CPAC Conference Dissolves Into Right-Wing Civil War Over Gay Rights

[cali]

Late last year, the pro-gay rights Republican organization GOProud announced that it would co-sponsor the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), prompting a right-wing backlash which forced conference organizers to deny the organization a speaking spot during the conference. Today, Alexander McCobin, a member of Students for Liberty, an offshoot of the Rep. Ron Paul’s (R-TX) Campaign for Liberty, took part of his speaking time to thank conference organizers for allowing GOProud to co-sponsor the conference, noting that Students for Liberty asks its members to be “socially tolerant and fiscally responsible.” McCobin was immediately met with angry boos and heckling by the audience:

MCCOBIN: In the name of freedom, I would like to also thank the American Conservative Union for welcoming GOProud as a co-sponsor of this event. (loud boos) Not because of any politics, but because of the message that it sends: If what you truly care about is freedom, limited government, and prosperity, then this symbol is a step in the right direction, and look to the student movement for support! (heckling) The typical Student’s response is to be socially tolerant and fiscally responsible. Students today recognize that freedom does not come in pieces. It is a single concept that we must defend at all times.

A few minutes later, Young Americans for Freedom activist Ryan Sorba approached the podium and slammed GOProud and engaged in a hostile shouting match with pro-gay rights students in the audience, singling out Executive Director of Young Americans for Liberty Jeff Frazee:

SORBA: I want to condemn CPAC for bringing GOProud to this event! (loud booing) I love it. I love it. Guess what. Guess what. Alright. Civil rights are granted in natural rights. Natural rights are granted in human nature. Human nature is a rational substance in relationship. The intelligible end of reproductive act is reproduction. Do you understand that? Civil rights when they conflict with natural rights are (yelling) No YOU sit down. The lesbians at Smith College protest better than you do. The lesbians at Smith College protest better than you do. Alright? Bring it. Jeff Frazee, guess what, you just made an enemy out of me, buddy. Yeah you, guess what. YOU just made an enemy out of me, thanks a lot.

<snip>

http://blogs.alternet.org/speakeasy/2010/02/19/cpac-conference-dissolves-into-right-wing-civil-war-over-gay-rights/

[ck4829]

1. Young Americans for Liberty vs Young Americans for Freedom?

When did CPAC get held in South Park, again?

[barbtries]

2. they scream about less government

at the same time they scream to limit the personal choices of women and the GLBT community. do they never fathom the disconnect? i think they're all sick people who just always need something or someone to hate on.

[Fearless]

4. K&R!

[elleng]

3. We should just smile and watch these repugs

rip the group apart.

:toast:

[marmar]

5. And yet there are groups like the Log Cabin Repugs and GOPride.....

...... As long as there is a Col. Sanders, I suppose there will be chickens lining up to support his cause.

[Yurovsky]

7. Their natural home should be the Libertarian party...

if they truly believe in limited government and individual rights, they're in the wrong party.

Added bonus is that is would cleave off enough GOP members to ensure Democratic victory on a semi-permanent basis...

[Yurovsky]

6. Sobra & his handlers shown outside of CPAC convention hall...

I knew these guys were vermin...

[Mari333]

8. love it. Wish I could be a fly on the wall watching the fur fly

[ThomWV]

9. Choice of words

Just a silly little nit pick, but the Conference did not "dissolve". It may be been disrupted for a short period but it did not melt away.