Oklahoma state representative Sally Kern introduced a resolution Tuesday titled the "Oklahoma Citizens' Proclamation for Morality" that links recent economic woes to moral collapse and President Obama's celebration of LGBT Pride month.
Kern's proclamation occurred just days after conservative shock-jock Rush Limbaugh linked South Carolina governor Mark Sanford's infidelity to the recent economic recession and Obama's policies.
The proclamation not only attacks President Obama's celebration of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride month, but also directly blames the economic crisis for "our greater national moral crisis."
In the first half of the proclamation, Kern quotes many prominent founding fathers such as John Adams, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and Ben Franklin.
She also quotes Noah Webster, an American lexicographer:
When you…exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed upon your mind that God commands you to choose just men who will rule in the fear of God.
A
draft of the proclamation states:
WHEREAS, we believe our economic woes are consequences of our greater national moral crisis; and
WHEREAS, this nation has become a world leader in promoting abortion,
pornography, same sex marriage, sex trafficking, divorce, illegitimate births, child abuse, and many other forms of debauchery; and
WHEREAS, alarmed that the Government of the United States of America is forsaking the rich Christian heritage upon which this nation was built; and
WHEREAS, grieved that the Office of the president of these United States has refused to uphold the long held tradition of past presidents in giving recognition to our National Day of Prayer; and
WHEREAS, deeply disturbed that the Office of the president of these United States disregards the biblical admonitions to live clean and pure lives by proclaiming an entire month to an immoral behavior;
The proclamation may be sent to President Obama, Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry, and Oklahoma's United States house representatives and senators.
As quoted in the
Tulsa World, Toby Jenkins, president of the Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Oklahomans for Equality, said that Kern was "outside of the mainstream for Oklahoma" and that thousands of Oklahomans, many of whom are heterosexual and of faith, recently celebrated the contributions and commitment of the lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual community.
According to
Kern's website, the proclamation will be signed by religious leaders, elected officials, and citizens of Oklahoma at noon on Thursday, July 2nd, 2009 on the steps of the Capitol in Oklahoma City.
In March 2008, Kern made an anti-gay speech which garnered widespread national attention. In the
speech she stated:
Studies show that no society that has totally embraced homosexuality has lasted more than, you know, a few decades. So it's the death knell of this country. I honestly think it's the biggest threat our nation has, even more so than terrorism or Islam — which I think is a big threat, okay? Cause what's happening now is they are going after, in schools, two-year olds...And this stuff is deadly, and it's spreading, and it will destroy our young people, it will destroy this nation.
After considerable negative response to her remarks,
Kern refused to apologize and said, "I said nothing that was not true, I said nothing out of hate."
In the summer of 2008, Kern was stopped by Oklahoma State Troopers twice at different times when she attempted to enter the state Capitol with a handgun. She was not arrested and was not charged with any crimes in both instances.
Kern is an Oklahoma state legislator for District 84. In 2005, Kern was voted "Outstanding Lawmaker of the Year" by the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee.
