The Agema Controversy: Hero or Homophobe

Dave Agema

By:  Jack Hoogendyk

You don't have to surf the internet long to see a multitude of stories such as this and this, about a speech delivered recently in Berrien County by Michigan's National Committeeman, Dave Agema. It didn't take long for mainstream Republican leaders, following the lead of some fringe GOP adherents and the far-out-liberal-left to pile on and call for Dave's resignation as Committeeman.

Did the media take Mr. Agema's remarks out of context? Is Dave Agema really "a venomous committee member whose hate speech and fear tactics have become an embarrassment to not only their party, but to everyone in Michigan," as Emily Dievendof, managing director of Equality Michigan described him?

Dennis Lennox

Dennis Lennox, "Republican strategist", " and party delegate made this statement about Dave. "Dave Agema's hateful rhetoric and unabashed bigotry have no place in our Republican Party. Republicans will not win a national governing majority until Mr. Agema's extremist behavior is no longer tolerated."  

See Dennis Lennox Defamation Lawsuit: Accused Of Calling A County Commisioner A Homosexual.

Hate speech? Fear tactics? Hateful rhetoric and unabashed bigotry? Was the rank and file Republican Party calling for Dave's scalp? Are they really embarrassed by Dave's comments or are some members of Republican leadership cowering under pressure from the real hate groups like Equality Michigan?

Paul Welday 

It may be instructive to hear how the party faithfuls reacted to Dave Agema's speech last weekend at a statewide gathering of GOP delegates and committee members. Here is an account I recently received from David Wells, a delegate who was there: 

"The end result of the week long attacks in the press by a tiny force within the GOP who launched an organized attack on Dave Agema, calling for his censure are:  

• Paul Welday retracted any motion for censure of Dave. There is no record or evidence, other than MR Welday's obvious disdain, that it was ever made in the first place. 
• Dennis Lennox and other accusers appeared to be AWOL from the proceedings; if they were there they were quiet and out of sight. They [apparently] prefer to limit their attacks to those they can coordinate with the Liberal press machine and far left organizations. 
• After being on the Agenda to give his report as Committeeman, Dave was removed, and then added back in. 
• Dave gave, as usual, a resounding speech, updating us on the RNC actions of the past year, and affirming, along with the RNC's Unanimous Pledge, to stand for the 5 key Principles of the Party.   

1.     That our rights come from God - remember that the democrats tried to remove God from their national platform. 

2.     That we remain committed to the sanctity of life - the democrats favor abortion, followed by infanticide if the child survives the abortion attempt. 

3.     That we will not tolerate further infringement on the second amendment - the democrats want to take your guns away. 

4.     That marriage is properly defined as being between one man and one woman - the democrats favor homosexual marriage. 

5.     The value of legal immigration, but remain opposed to illegal immigration - the democrats favor amnesty.

As usual abundant applause throughout was followed by a standing ovation. The enthusiasm for Dave's presentation overshadowed that of any of the other speakers. 

This is the second time a tiny group of the usual suspects have targeted Dave, and the second time they have FAILED in their efforts to smear Him. As Dave so often says "YOU KNOW YOU ARE OVER THE TARGET WHEN YOU ARE TAKING FLAK!"  

While Dave would never ask for it himself, IMO there are a few within the GOP in Michigan who should consider an apology. If the GOP is really looking for unity, they can start by muzzling those who are coordinating with and inviting left wing journalists to smear party leaders."

In MY opinion, Dave Agema is a prophet, willing to take the slings and arrows of the left and members of his own party to speak the truth. He may be a bit blunt at times but what he is saying needs to be heard and I applaud his courage in saying it. 

As an aside, how would you react if someone like Dave Agema said this: 

"If the Supreme Court says that you have the right to consensual sex [sodomy] within your home, then you have the right to bigamy, you have the right to polygamy, you have the right to incest, you have the right to adultery."

Sounds kinda far out, right wing, extreme, doesn't it? Well, Dave Agema didn't say it, Rick Santorum did - ten years ago. Guess what? A federal judge in Utah just decriminalized polygamy. 

Before you take a position on Dave Agema, please get all the facts. Do some research. And, if you want to give Dave some tangible support sign on to this petition.