About us Login Get email updates
Research
Print

Fox Nation, conservative media launch political attack on Obama's shooting remarks

November 06, 2009 12:24 pm ET — 126 Comments

Following the shootings at the Fort Hood Army Post, the Fox Nation and right-wing blogs launched political attacks on President Obama's remarks at a the Tribal Nations conference at the Interior Department, in which he addressed the tragedy after making introductory remarks.

Right-wing media attack Obama's introductory remarks

Fox Nation: "Appropriate? Obama Gives 'Shout Out' Before Fort Hood Remarks." Fox Nation posted a video of the press conference on November 5 with the headline, "Appropriate? Obama Gives 'Shout Out' Before Fort Hood Remarks":

Fox Nation Obama shoutout


Drudge headline: "Obama's Frightening Insensitivity Following Shooting..." Drudge posted a link to a column by Robert A. George under the headline "Obama's Frightening Insensitivity Following Shooting..." From the Drudge Report on November 6:

Drudge attack Obama Ft. Hood response

Commentary's Chavez: "He treated the event like a pep rally." Linda Chavez wrote in a November 5 blog post for Commentary Magazine that "President Obama's rushed press conference was surprising in its flippancy nonetheless. Before he got to the issue on everyone's mind - namely the deaths of Americans in uniform - the president gave a 'shout-out' to government bureaucrats gathered for a previously scheduled conference at the Interior Department, complete with appreciative chuckles. He treated the event like a pep rally rather than a tragic occasion with a wider audience than those gathered in the room. I wonder how many media outlets will compare Obama's performance to President Bush's 'Pet Goat' moment on 9/11. I won't hold my breath."

GatewayPundit: Obama addressed shooting "[a]fter two minutes of smiling, pointing and dithering." GatewayPundit blogger Jim Hoft wrote on November 5, "After two minutes of smiling, pointing and dithering... Barack Obama finally got around to mentioning the massacre at Fort Hood in Texas. The president then went on to tell the audience what great admiration he has for the men and women in uniform...Except, of course, for those serving in Afghanistan who he refuses to support."

Ben Johnson: Obama "feels there is no event so serious that it cannot be prefaced by a moment of glib hipness." On November 5 Johnson wrote on David Horowitz' Newsreal website that Obama's "shout out" "says it all: our commander-in-chief feels there is no event so serious that it cannot be prefaced by a moment of glib hipness, no solemn loss so sacred he will deny himself a moment of wry self-indulgence. Soldiers were killed? Let's say hi to Joe first. An entire theater of war needs a plan to defeat the terrorists who struck America on 9/11? No reason I can't go golfing, shoot some hoops, and hit the town with Michelle."  Johnson added, "We desperately need an adult in the White House. Sadly, today's press conference proves we do not have one."

American Thinker: "Our clueless C in C." American Thinker blogger Clarice Feldman wrote on November 5, "Twelve soldiers were murdered in cold blood at Fort Hood. Thirty others were wounded. Our Commander in Chief calls a press conference and begins it with a long thanks to the Interior Department and Indians who just concluded a conference and  then gives a good natured 'shout out' to an attendee, all with a studied nonchalance, before he even mentions the outrage on our military base."

Expand All Expand 1st Level Collapse All Add Comment
    • Author by hurricaneyankee52983 (November 06, 2009 12:28 pm ET)
      11 2
      Nothing PRESIDENT OBAMA does will ever make these nutjobs happy.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by rkcomments (November 06, 2009 12:59 pm ET)
        8 2
        It's the next best thing to linking Obama and the shooter as long-lost cousins. Bet they tried but clearly failed to find a family connection.

        If we are to save America we need to ship republicans out of this country.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by captfoster2 (November 06, 2009 1:57 pm ET)
          10 3
          Got to love the self-righteous indignation of the right-wing lunatics!
          Report Abuse
        • Author by treefingers (November 06, 2009 3:24 pm ET)
          2  
          WND already made the shooter an advisor of Obama's transition.
          Report Abuse
        • Author by Easy to refute wingnuts (November 06, 2009 3:56 pm ET)
          3  
          It's the next best thing to linking Obama and the shooter as long-lost cousins. Bet they tried but clearly failed to find a family connection.
          Isn't everyone on the planet now remotely related to Charlemagne?
          Report Abuse
      • Author by ILindependent (November 06, 2009 10:31 pm ET)
          2
        Well what has he done? Trying to ram through a health care bill that threatens to bankrupt the US? Or are you one of those left wing entitlement nut jobs? Yet hems and haws and cant act like a C in C and send troops as requested by the General in charge? Hmmmmm......thats leadership alright.

        When one takes 6 months to pick out a dog, yet wants to ram through a health care bill by tomorrow, doesnt send troops as requested, is one which doesnt seem to have the priorities of the US, but rather a personal agenda.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by Publius39 (November 06, 2009 12:32 pm ET)
      13 1
      Its a shame that at this point the President can do nothing right in the eyes of Conservtives. This is Obama Derangement Syndrome at its greatest. I wonder what would happen if all these media outlets used the time that they take to blast the president on petty matters and channeled it into something more positive and helpful...no wait, that's a disaster waiting to happen.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by Conchobhar (November 06, 2009 2:15 pm ET)
        10 2
        Just wait until Dec. 26, no, the 25th (they won't even wait a day) when they attack him for giving gifts to Michelle and the girls.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by skatscan5624 (November 07, 2009 7:11 pm ET)
          5 1
          Probably criticize him for not waiting til Kwanzaa to give presents.
          Report Abuse
      • Author by marco21 (November 06, 2009 5:27 pm ET)
        10  
        President Obama and the Democrats should just give these losers the finger and shut them out of everything for the betterment of the country.

