Fox News lashed out at media criticism of O'Reilly's racially charged comments
During the September 25 edition of CNN Newsroom, co-host Don Lemon and anchor Rick Sanchez discussed the recent statement by Fox News host Bill O'Reilly that he was surprised "there was no difference between Sylvia's restaurant [in Harlem] and any other restaurant in New York City ... even though [Sylvia's is] run by blacks." Sanchez stated that "every African-American that I've talked to since this -- and my God, have I gotten a bevy of phone calls on this, inside and outside the business -- people are actually offended. They ... call this a subtle type of racism. It's not the 'hit you over the head with a hammer' type; it's the 'velvet glove' type." He then said that, during a September 24 phone conversation, O'Reilly "didn't want any part of it" and "was screaming the entire conversation," adding, "He was not happy with me." As Media Matters for America noted, on the September 24 edition of CNN's Out in the Open, Sanchez also recounted his "animated" conversation with O'Reilly, saying that O'Reilly denied any "racial intent" in his comments and described the story as "a hatchet job by Media Matters."
Later in the September 25 segment, Lemon said: "Rick, we got a statement from Fox News, and here's what it says: 'This is nothing more than left-wing outlets stirring up false racism accusations for ratings. It's sad.' " According to the on-screen graphic, the statement was from Bill Shine, Fox News' senior vice president of programming.
From the 2 p.m. ET hour of the September 25 edition of CNN Newsroom:
LEMON: OK, let's talk now about Bill O'Reilly and Al Sharpton. They go off for some soul food. Sounds like the start of a bad joke, huh? Well, really, though, they did. They went to the legendary Sylvia's in Harlem not too long ago, and the Fox News host's restaurant review afterward has -- well, it has many people stewing. It's not that he didn't like the place; quite the contrary. In fact, take a listen for yourself.
O'REILLY [audio clip]: You know, when Sharpton and I walked in, it was like big commotion and everything, but everybody was very nice. And I couldn't get over the fact that there was no difference between Sylvia's restaurant and any other restaurant in New York City. I mean, it was exactly the same, even though it's run by blacks, primarily black patronship. It was the same, and that's really what this society is all about now here in the USA. There's no difference. There's no difference.
LEMON: Well, now O'Reilly says Media Matters, a left-leaning watchdog that spotlighted his comments, is doing a "hatchet job" on him. Our Rick Sanchez spoke to Bill O'Reilly last night about all of this, and Rick joins us now from New York.
Rick, I understand you spoke with him in your show last night. You described the conversation as "animated." He is a very spirited guy. Tell me about that.
SANCHEZ: Well, I did what any journalist is going to do. If you're -- I would want this done in my case, if I said something that was questionable and someone was going to do a story on it, I'd want somebody to give me a phone call personally. So I put a phone call in to Bill, but unfortunately at the time that I called him in the late afternoon, he was on the air. So I talked to his assistant, and I talked to his publicist, and I left a message. And I said, "Hey, Bill, call me back 'cause we want to do this story." 'Cause you know what's interesting about this story, Don?
LEMON: What, what?
SANCHEZ: What's interesting about this story is that it's the kind of story that when you first -- at first glance --
LEMON: Hmm-mm.
SANCHEZ: -- you don't see it as questionable --
LEMON: Right.
SANCHEZ: -- especially if you're not an African-American.
LEMON: Right. Right.
SANCHEZ: So you're looking at this guy -- you know, here's a guy who's trying to give a compliment, but what he said has maybe offended some people, so people had reached out to us -- and that's what we do at 8 o'clock here on CNN. It's called Out in the Open. We bring things out in the open that make people hold a mirror to themselves --
LEMON: Well, there's the --
SANCHEZ: -- and sometimes wonder about things like this, so that's why I called him.
LEMON: Here's -- yeah, and here's what I don't -- where I'm not getting from this because you live in -- you're in New York City. I've lived in New York City, and, as a matter of fact, we worked together there. O'Reilly lives in New York City, one of the most diverse places on Earth, and you would think why is he shocked that, [at] an African-American restaurant, people aren't, you know, acting out of context, as they should be acting at a restaurant?
SANCHEZ: That's the question. Let me read it again to you and to the viewers. "I couldn't get over the fact that there was no difference between Sylvia's restaurant and other restaurants in New York City. I mean, the people there, they were exactly acting the same, even though it's run by blacks, primarily black patronship." He goes on to say, "I think black Americans are starting to think for themselves." Here's the point --
LEMON: Yeah.
SANCHEZ: -- and this is what we talked about last night when I had Roland Martin on. What's wrong with a white guy doing social commentary on somebody else's race? And on the one hand, he's brave enough to do it; on the other hand, he's trying to be real honest about it.
