An Idaho Republican lawmaker pushing an
anti-gay bill responded to an activist taking over his website by
comparing gays to “slave owners.”
Shepherd is championing a non-binding
memorial to Congress that calls for the impeachment of federal judges
who strike down state bans on gay marriage.
The measured last week cleared the
House with a 44-25 vote.
Dylan Hailey, a 21-year-old college
junior, purchased the expired domain of Shepherd's website
(www.paulshepherdusa.com).
Once in control of the domain, Hailey put up a new site that exposes
Shepherd's anti-gay views.
“He likely bought it for an extended
period of time and forgot to renew it or the staffer in charge of it
forgot or quit,” Hailey told Motherboard,
a Vice.com blog.
He said that he was willing to give the
domain back to Shepherd on the provision he makes a donation to an
LGBT rights group.
“If he refuses but wants to buy it
back anyway, then all the proceeds would go to an LGBT group, likely
a local one in his area,” Hailey said.
When asked about the incident, Shepherd
told Idaho
Reports: “Slave owners were very good Christians and good
people,” he said,
adding that he's opposed to slavery. “They weren't terrible,
rotten, horrible people. And that's how I see gay people.”