According to a piece in Rolling Stone, conservative, bible-thumping Kansas Senator Sam Brownback had found some choice words for countries that support gay marriage. The Washington Post picked up on it, and as they say, a scandal was born:

Deep in Rolling Stone's 7,000-word profile of Republican Sen. Sam Brownback, the conservative Kansan picked a startling bit of Scripture to explain his opposition to homosexuality.

"You look at the social impact of the countries that have engaged in homosexual marriage," he said, citing the example of Sweden to writer Jeff Sharlet before adding: "You'll know 'em by their fruits." An awkward silence followed, in Sharlet's telling.

Well, now Sen. Brownback has released a statement of publicist-wrought clarification:

“When quoting Matthew 7:16, 'Ye shall know them by their fruits,' I was in no way referring to sexual orientation. While this biblical passage was pertinent to our overall conversation about faith and deeds, it apparently led the writer to believe I was making a joke; I was not and would never do so with such a personal and sensitive issue.”

Yet, he’d use gays to polarize his base and help him win elections. Is there a verse in the bible that goes something like “Ye shall know morons by the dumb crap that comes from their mouths?” No? Well, there should be.

On a Roll at Wendy's Window (Second item) [Washington Post]
Senator Brownback Engages in Fruit-ful Dialogue [Wonkette]