ABC World News Investigates Bachmann Clinic: 'Where You Can Pray Away The Gay?'
NewsBusters has been reporting for weeks that the Obama-loving media are going to do anything possible to smear all Republican contenders for the White House in the coming months.
On Monday, ABC's "World News" actually began with a segment that included undercover videos of Congresswoman Michele Bachmann's husband's clinic where homosexual patients are allegedly counseled to pray to become heterosexual (video follows with transcript and commentary):
DIANE SAWYER, HOST: Good evening. We begin tonight with an ABC News investigation. Tea Party powerhouse Michele Bachmann has rocketed to the top of the Republican pack. Tonight, a closer look at the business she and her husband own back home in Minnesota. An outside group filmed undercover video inside the Bachmann’s Christian counseling center. Bachmann’s husband has said he does not try to turn gay people straight. ABC's chief investigative correspondent Brian Ross is here with those tapes and to tell us what they show tonight. Brian.
BRIAN ROSS: Well, Diane, they are quite a couple, and we're learning a lot more about their views and how they've made their money.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROSS (OFF CAMERA): Michele Bachmann tells supporters her husband, Marcus, has been the key to her 33 years of happy marriage.
CONGRESSWOMAN MICHELE BACHMANN (R-MINNESOTA): I just wanted to say I have a very big advantage, because Marcus has his Ph.D. in counseling and he's a marriage counselor.
BRIAN ROSS (OFF CAMERA): But Dr. Bachmann’s brand of counseling is highly controversial and could become a campaign issue.
BACHMANN: Here's my husband, Dr. Marcus Bachmann.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROSS (OFF CAMERA): Operating out of suburban Minneapolis, Dr. Bachmann runs a Christian counseling firm, co-owned with his wife, that at times, according to former patients, has tried to convert gay men into heterosexuals through prayer.
ANDREW RAMIREZ, FORMER PATIENT: His path for my therapy would be to read the Bible, and pray to God that I would no longer be gay.
ROSS (OFF CAMERA): Andrew Ramirez of Minneapolis was seventeen when his family sent him to Bachmann and Associates where he says a counselor working for Bachmann tried unsuccessfully to "save" him from his sin.
RAMIREZ: God would forgive me if I was straight.
ROSS (OFF-CAMERA): Dr. Bachmann, who has described homosexuals as barbarians, denied as a false statement five years ago reports his clinic tries to convert gay men to straight. But undercover video shot just last month inside the clinic by a gay advocacy group seems to show some form of the practice is indeed offered.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED THERAPIST: But the truth is God, God has designed, he designed our eyes to be attracted to the woman's body, to be attracted to, you know everything, you know. To be attracted to her breasts.
ROSS (OFF CAMERA): A member of the group told the clinic of feelings towards men and depression and asked if he could be rid of his homosexual urges through therapy and prayer.
UNKNOWN THERAPIST: I think it's possible to be totally free of them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN BECKER, TRUTH WINS OUT: It’s unambiguous. The goal was to change me from homosexual to heterosexual.
ROSS (OFF CAMERA): Asked about our report today at a campaign appearance in Iowa, Michele Bachmann would only today she was proud of the clinic.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BACHMANN: I’m here today to talk about jobs and the economy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROSS: In a statement, the campaign said the Bachmann’s clinic provides a variety of services, but because of confidentiality cannot comment on any specific treatment. The American Psychological Association has told members the idea of converting gays through therapy to being straight is both ineffective and potentially harmful, Diane.
SAWYER: A Brian Ross investigation. Thanks, Brian.
Trying to further press the point, this was the headline and picture at ABCNews.com:
To be sure, anti-theist press members would predictably find any therapy involving prayer to be offensive, but airing undercover videotapes created by an advocacy group does seem odd given the mainstream media's antipathy to what James O'Keefe and Hannah Giles uncovered at ACORN roughly two years ago.
