A political hit piece is using his own words, not out of context...good to see you will defend him no matter what he says

I didn't defend him, Brian. Not one single word.

I just think it's outrageous -- even for a division of the hufington post -- to give Fealk a free forum like this.

Oh yes, how dare the Rochester Patch stoop to the level of reporting what Rep. McMillin actually said! I mean to print the actual words he used and show the video of Rep. McMillin saying them. The nerve !

This man said nothing Bad or wrong ....I have watched this over and over ......and he knew he was being recorded....stop using your messed up mind to think and say anything drifferent and leave this matter alone ...get over it

I'm not too worried about Tom McMillin. Even after redistricting, his district is still 65% Republican. What I'm curious about is how many in JoAnna's church support her views on Aborting babies - and support her endorsement from Planned Parenthood. I saw their church had a sign up for VanRaphoohrst during the primary - I wonder if her pastor at Abiding Presence knows and agrees with her stance on allowing Gay Marriages?
See I'm not worried because Tom doesn't have to hide or lie about what he believes to get votes in our community.
But Joanne VanRaphoerst does. Her postcard called her a "moderate" who wants to "streamline government" for businesses. The reality is much different. Joanna has spent years supporting and advocating for far-left wing radical groups. She's a liberal activist that goes out to protest rallies while telling voters that she's never been involved in politics before. VanRaphoirst seems to be one of the biggest two-faced lying politicians who's never been elected to office.

Bill...advocating for what "far -left wing radical groups" are you referring to? "...two-faced lying politicians" what are you 10 years old on a playground...is name calling the new conservative. If you are going to name call, at least have the moral fortitude to prove your claims about someone.

From someone who spits out the word conservative as epithets and viciously attacks anyone that disagrees with you, you might want to be more worried about your own moral fortitude.
It says alot about you when you're so far left you think someone like Joanna VanrapHorst is a moderate. I'd say "Look at her endorsements page", but you'll tell me that the Sierra Club is really a center-right coalition and not the left-wing, anti-business big-government advocates they really are. Or how about the Joanna VanRaaphorst protesting with a bunch of left-wing radicals at last year's Republican debate at Oakland University - one of many such occurrences.
You might want to get to know your candidate better, Brian. Ask her about the questionnaires she's filled out for the Special Interest groups, Brian. How come there aren't any moderate groups? How come there are a lot of liberal and far-left organizations that she's answered, but she doesn't answer Right-to-Life, MCRGO or National Federation of Independent Businesses?
For a candidate who says she's neither left nor right, she certainly seems to veer far left when answering candidate questionnaires to Political Action Committees. You might want to see some of her answers!

Hi pot my name is kettle "...From someone who spits out the word conservative as epithets and viciously attacks anyone". I do not believe I have ever viciously attacked anyone, I'm also confident I have never called someone a two-faced liar in a public forum. Especially when the person you are character assassinating believes herself to be a moderate. Even my fouryear old knows calling someone a liar is about the worse thing you can call someone. Its sad that you need to shout down dissent from your own opinion with name calling and character assassination. I do not use conservative as an epitaph, as some of my closest friends are conservatives and I side a lot more with conservative viewpoints then with liberal. However as you seem to being placing people in circles of moderate, left-wing, center-right...I figure you would be the expert in whether or not name calling makes you a conservative now.

On the topic of being a moderate,so the Sierra Club is a left wing organization because they are protecting our home over the fossil fuel industry...embracing science is now "left-wing".

Your post is one of the funniest I've read in awhile. You meant for it to be mean and spiteful, but I actually laughed. I guess your daughter hasn't yet learned about calling people "bigots". But hey, you can go around calling people you don't know bigots all day long. While preaching tolerance and diversity you judge those who disagree with your worldview and as you said "hate the haters". Such a refreshing view of tolerance from an intolerant liberal! So while your daughter knows that calling someone a liar is the most dispicable thing you can call someone, you'll obviously teach her that hating Christians and calling them "bigot" is okay.
Anyways, to prove the point, if I told you that I consider myself a moderate - you'd clearly laugh and think I was up to something. In fact, I might be lying! Why, the timing of telling you I'm a moderate is awfully convenient to our conversation.
Similarly, Joanna VanRaaphirst telling the community she's a moderate is awfully convenient, too. Convenient for her to be a moderate in Rochester Hills, where 66% of the district votes Republican. When you look at her endorsements, there isn't a single moderate or conservative group on the list!
Just like if I said I were a moderate right now, you'd think I was lying. And JoAnna is clearly lying about herself while she hits up far-left special interest groups for cash.

"Hate the haters" again nothing I have ever said...also never called anyone on here a bigot. Do you actually believe the stuff you say, or do you just do it as a Patch troll to stir up trouble? I find it hard to believe that you can call someone a liar, and then consistently misquote me and others as you see fit to support your logically flawed arguments. Again don't let facts get in your way, I'm sure you'll figure a way to twist words to make yourself feel better.

