Ben Smith of Politico is reporting that Fox News has once again rejected an ad by the progressive veterans' organization, VoteVets, which encourages a “clean energy climate plan.” The new ad features Brigadier Gen. Steven Anderson who states that we must “put Americans to work developing new energy technologies that will save lives overseas.”

The last time Fox refused to air one of VoteVets' advertisements, it was because they reportedly deemed it “too confusing.” That ad, like this one, advocated for ending America's dependence on foreign oil, thereby enhancing our national security. As Media Matters' Oliver Willis pointed out, it's quite odd that the network that allows advertising for "Survival Seeds" would deem an ad produced about national security by a veterans' organization unsuitable for its viewers. But what's even more bizarre is the fact that Fox's very own Bill O'Reilly had kind words for the VoteVets' ad campaign.

In fact, it was only a few months ago that O'Reilly called one of VoteVets' ads “powerful.” On the April 14 broadcast of The O'Reilly Factor, guest Dennis Miller and O'Reilly discussed a similarly themed VoteVets commercial. Miller argued that “while I don't believe in global warming at all, I believe in the American military completely.” O'Reilly called the spot “powerful” and stated that “it makes a point that the United States would be better off if it wasn't buying oil from these people who do bad things.” From the show (via Nexis):

O'REILLY: Now, the vets organization is a left-wing organization, VoteVets. Slick spot, get away from oil. We have to do that by cap and trade and all of the global warming legislation that the left wants and the right does not. So what say you?

MILLER: I say anybody who puts himself at risk, like the first half of that commercial, for me and my family, can say anything they want on the back side of that commercial. Pretty much anything they want. Unless it's something out and out decrying the other troops. They don't seem to do ever do that.

I am blown away when I see that footage. And, while I don't believe in global warming at all, I believe in the American military completely. And when I am reminded of the heroics they go through, the ante they put up to say what want, God bless them. Whatever they want.

That continues to amaze me, that men and women I don't know will drive down roads like that, risking that for my right to say something. Certainly, they can say whatever they want.

O'REILLY: Right. And I concur. I mean, the spot is powerful. And it makes a point that the United States would be better off if it wasn't buying oil from these people who do bad things.

While we don't have word yet from Fox News about why it refused to air this particular ad, it's apparent that at least someone over at the network isn't “confused” by the connection between our dependence on foreign oil and the security of our troops abroad. Attempting to rationalize Fox's decision is what's proving to be “too confusing.”