Arkansas? No way. URkansas.
Well, well, well. What have we here? Another addition to the Asshat Hall of Fame. Last week, a lot of people wore purple, or changed their Facebook pictures to something purply as part of the Go Purple movement, the purpose of which was to raise awareness about bullying of LGBTQ youth.
I don’t know how you celebrated Purple Day, but I changed my Facebook picture to a case of Welch’s Grape soda (sometimes stereotypes are based in reality, y’all. I ain’t gonna lie.) Personally, I think bumperstick activism, alone, is weak sauce. I support my LGBTQ peeps 365 days a year, but if they need me to do something symbolic as a show of my support, then I’m down. Besides, any excuse to listen to Purple Rain over and over is welcome. I’m cool with it. Besides, nothing says “gay” more than a 5’4 man in a frilly shirt and heels.
But others among us have other ideas about our LGBTQ brothers and sisters. They don’t deserve rights, including the right not to have the shit beat out of them just for being who they are, or, in some cases, who they might be. Indeed, these sinners should just go ahead and kill themselves. That’s what an elected Arkansas school district official thinks.
Meet Clint McCance aka Asshat-in-Chief. While other Facebookers were showing support and love for les gays, Clint was publishing tirades on his Facebook wall:
McCance wrote the following message on his Facebook page: “Seriously they want me to wear purple because five queers killed themselves. The only way im wearin it for them is if they all commit suicide. I cant believe the people of this world have gotten this stupid. We are honoring the fact that they sinned and killed thereselves because of their sin. REALLY PEOPLE.”
Initially, six people “liked” McCance’s message. He also received supportive comments, though some challenged his statement. A commenter wrote, “Because hatred is always right.” That led McCance to write, “No because being a fag doesn’t give you the right to ruin the rest of our lives. If you get easily offended by being called a fag then dont tell anyone you are a fag. Keep that shit to yourself. I dont care how people decide to live their lives. They dont bother me if they keep it to thereselves. It pisses me off though that we make a special purple fag day for them. I like that fags cant procreate. I also enjoy the fact that they often give each other aids and die. If you arent against it, you might as well be for it.”
“I would disown my kids they were gay. They will not be welcome at my home or in my vicinity. I will absolutely run them off. Of course my kids will know better. My kids will have solid christian beliefs. See it infects everyone.”
First Clint, how the fuck are you on the Arkansas School District board? You’re a moron of the highest order. “Thereselves”? That’s not a word. “Dont”? Also, not a word. “Arent”? Not a word. “Im”? Oh hell, you get the picture. Actually, you probably don’t–that’s how stupid you are. Your dumb ass is hooked on phonics and you are doing a disservice to the school district–hell, you just did a disservice to my gottdamn eyeballs–simply by being an idiotic fuckhead.
Second, what the fuck is wrong with you? These are people you are talking about. Children! You have just advocated for an entire group of children to kill themselves because they are “fags.” And I will bet my left boob that you are pro-life. And that very thought is causing my head to explode, implode, and replode. There’s all kinds of ‘plodiness going on right now and it… I just… It makes me… I really…
[via Think Progress]
[Ok, which one of you broke my website? Dang! To answer a question, yes, I have a pet. His name is Nate Dogg. And he rocks exactly a lot. I’ll write a “hey, how you doin'” post soon, but I gotsta get to bed. Thank you all for the warm welcomes. It is very excite! And Tom, put my coat down! I’m gonna hold your coat for a while! We’ll trade. Sharing is caring. In the meantime, keep fuckin’ that chicken. xx-ABL]
SiubhanDuinne
I already loved Balloon Juice way more than is healthy, but you, dear ABL, have dialed that love way past 11. John Cole did a brilliant thing when he entrusted you with the keys.
Thanks for front-paging this story. I saw the link someone posted (down around #150 or so) in your introductory tampons-boots-and-Scotch thread and hoped at the time that one or more of the FPers would shine a brighter light on it. Sunshine the best disinfectant and all.
Welcome again, ABL. You are the awesomest of sauces.
Roger Moore
I know! I know! The ignorant asshats in his part of Arkansas wanted somebody to represent them on the school board, so they elected the biggest asshat around. That’s how these things usually work.
