MSNBC's Olbermann, Abrams take on E.D. Hill's fist bump comments
SUMMARY: MSNBC's Dan Abrams and Keith Olbermann took issue with Fox News host E.D. Hill's suggestion that a fist bump by Sen. Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, might be "interpret[ed]" as a "terrorist fist jab," with Abrams saying, "[O]ver at Fox News, if it's Obama, it must be something far more sinister."
On the June 9 editions of their MSNBC shows, Dan Abrams and Keith Olbermann mocked Fox News and host E.D. Hill over her suggestion that a fist bump by Sen. Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, might be "interpret[ed]" as a "terrorist fist jab," with Abrams saying, "[O]ver at Fox News, if it's Obama, it must be something far more sinister."
As Media Matters for America noted, on the June 6 edition of Fox News' America's Pulse, Hill teased a segment on the Obamas' fist bump -- which they did as Sen. Obama prepared to give a June 3 speech in St. Paul, Minnesota, after becoming the presumptive Democratic candidate for president -- saying, "A fist bump? A pound? A terrorist fist jab? The gesture everyone seems to interpret differently."
Olbermann showed a clip of Hill's comment on the June 9 edition of Countdown, and discussed it with MSNBC contributor Rachel Maddow. Olbermann said, "So, let me see. Michael Jordan and Charlie Sheen, who try to fist bump in this new underwear commercial, they're terrorists? ... [T]here are all sorts of other examples, like every professional athlete and many actors and entertainers. They're all terrorists." Abrams showed a clip of Hill's comment during the "Beat the Press" segment of his show, Verdict, and stated: "Yes, a handshake or a terrorist fist jab. Everyone just interprets it differently."
From the June 9 edition of MSNBC's Verdict with Dan Abrams:
ABRAMS: It's time for tonight's "Beat the Press." First up, let's be clear: Most of us in the news business are dorks. I don't know how else to say it. When the Obamas gave each other a fist bump, it was cool. When my colleagues in the news business try to relive the moment, it's just tough to watch.
[begin video clip]
MAGGIE RODRIGUEZ (co-anchor of CBS' The Early Show): All right, everybody, give me a little pound-pound. A simple fist bump --
HOWARD KURTZ (host of CNN's Reliable Sources): Byron [Pitts, CBS national correspondent], I'm not cool enough to grasp this, so tell me, is this what all the brothers do?
KURTZ: Byron Pitts, Gloria Borger [CNN senior political analyst] --
BORGER: Ooh.
KURTZ: -- Jake Tapper [ABC News senior national correspondent].
TAPPER: Word.
RODRIGUEZ: -- Thursday. There you have it. Nice job.
WOLF BLITZER (host of CNN's Late Edition): Go ahead, you can do it. There we go. All right, good work.
[end video clip]
ABRAMS: Please stop. Stop. But of course, over at Fox News, if it's Obama, it must be something far more sinister.
HILL [video clip]: A fist bump? A pound? A terrorist fist jab? The gesture everyone seems to interpret differently.
ABRAMS: Yes, a handshake or a terrorist fist jab. Everyone just interprets it differently.
From the June 9 edition of MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann:
OLBERMANN: There is some degree of ignorance and prejudice that Senator Barack Obama must confront as he makes his bid for the presidency. And his campaign can also count on a dose of inflammatory idiocy, not only from the senator's critics, but also from a so-called news organization. More on Fox Noise and the Obama fist bump presently.
[...]
OLBERMANN: And the anti-Obama campaigning is getting more and more, well, out there. Criticism of the Obama knuckle knock or fist bump, an attempt, in fact, to link it to terrorism, one we all saw right before his victory speech last night in St. -- or last Tuesday in St. Paul.
Fox News' E.D. Hill, teasing an upcoming segment on this, said this:
HILL [video clip]: A fist bump, a pound, a terrorist fist jab? The gesture everyone seems to interpret differently.
OLBERMANN: Hill's America's Pulse program then had a body language [expert] on to say, basically, you have no pulse. No, she said that the fist big -- the fist bump was no big deal. Thus, Fox Noise's unanswered innuendo could be applied forward, which must mean that North Carolina's Governor Mike Easley, as you saw, also might be a terrorist.
Let's turn now to MSNBC political analyst Rachel Maddow, who also hosts her own show on Air America Radio on weekday afternoons. Rachel, good evening.
MADDOW: Hi, Keith.
