the same direction, military families have the Patriot Guard to help create that buffer between the grieving family and hate, but who is standing between that same kind of hate and the LBGT youth of Troy? More importantly, what do you do when that hate comes from the person elected to advocate for ALL of Troy, accept a half-hearted apology with strings attached or hold them to task?

Jeff, I don't get on Facebook or any of the other ones, but I understand that you are
only talking to your Facebook friends, then who was the smart one that was upset that
they didn't make it for Mayor that got this crap rolling. Were you at the meetings when
the Mayor walked out and would not hand the gavel to the new Mayor??? Where you at the council meetings that when the last Mayor use to ring a bell so the then
talking Mayor was told he talked too long. You should go to the meetings more often
and see dirty looks passed from councilmember to another one. Did you just move to this city???? I have been here for over 30 years and have seen enough. Let me
tell you, there is an old group that would like to take over this city and run it the way
they did before and trust me you would not like it. Enough of both topics, the
transit and the Mayor, move on

That's right Tom. "The New Gay America" or New Black America or New Asian America... where minorities don't seem to want to tolerate insults and bullying. Isn't it just awful?!? I mean, why can't they just ignore it? Like the good old days when you could say something ignorant and bigoted and nobody would point it out. Don't you just hate it?

Tom,

Telling Rosa Parks to sit in the back wasn't hateful, it wasn't derogatory, it was just putting her in her place, right?

A civil debate is great, but her comments on face book were not civil--her choice of words, the tone she used and the context she put them into were anything but a simple disagreement or dissent, they were derogatory, pointed and hurtful to a great number of people. Her comments and conditional apologies validate anti-gay bullies across this country that terrorize youth that are LBGT or perceived to be LBGT--you know youth don't even have to be gay to be treated like one.

In a different thread I spoke about the hurt I saw when Fred Phelps picketed a funeral for a friends brother, that brother died a hero in Iraq, but his mother got to see signs saying "F*g Soldier," "Thank God for Dead Soldiers," and "Thank God for IED's" I also mentioned the hurt I saw when a good friend buried their son after he took his own life because he couldn't take anti-gay attacks at school any longer, in a post below I mentioned another youth taking his own life this week as a result of anti-gay bullying.

So as I ponder the notion of "never poke a sleeping bear" I want to leave you with a few statistics about LBGT youth so you have a little context about the idea of civil debate vs the problem of bullies of LBGT youth...

1) LGBT youth are 2 to 6 times more likely to attempt suicide then hetero youth.
2) 30% of all teen suicides are reported as committed by LGBT Youth
3) Suicide is the #1 cause of death amount LBGT Youth; while car crashes are the leading cause & homicide being second cause of death for hetero youth.
4) 27% of LBGT youth are kicked out of their home by their parents for being LBGT.
5) In a Study of LBGT youth, 25% of LBGT youth were verbally abused by their family for being LBGT and 12% were physically abused by family members for being LBGT
6) In a study of Bi/Gay Male Teens, ALmost half had run away from their home at least 1 time as a result of conflict between parents/siblings.
7) 40% of homeless youth are LBGT Youth
8) Approximately 28% of LBGT Youth drop out of high school because of verbal and physical abuse because they are LBGT.
9) LBGT Students hear as many as 26 anti-gay slurs a day at school--only 3% of those result in Staff/Administration intervention.
10) 27% of LBGT youth have been physically hurt/assaulted by a fellow student
11) Here in Michigan, 28% of school personnel surveyed said their school was emotional unsafe for LBGT students.
12) 75% of crimes against LBGT's go unreported.

oh and a great web post to read (Tom, its written by a straight father so maybe it is a "Welcome to the New Hetero America" that you are searching for):

http://www.danoah.com/2011/11/im-christian-unless-youre-gay.html

You probably can’t imagine the anger created when we have to watch some new adult, particularly in a position of leadership, maintain that she is justified in inflicting the same harm to the current generation of children. Children who, because of this, continue to despair and take their own lives. Yet she sees nothing wrong in continuing to believe that we are somehow less than she.

As long as she holds onto that prejudice, she is a dangerous leader. As long as we “just move on,” we bear part of the moral responsibility. What part of “children are dying” is difficult to understand? Please, for the good of Troy, its children, and people everywhere, convince her to resign immediately.

