The Family Research Council's vice president for policy removed his good-manners mask to reveal the hidden hate agenda of the far-right American talibangelicals {hat tip Pam's House Blend}.

We who warn stridently that the right-wing's private army squads might sometime come for any of us in the night are often mocked: "That can't happen here!" Somehow, we are reassured, American values wouldn't allow it.

But who defends values loudest in America? Who do the media go to when looking for values validation? Who does the White House invite in for chats? Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council.

His ayatollah for policy, Peter Sprigg, makes very clear in the interview above, yes: it can happen here. And these folks -- not a group on the margins, but deeply embedded at the White House and in the GOP -- want the gays gone from America. Speaking about the Uniting American Families Act, which would require our Federal government to treat couples the same for immigration purposes regardless of their gender, Sprigg had this to say:

I would much prefer to export homosexuals from the United States than to import them into the United States because we believe homosexuality is destructive to society.

This man advocates the forced expulsion, or deportation, of American citizens based on our sexual orientation.

Family Research Council is currently pressing John McCain to clarify his views on the sanctity of heterosexual marriage:

McCain was asked to be more clear and firm on whether he supported the GOP’s platform supporting an amendment to the U.S. constitution that would define marriage as between one man and one woman. 

Although McCain said he did support the GOP’s position on marriage on Fox News’ “Hannity and Colmes” last week, amendment supporters question his sincerity when he spoke about taking a federalist approach to the issue in which each state would set up its own legal definition of marriage.

"Last Thursday night, Senator McCain tepidly endorsed the GOP's platform concerning the protection of life and the preservation of marriage,” said Connie Mackey, Family Research Council Action’s senior vice president, in a statement.

“His response to this question as well as his federalist position regarding the definition of marriage leads one to believe that his endorsement is not definitive.” 

So, St John? What's your pleasure? Forced exportation of gays? Federalism on marriage equality? Somewhere in between, unlikely to please anyone?  We'd all like a helping of clear-and-firm, please. Exactly where do you stand, Senator?

Tony Perkins of the Christian political advocacy group the Family Research Council (www.frc.org) wrote, “To succeed in his bid for the White House, McCain must consolidate his support among conservatives which will not happen just because he is the Republican nominee. In the wake of ... Republican scandals ... and ... failure to advance ... the social conservative agenda ... support for the GOP has diminished.”

If the "McCain can do no wrong" media asks him any questions on this, color me surprised. Here's how to do it, though.  Four words, very easy soundbite:

Forced Export of Gays, Senator McCain: Yes or No?

Will anyone in the media stand up and abandon a so-far flawless audition for LapDogs Two: The McCain Years? 

 {youtube from rightwingwatch.org}