OLBERMANN: So, let me see. Michael Jordan and Charlie Sheen, who try to fist bump in this new underwear commercial, they're terrorists? And this is -- there are all sorts of other examples, like every professional athlete and many actors and entertainers. They're all terrorists.
This apparently springs from a comment on a right-wing blog. In a sense, if they're clutching at straws like these in June, do you feel a little sorry for the far right?
MADDOW: Not really.
Take it however you wish. :)
Oh, here it comes. The 'free speech' and 'compete in the marketplace of ideas' lectures...
If anyone at Faux News had an idea, it would die of lonliness.
Ask the terrorist where FOX should go? Sorry Gov, that makes no sense. Not even in your world.
Tired eh? It's nap time for you. I'll find your binky.
Tommy I loved how you turned the tables on Gov by asking him: Must go where?
His silly answer was dopier than his original remark :-)
Tommy, you are a conservative here on a lib site wanting a fellow lib (Governor) to shut up? Are you serious?
Dude, YOU are in the minority here. Don't forget that.
Have you considered what would happen to the Governor if he posted the crap you just posted on a con site such such FR? How about Sean Insanity's site? Or Rush's site? Do you know what would happen?
Yeah, thought so...
I am in the minority and I shouldn't forget that? Excuse me, meaning what?
Never mind, even though your liberal mindset puts you in that majority, I am more than comfortable being where I am.......so get over it.
:)
Rabbit,
First of all it was Gov who told Tommy & I to shut up & ignore him. Most of the time I do ignore Gov because he has little to add to the discussion & wastes time asking inane questions.
I can't speak for Tommy but I come here, rather then going to a Right-Wing site because I'd rather read/debate other points of view. I can't imagine wasting time on some forum where everyone agrees. Doesn't sound very interesting...or fun.
I've always heard Libs were supposed to be more tolerant of other opinions. Or is that just another myth?
Yeah Rabbit, Tommy and Jeter are not the enemy here. They by and large get it, and live in reality. If they weren't here I probably wouldn't be here either, cuz it's just more fun with them around.
That being said, keep criticizing 'em. It's entertaining ;)
When are you and Tommy gonna get a room? Really, all this fist bumping is ridiculous. What's next, the chest bump? :-0)
You guys are really too much. I agree with Gov, Fox must go......maybe to H E double tooth pick. I don't care.
LEAVE GOV ALONE! (said in Brittany guy's voice). I like him.
Jeter and Tommy.....it's time to play "CON FAMILY FEUD".........
Fist bump, chest bump and "good answer!" all around.
Way to go, dude. BINGO!!!!!!!
You got that right, homey, yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!
Did I leave anything out? :-0)
What are you drinking Julia?
Maybe you should go take a nap too ;-)
I'm just jealous that all of your time is taken up with Gov and TOmmy. It barely leaves any time for me and you to chest bump or fist jab. Give a girl a break.
My sweet Julia, I still think you're looped, but maybe we should be the ones getting a room?!? hehehe.
Do I get to pick out your wardrobe for our chest bump ;-)
Tommy, later dude. I got a hot date....
Take a nap....only if you'll join me! :-)
Wait, that was dejevue, now where did I hear that before? Hmmnn. I think it was some ill mannered dog :-0)
Yeah, that would be this hound ;-)
A nap sound great...after the chest bump....
Actually you're on, but only if I get to pick out your wardrobe as well.
Got any pictures of George Clooney in a red satin speedo?
Wow Julia! You are on fire today!! I'm liking this :-)
I'll be looking for a photo. Keep drinking honey, I don't want you to lose that lovin feeling ;-)
Keep talkin' like that and it might "send a tingle down my leg". ;-)
I'm getting sloshed on carrot and apple juuush. Don't take advantage too mussh.
Grrrr...nothing like work to help kill the mood. Sorry my sweet Julia I got dragged away to a meeting I needed to attend.
If I pour you another drink darlin, maybe we can get back to some pillow talk ;-)
Meanwhile it doesn't appear after a quick search that George has any speedo pics. So you'll just have to use your imagination.
Now back to those tingles running up & down your leg....
Ha! Colonel I hope not...guess I'd have some splaining to do :-O
But if someone ever did-- better to find "George Clooney" than an image search with the word 'fist" in it ;-)
close...
here's Clooney.. grrrrowwwlll !
oh, Jeter, here's that pic of you from our last "buddy" vacation...