I guess the use of such footage is just fine when it's disparaging a prominent conservative.
It's also peculiar to lead with this story rather than the President's morning press conference about the debt ceiling. Says a lot about ABC News's priorities at this point.
One also recalls how long it took most mainstream media outlets to pay any attention to presidential candidate Barack Obama's America-hating spiritual adviser Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
Consider, too, how little attention the junior senator from Illinois' connections to convicted real estate developer Tony Rezko got, or his ties to domestic terrorists Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn.
By contrast, just weeks after Bachmann tossed her name into the presidential ring, ABC's airing undercover footage of her husband's clinic taken by an LGBT advocacy group. I'm sure the producers see it as all being for a good cause, especially as Truth Wins Out is using the free publicity to raise money.
As we've been saying, you better fasten your seatbelts.
What the media are going to do in the next sixteen months to get Obama re-elected will defy the imagination.
*****Update: Upon reflection concerning this segment, something has struck me as even more absurd about how "World News" reported these videos.
A man walks into a Christian clinic saying he has "feelings towards men and depression and asked if he could be rid of his homosexual urges through therapy and prayer." And he's outraged when a therapist at this Christian clinic tells him to pray?
That's like walking into a McDonald's complaining of hunger and being disgusted when the kid behind the counter suggests a Big Mac.
Exactly why is this news?
As for the first patient Ramirez, why didn't Ross ask him the reason his parents sent him to the Bachmann clinic when he was seventeen? Was it because he was gay and they were Christians thinking a Christian clinic would help their son with what they thought was a spiritual problem?
When you think about it, this whole report was something you'd expect on "Comedy Central" NOT ABC's "World News."
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Comments
Hello..ACORN?..PP?..
Submitted by ant on Mon, 07/11/2011 - 11:51pm.
So, if someone asks you for help with what they consider a burdensome emotional, psychological state, you are supposed to do what exactly? Hand them a fisting kit and tell 'em to get used to it? I thought libs were supposed to be compassionate. Imagine if the guy pretended to be a gay that was importing under-age, foreign, sex-workers in need of abortions and the clinic agreed to aid and assist. Now that would be a scandal...uh..no?
Now the drumbeats start
Submitted by ebayer on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 12:01am.
ABC is playing to the choir so that none of the faithful leftists get persuaded away from Obummer.
There is NOTHING Michele or her husband could do, to keep me from voting for her.
Bachmann 2012!
It's no secret Christians oppose homosexuality
Submitted by shawn. on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 12:01am.
Nobody forced anyone to seek counceling there. They just tried to teach him through basic Christian principles. Nothing wrong with that.
Christians stating their beliefs
Submitted by dennyf51 on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 1:25pm.
What were they thinking. So if someone goes to a christian counseling service, the counselors are not supposed to express their own beliefs. But, everyone has to accept gay marriage, because that's a democrat/progressive idea that's good for america?
How about the new law just passed in California whereas they must now include in history lessons the struggles and triumphs of gay, lesbian and transgendered citizens from the past so we can all become indoctrinated to what a brilliant, historically significant and wonderful lifestyle that is.
You need to respect my rights and beliefs, if i'm progressive. Otherwise, keep your God and faith out of my face, oh and your cigarettes and circumcision too. Want to share a joint, that's okay now(not that there's anything wrong with that), but don't put french fries in your kids happy meal or I'll have you arrested. Anyone see any hypocrisy here?
Makes Me Wonder
Submitted by HardRightTurn on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 12:17am.
How many abortions has Ms. Sawyer had because she knows she can't raise anything but little LGBTs? What a disgrace that would be for her to have gay sons and lesbian daughters.
______________________________________________________________________________
To more fully comprehend the Left, one must read “Leftism As Psychopathy” by John Ray, M.A., Ph.D. Caution, it might scare you a little bit.
http://jonjayray.tripod.com/psycho.html
Who cares....gays don't vote Republican anyway.....
Submitted by nonncom on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 12:22am.