        Report Abuse
        • Author by ILindependent (November 06, 2009 10:25 pm ET)
            2
          Yep. Seems what the Dems are about---Giving......a finger, health care, or entitlements........Take from those who work and give to those who dont...........Because thats what is better for the country. Nevermind capatilism, or the constitution for that matter.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by Conchobhar (November 09, 2009 9:40 am ET)
            1  
            Interesting that you put capatilism (sic) ahead of the Constitution. BTW, even if capitalism had been on the tablets Moses brought down from Mt. Sinai, which you and the Foxbots seem to think, what we have is very far from Adam Smith: privatization of profits, socialization of risk.
            Report Abuse
        • Author by srichardson (November 07, 2009 6:13 pm ET)
          3  
          Amen to that marco. Obama is trying to be bipartisan and it's not working. The majority of the people voted in Obama and the democrats to bring change to this country, especially regarding health care and the wars. He has done none of these things yet. If Obama and the democrats would listen to those who voted them in and not listen to the angry right wing who LOST the elections he's get something done.
          Report Abuse
        • Author by bluestate69 (November 09, 2009 9:01 am ET)
          2  
          obama and the democrats need to fight, and fight to win. they can't forget they're base, and yes they're is a democratic base. contrary to what you see in the news (republican tea baggers 24/7), there is a vibrant progressive america out here. the president needs to do more than just health care! he needs an aggressive legislative agenda on all fronts. have 6 or 7 things going on at once. give the republicans too much to answer to. just do something else than what you've(obama and democrats) been doing the last 6 months. fire up the base, and more will follow!!
          Report Abuse
    • Author by Bad News (November 06, 2009 12:32 pm ET)
      11 4
      Fox News, "Be Hateful & Be Proud"
      Use Deception & Lies to put over the White-House a Dark Cloud.
      Bring in Tea Baggers & 9/12ers to incite the Crowd.
      News Corp. "A Racist Enterprise" When will the Main Stream Media say this out Loud?

      Speak truth to power.


      Mr. News
      Report Abuse
    • Author by Marge (November 06, 2009 12:37 pm ET)
      14 1
      You missed this...drudge said that Obama lost New Jersey..I am so glad I read that. I was under the impression you could not hold down the job of governor while president both at the same time.

      But these republicans they know everything there is to know about everything....HA! what a crock they are.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by WTF? (November 06, 2009 3:26 pm ET)
        1 6
        Pelosi says the Democrats won?
        Report Abuse
        • Author by jcalton (November 07, 2009 1:21 pm ET)
          6  
          The democrats won 2 seats in Congress, yes. As in, democrats in the House with Pelosi. Democrats that will be voting on "Obama's" health care package and other legislative agenda. Since they are, you know, legislators.
          Unlike, say, the governors of NJ or VA. Who are not legislators, and really have nothing to do with Obama.
          Report Abuse
    • Author by DellDolly (November 06, 2009 12:40 pm ET)
      12 1
      This was a horrific event. But you guys can't cover for the inept way that Bush dealt with a terrorist attack by making Obama seem like a bad guy here.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by blueline99 (November 06, 2009 12:40 pm ET)
      13 1
      Naturally, none of the commentators point out that his comments were made a previously scheduled event. It wasn't a press conference for the Fort Hood incident.

      He changed his event to comment on the Fort Hood incident, but he did the coutesy for the room to acknowledge whtat the event was for and the people that he was usurping for the new news.

      How does this compare to President Bush waiting 20 minutes for the elementary class to finish before reacting... it was literally less than 60 seconds worth of acknowledgements to those at the event whom he was now about to dismiss for the pressing news story.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by marysuejames (November 06, 2009 12:55 pm ET)
        3 10
        I see in the above article it is stated that
        Fox Nation and conservative media launched political attack on Obama's shooting remarks is nbc in chicago part of the conservative media now http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/A-Disconnected-President.html
        ? Can someone please let me know. Thanks so much
        Report Abuse
        • Author by aBeck in 10-O-C (November 06, 2009 1:24 pm ET)
          15 1
          The article you linked is the work of Robert A George,who is an editorial writer for the New York Post and a conservative /libertarian blogger and pundit.
          Virtually every television news outlet have a common boilerplate disclaimer that editorial opinions expressed are not necessarilly the view of this station
          It is a false equivalency argument to compare NBCCHICAGO to the conservative editorial blogsites sited by MMfA.
          Nice try troll!
          Report Abuse
      • Author by aBeck in 10-O-C (November 06, 2009 1:00 pm ET)
        6 1
        Your rebuttal is spot, blueline. I defer to yours which posted while I was typing.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by Lurow (November 06, 2009 12:47 pm ET)
      15 1
      On the morning of September 11, 2001, George Bush was about to begin reading the story along with a group of schoolchildren at Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota County, Florida, when White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card informed him that an airplane had hit the World Trade Center. Bush remained seated and followed along as the children read the book, for over seven minutes.
      [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pet_Goat]
      Report Abuse
      • Author by liberalXtian (November 06, 2009 1:32 pm ET)
        14 2
        Most damning of all was Bush hopping on Air Force One for parts unknown while the country waited hours for some leadership.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by abetteramerica (November 06, 2009 1:52 pm ET)
          7  
          Boarding Air Force One was a precaution used to protect a president much how they would evacuate to a bunker.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by magnolialover (November 06, 2009 3:22 pm ET)
            9  
            Agreed. Some folks use this bit of boarding AF-1 and flying around to try and beat W over the head with, but I disagree. I would imagine, that in a case like 9/11, the Secret Service kept the plane airborne because we didn't have all of the information required, we didn't know what planes might come crashing down on top of the White House/DC after the plane hit the Pentagon. They were following their procedures and securing the President, and Cheney, and probably the leadership of Congress to ensure that if something else truly tragic happened that day, that the line of succession and a functioning government was kept intact.

