O'Reilly Blames Vets for Being Homeless

by: Brandon Friedman

Fri Jan 18, 2008 at 14:13:30 PM EST


Okay, look.  Bill O'Reilly just needs to go.  Whether it's attacking the USO (here and here) or denying the existence of homeless veterans, the point is, this guy just needs to be off the air.  America and its troops will be far better off once he's gone.

As we've all seen this week, Bill has denied the fact that there is a homeless vet problem in this country.  Okay.  That's fine.  If he wants to be an ass. . .whatever.  He's not sleeping outside, so it's not his problem.  But he really goes round the bend on this topic when he starts blaming the veterans for being homeless--which is what he did last night.

Crooks and Liars has the video here.

As C&L says of O'Reilly's latest diatribe against the troops:

Now he admits that there ARE homeless vets, but not due to economic reasons, as he says Edwards claims (watch it again, do you hear him say that?)  but because the veterans are substance abusers.

Seriously, watch the video.  O'Reilly is blaming the vets, telling America that the vets who are homeless, are homeless because they're "substance abusers" and/or "mentally ill."  Gee, Bill, I wonder why that would be?  Do you think it might have something to do with the stresses of combat and the shabby way they're treated (by the politicians you support) when they leave the military?

To go along with this, if you haven't already seen it, is the devastating piece below produced by Brave New Films at Fox Attacks in which they interview homeless vets about O'Reilly's comments:  

I doubt Bill will mention this on his show.

Anyway, to sum up: Bill O'Reilly is an asshole.  The number of homeless vets in America stands at: 195,827.

Brandon Friedman :: O'Reilly Blames Vets for Being Homeless
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On substance abuse (4.00 / 4)
After my return home I had major problems with PTSD.  I ended up in the ER a few times, but fortunately for me I had a wife and family that cared for me and got me into counseling at the VA.  That was over 3 years ago and I am much better for it today.  Others were not so fortunate.  I have a few friends who returned with me that have chosen to "self-medicate" instead.  This has lead to DUI's, open container prosecutions, jail time, rehab, etc.  Many of the guys I talk to that are in this situation are afraid (or just too stubborn) to talk to someone.  This is not their fault at all, and they are not to blame.  Many don't even know what resources are there, and others fear the various repercussions and stigma attached to using those resources. Non-veterans have no idea what the trauma of PTSD is like - the shakes, sweats, nightmares, anger, and especially the guilt.  Often vets turn to substance abuse instead of turning to the counselor.  Of course, talking heads like Bill O have no idea what this hell is like, so they blame the same vets whose boots Bill O is not worthy to lick.

"No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided." - Barack Obama

On a second note (4.00 / 2)
I agree that Bill O needs to go. How do we make that happen?

"No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided." - Barack Obama

Bill O Needs to Go (4.00 / 2)
I agree with all you guys who are fed up with O'Reilly's polluting our airwaves.  But clejeune made a great point.  If we want him to go, how do we make that happen?  Someone around here must know Jon Soltz.  Who would know better than our Chairman Jon how we can make our voices heard?

[ Parent ]
I don't agree... (4.00 / 1)
...with you Brandon, don't you remember when Billo did the Alf interview.  That was some credible piece of journalistic triumph (end sarc).

Fox should just stick with covering OJ, Britney Spears, pundit-babe Mary Katharine Hamm interviews, and stop bumbling around saying ridiculous and ignorant things about veterans.  I will admit though, I do think Brit Hume is okay, seriously.


Another.. (4.00 / 4)

... piece of crap with a microphone.

I never understood why people look up to turds.

Brian


Now, Brian, don't be shy... (4.00 / 2)
...just say what you mean.

[ Parent ]
That... (4.00 / 3)

... was the censored version of what I really wanted to say.

[ Parent ]
Ed Schultz was also discussing O'Reilly (4.00 / 1)
today on his radio program, and the problems that homeless veterans are having. In particular, I heard Schultz say how important it is that Americans know what a big problem homelessness is among veterans.  

I think O'Reilly's show is tanking in the ratings and the only way he can drive up viewership is to make ridiculous, extreme remarks. It would be great to see O'Reilly get the boot and soon.

It maddens me that after all these years, we still have not found a way to ensure that all veterans have a place to live, and that they don't receive the support they need to prevent their homelessness. Getting O'Reilly and his lies off the air is a start.

Here are some links to Schultz and O'Reilly discussing homeless veterans:

http://www.bigeddieradio.com/
http://mediamatters.org/items/...


I Just Sent.... (4.00 / 2)
A Request, to the Chapters of VFP and VVAW in and around New York City, that they might want to Pay the New York FOX Studios a visit and Give Them REAL News about the Plight of Veterans who end up Homeless!

A few of these Vets, in these chapters have been on that route at one time or another, and have been helping out the Iraq/Afgan Vets, male and female in that area, who have come home and after discharge found themselves without a home!

I would pass along a suggest to All here, who may know Veterans anywhere near where FOX has a Studio, to make Contact with them and request They to Pay A Visit!

FOX states it's a News Channel, than Give Them Real News to Report!!

'Hearts and Minds, "The ultimate victory will depend on the hearts and minds of the people who actually live there." -- President Lyndon Johnson


Sign an Open Letter to O'Reilly (4.00 / 3)
If you click on the Crooks and Liars website cited in Brandon's blog you will find an invitation to sign an open letter to O'Reilly penned by Paul Reickhoff, executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.  Or you can go to the following website devoted to getting the word out.                    http://www.billwaswrong.com
I encourage everyone reading this to take action now.  Please.  For the sake of our suffering homeless heroes and their families.  

THINK how much better our country would be without... (0.00 / 0)
having the airwaves polluted by those who would say anything for a buck and for attention that they didn't get from their mothers. They divide Americans with their hate and project their insecurities on the sheep who listen to them and the sheep who lack the common sense to realize they are being used. IMAGINE! Sexual Pervert Billo, should be the first to go.

Bill'O is a shill, liar and traitor... (0.00 / 0)
Bill'O is a shill, liar and traitor...

I hope he gets what is coming to him one day, something along the lines of being hung on live TV with the words TRAITOR underneath him.


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