The American Conservative Union got off to a rocky start with this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference when word got out that GOProud would again be excluded from participation. Conservatives rallied behind GOProud, while a tone-deaf ACU extended invitations to “leading conservative voice” Chris Hayes of MSNBC and “hugely popular” Donald Trump.
While CPAC’s stumble angered conservatives, the reaction pales to that over a piece posted to Accuracy in Media’s website March 6. While “denier” has become a bit of a political cliché, conservatives were stunned to read that “There is no such thing as a ‘gay conservative,’ unless the term ‘conservative’ has lost all meaning.” Instead, Cliff Kincaid wrote, CPAC “should be sponsoring a panel on the dangers of the homosexual movement and why some of its members seem prone to violence, terror, and treason,” citing WikiLeaks tool Bradley Manning and Family Research Council shooter Floyd Corkins as examples of a “homosexual movement” trying to infiltrate conservatism.
Srsly, how offensive is that? @AccuracyinMedia wants you to think Wikiwanker Manning, a traitor, is a gay conservative.
— Gabriel Malor (@gabrielmalor) March 13, 2013
The piece goes on (and on), but with CPAC already inclined to shoot itself in the foot, few thought that Accuracy in Media needed to be handing out more ammunition.
Indeed RT @kevinboyd1984: One of the most disgusting pieces I have ever read http://t.co/hdxB9G4MGA via @AccuracyInMedia
— Doug Mataconis (@dmataconis) March 13, 2013
https://twitter.com/Capit0lism_/status/311673173055782914
Dear @AccuracyInMedia , as a conservative and an American, I'm utterly disgusted that you published this: http://t.co/GZgN7oALe8
— Phineas Fahrquar (@irishspy) March 13, 2013
Hey, @AccuracyInMedia. What the hell is wrong with you, publishing that intolerant, rambling filth?
— Charles C. W. Cooke (@charlescwcooke) March 13, 2013
Dear @AccuracyInMedia, SERIOUSLY?
— RBe (@RBPundit) March 13, 2013
Unfollowed @AccuracyInMedia and will never link to them again.
— RBe (@RBPundit) March 13, 2013
https://twitter.com/sevenlayercake/status/311843099469041664
Attention monied conservatives: If this represents the official position of @accuracyinmedia, please defund them. http://t.co/KoJ4bWTeYv
— Caleb O. Brown (@cobrown) March 13, 2013
ICYMI: (Like I did) @AccuracyInMedia has come out of the closet as bigots. Straight up. http://t.co/82XvYgQ2lD
— Mickey White (@BiasedGirl) March 13, 2013
https://twitter.com/sevenlayercake/status/311856811684802560
.@dmataconis The last time I read something like this it went, "We don't have any gays in Iran." @kevinboyd1984 @AccuracyInMedia
— Stephen Green (@VodkaPundit) March 13, 2013
@JustAnotherMo @AccuracyInMedia This is the cold blooded murder of the truth, a slander against all people of small government inclination.
— Dr Hugo Hackenbush (@MangyLover) March 13, 2013
https://twitter.com/Will_Antonin/status/311869167101956097
So, it turns out I'm a Marxist, and possibly also a terrorist involved in treason against the US. Thanks, "Accuracy" in Media!
— Liz Mair (@LizMair) March 13, 2013
The backlash caused by the piece motivated Accuracy in Media Chairman Don Irvine to issue a statement:
Like many organizations, AIM has a staff that represents more than one viewpoint on various issues. We allow our people to express themselves as they like. We all share the same general conservative philosophy, but not necessarily on every specific issue. Cliff Kincaid is a longtime, valuable part of the AIM team. My personal view on this is irrelevant. That being said, Accuracy in Media does not agree with his assertion that it is impossible to be both gay and conservative.
That’s good news for the gay conservatives out there who now can rest assured knowing they exist.
I don't think there's anything wrong with the Kincaid post, except he needs to meet @GayPatriot, who is not a Marxist.
— Area Man (@lheal) March 13, 2013
https://twitter.com/BenHowe/status/311683506398953472
https://twitter.com/GayPatriot/status/311672784998780928
Look out: CPAC has been infiltrated. What terror lies in store?
https://twitter.com/GayPatriot/status/311979978893979648
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