            There's a lot of things I can fault Mr. Bush for, but being airborne and out of harm's way on 9/11 ain't one of those things.
            Report Abuse
          • Author by mikehuck1976 (November 06, 2009 4:32 pm ET)
            5  
            I agree. When we are under attack, the safety of our president is imperative. Regardless of whether or not I agree with D-Dub politically, when he is my president - I do, indeed, want him safe when we are being attacked. It is about protecting the republic.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by skatscan5624 (November 07, 2009 7:16 pm ET)
              3 1
              Meanwhile the country was leaderless, No excuse, They could broadcast a radio message even if it wasn't live. They needn't reveal where he was. I'm going with that he was drinking and was incapable of making a speech until that night.
              Report Abuse
            • Author by missgirl (November 08, 2009 10:40 am ET)
              1  
              But President Cheney was protected in his hidey-hole at the time.
              Report Abuse
        • Author by ILindependent (November 06, 2009 10:19 pm ET)
          1  
          Well weve been waiting 8 months for Obama leadership!
          Report Abuse
      • Author by michelle29732 (November 06, 2009 2:53 pm ET)
          5
        Wow you really are missinformed aren't you? President Bush recieved word on the first plabe hitting at 8:45am the 2nd plane did not hit until 9:03am a full 18 mins later so for all the country knew at that point was a plane hit the Trade center...no one knew it was a terroist attack you idiot...also where was the President supposed to go after he heard what really happened in the Gymnasium to hide...He was the President and needed to go to an undisclosed location so they took him on Air Force One. He held his composure infront of CHILDREN! I would think You would do the same thing and wait to hear what happened....good lord stop making everything Obama does as what Bush ALREADY did wrong...who cares! Obama made his comments and he should have addressed everyone in the very beginning and then go on with whatever speech he had planned....surprising not for a Muslim group! Damn Liberals!
        Report Abuse
        • Author by chimpevil (November 07, 2009 10:25 am ET)
          6  
          Actually, "Missinformed" would've been a better handle for you, Michelle. Even setting aside the fact that Bush surely was informed that SOMETHING was happening before he entered the school, there was no doubt whatsoever that this was an attack at 9:03. Yet he sat in the classroom in his "deer-in-the-headlights" mode for over seven minutes. And even after he left the room, he remained at the school as it was ANNOUNCED TO THE WORLD, including any would-be terrorists who might be targeting the president, that he would be speak at that very school at 9:30, at which time he announced that America was under attack right in front of those schoolkids he supposedly didn't want to freak out. So why did the Secret Service allow this to transpire instead of whisking him away immediately to an undisclosed location where he could take command of the situation? Just one of the many confounding questions surrounding that day, oh but don't worry "Missinformed", I'm not asking you to answer since you obviously don't have a clue what happened that day.
          Report Abuse
    • Author by Old_Benjamin (November 06, 2009 12:49 pm ET)
      10 1
      Did the president actually say he was giving a "shout out"? I don't know, but I haven't seen any footage of him saying that.

      I bring it up as it seems odd that so many have used that term as shown in this post.

      And I ask cause it seems like a subtle jab (dog whistle?) at the skin tone of the president. I mean "shout out" is an urban/hip hop expression and I can't imagine these yahoos using it with reference to a white person.

      Of course if I'm wrong and Obama used the term "shout out"... never mind.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by rbeat8499 (November 06, 2009 1:09 pm ET)
        3 15
        I see, so if Conservatives say he used the term they're racist, but if he used the term no big deal? What is THAT!?
        Report Abuse
        • Author by Old_Benjamin (November 06, 2009 1:25 pm ET)
          13 1
          If he used that term than they would be quoting him and that's fine.

          But if he didn't use it, why would four different commentators choose that term to describe his acknowledgments? And I doubt they have used that term in reference to a white person.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by rbeat8499 (November 06, 2009 1:31 pm ET)
            3 17
            You tipped your hand when you made the original comment: you are pre-disposed to assuming that Obama criticism is racist. Don't feel bad, you're not alone...most of the Main Stream Media is right there with you!
            Report Abuse
            • Author by Old_Benjamin (November 06, 2009 2:12 pm ET)
              13 1
              Umm no, I'm not referring to criticism. I'm referring to a specific part of their language. Had they written of his "acknowledgments" to those in attendance I wouldn't bat an eye. But I ask again, when have these conservative commentators used "shout out" in reference to a white politician acknowleding those in attendance?

              What is it with reading for comprehension that so many conservatives have a problem with?
              Report Abuse
              • Author by DellDolly (November 06, 2009 4:37 pm ET)
                7  
                Kneejerk reactions make it hard to read - their eyes keep moving, so it's hard to follow along!
                Report Abuse
        • Author by robrob (November 06, 2009 2:19 pm ET)
          9 1
          "What is THAT!?"

          You tell us. Since Obama didn't use the term, why did all those news outlets feel the need to use it themselves? It's not the criticism, it's the reoccurring and out of place use of such charged language (e.g. "baby momma" earlier in the campaign)
          Report Abuse
          • Author by open_mind (November 06, 2009 3:06 pm ET)
            11 1
            I saw the video. Obama actually said the words, "shout out" as he was addressing the conference. If you watch the video, the only real problem is that Fox "News" apparently expected Obama to be making remarks about Fort Hood. They had graphics up to that effect, but when Obama actually addressed his audience for a couple of minutes first, the disconnect created by the on-screen graphics and Obama's actual remarks was apparently enough to excite some Fox "News"ies remaining brain cells.
            Report Abuse
        • Author by raven (November 06, 2009 6:03 pm ET)
          1  
          Someone saying something self-depreciating or self-descriptive is different than you commenting on that person's personality or insulting them.

