Racist,ignorant, or misunderstood? O'Reilly remarks

[disneyjunkie]

If that is the case, Sharpton managed to keep it well hidden in the interviews that followed the Imus incident. I am not an advocate of anyone who makes their living promoting racism.

Keep it hidden??? Maybe the main stream press just decided not to report it.

My comment pretty clearly stated that racism is unacceptable regardless of who is spewing it. However, I have read posts that repeatedly criticize O'Reilly and people like Imus and rightfully so, but how many threads can you find on this board that criticize the racist promotions by Sharpton and Jackson?

Are you kidding. Jackson and Sharpton are dragged into ANY thread that has to deal with race. The thread could be about the meaning of Kwanzza and someone will find a way to work one or the other into it.

Maybe I shouldn't have included Harlem, b/c I have never been there, but it has just always been some form of "common knowledge". But, I have been to LA, and I have LIVED in New Orleans, and there ARE places where white people just don't go. I have been with my (past) black boyfriend in some neighborhood's around Atlanta and he WOULD NOT let go of my hand, and we quickly went from car to house, w/o stopping. If I ever showed up after classes and he was in this other neighborhood, his cousins wouldn't let me go alone, and would go with me to see him. There were also plenty of all black neighborhoods that were perfectly safe, but my friends were scared to death to come with me. I'm not saying the WHOLE city is that way, I walk around the French Quarter in NO, with no problem. You just have to be aware of your surroundings. BUT, there are places around the 9th ward that I would NEVER even think about going too. Same thing with Compton, even though I have walked through LA. So, the whole city isn't bad persay, but there are places. They exist, and I know from experience that they do.

Anyways, I think I should stay out of this one, b/c I don't even watch the guys show.



When I was in high school I lived in the North Ga mountains, ie, redneck country. In the back of the bus one morning there were these idiots talking about Tupac dying and saying, "another one bites the dust", saying the N word, just being incredibly racist, so I jumped up and said something about beating them with my baton (I was majorette that year) and after I sat down, I heard one whisper to the other, "Is she black?" (I have always been VERY pale) I hate it when other white people assume that you are as ignorant as they are.

Anyways, I'm leaving this one alone, have, fun, I guess......

I'll let you in on a little secret. There are white areas that black men can't go into at night. Heck, they may be in trouble if they go to those areas in broad day light.

 

[JoyG]

Are you kidding. Jackson and Sharpton are dragged into ANY thread that has to deal with race. The thread could be about the meaning of Kwanzza and someone will find a way to work one or the other into it.

So true.

I'll let you in on a little secret. There are white areas that black men can't go into at night. Heck, they may be in trouble if they go to those areas in broad day light.

Again, right on the money. We've been planning a road trip and we have to really think twice about what exits we stop at and plan where to take our breaks. We don't want to stop in some remote, backwards, racist area by accident!

 

[JoyG]

I have a question for African-American DISers. I will hope to pose it as sensitively as possible. Does it make you just a little irritated when we (white people) behave as though we have to jump to the forefront of an issue and either dictate or validate how YOU should feel -as if somehow you were not allowed to make of this what you will on your own?

I ask this question because as I check out the media the last couple of days what I see is mostly a lot of white people explaining how terrible O'Reilly's comments were, or how he was ignorant, or how he is racist, etc etc ad nauseum. I confess that I myself jumped right on here yesterday (somewhere upthread) and wrote how I thought O'Reilly was ignorant. I don't know that it was the right thing for me to do.

I'm just trying to do a little thinking beyond the surface of the issue here.

I think everyone should talk about how they feel. A white person can comment on it just like a black person can. I think if someone asks your opinion on a topic, you are never in the wrong to express it.

You can see from this thread that not all black people hold the same opinion. So no one person will ever speak for an entire group of others.

As I stated earlier, I don't know O'Reilley well enough to call him a racist. I don't think that one statement is enough to convict him on that charge. I do think that one statement is enough to prove he's ignorant though.

 

[Mugg Mann]

Again I have read the transcript of the Radio Program. Again, I believe that O'Rielly was misunderstood. He spoke about how his grandmother had the opinion based upon Rappers, and how she was wrong. He brought up going to the restuarant with Al Sharpton and related what he saw there. What he was trying to convey is that this opinion is wrong. That is it. But hey since I am defending him, According to the painting with the broad Brush Strokes here, I am a racist. Since I am not, and do not feel any need to defend myself.