The really troubling thing about people like Mr. McCance is that they aren’t some kind of anomaly. He’s just saying in his own obnoxious way what plenty of other shitheads think. They may not be the majority they think they are, but they’re clearly a vocal and substantial minority.
SiubhanDuinne
Frist!!
SiubhanDuinne
I would bet good money that Mr. McCance has a rentboy in his past, present, or future.
blackfrancis789
The facebook page to “fire” him is adding people like crazy. Too bad he’s elected and can’t be fired. If he’s smart (and clearly that is not the case) he’d step down asap so he can get out of the news cycle.
23 new members to the facebook page in the time it took me to type this.
I, too welcome our new overlord (lady?) ABL
Joseph Nobles
How many times do we have to say this? Grimace is not gay!
I’m going OT a bit because of this STELLAR David Brooks/Gail Collins piece which is the latest to wring its hands over the Rally for Sanity this weekend. In among the usual inanity, Mr. Brooks is quite revealing:
I guess the nicest way to put it is that it often takes giving up before your dreams come true.
ETA: Oooh, wait. Check your gag reflex:
Urk.
A Humble Net Lurker
God, if you’re up there, give him prostate cancer.
To start with.
Also, I’m lovin’ the new girl. Please stick around for a while.
abo gato
ABL! I love you too!
Is that Nate Dogg and you in the bottom photo? Ya’ll are way cute!
You have lifted our BJ lives off the chart, girl.
Donna
Jesus, Angry Black Lady, I’m quite sure I’m in love! Molto grazie and shit.
Lindsey Withan'e'
Maaaan, You people* have NO IDEA what you are in for with my pal ABL. I tip my glass of Grape Drank to you!
*I will let you figure out what I mean by ‘you people.’ That should be fun.
cs
I’m originally from Arkansas and this doesn’t surprise me.
I try to be nice to my mum and go to church with her when I visit, even though the Southern Baptists are dead to me. Last time I went to sunday school with her, the conversation involved the usual pleasantries and small talk before it strangely swung to talking about how terrible gay people are, and why should we even tolerate them. At this point I was just so pissed that I didn’t say anything, mainly out of a twisted loyalty to my family since I was just a guest and they had to deal with these people all the time. And, I have to say my Mum disagreed strongly with those sentiments but she was too nice to say anything either.
Looking back on it, I wish I had said something and had asked the class to be more Christ-like. Because, looking at the teachings of Jesus as related in the gospels, Jesus did get angry at a particular sort of sin: anything to do with hypocrisy and the corruption of religious authorities. Any time Jesus dealt with someone in sexual sin, he was actually very gentle, quiet, and only lightly chiding. He never insulted or rejected them. The Samaritan woman at the well and the would-be stoning victim come to mind. When the Pharisees wanted to insult Jesus, they pointed out that he would sit down to dinner with the tax collectors and the whores, the two most despised groups of their time.
Not that I personally consider homosexuality to be a sin or even believe in the concept of sin at all, but it does seem to be the sort of argument that actually might reach these die-hard Christianists. Even if you believe being gay is the worst sin possible, act like Jesus and just leave the “sinners” alone, or go out of your way to be painfully nice to them. Prove to them by your actions that your Christian heterosexual life is better. Calling them “fag” and treating them as subhumans gains neither you nor your church nor your God any favors. Christ, after all, pointed out that actions are much better than words, and that the unwelcome and unwanted, even if they are tax collectors or whores, are still loved by God and always have a place at his table.
MeDrewNotYou
Nothing to say about the post. Just sad head-shaking.
But the doggy! He’s adorable, which I think is the highest compliment for a BJer.
Scott
I saw that earlier today. Frustrating that there’s nothing that can be done to him to either get him out of a position of authority or to try to educate him.
That last bit about disowning his kids — am I the only person who saw that as a direct warning to at least one of his kids? I’m betting that he knows that one of his kids is gay but in the closet, and he’s making his plans on throwing him or her out.
And adding to the chorus: Yay, yay, yay, ABL! :)
stuckinred
Is that a cocker???
Comrade Javamanphil
Not disagreeing but isn’t the artist formerly known as a symbol a noted homophobe?
BarbF
That pig shouldn’t be allowed anywhere within 1,000 feet of any child.
And welcome!
