Whether or not there really were viewers out there in Foxlandia sitting on the edge of their seats wondering whom O'Donnell might endorse, Hannity impatiently tried to hurry her along.

As O'Donnell explained that hers had not been an easy decision, that any of the GOP candidates would make “a great president,” and went on to explain the factors that had played a part in her decision, Hannity interrupted and demanded she cut to the chase. “Who?” he asked, with not quite the deference you’d expect from him toward “a strong political force and voice in the Republican party.” I doubt he’d ever speak that way to Herman Cain, for example.

Hannity was quiet as O’Donnell went on to extol the praises of Romney’s “courage and conviction” in supporting Tea Party candidates like herself. He did ask if she’d be campaigning for Romney.

“I’d like to,” O’Donnell said. “They did not come to me, I went to them,” she admitted.

There’s not a reason in the world to doubt that.

I think we can chalk this one up as the greatest piece of Republican Rehab ever on Fox News.

Tweet

Doocy read a statement from a spokesperson from the USPS which cited policy about public assembly. On cue, Doocy asked Duffy what the post office is up to. Duffy claimed that "if you do a google search" you can find examples of carolers going into post offices - a dubious claim as when you search for Christmas carolers perform post office, all you get is the right wing drooling about this incident. Naturally, Doocy agreed. Duffy referenced how the postal service told Fox radio culture clubber Todd Starnes (whose life centers around "outrages" to Christianity) that there is a national ban on this kind of thing which Duffy finds "ridiculous." Then came the money quote that surprise, surprise, dovetailed exactly with Fox's war on Christians meme: "We see this trend, a recent trend of a government crackdown on religious speech" and this is an example. He whined that "enough is enough and we're not going to take it anymore" and that the Post Office should reverse the ban. When wall of dementia Steve Doocy asserted that if they were from "Occupy Wall Street," they would have been welcome, Duffy retorted "excellent point."

Comment: Fox News has been quick to point out examples of how OWS doesn't respect rules. Yet Steve Doocy doesn't seem to give a crap about post office policy. I don't know how big the Silver Spring post office is but having a bunch of carolers probably makes for some tight quarters. I'm sure there were plenty of other places for the singers - like on the sidewalk in front of the post office. But yeah, let's change the rules and see what the Family Research Council says when the local gay men's chorus sets up shop in the local post office. If any and all groups are welcome, there could be mimes or Krishna devotees (are they still around?). I don't think the Fox fiends would be too happy if OWS or a bunch of atheists were allowed to do their thing in post offices. How bout if a local muezzin were allowed to do the call to prayer in the post office. Wouldn't that be dandy! But one thing is fer sure. JP Duffy might hate those homos - but he loves his carolers. First amendment - meh?

Tweet

Comment: As the "Church Lady" would say "isn't it special" that Rep. Steve King was able to blame Obama for something that is no longer an issue - and Fox & Friends provided him with a nice venue for doing it! Mirabile dictu!

Tweet

He veered back to the movie which has testimony of people whose mothers thought about aborting them but didn't - thank Tim Tebow! Taking a page from Oprah, he informed the audience that they would be getting (No, not a car) a free copy of the movie. He then provided the website for folks who want to purchase copies for Christmas presents.

Comment: The movie, produced by "Citizens United" (Yes, the same group that brought the SCOTUS decision) is pure pro-life propaganda which has been described as "breathtaking in its deception." There is a suggestion that one of those who testify about abortions is a doctor. She isn't. Embryo "adoption" is pushed by a woman who received a grant from the Bush administration for embryo adoptions. And of course, what pro-life movie would be complete without an appearance of anti-choice sting video diva and Fox fave Lila Rose. Nowhere does anybody talk about pregnancies that threaten the life and health of a woman or result from rape.

But in talking about "Plan B," Huckabee scored an anti-choice twofer in that he was able to promote the movie as well as promote the false anti-choice meme that Plan B causes abortion. It can act to prevent ovulation as well as prevent a fertilized egg from attaching. The medical field defines pregnancy as beginning at implantation - hence, the view that this is an abortion pill is a religious one promoted by the religious right and the Catholic bishops. If a woman is pregnant, this DOESN'T CAUSE AN ABORTION. Medical evidence has determined that Plan B is safe. Huckabee didn't tell you that. Huckabee didn't say anything about those girls who might have to get "consent" from the man who raped her. In Huckabee's world, it's preferable that teenagers get pregnant which, in many cases, will lead to abortion. But in the world of Fox News, ideology trumps science regardless of the consequences.