          That is that.
          Report Abuse
      • Author by marysuejames (November 06, 2009 1:57 pm ET)
        9 1
        He actually really did use that term. After I saw Your post, I re-watched what he said and he actually did say that.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by robrob (November 06, 2009 2:21 pm ET)
          8  
          If he used that term, then yes it would be appropriate for quoting.
          Report Abuse
        • Author by Old_Benjamin (November 06, 2009 2:24 pm ET)
          5 1
          Ok then - it's actually a quote. Do you have a link to the video?
          Report Abuse
          • Author by marysuejames (November 06, 2009 2:57 pm ET)
              4
            Of course I have a link to the quote. I do not base my facts or opinions on hot air. You too would have heard the quote too had you done the proper research, As far as my 1st question and being called a troll for legitimate questions that is just disgusting and wrong. I am just trying to get the facts, which is what many of You should be doing. I went back to the nbc article which someone above told me was an editorial. It is linkes from there home page and I cannot find anywhere where it is written as an editorial.
            Anyhow here is the link to the speech where he used the term shout out. In my opinion there is nothing wrong with those words, It was simply inappropriate to discuss for minutes other topics before discussing the shooting. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0hiw8iXdMM
            Report Abuse
        • Author by marysuejames (November 06, 2009 4:38 pm ET)
            3
          msg to the moderator why are You not posting my previous comment?
          Report Abuse
        • Author by rtejon (November 08, 2009 12:49 am ET)
          2  
          I heard him say it live and I didn't think it was anything other than something that contemporary people of our generation say. It's a different thing from the above-mentioned media personalities trying to frame some other connotation to it.
          Report Abuse
      • Author by WTF? (November 06, 2009 3:28 pm ET)
          1
        He did.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by lewislaw7153 (November 06, 2009 12:49 pm ET)
      4 1
      Did we all miss 'heckuva job Gatesey' . . ?

      Report Abuse
    • Author by aBeck in 10-O-C (November 06, 2009 12:49 pm ET)
      12  
      Obama simply got the anticipated niceties out of the way first, and tossed out his scheduled remarks altogether to make the Ft.Hood announcements. He owed the people in that room a modicum of respect, didn't he? Should he have ignored a few ackowlegements regarding the entire day of meetings or saved them for after the Ft.Hood remarks? Would anything he did have been good enough to pre-empt the right wing attacks?
      Report Abuse
      • Author by captfoster2 (November 06, 2009 2:02 pm ET)
        10 2
        Would anything he did have been good enough to pre-empt the right wing attacks?

        The short answer.... no.

        The right-wing will be unhappy no matter what President Obama does!

        Sometimes I wish president Obama would simply just be the crazy liberal president the right-wing accuses him of being, instead of this centrist, play nice with the immature children of the Republican party kind of president he is!

        We might all be the better for it and it would give the right-wing something to actually complain about!!
        Report Abuse
        • Author by my4cents (November 06, 2009 8:57 pm ET)
          3  
          and did anyone notice that all the right wing talk radio / cable whores did was to attack the President right away, without offering their (empty, non-caring) condolences?
          Up here in Boston, I heard about it on the radio on wbz 1030 AM. I heard the facts and switched to 96.9 KKK talk and was immediately rewarded with one of the lowly hosts Jay Severin complaining about Obama's remarks.
          Where was Severin's respect to the fallen?
          Report Abuse
    • Author by Easy to refute wingnuts (November 06, 2009 12:56 pm ET)
      6 2
      Ben Johnson: Obama "feels there is no event so serious that it cannot be prefaced by a moment of glib hipness."
      OK, let's play Jeopardy:

      The answer is, "Glib and hip."

      Question: What are two things George W Bush never was before and never will be in the future?
      Report Abuse
    • Author by rbeat8499 (November 06, 2009 12:57 pm ET)
      4 25
      When is he gonna give a "shout out" to the troops in Afghanistan? This guy is a joke, and you all know it. If this kind of stuff were around during the campaign he'd have lost in a landslide...and McCain was almost as unelectable as Obama!
      Way to go JERK-IN-CHIEF! You made a real nice joke! Ha-Ha, but the joke's on the American military isn't it?

      Revolution is coming...
      Report Abuse
      • Author by Old_Benjamin (November 06, 2009 1:19 pm ET)
        12  
        When is he gonna give a "shout out" to the troops in Afghanistan?


        When all the required information is gathered and analyzed? But regardless, were you this upset by the previous administartion's lack of action regarding requests for more troops?

        Paul Bremer, the ranking U.S. official in Iraq for a year after the 2003 invasion, said he pushed the Pentagon to increase the number of troops there but was ignored despite growing lawlessness and an increasingly lethal insurgency.

        http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2006-01-09-iraq-bremer-book_x.htm

        By late last summer, he decided to tell George W. Bush's White House what he knew it did not want to hear: He needed 30,000 more troops. He wanted to send some to the country's east to bolster other U.S. forces, and some to the south to assist overwhelmed British and Canadian units in Helmand and Kandahar provinces.

        The Bush administration opted not to act on McKiernan's request and instead set out to persuade NATO allies to contribute more troops. With Washington then viewing NATO as the solution -- not the problem -- McKiernan seemed like the right general to help win over the allies. Before coming to Kabul, he had been the top Army commander in Europe, and he had been part of the NATO mission in the Balkans in the 1990s.


        http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/16/AR2009081602304_pf.html


        Revolution is coming...


