Fox's Jarrett falsely claimed Pelosi "sort of suggested" that health care protesters are Nazis
Fox News anchor Gregg Jarrett falsely claimed that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi "sort of suggested that any American citizen who dared voice an objection in a protest is a Nazi, apparently based on one isolated incident." However, Pelosi actually said of the protesters, "They're carrying swastikas and symbols like that to a town meeting on health care," a claim that is true, and swastikas have appeared at more than "one isolated incident."
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Jarrett claimed Pelosi "sort of suggested that any American citizen that dared voice an objection in a protest is a Nazi"
Jarrett said during the August 10 edition of Fox News' Studio B with Shepard Smith:
JARRETT: First of all, in the beginning, Pelosi sort of suggested that any American citizen who dared voice an objection in a protest is a Nazi, apparently based on one isolated incident. But now, she's stepped it up and she's labeling protesters "un-American." Isn't that destructive rather than constructive?
Pelosi actually said health care protesters were "carrying swastikas and symbols like that to a town meeting on health care"
Speaking to reporters, Pelosi was asked if she thought there was "legitimate grassroots opposition" at recent town hall events. She responded:
PELOSI: I think they're Astroturf; you be the judge. They're carrying swastikas and symbols like that to a town meeting on health care.
Pelosi was right, and swastikas have appeared at more than "one isolated incident"
As Media Matters senior fellow Eric Boehlert and Fox News contributor Alan Colmes have noted, multiple protesters at health care reform protests have held signs featuring swastikas.
Jarrett distorted Pelosi's "un-American" claim
In saying that Pelosi is "labeling protesters un-American," Jarrett joined his Fox News colleagues in distorting Pelosi's August 10 USA Today op-ed, in which she and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer wrote that "it is now evident that an ugly campaign is underway not merely to misrepresent the health insurance reform legislation, but to disrupt public meetings and prevent members of Congress and constituents from conducting a civil dialogue" and that "[d]rowning out opposing views is simply un-American."
And I am a long time democrat who worked for Kerry and Obama.
Rep. Scott's office vandalized with four-foot swastika
Protests At Cardin Town Hall Feature AFP Booth, "Death Panel" Warnings, And Obama-Hitler Signs
You're an idiot and a hypocrite.
At a town hall held by Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) yesterday, ThinkProgress’ Amanda Terkel overheard at least one person yelling out, "Obama's not even a citizen!"
It will be interesting to see whether there will be a hue and cry in January from the fair-weather liberal protestors, when the dems in congress prevent Obama from closing Guantanamo.
As to Pelosi and her cohorts reproaching the town hall attendees, they're really just showing their ineptitude in persuading the public. Obama and his cabinet sell his policies well. Unfortunately, the likes of Pelosi, Reid and Hoyer fail miserably to sound convincing, and will undermine his efforts to attain healthcare reform.
Curiously the president would like your support and be able to support you in turn. This has nothing to do with your political afiliations.
Curious to me because I don't think there's much chance of your support. Given the substance of your posts.
What the F** are you talking about, question mark Tommy? No one has stated the protesters don't have a right to protest. And where are the war protesters? Yes, the war protesters should be holding counter rallies, but unfortunately are scarce.
Back when I was at a Kerry appearance in Toledo one man was walking around with a sign protesting abortion. One of the other Kerry supporters wanted to block him from public view, but I convinced her our principles can stand on their own. So she walked beside him, not infront, blocking the view.
Protesting is acceptable, disrupting and shouting down the speaker is not.
People who go to town hall meetings to shout down the other speakers are not Nazis, just a$$holes.