While pondering how to address the gaming of the Patch as a negative election ad board, please give some thought to how the Patch might stop the practice of identity theft as practiced by certain overheated political hacks.

So in all the footage you collect each week, you get a 20 second clip where Tom says something you disagree with. You can't find a way, manage to ask him why he believes that? You can't wait for his next Town Hall meeting in a week or two?
I'm disappointed in you Bruce. To think you tell Tony Trupiano and your left-wing friends that you're a jouranlist! I'd expect a journalist, even of your calibre, would be able to setup his own interviews instead of doing gotcha-clips.
What's next? "Tom McMillin forgets to wash his hands after being chased out of the men's room by BobbleHead Bruce and his video camera"?

Woops, I'm not giving you enough credit. That headline would read "McMillin spreads plague by not washing his hands after being questioned by journalist"

Joshua, you had proposed once that patch use your facebook account to post... just as they do for an increasing number of mainstream (lamestream?) outlets.

Great suggestion.

People are harsh in their rhetoric when hiding.

You'll still get robust discussion. Bruce, for example, proudly spews his nonsense under his own name. But good for him... it's a free country, and he doesn't sneak around doing it. Daryl is another example... he puts his thoughts out there, and has to deal with anonymous snipers all the time.

I always use my name, and have no reason to hide my thoughts.

It's the anonymous ones that get so nasty.

Facebook login would also help to prevent the ID theft that is rampant on our local patch. You can see above how "Clara T" -- a frequent contributor -- was co-opted by some loser. Same with a few others. And ironically, in a delicious bit of karma, it would appear Tim Maurer was ID hijacked as well... at least the account where he uses his real name.

Consider switching to the facebook commenting. You can see how it works on the Detroit News. It will improve the discussion.

Although I disagree with you politically Joshua, I happen to agree with you on this point...

Brian, it is a good thing we aren't in Congress, so people with differing views can work together on many issues. Politics can be a very heated area and hostile online discussion can destroy relationships that are necessary for a community, neighborhood, school, church, etc., to thrive. I think that is one reason that many on Patch only use first names or create handles. It can allow people to state views they know would be rejected by friends.

I think Patch posters need to ask themselves some questions.

1) If someone has a point of view or philosophy contrary to yours, will you respect their right to have those views or will you denigrate them with slurs and name-calling?

2) Will your hostility towards their views cause hostility towards their person and an inability to work with the person to achieve a common good or common goal in other areas?

3) Will you unfriend, block, ostracize, or backstab someone online or in person because of their sincerely held beliefs?

If you are allowing political discussions online to interfere with real life areas where cooperation is necessary, whether it is your school, church, neighborhood, or organization, it is time to re-evaluate your priorities. People of differing views can work together, either on reaching a compromise or on other issues where views are in common. But if people on either side always believe the worst about each other or believe opposing views are held out of malice, this will not happen.

I agree, Joshua. I personally have more respect for those who post their real names (or at least a first name) and also those who don't take cheap shots at other commenters. The Facebook-commenting idea is one of several things Patch is considering. I'll keep you posted.

"certified hate groups"?
All rhetoric aside, when was the last gay marriage that Joanna VanRapherst's Lutheran church performed? For as involved as she is in her church, you'd think she'd have made that a priority to change. Talk about ties to certified hate groups, she's a... *gasp* Christian. (Brian Kirksey did call them darn Christians 'bigots' a few weeks ago)
If she can't change her own church, what makes anyone think she can change Lansing or Rochester Hills? or maybe it's not really an important topic to the campaign and just a wedge issue you guys talk about but don't actually do anything about. We need more than rhetoric from her campaign henchman and two-faced lies from JoAnna to improve Rochester.

Hey look I got a shout out in Bill's rant...unfortunately you didn't quote me correct, or even remotely correct...but hey don't let the facts get in the way, much easier to distort. A bigot by its very definition, cannot be Christian, given the teachings of Jesus absolutely reject bigotry. I'm sure all types of bigots attend churches, but attending a Tigers game doesn't make me a professional baseball player, and attending church or calling one's self a Christian...doesn't make them a Christian. There is nothing wrong with being a Christian, there is something very wrong with distorting the Bible to support someone's bias. I am confused, Is Joanna clergy at the church? Last I checked she was not, which does not give someone the power to change an institution (unlike a State Rep which their job is to change). Also even if she did try to change the church, gay marriage is banned in Michigan? So you think that on top of being a member of a church, that she should be able to convince them to do something illegal too...Bill you are really reaching here for an attack.

