Returning to favorite slogan, Smerconish blamed Moussaoui verdict on the "sissification of America"

Summary: On MSNBC's Scarborough Country, radio host Michael Smerconish again lamented the "sissification of America," this time in reference to the verdict in which Al Qaeda conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui was sentenced to life in prison instead of death for his role in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Host Joe Scarborough appeared to adopt Smerconish's terminology, suggesting that Americans aren't "reminded every day" about 9-11 by the "news network[s]," and that "[m]aybe this is part of the -- what do you call it, the sissification of America?"

On the May 3 edition of MSNBC's Scarborough Country, Philadelphia-based radio host Michael Smerconish again lamented the "sissification of America," this time in reference to the May 3 verdict in which Al Qaeda conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui was sentenced to life in prison instead of death for his role in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Immediately after noting his "respect" for Alice Hoagland, a 9-11 victim's mother who advocated a life sentence for Moussaoui, Smerconish stated: "I can't buy into this logic of transcending hatred. This is the sissification of America." Later, host Joe Scarborough appeared to adopt Smerconish's terminology, suggesting that Americans aren't "reminded every day" about 9-11 by the "news network[s]," and that "[m]aybe this is part of the -- what do you call it, the sissification of America?"

As Media Matters for America has noted, Smerconish repeatedly discussed "the sissification of America" while substituting for host Bill O'Reilly on the April 4 broadcast of Westwood One's The Radio Factor, claiming that "political correctness" has made the United States "a nation of sissies." Smerconish also claimed, several times, that this "sissification" and "limp-wristedness" is "compromising our ability to win the war on terror."

From the May 3 edition of MSNBC's Scarborough Country:

SCARBOROUGH: Right now, I want to bring in Michael Smerconish. He's a radio talk show host and also the author of the new book, Muzzled [Nelson Current, April 2006]. Michael, I just cannot believe that the man known as the 20th hijacker, who was begging the jury to execute him, got away. How did the Justice Department, the Bush administration, the entire federal government botch this case?

SMERCONISH: They should have given him his wish, Joe. You know, an hour ago, when your folks called me, I was in the middle of a book signing in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Let me give you a report from the heartland. And I said, I can sit here for the next hour and I can sign everybody's book, or I can go tell Joe Scarborough that this dog should have been put down. And everybody said, "Get out the door right now and deliver that message." And I think that's the way it's going to play in the heartland.

I'm going to tell you something. To me -- and I have such respect for Alice Hoagland, but I can't buy into this logic of transcending hatred. This is the sissification of America. We're not looking for terrorists at airports who resemble terrorists. The borders are completely porous. A guy who the jury just two weeks ago found absolutely, if he'd been truthful, we could have stopped short that which occurred on September 11, is going to be allowed to live on my dime.

[...]

SCARBOROUGH: I think people need to be reminded every day about what happened on September 11, but you won't get a news network doing that because they think it will be too offensive and too shocking to the American people. I don't know what is shocking about the truth. I still see images from Pearl Harbor. Maybe this is part of the -- what do you call it, the sissification of America?

SMERCONISH: Yes. Yes. Root word: "sissies." That's what we've become! Hey, Joe, go watch United 93. The only conclusion one can reach in watching that movie is that we must kill these SOBs before they kill us and our kids! Because that's all they're trying to do right now. And I cannot take this touchy-feely mindset of trying to battle radical Islam! They're cutting throats with box cutters, and we're sending a guy away to a can above ground for the next 30 years!

—K.D.