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News & ArtsFriday, October 29, 2010
Homo / News Arkansas School Board Bigot Clint McCance Resigns
Posted by Dan Savage on Fri, Oct 29, 2010 at 7:32 AM
But first he takes his turn in the national spotlight...
Good job, Anderson.
1
And another ones gone and another ones gone and another one bites the dust!
Mission accomplished Dan!
Mission accomplished Dan!
5
What the fuck, talking about how he has his own children to think of, when he already admitted he'd toss them out if they were gay. Do those children understand that they are being used as rhetorical human shields by their asswipe father?
6
Has anyone actually threatened to kill this man and his family? or is he just saying that to promote the idea that "the gays" are promoting a kind of censorship against christians?
7
This is indeed great work. Good job Anderson. Where would this country of chicken coops, factories, roads, national parks, automobiles be without the efforts of hardnosed working reporters. Tell it like it is coop.
8
So, what's the over/under on how many days it'll take for Fox News to offer this guy his own show?
9
To be fair poor Clint is probabley the result of several generations of inbreeding between first cousins and perhaps a mild case of fetal alcohal syndrone.
10
First thing I saw on his face was "This is bullshit. I can't believe I have to apologize for this." Fuck him. At least this shows that such ignorance isn't tolerated.
"What do you feel like you're apologizing for?" Anderson sounds like a parent talking to a six year old. Which he kinda is doing.
"What do you feel like you're apologizing for?" Anderson sounds like a parent talking to a six year old. Which he kinda is doing.
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@9
i was going to give a pass on the 'probabley' but after seeing 'alcohal', questioning your DNA...well...short bus kids shouldn't be bullied... (condescending female teacher voice) good job kenny.
i was going to give a pass on the 'probabley' but after seeing 'alcohal', questioning your DNA...well...short bus kids shouldn't be bullied... (condescending female teacher voice) good job kenny.
13
Guys, he wasn't aware that teen suicide was such a problem! We should do something to raise awareness, like maybe have a day where we all wear purple or something.
14
What an asshole and his voice reminds me of Bush with a stronger Southern accent.
@8 - I give Fox News a week before he's on Fuckabee's show or on Hannity.
@8 - I give Fox News a week before he's on Fuckabee's show or on Hannity.
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Not much of an apology. Essentially, my words were over the top but not the sentiment.
What a fuckstick.
What a fuckstick.
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@13
oh goody! i love purple! i already wear pink for cancer! i have rainbow short shorts to show my solidarity for queer nation! it's a lavender security alert level! a pakistani man is accused of terrorism! no! all the pakistanis i know are wonderful! hurry! on to the next topic! clint is an asshole!
oh goody! i love purple! i already wear pink for cancer! i have rainbow short shorts to show my solidarity for queer nation! it's a lavender security alert level! a pakistani man is accused of terrorism! no! all the pakistanis i know are wonderful! hurry! on to the next topic! clint is an asshole!
18
@5 Anderson let me down. I was watching this willing him to ask, "Would you really disown your children if they were gay?" Especially since karma tends to dole out the gay kids to bigots like this.
This has happened to two of my dearest friends in the past few years when each of them came out. It. breaks. my. heart.
This man, despite his apology is a waste of humanity.
This has happened to two of my dearest friends in the past few years when each of them came out. It. breaks. my. heart.
This man, despite his apology is a waste of humanity.
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@5, and when asked if he really would toss his kids out if they were gay, he wouldn't say no. Yeah, he was sorry he was caught, not sorry for his vitriol.
21
Well, that was one of the more insincere apologies I've seen in a while. But at least he was forced to resign after a massive public shaming. Bye bye, douchebag.
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@21 oooh, insincerity burns me up. that witch Katy Couric can go to hell, all those other Oprah, Jerry Springers, ick ick. I'm so glad the lovely Cooper is one talking head i can truly trust. kisses to a beautiful mind. ooh, that sounds like it could be a wonderful cinema title.
26
awesome possum!
@24 hey are opossums indigenous to Arkansas? I'm a regional-centric NWesterner for the most part. I really don't care about anything in Arkansas, except Chelsea Clinton's Barbie/Ken collection.
@24 hey are opossums indigenous to Arkansas? I'm a regional-centric NWesterner for the most part. I really don't care about anything in Arkansas, except Chelsea Clinton's Barbie/Ken collection.
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I wish Anderson had asked him how he would feel if his children were gay and then killed themselves because of his "Christian" beliefs. Led him to the obvious conclusion of his own homophobia, which still he clearly doesn't understand.
@6 -- of course he has received death threats. Everyone receives death threats these days, it is sickening. The surrogate mother of Sarah Jessica Parker's kids received death threats -- for sure this guy did.
