Far-right activist, author Phyllis Schlafly dies at 92

[webfact]

Far-right activist, author Phyllis Schlafly dies at 92

By JIM SALTER

 

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Phyllis Schlafly, the outspoken conservative activist who helped defeat the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s and founded the Eagle Forum political group, has died. She was 92.

 

Schlafly's family was with her when she died Monday afternoon of cancer at her home in St. Louis, her son John Schlafly said. Funeral arrangements are pending, he said.

 

Schlafly rose to national attention in 1964 with her self-published book, "A Choice Not an Echo," that became a manifesto for the far right. The book, which sold three million copies, chronicled the history of the Republican National Convention and is credited for helping conservative Sen. Barry Goldwater of Arizona earn the 1964 GOP nomination.

 

She later helped lead efforts to defeat the proposed constitutional amendment that would have outlawed gender discrimination, galvanizing the party's right. She'd graduated from college while working overnight at a factory during World War II, her newspaper column appeared in dozens of newspapers and she was politically active into her 90s — including attending every convention since her first in 1952. She attended this year's convention as a Donald Trump delegate.

 

Yet she told The Associated Press in 2007 that perhaps her greatest legacy was the Eagle Forum, which she founded in 1972 in suburban St. Louis, where she lived. The ultraconservative group has chapters in several states and claims 80,000 members.

 

"I've taught literally millions of people how to participate in self-government," Schlafly said. "I think I've built a wonderful organization of volunteers, mostly women but some men, willing to spend their time to get good laws and good politicians."

 

The Eagle Forum pushes for low taxes, a strong military and English-only education. The group is against efforts it says are pushed by radical feminists or encroach on U.S. sovereignty, such as guest-worker visas, according to its website, which describes the Equal Rights Amendment as having had a "hidden agenda of tax-funded abortions and same-sex marriages."

 

The group said in a statement on its website announcing Schlafly's death that her "focus from her earliest days until her final ones was protecting the family, which she understood as the building block of life."

 

As momentum grew in the 1970s for the Equal Rights Amendment, Schlafly became its most outspoken critic — and was vilified by its supporters. She had a pie smashed into her face and pig's blood thrown on her, and feminist Betty Friedan once told Schlafly, "I'd like to burn you at the stake." She was chastised in a 1970s "Doonesbury" — a framed copy of which hung on her office wall.

 

"What I am defending is the real rights of women," Schlafly said at the time. "A woman should have the right to be in the home as a wife and mother."

Thirty-five states ratified the amendment, three short of the necessary 38. Schlafly said amendment supporters couldn't prove it was needed.

 

"They were never able to show women would get any benefit out of it," she told the AP in 2007. "It (the U.S. Constitution) is already sex-neutral. Women already have all the rights that men have."

 

Saint Louis University history professor Donald Critchlow, who profiled Schlafly in his 2005 book, "Phyllis Schlafly and Grassroots Conservatism: A Woman's Crusade," said the defeat of the amendment helped revive conservatism and helped pave the way for Ronald Reagan's election in 1980.

"What the ERA (defeat) did was show the right, and especially Reagan strategists, that a new constituency could be tapped to revitalize the right. It allowed the right to take over the party," Critchlow told the AP shortly after his book was written.

 

Schlafly was born Aug. 15, 1924, and grew up in Depression-era St. Louis. Her parents were Republican but not politically involved.

 

Her own activism was born partly out of convenience. With the country involved in World War II during her college years, Schlafly worked the graveyard shift at the St. Louis Ordnance Plant. Her job included testing ammunition by firing machine guns. She would get off work at 8 a.m., attend morning classes, then sleep in the middle of the day before doing it all over again.

 

The schedule limited her options for a major. "In order to pick classes to fit my schedule I picked political science," Schlafly recalled in the 2007 interview.

 

She graduated from Washington University in 1944, when she was 19. Her first taste of real politics came at age 22, when she guided the 1946 campaign of Republican congressional candidate Claude Bakewell, helping him to a major upset win.

