Althouse: "When a homophobic preacher began spewing his hateful rantings on an M train this week...

January 17, 2015

"When a homophobic preacher began spewing his hateful rantings on an M train this week...

"... one subway rider blessed with the voice of an angel decided to take matters into his own hands and shut him up...."

57 comments:

Beloved Commenter AReasonableMan said...: Why doesn't Althouse apply the same standards to the race baiter Drudge that she applies to homophobes?

How is taunting black people different to taunting gay people?; 1/17/15, 9:22 AM
Chuck said...: What is the importance of this story?

I suspect it is to serve as some sort of modest little social statement that on the issue of the day -- same sex marriage -- the side favoring expanded rights for same-sex couples is right, and the forces opposing such rights are ignorant and bigoted. And even crazy. Perhaps criminally crazy.

And more than anything, that the progressivist view favoring homosexual rights is one of calm, clever superiority.

Because where the M train runs, there's not much doubt that homosexuals are free to do as they please, and marry the partner of their choosing.

I'd think about singing a Willy Wonka song at the next Ferguson rally, but I don't know any of the words.; 1/17/15, 9:26 AM
Michael K said...: Taunting ? Is that when they are setting fires ?; 1/17/15, 9:27 AM
Wince said...: A white male using his privilege to sing show tunes.

Why didn't the video show the preacher?

Listening to his voice, was that a "homophobic while black" incident?; 1/17/15, 9:29 AM
Unknown said...: It will be a great day when the word "homophobic" runs its course and is relegated to the dustbin of terms invented for political convenience during a particular era. This word in particular clutters up the English language in a rather disheartening way. I always feel just a little bit sad when I hear or read it. It is just too obvious a misuse of its component parts.; 1/17/15, 9:31 AM
bleh said...: This is just "shouting down" and therefore doesn't impress me much, and in fact runs contrary to the values of free speech. I'd rather someone on the subway take the guy down in a debate. A respectful debate, of course, with no shouting or interrupting.; 1/17/15, 9:31 AM
chickelit said...: The preacher sounds like he was spewing Haitian.; 1/17/15, 9:31 AM
Anonymous said...: Chuck: I suspect it is to serve as some sort of modest little social statement that on the issue of the day...

Remember After School Specials? Like that.; 1/17/15, 9:32 AM
Anonymous said...: You can go straight to Upworthy, or you can go to NY Mag which has to compete often for the same eyeballs with Upworthy...

This ain't news until the vigilante Rainbow Team 6 shows up on the subway to enforce tolerance.; 1/17/15, 9:39 AM
bleh said...: Also, as a subway rider, I would have been more annoyed by the singer. Especially when he started jumping and clicking his heels.

He was louder and more obnoxious. And he got in the guy's face, so I would have worried about a physical conflict possibly spilling over onto others including me.

Basically, he's an asshole.; 1/17/15, 9:40 AM
jacksonjay said...: It's Over!

It's not news!; 1/17/15, 9:43 AM
Chuck said...: Somebody above asked why the video didn't show the (black Caribbean) "preacher" on the train.

I can't be sure, but I think that the whole thing was cropped and/or reformatted to diminish the "preacher," and my presumption is that the intent in such manipulation of the image was to diminish any racial aspect. It probably gets too complicated when one favored liberal constituency (gays) runs into another favored liberal constituency (blacks).; 1/17/15, 9:48 AM
chickelit said...: The whole scene reminded me of the Rev. Jed Smock confrontations on the UW Madison campus in the '70's and '80's.; 1/17/15, 9:52 AM
jacksonjay said...: It probably gets too complicated when one favored liberal constituency (gays) runs into another favored liberal constituency (blacks).

Like when the "Hey Baby" video backfired because all the perpetrators were Men Of Color.; 1/17/15, 9:59 AM
Jason said...: Show tune singers in New York are a dime a frigging dozen. The girl serving you your scrambled eggs in the morning probably went to three auditions last week and probably was the best singer and actress in her high school by far.

But someone standing up in New York City and preaching the Gospel - with a message that will probably be unpopular?

I'd much rather listen to that guy.; 1/17/15, 10:06 AM
Michael K said...: The "homophobe" phobes have have good company.

Soon after the Islamophobia Observatory took shape, Sheik Sabah Ahmed al-Sabah, the emir of Kuwait, grumbled about “defamatory caricatures of our Master and Prophet Muhammad” and films that smear Islam, according to the OIC’s first Islamophobia report.

The OIC helped give birth to a culture of victimization. In speeches, blogs, articles and interviews widely broadcast in the Muslim press, its honor brigade has targeted pundits, political leaders and writers — from TV host Bill Maher to atheist author Richard Dawkins — for insulting Islam. Writer Glenn Greenwald has supported the campaign to brand writers and thinkers, such as neuroscientist and atheist Sam Harris, as having “anti-Muslim animus” just for criticizing Islam.

