Slog
News & ArtsTuesday, November 23, 2010
Homo / News Did CNN Cut Me Off Earlier Today?
Posted by Dan Savage on Tue, Nov 23, 2010 at 4:45 PM
I was on CNN earlier today—very early this morning—via Skype.
First and most importantly: I hate Skype. I look like I'm dying on Skype. But there was no getting to a TV studio this AM, so I had to Skype. I HATE YOU, SKYPE.
Kyra Phillips invited me to come on CNN Newsroom to discuss this week's report from the Southern Poverty Law Center. Their report found that LGBT people were more at risk of being victims of hate crimes than any other minority group. SPLC:
The SPLC’s analysis of 14 years of hate crime data found that homosexuals, or those perceived to be gay, are more than twice as likely to be attacked in a violent hate crime as Jews or blacks; more than four times as likely as Muslims; and 14 times as likely as Latinos. The findings are based on FBI hate crime statistics from 1995 to 2008, the period for which there is complete data. The basic pattern also holds true in individual years.
The SPLC's report lists 18 anti-gay hate groups and debunks the 10 big anti-gay lies promoted by "Christians" who bear false witness against their gay, lesbian, bi, and trans neighbors for a living.
Anyway: when I was on CNN today I criticized CNN for giving the likes of Tony Perkins so much air time. Perkins is the head of the Family Research Council, one of the anti-gay hate groups cited in the SPLC's report, and a frequent guest on CNN. The interview ended immediately after I slammed CNN. Joe Jervis wrote up my appearance and said...
Here's the first (and very satisfying) fallout from yesterday's new official hate group designations by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Dan Savage appeared on CNN this afternoon to slam them for giving airtime to anti-gay bigots: "There are no 'two sides' to the issue of LGBT rights. Right now one side is really using dehumanizing rhetoric. The Southern Poverty Law Center labels these groups as hate groups and yet the leaders of these groups, people like Tony Perkins, are welcomed onto networks like CNN to espouse hate directed at gays and lesbians. And similarly hateful people who are targeting Jews or people of color or anyone else would not be welcome to spew their bile on CNN."While otherwise sympathetic, the CNN host didn't respond to Savage's charges and ended the interview immediately.
Did I ambush CNN? Did they abruptly end the interview when I slammed them? No and no.
Typically before one goes on CNN or MSNBC—one doesn't go on Fox News, if one has any sense—one does a a pre-interview with a producer. They run you through the topic, ask you some questions, make sure you have something of interest to say. Sometimes pre-interviews are done over the phone, sometimes they're done via email. This one was done via email. Here's what I sent CNN's producer last night in response to the question, "What will it take to lower hate crimes against the gay community and debunk the ludicrous myths?"
One way we can debunk the myths is by marginalizing the liars and frauds who propagate them, men like George Rekers, who argued that being gay was sick and sinful and claimed he could teach people how to raise their children in such a way so as to prevent them from being gay. And it turns out he was gay himself. Rekers worked hand-in-glove with Tony Perkins, a frequent guest here on CNN.There would be fewer myths to debunk if there were fewer venues for spreading them. This network should not allow itself to be used as a platform for spreading hate.
The question about what could be done to lower the rate of anti-gay hate crimes was the planned final question in the segment, CNN knew I was going to slam 'em when they asked it, and they had me on anyway. Which is to CNN's credit.
3
Good! You're right, there are not two sides. And Skype is an uglification machine. And next time, hold up some product so you can make a commision. I suggest Swiss Miss.
5
You were fucking awesome in that clip, embedded in the SPLC link you gave. The call for a "cultural reckoning" was terrific. (That woman was kind of a drip, though. Where is CNN finding these people?)
And don't feel bad about looking shitty on Skype. Not a lot of teevee folks look better in real life than on camera, but you'll always have that.
And don't feel bad about looking shitty on Skype. Not a lot of teevee folks look better in real life than on camera, but you'll always have that.
6
The audio seems out of sync... I could figure her out, but Dan's stuff seemed about half a second off >.<. But between JMG and SPLC it's covered :-)
Are all your skype connections using the same webcam (eg on your laptop or something)? It seems like the aspect ratio is a bit skewed or something. If it's the same webcam, maybe trying a different one could help. Tho I understand your vanity (and would be totally the same way!), your message ultimately is what is important and you're very articulate on the air.
Are all your skype connections using the same webcam (eg on your laptop or something)? It seems like the aspect ratio is a bit skewed or something. If it's the same webcam, maybe trying a different one could help. Tho I understand your vanity (and would be totally the same way!), your message ultimately is what is important and you're very articulate on the air.
7
It doesn't look to me like you were cut off - if that was the last question in the pre-interview - they let you answer that fully and didn't interrupt. I think the real reason that Perkins et al get on TV is that the demo of people who still watch news on TV slant a lot older and generally more conservative.
8
Actually, Skype is the most realistic portrait of Dan ever. Trust me. He's always looked like the Living Dead.
11
Dan, I like the KING5 interview you did too.
http://www.king5.com/new-day-northwest/D…
You are the man Dan, love the IGBP!
http://www.king5.com/new-day-northwest/D…
You are the man Dan, love the IGBP!
12
Whoa--us Jews are as likely to be attacked in a violent hate crime as black people? We're number two! We're number two!
14
@7, Dan recognizes the basic-cable audience may be more bigoted or older or more conservative than the public at large - and is trying to get those networks to recognize that if the haters' messages are contributing hate crimes and suicides they have an ethical obligation to set their (probably ill-founded) ratings concerns aside and quit using lying blowhards for their "balancing" charade.
15
I saw what must have been the cutest gay couple at Home Depot today, buying a lot o' power tools.