LOL......you can't lose what you never had....
This is strange
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 12:24am.
Ms. Sawyer never asked Obama if he's still on the down-low.
i like the bachmans even more now
Submitted by scarletandgold on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 1:29am.
at least they walk the walk...jesus said you will be persicuted in my name...God bless michelle and marcus bachman.....mz. sawyer,,you need jesus lady..god said he would turn them over to thier reprobate minds...mzzzzz,sawyer,,your an old woman now...find christ before its too late...eternity in hell is alot worse than getting old and haggard looking here ...dont you think?
The truth Is...
Submitted by GeneralAl on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 8:37am.
"mzzzzz,sawyer,,your an old woman now...find christ before its too late.." The truth is Mz. Sawyer professes to be a born again Christian. Unfortunately, she has compromised her beliefs for the sake of fame and fortune. She sets back and allows these reports to play while she squints and puts on the false humility as she asks, "Will further reports be coming Brian? I certainly hope so! This kind of behavior cannot continue!" I've heard it a thousand times before. Meanwhile, shes constantly cleaning the brown from her nose after kissing up to the Obamskis!
"Old Soldiers never die, they just fade away"!
There goes her lead
Submitted by MidAmerica on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 2:05am.
Well this is really going to hurt Michelle in Iowa. Wait till those Iowans find out the Bachmanns are practicing Christians.
To put this story in such a prominent lead it really shows the bubble that the elite media lives in. The majority in this country are not against Christians and in fact the majority is Christian. The majority in this country do not consider Gays as normal just different. What the majority is thinking is that they are just tired of hearing about Gays.
Great observation. I just
Submitted by Jack Bauer on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 7:21am.
Great observation. I just borrowed it!
All of the above Mr Obama? --- How about ALL OF THE BELOW, instead.
If the U. S. was not basically a Christian nation....
Submitted by Red Jeep on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 7:28am.
..."Gays" wouldn't have the freedoms and lifestyles they have here.
Try being "Gay" in a Muslim country. You will be executed if discovered.
In other words...
Submitted by Chris Norman on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 2:37am.
BRIAN ROSS (OFF CAMERA): But Dr. Bachmann’s brand of counseling is highly controversial and could become a campaign issue.
"...and we in the mainstream media will make sure that it does."
You nailed that, Chris!
Submitted by motherbelt on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 6:48am.
And in the future we'll be hearing "But the questions aren't going away." (another promise)
Ha, yeah. ABC will asking the
Submitted by Jack Bauer on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 7:18am.
Ha, yeah. ABC will asking the questions normal people couldn't give a shit about in the scheme of things.
Forget the cliff Obama, Thelma and Louise are driving the US economy over --- what about these prayers conducted by your husband, Mrs Bachmann.
All of the above Mr Obama? --- How about ALL OF THE BELOW, instead.
The Alphabet Poop TV networks
Submitted by Jack Bauer on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 6:23am.
I am absolutely confident that ABC/CBS/NBC/MSNBC/CNN are already trying to dig up dirt via the 23 foster children the Bachmanns helped raise.
They really will stop at nothing. But we know that, thanks in part to Newsbusters.
The Alphabet Poop networks are shameless brazen and vicious. A real 5th Column against civility it seems.
All of the above Mr Obama? --- How about ALL OF THE BELOW, instead.
Wow, Jack, I didn't think of
Submitted by motherbelt on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 6:52am.
Wow, Jack, I didn't think of that, but I'm sure you're right!
They probably figure 23 foster kids is a gold mine of potentially damaging information!
It's coming mb. Sorry to say.
Submitted by Jack Bauer on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 7:09am.
It's coming mb. Sorry to say.
All of the above Mr Obama? --- How about ALL OF THE BELOW, instead.
agree motherbelt*
Submitted by cajun2 on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 10:31am.
I posted on the issue of the media going after the foster children a few weeks ago. I have sent emails to the National Foster Parent Association, all the MSM.