“These fellow travelers have made it increasingly unpleasant — and even dangerous — to discuss the link between Muslim violence and specific religious ideas, like jihad, martyrdom and blasphemy,”

You're in great company, ARM.; 1/17/15, 10:09 AM
buwaya said...: There are many Christian martyrs who achieved sainthood through inconvenient preaching.

Annoying it may be but it takes guts.; 1/17/15, 10:17 AM
n.n said...: It's either principled tolerance, or selective exclusion. Homophobia is a projected fear by not only homosexuals, but also the other three dozen gender-orientations, and their pro-abortion patrons.; 1/17/15, 10:23 AM
Michael K said...: Some subway singers are not as annoying as that lefty.; 1/17/15, 10:28 AM
William said...: As a subway rider, I say a pox on both their houses. I just want to get to my stop. I don't ride the subway for purposes of enlightenment or entertainment.; 1/17/15, 10:33 AM
Alex said...: These homophobic preachers don't deserve debate, they should be shouted down.; 1/17/15, 10:48 AM
Humperdink said...: From the article: "When a homophobic preacher began spewing his hateful rantings..."

Calling out sin is hateful? Hmmm.; 1/17/15, 10:57 AM
Kelly said...: Voice of an Angel may be overstating things.; 1/17/15, 11:07 AM
James Pawlak said...: The term "homophobia" should not be used as that word is based on the word for "fear", which emotion is not the usual reaction to (Male) homosexuals. I suggest the term "Homoaidia" based on the word for the usual and natural reaction to such creatures, disgust or revulsion.

The only time a "fear" based word should be used is when discussing male homosexuals as disease vectors (HIV/AIDS) or when considering those who sexually abuse boys.; 1/17/15, 11:13 AM
Anonymous said...: This is why I take the express bus. That "preacher?" You ignore the kooks and they move on to the next train car.

The singer probably isn't from NYC (who is anymore) or he would know to ignore the Haitian guy. The singer was more annoying and he can't sing.

I take the express bus because of these people, the Louis Farakhan type in a fedora and glasses saying he was going to burn us all to the ahole I am squished against has his blackberry by my ear and scrolls, scrolls, scrolls for 30minutes. These people are not on the bus and if there is an incident I don't have to crawl through rat infested darkness to safety. Worth the price.; 1/17/15, 11:48 AM
Unknown said...: Chicklit remarked it reminded her of Rev. Jed. I never knew who I pitied more.Rev. Jed and Sister Pat, or the students who wasted so much time mocking them !; 1/17/15, 11:59 AM
Alex said...: Humperdink said...
From the article: "When a homophobic preacher began spewing his hateful rantings..."

Calling out sin is hateful? Hmmm.

Ann - just letting you know the type you attract to this blog.; 1/17/15, 12:21 PM
Humperdink said...: Yep, Christians.

Is that illegal yet Alex? Going to sic the gendarmes on me?

Of course it will only be a matter of time when that happens.; 1/17/15, 12:29 PM
Chuck said...: Even our friends at the esteemed Associated Press have steered their reporters away from the overused, exploited, inaccurate, and politically-loaded term "homophobia."

http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2012/11/ap-nixes-homophobia-ethnic-cleansing-150315.html; 1/17/15, 12:29 PM
Alex said...: Humperdink said...
Yep, Christians.

Is that illegal yet Alex? Going to sic the gendarmes on me?

Of course it will only be a matter of time when that happens.

No, you'll just be ostracized from the mainstream of society which is where anyone with sanity wants to be. But if you're content with being on the fringes of society with the attendant poverty and shame, go ahead.; 1/17/15, 12:45 PM
sinz52 said...: Alex sez: "Ann - just letting you know the type you attract to this blog."

I've been frequently surprised at that myself.

Ann Althouse's views are not as far to the right as Ann Coulter's or Sarah Palin's or Joni Ernst's.

So why so many social conservatives are attracted to her blog remains a mystery to me.

Perhaps long before I showed up, Althouse had written a few particular columns that sounded like she was sympathizing with them.; 1/17/15, 12:47 PM
Anonymous said...: The subway is not a place for preaching or acrobatic singing. There is a time and a place for those activities. But the subway isn't it.

As for the NYMag take on it (preacher bad, singer good), it's unremarkable and uninteresting. Whoever wrote the line, "voice of an angel," to describe the singer, is obviously tone deaf.; 1/17/15, 1:00 PM
lemondog said...: Link below has video of the preacher.

Confrontations apparently not unusual.

Or maybe just street (subway) theatre.

Media Praise Lesbian Actress For Bashing ‘Creepy Christians, Conservatives’ in Shouting Match On Subway; 1/17/15, 1:38 PM
Humperdink said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 1/17/15, 1:44 PM
Freeman Hunt said...: Someone being weird and loud in public is bad enough. It isn't helped by another person being weird, loud, and confrontational.

I doubt the street preacher is stalking the halls of power when he's not giving one of his sermons.; 1/17/15, 1:44 PM
Humperdink said...: Alex said: "No, you'll just be ostracized from the mainstream of society which is where anyone with sanity wants to be. But if you're content with being on the fringes of society with the attendant poverty and shame, go ahead."

