Bill O'Reilly gives a tacit endorsement of gay marriage, opponents "Bible-thumpers"

Bill O'Reilly said Tuesday that the opponents of same-sex marriage have been unable to do anything but "thump the Bible" in their arguments.

Speaking to Megyn Kelly about the Supreme Court's hearing on Proposition 8, O'Reilly--who has previously compared gay marriage to bestiality--appeared to have "evolved" on the subject. He said he didn't "feel that strongly" about gay marriage "one way or another" and thought the decision should be left to individual states. "I want all Americans to be happy," he said, adding, "I live in New York. New York is fine with it."

Kelly said pro-marriage equality forces had made very compelling arguments that opponents had been hard-pressed to tackle.

"I agree with you 100 percent. The compelling argument is on the side of homosexuals," O'Reilly said. "That is where the compelling argument is. We're Americans, we just want to be treated like everybody else. That's a compelling argument, and to deny that you've got to have a very strong argument on the other side. And the other side hasn't been able to do anything but thump the Bible." This, he added, was not a basis on which to enact public policy.

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zgoldsmith23 said:

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Fisher said:

The left likes to hold O'Reilly up as the poster boy for all things evil. He is a cynical libertarian and has always been one. To authoritarians cast him as "just like all the others" they hate because he actually believes in choices.

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Fisher said:

The left likes to hold O'Reilly up as the poster boy for all things evil. He is a cynical libertarian and has always been one. To authoritarians cast him as "just like all the others" they hate because he actually believes in choices.

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zgoldsmith23 said:

I wouldn't call him a Libertarian. He supported the Iraq War along with the invasion of Afghanistan. He's more authoritarian than a libertarian.

He is against partial birth abortions and is supports some gun control. So, no, he doesn't actually believe in choices. He believes in the choices he wants people to have.

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Einzige said:

Apparently, the idea is that we're now to call any Republican with socially centrist views a "libertarian", because (didn't we get the memo?) this 'Fusionist' thing isn't working.

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zgoldsmith23 said:

I think "libertarian" is now used for someone who is more economically Conservative but isn't a theocrat.

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zgoldsmith23 said:

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Einzige said:

That's a pretty sorry state of affairs, especially since it leaves the title 'libertarian' open to abuse from Republicans fleeing the sinking ship of movement conservatism.

Hey, remember Gerald Ford? He was socially moderate, right? What a great libertarian he was! Even, err, when he gave explicit support to the Suharto regime in Indonesia when it oppressed its own...

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pbrauer said:

I'm in that camp as well, in fact polls show we are not alone.

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zgoldsmith23 said:

I have no idea to what you are referring.

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pbrauer said:

I DIDN't ACCEPT GAY MARRIAGE; NOW I DO. <--- That one

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pbrauer said:

I DIDN't ACCEPT GAY MARRIAGE; NOW I DO. <--- That one

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Einzige said:

I might think of Bill as being an authoritarian thug....
He was the number-one poster boy for the War on Terra in its early days.

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Mach said:

Bill is primarily a successful, wealthy, relatively powerful in his industry, entertainer.
He has no authority over you, he is not using force to make people watch his #1 rated show.

Bill an authoritarian thug? Let me guess, you believe the government is a successful entertainer that only voluntarily requires peoples approval....

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On July 13, Bill O'Reilly offered a challenge to debate anyone on the Patriot Act. His website (http://www.billoreilly.com/pg/jsp/general/genericpage.jsp?pageID=319) has a transcript of this challenge.

Hollywood producer Aaron Russo (Trading Places, The Rose) accepted the O'Reilly challenge on behalf of his friend, Libertarian presidential candidate Michael Badnarik. At this point, O'Reilly flipped 180 degrees and declined to debate Badnarik.

Below is a copy of correspondence between Russo and the O'Reilly people:
[e-mail from Russo]

any word from o'reilly regarding the acceptance of his challenge by michael badnarik, a presidential candidate on the ballot in 50 states... aaron russo
[response]

I checked again with Bill's office, having forwarded your email last week. According to producers, the "challenge" has apparently been misunderstood in terms of what Bill actually said on the air. There is no interest in having Mr. Badnarik on the show at this time.
Thank you!!