@6 -- of course he has received death threats. Everyone receives death threats these days, it is sickening. The surrogate mother of Sarah Jessica Parker's kids received death threats -- for sure this guy did.
30
An apology only counts if it is accompanied by a commitment to change intent and behavior. Otherwise it is just 'oops - my bad'.
What creeps me out is that he may well return to his insular bigoted life and get sympathy and encouragement from his circle. That awful fag Anderson Cooper made me look bad on national TV.
I'm not surprised he received death threats, and those certainly didn't help anyone's cause.
What creeps me out is that he may well return to his insular bigoted life and get sympathy and encouragement from his circle. That awful fag Anderson Cooper made me look bad on national TV.
I'm not surprised he received death threats, and those certainly didn't help anyone's cause.
31
Great interview. But I kept wanting AC to ask, "You say your words were over the top; so what words do you think would be appropriate to express the desire for roughly 10 million Americans to kill themselves?"
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And how great is that dad who works to prevent teen suicides (his own son killed himself) and read of this and got off the internet and drove to talk to him? I love that guy.
35
I'm astonished that he appeared on national television, going as far as calling his interviewer Mr. Cooper and Sir.
Don't people like this usually just change their name and pick up alcoholism?
Oh right, Mr. Cooper's Carpet Cleaning business is probably booming right now as his fucked up peers step in line to support him.
Don't people like this usually just change their name and pick up alcoholism?
Oh right, Mr. Cooper's Carpet Cleaning business is probably booming right now as his fucked up peers step in line to support him.
37
Bing Bong NEXT! Who is up next for a public shaming? I think we should continue to shit on whatever bigots we can until there are none left.
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35/36 What are you talking about? The former School Board VP is named Clint McCance, and he called Anderson Cooper Anderson throughout the interview.
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I don't agree @35 - I doubt this guy's business is booming. I'm sure there are others of like mind in that tiny corner of a backwoods state, but I don't think that there are that many of them left.
Poor Clint McCance is probably reelling after being condemned by his associates on the local and the state schoolboards - He probably thought of them as friends and believed they shared his views and would support him. I'm sure he never expected all the phone calls and threats - now he knows what it feels like to be bullied. I doubt it will change his mind, though.
Poor Clint McCance is probably reelling after being condemned by his associates on the local and the state schoolboards - He probably thought of them as friends and believed they shared his views and would support him. I'm sure he never expected all the phone calls and threats - now he knows what it feels like to be bullied. I doubt it will change his mind, though.
40
Cue whining from the Christian Right about how the homoliberalfascistMuslimcommieJew media is persecuting their right to persecution in five...four....three.....
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These crazy Christians. Instead of "praying" for each other, why not actually get some goddamn education instead of reading an awful book about dead guys?
42
What McCance has learned from all of this is to not use perjoritives in public. I imagine that his rants in the future will be use words such as "homosexuals" "sinners" and "deviant behavior".
He never apologized for hating gays, he made an apology as part of a risk management strategy.
He never apologized for hating gays, he made an apology as part of a risk management strategy.
43
Wow, color me underwhelmed. He is clearly only sorry that he was insensitive to the issue of suicide - he could care less about his awful sentiments about homosexuality. I'm not even sure he's that sorry about the suicide comments, given that they were addressing "fags" and not good, heterosexual people.
He won't commit to not using "fag" and "queer" in the future, he won't comment on whether he'll throw his own kids out if they're gay, and he just goes back to the "I didn't realize how bad suicide is" line whenever he's pressed to specifically address the more heinous parts of his statement.
Oh, and everybody's praying for everybody. How nice. What we could really use is some decent education so more people don't grow up into McCances.
He won't commit to not using "fag" and "queer" in the future, he won't comment on whether he'll throw his own kids out if they're gay, and he just goes back to the "I didn't realize how bad suicide is" line whenever he's pressed to specifically address the more heinous parts of his statement.
Oh, and everybody's praying for everybody. How nice. What we could really use is some decent education so more people don't grow up into McCances.
46
hey, give the guy a break. A lot of assholes clearly gave queers a bad name and harassed the shit out of him and his family for a week in inappropriate ways. The man acted like a man about it- he apologized, he resigned, he heard people out, but he's not going to stop being a homophob just because a buncha people yelled at him for it. At least he's honest, it makes the apology more credible.
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@#43, right there with you. He's sorry he got caught and used all diplomatic language to apologize to the current culture of people who in his view accept sin and homosexuality and is waiting for a regime to create a political atmosphere where his views are 100% acceptable.
He hasn't changed - not overnight. Mark my words, he is not repentant.
