O’Reilly, Propaganda Peddler
October 13th, 2006
FOX News, America’s beacon for fair and balanced reporting, and home of bully Bill O’Reilly. When I watch TV news (not very often), I always watch FOX. Hey, I like my news fair and balanced so I can decide for myself - ha! Seriously, I watch FOX because at least I know they are full of shit. Not like the folks at CNN or MSNBC who pretend to provide unbiased reporting while pushing their agenda, at least when watching FOX (or Faux, as many lefties endearingly refer to it) I don’t have to sift through the propaganda. It’s right up there on a big plate, with none of that ugly pretense of objectivity to sift through.
Yesterday, O’Reilly “interviewed” professor Jim Fetzer. Fetzer, an outspoken critic of the Bush junta, was on the show to discuss 9/11 conspiracy theories. The entire piece is a character assassination, never once actually addressing any points - in typical O’Reilly fashion. See for yourself, here.
Wouldn’t it have been better for all parties if Mr. O’Reilly had given Mr. Fetzer the opportunity to provide some points, at which point Mr. O’Reilly would have ample opportunity to debunk Mr. Fetzer’s outlandish claims? Aren’t all sides served better when an open debate ensues? Instead of name calling, marginalization, and character assassination.
Not debating Mr. Fetzer and relying on bully tactics shows O’Reilly for what he truly is - a mouthpiece for the furthering of the American elite’s propaganda. God forbid the public have access to alternative views. It is much easier, and the system much less vulnerable, when those who are charged with promoting open discourse use their positions to fein debate while stifling the voice of the opposition. Bully Bill is a master.
Throughout the piece O’Reilly repeatedly calls Fetzer a “loon” a “nut” and tells him that he must have an alien in his bedroom too. All the while, never even hearing a point Fetzer may have to make. Perhaps the most deplorable act is O’Reilly’s accusation that Fetzer et al, “hate your country”. What the hell does that even mean? News flash Mr. O’Reilly - questioning your government does not mean you hate your country. Having a deep resentment towards the current administration does not mean that you hate your country. Hell, even those that hate the government don’t necessarily “hate their country”. Empty words, no meaning, thrown out there to evoke emotion, and call the credibility of the accused into question. A despicable act given that Bully Bill knows exactly what he is doing.
And since we are on the subject of meaningless expressions, how about “Support our Troops”? What the hell does that mean? How do you support our troops? Send them money (because they are not getting paid enough by the government to risk life and limb)? Send them flowers? How about sending them some armor - that would help support them. How about coming up with a plan to get them home safe - before 2010? That sounds like supporting them. But that’s not what the expression means now, is it? As far as I can tell, “Support our Troops” means “Shut the Hell up - GW Knows Best”. Now that’s some good propaganda.
October 13th, 2006 at 1:18 pm
If your interested in 9/11 truth, or an open debate, you should pick up the book “debunking 9/11 myth”. It is a very readable and understandable discussion of the “truther” claims vs. scientific reality.
Many of the “truther” claims are taken out of context, are limited in their scope, or are flat out mistaken.
For example, 737 Jet fuel doesn’t burn hot enough to melt steel. That fact is true, however add to that fact that the temp that jet fuel does burn at will weaken steel by 80% of it’s load capacity, and factor in the structural damage that the 737 did to the tower, and you have a situation ripe for collapse.
The official story, including the fact that the terrorists have claimed responsibility (on Al-Jazzera and not American broadcasting alone), is far more believable than the country acting against itself.
October 13th, 2006 at 2:59 pm
Greg, O’Reilly does say if there is any bit of truth to these theories then why isn’t the media picking them up and running with them? Mr. Fetzer responded by saying he has 100’s of studies but can not get these picked up on the front page of any magazine because the media is dominated by the federal government.
So O’Reilly said why not get your stuff published in newspapers and magazines in other countries, those publications are not dominated by our federal government.
“If you had the evidence, someone somewhere would pick it up”. For all of O’Reillys bulling, his point is valid. They guy can not get 1 legit news organization in the world to print Fetzer’s findings.
October 13th, 2006 at 10:13 pm
Support Our Troops - Watch This Video
Still In Iraq
October 14th, 2006 at 7:44 am
Sniper - thanks for the recommendation. I have added it to my amazon wish list.
The point of whether the 911 theory is whack is irrevelavant to this argument.
Why did O’Reilly even ask him on the show? If he wasn’t going to let him even make any points about his theories to discuss? Simple - to marginalize him and assassinate his character. In the process, he is also able to marginalize anybody in the audience who may have doubts to the events.
If it was an isolated incident, I would be less outraged. However, it’s par for the course for the O’Reilly show.
October 14th, 2006 at 9:04 am
I guess I am missing the point then.
To me, the entire point is that harm that is being done by the misinformation and outright lies that are the basis for the conspiracy theories.
Do people have the right to believe them… yes. Do they have the right to be ridiculed on national TV for them… yes.
I seriously doubt that the “truther” in question had any misconceptions when he chose to be interviewed by O’Reilly. Bill’s not exactly known for this “kid-gloves” approach to those he believes are “loons”.
So the guy goes on O’Rielly’s show, knowing full well he’s going to be lambasted and shouted down. But he gets his website promoted, and another few minutes added to the fifteen he may or may not of already had. I guess it’s an even trade.