Lying to Fox News Viewers
Steve Benen catches Sean Hannity misleading and misinforming his audience.
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Steve Benen catches Sean Hannity misleading and misinforming his audience.
Commenting is closed for this article.
Political discourse on both sides, now, has become so bitter and petty that intellectual excahnge is almost non-existent. The major differences lend themselves to important debate, but the disingenuous hyperbole from left and right is chasing more and more free-thinkers to an independent position in search of objectivity.
— mike farmer · Jun 5, 09:45 PM · #
“He then showed Obama saying, ‘I am aware that there are still some that would question or even justify the events of 9/11.’”
Damn right he was aware. The Right Reverend Jeremiah Wright said “America’s chickens…comin home…to roost” from his pulpit immediately after Sept. 11, 2001.
It doesn’t justify Hannity’s untruthfulness, but our community organizer in chief is a master at twisting the facts. Unfortunately, he has power over us; thankfully, Hannity doesn’t.
— jd · Jun 6, 12:40 AM · #
I’m genuinely confused as to why “community organizer” is a slur.
— cth · Jun 6, 01:39 AM · #
Speaking of an Unreality Community, anyone watch Brian ‘Bowing” Williams tonight get a big tour of the WH as a reward for constant sucking-up to The Won and his Rahm-bunctious crew. When Brian plucked the hem of BHusseinO’s robe to ask if he watches MSNBC, Obama did show good taste by saying KeithO & Matthews was like WW Wrestling. Lil’ Bri-bro didn’t have a follow-up question on that one.
— daveman · Jun 6, 02:16 AM · #
Community Organizer is a slur for two reasons: First, I think there’s a connection between community organizing, ACORN, the whole sub-prime mortgage mess and Obama’s involvement thereof.
Second, Obama had really done very little before he became President other than being a community organizer. We have elected the most inexperienced man ever to be POTUS. As with Clinton, if those poor underpaid professional journalists had done their jobs, the American people might have been more aware of either what kind of experience this man had, or, that he had very little real experience with anything whatsoever.
— jd · Jun 6, 03:16 AM · #
Yes, and there’s also a connection between Wall Street, the Republican Party, and said mess. Indeed, some will tell you that everything is connected. Your point?
You mean, aside from that whole Harvard Law and stints in the Illinois Senate, House of Reps., and U.S. Senate? Yeah, the guy pretty much just watched TV, roused the rabble, and teamed with ACORN to bring down the US financial system.
— John Schwenkler · Jun 6, 03:21 AM · #
Conor,
It was extremely disappointing for Hannity to take the President so utterly out of context. I assume you are arguing that Hannity would be more effective as a conservative pundit if he were to avoid actions that undermine his credibility. Would that be fair, or do you have a more general criticism to be leveled at Mr. Hannity?
John,
“Your point?”
The point was obvious. Your counter is not.
“You mean, aside from that whole Harvard Law and stints in the Illinois Senate, House of Reps., and U.S. Senate?”
No. He means exactly that – a paper thin resume that was not vetted by an adoring, curiously uncurious press. If all it takes to be qualified for the job of president of the most powerful nation in the world is to be the possessor of a law degree from Harvard we are a peculiarly undemanding public.
— nicholas · Jun 6, 03:55 AM · #
“I’m genuinely confused as to why “community organizer” is a slur.”
When a “community” requires organizing it is inevitabaly negroid or spanioid. The overly sympathetic liberals who apply their moisturied metrosexual lips to the members of the “community” in hopes of inflating them to something like normal American prospeity do so due to a weak ego: when they “help” the “unfortunate (ly genetically endowed) they feel “worthwhile.” This sort of weak-mindedness might qualify one to be the butter-passer at an all-male orgy, but it is a poor recomendation for the presidency.
— cw · Jun 6, 04:54 AM · #
“Negroid”? Congrats, Conor, you’ve apparently posted some nice red troll bait.
Something I find very weird about what Hannity is doing here is the quote that he uses: “I am aware that there are still some that would question or even justify the events of 9/11.”