Donut
Why do we love Nate Dogg? Is it cuz we like his gangsta talk? Is it cuz we like his handsome face? Is it cuz we like his gangsta ways?
The Grand Panjandrum
Local school boards is where the Christianists focus a lot of attention and they make life miserable for the rest of us. I suspect this clown is a strong proponent of “Intelligent Design” (creationism dressed up in a tuxedo) as well. That is probably why he ran for the school board in the first place. Gotta keep those “family values” in our schools. It really would be a terrible thing if our kids started accepting gay classmates as they are, wouldn’t it?
geg6
Puppeh!
Oh, and I already said it, but ABL, you rock. Has any blog anywhere had such a fabbo 24 hours as this one? John, Doug, Anne Laurie, ED, and Dennis G are their usual stellar selves and now we have Tom Levenson and you kicking ass and taking names. Gawd, I love BJ!
Xenos
@Comrade Javamanphil:
Of course. Overcompensation, it is not a
river in Egyptnew sensation.Rosalita
ABL, welcome to BJ! I am loving your posts. Didn’t think anyone could out-rant John but he has met his match.
Honus
@cs: I’m pretty sure even Arkansas baptists would understand that Jesus would disapprove of wanting a group of people to commit mass suicide or die horrible deaths from disease. But then, I’ve never been to Arkansas.
Keith G
Thanks for the follow up to my post. We need to keep the light on these vermin.
JWL
What is purple day all about, and why should I care ?
WereBear (itouch)
Not only are the Southern Baptists dead to me, I loathe the way they give Jesus a bad name. As a young one struggling with concepts I was stymied by the fact that murder and wearing jeans to church provoked the same level of outrage; both somwhat below that caused by Pink Floyd.
Is Natey a cuteums? Yes him is!
Josie
Thanks for the pic of Nate and for your own righteous self. Rock on.
Tattoosydney
Best. Fucking. Front. Page. Rant. Ever. Woo!
Keith G
Realizing my link attempt earlier sucked rocks….I shall try again.
Thanks ABL for following up on this. We gotta keep the heat on these cretins.
bemused
Steven D at Booman has a very moving post up about his young daughter’s reaction to seeing the curbstomping video. I wish any “adult” with tea party sympathies or anyone still planning to vote republican for that matter would read it. This bright girl cuts through all the garbage and puts most adults to shame. Out of the mouths of babes. Heck, she with other children like her could do a far better job of running this country right now than most of the boneheads out there.
I don’t know what is going to happen this election and have been feeling a lot of anxiety but my gloom has lifted more than a little knowing that there are many young’uns like Steven’s daughter who, in not too many years, will be old enough to vote and who don’t want live in a far right extremist and regressive society.
I feel much better after reading abl most excellently kicking ass, also.
R-Jud
@The Grand Panjandrum:
Actually, ID wears a lab coat, not a tuxedo. Like the ladies selling pots of skin cream in the fancy department stores. It’s “sciencey”!
Randy P
@bemused: Faux goes for the angry over-65 TV viewer. And Republican policies have fired up an entire generation of under-25 pro-Democratic young people.
Guess who the demographic trends are going to favor in teenage years?
I have a daughter who was radicalized by being thrown in jail during the 2004 Republican convention, because she was standing too close to a march. They locked up 2000 people on Tuesday, ignored every semblance of due process for 2-1/2 days, then opened the doors on Thursday night after Bush had gotten out of town.
Kept the angry people away from poor W for a couple of days and accomplished their short term goal, but radicalized a WHOLE bunch of people who might not have been that political beforehand.
MMM
For those of you new to BJ, there is only one blogger, John Cole. His therapy for his split personality is this blog. According to his doctor, “Angry Black Lady” might be his true and healthiest real self. Continue to listen to those voices in your head John.
smedley
Just a small point, but you did make an issue of semantics: It is not THE Arkansas School District Board. It is a very small local school board. When you call it the Arkansas School District Board, you make it sound like a state-wide office. It is not. Otherwise, your rant is appreciated.
Brick Oven Bill
In an interview he expressed concern for his family during this controversy…unless they turned out to be gay. Then he hoped they would either ‘kill themselves’ or ‘give each other aids and die’ so that they could get their punishment from God.