LEMON: And he's trying to -- it's meant to be a compliment --
SANCHEZ: It's meant to be a compliment --
LEMON: -- but it's not a compliment.
SANCHEZ: But it doesn't --
LEMON: Not -- no.
SANCHEZ: As a matter of fact, every African-American that I've talked to since this -- and my God, have I gotten a bevy of phone calls on this, inside and outside the business -- people are actually offended. They think -- they call this -- and you would know -- they call this a subtle type of racism. It's not the "hit you over the head with a hammer" type; it's the "velvet glove" type.
LEMON: Yeah.
SANCHEZ: And that's what I tried to talk to Bill about. He called back yesterday and we got on the phone, and he didn't want any part of it. He said, "Hey, Rick, look" -- I mean, he was screaming the entire conversation.
LEMON: Really?
SANCHEZ: Yeah. He was not happy with me. I said, "Hey, I'm a huge fan, Bill, and I've been watching you for years, and by the way, just finished reading a book about you." He just wanted to let me know, he said, "Look" -- to be fair now, this is what he says. He said, "This is totally -- it was a totally benign conversation. There was absolutely no racist intent." And I agree with him, by the way, I don't think there was.
LEMON: Yeah.
SANCHEZ: And he goes on to say that, "Look, we didn't get any complaints at my radio stations." But, you know, obviously, you know, that may have to do with his audience as well.
[...]
LEMON: And I do have to tell you, Rick, we got a statement from Fox News, and here's what it says: "This is nothing more than left-wing outlets stirring up false racism accusations for ratings. It's sad."
I've known you for a number of years. You're a straight shooter, and we'll be watching you tonight --
SANCHEZ: Yeah, yeah.
LEMON: -- 8 p.m., Out in the Open.
I posted earlier on another item about how white men are reluctant to acknowledge racism. Sanchez, of European descent, proves that point in his praise of O'Smelly before criticizing him. Uugh, it makes me want puke!
Well, they're out in the open all right. And it ain't pretty.
O'Reilly has a big push on tonight about how CNN took him out of context, and dishonestly broadcast what he said just to make him look bad. Juan Williams (who understand where his bread is buttered) came on and did a great 'yes man' impression--agreeing with with every lie BO uttered.
At one point, I thought O'Reilly actually had tears in his eyes. He's going down, and the sooner the better. When he's gone, the first round is on me.
NO WAY! FIRST ROUND IS ON ME!
I'm an iReporter for CNN. I've been begging CNN to undress and expose Mr. Oh! Really!
Fax Propaganda Channel and BO will be implementing big time damage control on this one. BO has put Media Matter on everyones map in a positive way for MM. I've suggested a story on Fox News too.
I'm throwing a big funeral party for the O'reilly shows extermination. Wishful thinking for the time being.
O'Reilly Bumper Sticker ...
DON'T TAZZ ME BRO!
I've a suggestion for a new one for Mr. Bill O'Reilly...
DON'T EXPOSE ME BRO!
I'd really like to interview Billy Boy after visiting a Mexican, Asian, or other Restaurants.
I'd like to see him interviewed at one of his regular Klan meetings......
O'Reilly at a mexican restaurant: "Wow, I was surprised that they understood my order in english! And nobody ran when I yelled immigration! These mexicans are finally starting to get americanized!"
And for a bumpersticker - "racism, the other white bleat"
I'd really like to interview Billy Boy after visiting a Mexican, Asian, or other Restaurants.
I can just imagine what he'd say after a visit to a Middle Eastern restaurant:
:-)
I am no O'Reilly fan. Far from it. However, Sanchez got it wrong on this one by taking the remarks out of context. Listen for yourself before you make up your mind:
http://www.billoreilly.com/blog;jsessionid=A57DCB4BDC2698AA1EB2FC3CA4C4EAC8?action=viewBlog&blogID=-514007249730622364
Thanks for the post. I have two reactions to that.
As a whole that radio speech is much more offensive than just those few words highlighted by MMFA. The whole spiel is amazingly patronizing.
O'Reilly generalizes almost the whole way about black people. It started to make me sick when he was trying to contrast Nas and Snoop Dogg with Nat King Cole and Motown.
O'Reilly doesn't seem to realize at all how diverse the black community is. In the end, it is just a clueless white guy trying to tell black people how he likes them to behave themselves and what kind of music he prefers. Just way too much ego for me.