I think that even to someone unused to Obama’s rhetorical touches, this sentence, considered in isolation, strongly suggests that Obama disagrees with those who would question or justify 9/11. ‘Still’, ‘some’, ‘I am aware’, all of those words contribute to distancing himself from the opinion expressed, even without context. Try it out (I admit that I’ve biased any kind of experiment):
It’s not just that Hannity is taking the quote out of context. He’s actively counting on his viewers to not understand what the sentence they’re hearing means.
— Justin · Jun 6, 05:09 AM · #
Nicholas,
I am please to see that you have returnd to these wretched premisis. Your grasp of the true nature of our slippery president Hussain is second to none and thus invaluable to the Party. It is only through the efforts of steely-minded conservatives such as yourself, valiantly fighting to maintain hold on an a Pam-drenched reality in this crazy, mixed up world though which we wander, that give thsi country any hope for the future. Do not give up the struggle, though you feel constatly confused by the fancy locutions of the enemy and the speed of events as they continually change from day to day all around the world. Hold fast to the timeless virtues: love of the motherland, vigilance re thought of anal sex, fastidious personal hygene, the right to bear arms, low taxes, deference to our god given leaders, restraint re unnecessary contact with the private parts, an open heart to our Lord and Savior. Recite these constantly under your breath for it is only via a tight sucking cleavage unto our sacred creed that the modern conservative can maintain his sanity in these God forsaken times (truley we witness the END of DAYS). Good luck and stay well. Your brave fight has not gone unnoticed.
— cw · Jun 6, 05:18 AM · #
Thanks for caring!
I thought the typos and grammatical errors in your earlier creative writing efforts were some effort at criticism, but I find this is how you actually express yourself.
Okay, c.w. With typical insight you have once again said almost nothing. Keep up the effort. Perhaps you can make up in bulk what you lack in merit.
But be careful to avoid arguing Conor’s side. I believe he finds your mode of argument a sad embarrassment.
— nicholas · Jun 6, 06:35 AM · #
Schwenkler:
“Yes, and there’s also a connection between Wall Street, the Republican Party, and said mess. Indeed, some will tell you that everything is connected. Your point?”
It was not Republicans who encouraged, threatened and legislated banks into lending to people who had no business getting loans. It was not Republicans who wanted Fannie and Freddie guaranteeing bad loans. It was not Republicans who were saying nice things about Fannie and Freddie when in fact they were in deep trouble (Barney Frank). It was not Republicans who were the heads of Fannie and Freddie (Franklin Raines) and walked off with 100 million in compensation (with nary an outrage from the press). It WAS Obama who subsequently appointed Franklin Raines. It WAS Obama who was a lawyer for ACORN. It WAS ACORN who was heavily involved in pressuring banks to make sub-prime loans. It WAS Obama who did exactly the same kinds of things that ACORN does (see Mau-Mauing the Flak Catchers).
Come to think of it, there’s a further point: it has always been nigh to impossible to make a connection between Barack Obama and anything in the real world. That was part of the frustration (dare I say anger?) in my first comment. How did Obama escape unscathed from a 20-year association with the hateful Jeremiah Wright and the terrorist Bill Ayers? We are finding out now that he didn’t escape, and unfortunately, neither will we.
“You mean, aside from that whole Harvard Law and stints in the Illinois Senate, House of Reps., and U.S. Senate? Yeah, the guy pretty much just watched TV, roused the rabble, and teamed with ACORN to bring down the US financial system.”
No, I mean pretty much that. Except you forgot to add that he voted present half the time. It’s disturbing that people like you put so much faith in education making the man. Doesn’t it ever bother you that Obama is just another typical Democrat politician? That is, go to law school. Sue some rich people. Go into politics. Get rich. Tell others not to become lawyers to become rich. Tax the rich so the poor can become rich.
Why don’t you make yourself useful, Schwenkler, and tell me how to use the Textile markup syntax so my text appears intelligent like yours?
