"Family Values" Congressman Stiffs His Kids...Again

From the National Memo:

The “family values” ex-congressman, who has remarried and presumably supports the children he had with his second wife, enjoyed an annual salary of $174,000 for the two years he was in Congress, and somehow managed to loan his own campaign $35,000 and take expensive vacations with his girlfriend while claiming to be too poor to support his children. His wife eventually had to sue to wring a dime out of him, and after nearly 10 years of legal wrangling, court-ordered payments were deducted from his congressional paycheck from the time he took office.

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However, those payments actually stopped at the end of 2012, according to paystubs obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times, and now Walsh is once again trying his hand at the court system, this time filing a “Motion to Terminate Child Support Obligation” in an attempt to legally stiff his ex-wife and children this time.

The filing reads: (PDF)

Joe’s employment has been terminated through no voluntary act of his own and he is without sufficient income or assets with which to continue to pay his support obligation. Due to a substantial change in circumstances, Joe requests that his child support obligation be terminated based on his present income and circumstances.

Just so we are clear, this is the same congressman who received a "family values" award form the so-called Family Research Council while at the time owing over 170,000 in child support. Clearly, the people always talking about "family values" are merely talking out of their collective rear ends.

Election 2012: Trouble For The Tea Party

Deadbeat Dad Congressman Promotes Intimidation

 

Ladies and gentlemen, Rep Joe Walsh (R-IL). What a geat representative for his people.

Tea Party Candidate Attacks Disabled Veteran

Rep. Dead-Beat Dad Behind in Polls

From the Huffington Post:

Freshman Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.) is nine points behind Democratic opponent Tammy Duckworth, according to a poll released Thursday by the anti-Tea Party super PAC CREDO.

The poll of 500 voters in Illinois' 8th District found that 50 percent favored Duckworth, compared to 41 percent for Walsh. Walsh had a 39 percent favorable rating, up from 28 percent in a Democratic poll conducted in January. Little other polling is available on the race, but the Cook Political Report rates the seat as likely to turn Democratic.

Walsh, who recently took to the airwaves to re-introduce himself to voters, has a history of causing controversy with his statements, including his comments during a town hall that radical Islam was threatening the country. Duckworth, a double-amputee veteran, raised almost $900,000 in the past fundraising quarter after Walsh criticized her for frequently mentioning her military service.

The poll was conducted by Democratic firm Public Policy Polling using automated phone calls between Aug. 13 and Aug. 14, and had a 4.38 percent margin of error.

Deadbeat Congressman vs. Military Service

The Wrap-Up: May 2, 2012

Matthew Vines

A black minister spoke with MSNBC's Thomas Roberts against North Carolina's Amendment One.

Following in the footsteps of his predecessor John McCain, Mitt Romney just pandered to the religious right big-time.

Unlike their counterparts in New York and Washington's fights over marriage equality, large North Carolina businesses are staying relatively silent.

It isn't JUST sociologists, psychologists, biologists weighing on LGBT equality. Now, anthropologists are also in on the discussion.

I have no idea how anyone could still have a radio show after saying to someone that they should have the lesbian raped out of them.

Did you know that President Obama was elected because he's black? It's a good thing we have Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) to tell us things like this.

Hudson Taylor

While Republicans are talking about increasing taxes on the poor/middle classes, Apple manages to dodge billions of dollars in taxes every year.

Tennessee's "Don't Say Gay" bill is no longer under consideration. Dear Missouri, DO LIKEWISE!!!

Matthew Vines (who spent a little time doing research on homosexuality and the Bible) sounds off on gays in the Christian community (P.S. If you haven't seen the video from that first link, it is well worth a watch).

If you forgot or didn't know how inspirational Hudson Taylor is, first off, SHAME ON YOU!!! Second, here is a reminder. Would that there were more Hudson Taylors in this world.

And lastly, Zach Wahls is living proof that same-sex couples can be great parents just like anyone else.

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
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Another reminder that there is less than a week until voting ends on North Carolina's Amendment One. If you or someone you know is a registered in the state, make sure you/they KNOW THE FACTS about this proposed law before heading to the polls.

The Wrap-Up: April 17, 2012

Both Warren Buffett and President Obama pay a lower tax rate than their secretaries.

Two federal judges took a huge swipe at America's federal regulatory system (and by extension, the minimum wage).

Saudi Arabia has decided to ban gay kids, tomboys, and other "non-conformists" from its schools. Maybe this is where Louisiana republicans got the idea for its Charter schools.

A street-preacher thinks that calling Rosie O'Donnell a "lesbian pig" is the Christian thing to do. Maybe he should give that Bible another read and pay attention this time because he missed the part where it says love thy neighbour.

Given this being the week of Tax Day, it's a good time to bring up how marriage inequality hurts same-sex couples, especially those with children, this time of the year thanks to DoMA.