How can anyone not like gay people!?
How can anyone not like gay people!?
16
@1
Unlike every other blog, which is all about things other than the writer of the blog. Fer crissakes.
@Dan: lots of people call me Billy. Though now that I'm getting some gray hair--though nowhere near as much as you--they're easing up a bit. You do know that the Skype makes you look. . . older?
Unlike every other blog, which is all about things other than the writer of the blog. Fer crissakes.
@Dan: lots of people call me Billy. Though now that I'm getting some gray hair--though nowhere near as much as you--they're easing up a bit. You do know that the Skype makes you look. . . older?
17
My brother is 5 years younger than me and has quite a bit more gray hair than me. I mention it every time I get a chance.
19
Dan, Dan, Dan, why do you not tell us about these interviews? Here's another good one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fgaRBLv-…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fgaRBLv-…
20
@18
Photos can be doctored. And Dan would probably submit one of his 7 foot tall red head drag queen shots anyway.
Photos can be doctored. And Dan would probably submit one of his 7 foot tall red head drag queen shots anyway.
21
@12 What I coudln't figure out was whether both blacks & jews individual as groups got 2x or if combining the two groups got you to 2x. It was an odd way to present it, maybe they were trying to shorten the list given.
@17 My sister is 4 yrs younger and looking older than me these days. Eek.
@19 -- the Tshirt picture strikes again!
@17 My sister is 4 yrs younger and looking older than me these days. Eek.
@19 -- the Tshirt picture strikes again!
22
Lately I've been thinking that Dan's work hasn't just been good for local Seattle news reporting, as well as disentanglement of national religious and cultural mixed messages. He'd also be a benison internationally when you think how taboos against homosexuality might be contributing to disaffected young men joining jihadist movements. Inspired by reports of Jasser Arafat's young and attractive male assistants, as well as Laura Poitras's "The Oath."
23
I think it's important for people to hear what kinds of things haters are saying about us. It keeps people from deluding themselves into thinking that everything is okey-dokey, which it ain't.
24
i wanna know what the illinois-shaped plaque denotes, Dan. also, you're one of the few people who never have to worry about 'camera weight'.
25
Some people fear everything, namely the ones who call themselves "tea party" or Republicans. They fester in a pool of hate and fear. Anger is the sheep of fear inside a wolf's skin.
27
BEG, that picture of Dan needs to be burned!
Seriously, I'm talking about its total expulsion/extinction from the internets for the remainder of humankind.
Seriously, I'm talking about its total expulsion/extinction from the internets for the remainder of humankind.
29
Further, thank you so much for being the answer to the gay, liberal Glenn Beck question that no one, I mean no one, fucking asked.
30
Have you seen this headline yet Dan? I'd be interested in your take.
UN General Assembly Votes To Allow Gays To Be Executed Without Cause
http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/un-…
UN General Assembly Votes To Allow Gays To Be Executed Without Cause
http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/un-…
31
I think you hit that one out of the park, Dan. It was an excellent presentation, and the interviewer gave you enough slack to do it. So, a win as far as I'm concerned.
On the issue of looking awful... It's not Skype's fault, per se. It's the shitty fish-eye lens in your laptop camera, crappy lighting, and transmitting the wrong aspect ratio for what CNN was expecting. Next time, get someone to set you up with a real camera that can be color-balanced for skin tone and with a "normal" lens, some real lighting, a clip-on mic, and check in advance as to whether they're expecting 4:3 or 16:9.
On the issue of looking awful... It's not Skype's fault, per se. It's the shitty fish-eye lens in your laptop camera, crappy lighting, and transmitting the wrong aspect ratio for what CNN was expecting. Next time, get someone to set you up with a real camera that can be color-balanced for skin tone and with a "normal" lens, some real lighting, a clip-on mic, and check in advance as to whether they're expecting 4:3 or 16:9.
33
Dan, pick it up a notch. Since you're such a celebrity these days you should have a make up artist 'pretty you up' before you go on TV. (grin)
34
If you think CNN is arbitrary, try posting a comment on the Seattle Times' discussions.
Those sites have the biggest bunch of crybaby editors "moderating" their comments I have ever seen.
They won't even let me use any of George Carlin's Seven Words! Imagine! How can I adequately describe The Right without using at least three of George's Sacred Nouns, particularly "shit" -- I ask you!?!
That's why I love The Stranger. Their press runs free and unfenced on its open range, unlike the P-I and Times, which are reserved for weaner-pigs and tit-babies (a.k.a. "The Right.")
Those sites have the biggest bunch of crybaby editors "moderating" their comments I have ever seen.
They won't even let me use any of George Carlin's Seven Words! Imagine! How can I adequately describe The Right without using at least three of George's Sacred Nouns, particularly "shit" -- I ask you!?!
That's why I love The Stranger. Their press runs free and unfenced on its open range, unlike the P-I and Times, which are reserved for weaner-pigs and tit-babies (a.k.a. "The Right.")
36
Dear Dan,
No they didn't. CNN (specifically during that particular news anchors segment) has it's WORST staff. I think they save the talent to tame Wolf's beard. The anchor, that anchor.......let's just say she won't be winning any journalist awards soon.
You were right, you didn't attack, you should have mentioned more networks but hey, you were skyping from the grave and goddamn(!) does it get stuffy down there.
XO,
tGb
No they didn't. CNN (specifically during that particular news anchors segment) has it's WORST staff. I think they save the talent to tame Wolf's beard. The anchor, that anchor.......let's just say she won't be winning any journalist awards soon.
You were right, you didn't attack, you should have mentioned more networks but hey, you were skyping from the grave and goddamn(!) does it get stuffy down there.
XO,
tGb
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