The antigay conservative group One Million Moms threatened to boycott retail giant JCPenney simply based on the fact that the company’s latest spokesperson, Ellen DeGeneres, is gay. Now, DeGeneres and JCPenney have found an unlikely ally in conservative talk show host Bill O’Reilly, who compared One Million Moms attack to 50’s era McCarthyism.
DeGeneres doesn't often use her wildly popular talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres show, as a platform to discuss political topics, but Wednesday she weighed in on One Million Moms’ threatened boycott and how JCPenney has vowed to stand by its decision and to keep her. One Million Moms had created a Facebook page aimed at intimidating JCPenney, but DeGeneres pointed out on her show that many of the Facebook comments were in defense of her and the retailer. One Million Moms’ Facebook page has since been removed.
On her show Thursday DeGeneres thanked O’Reilly for coming to her defense on The O’Reilly Factor.
Speaking to Fox News commentator Sandy Rios O’Reilly said on his show that he didn’t think boycotting a business over its hiring of a gay spokesperson was in “the spirit of America.”
“What is the difference between a McCarthy era Communist blacklist in the fifties and the Million Moms saying, ‘Hey, JCPenney and all you other stores, don’t you hire any gay people. Don’t you dare?” O’Reilly argued.
“This JCPenney thing is a witch hunt and it shouldn’t happen,” O’Reilly added.
DeGeneres thanked O’Reilly on her show, adding that he is welcome to use her JCPenney employee discount.
Watch the video below.
The reality is ...
There are still some people who don't want to work with, fellowship with, be friends with, be neighbor to, or family to - anyone not heterosexual.This OMM group just made the above fact even more visible. To be against Ellen, who is a nice talented friendly person just because she is not sexually into the opposite-sex and will not pretend to be, some people such as OMM's wasted their time, energy, money on what should be a non-issue. There are real issues to focus on but they pick shopping and who should be a spokesperson for a store that doesn't discriminate in hiring people who are not nasty, mean, violent etc? Visit me at ;http:saltyspoetictales-salty.blogspot.com
Bill O'Reilly and Ellen
It is a small but important thing - O'Reilly NEVER said he opposes a boycott. In fact, he said over and over that he thinks choosing not to shop at JC Penney is a good option. O'Reilly opposes FIRING someone over their political views. THAT is an important difference, and I greatly appreciate him taking that position. But, he's really defending himself there. He does not want to get fired over his sometimes insane political views. He is happy if people boycott anyone they want.
EBarron Sun, 2012-02-12 12:49 Bill O'Reilly and Ellen
I too think it is OK to boycot JCP stores. And it is even better for all the rest of us to support those same stores. That is the perogative of the individual. But since there are many more gays in this country than the so called OMM's."A Facebook group called 1 Million People Who Support Ellen for J.C. Penney has 89,829 members and counting, which trumps the 42, 746 supporters for One Million Moms."
Bill O'Reilly
Bill you are right on and again fair and balanced. Ellen you have nothing to be ashamed of in your private life and no reason you should not promote any department store. You are a "patriot" and Bill O'Reilly your great American.
Ellen
How can we in the 21st century be so narrow minded. A few religious nuts, or self righteous think they have the only way to live. It is disgusting.Some people don't want to see change, but it is happening so deal with it. I'm pround of JC Penny.
The Bill and Ellen Shows
Cynically, I don't think Bill O'Reilly gives one iota of caring about Ellen. He used his "caring" story to bring in hate-monger, Sandy Rios who makes McCarthyism seem like an accolade to freedom.
"Lifestyle". Ugh.
"Lifestyle". Ugh.
I generally like Ellen,
I generally like Ellen, though I'm not a giant fan. I was frustrated to hear about the threats to boycott JCP. These people were not just trying to show their distaste for Ellen but for everybody with a sexuality they have determined to be "wrong." I am pretty surprised that O'Reilly would say anything in support of her though. I mean, I guess I'm surprised but it doesn't change my feelings about him.
Ellen loves to play the
Ellen loves to play the victim. She's a multi-millionaire. JCP should have given an unknown a break.The "don't you like me?" routine" is one of her stunts.
zinknowns don't sell
JCP picked Ellen because the middle of the road mom loves her show and will turn to the TV when Ellen comes on. This is how advertising works.
Another way to view it
Ronnie, I think you make a good point. As such a large company, JCP has an opportunity to extend itself to countless actors who are less known, or even an aspiring actor. However, I think what should also be considered is the accomplishment in making the face of JCP someone who ISN'T straight. Considering that clothing companies often market some sexual aspect to their representative through commercials, its a huge statement to make their spokesperson someone not 'straight' (not my terminology). I do understand your sentiments and appreciate them. But if by doing this, JCP can help normalize the idea of who is acceptable of such a position as the face of a company, bravo to them. I wish it weren't a big deal, and that this would happen unnoticed. However, it was the actions of this '1 million Moms' facebook group that incited a response in the first place. If this is the world we live in, the opportunities to be socially justice for a company in media are not frequent and should be commended when they do occur. Thanks for your perspective! Would love to hear more of your thoughts.
Although it's a positive
Although it's a positive thing that a conservative political commentator is supporting JC Penney's decision to hire Ellen DeGeneres as a spokesperson, we should be realistic. Bill O'Reilly is not a civil libertarian. There is a strategy to everything he does, and this one supposedly strong act of good character should not automatically guarantee our trust.
Baby Steps
Even baby steps to equality seems like progress to me. I've seen the most homophobic people you can imagine do a 180 in support of someone they love or respect when they find out that they are gay. It's breaks the stereotypical image and will eventually change this into a better world, I think.
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