 

In 1952, with her young family living in nearby Alton, Illinois, Schlafly's husband, attorney John Schlafly Jr., was approached about running for Congress. He declined, but she ran and narrowly lost in a predominantly Democratic district. She also ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 1970.

 

Schlafly earned a master's degree in government from Harvard in 1945. She enrolled in Washington University School of Law in 1976, and at age 51, graduated 27th in a class of 204.

 

Schlafly received an honorary degree at Washington University's commencement in 2008. Though some students and faculty silently protested by getting up from their seats and turning their backs to the stage, Schlafly called it "a happy day. I'm just sorry for those who tried to rain on a happy day."

 

Citing Schlafly's views about homosexuals, women and immigrants — she was an outspoken opponent of same-sex marriage, abortion rights and loosening U.S. border restrictions — protesters said she went against the most fundamental principles for which the university stood.

 

Schlafly remained active in conservative politics well into her later years, when she was still writing a column that appeared in 100 newspapers, doing radio commentaries on more than 460 stations and publishing a monthly newsletter.

 

Schlafly endorsed Trump in early March and introduced the then-GOP front-runner at a St. Louis rally.

 

"Phyllis Schlafly is a conservative icon who led millions to action, reshaped the conservative movement, and fearlessly battled globalism and the 'kingmakers' on behalf of America's workers and families," Trump said in a statement Monday. "I was honored to spend time with her during this campaign."

 

Schlafly's husband died in 1993. She is survived by six children, 16 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

___

Associated Press writer Sarah Rankin in Chicago contributed to this report.

 

-- © Associated Press 2016-09-06

[CaptHaddock]

I remember her.  Someone should put a stake in her heart, just to be on the safe side.

[Anthony5]

5 minutes ago, CaptHaddock said:

I remember her.  Someone should put a stake in her heart, just to be on the safe side.

 

Why? Because her opinions don't stroke with yours?

[Pinot]

Terrible person. 

 

Schalfly has always been the mother of the Christian Conservative Family Values crowd and so it should come as little surprise that her personal family life was a huge mess. She disowned a gay son and her own daughter lead an insurrection against her. A perfect picture of the "values"of her chosen lifestyle.

 

Her death precedes the election of the first woman president of the United States. 

 

We win, you nasty old bag. 

[stevenl]

Yes, different times, but at 19 graduated from University? And one year later obtained her masters? How is that possible?

[CaptHaddock]

1 minute ago, Anthony5 said:

 

Why? Because her opinions don't stroke with yours?

 

Because she was a reactionary who opposed immigrants, accused Obama of deliberately bringing disease into the US to make it more like Africa, and advocated that women should remain in the home while she herself carried on a career outside the home as a right-wing agitator.

 

Two stakes would be better than one, actually

[kamahele]

She was a vile human being. Her life's work was to keep other humans down.

[Chicog]

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

 

 

[Boon Mee]

On Monday night Donald Trump released a touching statement on Phyllis’s passing.

 

Donald J. Trump

8 ชั่วโมงที่แล้ว

Phyllis Schlafly is a conservative icon who led millions to action, reshaped the conservative movement, and fearlessly battled globalism and the 'kingmakers' on behalf of America's workers and families. I was honored to spend time with her during this campaign as she waged one more great battle for national sovereignty.

I was able to speak with her by phone only a few weeks ago, and she sounded as resilient as ever. Our deepest prayers go out to her family and all her loved ...

ดูเพิ่มเติม

[Scott]

A post violating Fair Use Policy has been removed.  

[Andreas2]

Our "Diversity"- , Snowflake- , SJW-, NWO-, Soros-, BLM-, Globalist- and PC(!)-defenders seem to be out in their full hate force cabal.

