06/13/2006
"You Wanna Preach? Let's Preach!"
This clip of FOX News anchor Julie Banderas and hater Shirley Phelps-Roper is soooo worth five minutes of your day.
(via PEN15 Club)
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Posted 10:45 AM EST by Andy in News Clips | Permalink
Comments
I love that Faux News smackdown. Julie Banderas let the Phelps Witch have it.
Posted by: 3fr3n | Jun 13, 2006 11:02:19 AM
Wow! Julie Banderas did us all proud! Someone give that woman a medal!
Posted by: Neil | Jun 13, 2006 11:06:13 AM
I'm uncomfortable.
Posted by: DeanInNYC | Jun 13, 2006 11:16:19 AM
"You think gay pride, bimbo."
I think Jesus said something like that. I'll have to look it up in my Bible concordance.
I hope the Phelps Clan doesn't figure out that they are the biggest asset to GLBT community support to come around in a long time. Of course, for them to realize that would require the ability to reason, so I guess it is unlikely to happen.
Posted by: KJ | Jun 13, 2006 11:16:43 AM
LOL FAUX News. Priceless. You could see the fur fly. And I totally agree with KJ. The Phelps are beyond help, but they do help people realize how irrational they are. Not that people who watch FAUX News would think much, mind you...
Posted by: xavier | Jun 13, 2006 11:32:01 AM
I don't know... I enjoyed watching it but that was kind of unprofessional.
Posted by: Hunter | Jun 13, 2006 11:32:25 AM
Wouldn't it be delightful to find out someday that the entire Phelps clan has been an ingenious plot funded all these years by GLAAD and HRC? That nutbasket church in Topeka has done more for our cause among conservative Christians than we secular folk ever could have hoped. When one takes their comparatively tepid Biblical prejudice to its logical conclusion, one will eventually reach the "God Hates Fags" place. Most people are uncomfortable when confronting their own prejudices, which explained why most Christians are so uncomfortable with the Phelps bunch. But confronting prejudice is the only way to work through it... so that bunch of wackos is really a very useful "blessing in disguise".
Posted by: Brian | Jun 13, 2006 11:34:26 AM
Great for a soapy bitchfest drama but I still can't get comfortable with being on the same side as Fox news!
Posted by: Keith | Jun 13, 2006 11:38:55 AM
The problem here is that Fox didn't have a problem when the Phelp's clan was picketing the funerals of AIDS victims. It was only when they began protesting at the funeral's of soldiers that Fox started berating them. So what Fox is telling all of their wing-nut viewers is that it's acceptable to ignore these idiots when they're bashing The Gays, but it's a tragedy when they do the same thing to a soldier in Bush's army.
Posted by: Wayne | Jun 13, 2006 11:41:07 AM
I think Wayne makes a point worth noting. I am also a little concerned by Bandaras's insinuation that Phelps' on-line posting that the deceased soldier was gay is somehow a bad thing. I guess she needed to go there, though, to make her point.
But I enjoyed the smackdown. Jeez, is that Phelps woman a Medusa-like creature, or what? Yeesh, I may have nightmares.
Posted by: kim Shipley | Jun 13, 2006 11:55:14 AM
From just watching the lovely Sister Shirley I kept having flashes of Ann Coulter. What a team that would make.
Posted by: Brian | Jun 13, 2006 11:58:47 AM
Shirley Phelps-Roper not only sounds insane, she looks insane.
Posted by: Mike in the Tundra | Jun 13, 2006 12:08:33 PM
We need to give the Phelps_Sect more airtime. I can practically hear the stampede of Middle America away from their hate-based ideology and perverted politik. The Phelps Sect is the embodiement of their their fear, and how ugly they might become (or have, already).
It's a great way to shine a mirror against that fear-n-hate in their MiddleAmerican souls.
We should hire her and dad's hate-posse to march at the front of every gay pride parade across America. I can't think of a more persuasive arguement for the cause of homosexuals' civil-rights than these anti_americans.
rob@egoz.org
Posted by: rob adams | Jun 13, 2006 12:14:11 PM
eh. 'winning' a verbal shoutdown against a mentally disabled isn't all that difficult. I'd much rather see someone take Pat Robertson or James Dobson to the woodshed. Sadly, neither of those two have the balls to sit for a chitchat with Jon Stewart.