Well done Col., I knew you could do it. I thought maybe you had some pictures of Jason Alexander from the movie "Love, Valour, Compassion!" where he appeared nude (backside). Remember that movie some 10-12 years ago about the gay guys all getting together at a summer house? Oh well, I guess hetero guys don't go to those types of movies like us chicks do. (He did have a cute little bum).
And I'm still in the mood, Jeter although I can't be here too much today. Will reserve pillow talk for later :-)
Hey I had to go to the drugstore, but they were playing that sexy, sexy voice of Barry White. I'm still in the mood, but alas must go back to work as well. Later, sailor.
Can you imagine the uproar, at the very least from the distinguished Governor himself, if you or I had said "MMFA must go".
Jeff Christie, Sean Insanity, Mark "Rotten" Levin, Bill "Falafel" O'Reilly, and Michael "Silly" Savage say it all the time....
Please reprint exact quotes where any of the above mentioned has ever said "MMFA must go".
And even if they have, which I doubt, their declaration would be as ridiculous as the Governors.
You're being ridiculous... exact quotes. LOL...
Here's M. Rotten Levin calling MM a 'criminal enterprise'. Now what do you think should happen to 'criminal enterprises', Tommy? Should THEY GO? Hmmm?
http://hotair.com/archives/2007/09/29/mark-levin-media-matters-is-a-criminal-enterprise/
As a bonus, you even get to see this detestable man's ugly puss along with the screechy voice.
Now you're comparing the Gov with Levin???
I think YOU need the nap!
I prescribe naps for everyone! But no cuddling.
OK. I spoon to the left.
Hey Crispy, I agree with everything you just said!
I saw that video yesterday (thanks DB) of the producer getting his clock cleaned and it WAS priceless. I didn't see the O'Reilly segment though. I don't watch the jerk. But you are tempting me to find it to see the major editing that must have gone on.
I think Fog and others seriously under estimate the racism that stills permeates the US. There is such a virulent opposition to "them darkies" moving into "our white house" that this bubbles up to FOX and we see comments like this on air.
The quotes are from a member of my church, elderly white male, otherwise very likable guy.
It will be a challenge to keep this sort of racial hatred in check during this campaign.
Good piece here:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/06/09/politics/main4163154.shtml
"I don't think our country is ready for a black president," Susick, who is white, said in an interview in the paint store where she works. "A black man is never going to win Pennsylvania."
I remember a time when African Americans were told, we weren't smart enough to be doctors, lawyers or teachers, so we went out and got the education needed. I remember a time when there were no black quarterbacks in the NFL, no blacks in the NFL period, and we all remember Jackie Robinson. Steel work, Dock work and the list goes on of all the things black weren't allowed to do SIMPLY because they were black and Whites thought they we were inferior. Can you possibility understand how a young back children feel hearing in the year 2008, long past slavery and civil rights, he/she is STILL it not good enough because of their skin color? And we shouldn't be angry, we should be grateful according to Pat Buchanan?
I've lived a long time waiting for equality and I can say there's been progress, I'm not riding in the back of the bus anymore. But we still have a long long way to go and it's not just Republicans, it's white Democrats in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky and elsewhere who still believe, no matter what blacks achieve, they will remain inferior simply because of there race.
THAT is what Obama's facing and unfortunately it says something about this country and the truth about exactly how far we've really come.
The “white community,” said Barack, must start “acknowledging that what ails the African-American community does not just exist in the minds of black people; that the legacy of discrimination — and current incidents of discrimination, while less overt than in the past — are real and must be addressed. Not just with words, but with deeds … .”
Thanks for the article Rabbit.
Excellent post, Pearlene.
What really angers the hell out of me, as a white person, is when cynical Grade-A idiots such as Rush will get on the radio and spout off BS such as whites will only vote for Obama out of some 'guilt complex' they have or some other ridiculous garbage. I mean, really low. Really cynical. Really IGNORANT. He doesn't speak for me. Not even close. I see Obama as a MAN who is our best hope of restoring honor in this country and its government. Has zip to do with race.
See, the cons love to say they are color-blind. I say far from it. The fact that Rush would even bring up this 'white guilt' garbage and his not-so-subtle jabs at Obama and, going back a bit, Donovan McNabb, show that Rush is a vile racist and that his views should be relegated to the far fringe. People like him have no conscience whatsoever - just check out that horrible parody he did on the Peter, Paul, & Mary song. Disgusting. And he played it AGAIN just last Friday. No shame whatsoever.
