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"Voice of the opposition": Fox News openly advocates against Democratic Congress, White House

September 11, 2009 12:39 pm ET

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SUMMARY: Since Barack Obama's inauguration, Fox News has frequently engaged in political advocacy against the Democratic Congress and White House. Specifically, Fox News personalities have promoted and encouraged viewers to "join" tea party protests, Glenn Beck's organization The 9-12 Project and its September 12 "March on Washington," and town hall meetings; engaged in a witch hunt seeking to "get rid of" Obama administration officials and nominees; implored viewers to call Congress and the White House to protest Democratic policies; and celebrated "victor[ies]" when Democratic legislation has been stalled.

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Fox News execs describe network as "voice of opposition," "the Alamo"

Ailes: "I see this as the Alamo." The Los Angeles Times reported on March 6 that according to Glenn Beck, in a meeting with him, Fox News chief executive Roger Ailes "shared a message of his own: The country faced tough times, he said, and Fox News was one of the only news outlets willing to challenge the new administration." From the article:

"I wanted to meet with Roger and tell him, 'You may not want to put me on the air. I believe we are in dire trouble, and I will never shut up,' " said the conservative radio host.

But before Beck could say anything, Ailes shared a message of his own: The country faced tough times, he said, and Fox News was one of the only news outlets willing to challenge the new administration.

"I see this as the Alamo," Ailes said, according to Beck. "If I just had somebody who was willing to sit on the other side of the camera until the last shot is fired, we'd be fine."

That couldn't have suited Beck more. In making the jump to the top-rated cable news channel from HLN, where he had a show for two years, he hoped to alert more people to one of his consuming fears: that the government's handling of the economic crisis is ushering in an era of socialism.

Shine: Fox is "voice of opposition on some issues." A March 23 report on NPR's Media Circus featured clips of Fox News vice president for programming Bill Shine saying of Fox News: "There were a couple of people who basically wrote about our demise come last November, December, and were, I guess, rooting for us to go away. ... With this particular group of people in power right now, and the honeymoon they've had from other members of the media, does it make it a little bit easier for us to be the voice of opposition on some issues?" Fox News contributor Charles Krauthammer similarly acknowledged that Fox News is the "voice of opposition in the media" during the June 17 edition of Special Report with Bret Baier.

Fox publicizes, encourages attendance at April 15 tea parties

Network is chief promoter of "FNC Tax Day Tea Parties." In the lead-up to the April 15 tea parties, which the channel repeatedly described as "FNC Tax Day Tea Parties," Fox News frequently aired segments publicizing and encouraging viewers to get involved with the protests. Fox News itself described the protests primarily as a response to the Obama administration and its policies. A Media Matters study found that from April 6 to 13, Fox News featured at least 20 segments on the "tea party" protests, and a subsequent Media Matters study found that from April 6 to 15, Fox News aired at least 107 commercial promotions for its coverage of the April 15 tea parties. On April 15, Fox News hosts Glenn Beck, Neil Cavuto, Sean Hannity, and Greta Van Susteren each provided live coverage from the sites of separate tea parties.

  • America's Newsroom promotes organizing info on-air and online. America's Newsroom frequently hosted tea party organizers and posted on-screen organizing information, such as protest dates and locations. America's Newsroom also repeatedly directed viewers to its website, which posted a list of tea party protests.
  • Beck: "Celebrate with Fox News" at any of four "FNC Tax Day Tea Parties." Beck repeatedly promoted tea party protests and hosted organizers of numerous tea party events. Beck told viewers they could "[c]elebrate with Fox News" at any of four Fox News-described "FNC Tax Day Tea Parties." Beck said to viewers: "If you can't make the one in San Antonio" -- which Beck himself attended -- "please go to the one with Neil or with Sean in Atlanta, that's supposed to be great, Greta is in Washington, D.C. Just get out and let your face be seen."
  • Hannity: "[J]oin us" at the tea parties. Hannity frequently promoted the protests by providing on-air information about the protests and encouraging viewers to "join us." Hannity also encouraged viewers to "send us your 'Tax Day Tea Party' videos'."
  • Varney: "It's now my great duty to promote the tea parties." During the April 13 edition of Your World with Neil Cavuto, guest host Stuart Varney stated, "It's now my great duty to promote the tea parties. Here we go!" Varney then promoted Cavuto's presence at an April 15 tea party.
  • Fox Nation: "Find a Tea Party!" The Fox Nation posted numerous links discussing and promoting the protests. One link, headlined, "Find a Tea Party!" links to results from Google Maps of "2009 Tea Parties." Another link, headlined, "Video: The Trillion Dollar Tea Party Video!" is an embedded YouTube video on Fox Nation's website from the Tampa Bay Area Tea Party explaining why you should "join your local tea party."
  • Fox Nation "hosts a virtual tea party." Fox News anchors repeatedly told viewers they could attend a "virtual tea party" at Fox Nation. America's Newsroom co-host Bill Hemmer told viewers, "Can't get to a tea party? Fox Nation hosts a virtual tea party," while co-host Megyn Kelly said, "you can join the tea party action from your home if you go to the FoxNation.com ... a virtual tax day tea party." On April 16, Fox & Friends co-host Gretchen Carlson told viewers that they "can still have a virtual tea party" at Fox Nation.
  • John Gibson: "[H]opefully millions of people" will participate. While reporting at a protest on April 15, Fox News Radio host and former Big Story host John Gibson remarked that "hopefully millions of people" will participate in the protests.
  • Carlson: "Hang" a teabag from your mirror. After displaying tea party t-shirts, Gretchen Carlson suggested on April 15 that to show support for the protests, "You could hang [a teabag] from your mirror, too, like fuzzy dice."
  • Willard: Fight the "fascism." Reporting from a tea party in Boston on the April 15 edition of Happening Now, Fox Business anchor Cody Willard asked viewers, "Guys, when are we going to wake up and start fighting the fascism that seems to be permeating this country?" Willard also stated that conservatives and liberals are "both fascists who are taking my money and building up corporate America with my welfare."
  • Asman tells viewers they "need to go" to tea party merchandise site. On the Fox Business Network on April 15, anchor David Asman told viewers they "need to go" to a tea party merchandise site "no matter what side of the issue you're on."

"I saw it on Fox": Fox's advocacy turns out crowds to protests. After the April 15 tea parties, dozens of local and national media outlets noted that Fox News was a driving force behind the tea parties. Numerous reports quoted participants saying they were driven to the protests by Fox. CNN and Washington Post media critic Howard Kurtz remarked: "I don't think I've ever seen a news network throw its weight behind a protest like we are seeing in the past few weeks with Fox and these tea parties."

Fox publicizes, endorses post-April 15 Tea Parties

Tea Party 2.0. Fox News repeatedly promoted "Tea Party 2.0," a May 14 public tele-conference hosted by the Republican Governors Association. For instance, the front page of The Fox Nation told readers, "Tea Party 2.0! Plug In and Sound Off!" On the Record's Greta Van Susteren also aired a segment promoting the teleconference and told viewers, "If you wanted to go to a tea party on April 15 but could not make it ... tomorrow's your big chance."

"Countdown to Independence Day Tea Party!" On July 1, Fox Nation promoted and asked viewers to "register here and sound off" on the July 4 tea parties.

Fox relentlessly promotes Tea Party Express. Fox News has heavily promoted the Tea Party Express tour on Fox News, Fox Business, The Fox Nation, and FoxNews.com. The network has frequently provided viewers the dates and locations of upcoming stops. On the August 23 edition of Fox News' America's News HQ, anchor Shannon Bream said, "We want to let folks know" the tour schedule so "they can be a part" of events. The Tea Party Express was organized by a political action committee -- formed by Republican operatives -- whose mission is to oppose President Obama and other Democrats.

Jenkins "hops" on Tea Party Express, endorses protester rhetoric. An August 27 post on Sean Hannity's FoxNews.com blog is titled, "'Hannity' Hops the Tea Party Express!" In the post, a producer wrote that Hannity "will be along for the ride! ... our own Griff Jenkins will be catching all the action" and added: "Click here for more on the tour and to find the tea party nearest you." While on the Tea Party Express, Jenkins endorsed a tea partier's call to "get these liberal communists out of our government" and has repeatedly expressed support for the protesters, who he has referred to as "the America that Washington forgot."

Fox & Friends celebrates helping sell "over 1,000" R.I.P. U.S. Constitution tea party t-shirts. On August 22, Fox & Friends promoted a "R.I.P. U.S. Constitution" tea party t-shirt from college student Ashleigh Kenny. On its August 23 show, Fox & Friends celebrated "good news" by noting that there were "over 1,000" T-shirt orders following her appearance. Co-host Alisyn Camerota replied to the news by remarking, "Oh my god." While Fox & Friends promoted the web address of the t-shirt, Cameron said, "Oh my gosh, we crashed [the website] again."

Fox lauds, encourages health care town hall disrupters

Fox & Friends lauds disrupters and encourages more. Fox & Friends hosts have repeatedly lauded protesters and urged viewers to take similar action. Guest co-host Peter Johnson Jr. said to protesters, "[W]e thank you for representing Americans, and we hope that other Americans get out there." Johnson also said of town hall protesters: "We need to have this every day throughout August." Gretchen Carlson asked viewers: "Are you gonna call" your member of Congress "or are you gonna go to one of these receptions where they're actually there?" Steve Doocy similarly said: "If you want to contact your congressmembers and sound off, go to FoxNation.com." Fox & Friends also ran the on-screen text, "Hold Congress accountable! Now is the time to speak your mind."

Hannity on "Healthcare Uprising": "That's a pretty good way to fight back"; Morris: "We gotta sign that [protester] up." After airing clips from a Philadelphia town hall, Sean Hannity and Fox News political analyst Dick Morris stated:

HANNITY: Wow, that sounded more like a Philadelphia Eagles game or a Flyers game than a town hall. And joining me now to discuss this and more is Fox News contributor, the author of the book Catastrophe -- New York Times best-seller -- How Obama, Congress, and the Special Interests are Transforming a Slump into a Crash, Freedom into Socialism and a Disaster into a Catastrophe, and How You Can Fight Back -- Dick Morris is here. That's a pretty good way to fight back.

