Remember when Bill O’Reilly and his token black friend, the improbably named Rod Wheeler, took to the screens to scream about the lesbian gang pandemic?
Well, now that their story has made the rounds – and been ridiculed, Mr. Wheeler took it upon himself to apologize for all the homophobic-colored comments.
From Wheeler’s website, Rod 007:
During the O’Reilly Factor segment on June 21st, while engaged in a discussion on Lesbian gangs, I inadvertently stated that gang members carry pistols that are painted pink and call themselves the “Pink Pistol Packing Group.” I was not referring to the gay rights group “Pink Pistols” who advocates for the lawful rights of gays to carry weapons for protection. Further, I mentioned that there are “over 150 of these gangs” in the greater Washington DC area. What I actually meant is that there are over 150 gangs in the Washington DC area, some of which are in fact lesbian gangs. Lastly, I mentioned in the segment that there is this “national epidemic” of lesbian gangs. A better choice of words would have been to say that there is a growing concern nationally, and especially in major urban areas, of increased gang activity, which includes some lesbian gang activity.
I apologize for any misunderstanding this may have caused.
Sincerely,
Rod Wheeler
The experience obviously taught him loads – note the capitalized “lesbian”. Now that’s respect.
Wheeler also included a particularly hateful letter he received after the segment aired. Here’s but a taste of the nauseating note:
How about we take this to the next level?
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Those of us in the gay community are totally sick of blacks like YOU attacking us with lies! Hundreds of “recruiting” lesbian gangs in DC? Yeah, sure. Apparently you’ve forgotten, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against your neighbor”.
As a black man, look at YOUR community. You people should only WISH to have the community that gay men and women have! When gay people move into a neighborhood, the real estate values take off like crazy. When blacks move into a neighborhood, people can’t get out fast enough because they know a massive crime wave is coming. Look what happened to Houston when they bussed a few hundred blacks out of New Orleans (you know, the ones who weren’t smart enough to get out of the path of a hurricane?).
That’s nearly as vile as Rod Wheeler’s statement. We certainly hope that didn’t come from one of you lot. If it did, shame on you.
Bryan
I can’t even comment on this. Wow.
BillieXX
Ahhh. I love the smell of bigotry in the afternoon.
nycstudman
I’m still scared of three or more lesbians. Seriously, this story always seemed to be more of a self-parody than anything else.
manifoldstore.com
I think someone forgot the saying about two wrongs . . .
radicalfemme82
The saddest thing about that story is the letter at the end, because as nycstudman says, really? Lesbian gangs? OK. Whatever. But racism is one of the things that the LGBT community really must address. To privilege your identity over other identities is ridiculous and asnine. As queer people we need to be taking more of a stand against oppression wherever we see it, be it sexism, racism, classism, especially within our own community.
dizzyspins
How many millions heard Wheeler’s rant on the O’Reilly Factor? How many dozens will read his mea culpa on his website? The lesson here is if you ever have a camera pointed at you, LIE! Make things sounds much worse than they are for the gay community. You can always recant it all on a blog later.
hisurfer
That was a half-assed apology if I ever heard one. “Did I say there are lesbian gangs? What I meant was, some lesbians are gang members. ” Same shit, gentler language. I also call BS on his including that anonymous letter at the end. It’s Willy Horton politics, an innapproriate use of synecdoche. He might apologize, but he uses the post from one crazed troll to tarnish his accusers, rather than show us any of the rational and thoughtful responses I’m sure he recieved.
Martini-boy
If as a criminal investigator he is making those many mistakes on a report – a report dealing with members of a minority group, nonetheless – then I say his credentials need to be reconsidered. Better yet, he should be dismissed until he gets further training on professional methods and gets things right.
There is no excuse for such garbage. Much less on national television. Dizzyspins, you have a point as well.
nycstudman
“How many millions heard Wheeler’s rant on the O’Reilly Factor? How many dozens will read his mea culpa on his website? The lesson here is if you ever have a camera pointed at you, LIE! Make things sounds much worse than they are for the gay community. You can always recant it all on a blog later.”
Didnt’ Goebbels say something to the effect that a lie repeated often enough becomes true? and he knew from lies oft-repeated.
SeaFlood
Wow. Once again, all gays are white.