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07/17/2009
TVC: Much more than an opposing viewpoint!
Why is the Associated Press quoting The Traditional Values Coalition in a story on hate crimes in a way that makes them sound as little more than a conservative voice of opposition?
The Traditional Values Coalition had expressed concern in a letter to senators that a pastor could be prosecuted for "conspiracy to commit a hate crime" if a sermon resulted in a person acting aggressively against someone based on sexual orientation.
Senate votes big expansion of federal hate crimes [AP via Google]
Does the venerable wire service not know that TVC is an SPLC-branded hate group (one of only 12 in the anti-gay category)?
Do they not know that TVC has been the leader in disinformation on this bill, tirelessly (and tiresomely) working the claim that things like "pedophilia," "necrophilia," and "sex with an amputee's stump" count as sexual orientations that will be protected under this bill?
Do they not know that TVC takes great pride in using demonizing language like "she-males" to describe the transgender community?
Do they not know that TVC Photoshops our president's head onto pro-Nazi propaganda film posters?
Do they not know that TVC has gone so far as to put Jesus' face on a Wanted poster, with the implication being that advocates for hate crime protection are seeking to jail God's son?
Do they not know that TVC flips official House transcripts so that they are more convenient to their cause (creating a false reality that their allies use to this day)?
Or perhaps the question should be: How many of the AP's readers deserve to know this stuff, but are instead made to believe that this, a thoroughly extremist organization, is simply a conservative voice of dissent?
Your thoughts
Good news, if you look at the story now, the TVC has been removed from the story. However, they now just attribute essentially the same claims to Republican congressmen.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hmxKiiSIsM-k7nX2yECb7kGw1qhwD99F2V0G0
Posted by: Marcus | Jul 17, 2009 3:38:38 PM
It would be nice, also, if the AP could do a little reporting on this kind of thing, and actually inform their readers of the current hate crimes laws on the books, which have never been used in the manner the anti-gay right claims, and that a minister who, today, called for violence to be done against LGBT people could already be prosecuted for inciting violence if one of his flock went on a bashing spree in response to his sermon. The hate crimes laws only add to penalties for crimes already committed.
Posted by: CPT_Doom | Jul 18, 2009 8:03:36 AM
As a former newspaper journo, I can tell you that reporters (even the AP's peeps) are always looking for tips and story ideas. Call the New York AP bureau at 518-458-7821 or find a bureau in your area at http://www.ap.org/pages/contact/contact.html.
Posted by: Brian | Jul 18, 2009 1:07:47 PM
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