Red Meat for a Blue State
Search The Archives
Log In
Publishers
Editors
Majority Reporters
Latest Reports
|
Robin Swanson
Bill O’Reilly Likes His Women Muzzled
When I was invited to tape a segment on the O’Reilly Factor today, I knew that I would be walking onto a set-up program that would be biased against any reasonable Democratic point of view, but I’ve appeared on many FOX News (FNC) programs before, and felt comfortable responding on the topic of the day. On previous FNC programs, such as "Hannity & Colmes," while there’s a clear conservative skew, panelists usually are allowed to make their points, even if they have to shout to be heard. But despite the well-deserved perception of FNC as a conservative monolithic "news" outlet, they continue to do well in the ratings game, and their viewers run the gamut of the ideological spectrum. So Democrats from across the country, including myself, brave the landmine-riddled terrain that is FNC in order to attempt to deliver a Democratic viewpoint in otherwise hostile territory. Normally, you’ve got about 15-20 seconds to make your point in segments that run from about 3-7 minutes long. Most of the time I’ve been able to deliver a few salient points, and other times I’ve been less successful. But today was different. In the midst of a debate where O’Reilly was trying to pit the Left of the Democratic Party against Senator Hillary Clinton, I dared to disagree with his premise. I had the audacity to suggest that the fissures about the war in Iraq were actually in the Republican Party, not in the Democratic Party. O’Reilly was clearly perturbed that I didn’t allow him to bully me. So, mid-sentence, apparently taking his cue from the season finale of the Sopranos, he cut my audio and video feed. Fade to black. For a news organization that laughingly calls itself "fair and balanced," this was a new low. O’Reilly claims that his program is a "No-spin zone," but apparently, it’s "No-speech zone" if you disagree with him. O’Reilly’s censorship of guests who don’t perform on-cue like trained monkeys is truly Orwellian. If you disagree with him, you don’t exist -- he cuts your feed. No debate, no argument, no fighting to get in the last word -- simply pushing a button, and sending guests’ satellite feed back into space. Perhaps I should have expected this treatment from a network whose president, Roger Ailes, made jokes comparing Barack Obama to Osama Bin Laden, but with O’Reilly leading the charge, FNC has achieved the journalistic integrity of the National Enquirer. And at least that rag is entertaining. And in the ultimate ironic twist, O’Reilly began tonight’s program with a whiny segment complaining that Democratic Presidential contenders have refused to appear on his program. All I have to say is: Keep dreaming O’Reilly -- your on-air temper-tantrum today is proof positive that your "no-spin zone" is anything but. Print this report | Send to a friend Browse in : [ Reports ]
Note: Comments are owned by the poster. We are not responsible for their content. You must be logged in to comment. You may log in or create an account. Sorry to hear about your, um, tragedy, Robin, but isn't there a no whining zone somewhere? :) Seriously, you win some and you lose some with the ideologues. ... And of course, there actually is a distinction that came up today. Hillary was booed at the big lefty conference when she said that American forces had done the job in Iraq and the problem is that the Iraqis aren't doing their part. Tomorrow, if you decide to jump off a building, I hope you'll post a story complaining about the concrete. Gosh, Bill Bradley. I knew you were a constant apologist for Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jerry Brown but now Bill O'Reilly!?! My goodness, apparently as long as they are a celebrity you'll take their side. I shudder to think of when Paris Hilton enters California politics. Bill Bradley spent all of last year spinning propaganda for Arnold Schwarzenegger and against Phil Angelides. He's a pathetic sell-out for a few cigars and a pat on the head from Arnold the celebrity. No wonder he's pushing the agenda of a right-winger like O'Reilly. Trying to get on his show, Bill? Bill Bradley is truly pathetic. Ever notice how Bill Bradley doesn't have a life? He's constantly posting blogs on websites apologizing like the good little ass-kisser he is for Schwarzenegger and other Republicans. Talk about a thin-skinned egotist. No wonder why narcissist Arnold and narcissist Bradley are birds of a feather. I saw O'Reilly try to shut down both Swanson and Benjamin. Talk about a bully and fascist. They weren't saying what he wanted so he was rude and arrogant to both. What a jerk! I don't understand why Bill Bradley and this "blogswarm" jerk are taking his side. Just what the fascists want! Good job Robin Swanson and Medea Benjamin. You guys rock. Bill O'Reilly and his buddy Bill Bradley suck. I guess I really shouldn't take Bill Bradley seriously and I'm guilty of overreacting. After all, none of my Dem staffer or lobbyist friends in the Legislature take him seriously. They all tell me he's a wannabe and a "starfu--er". I just didn't think he was so desperate to kiss up to famous and powerful people that he'd actually cater to frickin' Bill O'Reilly. Sad. You speak the truth, Progressive. Who is this Bill Bradley guy and why is he talking like a George W. Bushie on a Democratic web site? Hey Bob Brigham (AKA "blogsworm"), since you like to write such charming things about me on various web sites, I thought people should know your name. Anonymous bloggers are such cowards. As demented as Bob Brigham's (Blogswarm) post is I almost agree with him. O'Reily is notoriously known for spin-ing his topics and guests. He doesn't ask anyone to appear on his show to debate. Whether you're a woman, man or child he will yell at you just the same. Therefore, just like jumping off of a building, you should only expect the worst when you're a guest on... The Spin Zone. I'm proud of you Robin, for appearing on his show. It took a lot of guts. But now you know why O’Reily has such a hard time finding Democratic guests. Unless you're someone that doesn't mind debating on condom ads that showcase "pig puppets." Hey, I see 1 or 2 anonymous nutball fringe types have been busy. As I'm sure Robin knows, I'm not defending Bill O'Reilly, I'm reminding her that that is the risk you take on a show like that. Pretty simple to figure out. Incidentally, what is particularly funny is an anonymous nutball flaming me AT 2 IN THE FRACKING MORNING. Claiming that have no life. Clearly, someone lacks a sense of irony. This site has kind of clunky software. Here is the way the post above should read: Incidentally, what is particularly funny is an anonymous nutball flaming me AT 2 IN THE FRACKING MORNING. Claiming that I have no life. Clearly, someone lacks a sense of irony. Incidentally, I don't believe that's the real Kevin Spillane with that silly flame above. He's smarter than that. Not counting the unmitigated disaster that was the Poochigian campaign. The idea that the Iraqis aren't doing their "job" is obscene on the face of it.America decides to bomb the life of a country that had nothing to do with 9/11,turns it into a terrorist recruiting center,THEN complains that the mess THEY have created is because the Iraqis aren't "doing their job".Does anyone else marvel at the shear chutzpah of that unbelievable notion besides me? Incidentally,Bill had NO right to cut Ms Swanson's mic.He can interpret her answer any way he likes-fine.But to act as if he's gob smacked by the idea that --as he perceives it--someone during a POLITICAL discussion might choose to side step a question is phony beyond all redemption.Like Bill is Mr "straight shooter"? Ha! This slug makes his living spreading lies!Day after day! Its. just.pathetic. Ratings |
The Majority Vote
What is the most convoluted, disturbing, diabolical yet captivating show you’ve watched this week?
BlogTalkRadio
 The Echo Chamber
Latest Comments
|
 
 |
You Go Girl!
Posted by: Steven Maviglio on June 20, 2007Classic Fox. Medea Benjamin of Code Pink, ex-Green Party US Senate candidate in California, and professional protestor, was also interviewed. Even she defended Hillary Clinton. O'Reilly couldn't stand the estrogen attack.
#