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Joe The Plumber Is Even Crazier Than You Thought

by Fiona Lowenstein

On Monday, Joe Wurzelbacher, better known as Joe the Plumber from his short stint during 2008 Presidential Campaign, penned an open letter to the parents of the USBC victims. According to Joe the Plumber, "your dead kids don’t trump my Constitutional rights." In the letter, Wurzelbacher urges parents to "stop playing into the hands of the folks who merely capitalize on these horrific events for their own political ends" and accuses anti-gun advocates of not caring about the victims of this event.

"Don’t be fooled," Wurzelbacher writes, "I care about your family and mine." Could've fooled us, Wurzelbacher! The letter was published on Wurzelbacher's website, joeforamerica.com, and a quick tour around his site reveals just how rude and offensive Wurzelbacher really is. Here are four things you'll find on the so-called "inspirational speaker"'s website:

1. Homophobia

In another terrifying article about the UCSB killings, Wurzelbacher blames the politically liberal community Rodger grew up in for his actions, calls him an "Occupy wannabe," and argues that any "War on Women" is imaginary. Everything about this article is upsetting, especially when Wurzelbacher refers to Rodger as a "gay weirdo" and implies that Rodger committed the murders because he was gay.

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About Rodger's inability to find women to date him, Wurzelbacher writes:

I don’t think many women are sexually attracted to a guy whose voice sets off their gaydar every time they open their mouth. Also – the first thing women look for is not an evil laugh and homicidal tendencies, either. I said “homicidal” but if you read something else – fine, whatever.

This article is dotted with attempted jokes, offensive memes, and homophobic slurs.

2. Sexism

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An article on the site from 2013 critiques the "I Need Feminism Because..." campaign, and includes a parody of the campaign. The author, who identifies him or herself as an "avowed anti-feminist," writes:

I need feminism because… I like it when my daughters dress like sluts to ‘express their femininity.’

I need feminism because… I cherish the thought of a veritable mountain of aborted corpses, rotting into the earth.

I need feminism because… I can’t wait to trash another man’s life by accusing him of something he didn’t do, just because I hate oppressive men and want to see them suffer.

Another article on the website refers to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as a "cold, heartless b*tch." A search for Clinton's name on the website reveals titles mostly having to do with whether or not Clinton has brain damage.

3. Racism

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Wurzelbacher's website defended Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, after Bundy told T he New York Times that "Negros...abort their children and put their young men in jail because they never learned how to pick cotton" and that he's "often wondered, are they better off as slaves?"

Wurzelbacher's website has argued that The New York Times took the quotes out of context, and refers to The New York Times interview as "a hoax." The article argues that Bundy is not only not a racist, but an "advocate for blacks [and] hispanics." We can't imagine why racial minorities in Nevada aren't thanking him for all he's done...

4. Offensive Language

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In his article about Rodger's alleged homosexuality, Wurzelbacher calls Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi "dumb-ass Pelosi-retardo," showing no constraint about using a word universally considered to be offensive slur. Another article on the site critical of Obamacare is entitled "Small Business Getting Raped by Obamacare." The article itself is quite dry and outlines the effects of Obamacare on small business-owners, but the use of the word "rape" in the title is just one example of the flippant way Wurzelbacher deals with sexual assault.