        Why do you hate democracy?
        Report Abuse
        • Author by rbeat8499 (November 06, 2009 1:29 pm ET)
          5 18
          I appreciate the history lesson. Bush waged two wars, Obama really only has to worry about one...and I thought it was the one that he said was the "War of Necessity". So, wage your war, Mr. President, or if you're not feeling up to it, just bring them all home. Vietnam was lost because American Presidents couldn't make up their minds - what was the most politically correct course of action. That's not how you win.

          We can't be worried about how the enemy will feel when they are forced to surrender:
          "I'm always worried about using the word 'victory,' because, you know, it invokes this notion of Emperor Hirohito coming down and signing a surrender to MacArthur." - BO at the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh. (BTW it wasn't the emperor doing the signing)

          God save our country from this idiot!
          Report Abuse
          • Author by robrob (November 06, 2009 2:26 pm ET)
            12  
            "Revolution is coming"

            Nice way to support Democracy. If you can't win an election, foment revolution?

            Out of curiosity, if you wingnuts overthrow the Democratically elected government of the US, will we need to call in UN Peacekeepers to liberate us?
            Report Abuse
            • Author by rbeat8499 (November 06, 2009 2:34 pm ET)
              2 17
              No, we'd just go back to being a United States with a Constitutionally limited Federal government. Didn't ANYONE pay attention during government class. For those who went to public school that was the class where you learned how to vote democrat.
              Report Abuse
              • Author by foghornleghorn (November 06, 2009 3:27 pm ET)
                15  
                Didn't ANYONE pay attention during government class

                I did. And I learned that elected presidents serve a term of 4 years. And that revolution against the sitting government is treason.

                Guess you were absent the day when those facts were presented to the class.
                Report Abuse
                • Author by jjackson61187550 (November 07, 2009 2:45 am ET)
                     
                  Only making war against the country is treason, per the Constitution. Revolution is not necessarily that. Revolution is actually recognized by the federal government, as a legitimate means for secession in fact (Texas v. White).
                  Report Abuse
              • Author by skatscan5624 (November 07, 2009 7:22 pm ET)
                3  
                Why do I get the feeling you were silent when the election of 2000 was stolen by someone who was at least a thousand times the idiot Obama is alleged to be?
                Report Abuse
                • Author by retiredinsf (November 09, 2009 11:45 am ET)
                    1
                  "Why do I get the feeling you were silent when the election of 2000 was stolen by someone who was at least a thousand times the idiot Obama is alleged to be?

                  Well, at least you agree Obama's an idiot.
                  Report Abuse
          • Author by worrierking (November 06, 2009 2:53 pm ET)
            10  
            Vietnam was lost because we faced a determined enemy who saw us as an occupier. Half a million men were not enough to win the ground war.

            The only way for us to win would have been to destroy the country and it's people in order to save it.
            Report Abuse
          • Author by missgirl (November 08, 2009 10:50 am ET)
            1  
            "God" did save this country from an idiot-our former prez.
            Report Abuse
        • Author by rbeat8499 (November 06, 2009 1:57 pm ET)
          1 15
          I LOVE democracy, almost as much as I love capitalism!
          But we're a representative-republic, not MOB RULE. We vote democratically for our representatives, but that's it.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by Old_Benjamin (November 06, 2009 2:18 pm ET)
            13  
            I LOVE democracy


            vs

            Revolution is coming


            out
            Report Abuse
          • Author by lewislaw7153 (November 06, 2009 3:09 pm ET)
            13  
            YUP, and we voted democratically on 11/4/08 and Mr. Obama was duly elected electorally and by a MAJORITY of the American citizens . .

            This time it might be a good idea if all the warmongers just sat back and let the 'informed' make decisions not based on neocon policies!

            Report Abuse
          • Author by skorcha4086 (November 06, 2009 7:29 pm ET)
            4  
            Capitalism in not enshrined in our constitution. Capitalism is not democracy, or even democratic.
            As for your own mob mentality I refer you to the likes of Glenn Beck and Michelle Bachmann who seem to be having lots of fun trying to stoke the passions of their sad little mob in opposition to health care.
            Count yourself in the mob mentality.
            Report Abuse
          • Author by HeeNow (November 09, 2009 9:43 am ET)
            1  
            Actually, we have mob rule now. That's what happened in Maine last week and happens repeatedly in states that allow referenda on their ballots.
            Report Abuse
      • Author by wookie (November 06, 2009 1:26 pm ET)
        12  
        >>When is he gonna give a "shout out" to the troops in Afghanistan?>>

        Google is your friend
        http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=obama+troops++praise&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

        >>Revolution is coming... >>

        Uh, what exactly does that mean?
        Report Abuse
        • Author by rbeat8499 (November 06, 2009 1:36 pm ET)
          2 17
          In this case, "shout out" refers to acknowledging that the troops are asking for help, and then giving it to them. But if he knows better than they do... who am I to argue.

          The fact is he's afraid of losing politcally with his base, so the troops are nothing more than a bargaining chip. Domestic issues this can be argued back and forth, but with American troops fighting and dying for Freedom, it's disrespectful at least.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by robrob (November 06, 2009 2:29 pm ET)
            14 1
            So for 6+ years Bush ignored Afghanistan (the country that attacked us) and focused on Iraq (the country that didn't attack us) and you were fine with that? Obama has been in office all of eight months and you are frothing at the mouth for him to have resolved everything, "right now!"
            Report Abuse
          • Author by worrierking (November 06, 2009 2:55 pm ET)
            11 1
            For someone who just reference Vietnam, I'm surprised the idiocy of this post didn't stop you from hitting the SAVE button.