Addendum: Andy Zurawik, who writes for the Baltimore Sun and is a fave of Fox posterior smooching websites, wrote this about Huckabee's "fronting" for an ad to repeal health care reform: "Does Fox New have any standards, letting this guy pimp for this partisan cause that urges viewers to sign a petition? Oh wait, it's OK, he can do anything he wants even while working on a channel with the word "News" in its title because, as he says in the Bachmann video, his program is not an "objective news show." So, that means he can be a full-blown, political pimp -- as well as the spokesman for "every Christian believer." True that!

Tweet

O’Reilly also twice described Trump’s digs as “lavish.” Hmm, that sounds like class warfare against the rich(er) to me.

Tweet

Then it was on to attacking the moderators. Hannity decried “arrogant producers behind the scenes” having the hosts ask about marital fidelity and “jar up this debate.”

Cain, of course, agreed. “The American people are hungry for specific solutions and they didn’t hear a lot about specific solutions on Saturday night.” He called it “a precursor to how the liberal media and the Democrats will go after Newt if he gets the nomination." Cain continued, "If Romney gets the nomination, they’re gonna go after him on flip-flops. They’re already sharpening their knives.” Of course, plenty of conservatives have already gone after Gingrich and Romney but why bring up any facts that don’t fit into the Cain-rehab narrative? Hannity certainly didn't.

In fact, Cain found a way to insert himself into the debate anyway. He said, “It also, Sean, was a, somewhat of a slap at these false accusations against me. So even though they did not call me by name, you know that the reason they brought this up was because of Newt’s past personal history. The American people are saying, ‘We are interested in a leader, we’re interested in solutions,’ which is why, as you know, I did so well up until the character assassination that took place.”

Was displaying a stunning lack of knowledge about Libya a media character-assassination plot, too? Given Hannity's tacit agreement with Cain, you'd have to conclude the verdict was unanimous, that Cain was unfairly drummed out of the race.

After Hannity asked for Cain's advice to the frontrunners in the next debate, he slobbered again over Cain, this time as to when he’ll come out with an endorsement. Because so many Republicans are waiting to decide who to vote for until they get direction from Cain, I'm sure.

In my last post about Cain’s Fox News image makeover, I wondered whether Fox News had offered anything to sweeten the pot while Cain was being pressured to quit the race. This segment only served to increase my suspicions.

UPDATE: The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that Cain will be Hannity's special guest at an upcoming Holiday Concert benefits.

Tweet

Tweet

Tweet

Tweet

Tweet

Update - Fox Christian culture clubber Todd Starnes has an article, "Why Are Anti-Christian Bigots So Eager to Prey on Tim Tebow," on today's Fox news website, about how those nasty heathens are persecuting Tim Tebow because it's a "sport" to "attack Christians." Todd also tells us that nasty Hollywood "spews out reprehensible anti-Christians lifestyles" that "indoctrinate" children into "sundry" lifestyles." (Could that be the "gay agenda?") As usual with these poor Tebow things, his only example of these terrible "attacks" was a comment about how another football player said he would Tebow Tim if he sacked him. Starnes whined that there was no outrage from sports columnists about this. And of course, he worked in the requisite "if Tebow were a Muslim" this wouldn't happen. His example of a Muslim pulling out a prayer cloth and bowing to Mecca is ridiculous because Muslim sports figures (and there are some who play football) don't do that kind of thing during games. Here's the thing Starnes, Tebow is a big boy who gets paid big bucks to do his thing. Supposedly, he's not bothered by this. (Aren't "Christians" supposed to endure suffering for Jesus?). If he's not upset then maybe you should suck it up and get a life. Mocking Tebow by "Tebowing" is nothing compared to the hatred that your "news" network spreads about those who don't believe in your Jesus.

Update II - Tebow's pastor says that winning 6 games in a row "isn't luck." It's is "God's favor." Jesus must love the Green Bay.

Tweet

Gretch softly and reverentially read a comment, about the Korean buildings, from Jim Riches who appeared on Fox & Friends to bash the "Ground Zero Mosque" and President Obama. Riches was also critical of Mike Huckabee's "educational" 9-11 video. But he's obviously still in good graces at Fox & Friends as he's in agreement with their position.

Comment: Forget "9-11 is an inside job" (a conspiracy derided by the right wing.) Fox & Friends has given us a new conspiracy theory about an evil nexus involving evil architects who hate America. As said in the late, great Ed Wood's movie, "Plan 9 From Outer Space" - "That Proves It!"

