Fired Tea Party Leader Wants Job Back

Tim Ravndal X390 (MONTANA COWGIRL BLOG) | ADVOCATE.COM

Tim Ravndal, the Montana Tea Party leader booted from his position over an antigay conversation on Facebook, said that he wants his job back and denied that his online exchange advocated the murder of gay people.

On Sunday, the Big Sky Tea Party Association fired Ravndal over a Facebook discussion from July 23 that appeared to reference the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard in Wyoming.

In a post that Ravndal opened with his opposition to marriage equality, another Facebook user wrote, "I think fruits are decorative. Hang up where they can be seen and appreciated. Call Wyoming for display instructions."

Ravndal replied, "Where can I get that Wyoming printed instruction manual?"

According to the Associated Press, “Ravndal denied Thursday he was understood a connection being made to Matthew Shepard's killing, and told The Associated Press in a telephone interview that he wants his leadership post because he believes the group is headed in the right direction.”

Ravndal claims that he believed the other Facebook user was referring to the fight against gay marriage, where he understood a “display” to involve communications strategy, according to the AP.

"I thought he was using his derogatory adjectives of the gay and lesbian community. A display could mean many things. Are we talking about poster signs, are we talking about a book?" he told the AP. “I thought there was an actual printed manual about displaying the facts in this issue."

The board will likely vote next week on reinstating Ravndal as a member.

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Reader Comments

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Name: pepa
Date posted: 9/12/2010 4:45:53 AM
Hometown: gayrea51.blogspot.com

Comment:
@ Jon, as somebody that is not from my country, how can you with one single paint brush make assumptions about the tea party movement based on one supposed experience at VA tea party rally. I have organized 33 tea party rallies all over the country and NEVER have I experienced anything remotley racist or even homophobic, clearly you are not aware about the self declared racists in the liberal party of our country (Sen. Byrd and Reid), and clearly you have no clue as to the rampant racism in liberal organizations like "La Raza" (which means the "THE RACE"). I have organized two rallies in VA, one in Norfolk and one in Richmond. Please tell me what you saw that was racist or homophobic and please tell me what rally you attended and the date so I can investigate your claims. - "To sure, I have no doubt they're many who follow the tea party who are not racist or homophobic" - And this is something I don't understand... why even assume that we are racist or homophobic when your not sure.
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Name: Sam Molloy
Date posted: 9/11/2010 9:47:23 PM
Hometown: Louisville

Comment:
Holy Crap this guy is nuts!
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: David
Date posted: 9/11/2010 8:20:02 PM
Hometown: WV

Comment:
he looks dumb enough to be honestly mistaken about what the other poster was talking about
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Name: JohnJ
Date posted: 9/11/2010 12:02:02 PM
Hometown: Colorado

Comment:
I agree Jon, America is on the decline, and the far right wing here is attempting a reactionary take over of the political agenda. These folks believe that they are morally right and that any contrary opinion is false. They offer no respect for any one except themselves. The fear is that large numbers of voters will elect Tea Party members into office, leading to deeper political divisions in this divided nation.
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Name: Jon
Date posted: 9/11/2010 11:25:52 AM
Hometown: Montreal

Comment:
Apologies for the spelling mistakes, one can sometimes get ahead of oneself when typing quickly on a laptop :)
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: Jon
Date posted: 9/11/2010 11:23:06 AM
Hometown: Montreal

Comment:
@Pepa, As a non-American who has visited your country several times, I can tell you that you are not being completely honest. I had the 'fortune' of running into a tea party demo when I was in VA and let me tell you; between the incredibly racist signs of Obama, the blatant display of guns and the very real homopohobic atmosphere, I can assure you the Advocate, for all its faults, isn't far off on its accounts of the tea party. To sure, I have no doubt they're many who follow the tea party who are not racist or homophobic but please spare me the attempt at mainstreaming a political 'movement' that has been clearly shown to be not only right wing but financed by many big name GOP politcal hacks behind the scenes. The funny thing is, America is on the decline, not because of Obama or even Bush, its just like any other empire who's time has come, so goes the circle of imperial asperations. BTW I'm Canadian, not stupid, we can see what's happening south of our border...scary stuff.
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Name: mike
Date posted: 9/10/2010 11:25:40 PM
Hometown: chicago

Comment:
ADub, i may have just fallen in love with you after reading that comment. ROFLMAO
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: pepa
Date posted: 9/10/2010 5:08:00 PM
Hometown: gayrea51.blogspot.com

Comment:
"Did anyone ever look at the make up of their rallies?" -- Sounds like you haven't either. So according to you Mike, a person that has never attended a tea party rally as you admit, what is the make up? Look at your magic crystal ball and figure that one out. LOL.
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: pepa
Date posted: 9/10/2010 5:04:29 PM
Hometown: gayrea51.blogspot.com

Comment:
Gee I wonder when will the liberal-run Advocate is going to interview and spotlight Tea Party activists that support gay marriage (which there a plenty especially the younger activists)... NEVER. So all of you drones can eat this up and take your orders from Advocate. The guy in the article is finished. It's over. Why does advocate want to give this homophobe (a wana-be tea party activist, which he is not after reading some of his rants) more media attention and a platform? Ravndal has myriad of issues stemming back to 2008 and the Tea Party group has had enough. (He even supported a gun control law, which is a big no-no for the Tea Party) but what really makes me laugh is how most of you are so naive to actually go with what the Advocate tells you, without question or independent thought or research which makes you look like... well, drones. LOL.
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: Fred Stanley
Date posted: 9/10/2010 3:56:49 PM
Hometown: Palm Springs, CA

Comment:
Ravndal and all the Tea Party members should just go jump in the Boston Harbor!!!

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