It’s a controversy that, according to Fox 17 West Michigan, has “yet to see fallout,” though we’re pretty sure it won’t take long.
Former Michigan state representative and current Republican National Committeeman Dave Agema has always been an openly anti-LGBT politician, but some of his most recent comments condemning homosexuality, supporting Russian anti-gay laws and likening Islam to terrorism have political experts and fellow Republican politicians calling for him to step down.
Fox 17 has uncovered some footage of Agema speaking at Michigan’s CPAC last spring (watch below), during which he said “I have a dream that we get a president that doesn’t glorify gay NFL players.” The comments have been followed by a number of anti-gay posts on Agema’s Facebook wall, one in particular supporting Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty:
“Well, it seems I’m in good company, the LGBT community is now going after Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty,” Agema said.
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He also posted a link to an anti-gay article in the past which said in-part, “part of the homosexual agenda is to get the public to affirm their filthy lifestyle, as one homosexual admitted….”
In another post, Agema urged fans to familiarize themselves with new anti-gay legislation in Russia. “Read their law,” he said, “Common sense in Russia!”
But homophobia wasn’t the only thing on Agema’s mind at Michigan’s CPAC last spring. In the video below, he can also be heard making anti-Muslim remarks:
“My goal is to stop terrorism. I really don’t like it. Quite frankly, I shouldn’t say this, but it’s actually true. Not every Muslim is a terrorist but most terrorists are Muslim.”
This week, former Chair of the Michigan Republican Party Betsy DeVos is calling for Agema’s resignation from the Republican National Committee. “He has damaged his position and his party,” she said. “He reflects badly on Republicans and on Michigan… I couldn`t stand by and hold my tongue.”
According to The Detroit News, DeVos has urged the RNC to “dump” or marginalize Agema for his extreme views. For more insane Agema commentary Michigan Republicans are using to fuel Agema’s ousting, check out his greatest hits on Facebook.
LadyL
No, listen, let him keep talking. If he wants attention, he’ll get plenty of it–and so will the GOP.
Scribe38
DeVos (husband and wife) give to anti-gay groups. Her husband ran on a platform that supported marriage only between one man and woman. Her speaking out now only means she doesn’t like that he is so vocal about his hate of gays, but she agrees with him. F*CK her and him.
Joetx
”He reflects badly on Republicans…”
Actually, he is an accurate representative of Republicans.
Elloreigh
@Scribe38: Yep. Hilarious that Betsy DeVos would be critical of Agema after the DeVos family (not just the husband and wife) were serious contributors to the effort to pass Michigan’s extreme marriage amendment, which made “the union of one man and one woman in marriage the only agreement recognized as a marriage or similar union for any purpose” in this state, effectively outlawing civil unions and domestic partnerships as well.
@Joetx: Exactly! Especially in Michigan, and even more so on the west side of the state, where he Dutch Reformed Church and related denominations dominate everything.
enfilmigult
I can’t believe the idiots who support the Russian law. It’s a law against free speech! Why on Earth would anyone in America support that, much less someone in office? I don’t care what speech the law restricts or whether it happens to align with the group of people I wish I could make shut up; any politician who advocates that, I’d try to vote out ASAP.