MORRIS: It sure is. We got to sign that lady up. They wanted August. The Blue Dogs bought us August. That was all they did. And now we have got to let them have it, because they are planning to pass this bill with 50 votes. They're planning not to ask any Republican votes. They're going to just do it with hard-core Democrats. [Hannity, 8/3/09]

On his personal website, which is frequently promoted on his Fox News program, Hannity asks readers to "FIGHT OBAMA CARE TODAY! Become a part of the mob! Attend an Obama Care Townhall near you!"

Fox News directs viewers to only Democratic town halls. On a segment on the August 7, reporter James Rosen displayed only the schedule of Democratic town halls, stating that he would display the GOP schedule if Fox had it. Later in the day, Rosen displayed both Democratic and Republican town halls.

Fox urges exposing, booting Obama "czars"

Network leading witch hunt against Obama officials and nominees. Fox News personalities have been leading the charge against Obama administration officials and nominees they have described as "czars," often by calling on viewers to help them unearth statements the officials had made in the past rather than critiquing their job performance or credentials for those positions.

  • Beck: "Do we want communists in the United States government as special advisers to the president? ... No, we're going to change the whole system." On the September 1 edition of his Fox News program, Beck aired a clip of Obama Green Jobs adviser Van Jones stating, "This movement is deeper than a solar panel, deeper than a solar panel. Don't stop there. Don't stop there. No, we're going to change the whole system. We're going to change the whole thing." Beck then commented in part: "When will you wake up? I know there are good, decent people -- left and right, Democrats and Republicans -- that watch this program. How much more evidence do you need that we have radicals in the White House? Oh, we haven't even begun. If you think you need more, we need to -- at least in this country -- start having the necessary discussion of: Do we want communists in the United States government as special advisers to the president?"
  • Glenn Beck urged followers to "Find everything you can on Cass Sunstein, Mark Lloyd, and Carol Browner." From Beck's Twitter feed:

becktwitter

  • Beck asked viewers to become "constitutional watchdogs" on issues such as cap-and-trade" in order to "wake up enough Americans to stop" an attempt to "fundamentally transform America." From FoxNews.com's transcript of his July 31 program:

Find something that you know about or have interest in. Watch what Congress is doing on that. If it's cap-and-trade, look for everything you can find on that issue. Whatever it is, when something comes up that doesn't sound right, start barking loudly, like the Constitutional Watchdog you are.

Send me an e-mail or tweet and we'll highlight the story you've uncovered. When you see the Watchdog Shield, you'll know that it wasn't us who found the story -- it was one of our Watchdogs.

I am more optimistic -- more hopeful -- now than I've been in a long time, that, together, we can wake up enough Americans to stop what I firmly believe is an attempt to "fundamentally transform America."

  • Fox Business' Eric Bolling: "Van Jones resigns ... How about J Holdren Science Czar (mass sterilization) and Cass Susstein [sic]." From Bolling's Twitter feed:

bollingtwitter

  • Hannity: "We got rid of one [czar], and my job, starting tomorrow night is to get rid of every other one. I promise you that." As the Think Progress blog noted, at a September 7 rally in West Virginia, Hannity said:

HANNITY: Do you want another czar?

CROWD: No!

HANNITY: I don't think so. By the way, we got one -- we got rid of one, and my job starting tomorrow night is to get rid of every other one. I promise you that.

Beck: Under my 9-12 project, "millions" getting "involved"

9-12 Project "a place" for people looking to take back their country. Glenn Beck started the 9-12 Project, which describes itself as "a place for you and other like-minded Americans looking for direction in taking back the control of our country." Beck's FoxNews.com website, under a section titled, "TAKE ACTION: GET INVOLVED!" states of the 9-12 Project: "Check out Beck's new Web site for updates on the stories and people who prove that your values and principles are still very much alive."

9-12 Project organizes events across country. The conservative project frequently organizes events around the country. For instance, members of the 9-12 Project have helped organize tea parties, and Beck's 9-12 website is working with others for a "March on Washington," among other local events, on September 12. Beck will participate in a 9-12 "March on Washington" by broadcasting live from 1 to 3 p.m. ET on Fox News.

Beck: "9-12 Projects and rallies happening all over." In recent months, Beck has frequently touted the effectiveness of his 9-12 Project in organizing followers. On August 12, for instance, Beck described the 9-12 Project as giving "ourselves an outlet of voice to connect, because you needed a community to organize ... Well, you have already done it. There are 9-12 Projects and rallies happening all over. The biggest one seems to be in Washington, D.C. on September 12."

Beck: "We started that. Millions all involved across the country and the 9-12 project and other organizations like it." On August 27, Beck said of the 9-12 Project:

BECK: Now, the second part of this. A few months ago, I told you, you got to know you're not alone. You've got to know. You got to unite. Talk to people. Make sure you know you're not alone, through the 9/12 Project. We started that. Millions all involved across the country and the 9/12 Project and other organizations like it. I knew we needed to connect with one another.

Beck: "On 9-12, I hope to see you in Washington. I will make sure you're seen all over the country." On August 28, Beck described the 9-12 Project's "March on Washington" as something "worth standing up for" and told viewers: "I hope to see you in Washington. I will make sure you're seen all over the country."

Beck: Will we find people "to stand for our country?" Discussing his participation in the 9-12 march, Beck asked viewers: "Will we find another 50 men or women willing to stand for our country and the republic? On the Fox News channel, you can find out all of the details at the 912Project.com."

9-12 march website: Beck "really helping our numbers grow!" A post on the 9-12 march website 912dc.org states: "The recent coverage by Glenn Beck is really helping our numbers grow!" The website frequently mentions Beck's promotion of the march, and excerpted a September 8 USA Today article reporting that the march has been "[e] ncouraged by conservative commentators such as Fox's Glenn Beck."

Fox implores viewers to call Congress, White House to voice displeasure

Following McCaughey, Beck urges viewers to "call the clowns." During the February 10 edition of Glenn Beck, serial health care misinformer Betsy McCaughey advanced the false claim that provisions in the economic recovery act would permit the government to control health care. Beck and McCaughey both urged viewers to call Congress and urge their representatives to remove the act's health provisions:

BECK: OK -- I mean, look, George Washington said that government is brute force. And that's what it seems to me we have coming. Is there anything that the average person sitting at home going, "Oh, dear God, now." Is there anything they can do right now?

McCAUGHEY: Yes. They should call their members of Congress, their U.S. senators, and their representatives and say please make sure these health provisions are taken out of this bill so that the American public and the doctors and the nurses and the hospital executives can have a meaningful discussion about what should be in a health bill.

BECK: OK. All right. One more time, gang. Got to call the clowns up and say, "Hey, don't do this to us. Hey, please don't screw us."

Gingrich: Call Congress to "beat the budget" and "get government under control." Appearing on Hannity's April 15 tea party coverage, Fox News contributor Newt Gingrich implored viewers to "call their senator and their congressman and say, beat the budget, make them write a new budget, take out the spending increases, take out the tax increases, get government under control." Gingrich later added:

GINGRICH: If every American who's watching us will call their senators and their congressman and tell them to vote no on the budget, no on big spending, no on big deficits, no on tax increases, I think maybe next week we'll start setting the stage to get government under control. And then this will make a difference.

Gingrich: "I hope every person watching" will call Congress to oppose cap and trade. While discussing the House energy bill on the June 23 edition of Hannity, Gingrich said:

GINGRICH: I think the idea with gasoline prices going back up, and I hope every person watching tonight will both call their congressman or will send an email to all of their friends asking them to call their congressman. I believe if the American people act in the next 72 hours, we can defeat this bill on Friday. It is a terrible energy tax increase.

Beck tells viewers they "need to call and tell your congressperson" to vote against cap and trade. While interviewing Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) about cap and trade on June 25, Beck implored viewers to call Congress:

BECK: Michele, I said on the air today -- I know people are tired of calling Congress. But I told them to call Congress. Can you put the number down for the House? They need to call Congress and very --

BACHMANN: Do not get tired yet. One more call. If there's one more call that people make, make this one. Vote no on that national energy tax. It is a $2 trillion tax increase, but it will give government control over virtually every aspect of our life. They have to call.

BECK: OK. I said today that you need to call and tell your congressperson -- I have a very long memory. And if you vote yes on this -- because some of them are saying, "Well, I'm not sure." What do you mean you're not sure? You don't have to read the details of this one. You're either for cap-and-trade or you're not. And if you vote yes --

BACHMANN: You're either for freedom or you're not.

BECK: Exactly right.

While Beck appealed to viewers, Fox News ran a caption featuring phone numbers to call:

beckphone1

Morris: "[F]ight back" by contacting Congress. Discussing health care town halls and protests on the August 3 edition of Hannity, Dick Morris offered advice to viewers on how to "fight back" that included "write your senator, write your congressman, call them, and write your friends to do it":

MORRIS: Look, this has got to be a time of unbelievable pressure. On my website, DickMorris.com you, I outline four steps you need to take to fight back. One is arm yourself with the facts, and chapter four in Catastrophe is written for you.

Number two is we have -- we're going to be putting up an advertisement, American League of Voters, that asks people very flatly, how can you cover 50 million new people without any extra doctors?

HANNITY: Right.

MORRIS: You can't. This is the end of Medicare as we know it.

HANNITY: But --

MORRIS: Go to my website and learn how to promote that ad. Then write your senator, write your congressman, call them, and write your friends to do it. And my website explain how to do all this and who the targets are.

Beck: Call Congress, White House and "demand answers." While discussing health care reform on August 10, Beck implored viewers to "call your congressman" and call the White House to demand answers to "questions."

BECK: You demand that the president address these questions: If it's un- American to speak out at town halls, like Nancy Pelosi has charged. Is it un-American? Should Nancy Pelosi have maybe somebody at the bully pulpit of the White House say, "Excuse me, it's not un-American"? Just like I defended who I -- the people who I believe are pinheads back in Hollywood, back four years ago.

While Beck spoke, Fox News aired captions featuring numbers for viewers to call:

beckphone2

beckphone3

Discussing Obama's "czars," Beck implores viewers to "call the White House." On September 3, while discussing Obama's "czars," Beck told viewers to "pick up your phone and call the White House. ... Demand answers. Demand the truth":

BECK: America, it is time for you to pick up your phone and call the White House and be extraordinarily polite but extraordinarily clear. Demand answers. Demand the truth. Mr. President, if you really believe that the current system of American capitalism needs to change, make the damn case. Do not do it behind closed doors.