— jd · Jun 6, 02:56 PM · #
This helps explain why we don’t really know anything about Barack Obama: a quote from Newsweek’s underpaid professional journalist, Evan Thomas on Hardball:
… Obama is ‘we are above that now.’ We’re not just parochial, we’re not just chauvinistic, we’re not just provincial. We stand for something – I mean in a way Obama’s standing above the country, above – above the world, he’s sort of God. He’s-This is the same fair and balanced Evan Thomas who said before the election in 2004 that the media was good for probably 15 percent of the vote FOR John Kerry.
— jd · Jun 6, 03:10 PM · #
“It was not Republicans who encouraged, threatened and legislated banks into lending to people who had no business getting loans. It was not Republicans who wanted Fannie and Freddie guaranteeing bad loans. It was not Republicans who were saying nice things about Fannie and Freddie when in fact they were in deep trouble (Barney Frank). It was not Republicans who were the heads of Fannie and Freddie (Franklin Raines) and walked off with 100 million in compensation (with nary an outrage from the press). It WAS Obama who subsequently appointed Franklin Raines. It WAS Obama who was a lawyer for ACORN. It WAS ACORN who was heavily involved in pressuring banks to make sub-prime loans. It WAS Obama who did exactly the same kinds of things that ACORN does (see Mau-Mauing the Flak Catchers).”
It must be absolutely awful to go through life this hysterically paranoid. I mean, even though Republicans controlled the U.S. House from 1994 to 2006 and the U.S. Senate for almost all of that time and even though they controlled the Presidency for 12 of the last 16 years, folks like jd quiver in fear at the awesome might and influence of ACORN.
Mike
— MBunge · Jun 6, 03:14 PM · #
“How did Obama escape unscathed from a 20-year association with the hateful Jeremiah Wright and the terrorist Bill Ayers?”
How did George W. Bush escape unscathed from being a drunk-off-his-ass screw up until the age of 40?
Mike
— MBunge · Jun 6, 03:16 PM · #
it has always been nigh to impossible to make a connection between Barack Obama and anything in the real world. That was part of the frustration (dare I say anger?) in my first comment.
Shorter jd: I’m talking out of my ass? Well, then that’s Obama’s fault too.
BTW, jd, that word Textile is colored reddish to indicate it’s a link, which you can click (i.e. push that button on the top of your mouse) on to go to an explanation thereof. Welcome to the Internet; we hope you enjoy it here.
— Bo · Jun 6, 03:25 PM · #
“But be careful to avoid arguing Conor’s side. I believe he finds your mode of argument a sad embarrassment.”
The insidious Friedersdork is nothing but the ventriloquit dummy, the manchurian candidate for effeminant liberals who would cleave our proud Party. Iit is OUR side, argue Nicholas, which is both GODs side and the TRUE AMERICAN’S side. The TRUE AMERICAN (also known as YOEMAN CONSERVATIVE) knows GOD and GOD knows the TRUE AMERICAN. The TRUE AMERICAN works head bent to honest labor. HE looks up and becomes involved in filthy buisness of politics only because he hears the distress cry of his beloved MOTHERLAND beset with the fleas and ticks of liberal parisiteism. HE strides forth like OUR SAVIOR overturning the tables of the moneychangers in rightious fury. THe moneychangers are all like: “Racisim! Racisim! You are trampling our rights! Separation of Chruch and State! We are community organizers!” But YOEMAN CONSERVATIVE, like our REDEEMER is steely in his purpose. HE brushes the slick talking moneychangers aside like so many fleas from the back of his favorite kine.
NO Nicholas, we are in this together. Brother Spartans at the pass of Thermopoly, a thin line of true believers standing between our beloved WESTERN CULTURE and a dusky orientalism. And like any good Spartan, I have your back, Nicholas. I stand close behind thee, my might saber quivering with readiness.
— cw · Jun 6, 03:44 PM · #
I don’t know if cw has ever read THE IRON DREAM, but that’s some quality satire.
Mike
— MBunge · Jun 6, 03:51 PM · #
JD, compatriot!
