O'Reilly Lifts Netroots Nation Footage out of Context

by: Richard Allen Smith

Wed Aug 19, 2009 at 12:16:45 PM EDT


Yeah, I know. This is a real "dog bites man" kind of story.  But it's particularly irking me because some of the footage features the Afghanistan panel on which I actually sat. Take a look:

I'm not going to delve into the first clip or the last one, other than to say I don't see where the "hate" to which O'Reilly refers exists. I do want to touch on the middle clip, however.

That clip is of Robert Greenwald of Brave New Films.  I don't agree with Greenwald on the issue of Afghanistan, but that isn't the issue. What is the issue is that there was no "left wing hate" in the questions posed in that clip.  They are important questions that should be pondered by anyone with a level headed interest in national security and foreign policy. But that's not what I want to focus on either.

What I want to focus on is the fact that O'Reilly's goons took a few seconds of a 75 minute panel with three other panelists and a moderator to try to portray Netroots Nation attendees, including many post-9/11 and earlier era Veterans, as hate-mongers, as unsuccessful as that attempt was.  I also sat on the panel.  Did O'Reilly acknowledge my discussion of our vital national security interests in Afghanistan and Pakistan and the fact that we must adequately resource the fight? No. Did O'Reilly show you Spencer Ackerman's policy-centric comments, note the fact that as a national security correspondent he speaks to those responsible for making the decisions on a regular basis, or inform his audience that Spencer also cautiously favors continued involvement in the Af-Pak region? No, because that wouldn't fit his narrative either. What about Anne Richard of the International Rescue Committee who discussed the refugee crises and other aspects of the conflict as they relate to local national civilians? Negative.

O'Reilly didn't do this because he wants to send a certain message. It's not a logical message, or one that encourages civil discourse, but rather seeks to marginalize mainstream views or rational debates as "radical" and those that have logical discussions on issues as "left-wing loons".  The message is that if you disagree with O'Reilly you hate America, when nothing can be further from the truth.

Richard Allen Smith :: O'Reilly Lifts Netroots Nation Footage out of Context
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Thanks for posting (0.00 / 0)
Just another example on a long list but I think it's important to keep counting. As long as people mistake what O'Reilly and FOX do for "news" or "journalism" someone has to catalog their lies and misrepresentations.

O'Reilly is to News as WWF is to College Wrestling... (0.00 / 0)
He takes 'analysis' to the basest level and makes over $10 million a year doing it.

"Talking Points" =
http://www.retrocrush.com/100m...


[ Parent ]
I also love anything about the liberal control of media (0.00 / 0)
The Newshour with Jim Lehrer of all places has been criticized by groups and even the PBS Ombudsman for being slanted right. NPR regularly presents coverage of issues in trivial or dismissive fashion and yet are allegedly the standard bearer for the liberal agenda and takeover of media.

Give me a damn break.


About "the clip" (0.00 / 0)
I watched only the news clip you posted, RS, and it was indeed selective.  Nevertheless, the words spoken about how our soldiers torture and murder, and how we invaded Afghanistan, occupy it, etc., is beyond the pale.  That was disgusting, and I'm not surprised a number of vets and active duty people here aren't equally as disgusted.

While I don't think Netroots is a "hate group" it's nevertheless a child of Kos.  And I've read DKos!  Good God!  Come on.

Your point is that O'Reilly was selective, and he was; however, I have seen very many "selective" quotes and actions by moderate/right Republicans absolutely taken out of context here.  Flash: this is done by BOTH sides.

If we don't like what's reported on us, perhaps we should consider not adding "our" fuel to the fire, as is often the case.


sigh (4.00 / 1)
deep breath

Nevertheless, the words spoken about how our soldiers torture and murder

No one ever said anything about Soldiers in that video. You're using O'Reilly's tactic here.  Although, if someone had said that Soldiers have tortured and murdered in post-9/11 conflicts, that wouldn't be inaccurate.  Soldiers have been convicted of both. So long is someone isn't accusing all or most of the military of being torturers or murderers, what is wrong with that statement?

and how we invaded Afghanistan, occupy it, etc.,

Again, in this video the word occupation is never used. Did you actually watch it or just skim through it? Although, unless I'm living in an alternate reality, we did invade Afghanistan and we are currently occupying it.  Not sure why active duty and vets here would be disgusted by a series of accurate statements. Maybe you can point one statement out in that video that is inaccurate, besides those from O'Reilly.

While I don't think Netroots is a "hate group" it's nevertheless a child of Kos.  And I've read DKos!  Good God!  Come on.

So you've read every one of the tens of thousands of individual diarists at Daily Kos (who are free to write nearly whatever they want) to make your judgment? Or have you just read certain links that have been emailed to you or skimmed a couple of front page posts? This is like saying VetVoice is a bastion of conservatism after only reading the diaries of FredUSMC or E. Redding. Except you don't post diaries.

Your point is that O'Reilly was selective, and he was; however, I have seen very many "selective" quotes and actions by moderate/right Republicans absolutely taken out of context here.  Flash: this is done by BOTH sides.

I challenge you to find one single quote I have ever taken out of context here. Just one.  

I'm on twitter.


[ Parent ]
Incredible! (0.00 / 0)
I can't believe this.

In any case, I'm away from home and can't reply in depth to your sighs.  Perhaps early next week.  But I simply cannot believe an intelligent person can be so tilted as to not see his own face in the mirror.

I read some of your other leftist submittals today, and I only wish I had the capabilities to reply in kind.  This is going to get interesting if you persist in demeaning those who disagree with your sort of politics and arrogance.


[ Parent ]
Demean? (0.00 / 0)
How did I demean you? Pointing out your factually incorrect statements is demeaning?

I'm on twitter.

[ Parent ]
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