Call the White House now. Call your congressmen and your senator and say, "Where the hell are you?" Back in a minute.

Beck: "Call your congressman on Sunstein." Noting the September 10 Senate confirmation vote on Cass Sunstein for administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Beck asked his followers on Twitter to "Call your congressman on Sunstein":

becksunstein

Purportedly "bias"-free Fox Nation celebrates "victor[ies]" over Dem. setbacks

"Obama Backs Down From Gov't-Run Health Care!" From the Fox Nation, accessed on August 17:

fn-govtruncare

"Senate Removes 'End of Life' Provision." From The Fox Nation, accessed on August 14:

fn-endoflife

"Congress delays health care rationing bill." From the Fox Nation, accessed on July 24:

fn-delaybill

"Obama's Drive for Climate Change Bill Delayed!" From The Fox Nation, accessed on July 9:

fn-climatebill

Transcripts

From the February 10 edition of Fox News' Glenn Beck:

BECK: What are the provisions? What are they?

McCAUGHEY: Well, the first is that every person in the United States will have their medical treatments recorded in a federal electronic database.

BECK: Let me play devil's advocate. Well, that's good, because mistakes will be reduced.

McCAUGHEY: You don't have to play devil's advocate because I also see the benefits of electronic medical records. I'm a patient advocate and I'd like to know that if a patient gets sick, their medical records can make it to the next hospital or to a specialist in a matter of seconds.

BECK: OK. All right.

McCAUGHEY: That's a good thing. But the bill goes farther than that in explaining why every doctor in the United States and every patient will be required to use these records. It says that it will achieve elimination of waste, more cost-effective medicine, that it will eliminate disparities between what one patient gets and another.

BECK: What is that?

McCAUGHEY: There has to be more to this than just what is written down in the record. So then I went to the section of the bill that prescribes how this will be enforced. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is empowered to determine which medical provider, doctors, and hospitals are, quote, "meaningful users of this system, and therefore, in compliance." And the HHS secretary is also authorized to use increasingly stringent measures -- that's the language in the bill -- to enforce compliance. It's this toughness and vagueness --

BECK: OK -- I mean, look, George Washington said that government is brute force. And that's what it seems to me we have coming. Is there anything that the average person sitting at home going, "Oh, dear God, now." Is there anything they can do right now?

McCAUGHEY: Yes. They should call their members of Congress, their U.S. senators, and their representatives and say please make sure these health provisions are taken out of this bill so that the American public and the doctors and the nurses and the hospital executives can have a meaningful discussion about what should be in a health bill.

BECK: OK. All right. One more time, gang. Got to call the clowns up and say, "Hey, don't do this to us. Hey, please don't screw us."

From the April 15 edition of Fox News' Hannity:

GINGRICH: Kellen Giuda, who's the young man who organized New York, is a new businessman. He's not earning the kind of money that would get him taxed by Obama, but he wants his family and his children to have a better future. And he knows that this debt is direct threat to their life.

We figured out at American Solutions that if you're 20 years old this year, you're going to pay $114,000 in extra taxes with the Obama interest on the debt they're going to run up from spending. And that doesn't count the amount of interest you're going to pay for all the loan guarantees they're building.

This is a key day. I hope every American across the country will call their senator and their congressman and say, beat the budget, make them write a new budget, take out the spending increases, take out the tax increases, get government under control.

HANNITY: Yeah, you know, you know -- I look at these families, and I got to speak to -- you people are wonderful, and thank you all for coming out, by the way. I mean that sincerely. But -- and I've got to tell you, I can't even paint the picture for people at home. Folks, it goes down two city blocks, down around another block and down around the other side in the other block. I mean, it's amazing.

But I guess the issue here, though, is Mr. Speaker, are we now -- is this a defining moment? Do you think there's an opportunity to stop the $4 trillion that Barack Obama wants to spend and the amount of debt that he's going to create for our kids and grandkids? Do you think this is the spark that begins here tonight in Atlanta, that began in all or every state around this country? Is this the spark that gets us going?

GINGRICH: Well, Adam Waldeck at American Solutions told me there are over 700 cities that have tea parties tonight. If every American who's watching us will call their senators and their congressman and tell them to vote no on the budget, no on big spending, no on big deficits, no on tax increases, I think maybe next week we'll start setting the stage to get government under control. And then this will make a difference.

From the June 23 edition of Fox News' Hannity:

GINGRICH: Well, look, we have an ad campaign under way, we have a petition drive under way, we're targeting specific Democrats who represent districts where there's no reason to vote for this.

The energy tax bill will probably come to the floor on Friday. It is a terrible burden on the American economy. It's going to deepen the recession, it's going to increase unemployment, it's going to hurt every American family if you use electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, or other things -- heating oil. It's going to hurt you.

HANNITY: Well, that's a pretty big hurt especially -- you know, they told us if we passed the stimulus bill, Mr. Speaker, that unemployment wouldn't go above 8 percent. If we didn't pass it, it would go to 9 percent. Now it's 9.4 percent, and he said it'd be 10 percent by the end of the year. Now they're saying it could be 10 percent by the end of the summer.

GINGRICH: I think the idea with gasoline prices going back up, and I hope every person watching tonight will both call their congressman or will send an email to all of their friends asking them to call their congressman. I believe if the American people act in the next 72 hours, we can defeat this bill on Friday. It is a terrible energy tax increase.

From the June 25 edition of Fox News' Glenn Beck:

BACHMANN: Glenn, can I jut say you were dead on at the beginning of the show when you said tomorrow's vote is the most important story in the United States. It is. It's not too late for people to call their member of Congress. They need to. It's the largest tax increase in American history. And it will give the government more power over Americans' lives than any other bill that will pass in our generation.

BECK: Michele, I said on the air today -- I know people are tired of calling Congress. But I told them to call Congress. Can you put the number down for the House? They need to call Congress and very --

BACHMANN: Do not get tired yet. One more call. If there's one more call that people make, make this one. Vote no on that national energy tax. It is a $2 trillion tax increase, but it will give government control over virtually every aspect of our life. They have to call.

BECK: OK. I said today that you need to call and tell your congressperson -- I have a very long memory. And if you vote yes on this -- because some of them are saying, "Well, I'm not sure." What do you mean you're not sure? You don't have to read the details of this one. You're either for cap-and-trade or you're not. And if you vote yes --

BACHMANN: You're either for freedom or you're not.

BECK: Exactly right.

From the August 3 edition of Fox News' Hannity:

HANNITY: Look, I'm -- it's Tim Bishop. You've got this Congressman Carnahan in Missouri. You see, Kathleen Sebelius, this is the second time she's been shouted down. You got Arlen Specter. Now I'm hearing Democrats are afraid to show up at these town halls.

MORRIS: Look, this has got to be a time of unbelievable pressure. On my website, DickMorris.com you, I outline four steps you need to take to fight back. One is arm yourself with the facts, and chapter four in Catastrophe is written for you.

Number two is we have -- we're going to be putting up an advertisement, American League of Voters, that asks people very flatly, how can you cover 50 million new people without any extra doctors?

HANNITY: Right.

MORRIS: You can't. This is the end of Medicare as we know it.

HANNITY: But --

MORRIS: Go to my website and learn how to promote that ad. Then write your senator, write your congressman, call them, and write your friends to do it. And my website explain how to do all this and who the targets are.

From the August 10 edition of Fox News' Glenn Beck:

BECK: America, you call your congressman. You call just -- the congressman that represents you. You call your senator right now. Is that -- there's the house switchboard right there. You call them right now. You tell them we'd like to chat. You call them in your own local area.

But you know what? While we're talking to you, Congressman, while we're talking to you, Senator, we're going to demand some things that I think are pretty reasonable. For instance, number one, we demand that you read the bills that you vote on. And then you have the courage to tell us exactly where you stand on the bill -- none of this, well, I can't tell you how where he stands of -- he hasn't made up his -- bull crap! You people know exactly what you're going to do. Have the courage of your convictions.

And you know what? We're not going to give up. Know that we're not angry mobs, but know this: you're a servant to the people. Maybe you should start acting like it.

And then, America, when you're done with that phone call, you make another phone call. Put the White House -- there it is -- there's the White House switchboard number for you. You call them up, and in all cases, always -- always be polite. Have respect for the office.

You demand that the president address these questions: If it's un- American to speak out at town halls, like Nancy Pelosi has charged. Is it un-American? Should Nancy Pelosi have maybe somebody at the bully pulpit of the White House say, "Excuse me, it's not un-American"? Just like I defended who I -- the people who I believe are pinheads back in Hollywood, back four years ago.

From the August 27 edition of Fox News' Glenn Beck:

BECK: Now, the second part of this. A few months ago, I told you, you got to know you're not alone. You've got to know. You got to unite. Talk to people. Make sure you know you're not alone, through the 9/12 Project. We started that. Millions all involved across the country and the 9/12 Project and other organizations like it. I knew we needed to connect with one another. But at the time, didn't know what you were to do.

Well, I'm tired of being a sheep. I'm tired of being a victim. I'm tired of being pushed around. Well, you know what? The gloves come off. Tomorrow, I will give you a plan. I will tell you exactly the place to go, the way you can save your republic. That's tomorrow. Don't miss it.

From the August 28 edition of Fox News' Glenn Beck:

BECK: OK. Here's the thing. America, tough times are coming, but I promise you this -- powerful and mighty miracles are right around the corner, too. But it's going to take all of us. It's going to take almost like organizing our community. Hmm, who would have thought that?

And you know what? I'm going to cover the grand community organization event on 9/12 in Washington, D.C., because some things are worth standing up for.

[...]

BECK: On 9/12, I hope to see you in Washington. I will make sure you're seen all over the country.

From the September 3 edition of Fox News' Glenn Beck:

BECK: How about this last one? I love this. You know who designed the stimulus package? Well, let me tell you about a guy here in New York. A guy here in New York is the chair of an organization called the Apollo Alliance of New York. Do you know who he is? It's so funny.

He was the partner with William Ayers that founded the Weather Underground. Who is the Apollo Alliance? Oh, my gosh, the Apollo Alliance -- boy, one of the board members, one of the members of the Apollo Alliance is Van Jones. Isn't that -- oh, you know what else they have done? They designed the stimulus package.