I don't know this much about Mrs. Schlafly, but if the passing of a catholic woman, born in 1924, can ignite so much tasteless excitement and joy with the usual suspects - showing their truly heartless, selective non-pc mind, Mrs. Schlafly must have been a very decent human being - including all her human imperfection.

 

For God's sake (or for our fellow collectivists: For state's sake), try to show some decency...: R.I.P., Mrs. Schlafly.

 

PS: Just another hit piece from the 6%-MSM. I wonder for how long TV wants to follow them into their total irrelevance.

[Jingthing]

6 hours ago, Boon Mee said:

On Monday night Donald Trump released a touching statement on Phyllis’s passing.

 

Donald J. Trump

8 ชั่วโมงที่แล้ว

Phyllis Schlafly is a conservative icon who led millions to action, reshaped the conservative movement, and fearlessly battled globalism and the 'kingmakers' on behalf of America's workers and families. I was honored to spend time with her during this campaign as she waged one more great battle for national sovereignty.

I was able to speak with her by phone only a few weeks ago, and she sounded as resilient as ever. Our deepest prayers go out to her family and all her loved ...

ดูเพิ่มเติม

Yes, trump and horrible BIGOT Schlafly, birds of a feather. 

[Jingthing]

5 minutes ago, Andreas2 said:

Our "Diversity"- , Snowflake- , SJW-, NWO-, Soros-, BLM-, Globalist- and PC(!)-defenders seem to be out in their full hate force cabal.

I don't know this much about Mrs. Schlafly, but if the passing of a catholic woman, born in 1924, can ignite so much tasteless excitement and joy with the usual suspects - showing their truly heartless, selective non-pc mind, Mrs. Schlafly must have been a very decent human being - including all her human imperfection.

 

For God's sake (or for our fellow collectivists: For state's sake), try to show some decency...: R.I.P., Mrs. Schlafly.

 

PS: Just another hit piece from the 6%-MSM. I wonder for how long TV wants to follow them into their total irrelevance.

You don't get it. She was one of the most horrible anti civil rights activists in U.S. history. Against equal rights for WOMEN and gay people. Don't comment about someone, dead or alive, if you know nothing about them. It makes you look really dumb.

 

 

[Pinot]

32 minutes ago, Andreas2 said:

Our "Diversity"- , Snowflake- , SJW-, NWO-, Soros-, BLM-, Globalist- and PC(!)-defenders seem to be out in their full hate force cabal.

I don't know this much about Mrs. Schlafly, but if the passing of a catholic woman, born in 1924, can ignite so much tasteless excitement and joy with the usual suspects - showing their truly heartless, selective non-pc mind, Mrs. Schlafly must have been a very decent human being - including all her human imperfection.

 

For God's sake (or for our fellow collectivists: For state's sake), try to show some decency...: R.I.P., Mrs. Schlafly.

 

PS: Just another hit piece from the 6%-MSM. I wonder for how long TV wants to follow them into their total irrelevance.

 

Anybody? Hate cabal? 6%-MSM? Snowflake- , SJW-, NWO-, Soros-, BLM-, Globalist- and PC(!)-defenders? 

 

No, she wasn't a decent human being. She was truly awful. Imperfections? No...truly terrible. I'm not just saying this as a democrat. She was awful. A Trumpeteer by the way to no one's surprise. That's not what made her a terrible person. She sewed that up years and years ago. 

 

Goddamn, I'm glad that woman's dead! I haven't felt this good since Anthony Scalia pooped the bed. 

 

 

[Andreas2]

3 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

 

11 minutes ago, Andreas2 said:

Our "Diversity"- , Snowflake- , SJW-, NWO-, Soros-, BLM-, Globalist- and PC(!)-defenders seem to be out in their full hate force cabal.

I don't know this much about Mrs. Schlafly, but if the passing of a catholic woman, born in 1924, can ignite so much tasteless excitement and joy with the usual suspects - showing their truly heartless, selective non-pc mind, Mrs. Schlafly must have been a very decent human being - including all her human imperfection.