            If we had listened to our military leaders back then, we might still be there.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by Col. Harlan Sanders (November 06, 2009 2:59 pm ET)
              11  
              I don't think this poster is the type who would have picked up on that, WK. In this thread, it's used two of my favorite signs of the TRue Believer;

              "You all know...(something that it believes)!", and

              "It's a fact that ... (troll's opinion) !"
              Report Abuse
              • Author by worrierking (November 06, 2009 3:15 pm ET)
                12  
                And he seems to have his post-insurrection plan already in place.

                He fails to understand one true fact. That our military is loyal to the constitution and to the elected government of the US.

                Is that how they support the military? By suggesting they overthrow the government?

                I'm thinking he's going to sit and watch as everything goes down.
                Report Abuse
          • Author by magnolialover (November 06, 2009 3:28 pm ET)
            11  
            You do realize that since Obama took office he has doubled the number of troops and resources that are in theatre in Afghanistan right? Oh, wait, you didn't know that. Maybe you should do some reading and find out some facts before teeing it up, and spouting off. There are currently close to 75000 troops in OEF currently. With more on the way.

            Also, Obama INCREASED the military budget for the ground pounders when he took office as well.

            You guys ignore that he is supplying, and helping, the troops.
            Report Abuse
      • Author by skorcha4086 (November 06, 2009 7:24 pm ET)
        6  
        Revolution is coming? It already came. It was the 2008 election where we elected Barrack Hussein Obama president. We elected him as a reprieve from the mismanagement and incompetence of the GOP. The same GOP that wants to turn the clock back to the 1950's, and simply says no to any to solution to any of our country's problems. The same GOP that can't put together a bill worth passing. The same GOP that has any sane moderate running the hell away from the 'teabag drag' that masquerades as a grassroots movement funded by oil corporations.
        Now if you are insinuating insurrection against our elected president, then that pretty much makes you a traitor. A big scumbag traitor, like the traitor Glenn Beck and traitor Michelle Bachman.
        So make your threats. My 8 years in the Marine Corps will come in VERY handy when the time comes.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by rbeat8499 (November 06, 2009 1:06 pm ET)
      3 23
      Jerk-in-Chief - that's what he is! When's he gonna give a "shout out" to the troops in Afghanistan?

      O-ne
      B-ig
      A-ss
      M-istake
      A-merica!

      This guy's a joke!
      Report Abuse
      • Author by 3amnoise (November 06, 2009 1:33 pm ET)
        11 1
        Watch out for the troll under the wingnut bridge.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by captfoster2 (November 06, 2009 2:07 pm ET)
          13 2
          I'm trying to avoid him, but he keeps knocking over the lamp with his wailing arms and I'm having to cover my ears from his whining on about how the president is somehow a joke.

          I wonder how he felt about the last batch of criminals the last 8 years?
          Report Abuse
          • Author by rbeat8499 (November 06, 2009 2:22 pm ET)
            4 16
            Let's recap:

            He bowls "like the special-olympics"

            That's wasn't "the Jeremiah Wright that I knew"

            That's wasn't "the Tony Rezko that I knew"

            He didn't know "all the details, but the police acted stupidly"

            His grandma was "just acting like a typical white person"

            And now before mentioning the tragic shooting at Ft Hood he first HAD to "give a shout out to Dr. Joe Medicine Crow"

            Where's the telepromter when our dear leader needs it?
            Report Abuse
            • Author by lewislaw7153 (November 06, 2009 3:11 pm ET)
              10  
              I dunno, the teleprompter might be hidden with the WMD that WERE NOT IN IRAQ . .
              Report Abuse
            • Author by salg01 (November 06, 2009 3:46 pm ET)
              1 8
              Its sad on both sides when people just cant admit that maybe, just maybe their side was insensitive or wrong. For the left its always back to Bush like the stupid WMD in teleprompter comment. Guess what BUSH ISNT PRESIDENT ANYMORE!!!! and obama didnt need to give "shout outs" to people in the room before his speach!!!! God you ideologs make me so sick.
              Report Abuse
            • Author by skatscan5624 (November 07, 2009 7:26 pm ET)
              5  
              Wow, That's all you got? How sad it must be to be a tea bagger Ayn Randian loser.
              Report Abuse
    • Author by greenjoanie (November 06, 2009 1:39 pm ET)
      11 1
      It is tragic but typical that Fox and conservative bloggers distorted a situation to exploit the tragedy at Ford Hood as an opportunity to inaccurately criticize the President, The President was apparently returning as scheduled to an unprecedented meeting of more than 500 US tribal leaders whom he had addressed in the morning when he got news of the Fort Hood shooting, The tribal leaders were welcoming him back--probably most or all unaware of the Fort Hood shootings, So he was responding to their welcome and since the media were already at this conference, he made his announcement about Fort Hood there, If you have any doubts about the President;s sincerity, look at the pain on his face as he left the stage after making the Fort Hood announcement, At a time when he was trying to draw the nation together in grief over this tragedy, the conservative media choose to snipe at him,
      Report Abuse
      • Author by MaineiacMan (November 06, 2009 3:30 pm ET)
        2 12
        It was the President that put himself in a situation that made him seem out of touch. He could have (and should have) not 'combined' his statement on Fort Hood with a 'shout out' and statement to the tribal leaders. They were two seperate events and he should have kept it that way. He handled it poorly.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by jj214 (November 06, 2009 4:07 pm ET)
          4
        Is it possible our President deserves criticism for his remarks. Not everything he does is perfect, nor everything he says, brilliant. I get uncomfortable when everything he he does is defended and those who point out his mistakes are always right wing fanatics. The vast "moderate wing conspiracy" spoke loudly Tuesday. I think they find fault with both wings of the political spectrum. Whichever group, far left, or far right, can at least move the rhetoric towards the center is going to achieve great success in 2010.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by missgirl (November 08, 2009 10:55 am ET)
        1  
        How true. They don't seem to care about the lives lost, they just want to try to turn this into a false attack on our President.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by John Paradox (November 06, 2009 1:53 pm ET)
      13 3
      Drudge headline: "Obama's Frightening Insensitivity Following Shooting..."