America, it is time for you to pick up your phone and call the White House and be extraordinarily polite but extraordinarily clear. Demand answers. Demand the truth. Mr. President, if you really believe that the current system of American capitalism needs to change, make the damn case. Do not do it behind closed doors.

Call the White House now. Call your congressmen and your senator and say, "Where the hell are you?" Back in a minute.

From the September 8 edition of Fox News' Glenn Beck:

BECK: Now, six months ago, I introduced you to the 9/12 Project and I passed it on to you. This Saturday, you answer the question, what have you come up with? Here's a reminder.

[promotional video]

[...]

BECK: You know, in the 1700s, it took only 50 men to stand together and change the world. This Saturday is 9/12. We'll be covering what is happening in Washington, 1 to 3 Eastern. Will we find another 50 men or women willing to stand for our country and the republic?

On the Fox News channel, you can find out all of the details at the 912Project.com. Good night.

Expand All Expand 1st Level Collapse All Add Comment
    • Author by manofmystique (September 11, 2009 12:50 pm ET)
      11 4
      It doesn't matter what the subject is or how ridiculous, Fox News and Obama haters are going to misrepresent or lie about anything Obama says. This is sick, irresponsible and dangerous. They know where all of this criticism is leading. It is inciting hate and rallying white mobs all around this country. There is nothing more dangerous than a white mob angry at a black man. When that happens ANY black person is a potential target. The media has a responsibility to the citizens of this country, but they give legitimacy to hate talk disguised as free speech. The media do not respect the rights of black people who talk irresponsibly along race lines.

      The media is guilty of inviting more psychos to say outrageous things- by covering them as if they are News makers. The media know this guy is wrong, just like they know Dick Cheney was wrong, but do they have an interest in the truth, no, they would rather ignore these loons’ rediculous assertions in order to pit one man against another. What's worse, the media pit a white man's word against a black man word. The media still have trouble taking a black man's word over a white man's word. This is why so many of these white idiots become spokesmen instead of ridiculed.
      These talk show hosts are no better. All they have to do is tell these racist bastards the truth, “you are wrong; it’s not in the bill”. End of story.
      Then tell these idiots, instead of calling the president a liar, why don’t you just say you don’t believe him. What so hard about that? The media won’t do it, that’s why these strange people keep showing up.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by Appleboy (September 11, 2009 1:16 pm ET)
        15 4
        The abuse Obama and his adminstration is receiving is nothing new, it's been going on for a good 20 years. Clinton was a murderer and a drug dealer (etc), Hillary murdered Vince Foster (etc), Al Gore said he invented the internet (among a list of other bogus "lies"). Good christ people, this insanity has been going on for years now. Why are people the least bit surprised by any of this? Replace Obama with any other Democrat and the same pile of crap would have been flung his/her way. Sure there is racism against Obama, but we are fooling ourselves if we think this is a unique situation that is occuring only because he's black. I would say a larger factor than racism in driving all this is corporate greed and power.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by shaggles (September 11, 2009 1:30 pm ET)
          6 4
          I agree to an extent. The rapidity of the attacks are kind of surprising which I think is what leads people to believe that something other than the usual attack politics are at play. I don't think most of the pols or even the talking heads attacking Obama are doing it primarily for racist reasons. They're doing it to win back power. I do think they are relying on racism among a certain block of supporters though. Much like the republican party used the Southern Strategy in the 1960's.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by Appleboy (September 11, 2009 2:10 pm ET)
            6 5
            I agree that the opposition has an extra tool to use in their efforts. However, I still believe Hillary would have received the socialism/Hitler treatment. Would have been blasted for addressing students to study hard and stay in school. Her health care reform would have been "death panel"-ed (btw, Betsy McCaughey helped defeat health care reform in 1994 - do we liberals ever learn?). Etc, etc - I believe little would have been different.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by manofmystique (September 11, 2009 3:19 pm ET)
              2 4
              You "believe little would have been different", this statement only expose you as not being to bright. Conservatives and Repulicans are acting like stupid, out of control children, unable to contain themselves. I have never seen a Party set out to hurt the other Party so bad that they are willing to destory their own Party. That is what's happening.
              Are you keeping up the the outrageously stupid things they are doing and saying? Do they act like they give a damn about democracy anymore? No, they act like they have a problem with a black man in the oval office. Open up your eyes.
              Report Abuse
              • Author by Appleboy (September 11, 2009 3:41 pm ET)
                3 5
                Here are some examples of what Bill Clinton went through:

                * As governor, Bill Clinton murdered many rivals. Hillary Clinton was involved.
                * As first lady, Hillary Clinton was involved in Vince Foster’s death.
                * As governor, Bill Clinton trafficked drugs through Mena, Arkansas.
                * Bill Clinton was himself a major coke user. It’s why his nose is so red.
                * As a graduate student, Bill Clinton visited Moscow because he was a Soviet agent (or something).
                * The Clintons decorated the White House Christmas tree with condoms and drug paraphernalia.

                For Al Gore:
                * Al Gore said he inspired Love Story.
                * Al Gore said he invented the Internet.
                * Al Gore said he discovered Love Canal.
                * Naomi Wolf told Al Gore to wear earth tones. (“Al Gore hired a woman to teach him how to be a man.”)
                * Al Gore said he grew up on a farm, when “in reality” he grew up in DC.
                * “It was Gore, after all, who in 1988 introduced Willie Horton into the presidential campaign.”

                I'm sorry but if you think what is happening to Obama is something new you are the one who is absolutely blind. Tell me what attack on Obama wouldn't have occurred if another Democrat became president? To blame this on racism alone is shear nonsense.
                Report Abuse
                • Author by mikehuck1976 (September 12, 2009 1:43 pm ET)
                  4 4
                  I agree with you, Appleboy. I also think the rapidity of the attacks is, in part, due to the advances that the right has made in their ability to control the press. All their attempts to label the press as liberal have paid off big time and they now control the press just by playing that card. Whatever the right wants the debate to be, is indeed what the debate becomes. I particularly like your reference to race as just another tool for them. The right is certainly using racism (more correctly probably race-baiting) by playing the scary, radical black man maneuvers. Some of these ploys would not have worked against Hillary, but the rest of these attacks I am confident would have.

                  I disagree slightly on the talking to schoolchildren bit. I cannot help but notice the "I don't want that man talking to my children" line being eerily similar to what closeted racists have said for years. "I'm not racist, I just don't want them near my family." I think this was a quintessential attempt at race-baiting by using code words to remind the bed-wetting section of the right-wing that we have a black man in charge now who can indoctrinate your children.
                  Report Abuse
                  • Author by Missouri Democrat (September 12, 2009 3:08 pm ET)
                    2 4
                    Mike don't to leave out the homophobes like Joe the plumber. Remember he said,paraphrased by me, "I have lots of gay friends I just don't want them near my kids." Bigotry and prejudice are still alive and well in America. Sadly it's all too true even though we wish it wasn't.
                    Report Abuse
                  • Author by Appleboy (September 13, 2009 9:13 am ET)
                    1 4
                    I still believe Hillary, for example, would have faced opposition to talking to the school children. However, I believe the opposition to Obama giving the talk ropes in more people (racists) than if he were white. There are many people out there who hate Obama simply because of the color of his skin, I would never deny that.
                    Report Abuse
                • Author by manofmystique (September 13, 2009 9:05 pm ET)
                    4
                  to APPLE

                  You have got to be kidding me. You think what I say is "nonsense". It's funny how you infidels try to talk about something you can't relate to, like racist motivations and racist behavior.
                  Most of what the opposition is doing has everything, I repeat, everything to do with race. That's why democracy is taking a back seat. We had an election and the American people have spoken. Obama won the presidency but Republicans refused to accept this and they refused to honor and respect Obama's presidency. That is a fact. For starters the Republicans are voting no on everything because they have absolutely no intentions on helping or aiding this black president. Remember they want Obama to fail. Ask yourself why they want Obama to fail. It is not his policies, and those who think so, are not too bright. They want Obama to fail, because he is not one of us", Like Sarah Palin said (which was part of her campaign.
                  Do you know what that means, or are you too dumb to see that? One RACIST bastard, who wants Obama to fail, said the Healthcare Bill "will be Obama's waterloo". This idiot is more interested in Obama's failure then democracy and the well being of the American people. Conservatives and Republicans are stirring people up by dividing them with lies and misrepresentations. This foolishness has produced Birthers and Deathers who are not interested in policies, only the death of Obama. Hate is what the ridiculous indoctrination was about. Let me see you argue with that. I don't think you should unless you want to show us how stupid you are.
                  Conservatives protesters bring guns to a president town hall meeting and they are more interested in "getting their country back" I may give you more credit than you deserve, but I believe YOU know WHAT they mean BY "I want my country back". They never said anything like that when Clinton was in office and they never said anything like that when Bush was in office. Bush actually did take the country from the people.

                  Back to guns: What do guns have to do with healthcare discussion? Nothing!!!. This goes to show you Opposition are not interested in Healthcare, that's just an excuse to attack this president. This is how racist people operate.
                  If these fools (protesters) had good sense they would know Healthcare is good for all American citizens. How about the donut-head (Republican Joe Wilson) who called the president a liar during a House session? This racist bastard is party to a supremacy organization, it has been revealed. John McCain and Sarah Palin ran a racist campaign/election that set the tone for Racist boneheads like Sean Klannity, Glen Beck and Rush Limbaugh who lies on a daily basis, and the Republican Party says nothing, even though it is hurting their Party. These talk show hosts are inciting people to put together lynch mobs so they can act on their hate. I don't expect you to acknowledge this, but those Tea Party rallies are nothing more than hate mobs. Just listen what they say and read their signs.
                  John McCain and Sarah Palin's supporters had signs that read "kill the n%$^er", "hang em high" at their rallies and neither devil said anything about it. I can go on and on about these hate-mongers. Those who don't think race has a lot to do with these crazy white people's behavior are either blind or playing dumb.
                  As long as they play dumb about racism, they can continue to say race as nothing to do with it. In the meantime nothing change and racist people can continue their hateful, evil trade
                  Report Abuse
                  • Author by Brabantio (September 14, 2009 1:19 am ET)
                    1 2
                    Obama won the presidency but Republicans refused to accept this and they refused to honor and respect Obama's presidency. That is a fact. For starters the Republicans are voting no on everything because they have absolutely no intentions on helping or aiding this black president. Remember they want Obama to fail
                    One RACIST bastard, who wants Obama to fail, said the Healthcare Bill "will be Obama's waterloo". This idiot is more interested in Obama's failure then democracy and the well being of the American people. Conservatives and Republicans are stirring people up by dividing them with lies and misrepresentations.
                    Is "Waterloo" a racially loaded term now? Of course partisans want Obama to fail. Dividing people with lies and misrepresentations? Conservatives never did that while trying to undermine any other Democrat, right?