Guys a total piece of shit.
Amy
OMG, I am in LOVE with ABL!
YellowDog
@SiubhanDuinne:
Well, clearly.
But one thing confuses me. This guy sounds like one of those homeskoolers–keep the kids away from black, gay, librul, communist nazis (i.e., the President) that are infecting rill America. Yet, he’s on the school board.
In Alabama, they say “Thank God for Mississippi.” Now we know what they say in Mississippi.
c u n d gulag
Next, Clint will run for the Senate, win, and years from now be found soliciting minor boys at airport and bus station bathrooms, where he’ll defend ‘hisself’ by saying he’s not gay, he’s ‘juss gotta wide stance…’
Anyone wanna bet?
aimai
ABL I was just telling my husband how much I enjoy your posts here in thread when what to my wondering eyes should appear but a real, front page, post. Fantastic! You’ve given voice to everything I wanted to say about the Arkansas situation. I’m so happy you are posting here.
aimai
asiangrrlMN
@MMM: I like the way you think.
@Roger Moore: You said this.
Sadly, I agree. And, they are the ones who are getting riled up or are riling up others to do stupid shit.
Keep bringing the disinfectant, ABL. Pieces of shit like this need to be exposed. Part of the reason they keep saying this shit (and possibly acting on it) is because they live in an echo-chamber. They don’t get challenged on their beliefs, so when they do (like purple day), they lose it completely. They need to lose it more so THEY ‘asplode and go away.
bemused
@Randy P:
Yup, the demographic times be a changin’. I have no doubt R’s know this and have known this for a long time (Paul Weyrich: “I don’t want everyone to vote”). The demographics are changing more rapidly too so they have to cut off every avenue they can to anyone who is not them.
SRW1
Whow, there’s chilli in that sauce. Love it.
asiangrrlMN
P.S. Nate Dogg is too cute. I can’t wait for his intro post.
brantl
@Brick Oven Bill:
Is this a fake? When did humanity sneak into BoB? Holy shit!
Nick
but Bill Halter would have totally won the Senate seat in this state.
JPL
I just googled the homophobic asshole’s name and linked to news stories. The first news site that pops up is CNN International, not CNN home page. Clint did make a statement to local media though.
link
How soon will it be before the homophobic asshole asks for an apology.
brendancalling
i… i…
i think i love you. welcome!
Carnacki
Scanners! Awesome movie.
Is Prince 5’4 in the heels?
Hillary Rettig
ABL (and your smoochie poochie) –
look what just got published:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1577316924/dawnwatch
that was a lovely picture that made me go over and smooch my own pups (ok, again! – a resmooch).
Hillary
Maody
Thanks for this. I might tell a story of my husband’s parents over on the other Godwinized thread…
This guy is a sociopath. Period. And there are a lot of them. And the home schoolers are a scary bunch. Does this guy have 19 kids by chance? Poor dears.
Nate Dogg and ABL photo is very nice. Tx.
RoonieRoo
Holy Cow! I’m in a love with an Angry Black Lady and I’m a married woman!
'Niques
Welcome, ABL . . . your rants are refreshing and absolutely on point!
Jay C
Fabulous rant, ABL: welcome to Balloon Juice! And your little dog, too….!
Sadly, the question of how a bigoted asshat like Clint McCance can get elected to office (even to a petty school-board office in Arkansas) is probably a self-answering one. Given the chance to respond honestly/anonymously, most of Mr. McCance’s electorate would probably opine that his views about gays are, to them, a feature, not a bug.
eemom
late to the par-tay, but I did want to get in on the ABL groupie waggon before it’s filled up. Splendiforous post!
At the rate yer going, good Lady, Mr. Misanthrope’s gonna return from his “don’t wanna have a drink with YOU, peasant” tour to a rousing chorus of “John Cole? Who the fuck’s he?”
daveNYC
Asked and answered.
martha
ABL, I’m adopting you as my new overlord. John, thank you! And Tom’s a great addition too, from one “technical writer” to a real one. DougJ has been on fire recently. And mistermix, ED, Dengre, Anne Laurie and Tim F…Wow…y’all are saving my sanity.
Emily L. Hauser/ellaesther
I HAVE NO TIME FOR THIS TODAY!! Why are you being teh awesome when I cannot possibly engage and tell you how much your are teh awesome? God damn it!
