Far right Republicans sure do love their false equivalence, especially when it comes to “scientific experts.”
No matter that every major medical association decries gay conversion therapy as ineffective and potentially harmful — just find one or two people to say otherwise and suddenly there’s “compelling testimony from both sides of the issue.”
False equivalence is the rhetoric quicksand of productive debate, and Anderson Cooper isn’t having it.
During a recent interview with Texas Republican Rep. Bryan Hughes about the party having added support of conversion therapy to their official platform, Hughes played the “experts are divided” card.
How about we take this to the next level?
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To which Anderson replied:
“It’s really just not accurate to say that doctors are evenly divided. I could give you a list: the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Counseling Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the American School Counselors’ Association, the National Association of School Psychologists, National Association of Social Workers. They represent half a million mental health professionals, [and] they all say this is not a mental disorder. It’s not something that needs to be cured.”
The problem with speaking logic to someone who is knowingly full of shit is you can bet they aren’t going to budge. And Rep. Hughes played the part well, dodging substance and sticking to his canned bullet points.
No matter that Anderson also shows a clip from his interview with former conversion guru Alan Chambers who has denounced the practice as traumatic and a waste of time.
“Does it concern you, again, that your party is now backing a form of therapy which basically every major medical organization says doesn’t work, can be harmful, and which many of the people who have been through it say it doesn’t work and is bad for kids?” Cooper asked.
It does not bother him, apparently, since all Hughes can reply with is repeating that he’s heard from “experts” and “read reports” that say otherwise.
And thus the conversation goes full circle, getting absolutely nowhere.
Here’s the full interview:
H/t: Raw Story
gayspud-1
can’t talk to someone who is apparently out of touch with reality.can’t believe
anyone would elect him
Cam
Why do you think the GOP has spent the last few decades attacking teachers, education and “College Elites”?
If you make people not trust education then you can spew any lie you want and even when somebody has actual facts you can just turn to your audience and say “We don’t want to hear what these hippie college snobs think do we?!”
Dumb down the country to keep the votes rolling in.
Nowuvedoneit
@Cam: You know I hadn’t thought of that. I don’t know,though that’s giving the conservatives to much credence. Would be fun to have this large conspiracy against intelligence by the conservatives. America is lagging in educational tests and standards, darn you Cam now I’m on full on conspiracy mode.
RSun
@Cam: You’ve nailed it. Why do you think most islamic countries keep their masses uneducated. Much easier to control and manipulate.
mcflyer54
I don’t know why Anderson even gives these fools air time. Cooper certainly knows that they Hughes isn’t going to say anything worthwhile or change his mind so why give him a platform for his craziness? Those who supported Bryan Hughes and his crazy take on reality before the show were still supporting him afterwards. Those of us who thought the man was out of touch with reality only watched him confirm it.
YesIDid
The stupidity… oh, the stupidity. That appears to be the South’s LARGEST export!
LubbockGayMale
As a Texan, gay and proud, I am so ashamed to be associated in any way with these idiots. Unfortunately, we seem to grow some weird folks here, and they are definitely ‘bigger and better’ at being idiots. Sorry, but there is only so much one person can do.
enlightenone
For the Idiot there is always a lobotomy!
joetgall
I think gay Texas activists would be wise to look into this legislator’s relationships. I think he might know more about the LGBT “lifestyle” than we give him credit for.
bjohnmasters
“People should have the right to choose, it’s about freedom.” “There’s medical evidence on both sides.” But, we’re not going to support you being able to choose to use medical marijuana. What a bunch of hypocrites.
sejjo
How do you argue logic with someone who believes in Adam being made out of mud and Eve being made from Adam’s rib and Satan impersonating (or im-sataning) a talking snake?? Tell me, how?
Mezaien
If I as a HOMO need a “Gay Conversion” straight Christians republican needs a gas conversions.
DickieJohnson
@mcflyer54: Anderson knows they’re idiots; that’s why he allows them airtime. It’s not to convince them otherwise, but to let the idiocy be seen in all its full insanity. Most right-wing b8gots don’t watch AC, just as most intelligent folk don’t watch Fox Noise.
@Mezaien: The SAME broken record limited vocabulary.
Harley
@Mezaien: Thank you for giving KKK affiliated moutiece Tony Perkins ammunition to prove we want Christians thrown in box cars and hauled off to the gas chambers. That’s not what we want. Just the freedoms everyone else has, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Nothing more.
manjoguy
Thanks, Anderson, for reminding us that there are Republicans who hate homosexuals. Whenever you reported on Westboro Baptist Church and Fred Phelps, did you by any chance mention that Phelps was a Democrat?