Congressman Barney Frank had fun with a conservative reporter who tried to ambush him with a question about gay and straight troops sharing showers after “don’t ask, don’t tell” repeal, telling the journalist that critics "better not play sports."
According to Media Matters, Frank was targeted by Nicholas Ballasy, a reporters for the Media Research Center-owned website CNSNews.com. But the out lawmaker from Massachusetts saw through the trick.
“As CNS reporter Nicholas Ballasy slowly got out the words ‘shower with homosexuals,’ Frank let out an exaggerated gasp and responded, ‘What do you think happens in gyms all over America?’ After calling it a ‘silly issue,’ Frank added, ‘What do you think goes wrong with people showering with homosexuals? Do you think it’s the spray makes it catching? ... We don’t get ourselves dry-cleaned.’
“Frank then turned the tables on his interviewer by quizzing Ballasy: ‘I know you’re looking for some way to kind of discredit the policy. Do you think that gyms should have separate showers for gay and straight people? I’m asking you the question because that’s the logic of what you’re telling me. You seem to think that there’s something extraordinary about gay men showering together. Do you think gyms should have separate showers for gay people and straight people?’ Ballasy wouldn’t answer, insisting that he was ‘just quoting the recommendation.’ Frank responded: ‘Don’t be disingenuous. You’re quoting those you think may cause us some problems. You’re entitled to do that, but you shouldn’t hide behind your views.’ Frank again asked the question of Ballasy, who again wouldn’t answer, trying to change the subject: ‘So that’s the question you would pose to people who have an issue with that part of the report, the recommendation?’ Frank made his point one more time, and that’s where the CNS ends the video.”
Watch the clip.
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