In seven states (California, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, New York, Rhode Island and Washington), the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) has tried to conceal its donors by claiming said donors would be threatened and intimidated by gays. In those seven states, four federal judges and three state boards have declared NOM’s claims to be highly vapid.

The New York Post, Rupert Murdoch’s chief American tabloid enterprise (yes, I know, the Wall Street Journal is still technically a broadsheet even after he bought it, but still), and purveyor of stinky turds posing as journalism, dropped a particularly, um, fragrant one the other day.

Be on your toes, be conscious of the kinds of propaganda being used against you as you exercise your right to vote today. And don’t hesitate to ask for help if you feel intimidated or discouraged from voting while voting; you can reach Election Protection by phone at 1-866-Our-Vote (1-866-687-8683) — program this number into your cell phone before you leave for the polls.

The stories being published about Tea Party member Mike Troxel’s troll fail have defused brewing intimidation. The stories also reveal many things about Tea Party members, some of which aren’t very pretty.