Shorter AP: Gay crackpots hassle campaign over imaginary offense

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

This is not an anti-candidate or pro-candidate post. This is an anti bullshit political journalism post. This AP article says: 1) gays are complaining about some gospel singer. 2) the gospel singer's views are completely inoffensive. The End. The reader is left with the impression that gay people are just crazy troublemakers, because you would have to be a loon to get in an uproar over AP's version of the objectionable views.

AP is a pet peeve of mine because AP stories make up about 80% of all news. Almost all national news on local Tv is regurgitated AP. Most national and international news stories in smaller newspapers are AP syndicated stories. Etc. AP is an equal opportunity offender... they push the Edward's haircut, they recycle Clinton scandals that were debunked in 1993. Their political reporters often have identifiable agendas. It's a disgraceful operation.

Here is the entirety of AP's characterization of the controversial views in question:

...McClurkin has drawn attention from gay rights activists for his views on homosexuality.

"I don't believe that it is the intention of God," McClurkin said Monday in a telephone interview. "Sexuality, everything is a matter of choice."

McClurkin said he does not believe in discriminating against homosexuals. "What people do in their bedrooms and who they are as human beings are two different things," he said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071023/ap_on_el_pr/obama_gospel_singer;_ylt=AmGu3vbbTndFtaTo.YBqIHlp24cA

[TechBear_Seattle]

1. Bigots always find a way to justify their bigotry

Sadly, the "liberal media" and the Democratic candidates for President are only too happy to enable this bigotry.

[IndianaJones]

2. deja vu. nt.

[JackBeck]

9. All over again. n/t

[closeupready]

3. I've come to the conclusion that ultimately, this whole thing doesn't matter.

Obama is not going to be the nominee at this juncture in time. He's not ready for it, and he won't be for a number of years and after making changes in how he approaches different dem constituencies.

[Cameron27]

4. Oy

MSNBC is just running with the story now. Somone's describing it as "the Obama Disaster."

Edit/ they had to break away because of a tech. difficulty

[karynnj]

5. The AP is an equal opportunity offender only for Democrats

There Bush stories always give him every break and the most favorable interpretation possible. I hate that they continue 3 years after 2004 - when Senator Kerry has released to the press his entire naval record - that they define the SBVT as having "questioned" his service. This is particularly obnoxious in articles where they negatively characterize Kerry's comments against the SBVT. It is beyond disgusting that they continue to smear this portion of his life - when the facts are 100% in his favor and he was a real war hero. He's not running for the Presidency and he deserves his good name back. It is disgusting that this is how he is rewarded for defending his country.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

6. Yup! They are reliable conduits for GOP press releases

[ellacott]

7. What's wrong with the article? n/t

[IndianaJones]

10. whats right? nt.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

11. Imagine that article was your only information on the controversy...

You would be left with the conclusion that gay people are hysterics.

I would not be particularly offended by someone saying their religious view is that being gay isn't part of God's plan.

I would, however, be very offended by that person going on the 700 Club and saying we need to "take off the gloves" and close a gay high school, or appearing at the 2004 republican convention in solidarity with Bush's war against "the curse of homosexuality"

The AP had ready access to publicly stated views that would explain why gay groups were complaining. The point is not that AP has an obligation to attack McClurkin. The point is that when reporting a controversy they should explain WHY there is a controversy. It's one of the "five Ws" of basic journalism.

It's like if they ran a story saying a peace group was upset with Clinton for validating war with Iran without ever mentioning anything that gave them that impression. It would make them seem crazy.

[incapsulated]

8. I also despise the AP when it comes to politics

They were horrible to the dems in 2004 as well.

They are clearly biased.