                    Take a couple of deep breaths, and think about all this.

                    There is simply no argument that conservatives wouldn't be rooting for Hillary or Edwards to fail if they were in Obama's place. They would be lying and dividing people to serve their own ends, no matter who was in office. Think about the logic you're using. Palin uses the phrase "not one of us", therefore any resistance Obama gets must be driven by that sentiment? That makes absolutely no sense. The Republican party isn't going to hand any Democratic president legislative victories in this political climate. Republicans relied on obstructionism when in the minority before, so of course they're going to rely on it when in the minority today.
                    If these fools (protesters) had good sense they would know Healthcare is good for all American citizens.
                    The same fools lacked that same good sense back when Clinton was talking about health care. This is proof positive that there is another motive besides racism in play.

                    There are some things that are more arguably racist. Much of the school speech protest was surely based on racism. And acts of explicit racism, such as the signs you mentioned, should be denounced in the strongest possible terms as loudly as you damn well feel like. But when you start making broad generalizations and extrapolations about how all these people or acts are racist, you discredit yourself more than them. Much of this is basic political strategy. We're talking about the same people who impeached a popular Democratic president for lying about sex, but when they play defense against an Executive and Legislative branch dominated by the opposition, that must be due to bigotry? Here's another one:
                    John McCain and Sarah Palin ran a racist campaign/election that set the tone for Racist boneheads like Sean Klannity, Glen Beck and Rush Limbaugh who lies on a daily basis, and the Republican Party says nothing, even though it is hurting their Party.
                    The party isn't going to get into a civil war with its pundits. They can't afford to do anything of the sort in such a minority position, they have to stick together and circle the wagons. This sort of thing is so predictable that you don't do yourself any favors by trying to attribute racist motives to it.

                    If there's an irrational criticism against Obama, and there's nothing to show inherent racism in it, then try to focus on what can actually be shown. Point out that it's irrational, and let people judge the motivation for themselves. Bigots are going to be bigots no matter what. It's not like if you call them racists they're going to turn around and put up an Martin Luther King Jr. poster in their house. So there's no real difference there, while getting challenged to defend generalizations of bigotry are only going to embarrass you. It's just not defensible.

                    It's not like any of us like racism, or are trying to defend it. The atmosphere is horrible, the dialogue is atrocious, and you want Obama to get some respect. We all get that. It just hurts the cause to make wild, far-reaching accusations of racism. Keep your powder dry and your eyes focused.
                    Report Abuse
                    • Author by Appleboy (September 14, 2009 11:44 am ET)
                        3
                      Nice post Brabantio.

                      manofmystique:
                      They haven't accused Obama of being a murderer yet nor have they manufactured any big scandals yet (eg, Whitewater, Travelgate, etc). It's silly to point out things that have happened to Obama but not Clinton, I would be able to match you lunatic charge for lunatic charge. Shouts like "I want my country back" have a racial element to it for some people, but I think most of it is frustration with the Wall Street/Bank/Auto bailouts and now health care reform. I don't agree with these people but I don't think racism is the driving force behind it.

                      I suggest you read "Fools for Scandal - How the Media Invented Whitewater" by Gene Lyons and "The Hunting of the President: The Ten-Year Campaign to Destroy Bill and Hillary Clinton" by Joe Conason and Gene Lyons.

                      I will repeat my point, there is an element of racism to the Obama opposition, but given what happened to Clinton I can't see how you believe this is all racism. It seems you have no recolletion of what happened between 1992 and 2000.
                      Report Abuse
              • Author by Appleboy (September 11, 2009 3:47 pm ET)
                3 3
                By the way, what makes you think I don't know the right is acting "like stupid, out of control children, unable to contain themselves"? I'm just saying this behavior is nothing new. Look at the examples I gave in the post above. This is more about hatred of the left than hatred of a black president.
                Report Abuse
                • Author by Brabantio (September 11, 2009 6:49 pm ET)
                  5 4
                  Exactly. What many people also keep overlooking are the circumstances. Bush was an enormous disaster, and now you have a Democrat brought in to clean up the mess. Just based on that alone, they have extra incentive to tear him down, just to minimize the contrast between the two. On top of that, he's trying to pass legislation that has the potential to help millions upon millions of people. Anyone who thinks that conservatives aren't going to pull out all the stops to discredit any Democrat in that scenario isn't thinking about it very clearly. Republicans didn't enjoy power in Congress for decades after the New Deal, and you can be sure they know that.

                  Like I said on another thread, the racism magnifies the partisanship. It's not the whole problem, by any stretch of the imagination.
                  Report Abuse
                  • Author by alienofwar (September 12, 2009 12:45 am ET)
                    3 4
                    Excellent analysis. It seems like Republicans are have a temper tantrum as a result of being kicked out of office, but I think it's more strategic than anything else. If they can make President Obama fail miserably, than they have a chance of getting back into power. On top of that, his agenda is a threat to the whole Republican philosophy itself which in my mind has already been proven to be a massive failure, but it seems Republican voters have a short memory.
                    Report Abuse
        • Author by manofmystique (September 11, 2009 2:55 pm ET)
          2 2
          You failed to understand my point. You are too busy trying to defend stupidity and hate.
          It's not about one Party accusing the other Party of something that is not true. It's about irresponsible white people inciting hate group to act on their bigotry. Can you not see what is happening? For heaven sake a dumb-ass man brought a gun to a presidential town hall meeting. Have you seen something like that in the last 20 years? Innocent people will be hurt or killed if this kind of talk continues. You know that. But just like Fox News, Republicans and conservatives, you would rather defend stupidity and hate instead of standing up for what is right and sensible.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by Appleboy (September 11, 2009 3:56 pm ET)
            2 3
            I'm sorry but how am I defending stupidity and hate when all I'm saying is that this stupidity and hate has been going on for some time now. I'm trying to point out that it is not merely a race thing. And yes, I believe men carrying guns around at town hall meetings would have occurred if Hillary or Edwards were president. Was the African-America carrying the assault rifle in Arizona a racist against Obama? I'm sorry, but it silly to pin all the opposition to Obama on race. It's definitely a part of it but there's much more to it.
            Report Abuse
          • Author by Klatu53 (September 12, 2009 4:11 pm ET)
            1 2
            Racism exists on every side. From reading your comments it sounds like you are a racist.
            Report Abuse
        • Author by eb (September 12, 2009 10:00 am ET)
          3 1
          They want to make the USA ungovernable to anyone but libertarian "family values" conservatives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

          The want to create an intellectual and media climate where any ideas other than libertarian "family values" conservative ideas are automatically suspect and rendered marginal!!!!!!!!!

          After Reagan, we can ONLY be a conservative nation. Game over!
          Report Abuse
      • Author by sambo (September 11, 2009 3:13 pm ET)
        2 2
        What is really pathetic is the lazies,that enjoys our freedoms,rights,and privileges,and yet are so shallow minded they sit on their asses watching Fox News,and talk shows,and don't even realize they are being lied to
        Report Abuse
        • Author by Klatu53 (September 12, 2009 4:14 pm ET)
            2
          Are you a pathological idiot? Lies have been told too all of us! God you are as shallow as your opinion.
          Report Abuse
      • Author by jwcoop715110 (September 11, 2009 5:14 pm ET)
        2 3
        Well, they are the voice of the scum vote, after all.

        There is nothing legitimate about clusterfox or their ignorant-trash audience.

        They're not just anti-education, they're pro-ignorance.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by Klatu53 (September 12, 2009 4:06 pm ET)
        1 1
        A healthy discussion is needed. But why do you call us white racist haters when someone disagrees with what is being proposed? This goes much further than pitting white against black. THe Federal GOvernment has never done a good job at running anything. The private medical, citizens, and the government need to find an answer rather than rushing forward to make ghastly mistakes and ruin our economy.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by NiceguyEddie (September 12, 2009 7:48 pm ET)
        2 2
        And while Fox is the all-time heavy weight champion of liars and right-wing propagandists, it's sad how much this nonsense has started to infect the other networks that were at one time, more reliable sources of information. Ruppert Murdoch and the Republicnas are destroying this country. They have dumbed us down to the point where most of this coutnry will believe anything, as long as it doesnn't sound liberal. I really hate these bastards.

        -------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Come over to my blog and debate Health Care!
        http://eddiecabot.blogspot.com/
        Report Abuse
      • Author by mikiek (September 12, 2009 9:57 pm ET)
        1 3
        I guess I am a little confused.You are angry that a member of Congress called the president a liar? Well I will admit that it was not right out of respect of the office. But tell me sir, how do you justify harry reid calling bush a liar after all he is the leader of the senate so tell me what is the difference? Just curious.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by bermensch (September 11, 2009 12:53 pm ET)
      4 2
      Just remember...

      What goes around comes around....Fox Nation Beware
      Report Abuse
    • Author by wzwriter (September 11, 2009 12:55 pm ET)
      4 3
      Hannity: "We got rid of one [czar], and my job, starting tomorrow night is to get rid of every other one. I promise you that."

      The Huffington Post is reporting this morning that Michael Savage has been cancelled by his "flagship" station KNEW. Our jobs, starting now, should be getting Hannity and all the other right-wing clowns canelled by every on of their affilliates.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by highliter (September 11, 2009 1:06 pm ET)
        6 17
        Yes Silence the opposition!!!!!!!!!! Let only our liberal voices be heard. If you dont we will call you a racist and threaten you advertizes with boycotts. The American public is too stupid to know who to listen to so we must choose for them for their own good!
        Report Abuse
        • Author by jwcoop715110 (September 11, 2009 1:12 pm ET)
          10 3
          Nah, just confine you to the facts, sport. Then again, if it's factual, you're screwed.

