John Barham, a Jessica Puente Bradshaw supporter as well as a self-described scholar and lecturer and graduate of the University of Arkansas, has penned two personal attacks on Roy de los Santos. who, like Puente Bradshaw, is a candidate for the City Commission, District 3.
Barham pretends his opposition to De los Santos' candidacy stems from a yet-to-be-adjudicated DUI charge and subsequently chronicles a tragic family car accident with a drunk driver his family experienced decades ago.
Barham's pretense might be believable if he hadn't headed the story with the graphic above, showing Roy de los Santos enveloped in Rainbow Flag colors, Gay Pride Month with pictures of transgenders.
Fact-checking finds other falsehoods in Barham's story: Barham claims De los Santos is chairman of the LGBTQ Task Force which is a lie. Barham also claims De los Santos has been stopped twice on suspicion of DUI, another lie.
It's pretty obvious Barham's real reason for such firm and disrespectful opposition to De los Santos is because of his sexual orientation, nothing more. The car wreck story generates sympathy, to be sure, and I'm certain it had lifetime ramifications, but it does not explain why Barham is so disdainful of De los Santos, repeatedly referring to him as "Roy Old Boy" in one article and "Roy Man Child" in the next. What's up with the disrespect Mr. Barham?
If Barham, like Jessica Puente Bradshaw, is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or Mormons, as they are typically called, there might be an explanation.
Mormon President M. Russell Ballard recently made clear his church's view of gays:
“Let us be clear: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes that ‘the experience of same-sex attraction is a complex reality for many people. The attraction itself is not a sin, but acting on it is. Even though individuals do not choose to have such attractions, they do choose how to respond to them. With love and understanding, the Church reaches out to all God’s children, including [those with same-sex attraction].’”
The Mormon president went on to say that a Mormon attracted to the same sex would have to remain "chaste," that is never enjoying intimacy with another person.
It's difficult to believe that in 2021 an educated man like Barham, a scholar and lecturer of some note, would oppose a man's candidacy because of sexual orientation, but that seems to be the case.
.jpg)
Shameful graphic, very bigoted.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how Barham was not even clever enough to hide his bigotry.
ReplyDeleteHe actually Messaged me to say there is nothing in his posts which is hateful. For me that is the bigger story. This story is endemic of a bigger story. There appears to be millions of people who do not see their hate. Where does that leave us?
ReplyDeleteThe treasonous January 6 insurrection attempt was an eye opener for me. It went way beyond partisan politics to see people in horns, assaulting police with Trump and Confederate flags, looking hang Pence and hurt or kill Nancy Pelosi, not to mention block the orderly transition of power.
DeleteI still cannot get around it. January 6th is still alive and it scares the hell out of me. Retired Generals breaking tradition and siding with Trump against Biden. An active duty reservist general calling for insurrection. The Cameron County Republican Party calling for a lock and load party. Everyone should be scared. The police with impunity can now do a background check on you for profit and sell it to these terrorists. For me it is a very, very scary time.
DeleteDear Mr. Barton: Please be advised that my dated information on the official status of Roy de los Santos with the LBGTQ Task Force was not a effort to perpetuate, as you stated, a "lie." It was simply a matter of being misinformed. Thank you for drawing that to my attention. You may be sure that forthwith any statements in my articles describing him as chairing the Task Force will be removed. Roy's true status in that regard should be "board member." Furthermore, I am definitely not a hater. My opposition to NDOs, such as the draft of what is supposedly being considered by the commission,
Deletestems from my total support for freedom of religion, owing to my experience of 6 years living in a country in which I had to worship secretly. The draft in question is also reminiscent of the regulations which ensnared Jack Phillips, the Colorado cake maker, in a legal hell for years. As for intoxicated drivers, yes, from personal experience I know the pain and suffering they can inflict. Thus, my sense is that the law in its entirety should be enforced in such matters. Thus, I come down on the side of MADD. And, of course, drinking and driving do not bespeak of good judgement. Finally, I do not know Ms. Puente Bradshaw's religious affiliation. I only know she is a fine person and a believer, with whom I share many convictions. In my experience, I have not come across Mormons spewing hate in Brownsville. And, if you are willing, I would be happy to sit down with you over a couple of cold ones and visit at some time in the future. Cordially, John Barham
i
Perhaps, an untruth or inaccuracy to be more precise. I'm assuming it was unintentional and I accept that. As to Roy's draft, he made it a point to tell me it contained a religious belief exclusion, but I left that out of my response.
DeleteThis is very confusing inasmuch as it seems that different drafts exist. It would be my pleasure to bring my copy and sit down with whomever has a different draft. The one I have shows ACLU and Lambda influence in the drafting. If we can discern whichever is the one the commission will consider, it would be a great help in bringing differing minds together. THANKS. John Barham 956-346-0033 barhamjw@gmail.com
DeleteBarham and Bradshaw are brainwashed Trumpers.
ReplyDeleteWhy are Republicans so evil? So a city wants to have a small board to protect gays many gays have gone missing or been killed here. Everyone knows that. Why do people like this have to fight against even a small nice thing the gays might get. City cant even get it's own candidates to show up for board meetings. What pointless petty petty hate the republicans stand for. Sad people
ReplyDelete