My second reaction is that the patronizing comments that MMFA picked up on are a pretty good representation of the way O'Reilly gives backhanded compliments to the black community throughout his spiel. Acting like black people are just starting to think for themselves? Get down off your horse, O'Reilly! Like us white folks have adequately demonstrated we think for ourselves any better? Get real.
krom, I disagree with your whole sale indictment of white people. Sorry but anecdotal evidence isn't proof of your theory. I know plenty of white people who have no problem spotting racism and calling it out. White people are not all of like mind and thought any more then black people.
I cant speak for what he meant, I mean I am as white as it gets without being albino and I was all over this, I got the impression he was talking about white elites. If he was there is some justification for that comment. In the elite media and even in Congress there seems a kind of hesitance to call out THIS kind of racism as opposed to the more overt type.
krome, that comment was a bit racist in itself.
Someone says that he is genuinly surprised that black patrons in a restaurant run by blacks don't act like some vicious stereotype, and this SUBTLE racism?
I agree. I found it about as subtle as a jackhammer or a Rosanne Barr joke
Well, at least he didn't call them "clean and articulate." Speaking of which, it would be interesting to see if B'ildo attacked or defended Joe Biden when he made that remark about Obama. Anybody remember?
oddly enough, i'm a middle-aged, upper middle-class, college educated white male, and the first time i read the transcript, it immediately struck me as demeaning. it was so obvious, you could have driven a truck through it.
i'd still like to know exactly what mr. o'reilly was expecting, since he didn't tell us. did he expect a dirt floor, and an open-pit fire for cooking? i have no clue, he never said.
the really sad part is that i feel certain he really, honestly doesn't think he said anything wrong; his racism is so ingrained, it's second nature. i'm absolutely positive he feels he was giving sylvia's a compliment, and is very hurt that anyone would think otherwise.
he is, and apparently always will be, a buffoon.
Instead of reading a partial transcript, why not listen to the actual broadcast? If you are as educated as you claim, you should know not to just trust what someone else tells you to think. If you listen to the actual broadcast, you will see there is nothing offensive or racist about his comments. It was a segment AGAINST racism. Think.
No it wasnt it was an ATTEMPT at a comment about racism by a racist without a clue. So WHAT if he was ASTONISHED that stereotypes arent true then went on to make that point by showing his racist preconceptions and condesencion. It is YOU that needs to stop letting others do your thinking for you. Just because they TELL you they arent being racist doesnt mean they ARENT. Only a racist would be astonished that racist stereotypes arent true. Most decent people already KNOW that.
I am amazed, you are mad at me for suggesting that someone listen to the full segment and make up their own minds? I listened to the full segment, and I heard nothing offensive or racist. The part where he is talking about the iced tea, he is saying those things while talking to a black man. His guest was not upset at all, in fact, he agreed with the point he was making.
You try to accuse me of letting other put thoughts into my head, but I went and listened to the whole segment, unedited, unfiltered, before making up my mind. Did you? I doubt it.
I suspect that you and most others on here let your hatred cloud your judgment, so you want to parse one phrase from a long segment in order to attack someone instead of actually listening to what he is trying to say. Very closed-minded. His point was that blacks and whites are more alike than what the media and pop culture try to present, and that we should not let some bad apples like Snoop Dogg taint our overall impression of black people. That is not racist. His intent was not racist. The black person he spent much of the time talking to did not think he was being racist. Based on that, there is no way a free thinking open minded person can say he was being racist.
I just listened to the transcript. It is far more patronizing than I had realized.
Instead of reading a partial transcript, why not listen to the actual broadcast? . . . If you listen to the actual broadcast, you will see there is nothing offensive or racist about his comments. It was a segment AGAINST racism. Think.
- MrReasonable
How about quoting us the parts of his broadcast that demonstrate his racist comments were racist. Did MMFA cut out the part where O'Reilly opened his remarks with "Now, if I were an ignorant racist, I would say..."?
How about quoting us the parts of his broadcast that demonstrate his racist comments were racist.
I meant to say "were NOT racist."
He said he expected people to be rude and yelling things like, "M-Fer, bring me my ice tea!"
oddly enough, i'm a middle-aged, upper middle-class, college educated white male, and the first time i read the transcript, it immediately struck me as demeaning. it was so obvious, you could have driven a truck through it.
Bingo! I thought the same thing. O'Reilly sounded so astonished by it all. Obviously Billy is still stereotyping folks. Pretty ignorant for a guy that probably considers himself quite worldly.
Jeter,
You know I'm enjoying watching Billy boy sqirm on this one, but I think this has been great publicity for Sylvia's which is a fantastic restuarant. Hmm... I might have to make a trip to NYC and Sylvia's real soon.
