America always roots for the underdog, but what about someone who knows that being the underdog (or supporting one) can be profitable? Yes, America still supports them. At least Right-wing Christianity supports them. They call them "martyrs" while the rest of the country calls them something else: opportunists.
The latest martyr to come down the pike is Rowan County (KY) Clerk Kim Davis.
Salon put it best:
It's a narrative so familiar by now that we can all recite the
script. As Sarah Thyre laid it out Thursday: "1. Jail 2. Book
deal/Fox News guest 3. jillion dollar @gofundme page w/donations from fellow
bigots." And with the developments this week in the case of Kim Davis, who
was indeed jailed not
for being a Christian but
being in contempt of court, many presumed that this was the jackpot the
$80,000-a-year-earning Kentucky county clerk was headed toward.
But not so fast, partner.
The news went out on Friday that GoFundMe and other cloud-funding sites are
refusing to have any part of Kim Davis' plight:
According to GoFundMe, refusal can be based on:
'Campaigns in defense of formal charges or claims of heinous
crimes, violent, hateful, sexual or discriminatory acts.'
We are also informing users that GoFundMe reserves the right to share the
content from a deleted campaign with law enforcement, donors or stated
beneficiaries who wish to file a police report about any misuse of fundraising
proceeds. The added language can be found below:
By using GoFundMe, Users are representing and warranting that all donations
received are being given and being used solely for the purpose(s) stated within
the content of the User's campaign. We reserve the right to provide information
relating to your campaign with donors and beneficiaries of your campaign, and
with law enforcement or to assist in any investigation.
To date, Mrs. Davis is still appealing her stay in jail while
telling folks (through her lawyer, Liberty Council's own Mat Staver) that she
is doing well (see below). Mike Huckabee has gone on record with his support
and his pledge to raise money for her defense.
Beyond The Martyr
A closer look the character of Kim Davis does not exactly reveal a person
designed for martyrdom: the office of Clerk has been held in her family for
over 40 years (her son is one of the deputy clerks); married four times, Davis
became a born-again Christian only 4 years ago; she imposed her faith
repeatedly on other office workers. Davis also stated that she knew family, friends
and supporters would come through with funds.*
Patheos:
Davis is acting alone in her zealous mission. Her conduct has terrorized not just her staff but everyone that works in the courthouse. And all for a foolish mission aided by out of state charlatan lawyers trying to raise money for their "religious liberty" mission.
Supporting that idea, a FOX News (!!) panel called Mat Staver of
Liberty Counsel "ridiculously stupid." (see below).
Money Money Money
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