[response from Russo]
I am very sorry to hear this news.

It is unfortunate that O'Reilly would issue a challenge about debating the worthiness of the "Patriot Act" and then for obvious reasons back out... I saw the show, and cannot perceive what the producers claim was "misunderstood"...

If he wishes to change his position on endorsing the Patriot Act, that would be acceptable and in the best interests of the American people.... Anything short of that or debating Mr. Badnarik live on air w/o any editing will seriously challenge O'Reilly's credibility (Mr. O'Reilly is rumored to have edited shows in the past, to appear as if he won the debate)...

We do have a large presence on the web and the Libertarian Party will get it's "troops" working to make certain the world knows of O'Reilly's censorship and prejudice... and deviousness.

We will no longer tolerate being treated as 2nd class citizens by the media... We will no longer tolerate being segregated against by the likes of O'Reilly who screams "fair and balanced" and "no spin zone" but in actuality is a segregationist who wants to keep the Libertarian Presidential candidate at the back of the political bus to protect Mr. Bush.
The days of the Libertarian Party being meek are over, we are moving to the front of the bus and demanding our right (as the largest 3rd party in America) to be heard.

Only in this way will the American people have an opportunity to vote for a man and a political party who truly believe in the Constitution and Bill of Rights.... Mr. Badnarik does not pretend to believe in our Constitution for cosmetic reasons like O'Reilly, George Bush and John Kerry. ...

GIVE THE PEOPLE A CHOICE IN THIS ELECTION.
"ALL OUR FREEDOMS ALL THE TIME"
AARON RUSSO

Badnarik Communications Director Stephen Gordon has verified that Michael Badnarik is not "too frightened" and is still prepared to accept O'Reilly's challenge.
Additional contact information:
Aaron Russo
Phone: (323)936-5177
E-mail: aaronrusso@msn.com

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zgoldsmith23 said:

Well why did you, at one time, not want homosexuals to get married?

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Einzige said:

Bill O'Reilly: Gay Marriage Foes Can Only 'Thump The Bible' In Their Arguments (VIDEO)



I might think of Bill as being an authoritarian thug, but he's not a superstitious one (he just plays one on television). There is now a monetary cost for the wealthy to opposing same sex marriages: it ensures Democratic victories in elections and higher tax bills. They're done pretending to be evangelicals. It was a good thirty year run, but it's over.

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CanadaJohn said:

From my perspective, it's hard to say how this will play out politically. I wouldn't be so sure that this is a big win for Democrats. There's a large portion of the Democrat base, made up of blacks and hispanics of faith, who are opposed to gay marriage for religious reasons.

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A May 2012 Washington Post-ABC News poll found people of color are more likely to support gay marriage than whites with black support at record high.

Just last month the largest population-based survey of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual and Transgender people ever conducted in the U.S. found LGBT identity is highest among those who are younger, non-white and low income.

A Pew Hispanic Center study also released last month found more Latinos favor allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally (52%) than oppose same-sex marriage (34%). Among Latino Catholics that favor allowing gays and lesbians that number is even higher (54%).

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The poll also finds that 59 percent of African Americans say they support same-sex marriage, up from an average of 41 percent in polls leading up to Obama’s announcement of his new position on the matter. Though statistically significant, it is a tentative result because of the relatively small sample of black voters in the poll.

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Jack Fabulous said:

He made the "You didn't support it, now you do" comment in reference to both Clinton's and Obama's "change of heart" on the issue coinciding with the change in public opinion. Bottom line was that non-support was based on getting votes and now that public opinion allows for it, supporting SSM is just as much based on getting votes.(i.e. they never gave a damn about anything but votes and they still don't)

When looked at in the context in which it was said, it's kind of hard to argue... but then again neither Clinton nor Obama are ever going to be running for office again.

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Einzige said:

Ah, this canard again.

Polls: Blacks and Latinos a Big Part of Upcoming Gay Marriage Revolution - COLORLINES



After President Obama’s announcement, opposition to gay marriage hits record low - The Washington Post

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Einzige said:

Ah, this canard again.

Polls: Blacks and Latinos a Big Part of Upcoming Gay Marriage Revolution - COLORLINES



After President Obama’s announcement, opposition to gay marriage hits record low - The Washington Post

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