Foster children are children burdened with a traumatic and damaging child hood. Even if these children are now adults, they do not need the burden of being chased, harassed, stalked by the far left media out on a witchhunt. That means they do not care about the children, making them revisit a terrible time in their lives. The media believes the end justifies the means and could care less if anyone suffers in the process.
If interested, please contact the Foster Parent Assoc. and ask them to intervene on behalf of those 23 children. Protecting these kids should be a great deal more importance than their life at the Bachmann's for 6 months.
Unfortunately,
Submitted by theprofessor on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 6:36pm.
when the media wants a story, there will always be the occasional attention-seeking kid that one of the foster kids went to school with, or the nosy neighbor (think Susan Feinberg) or some therapy patient that holds a grudge and VOILA!, the media has their story. They will hunt down school stories, yearbooks, newspaper articles etc until they have the names of those kids. This will NOT end well.
STOP THE PRESS... In a
Submitted by Jack Bauer on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 7:24am.
STOP THE PRESS...
In a major scoop, ABC can reveal that the Bachmanns are practising Christians. Wow, that's sure going to hurt Ms. Bachmann in Iowa. There goes the Practicing Witchcraft, Wiccan, Devil Worshippers and crazy leftists vote.
Of course, seeing that 80% of Americans also claim to be Christians, I guess Michele will have to rely on that odd fringe for votes.
Mind you, the non-story does appeal to the Mainstream Newsrooms where homosexuals (2%, max, of the population) outnumber Christians (80% of the population)-- gee, you'd think in 2011 American newsrooms might LOOK just a little like America.
Given this non-story is ginned up by radical homosexuals (0.05% of the population) as I mentioned in the previous post, I am absolutely confident that ABC/CBS/NBC/MSNBC/CNN are already trying to dig up dirt via the 23 foster children the Bachmanns helped raise.
It's coming big time if Bachmann leads in big primary states.. We are going to see depths plumbed that will shock even NB readers. As Rush says, believe me,
(Tell me, XXXX, did you ever feel same-sex urges when you were fostered,, and did the Bachmann's "pray" with you violating the constitutional separation between church and foster kids that we know the founding fathers where thinking about even if it's not in the constitution?)
The Alphabet Poop networks really will stop at nothing to shill for Obama. They are shameless brazen and vicious. A real 5th Column against civility it seems.
This is how it will go down -- and I almost hate to mention it except I know it's going to happen:
A vile leftist site probably the Daily Kos will make the most hideous accusations of "child abuse," the Democrat Media Complex will then wait a few days for it to percolate to other nasty leftist sites, before picking it up, citing "explosive" rumors floating around the internet.
That's how it will pan out. Just a variation on the "when did you stop beating your wife" slur.
But hey, at least the Bachmanns never prayed with unrepentant terrorists like Bill Ayres, right. Though, you know what, they probably would if asked, as they seem good Christian people.
All of the above Mr Obama? --- How about ALL OF THE BELOW, instead.
And Gays don't recruit?
Submitted by Red Jeep on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 7:17am.
.
Only in public schools
Submitted by GW on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 9:42am.
.
Only in public schools
Submitted by GW on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 5:18pm.
Double post. Please delete.
Sure they do,
Submitted by UpNorth on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 11:23am.
they can't reproduce, they have to recruit. Just reinforcing the obvious, RJ.
And Christians"recruit" too
Submitted by Red Jeep on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 11:36am.
So I don't know what the Big Deal is here.
so why did they not look this closely at obama
Submitted by dmacleo on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 7:46am.
and michelle?
you know the racist flotus...
because they didn't want to
Submitted by ohio granny on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 9:47am.
they didn't look because they didn't want to. they can only find out things about democrats if they think it will help them. they will report or even make up things they think will hurt republicans.
democrats = liars, cheats, crooks and hypocrites
Oh, the humanity
Submitted by Boudin on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 7:56am.
has tried to convert gay men into heterosexuals through prayer.