The fact that Rush would even bring up this 'white guilt' garbage and his not-so-subtle jabs at Obama and, going back a bit, Donovan McNabb, show that Rush is a vile racist and that his views should be relegated to the far fringe.
Rabbit, I'd rather folks like Rush make their racist statements public. I'd rather people like Rush call me a ni**er to my face, than smile and pretend that they like and accept me. That's what the Klan used to do, put on sheets so that you wouldn't know it was the mayor or the sheriff burning that cross on your lawn.
Understood, but they are too cowardly for that. They cannot even admit it to themselves much less actually come right out with it in the open.
To be candid, I am really concerned about this election. I think we are going to see how ugly people can be this fall.
To be candid, I am really concerned about this election. I think we are going to see how ugly people can be this fall.
Rabbit, what I should have said is I expect folks like Limbo, Hannity and Orally to spout racist crap. It's not surprising, it's expected. I don't expect Rush, Hannity, Boortz, Ingram and the rest of the right wing nut jobs to have a clue about anything that doesn't look like them or think like them.
Republicans want control. Control means power and power means money and THAT is what's most important to Republicans. With Obama they get a little extra play because of his race, his father and his stepfather. But I have made a promise to myself, each and every time Republicans lie or smear Obama I'm sending an e-mail or a letter. I'm retired and have nothing but time on my hands. I've encouraged my grandson, daughters and other friends and relatives to do the same. 'We the people' have the power to change this country. It wont be easy but good things don't come easy. Civil Rights didn't come easy but it came with the will and determination of 'we the people'.
As someone who lived in PA for the first half of my life, and who still goes there pretty frequently, I can assure you that the white people who share this persons feelings about Senator Obama are themselves never going to be doctors, or lawyers, or even dock workers.
They'll continue to work in paint stores and fill up the stools at the local taprooms waiting for last call, complaining about the sorry state of the country.
I can assure you that the white people who share this persons feelings about Senator Obama are themselves never going to be doctors, or lawyers, or even dock workers.
King, that's the funny part.
It's like Rush claiming Democrats aren't patriotic when his fat lazy a** never bothered to serve.
Pearlene, you be sure to keep after us. My Grandfather was an out and out racist. My Dad probably is, but learned to be politically correct to the point that I have never heard a racist comment from him about Blacks. Me, I have a gut reaction when I meet a Black for the first time that is tainted with fear, but have worked for, with and befreinded Blacks in my life.
The challenge is to keep us, whites, caucasians, from resting on our laurels. I hope my grandchildren will not even understand what racism is, other than in a historical context. I hope my grandchildren will think about racism the way we think about slavery today.
The challenge is to keep us, whites, caucasians, from resting on our laurels. I hope my grandchildren will not even understand what racism is, other than in a historical context. I hope my grandchildren will think about racism the way we think about slavery today.
Pit, I want to tell you about a family who's youngest child was invited to her classmates overnight birthday party. After seeing the invitation the parent agreed their daughter could attend and proceeded to get an lovely gift for the child's party. When the parents arrived at the party they found their little girl was the only little black child in a crowd of white children. The parents notice that their child was happy and all the children friendly but still feared leaving their child. With a heavy heart the parents left their youngest child at the party and continued to discuss their fears for leaving their child for the rest of the evening. When the parents arrived early the next morning to pick up their child they found her smiling and extremely happy.
The parents were my husband and I who were afraid to leave our child with a white family.
Well I expected FOX would go after Obama at every turn, but this is totally ludicrous. E.D. Hill sounded like a idiot. Any reg FOX viewer that watches sports [and has seen the fist bump] had to think she was off her nut.
Olbermann & I agree. I'll mark my calendar, this could be a once-in-a-lifetime moment ;-)
Jeter, I daresay any regular Fox viewer--sports-watcher or not--will give E(ducationally) D(eficient) Hill and great big "amen," turn to their spouses, and say something on the order of "I didn't know that was a terrorist greeting!"
"But honey, the ball-players on TV do it all the time!"
"Well, that's diferent! Everybody knows Hussein Obama went to school in a madras and wants to dee-stroy Amur'ca..."
E.D. Hill sounded like a idiot.
That comes naturally for her, seeing as she IS an idiot...
Dammit, Foghorn, you made me google Alexis Glick. Not bad, I won't tell anybody what a pig you are. I check out Elita Loresca, my L.A. KNBC Channel 4 weather woman every mornning, only because I'm concerned about the weather that's exactly the same 300 days a year.
Hey, I have to get up around 5:30-6:00. Coffee doesn't do it all.