Rep Joe Walsh (R-IL) challenged his opponent Tammy Duckworth to a debate. The thing is, she was on duty (Army National Guard) at the time of the debate. Maybe Walsh should have used that time to pay the $117,000 he STILL owes in child support.

America is losing interest in the Tea Party. I guess all of those fascism signs have lost their luster.

Or maybe, it's stories like this one.

And lastly, a press release from then-Governor Romney titled "There's No Place Like Youth Pride."

The Wrap-Up: April 4, 2012

Mitt Romney won all three of yesterday's primaries. The results of the Wisconsin vote help to us some insight into the swing states.

Three weeks before the Pennsylvania Primary, Rick Santorum's home-state is a statistical tie.

Representative Joe Walsh (R-IL) took some time out of his busy not-paying-child-support schedule to belittle the military service of Tammy Duckworth (Walsh STILL owes $117,000 in child support).

Did you know that wearing a shirt that says "Jesus was not a homophobe" is indecent and sexual? Yeah, that's a lawsuit-inducing pant-load.

Before Rick Santorum says another word about education, he really needs to do his homework.

With Tim Tebow being so ardently religious, one sometimes wonders where he stands on LGBT issues.

One Seattle man is taking a unique approach to getting Washington conservatives on-board with marriage equality.

Mitt Romney didn't pick a great time to talk smack on fuel-efficient cars.

Exactly how successful are the sporting world's efforts to end homophobia on the field?

And lastly, President Obama goes after the GOP budget and Mitt Romney.

The Wrap-Up: December 12, 2011

As Major League Baseball did a few weeks ago, now the National Basketball Association has also added sexual orientation to its collective bargaining agreement. So, how long until the American "Family" Association calls for a boycott of the two leagues?

The Anoka-Hennepin School District, which has seen numerous students commit suicide as a result of anti-gay bullying, will be considering a new anti-bullying policy. The question  is whether or not it will actually do anything.

At least one corporation has caved to pressure from the political right to remove advertising from TLC's "All-American Muslim." Other corps, not so much.

Rand Paul

If Rick Perry had taken Mitt Romney up on that $10,000 bet, who would have won?

Mitt Romney has stated that he would NOT seek to reinstitute DADT, though gays still shouldn't get married. Is he not merciful...

Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) is not holding back in his criticism of Newt Gingrich and his conservatism.

I have to say that this was the most awkward part of the GOP debate on Saturday...mainly because Newt Gingrich was in the room (and staring daggers).

Andrew Breitbart (former GOProud board member)

Rep. Joe "Deadbeat Dad" Walsh (R-IL) is changing districts after redistricting. No word on whether he has paid the $117,000 he still owes in child-support.

Income inequality? What income inequality???

The fallout from Rick Perry's massive failure of an ad is on-going. Resignations, hate-speech, and finger pointing all abound.

And lastly, here is a look at Stephen Colbert's take on Perry's ad.

The Wrap-Up: December 9, 2011

Burruss Hall at Virginia Tech

First and foremost, my thoughts and prayers go out to those effected by the shootings that happened yesterday at my alma mater, Virginia Tech. This incident, bad enough in and of itself, brings back some terribly memories. Stay strong Hokie Nation.

The LGBT community of El Paso, Texas is now standing up for the mayor who stood up for domestic-partner benefits for them.

The National Organization for Marriage is endorsing a book which claims same-sex parents are more likely to molest their children. I have three words for them: WHERE'S. THE. PROOF?

Heeding the call from Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, the Justice Minister of Malawi is putting the nation's relevant laws under review, much to the chagrin of Pat Robertson I'm sure.

Senator Scott Brown (R-MA)

Competing proposals to extend the payroll tax were both stalled in the Senate. The difference is which party's proposal met more opposition.

Granted the election is about 11 months away, there is some good polling news out of Massachusetts...unless you're Scott Brown that is.

Thus far, only two candidates have signed onto Trump's December 27th debate. Since one of those is Rick Santorum, he doesn't even count. Bachmann is the only candidate still undecided.

Here is a great ad from the Perry campaign. I don't say it's great because of its content (which is actually quite terrible), I say it's great because of the public response which was so negative, comments were disabled. So much for his view on freedom of speech.

With Gingrich's star on the rise, he is coming under attack...by fellow Republicans that aren't even in the race.

Joseph Kennedy III

The mayor of Troy, Michigan who came under fire for anti-gay comments she made on Facebook has lost her day job. Unfortunately, she's still the mayor though.

Will the Kennedy's make a return to Congress?

With all of his running away from the $117,000 in child support, I'm surprised that Rep. Joe "Deadbeat Dad" Walsh has the energy to run from anything else. I guess he had a lot of coffee.

And lastly, New York City's Ali Forney Center, which benefits homeless LGBT youth, received an incredible gift just in time for the holidays.