Respectfully,
-J.
--
John R. Deuel

@ John Deuel. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Your letter is by far the most eloquent thing I've read to date. It's never been about gay marriage, or the first amendment or freedom of religion. It's about shaping the community in which we rear our children - who deserve our protection and care - all of them. By simply moving on, we demontrate our own inability to make lasting and meaningful change. I sincerely hope the council takes your words to heart.

Linda, then if you want to clean up politics, you better start with Presidents. They have
done more harm. Do you thnk I liked Clinton doing something in OUR Oval Office and
I don't remember any of you writing about this to newspapers, but on the computer you
can type away and think you are doing such a great job. I think a lot of you seniors
have to really grow up and some of your parents also. This is nothing new, it has
been going on for years. I went to the Detroit Public Schools, what do you think happened there. so enough is enough already.

Sharon, since the people can't recall her for 5 more damaging months, and she has said she won't resign, the only recourse left is for the business community to rise against her. If they will do this, people will NOT boycott them. They must force her to resign. Until the recall is possible, they are the *only* ones with power over her. If she has *any* respect for the city of Troy, she will resign. If she does not, she loses that credibility. If Troy businesses remain unaffected, everything will go back to the way it was: tacit approval of anti-gay prejudicial leaders. If you haven't lived this persecution, you may not be able to understand how important this is. She resigns, and everyone moves on. She stays, and we continue to fight. Please call her and ask her to protect the city of Troy by resigning.

She did not have an "unfortunate choice of words."

She said she wanted to destroy any evidence she liked the State of New York because "The queers" can get married there and are therefore equal to her. And she doesn't want anyone to think she's a queer lover, does she?

That isn't an "unfortunate choice of words," it's (a) a disgusting display of bigotry and vile hate directed at millions of Americans and (b) a show of incredibly juvenile behavior and poor judgement... those are qualities that are not compatible with being an effective leader.

She has to go and she has to go NOW. if she doesn't, the whole city is going to have to suffer. Sorry, this is a war that she and her ilk started. Don't blame us for fighting back.

1. She asked for a motion to limit public comment to 3 minutes and couldn't get a second. 2. She only answers the emails of her friends, not her constituents. 3. She has offered plenty of proof in the past week of bad judgement and bigotry. Why do you think people are incensed all over the country. 4. In terms of the wages and benefits, do you want yours posted? 5. Look up the definition of libel. If you can prove it, it isn't libel! 6. You forgot the most important campaign promise: To represent the people of Troy. Not some of the people, or only the people she likes. 7.The "conservative" majority were elected because of deception and deflection, and slander! Ask Allen D'aoust (sp?) 600 votes does NOT comprise a mandate.

Dale, you have said some smart things and this last letter is the best. God Bless You..and thank you for what you said.

If she had come out and made a genuine apology immediately when the story broke, things would be different today, had she made a genuine apology Monday night in front of the protesters or at the city council meeting, people would be more forgiving. If she understood how she has hurt people and taken REAL responsibility for that and shown even a token of trying to reach out to LBGT youth or LBGT community at large, things would be different.

Boycotts themselves are tricky, on one hand they don't directly target the problem, which is Mayor Daniels, but on the other hand it gives the businesses of Troy reason to think about their relationship with the Mayor and politically minded groups. The part that is tricky is, who of those businesses supported Daniels in getting elected as well as support the various groups such as this faith based group that are "supporting" her in a move on effort and who does not. When asked about people boycotting the businesses of troy because of her comment, her response was "but I also heard from people who said they want to move to Troy." seriously? So what, move more people in that think like she does and get the people that disagree with her out of town? So I ask all of you, does she get it, does she get that her being Mayor is bring boycotts to Troy businesses, does she even care about the boycotts? With her response of people want to move here because of her I probably know the answer already?

This is a very sad story but apparently the high school he went to did not have zero tolerance...for it to got on for 4 years?? I see no mention in your paragraph of his parents, the school, and it states that one of his freind said if someone stood up to the bullies 4 years ago this would not have happened...did his friends help him out? Apparently not....something seems weird about this story and were the police ever informed?
At my sons school/district, if there is even hint of name calling, slander, bullying etc.....it gets stopped right it its tracks so fast it would make your head spin.