      Suddenly the Neocons support 'empathy'?
      Report Abuse
      • Author by Col. Harlan Sanders (November 06, 2009 2:56 pm ET)
        10 2
        Ha ! Good point, and on another thread, that pompous pinhead Steyn is warning about "sensitivity training hell".
        Report Abuse
      • Author by skatscan5624 (November 07, 2009 7:28 pm ET)
        2  
        I know it's statements like that that make me wonder how tough the military is that they can't handle what Obama said. Or wonder why the whitey righties think our military are a bunch of wimps.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by SpacePedestrian (November 06, 2009 2:50 pm ET)
      1 5
      I'm about as loony as they come, but this time Barry got it all wrong. Shout-outs are inherently un-Presidential (as are fist bumps and the different affects for different audiences), but none more so than in the prelude to remarks regarding a tragedy such as this.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by skatscan5624 (November 07, 2009 7:30 pm ET)
        4 1
        So you were fine with the last eight years of our chimp in chief slumping over the presidential lectern like he was holding on to a toilet after a drinking binge.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by salg01 (November 06, 2009 3:31 pm ET)
      1 4
      did they just change the title of this article because they realized they were WRONG about the whole "shout out" angle they were trying for????
      Report Abuse
    • Author by MaineiacMan (November 06, 2009 3:52 pm ET)
      3 11
      A few months ago President Obama jumps to conclusions without knowing the details and says that the "police in Cambridge acted stupidly".

      Now, as more and more details about the Fort Hood murders comes out he cautions everyone NOT to jump to conclusions.

      Hmmmmm
      Report Abuse
      • Author by eweston8542983 (November 06, 2009 4:06 pm ET)
        10 2
        You missinform on the cambridge incident. The police officer did act stupidly in that instance.
        Do not pretend that Obama could ever act, as president, in a way that you would find satisfatory.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by MaineiacMan (November 06, 2009 8:00 pm ET)
          2 4
          No he didnt. I've heard the whole thing on police radio. Officer Crowley played the entire thing by the book. Research it.

          Report Abuse
          • Author by eweston8542983 (November 06, 2009 8:21 pm ET)
            5 1
            You heard the police record on the radio. This is not the whole of the information.
            Enticing a home owner out of his house to arrest him for distrubing the peace is by the book?
            The incident got a lot of play, we saw the missinformation pass through this website. Responsible people are not exempt from acting stupid on occasion.
            Your inditement of Obama indicates that his comment was about all the police in Cambridge. This is missinformation.
            How did it feel when you determined that ethics were of no use to you?
            Report Abuse
          • Author by skatscan5624 (November 07, 2009 7:32 pm ET)
            3 1
            He didn't identify the poilceman who acted stupidly. Judging by the phone call to the cops made at least one police officer did act stupidly.

            Just ignore the facts when they are convienant for you.
            Report Abuse
      • Author by Brabantio (November 06, 2009 6:01 pm ET)
        10  
        There were legal standards involved in the Cambridge incident which would lead one to believe that the charges had no merit. That's not quite the same thing as drawing conclusions about someone who went on a shooting spree.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by skatscan5624 (November 07, 2009 7:35 pm ET)
          2  
          And indicting a whole religion to boot. That's all I heard from my "enlightened" co-workers. Some of it as ugly as after 9-11. Remember the anti-Arab violence after Oklahoma City? Jumping to conclusions brought that about.
          Report Abuse
    • Author by glibglen (November 06, 2009 4:49 pm ET)
        5
      The hardcore Foxnuts are going to jump on this without a doubt- is anyone really surprised? They think our President is a secret Muslim without a birth certificate. Who cares what they think? I am concerned about moderates though- I've talked to a # of friends who are moderate(have voted for both a Republican and a Democrat) in the last 4 elections who are miffed with the President. He should have handled this better and should have delayed his remarks to those in attendance until he addressed the Fort Hood Tragedy. Strategic mistake by the President.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by djyuck (November 06, 2009 5:23 pm ET)
      2 8
      Common sense is dead in this country. 12 service men and women were killed on a U.S. base in the very military that allows you to be so PC and so enlightened. He's laughing and sending shout outs. Why? Because he hates the military and loves Islam. I used to think every criticism was because he was black or a democrat but everyday he does something to prove the Right's point. You liberals should be mad because everyday he does something to INSURE the next president will be republican. Some things should transcend polical ideas but you mouth breating zombies fall in line. When you guy does something STUPID you bring up Bush. Bush is gone and your messiah has accomplished NOTHING. I don't like republicans but at the very LEAST they possess common sense. Something you PC puppets won't get until it's too late. You think you hug it out with the terrorists but your head will be cut off the same as "right wing" nut job next to you.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by eweston8542983 (November 06, 2009 10:57 pm ET)
        5  
        Excuse me, but your democratic mask is slipping a bit. Those rubber bands can lose strength when exposed to local hot spots.

        I'm sure you have other reasons for your surity about Obama's feelings about the military and Islam. Straw that broke the camel's back eh? That's ok you can cry about it. Poor ole abused by his president democrat, that you are?