I stand close behind you as well. Hold fast to our SACRED CREED! Together we will topple the insidious community organizing organiation ACORN, powerful though they may be. IT is our efforts in forms like these that will change the tide of history. We defeat our enemies with our reasoned words, our true facts! Keep up the good work and do not let the constant background whine susserating from the fleashy liberal lips distract the from your sacred purpose. I salute thee!
— cw · Jun 6, 03:53 PM · #
Forgive my TYPOS, friends. I am literally quivering with both rage at the DARK empire looming and all that it’s victory would mean and a steely, eager, battle-forged love for my MANLY brother conservatives.
— cw · Jun 6, 03:59 PM · #
Hey Conor:
You might note which side of the aisle most of the ugliness is coming from in these posts.
And thank you, Bo, for your kind welcome. Yes, this is my first time on the internets (I wasn’t sure they were still around). I’m an immigrant and while I’m not sure what talking out of my ass means, I know that Bo has nothing but my interests at heart because he welcomes me to the internets and because I was told by my community organizer that anyone who likes Obama would like me and treat me fair and make sure that I had a computer and internets and pay my gas for my car and make rent payment and send stimuluses in the mail. I love this country and I will tell all my friends about Obama and nice people like Bo.
— jd · Jun 6, 04:01 PM · #
I am composing a list of rightious believers battleing to save western civilization in this nausiating nexus of 5th columnites. Nicholas! jd! You names burn brightly at the pinicle of my sticky note. There is also an older female, a tireless stalker of the poetry-destroying deciple of evil, Matoko-chan. I currently cannot remembe her name (Iam ashamed to admit that it is my habit, when reasting weary after my many hours of labor here with my trusty keyboard to sometimes indulge in a glass of port. In moments such as these my faciltiy with names is sometimes unreliable.).
We are thin red line, commrades! A cadre of world-savers! We are all that prevents our beloved motherland from sumbmersion in a tidle wave of sawrthy foetid flesh. I will monitor these pages. When you comment, I will come. We will join battle together. THese are the front lines, brothers (and sister). THis is where the victory will be won! Now join with me in a vigorous HUZZAH! HUZZAH! HUZZAH!
— cw · Jun 6, 04:38 PM · #
One further note. I am proud to point out that I coined the term Freidersdork sometime last month, well before it occured to the noble Dr. Levin (he’s a Doctor of Law). Great minds think alike!
— cw · Jun 6, 04:48 PM · #
You attempt to suggest that I am a second rate intellect and that I am unknown to you. I concede your points.
— nicholas · Jun 6, 05:06 PM · #
Oh, good Lord, CW. I’m not that much older. I just assume I’m older than certain other commenters here. I have two children not yet out of their first decade, so I can’t be that old.
On the other hand, there’s a certain brand of commenting satire that is way past its “sell by” date, especially given the new era of hope and change and Machiavellian pragmatism we’ve entered. I mean, juvenile satire of those rabid, frothing-at-the-mouth, crusading conservative mouth breathers is sooooooo Bush-era, don’t you think? ;)
— Kate Marie · Jun 7, 07:34 PM · #
This “discussion” demonstrates why shows such as Hannity (and Olbermann) are so successful. PT Barnum was right.
— C3 · Jun 7, 09:26 PM · #
“You mean, aside from that whole Harvard Law and stints in the Illinois Senate, House of Reps., and U.S. Senate? Yeah, the guy pretty much just watched TV, roused the rabble, and teamed with ACORN to bring down the US financial system.”
Mr. Schwenkler,
The President was never a U.S. Representative. He logged less than three years as a United States Senator before turning his attention to higher office. His membership in the Illinois bar has been ‘inactive’ for the last seven years. From the time of his admission to the bar in 1991 to date he has spent perhaps the equivalent of three years practicing law. He met no professional benchmarks during that time. He has spent the equivalent of five years as a law teacher, and published not one scholarly article. He has no executive experience of any kind. Good fundraiser, though.— Art Deco · Jun 7, 09:35 PM · #