The founder and chairman of GOProud, the homosexual activist group courting the conservative movement, has agreed to debate its biggest detractor, WND founder Joseph Farah at the "Taking America Back National Conference" here Sept. 17. Anticipating that critics will lob a "hypocrite" label his way, Farah draws a sharp distinction between his decision to disinvite conservative star commentator Ann Coulter from the Taking America Back Conference for addressing GOProud's HOMOCON in New York and inviting Barron to the WND conference to debate GOProud's positions.
Shocker! Guess who's debating Farah now!
GOProud founder faces off with WND editor
on whether 'gay' group is conservative
MIAMI, Fla. — You haven't seen this at any conference before.
WND disinvited Ann Coulter from a keynote speaking role when she agreed to address GOProud's "Homocon" conference a week later, prompting outrage from the pundit and intense media coverage. Farah contended she was "affirming" the group with her high-profile speech and was permitting herself to be exploited by the group so it could make deeper inroads into the conservative movement. GOProud supports hate crimes legislation, same-sex marriage, open homosexuality in the military and special tax breaks for people based on sexual proclivities, says Farah. He says there's nothing "conservative" about GOProud's agenda, which he calls "radical."
So it might be something of a shocker that WND agreed to invite GOProud to debate.
This conference has always been about debate," Farah said. "We invited, among others, the American Civil Liberties Union, La Raza, the NAACP and Freedomworks, to come debate the issues of the day with us. To GOProud's credit, they were willing to stand toe to toe with us. I'm looking forward to the challenge."
Farah will debate GOProud Board Chairman Christopher Barron on the topic, "Is GOProud conservative?"
Farah has directly challenged GOProud recently, questioning the "crackup" of establishment conservatives and how the group's agenda jibes.
Still, Farah lauded the group's willingness to accept his challenge to "directly and respectfully air the details of this emerging alliance for all to see."
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"I've never compromised or equivocated my convictions on this matter so GOProud surely knows exactly what they're getting into," said Farah. "How they'll respond should be illuminating."
To ensure the fairest debate circumstances possible, WND proposed a format affording both Farah and Barron five-minute opening statements, five-minute rebuttals, 20-minute affirmative and negative cross examinations apiece, five-minute closing statements and 30-minutes of audience questions.
The standard agreement included a platform for GOProud to market event tickets—$15 in advance, $20 at the door—to its supporters, keeping revenue derived from its sales. However, GOProud is receiving no payment from WND for the appearance.
"Ann's paid speaking appearance at GOProud's event validates the group's agenda, which as I've written goes far beyond just tearing down and remaking the Judeo-Christian institution of marriage, attacking free speech or integrating open homosexuality in the military," he said. "No doubt GOProud representatives and their conservative defenders would say otherwise. I'm happy to hear how they'll do that and respectfully debate those points. Knowing WND readers, I'm confident they'll want to hear from GOProud on this, too."
"The best way to truly find out is let GOProud address the topic directly and face to face," he said.
Speakers at the conference, which is followed by a weeklong Royal Caribbean cruise called "The Tea Party at Sea," include a variety of elected officials, authors, commentators and entertainers. That includes Rep. Michele Bachmann, Amb. Alan Keyes, Rep. Devin Nunes, Tom Tancredo, authors Jerome Corsi, Aaron Klein, David Kupelian, Erik Rush and Judith Reisman and Floyd Brown, who created the legendary "Willie Horton" political ad.
Other speakers include scientist and Bible teacher Missler; talk-show host Rusty Humphries, Michael Farris of Home School Legal Defense Association; Robert Knight and Jerry Newcombe of Coral Ridge Ministries; William Murray of the Religious Freedom Coalition and son of notorious atheist Madeline Murray O'Hair; RC Sproul, Jr., author of "Biblical Economics"; and "Saturday Night Live" alum Victoria Jackson.
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Monday, 6 September 2010
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