Objections -- and protests -- grow louder as Perry's "Response" draws nigh

Three days before The Response, the Reliant Stadium prayer event Gov. Rick Perry initiated two months ago, the response has been spirited among those objecting to the governor's participation.

On Tuesday, more than 50 Houston-area religious and community leaders disseminated a signed statement drafted by the Anti-Defamation League expressing "deep concern" about a prayer rally "not open to all faiths," while the Houston GLBT Political Caucus and related organizations announced a Friday rally at Tranquility Park to protest the event. The groups that represent gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered individuals accused the American Family Association and other sponsors of the prayer event of hatred toward the GLBT community.

The ADL statement followed a June letter from the Houston Clergy Council that criticized the governor for excluding non-Christians, partnering with an anti-gay group and blurring boundaries between church and state.

"Governor Perry has a constitutional duty to treat all Texans equally, regardless of race, religion or ethnicity," the ADL statement reads. "His official involvement with The Response, at minimum, violates the spirit of that duty."

Signatories include Rabbi Samuel E. Karff, rabbi emeritus of congregation Beth Israel; Shaikh Omar Inshanally, head clergy of the Islamic Society of Greater Houston; the Rev. Lisa Hunt, rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church; and Rev. William A. Lawson, pastor emeritus of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church.

Seems to be quite a few actual Christians among those not joining the governor and the Tealiban inside Reliant.

"We strongly believe this statement, signed by so many of our most respected religious and community leaders, reflects the feelings of many Texans who are concerned that Governor Perry is overstepping his bounds in supporting an exclusionary sectarian religious event," Martin B. Cominsky, ADL southwest regional director, said in a news release.

Lawson also will be the keynote speaker at a "family, faith and freedom" event on Friday at the Mount Ararat Baptist Church. The event is sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas and Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

This man lives in a $10,000-a-month mansion paid for by struggling Texas taxpayers, shoots starving animals while he jogs, and lives his hypocritical Christianism in full view.

All but the most foolish among this flock knows that Rick Perry is going straight to the deepest and hottest pit of hell. I just wish he weren't taking all of the rest of Texas with him as he goes.

Fold like a cheap lawn chair Funnies, aka Pirates of the Tea-rribean

"I think some of our members may have thought the default issue was a hostage you might take a chance at shooting. Most of us didn't think that. What we did learn is this -- it's a hostage that's worth ransoming."

-- Mitch McConnell, quoted in the Washington Post, on the debt ceiling negotiations

The Weakly Democratic Capitulation Wrangle

The Texas Progressive Alliance would like you to know that it has never held -- and would never hold -- the full faith and credit of the United States hostage as it brings you this week's roundup.

Off the Kuff says that Texas Democrats need to think about future races when contemplating retirements and open seat opportunities in 2012.

As President Obama asked the nation to call their representatives in Congress to air their views on the so-called debt ceiling crisis, so phoned the nation. And John Culberson finally heard from those in his district whose views have gone unrepresented during his tenure. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs contributed to the conversation. Whether Culberson actually listened is an open question.

While blasting Obama's plan for NASA, John at Bay Area Houston observed that Governor Perry stayed silent about the tea party's $1.6B cut to NASA funding.

WCNews at Eye On Williamson shared his notes on how the GOP's budget tricks and cuts will hurt our economy: Diversions & Austerity -- the Texas GOP two-step.

At TexasKaos, Libby Shaw asks So, who is Rick Perry? And answers: he is a chameleon with an unlimited appetite for power and the limelight. Check out the details.

Neil at Texas Liberal marked five years of writing the blog. Thanks to everybody who has read Texas Liberal over the years.

Dos Centavos is back with a guest post by Dr. Rey Guerra regarding Harris County redistricting and the Latino commissioner's seat. There's one more public hearing on Monday, so, make your voices heard!