UPDATE: After getting schooled by lots of angry commenters, FOX affiliate news director Bryan Cox finally changed the choices in his station’s dumb poll from “homosexuality is a sin” and “homosexuality is not acceptable” to simply “I agree” or “I disagree.” Thanks?
The man on the right (the one without the horns) is Bryan Cox, the news director for WACH Fox in South Carolina is responsible for all aspects of station coverage including this excellent “newsworthy” poll about the recent Presbyterian decision to ordain gay ministers. Whether you agree or disagree with the church’s decision, Cox’s poll offers two brilliant choices both condemning homosexuality! Make sure to leave a comment and then give the station a ring to let them how much you love being one of the damned! Cheap ploy to get station attention? We guess horrible attention is better than none at all.
Via Towleroad
jason
Bryan Cox looks like the love child of Rupert Murdoch and Medusa.
JAW
How about Fox do a poll and ask this question about Family Values newt gingrich… u know the guy that wants to be President of the USA, who is out on all the religious stations stumping for our votes… The guy that handed divorce papers to wife # 2 while she was in the Hospital…
I agree. ADULTREY is just one of many sins named in the Bible that all people commit.
I disagree.ADULTREY is not acceptable and should not be allowed by the church.
newt is from the school of thought… Do what Isay… not as I do”
Cam
Does that news directly REALLY think nobody knows what is going on in his personal life? Come on.
robert in NYC
Why aren’t the holy religious bigoted right wingers not trying to ban adulterers remarrying, why aren’t they bashing them instead? Oh I forgot, they’re straight and it doesn’t matter. Debunks the myth that same-sex marriage destroys hetero marriage. They’re doing a great job of it themselves without any help from us.
greybat
Even Bryan’s comment in the Comment Section is creepy!
SpireaX
Yay! The station changed the question to:
What do you think about the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) decision to permit ordaining openly gay members as clergy.
And the answers to:
I agree.
I disagree.
Hmmm, and what does Bryan Cox have to say about the “change?”
bryandcox said: 44 minutes ago
We’ve modified the wording of the poll to just give the option to agree or disagree with the church’s decision. While the station never intended to advocated for or against any type of religious or political viewpoint, as some of you thought the wording was poor we’ve modified it so the poll clearly reflects its stated purpose simply to ask what people think of the decision.
ASSHOLE!
Cam
You know what….
I could absolutly be wrong here, but it COULD be that the News Director was trying to help the gay result.
The poll is for a station in the South, and just a thought, but perhaps he thought if he worded it with the “Just one of the many sins that all people commit” wording would have an effect on people.
I don’t know if that is the case at all, but it occured to me in rereading it.
Jeffree
@Cam: #3: Exactly: I usually avoid the expression “gay face,” but in this case it just sort of writes itself. #7: Good possibility.
@jason: That was funny. That’s a side of you that doesn’t get shown much here.
the crustybastard
Funniest. Queerty. Headline. Evah.
TC
I decided to send in a complaint and all Mr Cox seems to be able to do is blame readers for not understanding what he meant. Apparently this whole misunderstanding is OUT fault… Below is his response:
_________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for writing and for taking the time to give feedback on our
news content. I appreciate your viewpoint although I think you’re
implying some sort of intent where none existed. The poll choice you
reference in regard to homosexuality referred to it simply as: “just one
of many sins named in the Bible.”
That wording in no way suggests that the Bible is correct, that it does
not contradict itself in numerous places, or that it has any authority
to tell people how to think or act in regard to anything. The people of
the Midlands have many religious beliefs including none at all. Our poll
is not intended to engage in theological debate or to promote any
particular religious viewpoint.
The poll was intended simply to ask people whether they agree or
disagree with the Presbyterian Church’s decision to allow the ordination
of homosexual clergy.
Since that simple question seems to have been muddled, we’ve now
modified the wording of the poll to just give the option to agree or
disagree with the church’s decision. Thank you again for taking the time
to write, and for your feedback.
Bryan D. Cox
News Director
WACH FOX
1400 Pickens Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 252-6397 newsroom
________________________________________________________________
MY RESPONSE:
Thank you for NOT taking responsibility for your actions., but rather making excuses for your own ignorance. Rather than blaming others for not understanding and “muddling” your words, it might be better to accept that you allowed your own prejudices to influence your writing rather than being objective. It is your responsibility to write what you mean in a clear way. If you truly did not mean to offend, you failed miserably. Your response also shows a clear lack of understanding of the English language. It saddens me that you are employed in position where you are allowed to spread your viewpoint.
________________________________________________________________
HIS RESPONSE:
SOME FOUND THE WORDLING OF OUR POLL IMPLIED A MEANING OTHER THAN THAT FOR WHICH IT WAS INTENDED. We listened to that feedback, considered the
point, and made the determination to modify the poll as a result.
That’s an impartial, fair response to feedback regarding a story some
felt created the appearance of bias. If there’s anything else in the
story you think warrants further attention please let me know.
If you simply wish to make assumptions as to my personal views and bear
animosity as a result you’re certainly welcome to do that as well. You
are also welcome to draw incorrect conclusions in doing so.
________________________________________________________________
MY RESPONSE:
I am sorry; however, you did not take responsibility for your poor wording and you continue to blame others for it appearing bias. In fact, the wording was biased. If you fail to see that, I am deeply saddened. Whether you are personally conservative or liberal, the flawed wording should be evident. You inability to take responsibility is a clear indicator that I am not making false assumptions about your character. You may, however, continue to put up a front to keep your job.
________________________________________________________________
Good to know it is everyone else’s fault but his own…
Mike in Asheville
I checked the poll results, and as of this posting, 88% of respondents AGREE WITH THE PRESBYTERIAN TO PERMIT ORDAINING OF GAY CLERGY. — sure many voters were directed to the poll by gay blogs, but so too are voluntary polls influenced the efforts of the Religious Reich.
Jeffree
It’s important to note that the Presbyterians are *allowing* ordination of LGBs, but that individual churches/disctricts are not required to allow LGBs to be ordained. [“Disctricts” probably isn’t the right word]. End result is that LGB candidates who are otherwise qualified may still be denied ordination based solely on their orientation.
Anthony
@Jeffree. You are spot on, but I will still celebrate this step forward.
Shannon1981
The guy is a douche, period…but the thing is, for those of you who live in other areas of the country, you have to understand how people think around here. SC is run by the religious right. Everything here has a religious slant. Everything. Seriously. It doesn’t surprise me in the least that he used Biblical rhetoric in a poll, and it’ll continue to happen and people will continue to have no problem with it for the most part, because that is how they think. Everything here is 6 degrees of Jesus. Everything. This is no different. No matter what he meant with the original wording or why it was re worded, people in this area make most moral judgment calls based on faith.
MattGMD
Surely one of the colleges or universities in S.C. offers a course in how to effectively script polls? Political Communications, Communications Intro 101, etc. Good grief.