Pro-Family Mockery

From: Think Progress

The Wrap-Up: November 10, 2011

Governor Rick Perry (R-TX)

Some Penn State students rioted last night after Joe Paterno was fired. There is nothing defensible about someone who knowingly enables child molesters, though it sounds like Paterno would fit right in with the Catholic Church.

Basic Rights Oregon has decided to fore-go getting a marriage equality measure on the ballot in 2012.

Here is a look at where the Republican presidential candidates stand on various LGBT issues. Spoiler: it ain't pretty.

Speaking of Republican presidential candidates, there was yet another debate last night. Surprising no one, Perry bombed...again. Oops!

Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT)

The ACLU intends to make sure Utah schools get the memo that banning same-sex couples is unconstitutional.

I'll believe it when I really see it, but it seems as if the Congressional Super-Committee Republicans may be budging from a "no tax-hike" position.

The four openly gay members of Congress made an "It Gets Better" video in which they talk about their coming out experiences.

Deadbeat dad Congressman Joe Walsh (R-IL) took time out of his busy child-support dodging schedule to berate constituents for blaming the banks for the housing market collapse. The surprising part of this is that it was reported on FNC.

David Testo

TVGuide schooled conservative groups like the Parents Television Council over their trump-up outrage because of Tuesday's "Glee" episode.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has voted to repeal DoMA. That's the good news. The bad news is that its chances of getting through the full Senate are not good.

It's finally happened. A pro-athlete (David Testo) in an American league (Major League Soccer) came out as gay. As to whether he is professionally active, that's a bit complicated.

The Wrap-Up: November 4, 2011

What is it with Texas conservatives and antisemitism?

Felony charges have been filed in the case of an Ohio student beaten by an anti-gay bully while a second hate-motivated incident has struck the very same school.

YOGA IS SATANIC!!! This has been brought to you by the same pastor who said male masturbation is gay.

The Wisconsin Senate passed a bill pushing abstinence over contraception, paving the way for the state to face far higher numbers of teen STI's, teen pregnancies, and abortions.

This is an example of why Teddy deserves to be on Mount Rushmore.

Michigan passed an anti-bullying bill...which offers no protections for anti-gay bullying despite being named after a victim of anti-gay bullying who later committed suicide. These people are absolutely unscrupulous and they're actually protecting the bullies.

Minnesota for Marriage is using a possibly illegal tactic to get support for an anti-marriage equality amendment. Do we really expect anything less from such people?

Truth Wins Out talks about Rick Santorum and theocracy.

The Family Research Council gave a pro-family award to Rep. Joe Walsh who owes over $100,000 in child support, once again showing that FRC is not actually pro-family.

MMA's Daniel Puder has started a school-based anti-bullying campaign called "My Life My Power."

70 U.S. corporations (many of which you would recognize) joined together in filing an Amicus brief in the fight against DoMA. This law is seriously getting piled on of late...which is awesome.

Don't forget that Tuesday is Election Day and every vote matters. Here is a page for Virginia voters to look at.

Deadbeat Dad Wins "Pro-Family" Award

FRC President Tony Perkins

There are a number of groups on the political right that call themselves "pro-family" (which, as we all know, is code for being anti-gay among other things). Whereas most people recognize that families come in all shapes, sizes and compositions, these conservative groups are really only interested in their version of what they deem a family to be. Any other version and they are categorically against it. One of these "pro-family" groups is the Family Research Council (FRC) which I have mentioned on this blog several times before. Let alone the fact that they are tone-deaf on what everyone else considers to be family, they have recently shown that they are severely lacking in credibility.

Joe Walsh

Representative Joe Walsh (R-IL) recently received a pro-family award from the FRC for voting against anything remotely gay friendly, defunding Planned Parenthood, and being against President Obama's healthcare plan (among other things I'm sure that I left out). If that name sounds familiar, it is because it was reported over the Summer (during the political battle over the budget deficit) that Rep. Walsh owed $117,000 in child support (he has 3 kids) and refused to pay his wife the money despite the money he was making as a congressman. It was incredibly ironic at the time because he was on national television railing against reckless government spending while owing a substantial amount of money. The irony of his situation is even more palpable now that this behavior has been ignored in him receiving this "pro-family" award.

I really have to wonder if whatever FRC lackeys were behind this did any actual research into this man. It seems to me that if anyone wanted to give an award to someone for being "pro-family," a deadbeat dad should never have been their nominee. It shows such a striking degree of inconsistency that I have no idea how anyone can take this organization seriously. Then again, there are far larger reasons that they should be discredited, like the lies and hatred that they spread. But hey, that's just my humble opinion.

Lawrence O'Donnell Rips Congressman Joe Walsh

Dead Beat Dad Rep. Joe Walsh: Arch-Hypocrite on Debt