Posted by: b mac | Jun 13, 2006 12:20:07 PM
Everyone (I hope) already knows the Phelps bunch are beyond any sort of help.
So what bothers me more about this clip is that a network news anchor tried to make her point by screaming bible verses at her. FOX News is so far to the right that it uses religion as reasoned argument! These two crazies could have screamed scripture quotes at each other all day and proved nothing - if there is a god, nobody knows what he/they/it is thinking and there are as many intrepations of the so-called word-of-god as there are people who've read it.
This whole exchange makes me horribly uneasy.
Posted by: ams | Jun 13, 2006 12:36:41 PM
I feel kind of dirty cheering on a Faux news person
Posted by: jimmyboyo | Jun 13, 2006 12:38:00 PM
Oh My God...Carrie's Mother Lives!!
Posted by: John | Jun 13, 2006 12:44:17 PM
Superb, Andy. Thanks for the link.
But, speaking of fighting back, has anyone heard if Boston Pride did ANYthing at Macy's over the weekend?
Posted by: Leland | Jun 13, 2006 12:45:50 PM
WOW! Insane in the membrain.
Posted by: Andrew | Jun 13, 2006 12:54:53 PM
Ah, the true love of the Christian Right. This is what America has to look forward to as Fundamentalist Christians are forced to become ever more radical in order to get attention and continue to keep their followers inspired. Shirly Phelps is the cusp of a new breed of Christian Taliban who will end up doing the exact same thing as Timothy McVeigh because of their sick, twisted perversion of Christianity. These people are lunatics, but they are also extremely dangerous.
Posted by: Robert In WeHo | Jun 13, 2006 1:19:31 PM
I am still in shock that these sociopaths are allowed to spew their venomous hatred at fallen soldier's funerals. Frankly, I am surprised that someone has not blown them into the next dimension. I saw this witch on Fox News last weekend. This mindless worthless psychotic inhumane trash has no right to be alive, much less be free to interact with the public. Once again, the Bush administration is failing to act. If Cindy Sheehan can be barred from peaceful demonstrations outside Bush's ranch on a public road and she can be arrested on public property outside of the White House, and arrested in the Capitol Building for wearing an anti-war t-shirt, then these people can be and should be stopped. Adding to the grief of family and friends of servicemen during their funerals is one of the most heinous acts imaginable. I am surprised that members of the Veterans Association have not appeared to silence them by whatever means appropriate.
Posted by: Johnny Lane | Jun 13, 2006 1:55:23 PM
the funny thing is that shirley phelps actually makes a lot of sense compared to julie banderas.
Posted by: whitney houston | Jun 13, 2006 2:03:40 PM
OH MY !!! My jaw was dropping.Go! Banderas,Go!Still,it's sad.I hope more people do hear them "preach" and realize how backward they are. I directed The Laramie Project several years ago and vividly rememebr the section where Romaine Patterson put together "Angel Action" where people wore gigantic angel wings at matthew shepard's funeral to block the phelps haters.They are some crazy fuckers.
Oh!and John the Carrie's Mom thing! Hilarious!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Chris | Jun 13, 2006 2:11:01 PM
Whitney, do another bump and fall-out. You are a stupid crack whore. Your replacement is even more pathetic.
Posted by: Andrew | Jun 13, 2006 2:26:23 PM
right-wing Religious freakazoids eat their own young
Posted by: dolly | Jun 13, 2006 2:28:21 PM
God Shrily Phelps-Roper is one ungly BITCH. Sea-hag from Popeye look-alike.
The thing that I never understood that there is only 100 of them and there are Millions of us and like minded people. In theory we should bycot and picket them, Picket them in Topeka. Picket and boycott people who support them. Computer Wiz's should crash their sites and send them computer virus's. The IRS should be deludged with complaints that they should be audited. ect.
Posted by: Will | Jun 13, 2006 2:50:54 PM
Boston Pride
Jon:
From what I saw boston pride did absolutely NOTHING. No protesters outside the store or anything. They issued a statement that they were "disappointed" after the removal of the Mannequins but thats it. Thats the sad thing about the Boston Gay Community. There really isn't any. There are "indivduals" but very little community. There isn't even an organized Gay and Lesbian Community Center in Boston. Boston acts like a "big city" but it really isn't in many ways.
Posted by: Will | Jun 13, 2006 2:54:57 PM
Journalism as its finest!