I’ll just say this, then: Yes. This. Co-sign.
Motherfucking co-sign on the whole damn thing, and not just because this bit And that very thought is causing my head to explode, implode, and replode. There’s all kinds of ‘plodiness going on right now is exactly and precisely the shit, but also because God in heaven, these are children. Living creatures who are children. What.The.Fuck.Is.Wrong.With.People.
(Yaaayyy that you’re here!)
Emily L. Hauser/ellaesther
@asiangrrlMN: Hi! Hello! Waving enthusiastically! Did you see I called you a lovely woman the other day? I did, for you are, and all your comments were so sweet and wonderful, and I wish I had time to tend to my blog these days, or visit those of others, but, right, I have to go now. But you’re a lovely, lovely woman!
/out
PurpleGirl
I was doing a little web surfing and over at Tennessee Guerilla Women I found this at their post about McCance:
Unabogie
Jumping to the end here, ABL, but stay angry. You’re my new hero.
Just as cranky as Cole but with exploding heads.
Sorry Cole, you’re going to have to up your game.
ed drone
@Joseph Nobles:
Oh, no, Mr. Brooks, you’ve succeeded far beyond your wildest dreams.
Ed
ed drone
@Scott:
We provide a room in our house for an “out” lesbian from the Caribbean whose Catholic parents disowned her. This kind of action is especially distressing, but all-too-common. And you’re right — I suspect his kids should tremble, and start making plans.
Ed
ed drone
@The Grand Panjandrum:
Fixed
Ed
beergoggles
love the rant and thank you for your 365 day support.
toujoursdan
I have to agree that it’s in the culture, but it’s pretty disgusting when a network TV station is asking the question Will Gays Destroy America? like this Tyler, TX NBC affiliate did.
Bella Q
Welcome ABL, and thanks for this. I will bet both of my 36Long boobs that this slimeball is “pro-life,” except that he’s pro capital punishment, cause some lives are worth less once they exit the cervix. Like if they are teh ghey or criminals.
J. A. Baker
Apostrophes are soooooo gay.
sparky
sorry to throw a little cold water on the party, but the last time i checked, it seemed that free speech meant free speech for all, not just those who agree with us.
to those of you demanding removal: do you really want to live in a world where you can be removed from political office because you wrote something other people thought politically noxious?
ps: in case anyone reads this and thinks that i am advocating some kind of “keep quiet”–i’m not. nothing wrong with ridicule or invective tossed that way. but punishing someone for what they say or think is a dangerous place to go.
pps: incidentally, this raises another question about Facebook. is it private, or isn’t it? this episode seems to suggest that people think anything there is fair game for everyone. is that the new rule?
Jon
Beat. DOWN.
$illy.
I think I love ABL. If I were to make a run to the old country I would come back with all the Grapico and hand it over without question. (Grapico pwns, don’t think it doesn’t. One of two small compensations for growing up in the 205.)
Mnemosyne
@sparky:
Yes, which is why it’s great that people are responding to him with their own free speech. “Free speech” does not mean automatic freedom from the consequences of that speech. Everyone around you has free speech, too, and can use their free speech right to tell you you’re an asshole.
Uh, yeah, because people in political office are supposed to be our representatives. If it turns out the person in that office doesn’t represent me and has views that are antithetical to mine, you bet your sweet bippy I want that person out of office. Are we also not allowed to bring this stuff up during that person’s political campaign to try and get another person elected because, hey, free speech?
You can make a good argument that someone in the private sector shouldn’t be removed no matter what assholish thing they say, but it seems awfully weird for you to claim that politicians — people who have jobs at the whim of their voters — shouldn’t be subject to the whims of those voters. What’s next, declaring that they should all hold office for life just to prevent those nasty voters from influencing them the wrong way?
Kerr Lockhart
Like I tell my panicked little high school freshmen, who are only just developing a sexual identity and therefore usual hysterical about gays or being thought of as gay: If you’re spending a lot of time thinking about what other guys are doing with their junk — YOU’RE GAY!
Love them Krischin values, like hoping other people commit suicide or get fatal diseases. And people wonder why religious observation is dying?
