With crazy homophobes earmarked for the endangered species list, I am almost going to miss their special brand of insanity, as it does provide us an endless source of over-the-top entertainment.
Almost. But go, they must.
But for now, we can at least enjoy the hilarious sequel to the smash hit of Fundie cluelessness "Prop 8 Backers: Releasing Trial Tapes Will Make Us Look Bad," this time delivered with everyone's favorite flavor of anti-gay cray-cray: Bachmann!
On October 16, Politico reported Michele Bachmann's Presidential campaign spent $2M more than her suddenly dwindling fundraising in the third quarter. Poor Shelley.
Apparently, that has motivated Bachmann's campaign manager/svengali/marital hostage Marcus to turn to the unlikeliest source of plus funding: the radical homosexual activists at Truth Wins Out.
Yes, that's right Marcus has made it his personal mission to shake down his arch enemies at TWO for a measly $150.
You may remember the folks at Truth Wins Out were instrumental in catapulting the truth about Bachmann's "Pray The Gay" clinic into the national conversation. TWO's John Becker went undercover with hidden cameras and exposed that, contrary Bachmann's denials, the clinic was still, in July 2011, promising to re-orient confused and vulnerable LGBT people through the power of prayer. Such practices were condemned by the American Psychological Association in 2009 by an overwhelming 125-to-4 vote. The eventual exposé was huge, broken by ABC News and dominated news and talk shows for a week.
Having collected sufficient evidence, Special Agent Becker dutifully informed the clinic with ample notice he would not be availing himself of his two scheduled appointments in July.
Bachmann protests:
“I cancelled my remaining appointments in compliance with Bachmann & Associates’ stated procedure,” said John Becker, TWO’s Director of Communications and Development, “yet Marcus Bachmann himself called me and threatened to send the fraudulent $150 ‘bill’ to a collection agency by Friday. I find it odd that Bachmann handled this matter personally rather than through his billing department.
A recording of the voicemail Bachmann left can be heard
here.
Voicemail from Marcus Bachmann by user6446359
WFFF-TV in Vermont filmed a conversation with Becker where Bachmann tells him:
“You’ll be charged, and you owe us, so we’re going to send you to a collection agency, whatever it takes to get the truth out of you.”
“You come under deception, you come under a total lie. and you didn’t ask for this, John? Boy, that really is taking responsibility.”
Truth Wins Out Executive Director Wayne Besen says, “Marcus Bachmann’s billing practices appear to be as unethical as the ‘ex-gay’ therapy offered at his clinic,” said . “We will not be intimidated or bullied and do not intend to pay Bachmann’s phony bill.” TWO's attorney sent the clinic a cease and desist letter demanding Bachmann stop harassing Becker.
Bachmann even confirmed his ill-advised collection attempt to the Wall Street Journal:
In an interview, Mr. Bachmann confirmed [Becker's] account and did not relent. Mr. Becker signed a contract that stated he would pay for no-shows, and after his “sting,” he neglected to show up for two more sessions he was contractually obliged to pay for, Mr. Bachmann said.
Well, you'll never get your dignity back, or cease to be rich source of fodder for late-night comedians. But gosh darn it, maybe you can squeeze $150 out of the gays!
Remember when the hapless Bachmann campaign couldn't run away fast enough from the "Pray The Gay Away" story? ("Bachmann continues stonewalling journalists over ‘ex-gay’ accusations.") Is $150 really worth prompting the media to revisit the whole sordid mess?
“It’s not the amount of money. For us, it’s the principle,” [Bachmann] said.
Moreover, Bachmann wanted to make it clear to the
WSJ readers just who was the
real victim in this story:
[Bachmann] also demanded that Truth Win Out issue an apology “for lying in a manner that was taking the trust of a counselor and crossing the line ethically.”
Seems a snake oil salesman that peddles long-since
discredited, harmful, possibly dangerous techniques under the guise "therapy" doesn't have much leeway to lecture anyone on ethics.