He stated quite clearly what he was expecting - Blacks to be shouting, Motherf**ker, give me some ice tea!". I'm inclined to give him a pass on the racist charge (that implies malice, and I don't see that), but he is certainly guilty of gross ignorance, both in his stereotypes of Blacks and in his inability to see why Blacks (and others) would be offended by his comments. And this is certainly not the first time he has made such ignorant statements in public - you would think he would have learned his lesson by now... wouldn't you?
Plato
Racism doesn't necessarily require malice to be racism. Sometimes it's born out of ignorance.
(Actually, all time time it's born out of ignorance.)
Marv
Amen Amen Amen!!!
I agree. People are harmed by non-malicious racism all of the time. Ignorance and/or thoughtlessness of the harm one is doing is no real defense for the damage being done.
I think racism out of thoughtlessness is more forgivable than fully intentional racism. It would do O'Reilly much better to simply apologize than to argue the indefensible.
I think racism out of thoughtlessness is more forgivable than fully intentional racism.
I think so as well. My own parents, immigrants, came over here with racist perceptions. Sadly, my Dad let them grow and fester and still holds many of them today. My Mom, on the other hand, eventually started working outside of the house and was exposed to all sorts of people. Now my Dad was exposed to all sorts of people as well, but in my Mom's case, she focused on the similarities rather than the differences.
Hi Plato ...
My very best Conservative friend is honest about his racism. He even hates Tiger Woods for dominating the world of golf.
O'Rielly can't admit the truth because he would then lose that moral high ground he claims to stand on when he's watching out for you. He won't lose his job though. This is not that big an issue at Fox.
The Spin starts with O'Rielly and then branches out to Dark Side of News Broadcasting. Fox News. The home of Darth Vader. O'Rielly is Mr. Vader himself.
And Plato, I think the perspective that gets lost is that Bill O should be held to a higher standard in this regard. We act as though he's just a regular joe. But this is a guy who holds himself up as a moral authority on all aspects of our society. He really should be held to a high standard if that's the position, indeed the profession, he has staked out for himself.
A guy who just got done saying what a huge fan he is of Bill OReilly and he's been watching him for years goes on to say, "To be fair..." and for some reason I feel like the next thing he's going to say will be total baloney.
Bill is worried sick about Olbie. He needs his spotlight like the rest of us humans need oxygen.
Why Is O'Reilly still on the air?
He carries a lot of water for the current administration !
He has to carry more cuz Limbaugh quit. =)
O'Rielly does not carry any water for Republicans.
What he carries is Bull Poop and Whale Poop for them. You can't go any lower than that.
I'm delighted to finally see this happen. I knew it would sooner or later because it's very hard for the brain to keep telling so many lies over and over again.
he won't be able to bully his way out of this one. can't believe it took this long for others to see his hate-filled rhetoric.
'This is nothing more than left-wing outlets stirring up false racism accusations for ratings. It's sad.' " According to the on-screen graphic, the statement was from Bill Shine, Fox News' senior vice president of programming
So it was the "left wing" media that put those words in Bill's mouth. Or was it the "left wing" media that misunderstood what Bill was saying? If it was an actual "slip of the tongue" why didn't Bill immediately correct himself?
While I can understand why Fox news would try to place blame for the reactions to Bill's comments I have not seen nor heard of anyone from Fox trying to explain what Bill meant to say. If what Bill said was not really a racists comment what exactly did Bill mean by his statement? I can actually answer my own questions because there is no explanation for Bill's comments. His sole impression of black folks is an image of cursing, loud mouth, ill mannered, gangsta types and to find out that his stereotype of African Americans was false surprised him. I could have respected him if he has simply said that instead of pretending he didn't mean exactly what he said.
"Rick, we got a statement from Fox News, and here's what it says: 'This is nothing more than left-wing outlets stirring up false racism accusations for ratings. It's sad.' " According to the on-screen graphic, the statement was from Bill Shine, Fox News' senior vice president of programming.
What amused me most about that statement from Fixed Noise, Pearlene, is that it completely exposed the channel for being nothing but the partisan hack propaganda tool for Republicans we've all been saying it is. This is the smoking gun with the hot barrel and the gunpowder residue on the trigger finger.
I mean, how can you say you're "fair and balanced" when you blithely throw around terms like "left-wing" to smear the competition?
This needs to be highlighted by every blog on the net, and should be flooded into Fox and every other MSM outlet to say "See? SEE?! We told you so!"
It couldnt POSSIBLY be a slip of the tongue. It was the point he was making. THAT cant be a slip of the tongue
A Slip of O'Reilly's Brain? NO!
This was not a Freudian Slip. But hey, even if it was one, that doesn't let him off the hook.
Freudian slips are when you accidentally tell the truth. This came directly from the Hard Drive of his Brain Cells. You may ask, What brain?