Linda,

I am glad your son's school has a zero tolerance policy, not every school district in this country is that way. But regardless of having a policy, enforcement is only as good as the people in charge.

http://www.newschannel5.com/story/16216849/friends-say-teen-killed-himself-over-bullying
http://www.wsmv.com/story/16213348/friends-say-classmate-killed-self-after-bullying

Two links that have more about it then I can type here.

Even in this state the bill for anti-bullying legislation saw an attempt to exempt certain kinds of bullying as long as it was based in religion.

In these instances there are always many more questions then answers, where are the parents, the school, etc.

For the short of it, Jacob lived with a grandmother, his family need donations to be able to bury him, and the instance that the school acknowledges that they knew about him being bullied, the "bullies" were talked to and given a warning. From one of the articles, Jacob dropped out of school around thanksgiving (ironic) and it appears that the bullying and harassment continued thru email and his phone.

cont'd...

In my experience, bullying has both direct and indirect victims. Often friends are afraid of also incurring the bullying or retribution that they don't always feel that they have the power to stand up. Often LBGT youth are afraid of "consequences" with telling their parents or family, or reporting the abuse for fear of retaliation, fear of being outed, kicked out of home, the list goes on, please scroll up and read the list of statistics on LBGT youth. 2 important stats tho, 27% of LBGT youth are kicked out of their homes by their parents for being LBGT, 27% of LBGT students have been physically assaulted by fellow students for being LBGT.

It can be very hard to get an adult victim of rape or domestic violence to step forward, yet somehow we think a zero tolerance policy for bullying makes it different for children who are bullied?

I wonder if your son was to give an honest answer as to the policy and the reality of bullying at his school if they would be the same. I wonder if anti-gay slurs go unpunished or if the administration cuts it off before it can begin.

Unfortunately, this problem does not get solved simply by a zero tolerance policy at school. Often the justification to bully is learned from a parent, a roll model or someone else, like say a Mayor of Troy. I feel very strongly that schools should be safe place to learn and grow, but should the community be any different--Should the Mayor be a party to the problem or part of the solution?

Linda, I only stated that because this goes on in all schools, not just Troys, and it
was said to a friend (which I believe was wrong-but it doesn't make her a bad person)
She will make a better Mayor than the last one, and the one before that. So she said
she was sorry, sometimes I never would have heard anyone say that to the people.
All schoold have problems, so why don't we move on. You people are keeping it
going, so it seems like someone was a poor loser in not winning in the election.

Go to the Troy Patch and look up the article that a Troy attorney explains the process, etc...of attempting to recall the mayor and it states that from the first council meeting is whne her 6 months starts to see how her conduct is during those first 6 months and only those 6 months of she is found of miscondust/illegal misconduct can you then stand a chance to recall her. The slur cannot be included in the recall. I am truly not debating this I am just realizing that it will not be so easy as some people are thinking to recall her...that's all. After reading that explanation the attorney put out made it more clear for me. You can get the signatures but if the reasoning doesn't qualify...........Thanks (by the 6 months citizens my have calmed by then and not do anything anyway)

Linda,

I do not have all the answers, and as I stated before I am glad that your son's school does have a zero tolerance policy. I was responding from what I knew and what my experience has been. In my experience, many schools have those zero tolerance policies, but it is not always enforced. My good friend thought that he was an involved parent, those of us that consider him and his wife good friends would be the first to say they are amazing, involved, loving parents. The school their son went to had a zero tolerence policy. Yet, everyone, my friends, his teachers, the administration, his minister, even me, we all missed the signs of what was really going on. He was afraid to tell his parents, he was afraid to go to the administration, and his friends that knew that he was gay and being bullied because of it were afraid for the same reasons he was. I can't tell you the hurt all of us felt when we found out, my friend and his wife haven't been the same since, none of us have.

And you are right, there are many forms of bullying, and if you READ my posts in this and other threads you will see that I have mentioned more then just hate towards the LBGT community. However, that said, the situation with the Mayor is SPECIFICALLY about a derogatory slur about the LBGT community. I only mention your son from the perspective I have, not to say that he has done anything wrong, but from the fear that despite what the school says...