          Gee, that's a shame.
          Report Abuse
        • Author by bilbo_dies (September 11, 2009 1:26 pm ET)
          9 3
          Yes Silence the opposition!!!!!!!!!! Let only our conservative voices be heard. If you dont we will call you a racist and threaten you advertizes with boycotts. The American public is too stupid to know who to listen to so we must choose for them for their own good!


          Yup, stolen right out of the right wing hand book.

          Personally I don't think anyone here is advocating that. What they are advocating is putting peoples feet to the fire. If you lie, someone should point it out. People of all political persuasions have used lies, fear mongering, and half truths to push their political view point and that is what we need to fight against.

          Don't like universal health care or health insurance reform.
          Great!!! Let's sit down and discuss it.
          What don't you like?
          Why don't you like it?
          What alternatives to you have"
          Etc, etc, etc

          Screaming at the top of your lungs and making up data points doesn't accomplish anything positive. If you are only afraid of change because it is change, well, that is your problem. One of the basic definitions of life is "does it change?" If it doesnt' move or change, it probably isn't alive.
          Isn't it time for the right to "change" their tactics?
          Report Abuse
          • Author by DellDolly (September 11, 2009 2:21 pm ET)
            8 5
            MMFA has a prime example of this on the next thread - Senator Kyl is distorting Obama's comment that he'll call out the people distorting reality. Kyl says that Obama is trying to silence his critics. Nope. Not happening.
            Report Abuse
          • Author by dandelion (September 11, 2009 10:59 pm ET)
            5 3
            Chapter 1 of the Right Wing Handbook:

            Step one: Say something false and outrageously offensive.
            Step two: Get expected result of anger from the opposition who demands accountability for your false and outrageous statement.
            Step three: Use that anger and demand for accountability as evidence that they're trying to SILENCE YOU!!
            Step four: Mount an even more aggressive campaign against the people who are oppressing you.

            God it's so predictable.
            Report Abuse
        • Author by wookie (September 11, 2009 2:08 pm ET)
          5 3
          After O'Reilly had so much luck boycotting France we figured we would give it a try...
          Report Abuse
        • Author by wzwriter (September 11, 2009 2:50 pm ET)
          7 2
          Yes Silence the opposition!!!!!!!!!!

          No - silence the liars. Only facts and truthful information should be broadcast.
          Report Abuse
      • Author by Klatu53 (September 12, 2009 4:17 pm ET)
        1 1
        Who's the real clown? You are. You want to silence my first admendment rights by call me a hater, a racist, ignorant and the list goes on. I guess that anyone who cant stand a discussion falls back to the fact that your blind obedience to the Democratic party is stifiling your ability to be objective.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by wzwriter (September 11, 2009 1:04 pm ET)
      5 1
      So much for "Fair and Balanced"....
      Report Abuse
    • Author by didi (September 11, 2009 1:09 pm ET)
      5 4
      But.... I thought Fox was fair and balanced!

      The myth of the liberal media is a product of the same sick minds that are involved in the Fox "News" insurrection.

      If there are no laws against promoting insurrection I believe congress needs to enact them. This is not a freedom of speech matter. This is a war!
      Report Abuse
      • Author by right ON (September 11, 2009 1:11 pm ET)
        7 14
        Oh please, even MMfA admits this is "Specifically, Fox News personalities". These personalities can say what they want, that is free speech. If someone wants to waste their day listening to these personalities, that is their business.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by jwcoop715110 (September 11, 2009 1:17 pm ET)
          14 2
          They can say whatever the hell they want. They remain free to spew psychotic slop all they want.

          We remain free to fact-check their delusional dreck and expose them for the frauds they are, too.

          If they can't even stand up to that minimal level of scrutiny, that's their problem.
          Report Abuse
        • Author by didi (September 11, 2009 1:17 pm ET)
          7 4
          It's not just the personalities. It's everyone on Fox. Even the "straight" news announcers skew their reports to favor the GOP.

          What they choose to report and not report exposes the fact that their bias starts at the top and flows down to every on air personality.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by right ON (September 11, 2009 1:33 pm ET)
            2 8
            Then alert MMfA to change the "specifically" part and provide backup, their words not mine.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by didi (September 11, 2009 1:38 pm ET)
              6 2
              If you want specifics I'll direct YOU to www.newshounds.us

              They have a huge database of Fox bias from EVERYONE on Fox including their "straight journalists".

              A little time there will show you how insidious the total Fox experience is!
              Report Abuse
              • Author by right ON (September 11, 2009 1:43 pm ET)
                3 10
                Sorry, I don't need another liberal website to tell me what I already know about Fox News. I was simply responding to your ridiculous assertion that this is not a free speech issue but some "war" and how Congress should get involved with what MMfA said was specifically regarding personalities.
                Report Abuse
                • Author by didi (September 11, 2009 1:50 pm ET)
                  9 5
                  You don't think Fox and right wing talk radio are inciting rebellion? How do you explain all those people looking to secede from the US in Texas?

                  Do you think Rep Joe Wilson was just an aberration? Right wing extremists are getting worked up by all this propaganda. There are lots of people out there willing to act on the veiled wishes of the hate-mongers.

                  It's time people understand where all this is going.
                  Report Abuse
                  • Author by right ON (September 11, 2009 1:54 pm ET)
                    4 11
                    So now we are talking about Texas? You switch topics and hysterias so fast I can't keep up.
                    Report Abuse
                    • Author by wzwriter (September 11, 2009 2:57 pm ET)
                      8 4
                      So now we are talking about Texas? You switch topics and hysterias so fast I can't keep up.

                      Clearly a result of your greatly diminshed brain capacity. Most conservatives have trouble farting and chewing gum at the same time.....
                      Report Abuse
                  • Author by rms (September 11, 2009 7:41 pm ET)
                    6 2
                    ...and threats against the President of the United States, now that Obama is in office, are up 400%.
                    Report Abuse
                  • Author by jwcoop715110 (September 11, 2009 7:54 pm ET)
                    4 1
                    Of course they do. Gops have nothing to offer but fear itself.
                    Report Abuse
                • Author by Klatu53 (September 12, 2009 4:23 pm ET)
                  1 3
                  If you cant stand the heat get out of the Kitchen. THe NEWS Corporations have such control that meaningless fribble like your comments means nothing. Neither does mine. Wake up idiot before we have no freedom left.
                  Report Abuse
        • Author by historygeek001 (September 11, 2009 1:30 pm ET)
          8 1
          So you openly admit that you want Fox "News" station to lie and that these lies are OK with you? I see. How unsurprising that you prefer talking points to reality.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by wookie (September 11, 2009 2:12 pm ET)
            6 2
            Pretty lame, isn't it? If someone is serious about politics wouldn't they want a challenge occaisionally instead of lazy yes men?
            Report Abuse
        • Author by The_Cat (September 11, 2009 1:59 pm ET)
          8 4
          right ON, I think you've missed the point. FOX 'News' no longer has any claim to being 'fair and balanced'.

          The talking heads on FOX are free to say whatever they want, but I only ever hear hosts on FOX who are opposed to President Obama. Never a single positive story on our President. Not one. The point is not that some of them are conservative. It's a conservative network. The executives in charge, right on down to the occasional fill-in host. Conservative. Not, repeat not, fair and balanced in any way, shape, or form.

          The fact that they are prone to rabble rouse, to incite violence, to lie in service of their ends, only makes them that much less reputable.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by right ON (September 11, 2009 2:04 pm ET)
            5 11
            Cat,

            I don't watch them, so I will take your word for it. I am sure they aren't fair and balanced, they have always been in the GOP's camp and now that their ratings are flourishing, they celebrate their role as the anti-Obama network, probably. Despite their slogan.

            I was responding to didi's claim about getting our government involved in policing their personalities and enacting some "war" or laws against "insurrection". Ridiculous. Never gonna happen and shouldn't. Our Congress has enough to do, and far more serious priorities than monitoring Sean Hannity.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by didi (September 11, 2009 2:27 pm ET)
              9 5
              Far more serious priorities?

              Like Terri Schiavo?

              Please! You righties seem to think everything YOU want takes priority over everything everyone else wants.

              This is a serious issue. This is exactly what I want our congress to tackle.
              Report Abuse
              • Author by right ON (September 11, 2009 2:38 pm ET)
                4 13
                Give me a break, where did I mention Terri Schiavo? That was a waste, much as your nonsense is as well.
                Report Abuse
                • Author by didi (September 11, 2009 2:47 pm ET)
                  10 3
                  Give us all a break.

                  Congress will work on OUR priorities. Not yours!

                  My use of the Terri Schiavo fiasco is an example of what you righties THINK is a priority for our congress. There was a vast range of "priorities" that the right wing pushed that frankly wasn't even on the radar for 90% of the country.
                  Report Abuse
                  • Author by right ON (September 11, 2009 2:51 pm ET)
                    3 9
                    You don't need to tell me why my priorities are, you have no idea based on your "righties" remark.

                    I suggest you get in touch with Congress then, as they are controlled by you "lefties" and tell them to get busy with Sean Hannity. They will be glad to get your priority I am sure, after they have a good laugh at your hysteria.
                    Report Abuse
            • Author by The_Cat (September 11, 2009 2:51 pm ET)
              6  
              Well, as flattered as I am that you would take my word for it, right ON, it is usually wise to do a little research for yourself. I suspect I was actually guilty of hyperbole, to be completely truthful.

              Your second point is well taken. We did have sedition laws in the United States. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedition_Act_of_1918

              Passed in 1918, it was repealed just two years later, amid many many allegations of abuse. The problem is that whoever is in charge decides what sedition is. Both sides are not to be trusted in this regard, as both are comprised of humans who, no matter how earnest, are also fallible. You must allow dissent.

              I think the climate within the media has grown a bit more violent, or accepting of violence, and in the face of that some commentators may wish to look at their words and decide for themselves how culpable they are. The first example that springs to mind is Bill O'Reilly and Dr. Tiller. I believe Mr. O'Reilly is at least partly morally responsible for Dr. Tiller's death. Do I wish for this to become law? No. As with sedition, far far too open to abuse. Congress does indeed have better things to do, and they need to find some common ground and get it done. Though, I'm only half joking when I submit that everyone has more serious priorities than monitoring Sean Hannity!
              Report Abuse
              • Author by right ON (September 11, 2009 2:55 pm ET)
                5 2
                I also believe the O'Reillys of the world are morally at fault for some of the repercussions of their rhetoric. But I don't want Congress sorting that out, that is not their role or their function.