Posted by: Patrick | Jun 13, 2006 3:04:08 PM
Will....
PRIDE isn't about protesting but celebrating who we are. I would have been annoyed if any kind of protest was launched in front of Macy's during Gay Pride weekend. Though I do wish this issue doesn't get forgotten or buried.....as is what Macy's probably hopes after Gay Pride passes. I hope a formal boycott does come about in some way.
You write "They issued a statement....". You are referring to Mass Equality or GayMarriage.org, I suppose. They are only two organizations in Massachusetts and both tend to have a philosophy of "Taking the High Road". I've written to them both expressing how important it is to not let this issue die.
As far as Boston not having any real Gay Community.....I don't know one way or the other...or what you are comparing that to, but if you are gay person....you could always gather up all your gay friends (and straight) and organize your own protest in front of that department store if you feel that strong about the issue. I'm not trying to be sarcastic, but if you don't see action taken where it should be, it is up to the individual to stand up to the plate.
Posted by: Patrick | Jun 13, 2006 3:18:31 PM
Patrick:
Actually I was referring to the statement that was linked from the "Offical Boston Pride site".
The individual can stand up to the plate but its a Group of people who make a difference. Stonewall may have started with one person but it had the support of many who joined in.
The lack of community in Boston is evident. You should visit. For such a "major" city there are very few bars, organizations and as I have said not even a Community Center. After living here for 5 years (And I do plan on moving in shortly)
I equate it to the likes of Church where people show up on Easter and Christmas. Thats what pride is like here. One day out of 365 where people show up to show off and thats it.
I am PROUD of ANDREW for giving out flyers when it happened. And I personally did what I could rallying an entire publishing company to complain and boycott. What distresses me the most is that "we" have dome more than the so called "organizations" here in Boston. I think a BOYCOTT is totally called for and I also belive that the Boston organizations that there are wimped out. Thats why i say there is very little community here.
Posted by: Will | Jun 13, 2006 3:35:17 PM
Holy Shit... I was getting tingles... Don't you guys have the right to bear arms over there? How are these people still around?
I was greatful to see Julie not just sit there and listen to her ranting. I am mortified by the hate that spewed from that woman's mouth.
Posted by: Tyroga | Jun 13, 2006 5:39:14 PM
Bravo Andrew & Will! It's pathetic that the organizers in Boston let this golden opportunity pass to make Macy's feel some pain. There were, one assumes, thousands of people gathered together who might have appreciated some LEADERSHIP for a change. Patrick, you would have been "annoyed." Well, you wouldn't have had to participate, any more than you would have had to eat cotton candy or garlic fries or whatever vendors were probably selling. As the Boston invertebrates chose to do nothing, hopefully, some national organizations will demand to meet with Macy's/Federated heads as they did with Ford.
Posted by: Leland | Jun 13, 2006 5:55:41 PM
You just know the news anchors loved every second. Here's some outrageous person off of whom we can score easy points! Let's stick her on right now! Now I'll act indignant even though this person clearly isn't capable of discussing anything rationally. But the viewers will love it.
Picking easy targets like this, they hedge their own prejudices. "We may not support same-sex marriage or gays in the military....but at least we're not Fred Phelps."
No one likes Fred Phelps. Pretty much everyone can agree he and his followers are scum. And ironically, it's just giving these clowns exactly what they want---attention. But it also gives the media big bucks, too, because people feed off this type of crap cause it makes them feel like sane, rational, and tolerant people. It's almost like a public morale boost for everyone to get together and show their disgust towards these people, though what we really should be doing is ignoring them altogether.
Posted by: Braden | Jun 13, 2006 7:04:44 PM
You would so never see a BBC newsperson arguing like that, but fortunately we don`t give lunatics like that airtime.
She must have set their 'cause' back about a zillion years.
Actually, don`t you think she looks like The Darkness` Justin Hawkins.
Posted by: peterrivendell | Jun 13, 2006 8:18:18 PM
the creepiest part for me was the smackdown on whether it was Leviticus 17 or Leviticus 18 that was the scripture in question. it looked like a butch v. femme showdown, Vacation Bible School Sword Drill stylee - the kind where you'd like up facing one another, your Sunday School teacher would call out a passage & it was a mad race to locate said scripture.
whoa - now THAT's American media democracy in action.