...that there is still students at his school that do not escape being bullied. After my friends son took his life, my friend asked his daughter about bullying at school, and what was policy and reality were two different things. It seems the kids always know whats going on, and it always seems the parents and administrators, less so, thats all I was trying to convey.

I am thankful that the bullying your son experienced was taken care of, to often it seems it is not. I am not here to whine but to keep the conversation about what Mayor Daniels has done and why I do not think it should be tolerated and to remind people that this is a REAL problem, children are taking their lives because of derogatory slurs, not unlike that made by Daniels, and I feel either she needs to resign or she needs to be held accountable to make a real effort to undo what she has done.

So back to my response to your comments to mine, I took your comment to mean that the story needed more explanation from me, I tend to get a bit wordy, if you can't tell, and I meant no disrespect to you or your son, just offering a perspective that not everyone has when talking about this subject. In encouraging you to have an honest discussion with your son, not for my benefit or anyone else's but his and yours--It didn't' come out as I intended, I would like to blame the character counter on this web site, but in the end, it is usually my passion and my heart getting ahead of the language skills...

...It is my greatest hope that parents are involved, that children feel safe and free from being bullied, harassed, etc. I hope for a day that a child does not fear being bullied, but I fear that day is further off then it should be. Mayor Daniels reminds me of how far away that day really could be, ya know?

@C, it surely sounds like she dislikes gay people, saying that she wants to give her bag back to NYC because the "queers" can get married, definitely does not sound like she likes gay people. It was only after being pressured that she apologized. Before her apology, she made a twitter statement which defended her comments, and defended it by stating her right to free speech. So, I think we are all smart enough to really know what is going on here.

Oh, and it is discrimination to not "believe" in gay marriage. All men and women are created equal, marriage is a legal right. Please see the clip below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Crt3ogpvycM

Linda,

I agree with you whole heartedly, I think a lot of parents want to think their child is above such things, but often those parents see what they want to see. The silent bullies or catalysts can def. be the worst. They never have their hand in the cookie jar but somehow they always have a cookie.

I hope you and your family have a great night as well.

Audre, I've seen Janice in action and I've seen her go after the previous mayor and council as well as city administration with the tenacity of a pit bull on steroids at every meeting. Furthermore, the ideas Janice and her TCU friends proposed for keeping the library open lacked merit, and not just because city administrators and the former city council said it couldn't work. If you knew anything about sustainable funding and budgets, especially fund balances (a lot of people don't, so please don't take offense), you would know that their ideas wouldn't work. I think it's sad that the former mayor and council made a diligent effort with the last library millage request to make everyone happy, and yet their efforts were still fraught with opposition from Janice and TCU -- especially some really appalling misinformation they passed around to defeat that millage.

Randy, your comment has lasted 52 minutes, so far. I tried to "Like" it, but I've been blocked from posting on that page.

Hey, Lone Ranger, we're not against the First Amendment in any way shape or form. The parts of it relevant to this discussion say "Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech..." None of us are asking Congress to muzzle Janice Daniels, you or anyone else.

As for boycotting Troy Patch, please don't do that. The conversations are never quite as interesting if they're all one-sided, don't you think?

John, the 14th amendment makes the 1st amendment applicable to state and local governments. It also makes article vi, section 3 of the constitution apply - no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.

Calling for her ouster by city council for either her speech or religious beliefs is a violation of her rights!

Dialogue is better, but most of the people on here aren't interested in that!

Lone, I'm glad you didn't decide to boycott Troy Patch.

This isn't about her religious beliefs. It's about her prejudice against gay *people*, not marriage equality. Her ability to govern has been compromised and she has decidedly not repaired it. People are calling for her to resign because she sets a horrible example. Her initial slur and, more importantly, subsequent handling of herself is embarrassing. Allowing her to remain in office unchallenged sets a horrible example to our children.

In contrast, calling for her resignation is a part of our free speech. For a citizen to have a litmus test for the choices they make on election day may be naive, but it's not unconstitutional. The constitution forbids the *government* from enacting such a test, right?