Nick Juliano, The Raw Story, September 24, 2007
In a move ostensibly aimed at providing “better science education” in Louisiana schools, Sen. David Vitter has secured $100,000 in taxpayer dollars to fund an anti-evolution effort spearheaded by a religious group politically connected to the alleged prostitute-soliciting Republican.
Vitter secured an earmark in an upcoming labor, health and education financing bill for the Louisiana Family Forum, which The New Orleans Times Picayune reports has “taken the lead in promoting ‘origins science,’ which includes the possibility of divine intervention in the creation of the universe.”
The group was founded by Tony Perkins, a former Louisiana state lawmaker who now leads the conservative Family Research Council. The Louisiana Family Forum works to “present biblical principals” on public policy issues, and until a reporter questioned them about it, the group’s Web site included a “battle plan to combat evolution,” which argued the theory “has no place in the classroom.”
Despite Vitter’s admission earlier this year that he used a Washington, DC, call-girl service and allegations that he frequented prostitutes in New Orleans, the first-term Republican has maintained the support of religious conservatives in his home state.
In a YouTube clip posted by user “lafamilyforum,” the group’s executive director Gene Mills defended Vitter from comparisons to Idaho Sen. Larry Craig, who was arrested in a restroom sex sting in June.
“The media’s going to do whatever it can to smear any of the family values guys, and unfortunately Vitter has been elevated into that role, not because of what he has done on the family values front, which is commendable,” but because of the prostitution allegations, Mills said. He went on to praise the fact that “Vitter has repented of the allegations. He sought forgiveness, reconciliation and counseling.”
It never ceases to amaze me how the religious right will use any political figure (even the most hypocritical) to further their agenda of forcing their view of Christianity down everyone’s throats!
Comment by idealistferret — September 25, 2007 @ 5:54 pm
I wonder if he used a condom with the hookers. And if not, what does his wife think of that?
Comment by greyhawk — September 26, 2007 @ 10:36 am