Not sure how old you are Alex, but my views were mainstream not that long ago.

Poverty and shame? I am watching what the progressive *cough* lifestyle is doing to society and it's pretty clear to me it is not the road I want to travel.

As an aside, I presume if this was your blog you would banish me - in the spirit of tolerance of course.; 1/17/15, 1:45 PM
buwaya said...: Is there a "mainstream of society" anymore?
If so, not only am I not in it, I don't even know where to find it.
Even the "respectable" charities, venues, and institutions seem to be full of kooks.; 1/17/15, 1:48 PM
campy said...: "Ann - just letting you know the type you attract to this blog."

Concern trolls? I think she knows.; 1/17/15, 1:48 PM
Chuck said...: Did Mr. Show Tunes drop an F-bomb for the listening pleasure of his NYTA audience? Sounded like it to me.; 1/17/15, 1:55 PM
Drago said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 1/17/15, 1:58 PM
richard mcenroe said...: They HAD to minimize the role of the black man stigmatizing gays.

Just like they had to minimize the, um, negative visuals when the gays tried to storm the black churches in Los Angeles for suuporting Prop 8. The results were, um, insalubrious, so the event had to unhappen. Because everyone must be happy pickers on the Prog plantation...; 1/17/15, 2:07 PM
PeterK said...: islamophobe, homophobe and other leftist terms of endearment should be banned. they do nothing but quickly stop discusssion mucha as calling one a Nazi or fascist several years ago did.

I despise the terms and those who use them are intellectually deficient IMHO; 1/17/15, 2:23 PM
Humperdink said...: The word the left has latched on to that I find amusing is hater.

Generally used by the Alex's mainstream friends with such bitterness and vitriol that it virtually drips.; 1/17/15, 2:28 PM
furious_a said...: ACT UP's SHAME whistles were so much more effective and screechy.; 1/17/15, 3:05 PM
Owen said...: sinz52: "...So why so many social conservatives are attracted to her blog remains a mystery to me."

Helping a lost sheep return to the fold.; 1/17/15, 3:09 PM
Rusty said...: Blogger AReasonableMan said...
Why doesn't Althouse apply the same standards to the race baiter Drudge that she applies to homophobes?

How is taunting black people different to taunting gay people?

Oh. Quit whining you little pansy.; 1/17/15, 3:11 PM
furious_a said...: But someone standing up in New York City and preaching the Gospel - with a message that will probably be unpopular?

Talk about "transgressive"...; 1/17/15, 3:12 PM
Jason said...: Alex: These homophobic preachers don't deserve debate, they should be shouted down.

Scratch a liberal, you'll find a well-intentioned jack-booted fascist thug. Every. Fucking. Time.; 1/17/15, 3:57 PM
Paco Wové said...: Jeez, it's like people have no memory at all.

Alex is a troll. He has always been a troll, for years and years and years. Sometimes he trolls left, sometimes he trolls right. But he has never, I mean never, posted a non-trolling comment. Nothing he has ever said has constituted a serious idea worthy of or needing a response.; 1/17/15, 3:58 PM
Humperdink said...: The memory is the first to go. Three score plus four here.; 1/17/15, 4:02 PM
n.n said...: He's wasting his ammunition. There is no evidence that homosexual orientation is a progressive condition. The debasement of human life can be traced to liberal (perhaps libertarian) rites, including planned parenthood, womb banks, sperm depositors, etc. The social problems are caused by selective or pro-choice exclusion that creates moral hazards. Homosexual pride parades probably don't help. Do they still have abortion pride parades?; 1/17/15, 4:24 PM
Anonymous said...: Obviously this is Ann Althouses Mohammed cartoon. She feels the need to post stories like this to giggle at the hated religious right. To see them mocked and teased is of great pleasure to her when it comes to the sin of homosexuality.

But post a cartoon of Mohammad? Never!; 1/17/15, 4:27 PM
Freeman Hunt said...: If I had to listen to someone ranting on public transit, the addition of loud show tunes would not make it better.

I once confronted a woman on the street who was ranting about Jews. All I got for my trouble was a louder and extremely agitated woman ranting about Jews.; 1/17/15, 4:32 PM
richard mcenroe said...: Jason, they're not well-intentioned at all and it's time to stop giving them the benefit of the doubt.; 1/17/15, 4:35 PM
rhhardin said...: Are there any philosophers of language on the subway to explain marriage and how it comes out man and woman unless you destroy the word?; 1/17/15, 5:34 PM
chickelit said...: Thanks for the supplementary video, lemondog. The whole thing looks and sounds even more like the Jed Smock vs. campus loudmouths circa 1980.; 1/17/15, 5:49 PM
ALP said...: If I was on that subway, I'd have to restrain myself from asking, very rudely, who the fuck Mr. Broadway Tunes thinks he is and why is he volunteering to protect me from what he thinks I need protecting from? When I young, I was taught that ignoring people such as this preacher was the best way to handle them...NOT to draw even more attention to their antics. Earbuds make this easy to do.; 1/17/15, 6:45 PM