 

For God's sake (or for our fellow collectivists: For state's sake), try to show some decency...: R.I.P., Mrs. Schlafly.

 

PS: Just another hit piece from the 6%-MSM. I wonder for how long TV wants to follow them into their total irrelevance.

You don't get it. She was one of the most horrible anti civil rights activists in U.S. history. Against equal rights for WOMEN and gay people. Don't comment about someone, dead or alive, if you know nothing about them. It makes you look really dumb.

 

 

Okay, your reply makes me really look dumb, I stand corrected.

Now I respectfully ask you to help me to "get it". Which equal "rights" did Mrs. Schlafly deny to women and gays? Was she a defender of Shari'a Law?

Let everybody see how dumb I or my core principles about "rights" are (Not to be confused with "services" or denial of "equal rights" for men or non-gays).

And how dumb is it from my side, to ask for some decency? I mean, we all are for decency and diversity, right?

[Jingthing]

Just google it, dude.

 

 

[stevenl]

6 hours ago, Andreas2 said:

 

Okay, your reply makes me really look dumb, I stand corrected.

Now I respectfully ask you to help me to "get it". Which equal "rights" did Mrs. Schlafly deny to women and gays? Was she a defender of Shari'a Law?

Let everybody see how dumb I or my core principles about "rights" are (Not to be confused with "services" or denial of "equal rights" for men or non-gays).

And how dumb is it from my side, to ask for some decency? I mean, we all are for decency and diversity, right?

A request for decency is more believable if you're not insulting others in the same thread.

[Credo]

I am sure she will be greatly missed by her family...at least the ones she didn't disown.   

[Boon Mee]

That's why she was named Mother of the Year? 

 

She was a brilliant woman:

 

[Pinot]

30 minutes of wingnut bullshit? Jeeze. That's 15 seconds out of my life I'll never get back.  

[Usernames]

23 hours ago, stevenl said:

Yes, different times, but at 19 graduated from University? And one year later obtained her masters? How is that possible?

 

She entered at 16. 

[PTC]

This is what she contributed to the reactionary efforts against inclusiveness, diversity and respect:

 

"Drawing from longstanding opposition to racial integration, interracial marriage, and mixed-race families, her pamphlets and articles transposed racial rhetoric onto fears of homosexuality. She frequently associated the ERA with the dangers of “sex mixing,” “homosexual marriage,” and the threat of “homosexual schoolteachers.”"

http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2016/09/06/phyllis_schlafly_s_legacy_of_anti_gay_activism.html

 

May she and all who sail in her rot in hell.

[piersbeckett]

6 hours ago, Boon Mee said:

That's why she was named Mother of the Year? 

 

She was a brilliant woman:

 

Interesting links in this interview and not a religious value mentioned.

Edited September 7, 2016 by piersbeckett
used the word, 'topic' instead of, 'interview'.

[Boon Mee]

A lot of the left wing loonies skip over how prescient Phyllis Schlafly was.

To wit:

" People laughed and jeered when Schlafly suggested that untethered feminism and the limitless pursuit of equality would lead to women serving in combat and unisex bathrooms. Who’s laughing now? Nowadays if you even make a joke about these totems of progressive equality you’re accused of bigotry."

 

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2016/09/phyllis-schlafly-rip.php

 

[PTC]

36 minutes ago, Boon Mee said:

A lot of the left wing loonies skip over how prescient Phyllis Schlafly was.

To wit:

" People laughed and jeered when Schlafly suggested that untethered feminism and the limitless pursuit of equality would lead to women serving in combat and unisex bathrooms. Who’s laughing now? Nowadays if you even make a joke about these totems of progressive equality you’re accused of bigotry."

 

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2016/09/phyllis-schlafly-rip.php

 

 

You present this as a bad thing?

 

Prescience merely suggests foresight. If that which is foretold comes to pass, it is not necessarily regression.