Tweet

The hypocrisy started immediately after Kimberly Guilfoyle chimed in with “I love this story!” Then she added, “This is a Fox News Meddler Alert! That’s what it is. They’re meddling. They want to make a politicized statement.” Unlike Fox “News,” which never meddles in local affairs and never makes politicized statements, right Kimberly? Just last week—on just one story—Fox News urged its pitchfork viewers to inundate Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chaffee with phone calls several days in a row. Bill O’Reilly, if he isn’t sending out stalker Jesse Watters, is urging his tar-and-feather-crowd to reach out and touch someone. Just ask Dr. Tiller. So, Kimberly, do you really want to play the “Meddling Card”?

Despite what I said in my earlier rant against organized religion, if I had to choose a faith, I’d become a Pastafarian. Therefore, for me, the best part of this entire segment was hearing the Flying Spaghetti Monster discussed alongside nativity scenes, Santa Claus, and Menorahs. Maybe the nation is making progress after all.

Tweet

Look, The Five: I’m not just weary of the whole Fox “News” religious slant; I am slowly getting more and more pissed off at the persistent Little Drummer Boy beat. News Hounds has covered extensively your network’s Phony War on Christmas. Media Matters’ Eric Boehlert notes, in an article cleverly titled “How Fox News' War On Christmas Is Like The Nutcracker,” that he found “nearly 250 matches” in the MMfA archives for “Fox News War on Christmas” over the past 7 years, and adds:

Like the Nutcracker, the War on Christmas is an annual production that (Fox) fans look forward to. It's like having the Land of Sweets scenery stored in a warehouse and in late November the trucks are dispatched to bring back the backdrops and the costumes. The difference here is that at Fox, the only props needed are talking points dressed up as Factor scripts.

Or, in the Fox and Friends teleprompter. Or, how about in the cute little War On Christmas Bomb graphic? It was only removed by Fox “News” after I wrote how offensive it was to add actual bomb imagery to the already Fevered Fox Phony War on Christmas. If it were just at Christmastime that your network pushed religion, it might almost be tolerable. However, Fox pushes the whole God deal the whole year round—and only the New Testament God with the New God smell. In fact, there seems to be an entire FNC department devoted to finding any perceived Christian offense. Once it discovers something—or invents something—it then extrapolates that molehill into the entirely fictitious mountain that Christianity is under siege by secular forces—with the natural subtext that secularists are unwittingly (or maybe wittingly) doing the work of Satan. Then it passes that information on to Gretchen Carlson, she of the Foxy Fox and Friends, so The Gretch can do an entire week’s worth of segments, expressing her outrage that—once again—Christianity is under attack.

Which is why I write to you, The Five, in the hopes that some of this will penetrate. Your ridiculous segment Wednesday was just another example of absurd Fox “News” religious propaganda. Without irony you claimed the media is picking on poor, defenseless Tim Tebow, simply because he wears his religion on his sleeve.

However, The Five offered no proof of media attacks on Tim Tebow, so let me ask a few simple questions: Who? What? Where? When? Why? Any citations? Links? Yannow, all that outmoded journalism stuff. It’s also very odd, or instructive, that Priscilla reports the same thing occurred during the latest mention of Tebow on Fox and Friends: “Good Christian Gretch claimed, without providing examples, that ‘many’ in the mainstream media are critical of Tebow's public display of faith.” So let me ask a few simple questions: Who? What? Where? When? Why? Any citations? Links? Yannow, all that outmoded journalism stuff.

Have there been people and/or blogs and/or tweets and/or comments on blogs and/or coffee shop conversation picking on poor, defenseless Tim Tebow? Probably, but certainly you’re not conflating that with the “mainstream media,” are you? In case you are, let me ask a few simple questions: Who? What? Where? When? Why? Any citations? Links? Yannow, all that outmoded journalism stuff.

This was covered on Day One of Journalism School: NB: You can’t just make shit up and you are required to provide citations for your assertions. Write it down. It will be on the test.

If any of you Five took even half a second to think about this critically, as opposed to parroting a Fox “News” religious benediction, you’d know that Tim Tebow is neither poor, nor defenseless. According to the WikiWackyWoo [Yeah, I know its Wikipedia, but this is sports we’re talking about. I’ve already wasted enough of my time researching a sports personality]: On July 29, [2010] Tebow signed a five-year contract with the Broncos that had a base value of $11.25 million (he can make as much as $33 million through certain performance-based incentives). The contract also included $8.7 million guaranteed.” Roll in his commercial endorsements, and I’d say Tebow’s laughing all the way to the church. As for defenseless: Tebow has his own full-length documentary, legions of fans, and his own official web site, where you can find the logos of his corporate sponsors, but not a single mention of people being mean to him, or his God. If Tim Tebow is really being persecuted, as you Five maintained, he’s doing an EXCELLENT job of turning the other cheek. You could learn from him. Write that one down too. It may come up again in life.