He has finally stripped himself naked to expose his true self. If he becomes the next Imus I shall throw a big party and invite all my Republican friends. Dems and Others Too! A huge celibration!
I will then continue to send iReports about FOX to CNN.
PLEASE CALL your Congressional Reps and Senators. Tell them to please vote for the SCHIP Bill. Healthcare for poor kids.
Thank You - Sam I Am -
I think fox news criticizing other stations and then crying foul when they get criticized is proof of how immature they are.
What Bill did on the air tonight was damaged control. But nobody is buying it. This aging, worthless hack thinks he is "moral" guy looking out for you.
Hey Bill! If you were a "moral" guy, you wouldn't have cheated on your wife in the first place, you hack.
Folks, these on-air, neocon media thorns of Fox News live a double life. You only see what's on the television screen. Off the air, they are entirely different people. Some of these folks are gay (I have nothing against them) and some are pains in the a@#.
I wish everyone in this forum could be flies on the wall at Fox News. You would be shocked on what goes on there.
Yesterday there was a guy on FOX actually promoting the US to attack IRAN to stop their nuclear powerplant program. His name is Eric and if you are reading this, I expect you, in 66 days, to graduate boot camp in San Diego and be a marine, leading the way. Otherwise shut up the war drum beat.
I bust o'really every nite but his sycophants lap his puke right up like bush coolaid and believe everything he utters forth from his gut. o'really is just a nut ball an an ego trip. His entire show is a verisimilitude. It is a forum for right wing crusade/inquisition throwbacks. It is halarious. Untill they start showing plane crashes on tv, I will watch b.o.. Funny stuff for sure!
you know what would be cool? If Bill uses the word "loon" again. boy that guy has his finger on the pulse of contemporary culture!
The " loon " was the american version of the german v1 buzz bomb. the US Military actually had a few of those after the second war. I am guessing he means " looney ", for i do not see being called a loon as anything other than a pathetic attempt at humor.
I don't think that there can be any question that his view is insulting. What kind of experiences or learning could lead him to belief in such a caricatured view of so many Americans? Is this how he thinks of Hispanics, Jews, Orientals, etc. Do they fit in little ethnic boxes and astonish him by acting like ladies and gentlemen?
Bill O'Reilly's definition of a smear seems to be quoting someone's words exactly as stated in order to allow people to freely discuss what they think. On the other hand good journalism, amounts to flying into a rage and calling people names without ever pointing out any inaccuracies in what they say. Have you ever heard him point out anything specific that Media Matters has said about him that was inaccurate? It's alway just some general comment about some left wing loon trying to smear him.
God, he must have been astounded to find something besides watermelon on the Sylvia's menu
So the other day I'd like to report I went to an all white American restaurant and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. They were not uptight and the food wasn't boring and tasteless. We were not treated rudely because we are not white. Maybe there were a few stares but we are used to that. That's the price you pay for being mixed raced; those white folks can't figure out what box to put you in. And I couldn't get over the fact that there was no difference between the white American restaurant and any other restaurant in New York City. I mean, it was exactly the same, even though it's run by whites, primarily white patron ship. I had a great time, and all the white people up there are tremendously respectful.
And I couldn't get over the fact that there was no difference between the white American restaurant and any other restaurant in New York City. I mean, it was exactly the same, even though it's run by whites, primarily white patron ship. I had a great time, and all the white people up there are tremendously respectful.- gizelle / Wednesday September 26, 2007 03:14:39 AM ESTI told my daughter yesterday that it would be like saying, "I went to a Irish restaurant and was surprised that there weren't members of the IRA and drunkards with bad teeth laying about and saying "wow, I thought they only served potatoes and oh it's so clean and they aren't slurring their words" and they weren't "arseing this and f'ing that". Or going to an Italian establishment and expecting to see mobsters with guns all over the place and being pleasantly surprised that they aren't shooting the place up like in the movies. Thinking "They are so polite, no one is plotting to kill each other in a mob war. This is just like any other establishment in NYC." I've listened to the comment in its entirety and it wasn't any better than the excerpts. As a black woman, it astounds me that this man and others like him actually think that black people can't "think for themselves" or conduct ourselves like any other human being, with class and respect. Unbelievable! Just because we don't buy the wingnut lies he thinks we can't think for ourselves. Rubbish! O'Liey is a complete idiot. He has completed idiot school and graduated with honors. I can't stand him or Fixed News. Like Eugene Robinson said on Countdown last night, "this is 2007". O'Liey somehow believes that giving a backhanded compliment to black Americans, we should be happy and say thank you. Any one of intelligence, black, white, green or yellow couldn't help but be angered by his comment as well as the multitude of others comments that have come out of the cesspool that is his mouth.