Posted by: resurrect | Jun 13, 2006 10:56:37 PM
She reminds me of Carrie's mom...
Posted by: asdfmonkey | Jun 13, 2006 11:58:04 PM
most people who frequent this site probably aren't aware that these abuses and hate crimes against our troops and their families by this organizatio have been going on for years now. it doesn't make it to the mass media. i'm grateful fox felt it important enough to cover.
personally, i watch every major news channel. i'm not so naive to believe that any of them report without an agenda. but to each his own, i understand there are those who believe censorship will keep them pure or whatever...i watch fox as well as cnn, bbc & pbs. more informaiton is NEVER a bad a idea.
while i agree julie went overboard, i'm glad she went toe to toe...this reporter has seen the devestating effects of this organization for sometime now, so i'm sure it was frustrating for her to maintain any reserve.
frankly, i'm glad she didn't. i don't know if i could look hitler in the face and be professional and those who support that church are no better than hitler.
Posted by: raven | Jun 14, 2006 12:14:56 AM
I agree with Raven. Personally I think that more people should start getting angry when people spout putrid, stinking nonsense like this Phelps bitch--even (and perhaps especially) newscasters.
If anyone has ever watched that lovely anchor on British TV--channel 4, I believe--his last name is Snow, and he doesn't take any prisoners--he's probably the perfect example of the angry righteous news anchor. Just love him.
Posted by: Art Star | Jun 14, 2006 5:20:44 AM
I found myself chuckling through most of it simply because of the "strange bedfellows" aspect of this clip. Here we have an anchor on FOX news shouting down this kook for using the word "fag"... As soon as I learned that the Phelps Nutz were picketing dead soldiers funerals I knew they were desperate. It wasn't enough to get the gay community angry. Now they want most of America angry as well. They are like most radicals who aren't satisfied unless it's them against THE WORLD. It makes their "cause" more fulfilling I suppose. Everyone is right to say that these Phelps are pure gold to the GLBT community. Fox may not have been stirred to action until now but it HAS placed them on the side of arguing for our cause. God bless the Phelps.
Posted by: mark | Jun 14, 2006 10:10:35 AM
I learned after nine months with an abusive boyfriend that confrontations like this are probably the least effective way to handle people like Mrs. Roper.
Like most abusive people, the Phelps camp doesn't care what it preaches. It just wants to manufacture drama, say and do everything it can think of to hurt people, and create ugly screaming matches like this one. Rational arguments and common sense have nothing to do with what goes through their heads. These people thrive on confrontation and ugliness, and (surprise!) Fox News once again took exactly the wrong approach in handling the situation.
This clip doesn't make me want to applaud and cheer. It makes me want to throw up.
Posted by: Jake | Jun 14, 2006 1:04:25 PM
Mrs. Roper... hehe.. reminds me of "Three's Company"...
Does anyone else think that Fred Phelps looks like the scary preacher from Poltergeist? His daughter, Miss Shirley, looks the same way. Eew.
Posted by: Brian | Jun 14, 2006 1:48:58 PM
This is what gives journalism a bad name.
Posted by: Mercury | Jun 15, 2006 2:18:11 AM
Julie Banderas here: Of all the blogs on the internet, this is the first I've decided to comment on. My reason for having Ms. Phelps on the show was not to encourage her, but to expose this sick, yet small group of people who not only dishonor dead soldiers.. but as equally disgusting.. discriminate against gays. The fact that she uses homosexuality as her pulpit makes my blood boil. She makes me proud to be a "gay pride bimbo!".. and I thought "fruit fly" was a catchy nickname. (Carson from Queer Eye called me that at a bar once)
Posted by: julie | Jun 20, 2006 1:58:26 AM
I dont comment often, but I could clearly see that the reporter was strongly moved by the ignorant and hurtful statements made by the guest. And since we know that TV personalities are trained and hired to NOT show emotion, It's plain to see just how venomous that Phelps chick has to be in order to get that kind of reaction from her.
If I had been in the same boat, I probably would have been cool as ice or a barely contained supernova, but I definatly wouldn't have been savvy enough to censor my speech ("Starts with a 'B' and you know the last letter" *priceless*)
The reporter gets props for that.
I dont have cable, but whoever she is, I like her.
Posted by: Dexstarg | Jul 24, 2006 2:04:02 PM
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