BTW don't let facts get in your way, the Lutheran Church does perform gay marriages
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2934726/posts

You sure do like setting up your own strawmen arguments. Thanks for proving my earlier argument for me - just because you call yourself a moderate doesn't make you one. Why can't Joanna be honest about who she hangs out with and what she believes? Why does she lie to voters telling them she's a moderate while going to far-left wing special interest groups for cash and favors?
You're so caught up in your far-left wing ideology that you've gotta make excuses for your friends? Your buddy Joanna brags about her involvement in her church. As a lay leader in her church, she has no input in how things are ran?
And which is it? Joanna's church performs gay marriages (which you say are illegal), or they don't? I'll give Abiding Presence a call and see whether they plan on doing Gay Marriages and support Aborting Babies. (As for the other Lutherans in the audience, the traditional Missouri Synod is not exploring Gay Marriage options. Be prepared for Brian Kirskey to call you all bigots soon!)

Bill:
The Lutheran Church does perform gay marriage, but not in Michigan because it is illegal. Again maybe you might be twisting something for your own agenda, but don;t let facts get in your way. I've known Joanna before she ran for public office, and she has always identified herself as a moderate. You can put words in her mouth and hang onto your feeble argument that she is lying, that's fine you have not exactly shown yourself to be a purveyor of fact. She believes herself to be a moderate, I've heard her stance on many issues and they all happen to fit into the moderate category. You may disagree with her that those positions do not make her a moderate, but saying she is a liar when she honestly feels different...well now you are just character assassinating her character to prove an incorrect and irresponsible position. For the record I went through all my past posts, I have never called anyone a bigot...so again don't let facts get in your way, feel free to spew incorrect statements and twist peoples words...I think everyone on here sees you for who you are.

Bill, Abiding Presence is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which is more liberal than Missouri Synod or WELS. Wikipedia has some information on its social stances at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evangelical_Lutheran_Church_in_America#Social_issues

Joanna's views on social issues appears to be further left than her church's established doctrine, but well within the range held by pastors in her denomination.

Thank you, Kristin.

Thanks for catching the hacker Kristin. Identity theft is scary.

Cool that you deleted the fake Timothy Maurer (the fake name). But you've left intact the fake Clara T.

When I saw the out-of-character reply from Clara, I clicked on the name to see the profile. It was obvious the profile was created specifically to post on this thread.

If you click on the REAL Clara T, you'll see the long list of thoughtful postings! :-)

So as long as we are housecleaning... I think there is a little more trash to take out.

Got it. Boy, you guys keep me busy :)

Mike,
I voted for you and encouraged all of my friends to vote for you when you ran for School Board. You asked questions and I liked that. I even took you as my guest to an RCS fundraiser. You are a good father and person. I disagree with Tom's war against the LGBT community. LGBT teens have a pretty rough time growing up and attending our schools. This is a human issue and any person that represents a community should represent and protect all members of their community, especially children. Go to a PFLAG meeting with me and you will see the hurt that LGBT kids go through. If your son or daughter was LGBT, you wouldn't be voting for Tom McMillin. I'm 100% sure of that.

Tim, this thread is wearing thin, but I close with this:

The only time I ever hear Tom say anything about this topic is when you guys are baiting him.

You may see it as war, but perhaps it’s only because you are looking for a war. You have become, by and large, a one-issue fringe group attempting to unseat Tom, and replace him with a Dem.

I’ve chimed in on two threads regarding this topic. Once, because you assigned motives to legislation, essentially putting words in his mouth, and now here because I thought it was wrong for Patch to allow a blatantly personal, political attack against Tom.

I have never commented on your underlying LGBT topic, so any insinuations you may make about my beliefs are a fabrication. That said, I don’t need to go to a meeting to affirm that bullying is wrong, for any reason, and discrimination is wrong, for any reason. And I also refuse to wade into some sort of public policy discussion on the sexuality of children or teens.

Ok, just seeing Bruce Fealk say, "Obama, you are sooooo wrong." is worth enduring all of this other nonsense! :-)

Bruce, we finally agree on something! :-)

Bruce Fealk: "Obama, you are soooooo wrong."

Now that's quotable! :-P

Yeah I thought that was funny too...

Hey Bill is back, good to see you are still consistent...how did I get far-left...because I don't believe Adam and Eve rode on dinosaurs? Or that I believe in what Thomas Jefferson wrote "...I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between Church & State". I believe your's, mine,Tom McMillin's religious beliefs have no business being a part of governance in our democracy. Homosexuality is not illegal, as a result there should be no reason for discrimination for employment, housing, or any other civil rights...inserting the ability to discriminate into law based on religious beliefs violates the First Amendment and should be resisted by all who love their religion, because religion and Gov't make terrible bed fellows. I believe the same with abortion, sharia law...etc. If you believe homosexuality is a choice, great don't be gay...but also don;t discriminate because of that thought. Think abortion is murder, fine don't have an abortion...problem solved. I sure liked it better when libertarians existed in the Republican party, at least they didn't try to shove their religious beliefs on everyone.