Ask your collective self, The Five, does Tebow really need a so-called “news” network launching a Christian Crusade on his behalf? And, while you’re at it: explain to me why Tebow is even considered news when there’s actual, real, important news happening almost everywhere else. There were probably 50 stories that The Five could have done on Wednesday with far more impact on your viewers’ lives. Yet, you Five and some producers agreed to waste all that tee vee time on the Phony War On Tim Tebow? Really? While I question the “news” judgment, no one can question Fox’s capacity to find wedge issues to hammer home, even if they have to be fabricated.

Are you still with me, The Five? In the end, I found your entire Tim Tebow segment highly offensive, and I’m not over-stating my reaction. To begin with: there was no other point of view being presented whatsoever. You Five are all, to varying degrees, Christian. I don’t know what brand of Christian each of you are, but that hardly matters. You all subscribe to, or were brought up in, one of the denominations/sects/cults that believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God. This is why you can all buy into the same Fox “News” bullshit meme that your God—and only YOUR GOD—is under attack. You just take it as, err, umm, Gospel without offering or requiring any proof. Naturally, once The Five embraced that lie, it was not a stretch to take Tebow’s side, if sides needed choosing. I’m not on Tebow’s side, nor am I against him. Let’s say I am Agnostic on the topic of Tim Tebow. Until quite recently [like yesterday] I knew absolutely nothing about him, but I note this is not his first brush with religious controversy and he should be quite used to it by now: there’s that whole “Tim Tebow Rule,” something about a controversial religious Super Bowl advert, and this whole pop cultural phenomenon called Tebowing. [To be perfectly honest, I admire anyone whose name has become a word, like bowdlerize, spoonerism and McCarthyism. But, I digress.] Tim Tebow has become a ‘Merkin Pop/Cultural personality. He’s bigger than his sport.

Personally, I’m tired of the whole Fox religious discussion—especially when it’s The Five of you all preaching to the choir—all agreeing with each other, with no other religion to be heard from. Where’s the balance to a discussion on the Phony War on Christianity? Let me provide some balance: I once belonged to a religion (Judaism), but now identify with no religion at all (Atheist). Ever since I was a child I have felt Judaism was under attack. I was called “kike,” “Christ-killer” and was even asked to see my horns—apparently that was something taught to those wonderfully receptive pupils at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Detroit, because more than one of them requested to see my devil horns. Additionally, and not to put too fine a point on it, “some Muslims say” their religion is under attack by the very network you collect a paycheck from, The Five.

I would have liked to think that progress was being made. However, when I see Fox “News” constantly set up one religion as the only worthy one, fighting a rearguard action from other religions and secular Satanists, it feels more like we’re moving backwards into the tribal and religious intolerance that marked some darker parts of world history.

Listen, The Five: I spent 35 years in Canada before I returned to the land of my birth about 6 years ago. One thing that struck me upon my return, almost immediately, was how many people, like Tim Tebow, wear their religion on their metaphorical sleeve or, more to the point, on the bumpers of their cars. What’s more, it seems to me that the only religion worn on these metaphorical sleeves [bumpers] are those metaphorically attached to the metaphorical Son of God, Jesus Christ. I’ve seen no other religions represented. [I currently live in a heavily Jewish neighborhood. I’ve yet to see a single Jewish bumper sticker, the “gefilte fish” joke notwithstanding. That’s just some wag’s reaction to the Jesus fish. Wait! What? Did I just uncover another example of Christianity under attack? Quick, fire up the hotline to The Gretch. She can do a week on the gefilte fish and then follow it up with a week on the “Darwin fish.”] In Canada, it is extremely rare to see any ostentatious displays of religious affiliation, except on some Holy Days when certain communities have parades. People are no less attached to their God[s] in Canada, they just don’t feel the need to advertise and/or proselytize and/or evangelize. Maybe they’re just more secure with their Canadian God, eh? People are far more tolerant in Canada because you never hear of a Phony War on Christmas. Furthermore, you won’t hear people complain about the being wished the more inclusive “Happy Holidays” in Canada. Consequently, it doesn’t feel as if any single religion is being shoved down people’s throats in Canada. Most importantly: in Canada “political correctness” is not considered an evil, librul, Communist, Satanic plot to separate people from their God. “Political correctness” is considered simple good manners. Go figure.