                The rest of your post is well said.
                Report Abuse
                • Author by Vincenzo (September 11, 2009 4:34 pm ET)
                    2
                  So far the scope of what we both agree upon is very limited,(to say the least!). Thumbs up on this nonetheless. The public will have to handle FOX. Government involvement, unless FOX actually breaks laws, would be counter productive.
                  Report Abuse
                  • Author by right ON (September 11, 2009 5:00 pm ET)
                    3 7
                    Yes it is. And you can see Hannity's show once the government starts the ball rolling on what didi thinks is their priority to do? He would have a field day with the publicity and only galvanize more people to align with him and his hackery. Counterproductive is an understatement.
                    Report Abuse
                    • Author by Victor Colorado (September 11, 2009 5:33 pm ET)
                      2 3
                      If the gov't moved to shut down Hannity, he'd definitely go all Hal Turner on a federal building. Seriously, Hannity is capable of violence. He once punched someone in the face for not giving up a seat in a movie theater.
                      Report Abuse
                      • Author by right ON (September 11, 2009 5:42 pm ET)
                        3 1
                        If the government ever attempted to shut down Sean Hannity, and they never could and they know it, he would be world's most famous victim - and he would let everybody know it. He would become the poster boy and champion even more of the crap he spews everyday. It would elevate him to a stature beyond what his ego can only envision. He would go from a very stinging thorn in the left's side to an unimaginable creation.

                        Thank you, he irritates me enough when I accidentally stumble across him on the car radio, or on TV, his voice is like nails on a chalkboard to me. I don't need him to become a martyr with even more unearned exposure. Leave him be.
                        Report Abuse
                        • Author by Victor Colorado (September 11, 2009 5:48 pm ET)
                          1 1
                          "Leave him be."? Who are you talking to?
                          Report Abuse
                          • Author by right ON (September 11, 2009 5:51 pm ET)
                            1 5
                            Anyone, didi specifically, who want the government to involve themselves in his nonsense.
                            Report Abuse
                            • Author by didi (September 11, 2009 6:24 pm ET)
                              4  
                              Stop whining... all I asked is for a clearly anti democracy movement to be quashed. Just like the right wing went after communists in the 50s and 60s.

                              Sometimes people need to look inward before they make comments.

                              And stop acting like you're protecting the constitution with your nonsense!
                              Report Abuse
                              • Author by right ON (September 11, 2009 6:28 pm ET)
                                2 5
                                Whining? You asked for government to basically declare "war" on talk show hosts? Absolutely insane, waste of time and resources and unconstitutional to boot. Do you want more reasons for such idiocy or is that enough. And if you can't see how Hannity would become a martyr after such an investigation then you haven't even begun to think it through. You will create a monster all because you want them slapped around a bit. Which it would do just the opposite.
                                Report Abuse
                              • Author by The_Cat (September 11, 2009 7:19 pm ET)
                                2  
                                didi, as much distaste as I have for what Hannity, Beck, et al are spewing daily, I have to defend their right to say it. When they begin inciting to riot, then the law will step in, as it should. Until then, they will go on lying, and we will go on calling them out when they do.

                                Do you realize that you are talking about resurrecting McCarthyism? One of the saddest and least honorable periods in our history as a nation? Even if your intentions are pure as the driven snow, you must know that this is a very dangerous path even to start down.

                                Dissent of any kind is part of the definition of democracy. When it turns violent, then the law exists to protect us from that violence. Until then, they must be allowed to speak their opinion. I understand your frustration, believe me, but I want you to stop and ask yourself if convening a Senate Committee to look into anti-democracy speech on TV and radio is really the direction you want to go.
                                Report Abuse
                                • Author by didi (September 11, 2009 8:32 pm ET)
                                    1
                                  As much as I hate McCarthey, Fox news and right wing talk radio are already following him.

                                  It's documented on this website:

                                  Glenn Beck's New McCarthyism?

                                  September 10, 2009 1:29 pm ET by John V. Santore

                                  Whether you like it or not the right wing is already at war against ideas that are counter to theirs. So why not resort to the very same tactics that they are using?
                                  Report Abuse
                                  • Author by The_Cat (September 11, 2009 8:44 pm ET)
                                    2  
                                    Yes, I'm aware of the article on Mr. Beck's new McCarthyism, but thank you. Remember that the reason that article was posted was to condemn Mr. Beck for this tactic.

                                    "So why not resort to the very same tactics that they are using?"

                                    This is the same argument for torturing suspected terrorists for information. It was very bad for this country when President Bush stooped to the tactics of the terrorists. The point of principles is to guide you when times are hardest, when the hour is darkest, when it is the most costly to do the right thing rather than the easy thing.

                                    I know that this is a dark time, that the media seems to be filled with liars, and those willing to vilify the president and any policy he proposes. I know that it seems the conservatives are winning. But we need to hold fast, and be firm in our belief that we are doing the best we can, and doing our best in the best possible way. If our critics, our opponents, choose to lie in the gutter and roll in filth, we are better served by pointing out their degradation rather than joining them in it.

                                    You should also beware of the power you give to the government. I honestly think it is extremely dangerous to allow the government the power to lock up citizens for anti-government speech. When the Republicans regain control, think of the use to which they could put these rules if they are enacted and waiting. I would rather put up with an opposition network and all the bile it spews than face a panel of Republicans trying me for anti-government speech.

                                    I look forward to your next post, and I appreciate the time you've taken to read my replies. :)
                                    Report Abuse
                        • Author by westla (September 11, 2009 5:57 pm ET)
                          3 1
                          right ON,

                          I completely agree with you. Any investigation or government involvement in opinionated, inflammatory talk show hosts who espouse their partisan rhetoric is no place for the government's hands. Whether it be conservative or liberal.

                          As you say, they have no authority, thankfully. And also, I cannot imagine if Glenn Beck or Sean Hannity had that kind of publicity to victimize themselves over. Not only would they get their wish, huge ratings, more viewers, increased exposure, fatter wallets, martyr status; they would become far more injurious to civil debate than they can only dream of now.

                          It would be a nightmare.
                          Report Abuse
                  • Author by jwcoop715110 (September 11, 2009 8:58 pm ET)
                    3  
                    That's what they said about Nixon, Reagan, Bush, Gingrich, Bush, Scooter and Cheney.

                    There's always illegal activity with these ignorant swine. They're constitutionally incapable of acting on the up and up.

                    There's nothing wrong with fact-checking clusterfox, calling them on their lies and bringing it to the attention of their advertisers. Hit Rupert in the wallet enough and he'll howl.

                    It's not like these clusterfox loons are acting out of principle or ethics.
                    Report Abuse
              • Author by mikehuck1976 (September 12, 2009 1:51 pm ET)
                  3
                I absolutely agree that O'Reilly is morally culpable for Dr. Tiller. Claiming that anyone who does not "stop him" has blood on their hands made it pretty clear to everyone what he was inciting. But, his culpability is moral. He will have to live with himself in his own cave of self-denial. He should not be prosecuted by a court or put in jail. When we go as far as the Sedition Acts we give these charlatans too much power. They should be dismissed and shamed like the anti-American fools that they are. Not prosecuted and put on a pedestal.
                Report Abuse
        • Author by dr. matt (September 11, 2009 2:44 pm ET)
          3  
          Tommy, you forgot to screech, "THIS IS SILLY!!!!!"
          Report Abuse
          • Author by jwcoop715110 (September 11, 2009 8:05 pm ET)
            2  
            Next to Joe Wilson, the scum vote has no better advocate than the deaf, dumb, and blind boy.
            Report Abuse
    • Author by terrapin53 (September 11, 2009 3:44 pm ET)
      2  
      No journalistic integrity at all.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by jflash97 (September 11, 2009 5:03 pm ET)
      2 1
      I know this was just a small part of the article, but can someone please explain what exactly this "9-12 Project" moniker is supposed to signify?

      Wasn't 9/12 when ALL Americans supposedly put aside their partisan bickering for about, oh, 5 minutes and united together? Seems to me, with Fox and Beck heading it up, the "9-12 Project" would be the exact opposite of that premise.

      And the accompanying web site doesn't really offer anything but partisan vitriol. Is there no sense of irony in Fox's world of news entertainment?
      Report Abuse
    • Author by only_myschly3567 (September 12, 2009 8:16 am ET)
        1
      It's really amazing that you have some of the hardcore MMFA conservatives who give every reasonable comment thumbs down, who might actually watch the entire video, and not realize how biased this propaganda is.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by yahasiff (September 12, 2009 9:46 am ET)
      1 9
      Fox is the only network filling the role of "4th Branch of Government." All the other networks are shameless mouth pieces for the Obama administration. If Fox was not here all we would see on TV is support for Obama. Maybe mediamaters likes the idea of a one party state but personally I like to have open decent.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by hulcys930 (September 12, 2009 11:10 am ET)
        2 1
        You obviously do not watch Olbermann or Maddow on MSNBC who question Obama's policies whenever he deviates or compromises on things he said during the campaign. They do not give the administration a free ride by any stretch of the imagination. Chris Matthews frequently questioned the economists advising Obama about the stimulus package and their theories, presenting other guests (actual experts, not the Fox Noise "experts") who have actual credentials in economics, regarding the Wall Street bailouts and other serious policy differences. Fox Noise is not "filling the role of '4th Branch of Government' (did you mean the Fourth Estate?)." It is simply a network run by conservatives who know the value of touting nutty conspiracy theories and various manufactured hysteria in search of the great God Ratings. When they cannot find anything real to complain about regarding the administration's policies, they just make something up and keep repeating it as if the more times they lie about something the more believable it is. Unfortunately, for the people who only watch and listen to Fox, since they never hear a dissenting opinion on that network and rarely try to educate themselves by doing any of their own research, it seems believable because they hear so many different voices (on one network) saying the same things.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by pros2pros2940 (September 12, 2009 11:23 am ET)
        6 1
        Sir, please stop taking what ever drugs you're taking. The last thing that FoxNews is is a legitimate news organization.

        MM and others have a list so long of complete falsehoods I suspect it would reach Mars.

        FauxNews reminds me of the old War of Worlds radio broadcast that had people believing we were being invaded by martians.

