March 03, 2006

Lusk, not love?

It's no secret that the Bush administration doesn't always make the right choices when selecting members for positions in the administration. Even the right-wingers came around when he picked Harriet Miers for the Supreme Court, which he appeared to do only because picking Karl Rove would have been one step too far.

Well, what do we have here? None other than Herb Lusk has been selected to the Presidential HIV/AIDS Advisory Council. Yes, the same Herb Lusk who hosted a bunch of anti-gay bigots -- Tony Perkins, James Dobson, &c. -- at Justice Sunday III back in January.

Now, it's not as if Lusk isn't a nice guy -- he's supposed to be a great person -- and, as far as I know, he hasn't done anything fantastically stupid. Basically, he is a supporter of George Bush, is for an amendment to the Constitution banning gay marriage and is buddy-buddy with some other people the president figuratively fellates daily (e.g. Dobson). Of course, not everyone who likes Bush, who's a conservative Christian or even is opposed to gay marriage hates gays. And maybe he has some good ideas. (He did found a group that helps to fight the tide of AIDS in Africa.)

But isn't it just like the Bush administration to (1) reward a loyal, vocal, visible supporter with a cushy advisory position that meets only three times a year and (2) pick someone who seemingly stands opposed to gay rights to a council that advises on a disease that affects a disproportionate amount of members of the gay community.

Basically, though, this is just another chance to spread that great chestnut of abstinence-only education as a way to stop AIDS. Remember, he did say this at Justice Sunday III: "My brothers and sisters, I will not go down without a fight! Be careful how you fool with the church! Don't fool with the church because the church has buried many critics. All the critics we have not buried, we're making funeral arrangements for!"

Let's just hope Lusk doesn't see people with AIDS as critics of the church. Gulp.

Bush names Lusk to HIV council [Philadelphia Gay News]
Jan. 11: On Justice Sunday and losing my religion

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January 06, 2006

Sunday Justice Sunday

Whoo! Aren't well all just super excited for Justice Sunday III? Man, I can't wait to see Hulk Hogan's big rematch against the Ultimate Warrior! And "Macho Man" Randy Savage taking on "Stone Cold" Steve Austin! And who could forget the big battle between The Undertaker and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair?!

Wait, what? Justice Sunday III isn't a pay per view wrestling event? Are you sure? Shit. Now you got my hopes up for a rally for Sam Alito? He's not a wrestler at all! Aw, man.

Okay, so here's the deal: the Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Sam Alito begin next week. And so Sunday night a bunch of Christian leaders will be holding a rally at Greater Exodus Baptist Church up on North Broad. No, Pat Robertson won't be there, but Jerry Falwell and James Dobson will be! And what would a conservative rally be without our city's very own Rick Santorum?

I don't really get the whole politics/judiciary/religion mashup, but, hey, whatever you want to do. And, of course, outside there's going to be a bunch of protests, consisting mainly of pro-choicers and yada yada yada. You all know where this is going, on both sides.

Anyway, although there won't be any wrestlers there (as far as I know), there will be at least one athlete: former Philadelphia Eagles tailback Herb Lusk. A good guy and decent-ish backup on those less-than-stellar Birds teams of the 1970s, Lusk runs the church on North Broad where the event's taking place. (That's him in the photo with Bush.)

The Family Research Council is organizing Justice Sunday III, and they have a little bio of Lusk up on the website. This part caught my eye:

A former professional football player for the Philadelphia Eagles, Herb Lusk was nationally-recognized as the "Praying Tail Back" for his customary kneeling and praying in the end zone after each touchdown, thus giving the honor and glory to God.

I'm glad they added on that explanation at the end. Here I always just thought he had really bad knees.

Alito fight comes to Phila. [Inky]
Bio: Rev. Herbert Lusk [Family Research Council]

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