To me, the bigger issue is the situation of someone trying to dictate what is and what isn't offensive to someone else. Seems like you get that a lot on Faux News. Mind you, why does it sound like these guys on CNN are being almost apologists for O'Really?
He may or may not be a bigot, but that doesn't exempt one from the ability to say bigoted things (or sexist etc..)
But then again, what do I know - I'm just one of those stupid/never learned anythin/ill-informed/ignorant/murderous negroes.
"Now git me some more iced tea, M*****F*****!!!!"
Spin, if you don't mind, how about " Please git me some more iced tea, M*****F*****!!!!" ?
Nail hit fimly on head. Next he'll be surprised the waiter/waitress didn't call him massa.
This is a typical Ted Baxter gaffe. If there was no racist intent, then what was it? Willfull ignorance?
I want to commend the conservative posters at MMFA. I notice not one appology or attempt to tell us how hopelessly PC we are.
You obviously missed RINO's postings on previous threads related to this issue. He believes we are being extremely unfair to O'rielly and that O'rielly was only giving AAs a compliment.
Conservative Posters ... Where are ya'll?
I respect most conservatives here. Most of them admit what and who O'Rielly is.
Maybe they're just waiting to see if Alexander Sharpton will let Billy Boy off the hook. That won't help O'Rielly's situation.
Rhino Tom AA ... Are you there?
True. I just got home and started with the top thread. I should have KNOWN there is no conservative bloviators churlishness Rhino wont appologize for
MMfA should be ashamed...This is an all-out hatchet job on O'Reilly. You won't stop until he is pressured into leaving or is fired, then sit there and say "we don't support censorship". Well - your bullying tactics sure appear to be censorship. You disagree with O'Reilly - get over it. Is everyone who agrees with him or a racist?
Ok now you got that meaningless rant off your chest are you going to address what O'Reilly said or WHAT?
Quote:
" Well - your bullying tactics sure appear to be censorship. You disagree with O'Reilly - get over it. --- Is everyone who agrees with him a racist? " --- Goodfella57
Well - My GoodOne, do you agree with B.O. that Black people scream "Mother F-Words" at each other in their Business Establishments?
Censorship of imoral, hurtful, destructive, harmful, hateful, and racial comments is why Imus was let go. I'm OK with that.
I believe O'Reilly was trying to be funny and it backfired on him. He was happy to get out of that restaurant alive. He was running his mouth with some very hostile humor.
GoodOne, if you do agree with Bill, then yes, maybe you are a poet and you don't know it.
"Mahatma Gandhi used to run a gas station down in St. Louis..." Hillary Clinton
"you got the first mainstream African American (Obama) who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice looking guy. I mean, that's storybook, man." Joe Biden
"Judge Marovitz used to say that his mother believed that President Lincoln was Jewish. After all, his first name was Abraham, and then, to confirm it, she learned that John Wilkes Booth shot him in the temple." Dick Durbin
"It's time for us to rebuild New Orleans- the one that should be a chocolate New Orleans. This city will be a majority African American city." Mayor Ray Nagin
"You know, what is it about us always having to always clean up after people?" Sistah Hillary Clinton speaking to black political organizers in Al Sharpton's PAC
"You think the Republican National Committee could get this many people of color in a single room? Only if they had the hotel staff in here." Howard Dean Yes, racist remarks are quite common in American society.
Except for the last one which is in NO WAY racist. I agree. Now that excuses O'Reilly racist BS HOW exactly? Or is this another episode of LOOK OVER THERE
I don't excuse O'Reilly. He made an ignorant comment and should admit it and apologize. Now, why don't we cut through the B.S. This isn't about racism, it's a bounty hunt for B.O.'s head. If all of the Myrmidons here have such strong convictions that B.O. should be fired/resign, will the Myrmidons also call for the resignations/removal of H.Clinton, Biden, Nagin, and Dean? Of course not, because this isn't really about racism.
Morons like YOU should stop repeating rightwing propaganda is if it actually represented reality. Where does MMFA call for O'Reillys resignation? Oh thats right THEY DONT. This is about O'Reillys churlish, racist behavior. If you ever ONCE thought for yourself instead of tuning in to whatever screechmonkey floats your boat that would be clear to you. Assigning venal motives is the weak argument those WITHOUT an argument use. Just because you were ASSIGNED that propaganda parrot talking point doesnt make it true.
Check out the comments from your fellow Myrmidons calling for O'Reilly to be "Imus-ed". Once again, will any Myrmidon on this thread call for the resignation/removal of Hillary, Biden, Nagin, or Dean for making racist remarks?