Ash Can
@sparky: Sparky, this guy is a school board member who’s telling kids on his watch that they should kill themselves. No, he is not fit to be in the position he is in, and yes, he should be removed from that position. Seriously, what part of that isn’t clear?
Peter
@sparky: The first amendment prohibits the government from silencing you, it doesn’t protect you from the obvious consequences of your action.
Angry Black Lady
@sparky: If the school board removes him for his speech, it might violate the First Amendment. If his dumb ass gets voted out, or the constituents call a special election and vote his dumb ass out, it’s just desserts.
Y’all are going to give me a big head. Hush now. :)
Citizen Alan
I would like to clarify one detail because it’s somewhat unclear in the coverage of this issue — Clint McAsshat is not a member of the Arkansas State Board of Education (which consists entirely of gubernatorial appointees). Rather, he is a member of the local school board for the Midland School District, which appears to be a community of about 500 people living right on the edge of the Oklahoma state line. Not that that excuses McAsshat in any way, but I didn’t want to see misinformed people make this about “the crazy people in Arkansas” as opposed to “the crazy people in this one little town in Arkansas” or even “this one crazy dude in Arkansas” that everyone else in town is embarrassed about. The Superintendent for Midland has already issued a strong statement disavowing McAsshat, as has the Arkansas Dept. of Ed.
As for how he got the job, I imagine it was because he bothered to run. Given the size of the Midland SD, I would be surprised if there was a large pool of qualified candidates running for the local school board. In fact, I would be surprised if local school board members even get a salary. Unfortunately, positions like that (no money and little power, but providing an exaggerated sense of self-esteem) are often tailor-made for cranks.
Ash Can
@Angry Black Lady: How can this:
possibly be protected speech for a school board member?
Angry Black Lady
@Ash Can: i said “might” because there could be issues as to whether his comments incite violence and therefore are not protected speech; and what he said might be in violation of some code of ethics or something requiring these elected officials to not be douche bags, even on their “off time” but i’m not sure and i try not to talk too much out of my ass. ::winks!::
pragmatism
a t-bone steak, cheese, eggs and welch’s grape.
i miss biggie.
Angry Black Lady
@Citizen Alan: thanks for the clarification! and now i’m off to work!
Ash Can
@Angry Black Lady: LOL! I see. This just struck me as much more an issue of malpractice than free speech.
Citizen Alan
I am curious as to how all this is going to play out. McAsshat is running unopposed and the election is next week, so he’s going to get another term. I think it unlikely that there is even a mechanism for removing validly elected school board members for anything other than a felony conviction of some type. On the other hand, I can’t see how he could possibly maintain a working relationship with the superintendent who just issued a public statement that rather forcefully repudiated McAsshat’s comments, and I think it is quite likely that the rest of the school board will pass a resolution condemning the remarks as well (certainly it would be the politically adroit thing to do, but the other board members may be just as crazy as McAsshat).
Depending on what McAsshat’s paying gig is, he might consider it wise to resign his position “for the good of the school district” or somesuch and then try to slink away. Arkansas is an employment at will state, after all. Of course, if he’s just another retired Teabagger, he may in fact try to ride this out and even use it as a springboard for a higher position. Lord knows we’ve seen plenty of other Teabagger halfwits do the same.
FFrank
Welcome to Balloon-Juice, good writing keep on kicking butt.
gil mann
Well, maybe except for a 5’4 man in a frilly shirt and heels who didn’t fuck his way through half of the Victoria’s Secret roster, but point taken.
“Nate Dogg.” I’m sure I’ll find that adorable in a few weeks when I finally get “Regulate” out of my head.
p.s. If you take over publically-disagreeing-with-E.D. duty from Doug, I will name my first-born after you.
p.p.s. “Angry Black Baby” has a nice ring to it, actually. Never mind, no quid pro quo necessary.
TooManyJens
@gil mann: I would totally read the “Angry Black Baby” blog.
Bill Murray
@gil mann:
I think overcompensation was covered already
Comrade Luke
wtf is up with this gawker thing? I’ve been googling all over and can’t find it. apparently I’m not reading the correct professional left blogs…
asiangrrlMN
@Emily L. Hauser/ellaesther: No! I did not. That’s very lovely of you. We may not have to duel at dawn after all!