He hasn't changed - not overnight. Mark my words, he is not repentant.
49
He seemed genuinely sorry for all of the negative attention this brought to him. As for the "queer" thing.....
Still, good work Mr. Cooper.
Still, good work Mr. Cooper.
50
Shame is a powerful force. It is one of our strongest weapons against human-rights abuses. (Thank you Professor Listoe; Human Rights and Rhetoric remains one of my more-useful undergrad courses.) Keep piling it on the bigots, and watch them collapse under the pressure.
51
Anderson Cooper must be stopped! His continuing, merciless persecution of public officials is nothing short of scandalous. What, they're supposed to adhere to standards of decency and common sense? Why won't AC get with the program and act like every other journalist?
52
For someone who believes in "solid Christian beliefs," he seems strangely certain that his kids will turn out gay. First he says he "will" run them off, then in this interview he says "time will tell" what he'll do about his future gay kids. Maybe he just doesn't know the tricky conditional word "would," but I think he's a huge fatalist & thinks his family is defenseless against the special purple fags.
Also that was totally a fake apology, because he totally doesn't get that the outrage is about the sentiments he expressed, not just the anti-gay epithets. He's going to walk away thinking it's still fine to think gay people are awful, because that's his "personal belief" & that's "what his religion teaches." Plus he talks all stupid like George W. Bush. Boooooo.
Also that was totally a fake apology, because he totally doesn't get that the outrage is about the sentiments he expressed, not just the anti-gay epithets. He's going to walk away thinking it's still fine to think gay people are awful, because that's his "personal belief" & that's "what his religion teaches." Plus he talks all stupid like George W. Bush. Boooooo.
53
I have to agree with 46. Maybe this experience, which must be pretty traumatic for the hateful son of a bitch, will actually shake him up and put him on the road to enlightenment. We can hope, right?
What disturbed me was the stuff from the parents of Asher--in the second half of the program. They kept going on about prayer, and when the subject came to McCance's saying he'd disown his kids if they were gay, Asher's mom said "it's not necessary to throw people away because of their personal preference." Now I haven't read a thing about these people; this video is all I know of them, but it sure made me wonder if being gay may have been a little too hard for him in that household.
What disturbed me was the stuff from the parents of Asher--in the second half of the program. They kept going on about prayer, and when the subject came to McCance's saying he'd disown his kids if they were gay, Asher's mom said "it's not necessary to throw people away because of their personal preference." Now I haven't read a thing about these people; this video is all I know of them, but it sure made me wonder if being gay may have been a little too hard for him in that household.
54
When Cooper asked whether he would truly kick his children out if they were gay he refused to comment. This man isn't sorry for anything he said. Asher Brown's parents broke my heart.
55
Horrible though it be, I sorta think it's admirable that he's being honest. How hard would it be to just lie and say "of course I won't use those words again"?
Love that he can't commit to never using the words "queer" or "fag" again...
Horrible though it be, I sorta think it's admirable that he's being honest. How hard would it be to just lie and say "of course I won't use those words again"?
56
I'm surprised he decided to show his face. Did he think that he would get out of this with more dignity intact by appearing on Anderson Cooper than by not?
Also, he kept saying "I was too harsh." Why didn't Anderson ever ask "How harsh *should* you have been, in that case?"
Also, he kept saying "I was too harsh." Why didn't Anderson ever ask "How harsh *should* you have been, in that case?"
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@53 Like what Dan said about Tyler Clementi, you definitely get the impression that with some of these suicides, the home/church environment may have been a problem as well.
Certainly the parents are upset and I'm sure didn't want anything bad for their kids, but you have to wonder if they were all that accepting of their kids being gay. Or if they were, if they had let their kids know that they were.
I think a lot of times parents who are accepting of gays err too far on the side of "If s/he's gay, s/he'll tell me when s/he's ready" rather than stating that they'd be fine with having a gay child without waiting for anything. And if you're accepting, and have told them as such, it's really ok to come right out and ask.
Certainly the parents are upset and I'm sure didn't want anything bad for their kids, but you have to wonder if they were all that accepting of their kids being gay. Or if they were, if they had let their kids know that they were.
I think a lot of times parents who are accepting of gays err too far on the side of "If s/he's gay, s/he'll tell me when s/he's ready" rather than stating that they'd be fine with having a gay child without waiting for anything. And if you're accepting, and have told them as such, it's really ok to come right out and ask.
59
Dan, did you actually listen to this interview? Anderson Cooper did a pathetic job. This guy says it way better than I could:
Clint McCance's Pathetic Non-Apology Ripped by David Pakman
www.opposingviews.com/i/clint-mccance-s-…;
Clint McCance's Pathetic Non-Apology Ripped by David Pakman
www.opposingviews.com/i/clint-mccance-s-…;
60
I can't imagine how fucked up his kids are from living in that household, gay or straight. What a lousy father.