Meanwhile, our Education Dept is trying to turn our kids into Gays, with-out any counseling or prayer.
A Good Point
Submitted by Tugboat Phil on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 8:59am.
It also strikes me as a bit hypocritical that leftists routinely accept that a man in his 30s or 40s can "discover" that he's been gay all along and didn't realize it. Yet somehow it's impossible for a man that has been living as a gay cannot make the opposite turn without "lying to himself."
No one has yet shown me concrete evidence that homosexuality is an inborn trait that cannot be changed. I still believe the medical assessment of 40-50 years ago, that they have a mental disorder. "Transgenders" are seriously ill.
This is the way I perceive it
Submitted by 4eyes50 on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 10:40am.
Tugboat. Homosexuality is a tendency, not a mental disorder. It can be suppressed with prayer, training and counselling. Just having the tendency does not make one "sick" - acting on it does. Look at it the same way you would look at an alcoholic - he's never really cured; he's always going to have that tendency to drink. Living the homosexual lifestyle is a choice, acting on those tendencies is a choice. Choosing to ignore them takes a lot of strength, a lot of faith and a hell of a lot of prayer. The path is always uphill, with many potholes, pebbles and boulders to get in the way. The final destination, if accomplished, will be well worth the effort.
Oh no!
Submitted by Radicalrighty on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 8:30am.
You mean Michele will "lose" some gay votes?
As if she would have gotten any to start with . . .
That's it!
Submitted by bkeyser on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 8:41am.
I've had it with these radical Christian Conservatives! Cut off all Federal funding for this clinic! Cut it off now!!!
This reminds me of all of
Submitted by inquiringmind on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 9:02am.
This reminds me of all of those investigative reports done about Obama and his ties to Bill Ayers as well as the Reverand Wright.
I remember hearing that what these two said and represented were highly controversial and could become a campaign issue.
Oh no, wait a minute, that was only my wishful thinking about the job the MSM was not doing.
Damn!
Exactly why is this news?
Submitted by connect4 on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 9:51am.
Well, I didn't go to Berkley like you Noel, but I would say this is news because she is running for POTUS. Get it now?
So, I guess you'll enlighten us as
Submitted by UpNorth on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 11:28am.
as to why the LSM never examined Moochelle's don't show for your job but collect your 6 figure salary while 0 was a senator? And why they never bothered to look into Tony Rezcko, Ayers, Wright, Blago or why 0 solicited overseas contributions.
Let me pop some popcorn before you start, though, OK?
And, what office is Mr. Bachmann running for?
What's news?
Submitted by CobraMan on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 12:02pm.
What, news? That a gay poser asked if prayer could help him overcome his physiological problems, problem like depression, problems that he brought up, and a Cristian say something along the lines of , well, yes, payer can help. Christians believe in the power of prayer! That's so newsworthy! Right? Right?
Did you noticing in the clip that no one actually tried to recruit the poser into Christianity OR actually tried to change the man through prayer, which, by the way, was supposed to be the premiss? By running this "undercover operation" the people actually disproved the premiss entirely.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Thank God our country was
Submitted by Snappy on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 10:14am.
Thank God our country was founded in part on religious freedom and tolerance. Just imagine what state we would be in if there was any kind of campaign to strip God or our views (or absence of) from the public arena. Why.. we would....oh wait........nevermind.
This is a four pronged attack
Submitted by ForeverOnTheRight on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 10:31am.
This is a four pronged attack for the price of one. They are attacking one, a woman, two a conservative, three pro-life, and four a Christian. Boy, this must have made those secular MSM salivate. Focus on ALL of what they hate at one person.
Let's review Barack's supposed gay life ......
Submitted by jmigyanka@msn.com on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 11:19am.
