With everything going on in the world today, it’s easy to overlook a little country on the west coast of Africa, where a brutal dictator held elections, lost, and now refuses to give up power. What makes this notable is that everyone in the world opposes the dictator, that is everyone except the Family, C Street pseudo-Christian followers of Republican Supply-side Jesus (not the real one). These are the folks behind Uganda’s attempt to kill gays.

First, here’s the situation.

Alassane Ouattara’s government said its troops had overrun the home of Laurent Gbagbo, who refuses to step down, and were scouring the compound for him. Heavy weapons fire rocked the city early on Tuesday. Hours earlier, UN and French helicopters attacked targets near the presidential residence. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the raids were to defend civilians, not a declaration of war on Mr Gbagbo. The BBC’s Andrew Harding, near Abidjan, says it looks like endgame for the incumbent president… …Mr Gbagbo has refused to leave office despite UN-approved results saying he lost presidential elections in November. Forces loyal to Mr Ouattara began a dramatic military offensive last week, sweeping in from the north and west. Millions of civilians have been trapped by days of fighting in Abidjan. There is no independent confirmation of reports that pro-Ouattara forces have taken Mr Gbagbo’s compound…

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Enter James Inhofe (R-OK) and the Family.

You’d think the right-wing, Christian, power-mongering group, the Family, would have learned its lesson about supporting African dictators when news of Uganda’s "kill the gays" bill blew up in its face. But no. After all, ties to power don’t fray easily, especially when your best friend in the mineral-rich Cote d’Ivoire — or Ivory Coast — is a nominal Christian, while his legitimately-elected opponent is a Muslim. Senator James Inhofe, R-Okla., one of the Family’s stalwarts, turned his back on the Obama administration and the Ivoirian people, reports Salon’s Justin Elliott , when the administration asked Inhofe to use his friendly ties, cultivated through the Family, to ask Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo to step down after he lost an internationally certified election to longtime rival Alassane Ouattara. Never mind that Inhofe’s intervention might have stopped the spread of a civil war. Never mind that Gbagbo’s security forces gunned down seven women in the streets of Abidjan, the nation’s capital. Never mind that Ouattara’s election was certified by international observers. Inhofe said no. In fact, he said more than that. Just like his dictator pal, Inhofe wrote Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to say that he rejects the election results, despite the acceptance of election observers. Here’s an excerpt of Inhofe’s letter, as displayed on Inhofe’s Senate Web site [sphincter delinked]: I am aware that my position is different from that of the Obama Administration, which has recognized Alassane Ouattara as the winner. I ask, however, that you change your position in light of the evidence I have provided, and that you call for a new election. Such a change would not be viewed as inconsistent, but a wise reevaluation in light of new evidence presented. It is also consistent with our American dedication to the principle that democracy works best when it works for all and not for some. I am convinced that only through a new election will the people of Cote d’Ivoire end the increasing bloodshed, stop another civil war and ensure free and fair elections. Elliott also reveals the lobbying of former Rep. Bob McEwan, whom he identifies as "a longtime participant in the National Prayer Breakfast" (which is sponsored by the Family), who, Elliott reports , was paid "$25,000 per month to assist the Ivorian ambassador to the U.S. ‘in exerting his influence in the most strategic way possible,’ according to lobbying records… [emphasis added]

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Here’s Rachel Maddow’s take on the story.

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