Yeah, the clinic stuff is horrifying. Let's spend a full segment of a hugely popular show talking about that, not how he talks and dances.

I'd be more concerned about targeting Mr. Bachman being in the closet except there's such a looooong history of super conservative homophobes who turn out to be themselves gay.

I can't imagine many of that kind of clinic ISN'T run by "ex gays" or whatever, but it's just not the point. And saying someone's gay because of how he talks is just homophobic.

I'm with you Jesse. If we want to live and let live, we have to let others do the same. The clinic is something we can focus on, but talking about Mr. Bachmann's sexuality based on his characteristics is doing just what I don't like people to do to anyone.

The clinic is something we can focus on, but talking about Mr. Bachmann's sexuality based on his characteristics is doing just what I don't like people to do to anyone.

Exactly.

Jesse- I am watching Freedom Riders finally, and it is really good. It is a little depressing, because in some ways I feel like they fought so hard, and now everything is sort of the same, it is just underground. In Rochester, no one has to ride in the back of the bus, but very few white people ride the bus. The schools aren't "segregated" but there aren't many white people in the city school districts. The charter schools are sucking the more privileged students out of the schools. At the Uni where I work, the "cleaners" are minorities, and the Facilities folks are white-- most of the "pink collar" jobs are white, most of the cafeteria workers are minority. It is really weird.

Jesse,

I see your point, but don't you think they were treating Bachmann's husband like comedians would instead of like newscasters would? I can totally see, for example, Louie C.K. saying that kind of shit about Mr. Bachmann.

I wouldn't have minded it as a throw-away. Or if they had left it to the audience to make the joke after showing the clips. It was just too much. I'm not opposed to all offensive humor.

And Sophia, ugh. At least it's not the law, at least?

In lighter news, I can not believe how much hair I have brushed off my cat this week. I can see why people want to make crafts out of it.

The Daily Beast has an actually thoughtful article about the implications of the Is He Gay or Not thing.

I think the speculation is useless and only fuels Bachmann's sense of righteousness (and in this case rightful) persecution. I think it's nasty, frankly. As nasty as speculation about someone being a closeted Muslim.

I totally agree on the Bachman thing--unless you have proof he's doing gay things, just talk about the bad clinic and stuff. Otherwise you're being as bad as people making fun of legit gays who lisp or whatever.