...... and maybe Diane Sawyer can investigate that story. Read all about the coverup here:
Mom of Murdered Obama Gay Lover Speaks Up
The story about President Barack Obama’s bi-sexual past will not go away. Now, in an exclusive interview with The Globe, Norma Jean Young, the 76-year old mother of the late Trinity United Church of Christ choir director Donald Young, has spoken out and declared that persons trying to protect Obama murdered her son at the height of the 2007 Democratic presidential primary to protect Obama from embarrassing revelations about his homosexual relationship with her son. Donald Young’s bullet-ridden body was found in his Chicago apartment on December 23, 2007, in what appeared to be an assassination-style slaying.
Some facts:
In late May, Wash. DC-based investigative journalist Wayne Madsen had a bombshell revelation about Obama’s membership in a Chicago gay club, Man’s Country. Madsen also reported on Obama’s sexual relationships with other men, including named D.C. politicians and Donald Young, the openly-gay choir-director of the church in Chicago of which Obama was a member for some 20 years — Jeremy Wright’s Trinity United Church of Christ black liberation theology. Obama’s relationship with Young was confirmed by Larry Sinclair, who claims to have had two sex-cocaine trysts with Obama.
There were two other openly gay men in Wright’s church: Larry Bland and Nate Spencer. In late 2007, as Obama began his ascent to be the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee, in a span of 1½ months, all three men “conveniently” died:
• Bland was murdered execution-style on November 17, 2007;
• Young was murdered execution-style on December 24, 2007;
• Spencer reportedly died of septicemia, pneumonia, and HIV on December 26, 2007.
• Death certificates of Bland and Young, http://www.rense.com/general82/cdet.htm
Now, Young’s elderly mother is speaking out about her suspicions that her son was murdered to protect Obama’s reputation and assure his political future as President.
4. Young
White House ramps up damage control over Obama Chicago gay history
An exclusive Wayne Madsen Report – July 19, 2010
The story about President Barack Obama’s bi-sexual past will not go away. Now, in an exclusive interview with The Globe, Norma Jean Young, the 76-year old mother of the late Trinity United Church of Christ choir director Donald Young, has spoken out and declared that persons trying to protect Obama murdered her son at the height of the 2007 Democratic presidential primary to protect Obama from embarrassing revelations about his homosexual relationship with her son. Donald Young’s bullet-ridden body was found in his Chicago apartment on December 23, 2007, in what appeared to be an assassination-style slaying.
need new kind of clinic...
Submitted by vrwc13 on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 11:25am.
...one where bad (mostly liberal) media folks go for prayer.
v
The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne
O'Reilly interviews Sawyer
Submitted by almostacowboy on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 11:31am.
O'REILLY: So you are going to be fair and balanced.
SAWYER: You know our team Jonathan Karl, Jake Tapper, George Stephanopoulos, Sharyn Alfonsi. You've got Amy Walter. We have an incredible team.
in·cred·i·ble [in-kred-uh-buhl] –adjective
1. so extraordinary as to seem impossible: incredible speed.
2. not credible; hard to believe; unbelievable
I'll pick door #2, Monte.
Noel
Submitted by bkeyser on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 11:54am.
Just saw your update and I agree- nothing to see here. I kind of made that same case in my sarcastic remark earlier.
Question? I made the assumption that Bachmann and Associates is a private enterprise and does not receive federal funding. If true, that would be the issue here, since ACORN was/is receiving taxpayer dollars. Can you confirm this? The bachmanncounseling.com site appears to be getting massive traffic over this since I can't connect to it; which I'm sure is a result of either a concerted effort by gay-supportive groups or liberals in general to shut it down.
This also illustrates how weak a case the left can make against her- they go after her husband's known Christian counseling center and find they promote prayer as a method of treatment/redemption. Outrageous! If you rejected hippie-ism in the realm of heath care, would you go to a holistic healing center to treat a severe stomach pain?
[Edit] (In my best Columbo voice, ) Oh, just one more thing. Did the video ABC showed appear to be edited in any way or was that the entirety of the filming?