Bill O’Reilly still doesn’t get it, doesn’t understand why making an asinine comment would possibly upset millions of people.
This is not an issue of political correctness, it is an issue of a lack of understanding of the U.S. Constitution and common sense. When you are losing an argument for lack of substance you make comments like O’Reilly did when he said that if Jewish people in America had a problem with Christmas they could go back to Israel.
Well Jackass, I was born in the U.S. and can trace my roots here back to around the Civil War or so. Why do you deserve more rights than I do.
Well, he just doesn’t get it. He is too busy trying to marginalize the people who called him on a statement that was stupid and borders upon far worse to understand why people would be upset.
Here is his latest commentary.
O’REILLY: You have a defamation pipeline that starts in the Internet. So, every day The Radio Factor‘s on the air, we have these creeps — and they really are the most vile, despicable human beings in the country — who listen to every word of the program. And then they try to feed stuff out to the mainstream media to discredit me. I mean that’s what they do every single day of the year, they do this. So, last Friday we had a caller. We were talkin’ about the Christmas being discussed in schools and in the public arena — and I’m gonna play you the call in a moment.
So, one of these far left websites taped it and they sent it to the Anti-Defamation League, which is an extremist group that finds offense in pretty much everything. Abraham Foxman is the national director. These are the people who accused anybody of liking The Passion of the Christ as anti-Semitic.
[…]
So, well you’re gettin’ the game here. You criticize anybody, you challenge anybody, then you are a bigot. And that’s the — that’s why nobody does it. That’s why nobody sticks up for Christmas except me. Did Peter Jennings stick up for Christmas last night? I don’t believe he did. How about Brian Williams, did he? Did Rather stick up for Christmas? How about Jim Lehrer — did he? Did Larry King — hello — I love Christmas — did he? No.
All right. And the reason they don’t is because of this. So, we are not intimidated. We know how dishonest and disgraceful the defamation pipeline is. And now we wanna hear from you. 1-877-9NO-SPIN. And believe me, I’m not portraying myself as a victim here. I am not doing that. I am attacking these people for being the worst element in American society.
Lemme repeat that. The left-wing websites who are responsible for all of this kind of stuff, and the journalists in the newspapers who print it without any context — are the worst element — non-criminal element in the country. The worst. All right? They undermine freedom of speech. They undermine all fair play. They are despicable, vile human beings — ankle biters. So, I’m no victim ’cause I got a forum and I can give it right back to ’em.
[…]
The far left is getting pounded by The Factor. And Foxman is just a nut.
[…]
Now, I have now been accused by Abraham Foxman as [sic] being anti-Semitic because I said to the guy [the December 3 caller], “hey, you know, if it’s drivin’ you crazy you gotta go back to Israel.”
Now, the write-ups about this — didn’t put any of it in context. Didn’t say it was about Christmas. Didn’t say it was about anything. The writer said, O’Reilly told a guy if he didn’t like it go back to Israel. Dishonest, of course, blatant. That’s what they do all day long.
[…]
Remember, more than 90 percent of American homes celebrate Christmas. But the small minority that is trying to impose its will on the majority is so vicious, so dishonest — and has to be dealt with.
Well Billy Boy, I could continue to pick apart your initial stupid statement or this one. It is immaterial that Streisand cut a Christmas album. Neil Diamond and Barry Manilow both did it too. I’d say that they were interested in making money, but you might throw some other clever line out about Jews and money.
I could point out that the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment makes it very clear that the founders did not intend for religion to mix with Federal/State organizations and affairs. That includes public schools which are funded by tax dollars, public tax dollars.
We could look at Tocqueville’s position on the Tyranny of the Majority but I suspect that you would find more time to spin his position and marginalize his point of view because it differs from your own.
You know Bill, Torquemada gladly torched unbelievers because he thought that Divine Providence had bestowed the right upon him. Crusades were launched time and time again in which men of faith murdered people who were different without regard or care because they thought that they were entitled.
A majority belief is not sufficient for engaging in behavior that is damaging and detrimental to the health of millions of people.
The reality here is that this is not an attack on Christmas and the ability of people to observe it, it is a fight to uphold rights and equality that all U.S. citizens are guaranteed in the Constitution and should be applied universally to all people everywhere.
TRW
Anne-
I kind of agree with you, especially when I saw the automatically generated Google ad at the bottom of the page…
“For the great Bill O’Reilly fan”
I heard the show-and I think he’s taking freedom of speech too far. ‘S funny, cause I consider myself on the political right, but what he said sounded like he’d enjoy the part of Mein Kampf that talks about Jews trying to take over the world.
Jen
I heard O’Reilly say all this on the radio that day. I am saddened. Upset Jews are vile, despicable people? Oh my G-d. He did NOT just go there. O’Reilly HIMSELF is a vile, despicable person. I spit on his name. Where’s my Purim noisemaker?!?!
Stacey
And I am also disgusted at Barry Manilow and Babs and Neil Diamon, all of whom have releasted Xmas albums. They should’ve done a Jewish songs album first. Grrr. Thank goodness for Adam Sandler.
Stacey
I am beyond disgusted at him. 🙁
Jack's Shack
Anne,
In concept I agree with you, but sometimes it is important to verbalize your opposition so that you reach the people who haven’t made a decision about their position on this.
And there are going to be many who agree with him because he said it, not because it is truthful or accurate.
So in this case it is important to make sure that he understands that there are boundaries and limitations that we all abide by. His comments were divisive and unreasonable.
Anne
C’mon now. Do you really give a damn what ole’ Billy boy thinks? Don’t give him the media exposure he craves. Maybe if we all cover our ears and go “lalala” he’ll go away.