62
Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.
McCance did right by allowing himself to be interviewed.
McCance did right by allowing himself to be interviewed.
63
The thing that gets me was "It's over the top", "It's too harsh", seem to say it's ok to hate gays as long as you use diplomatic language to describe it. This guy does seem incapable of processing the fact that people can be different from him, but there's really no excuse. Get smarter. At least be smart enough to shut the fuck up. It's not ok to say this stuff and then apologize *if* you get caught.
64
The thing that gets me was "It's over the top", "It's too harsh", seem to say it's ok to hate gays as long as you use diplomatic language to describe it. This guy does seem incapable of processing the fact that people can be different from him, but there's really no excuse. Get smarter. At least be smart enough to shut the fuck up. It's not ok to say this stuff and then apologize *if* you get caught.
67
I couldn't finish watching it. The only reason he's sorry is because suddenly, everyone's calling for his head.
68
I was struck by his resigning for the good of the board while in the next breath accepting the will of the people if they should choose to vote him back in at some time in the future. Ugh.
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@67 Aly, you just said it! indeed so. He is not sorry in the slightest. He is sorry he got caught, so to speak, back in pre-social network media days, asshole would be still be spitting his homophobic venom, unpunished
70
I think he's probably generally sorry that he hurt people...maybe. But I don't think he's at all sorry for what he said. He tries to say again and again that he's sorry for going too far, and apologizes for the language he used -- after being led by AC (whom I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, as always!) -- but he isn't actually sorry for his thoughts/desire to eradicate gay people. He couldn't even commit to not using the same language in the future or to not running off his own children if they were homosexual.
That being said...him being gone? That's really my main concern, so thank goodness he resigned! Let's all hope and pray that the many ignorant people in his area (that I *assume* sympathize with him and may even feel the same way) don't actually succeed at voting him in again.
That being said...him being gone? That's really my main concern, so thank goodness he resigned! Let's all hope and pray that the many ignorant people in his area (that I *assume* sympathize with him and may even feel the same way) don't actually succeed at voting him in again.
71
I should add...although I mentioned that I loved AC as always, I too was waiting for him to call McCance out on his "I went too far" comments. Okay, dude, what would have been the appropriate amount of hate to throw about? If you were redoing you ridiculous facebook rant now, what specifically would you say that you think would be acceptable?
72
Nobody reaches enlightenment over night. I think this guy could weather the threats, name calling, and even the national humiliation. If you heard the statement that was made by his father before this interview, I bet you he got a serious dressing down from dad for saying such things. And it's the south, you don't talk back or disrespect your parents.
And I would bet you next weeks pay cheque, the wife being "sent" away was more like he got a double dressing down from her for what he said about disowning his kids.
When he realized that not only will he be sleeping on the couch for the next 5yrs but also humping his fist for twice as long, he saw the error of his ways.
And I would bet you next weeks pay cheque, the wife being "sent" away was more like he got a double dressing down from her for what he said about disowning his kids.
When he realized that not only will he be sleeping on the couch for the next 5yrs but also humping his fist for twice as long, he saw the error of his ways.
73
I live in Arkansas and this is not the norm, even for our state. My town is accepting of gays and even has domestic partner rights. I am in Northwest Arkansas, close to a University. Maybe that is why? I believe that for justice to truly be done, this man needs to be fired. He shouldn't have even had the option of resigning.
Dan
Dan
74
Anyone notice the comments in response? People were agreeing and giving him smiley faces over it. They are just as much to blame, and egged him on to more hateful comments. Yet, they weren't brought up at all. He just started the hate parade. There will be more.
75
Anyone notice the comments in response? People were agreeing and giving him smiley faces over it. They are just as much to blame, and egged him on to more hateful comments. Yet, they weren't brought up at all. He just started the hate parade. There will be more.
76
I just wish Anderson had pressed the guy on his repeated assertion that he admits that his "words" were too "strong" or that he "went too far"! I mean, it's not the strength of the words in his postings that is offensive, but the content itself!
And I just love bigots who say, when caught, that "that's not who I am. Anyone who knows me knows that's not me". It IS you, motherfucker. Who else would it be? Sorry to have to tell you this, but that ugly mug in your mirror? That's YOU.
And I just love bigots who say, when caught, that "that's not who I am. Anyone who knows me knows that's not me". It IS you, motherfucker. Who else would it be? Sorry to have to tell you this, but that ugly mug in your mirror? That's YOU.
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