 

The pursuit of equality cannot be limitless by definition. Once everyone is equal, there is no need for further action. The argument against women in combat seems to rest on the inability of male soldiers to keep their privates private. Transgender bathroom use is a current hot topic with religious bigotry laws being struck down all over the US and the provision of unisex bathrooms a non issue in many non US countries.

 

The silencing of bigots who agitate against equality and diversity is an absolutely positive move. I look forward to the time when more of these actions and speech that promote hate are criminalized.

 

I find it karmic that this nasty, inhuman religiously warped person lived to see her prescience realized. Hopefully to her intense chagrin and shame.

[Neurath]

Limitless pursuit of Equality: cool, a noble ideal.

Women serving in Combat: Great idea - everyone should have skin in the game.

Unisex bathrooms: Oh hell no. I can't, simply can't, come at that. Or can I? No, no, no, I'm not a perve. I like single sex bathrooms. At Star of Light.

 

I'm laughing that anyone would think any of the three things strange or somehow perverted. But I'm finding the sentiment wonderfully quaint and old-timey. Like a crotchety old great-great-grandpa mumbling about how the good times ended when women got to vote. Wrong of course. Things went bad when the poor got to vote. 

[Boon Mee]

" The pursuit of equality cannot be limitless by definition"

 

You are living in a dream world bud.

Just one example.  The women are washing out  Ranger schools by droves:

Many more examples.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/05/13/19-women-washed-out-of-army-ranger-school-last-week-heres-why-thats-actually-a-good-thing/?utm_term=.e4a1ed5d3c00

Edited September 7, 2016 by Boon Mee

[PTC]

11 minutes ago, Boon Mee said:

" The pursuit of equality cannot be limitless by definition"

 

You are living in a dream world bud.

Just one example.  The women are washing out  Ranger schools by droves:

Many more examples.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/05/13/19-women-washed-out-of-army-ranger-school-last-week-heres-why-thats-actually-a-good-thing/?utm_term=.e4a1ed5d3c00

 

I understand that you are busy these days being one of the few fringe right wing reactionaries left on the 'Good Ship' TVF and I am sure you are feeling the pressure of having to fill these threads with your particular brand of acid. I mean up with the birds every morning googling away for those memes and checking updates on Breitbart constantly. However, it might be fruitful for you to occasionally read the links that you post before you shoot off to the next battleground thread.

 

"But some headlines are declaring this a failure, which—intended or not—suggests it’s a sign that women can’t handle close-quarters combat or some of the military’s other highly demanding tests...

 

...In fact, women made it past some of the physical hurdles at nearly the same rates as men. And the fact that no women candidates moved forward this time doesn’t spell the end of women tackling the Army’s toughest leadership course" 

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/05/13/19-women-washed-out-of-army-ranger-school-last-week-heres-why-thats-actually-a-good-thing/?utm_term=.a840a59fd690

 

Seems like Ranger training is maintaining standards. Lots of males do not make the cut either. So what? Afraid the next secretary you pinch on the bum will 'clean your clock' (that's your era right?).

 

Those of us who dream of a better world where diversity is respected need not feel shame.

[Usernames]

26 minutes ago, Boon Mee said:

" The pursuit of equality cannot be limitless by definition"

 

You are living in a dream world bud.

Just one example.  The women are washing out  Ranger schools by droves:

Many more examples.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/05/13/19-women-washed-out-of-army-ranger-school-last-week-heres-why-thats-actually-a-good-thing/?utm_term=.e4a1ed5d3c00

 

If the US ever does need to fight a real war against the likes of China or Russia, we will see exactly what a worthless burden those female soldiers are.

[Pinot]

Women fought for Russia in WW2, on the ground and in the air. 

 

Worthless, eh? You must be a joy to be around. 

 

Old Phyllis was a terrible human being. Her legacy will be of exclusion and bigotry and there is plenty of it still around, apparently.