        They are abusing their rights to broadcast and should come under rules that govern "contributions" to a political party because it's free advertising for republicans each and every day
        Report Abuse
      • Author by princeofwheels (September 13, 2009 11:28 pm ET)
        2 1
        yahasiff, Open descent is fine but out and out hatred of a President is not descent, it is hatred.
        These so-called grass-roots movements were conjured up by RightWing radio and promoted openly by Fox. They aren't about being afraid of the Government, they are making everyone afraid of Obama who is only doing the proper things. May I ask this question..would you have felt safe with McCain and Palin running the country. Would you have marched on them if things were not going your way..by the way, which way is that.
        And to support our President, you still have your guns, you have your bible, you got a tax cut and he is trying to make Health Care more affordable for you. DUH!!!!
        Report Abuse
    • Author by ChrisM (September 12, 2009 8:09 pm ET)
      1 1
      Fox News has crossed the line and is now a Political Action Committee. They should be put under the same tax laws as any PAC. Also any airtime should now be considered a Republican Party contribution. No other media outlet is involved in organizing, funding, and advertising like Fox. The Fox pundits are all included on so their pay should also be taxed accordingly and considered Republican Party contributions.

      Is anybody getting the underlying racism in all this? Our first Black President and all of a sudden it's time to hide the kids from hearing the President speak to them. It's suddenly alright to call the President a liar during a joint session of congress. They are creating an atmosphere in which a rightwing nut will feel like a patriot for assasinating President O'bama. It will be called 'plausible deniability'!
      Report Abuse
    • Author by night-n-day (September 13, 2009 2:46 am ET)
      2 1
      From 2002 to 2005 the "voice of the opposition" to the president numbered in the millions in the US and the media refused to acknowledge their existence.

      In 2009 the "voice of the opposition" to the president numbers in the hundreds and the media treats them like they're the majority and their opinions - even when they're screaming and lying - matter more than everyone elses.

      Joe Wilson's challenger, Rob Miller, raised over one million dollars within 24 hours after Wilson's tantrum, and the headline on Friday on CNN's website was "Wilson Raises $200K in 24 hours". Miller raised 5 times that amount, but all that matters is that the meida spin pretends the Republicans are "winning" (even when they're thoroughly disgraced and despised by overwhelming majorities of Americans).

      Until there is a progressive 24 hour news network to counter the lock on all the other TV networks by the corporate rightwing, the media will continue to treat the rightwing's fringe radical voices as the only ones that matter.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by DixieChyc (September 13, 2009 11:02 am ET)
      2 7
      You’ve been hearing all kinds of things in the U.S. media about the tea party movement (mostly UGLY things from every source except for Fox News). Yesterday, there was a march on Washington, where hundreds of thousands of citizens came together to exercise their Constitutionally-protected right to voice their concerns. And these marchers were supported by thousands of tea parties across this great country, from New York to Texas, North Dakota to Florida! Our numbers are huge and growing. Please don’t believe everything you hear. We are not a bunch of racist, right-wing, cultist, nut-job, home-grown terrorist, insurgent mobsters! Me? LOL! We are black and we are white; we are Republicans, Democrats, Independents, and no party affiliation. We are senior citizens, and we are college students.

      Moreover, we are CITIZENS who proclaim that it is TIME that our govt officials start listening. Our govt needs to stop browbeating & degrading certain segments of the citizenry & quit with the sarcasm, arrogance & name calling. Using the tactic of divisiveness, our govt is inciting one half of the people in America; but that half needs to WAKE UP & see that the other half isn't going to be silent or sit frightened in the corner of our homes, when everything we believe in is in jeopardy of being lost. This half doesn't take kindly to being labeled as racist, right-wing, cultist, nut-job, home-grown terrorist, insurgent mobsters! An article posted in the London newspaper, The Daily Mail, claimed that the line of protesters spread across Pennsylvania Avenue for blocks, all the way to the capitol, according to the Washington Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by FAIRVOICE (September 13, 2009 1:18 pm ET)
        2 1
        We are listening. That's why we overwhelmingly elected a President from a Democratic Party. Fox news, their Teaparty hangers-on, and whatever you may call yourselves are the ugly face of America. We don't want it anymore.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by rms (September 13, 2009 5:58 pm ET)
        3 1
        DixieChyc: "We are not a bunch of racist, right-wing, cultist, nut-job, home-grown terrorist, insurgent mobsters!"

        I want to believe you, Dixie, but when I saw the following (link below) on Huffington Post (this is a repost of something I put in another thread earlier today), it became difficult to do so. You would have to agree. Many of these signs are truly ugly - and scary. Sorry I have popped your balloon.

        http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/12/taxpayer-march-on-washing_n_284477.html
        Report Abuse
      • Author by princeofwheels (September 13, 2009 6:01 pm ET)
        3  
        ...but that half needs to WAKE UP & see that the other half isn't going to be silent or sit frightened in the corner of our homes, when everything we believe in is in jeopardy of being lost. This half doesn't take kindly to being labeled as unAmerican, cultist, nut-job, home-grown terrorist, insurgent mobsters, anti-Troop....

        You are right and this half didn't just sit back. It got out the vote and regained our country from the grasp of the Cons. And it is going to stay this way until Republicans disavow themselves from the Cons and the likes of Rush, Seannie, Beck, O'Reilly, Malkin, etc. etc....

        There were signs about the Government not caring about the people..but where were the signs attacking the Republicans in office....This was a hate liberals and destroy Obama venture. Of course some real Americans were there but they can only follow the crowd and the Pied Pipers if the wish to be part of this insurrection.

        Dixie, you sound reasonable but I must ask...what about the Big Talkers for the Republicans..remember, this was organized by Beck and Fox News not for America but for ratings and a way to destroy the Ameircan President. Nice to have you around.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by baba19 (September 13, 2009 9:46 pm ET)
        1 1
        We are black and we are white; we are Republicans, Democrats, Independents, and no party affiliation. We are senior citizens, and we are college students.


        You're kidding, right? If some confused individual of a racial minority shows up, they're in every promotional shot taken. Otherwise, those crowds are white as... something completely white. Furthermore, while I acknowledge that some Democrats may be disappointed in how discourse has been handled, I sincerely doubt they would throw in with a crowd sporting the irrational BS signs you see at those rallies.
        Also, stop hiding behind the "our govt officials [need to] start listening" tactic. Our government was our government before January 18, 2009. Where was your outrage then? I guess your football team was in the lead, so it didn't matter.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by congero6189599 (September 13, 2009 9:58 pm ET)
        1  
        hundreds of thousands ???? Hardly!
        Report Abuse
    • Author by BKFactor (September 13, 2009 1:28 pm ET)
        1
      President Obama was right ... they will pull out all the stops to kill health insurance reform. Who know s what they would do to kill health care reform.

      Decent people are dealing with snakes now.

      It's time to call in all markers, find the skeletons in the closet, put everything on the line and shoot for the moon. Peoples lives are at stake.

      My rule when you're in for the fight of your life: Never deal with someone who doesn't have as much to lose as you do. (Those who are as old as I am know what I mean).
      Report Abuse
    • Author by jiconnol (September 13, 2009 3:06 pm ET)
        1
      When I saw that film at the ending I thought I was watching a Soviet propaganda film, agitprop type stuff. I mean one more soldier wielding a bazooka and I would have forgotten that we are occupiers.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by manofmystique (September 13, 2009 9:03 pm ET)
        3
      To Applehead and all those in denial:

      You have got to be kidding me. You think what I say is "nonsense". It's funny how you infidels try to talk about something you can't relate to, like racist motivations and racist behavior.
      Most of what the opposition is doing has everything, I repeat, everything to do with race. That's why democracy is taking a back seat. We had an election and the American people have spoken. Obama won the presidency but Republicans refused to accept this and they refused to honor and respect Obama's presidency. That is a fact. For starters the Republicans are voting no on everything because they have absolutely no intentions on helping or aiding this black president. Remember they want Obama to fail. Ask yourself why they want Obama to fail. It is not his policies, and those who think so, are not too bright. They want Obama to fail, because he is not one of us", Like Sarah Palin said (which was part of her campaign.
      Do you know what that means, or are you too dumb to see that? One RACIST bastard, who wants Obama to fail, said the Healthcare Bill "will be Obama's waterloo". This idiot is more interested in Obama's failure then democracy and the well being of the American people. Conservatives and Republicans are stirring people up by dividing them with lies and misrepresentations. This foolishness has produced Birthers and Deathers who are not interested in policies, only the death of Obama. Hate is what the ridiculous indoctrination was about. Let me see you argue with that. I don't think you should unless you want to show us how stupid you are.
      Conservatives protesters bring guns to a president town hall meeting and they are more interested in "getting their country back" I may give you more credit than you deserve, but I believe YOU know WHAT they mean BY "I want my country back". They never said anything like that when Clinton was in office and they never said anything like that when Bush was in office. Bush actually did take the country from the people.

      Back to guns: What do guns have to do with healthcare discussion? Nothing!!!. This goes to show you Opposition are not interested in Healthcare, that's just an excuse to attack this president. This is how racist people operate.
      If these fools (protesters) had good sense they would know Healthcare is good for all American citizens. How about the donut-head (Republican Joe Wilson) who called the president a liar during a House session? This racist bastard is party to a supremacy organization, it has been revealed. John McCain and Sarah Palin ran a racist campaign/election that set the tone for Racist boneheads like Sean Klannity, Glen Beck and Rush Limbaugh who lies on a daily basis, and the Republican Party says nothing, even though it is hurting their Party. These talk show hosts are inciting people to put together lynch mobs so they can act on their hate. I don't expect you to acknowledge this, but those Tea Party rallies are nothing more than hate mobs. Just listen what they say and read their signs.
      John McCain and Sarah Palin's supporters had signs that read "kill the n%$^er", "hang em high" at their rallies and neither devil said anything about it. I can go on and on about these hate-mongers. Those who don't think race has a lot to do with these crazy white people's behavior are either blind or playing dumb.
      As long as they play dumb about racism, they can continue to say race as nothing to do with it. In the meantime nothing change and racist people can continue their hateful, evil trade.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by Dmacalypse (September 14, 2009 11:52 am ET)
      1 1
      Reading all of this garbage embarrasses me a an American let alone a human being. The fact that a "news org" can get away with such vile and discontented behavior is astonishing.
      Report Abuse

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