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Originally posted by Spanky
He doesn't listen to me. His office just complains to me and tells me to fix things. For some reason they feel this press release is somehow my fault and I am supposed to fix it. I don't know why his office thinks these people will listen to me but I will give it the old college try.

Here is what they are angry about:

Convicted pedophiles part of Arnold-endorsed event

Governor praises 'gay pride' festival that has sex offenders as volunteers


July 7, 2005
WorldNetDaily.com

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is taking heat on the Internet for endorsing San Diego's "gay pride" celebration slated for later this month, with critics pointing out two of the men helping to stage the event are convicted pedophiles.

In his letter of greeting to all who will gather July 29 for the homosexual-themed parade and festival, Schwarzenegger writes, "I am pleased to extend warm greetings to all who have gathered for this year's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Celebrations.

"California is proud to host events that celebrate diversity and support active civic participation. I applaud your efforts to foster ties within your community and to promote cultural and social acceptance in our Golden State. …

"Your efforts serve to raise awareness and advocate civil rights for all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation."

While this was not the first time the governor has commended a homosexual event in the Golden State, it is the presence of two convicted pedophiles on the event's volunteer staff that has traditional-values advocates upset.

On page 47 and 48 of the "gay pride" event's program, which is viewable online, two members of the staff are listed – both of whom also appear on California's Megan's Law website as convicted pedophiles.

Warren Patrick Derichsweiler was convicted of "lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 years with force," according to the government website, and Daniel Reiger is listed as having committed "oral copulation with a person under 16 years."

"There is simply no excuse for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to honor an event that is using dangerous pedophiles," stated the James Hartline Report e-mail newsletter, which first discovered the background of Derichsweiler and Reiger.

The same newsletter pointed out that at the San Diego event, "young people will be exposed to a multitude of pornographic images and S&M leather products as they walk around the gay pride festival."

Freelance reporter Allyson Smith, who is based in San Diego, says a staffer for the governor told her the chief executive "supports gay and lesbian rights and that he does not have time to check out the backgrounds of every single person involved with every pride event in the state of California."

Said Smith: "I told [the staff member] it is reprehensible that Schwarzenegger, a professed Catholic and so-called Republican, would put the special rights of perverts above the protection of innocent children."

WND was unable to reach a Schwarzenegger spokesperson by press time.

He needs to fall on the sword on this one. No pun intended.