So what? The airwaves are OUR resource they have a right. What has THAT to do with MMFA's agenda? Unless THEY are calling for his resignation which they arent then you have no point then again morons like you pretty much never have a point. You just mindlessly spew what you are TOLD to think
Good job ducking and dodging, but you and your fellow Myrmidons are full of crap if you don't hold presidential candidates to the same standards you have for a T.V. talking head.
I didnt duck or dodge anything I MADE the relevant point. It really isnt my fault you are too stupid to understand it. You morons REALLY need to learn to think. Just repeating what you THOUGHT was a good argument when you made it before is sad and pathetic. They DIDNT advocate anyone resigning NOT in this thead and NOT in your citation. You DONT have amazing mind reading powers so you DONT get to tell us that you picked up by telepathy that what they REALLY meant was. Man you are stupid
Solon,
Do you really believe MMfA is not indirectly advocating that O'Reilly, Beck, Limbaugh and others be fired or resign?
Here is the MMfA hit list of media personalities who they don't agree with. Never mind they are listened to and watched by millions every day, or the comments sited are usually wildly out of context. You can sense the glee in which the firing of Imus is reported and how the others cited in the article should be next to go.
Well, I'm off to get my daily conservative talking points.
A. Moron
First saying they are indirectly ADVOCATING something is an oxymoron. Calling it indirect is an admission it is YOUR interpretation. Spare us another episode of 'My Amazing Mind Reading powers say...You dont have any, they dont exist.
Second you are a LIAR to say they take most of these things out of context.
Third here is a clue. If you cant make your point without LYING, its because you dont have a point.
Solon,
Dude, you need to relax and stop YELLING at people. Does calling me a LIAR and a MORON really make you feel better about yourself?
Take a Xanax and cool out
First you dont get to tell me what to do so I suggest you get over yourself. Second, where did I call you a moron. Oh thats right I didnt you just made that up. Third I called you a liar for LYING. MMFA does NOT take most things wildly out of context I dont see them do that at ALL its a lie. If you dont want to be called a liar I have a another simple suggestion. Stop lying. Third you assume facts not in evidence by assigning to me an emotional investment that doesnt exist. Leave off your amazing mind reading powers as I already told you they dont exist
And furthermore Solon...
Why is it you feel you need to call people you disagree with "liars"?
The definition of 'Lie':"...to say something that is not true in a conscious effort to deceive somebody."
Solon explained why he called you a liar. Why are you asking him as if it isn't clear?
I feel it necessary to call people currently LYING liars.
Solon and (Closed mind...)
Again, you feel it necessary to resort to name-calling those you disagree with. How pathetic. If you had your way, the world would be like 1984 (the book, not the year). No disagreement, just mindless robots following orders for the good of the state. No??? Look at the way you line up and fawn over the bloated Algore like he was the second coming of Jim Jones. And you accuse us of drinking the kool-aid.
I called you a liar for LYING. You said this
the comments sited are usually wildly out of context.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
It is a flat out lie. That isnt name calling its descriptive. If you dont like to be called a liar just stop lying. Pretending I have some obligation to ALLOW you to lie and it puts some undue burden on you that I actually point you that you are LYING is ludicrous. I have been coming here for years. What you said is an obvious and outright lie its just that simple
Solon,
Here's a lie: MMfA claims they are not out to get people censored. But only point out "conservative misinformation".
Let's get back to this O'Reilly topic: Where is the 'misinformation'? He said something mmfa thinks may be racist - that's not misinformation. It's what he believes. Is it racist? If you cherry pick one line? Perhaps. But not if you hear the whole 1-hour show in CONTEXT (there's that word again). So where am I lying?
One could say YOU are lying and in fact mmfa is lying when they say they are not advocating censorship or the outright firing of their little hit list of "hate mongering" media hosts.
Why don't YOU stop lying and admit that is what you want as well. Wouldn't the world be better if everyone just agreed with you? Why not just have me banned? A conservative troll like me posting here? You know you want to.
So then basically EVERYTHING you post is all about those amazing mind reading powers you dont really have. Are you REALLY arguing that even though I have never ONCE said anything about censoring O'Rielly or taking off the air it would be reasonable to call me a liar because you THINK I am based on those amazing mind reading powers that we all know dont exist. So if that IS your very dumb argument then make it and good luck with that. Meanwhile MMFA does NOT take most things wildly out of context. It was a lie the first time you said it. It is still a lie. It will be a lie tomorrow. What you are basically saying is that since I calle YOU a liar for telling a lie that EVERYONE knows is a flat out lie, that you didnt even BEGIN to TRY to substantiate you are going to call me a liar because you picked up by telepathy that what I REALLY want is something I have NEVER advocated ONCE in the years I have been here. You do know how pathetic that is dont you?
