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The mainstream media usually gives professional Beltway homophobes like Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council and Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association uncontested air time to spew homophobic, misogynistic crap (often couched in pious “Christian” remarks about “family”).
CNN’s Carol Costello had her fill of Fischer today. The headline from Mediaite: “CNN Anchor Battles Anti-Gay Activist, Kicks Him Off After He Trashes ‘Toxic’ Homosexuality.” At HuffPo reported:
“Costello’s interview with the Fischer lasted for more than four minutes. She read a 2010 quote in which the AFA spokesperson alleged that Hitler recruited gay men as Nazi Stormtroopers to carry out “savage” acts.
Fischer started to elaborate on his previous comments, but Costello interrupted. “That, by many people’s standards would be hate speech,” she said. When Fischer responded by charging that homosexuality has “known health risks,” the CNN host had enough.
“I’m going to end this interview right here, because that’s just not true,” Costello said. “I’m sorry, that’s just not true. Mr. Fischer, thanks for sharing your views, I guess.”
We need more reality checks like this on the air when these hate-purveyors start their predictable rants. What would be even better is if they weren’t booked at all. Their “perspective” — that often includes junk science/discredited research is not a valid alternative to a pro-equality position.
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I’ve noticed this sort of thing starting to happen more and more — even Chris Matthews went after Tony Perkins for his lies not too long ago.
Maybe something’s finally sinking in.
Kudos to Costello for actually having reasonable boundaries and refusing to be co-dependent with and enabling extremist, fact-free, hate-filled, bigoted homophobic nonsense.
Sadly, I won’t hold my breath that it’ll continue to happen in the corp owned propoganda wurlitzer. In fact, I hope that Costello doesn’t get into trouble for, you know, having at least some standards. Good luck to her.
Looked really good. Every once and awhile, Matthews does this too. Good to see when these ass wipes get cut off.
Outstanding! Enough of this bigoted nonsense.
“Why have him on at all?” needs to be the question asked by on-air talent of the next booker who proposes having Fischer on their show. “Costello did him in. Let’s not repeat that,” On-Air Talent did not say.
not totally… Brian Williams provided a lovely dodge for Ryan’s disgraceful dishwashing stunt tonight. Bishop Rmoney and Pious Paul got their Finesse.
Yes, great idea. Who gets these people on for repeats? Who gets the same organization on again?
The networks want them on spewing their hate. They think it makes for good TV and leaves the bigots applauding and the non-bigots speechless.
Costello has long seemed to be one of the saner talking heads on CNN
These are the same corporations that put on ‘Rasslin’ the Kardashians, and American Idol, its all entertainment to them.
I would say “Congratulations, Carol Costello” except that such remarks shouldn’t be responded to by sitting there and nodding sycophantically while these people blame the gays for everything from the Holocaust to athlete’s foot. Calling them on it should be a no brainer and it should happen every time one of these people comes on and use Jesus as an excuse to hate. Unfortunately the msm is full of people who will just sit and let them carry on. Even David Gregory should see how absurd such statements are. Unfortunately, mainstream news people like Ms. Costello are all too rare. Congratulating Ms. Costello’s handling of the situation is just sad because her reaction is so rare.
Yep. For profit news always becomes for profit narrative and entertainment.
Why invite these buffoons on the air in the first place? Why treat them seriously? They get far too much media access to spread their hatred and ignorance. There is a reason for that. They are legitimized by having the support of one of the two major parties in this country.
Carol Costello is usually pretty worthless. She likes to natter on about “class warfare” and by that she means “warfare” on the rich.
Baby steps, but at least it’s a beginning — much better than the hosts sitting there nodding and smiling while these clowns sit there and spew their lies.