I want to address the next two paragraphs specifically to Bob Beckel.

Bob, you’re such a huge fucking disappointment on that show. I need not repeat the criticism that the show is four against one, decidedly unbalanced, because no one really expects you to hold your own against 4 Rabid Right Wingers. On a personal level, I can tell you that I once respected your opinion until you started appearing regularly on The Five. You couldn’t get up to any mischief in those short hits you used to do. However, you make yourself look absolutely ridiculous every single day on The Five. There are some days the program seems to be more about the foibles and flaws of Bob Beckel than the crazy fun-house mirror version of The View, as it was designed to be. You do your side of a debate no good at all by being Buffoon Bobby, the butt of every joke. That’s fine; it’s no longer one of my complaints about you. You’re clearly enjoying yourself; you seem far more contented than I’ve ever seen you before. Feeding at the FNC trough certainly agrees with you. Gobble up, Bob. Just remember that in the end you willingly chose to work in that venue. You deserve whatever stain it puts on your permanent record.

I thought I had become inured to your antics, Bob. I was wrong. Where you still have the capacity to disappoint me greatly is when, like Wednesday, the topic turns to God. I tried previously on Twitter to point out your exclusionary language, but you ignored me. Maybe you’ll take the time to consider these careful and considered words, longer than 140 characters. As a Progressive (You’re still a Progressive, right?) I’d expect you to have some compassion and understanding that there just might be some other religions in this world, even in this very country. I would have expected you to take into consideration that not everyone believes in a God, or even YOUR God. I would have expected you to have some empathy for minorities. What I would NEVER have expected from a Liberal, or Progressive, or a Democrat is for you to blithely accept the framing device of your employer, the notoriously mendacious Fox “News” Channel. Even though you know how Fox “News” operates, you never asked, “Where’s the beef?” or any other question about ridiculous contention that the mainstream media has it in for poor Tim Tebow; you just piled on, riding your recently discovered Christ God into an imaginary battle that Fox “News” gins up time and time again. Bob, this amounts to the tyranny of the majority over the minority. What’s worse: you contributed to it. You didn’t even seem to think there was an opposing view worth exploring. If you don’t understand what I am trying to get at, Mr. Bob Beckel, then maybe you’d like to explain what kind of Liberal, Progressive, or Democrat you think you are. I ask because you often sound more like those “Tea People” you love to denigrate, without realizing you appear to share some of their traits. There was a time you called them Teabaggers, until The Five browbeat you into changing. It’s my opinion you displayed Teabaggery during the Tebow discussion, among others.

Here’s what I’d REALLY like to tell Fox “News” and anyone else who pushes their faith on me: Take your religion and shove it where the angels don't shine!

I'm tired of hearing about YOUR GOD. I’m tired of hearing about YOUR Christ. On one hand you tout the fact that 80% of the 'Merkin population believe in the Christian God and the next minute you claim this overwhelming majority of people is being persecuted by the media and everyone else. It's BULLSHIT!!! You Christians control it all. The federal holiday *IS* called Christmas, as you are so happy to point out. Are there any other religious federal holidays? Let’s take a look. Not this year, nor next, nor the year after that. Not for the foreseeable future, either. See? You won. Call a truce already. I’m waving the White Flag.

Fox “News” almost never presents any other religious POV; it’s generally just variations of the Christ God. When you hear about Islam on Fox it’s generally to denigrate it. If it’s not disparagement then Muslims are used as FURTHER evidence that Christianity is under attack. As Priscilla wrote yesterday, the takeaway from another Foxy Tim Tebow segment, this time on the Foxy Fox and Friends was, “If Tim Tebow were Muslim, he’d get respect.” Well, maybe, but not on Fox “News.” The only time you seem to hear about Judaism on Fox is in the context of support for Israel. American Jews seem to be almost non-existent on Fox. Those that do appear aren’t asked to talk about religion. Can’t have any other religious points of view on Fox, yannow.

It's just possible, however, that Tim Tebow might be a perfect metaphor for ‘Merka in this Millennium. As an outsider to both, I don’t see a lot of difference in how some people show devotion to their religion, or their sports teams. And, for some people sports is a religion. I’d bet Mitt Romney $10,000 that there are Christians who spend more time in from of the tee vee watching sports on Sunday than praying to God. In fact, some people take their attachment to a sports team and turn it into an object of feverish cult worship: with bad omens, good totems and fervent prayers. Everybody, do the Tebow.

With all my love,
Aunty Em

Tweet

Here’s O’Reilly on Leno:

I report, you decide!

Tweet