O'Reilly to “race hustlers” and “race-baiters”: "[T]he gloves are off"

Asserting that “millions of Americans of all colors are fed up with race-baiters and accusations of racism,” Bill O'Reilly identified those he deemed to be “race hustlers” and “race-baiters” -- among them Media Matters for America -- and declared: “You better watch it. We got your number. And the gloves are off.”

During the April 7 edition of Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor, discussing what he claimed to be the “white backlash against Reverend [Jeremiah] Wright and racist accusations,” host Bill O'Reilly asserted that “millions of Americans of all colors are fed up with race-baiters and accusations of racism. This vile stuff has been going on far too long. And now with the Wright controversy, critical mass has been reached.” O'Reilly then identified those he deemed to be “race hustlers” and “race-baiters” and declared: “You better watch it. We got your number. And the gloves are off.” Among those he named was Media Matters for America, about which he stated: “The hateful far-left Media Matters website has branded as racist the following: Alan Colmes, John Gibson, Glenn Beck, Michelle Malkin, Neil Cavuto, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and Fred Barnes among others.” O'Reilly later added: “The result of all this garbage is that millions of white Americans will no longer even think about discussing race with blacks.”

O'Reilly also attacked Eric Deggans, media critic at the St. Petersburg Times, asserting: “Deggans takes delight in branding people racist. Senator Joseph McCarthy would love this guy.” O'Reilly added: “Secondly, African-Americans should realize that this stuff drives good people away from constructive dialogue that might advance racial harmony in America. The race baiters and profiteers actually hurt minorities by inhibiting sincere discussion.” Deggans responded to O'Reilly in an April 8 item at The Huffington Post, headlined “My Proudest Moment as a Pundit: Bill O'Reilly Calls Me a Race Baiter,” in which he wrote: “When a master at manipulating race-based tension calls you out, you must be doing something right.”

During the March 25 edition of his Fox News program, O'Reilly called Media Matters an “awful, despicable ... outfit” and said: "[T]alk about anti-Americanism. I mean, the Media Matters ... these are fascists. They're dishonest people." Likewise, referring to Media Matters, O'Reilly recently asserted: “Any of the presidential candidates who can deport those swine -- I'm voting for them.”

From the April 7 edition of Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor:

O'REILLY: Hi, I'm Bill O'Reilly. Thank you for watching us tonight. The white backlash against Reverend Wright and racist accusations -- that is the subject of this evening's “Talking Points Memo.”

As we've been reporting, millions of Americans of all colors are fed up with race-baiters and accusations of racism. This vile stuff has been going on far too long. And now with the Wright controversy, critical mass has been reached.

Here is a partial list of people that Jesse Jackson's organizations have labeled racist. President Bush, President Bush the elder, President Reagan, Newt Gingrich, Don Imus, Trent Lott, Gary Hart, and Jeb Bush.

The hateful far-left Media Matters website has branded as racist the following: Alan Colmes, John Gibson, Glenn Beck, Michelle Malkin, Neil Cavuto, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, and Fred Barnes, among others.

Liberal icon Senator Joe Biden and Geraldine Ferraro have both been branded racist. Comedian Bill Maher was called racist by his former girlfriend Nancy Johnson, who sued him, and the list goes on and on.

The result of all this garbage is that millions of white Americans will no longer even think about discussing race with blacks. It is far too dangerous. Any slip of the tongue can lead to big trouble.

One of the biggest race-baiters in the country writes for the St. Petersburg Times newspaper. Eric Deggans also serves as the chairman of the Black Journalist Media Monitoring Committee. Deggans takes delight in branding people racist. Senator Joseph McCarthy would love this guy.

So what should be done? Well, full exposure of the race-baiters is number one. They will be challenged here.

Secondly, African-Americans should realize that this stuff drives good people away from constructive dialogue that might advance racial harmony in America. The race-baiters and the profiteers actually hurt minorities by inhibiting sincere discussion. If you've watched The Factor over the years, you know we have a great guest list filled with smart Americans of all colors and ethnicities. We have a respectful relationship with Al Sharpton. We have introduced the country to great minds like Juan Williams and Dr. Marc Lamont Hill.

We'll continue to do that in the no-spin zone because no-spin people come in all colors. But you race hustlers out there, you race-baiters: You better watch it. We got your number. And the gloves are off. And that's the “Memo.”