        Besides Newt apologizing to Limbic for backing an opposing candidate in this week's election, could you give an example of recent republican common sense

        I've read some democratic thoughts on dealing with terrorism. None of them had hugging terrorists as a viable option. I can't in fact recall any democrat beyond yourself, of course, mentioning it.

        Your not the first wingnut to show up on this forum claiming to be progressive/liberal/democratic. Not even the only one today. One really good, clue, no one here considers Obama the messiah, but it is a current wingnut happy word.

        Fail.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by Col. Harlan Sanders (November 06, 2009 11:56 pm ET)
        5  
        ...the very military that allows you to be so PC and so enlightened.(djyuck)


        I should have stopped there. Why do I keep reading, thinking they're going to suddenly start making sense?
        Report Abuse
        • Author by Missouri Democrat (November 07, 2009 3:37 pm ET)
          3  
          Col, probably the same reason I do. I keep hoping that eventually one of them will make some sense, sadly they never do.
          Report Abuse
    • Author by latichever (November 06, 2009 6:14 pm ET)
      5  
      I'm sure it wouldn't have been a problem if, like W, he had read "My Pet Goat" before his remarks on the shooting.

      Report Abuse
      • Author by boulderhippy (November 06, 2009 8:20 pm ET)
          5
        Reading to a classroon while being told of a tragedy is totally different than playing politics hours after a tragedy. The Commander in Chief of the United States of America chose to be a politician and pander to his live audience. He should have adressed the country instead of playing to the house. His actions showed a disrespectful attitude towards the men and women under his command.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by eweston8542983 (November 06, 2009 10:40 pm ET)
          4  
          Well if your sure thats what he was doing. What lead you to this, I'm certain, difficult to come to, opinion?
          Report Abuse
      • Author by skatscan5624 (November 07, 2009 7:37 pm ET)
        1  
        And said "watch my swing" after making the comments.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by HotWings (November 07, 2009 3:31 am ET)
      1 4
      If Bush had done the same thing, Media Matters would have been all over him.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by themidnightreview.com (November 07, 2009 12:48 pm ET)
      2  
      I'm surprised the conservatives don't start drawing up comparisons to the "acted stupidly" comment Obama made about the Harvard professor...

      ---------------------------------------
      The Midnight Review
      Mum Is The Word
      Report Abuse
    • Author by RonMcElroy (November 07, 2009 2:11 pm ET)
      2  
      I find these attacks on Obama repugnant - as do most Americans. However, I do admire their organization and intensity because it is something that Democrats lack. We have NO organizations (save media matters) and our leaders lack the spine to support progressive.

      Democrats (including Obama) bend over backwards for everyone else, then apply standards well above everyone else to fellow Democrats. We demand that "our own" play nice while we make excuses for everyone else. We will NEVER be good leaders. So maybe we should creat a parallel to FOX so that we could say..."they both do it, so let's go with the lesser of the two evils>" At least then, we could play nice AND Lead.

      Obams will never lead as long as he demands that we "play nice" while the opposition shoots us in the back.

      Thank God for MMFA! It's the first step in the right direction.


      Report Abuse
      • Author by boulderhippy (November 07, 2009 2:49 pm ET)
          1
        I don't call trying to exclude a media outlet from Whitehouse events playing nice. I don't believe that attempts at silencing critics is good for the country. We need a leader that sticks by his or her principles. Unfortunatly our leaders are more focused on getting reelected and fund raising than actually leading. Our elected officials have sold their souls to special interests.

        The opposition does not shoot you in the back. It is in your face. They come at you from all sides. It has been the thing that makes this country great. If you can stand up for your convictions during an onslaught of negative press then you are a leader. If you cry about the opposition constantly then your principles must not be good enough to withstand public debate.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by eweston8542983 (November 07, 2009 7:43 pm ET)
        4  
        It isn't the only thing on the web that works well to bring illumination on news and politics. It is my favorite though.
        Investigate the liberal blogosphere to find some more good people and ideas.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by htrc (November 07, 2009 4:23 pm ET)
        1
      Obama advised us not to rush to judgement. When did he do regarding the Sgt Crowley Professor Gates incident?
      Report Abuse
    • Author by srichardson (November 07, 2009 6:07 pm ET)
      2  
      I guess the new nut job right wing bullcrap is going to be that Obama is a child running the White House. They really are grasping at straws. How they can make this shooting into negative press from the right wing is beyond my comprehension. Twelve of our soldiers were killed with many other wounded and these right wing worthless pieces of crap are making it into a hate Obama rally. These people have absolutely no morals and really need to take a few weeks off from their hate speech to think about the hate they are spewing.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by ThunderOnTheLeft (November 08, 2009 9:57 pm ET)
        1
      Nope - we are going to destroy this man and his Presidency. And if we have to nudge a little we will. This man is going to be -- no no wait -- he is a disaster so far
      Report Abuse
    • Author by Don Quixote (November 09, 2009 1:49 am ET)
      2  
      Chavez: "I wonder how many media outlets will compare Obama's performance to President Bush's 'Pet Goat' moment on 9/11."

      Please. Are you serious?

      It seems the uber-conservative's favorite fallacy lately is false equivalency. Not to be morbid but compare body counts. We're talking 12 vs. 2,995, not to mention the mass destruction of property, and the Pentagon being threatened, and us declaring war on two nations, etc., etc.

      A heart-felt comment was appropriate and he delivered it.
      Report Abuse

my.MediaMatters.org

Login  Sign Up

Push Back

Phone calls, emails and letters from the public do make a difference. Remember that to be effective you must be polite, and professional. Express your specific concerns regarding that particular news report or commentary, and indicate what you would like the media outlet to do differently in the future.