Solon,
You know, maybe its my thick conservative head but I don't have any idea what you're talking about. Mind reading? Lying liars? I honestly don't get it. Unless you can come up with a coherent point, I'm afraid I won't be able to post anymore responses to your inane rants.
Let's make up and start over. I'll see you at the next MMfA Glenn Beck item.
I think you are indirectly advocating that MMFA be shut down. I love this "indirect advocating" stuff. Pretty keen. Looks like a dressed up version of the mindreading argument, which conservatives seem to love so much.
There is no racist BS to excuse him from. Also, justifying controverial statements by listing other controversial statements is pointless. The Leprechaun made a very poorly worded statement here. For anyone whose brain is not zeroed in on accusing white people of being racist, the main point of his statement was that the media portrayal of blacks as rappers/thugs that we see so often is completely incorrect, most black people are not like that.
Now, I dont think that point should even have to be made on radio/television by anyone. Any person with a brain should know that most black people are not gangsters/rappers/thugs, and that yes...they live just like everyone else. Thats just common sense, something that the leprechaun lacks. But this attack started by MMFA over a poorly worded obvious fact of reality is uncalled for and unnecessary.
Yes there was. The patronizing condescension O'Reilly spewed was racist BS. And no MMFA exposing the racist BS was not in any way wrong because you are RIGHT. Everyone with a brain KNOWS that the racist stereotypes like those spewed by Billy are not only not true but exceedingly dumb. So for Billy to act SHOCKED that they arent true is racist BS
I suppose we all have different sensitivity to patronizing remarks. There is no doubt in my mind - and the full audio of the remarks only confirms that to me, but I understand if you don't see it like I do. I was once like you myself.
I hadn't heard Durbin's joke before - that's pretty funny!
I don't see how Dick Durbin's remarks were even slightly "racist" either. Hillary Clinton's don't seem racist either - maybe something was left out that I am missing.
Biden's remarks are the best example and they have been roundly criticized by the liberals here.
You can't see the racism in the statements made by high profile libs? I am shocked!
I saw it in Biden's remarks and said as much - so I think that would dispell your suggestion of partisanship or loyalty to supposed liberals. I don't even like Hillary and never would vote for her, but I am not going to call her a racist just to make you happy. Your examples were just pretty lame aside from Biden's remarks - which are similar to Bill O'Reilly's remarks BTW. I suppose you feel the need to blame others when you aren't convincing. Whatever floats your boat.
Actually, Biden's idiot remarks were the reason why the next day everyone was saying Biden's campaign was the shortest in history. (I think he said those remarks at his press conference announcing his candidacy.)
Nobody excused those remarks. Nobody should excuse O'Reilly's.
I think he should have done it.. it's something he said taken the wrong way.. He was trying, it just came out wrong.
A simple apology would set the record straight. I think O'Reilly's reaction and his lack of circumspection is very telling.
I don't think this is racism in the old sense. It doesn't say that blacks are actually inferior and ought to stay in their place and keep their hands off "our" women, it just applies O'Reilly's condescending arrogance to the subject of race. Wow, here's a black restaurant that is a nice place! See, I'm being color-blind! Now, if only blacks would just stop it with the rap and the black power and the big demonstrations for equal rights, they could have-- You know how it goes.
How do you not be a racist? It's not being "politically correct." It's following very old advice that is at the core of humanist philosophy and all the world's religions: treat others the way you want them to treat you.
MMFA lies again..
Waldman" We put up the full audio and full transcript"
Oh really??? How come the clips is 5 seconds long when the entire segment is 40 minutes long and starts with "Now how did we get to this point?" Yea, because you start segements with "Now"
You are right. Waldman was wrong to say that. I think MMFA should have put up a couple of minutes of the audio and described it as the "relevant few minutes of the transcript".
Of course MMFA shouldn't have to put up the entire transcript from the show. That doesn't make any sense. I have listened to the entire show and O'Reilly's patronizing racism is pervasive. It really doesn't help him to encourage people to listen to the entire show and it doesn't change anything that he said and on which people are now focusing.
Juan Williams "understand where his bread is buttered," as though an NPR correspondent needs to go on Fox News. This constant trashing of blacks is amazing to me. I guess Juan Williams is just an "Uncle Tom" to you people because he doesn't toe the line and speak as a black man is expected to speak. Have any of you read his book "Enough" or do you just assume that because a black man agrees with anything BillO says he must be "acting white?"
Also interesting how other comments are ignored such as Williams' condemning rap for dragging down black culture and distorting white perceptions of that culture. I guess we should just ignore what a black man brought to the discussion.