But of course all of this is from a Source, Media Matters who's mission Statement is:

"Launched in May 2004, Media Matters for America put in place, for the first time, the means to systematically monitor a cross section of print, broadcast, cable, radio, and Internet media outlets for conservative misinformation — news or commentary that is not accurate, reliable, or credible and that forwards the conservative agenda — every day, in real time."


Now we here we have a Media Watchdog that only watch's certain sort of Media, I guess there are no problems with other opinions. With an agenda of only viewing conservatives outlets, I think that their opinions will only lean one way to discredit the people they report on. But Hey it must be fact since it was reported by such a Fair and Balanced Org like this one. I really feel for poeple now who has to be told how to think by Orgs like this and Move On. I wonder how many will watch O'Rielly tonight with Al Sharpton. Or wait for the Mediamatters reports tomorrow to understand what really happened.

That's the second time in this thread that you've made the unfounded accusation that people have to be told how to think by a web site.

Since you're obviously a free-thinker, allow me to reprint what I posted earlier about Media Matters catching O'Reilly in an apparent lie, and please tells us if you agree that MediaMatters is correct in pointing out that O'Reilly did indeed lie when he claimed to never call for any boycott except for France. If you don't think he did and that the site is incorrect, please specifically explain why.

I, and undoubtedly many others, await your reply.

O'Reilly once again falsely claims "never" to call for boycotts, "except for France"
Summary: Bill O'Reilly told a listener: "I didn't call for any boycott. I never do that, except for France, and that's lifted." It was not the first time that O'Reilly falsely claimed that he "never" calls for boycotts. As Media Matters for America has documented, O'Reilly has previously denied calling for boycotts, but has in fact called for them on several occasions.
During the September 19 edition of his nationally syndicated radio program, Fox News host Bill O'Reilly told a listener with whom he was discussing what he said are the negative effects of rap on our culture: "I'm going to go after anybody who rewards bad behavior. ... I didn't call for any boycott. I never do that, except for France, and that's lifted." The broadcast was not the first in which O'Reilly has falsely claimed that he "never" calls for boycotts. As Media Matters for America has documented, although O'Reilly has previously denied calling for boycotts, he has in fact called for them on several occasions against a number of entities with which he has found fault. For example:

On the June 20, 2006, broadcast of his radio show, O'Reilly declared that he would "name the names" of organizations that he claimed are "helping the enemy," and then told his listeners: "t's up to you guys to take action against them in a sense of boycotting their products, letting them know that this is unacceptable." Later in the program, O'Reilly revealed the groups he believes are "helping the enemy" -- a list that included the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the International Red Cross, the BBC, Air America Radio, and The New York Times.
On the August 27, 2002, edition of Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor, O'Reilly attacked PepsiCo for offering rapper Chris "Ludacris" Bridges an endorsement deal. O'Reilly called for "responsible Americans to fight back and punish Pepsi for using a man who degrades women, who encourages substance abuse, and does all the things that hurt particularly the poor in our society." O'Reilly continued: "I'm calling for all Americans to say, Hey, Pepsi, I'm not drinking your stuff. You want to hang around with Ludacris, you do that, I'm not hanging around with you." On The O'Reilly Factor the very next day, O'Reilly took credit for Pepsi's decision to cancel the Ludacris ad campaign, saying, "But because of pressure by Factor viewers, Pepsi-Cola late today capitulated. Ludacris has been fired." However, on February 4, 2003, O'Reilly reversed course, claiming he never advocated a boycott: "I never do anything tacitly. I do things directly. I simply said I wasn't going to drink Pepsi while that guy [Ludacris] was on their payroll. No boycott was ever mentioned by me."
From the September 19 edition of Westwood One's The Radio Factor with Bill O'Reilly:

O'REILLY: John, Indianapolis. What say you, John?

CALLER: I think your spinning and bloviating does not do the black community justice. You're just giving fodder to your viewers who have a negative view of black people anyway, so your pointing out a couple of Twistas and Ludacrises in the large general population is shameful. I think you're ruining people's opportunity to make income, and I wish black America would wake up and start boycotting these companies that you convince to boycott artists. Who are you gonna go after next?

O'REILLY: I'm going to go after anybody who rewards bad behavior, and just because you condone bad behavior is not going to stop me. What I think I'm doing is calling these people out who are injuring other Americans, and if corporate America is going to reward those people, then I'm going to bring it to everybody's attention. And -- I didn't call for any boycott. I never do that, except for France, and that's lifted. I just bring it to people's attention. Here's what they're doing. They make the call. You don't like what I'm doing, OK, fine. I think I'm doing the right thing. I think you're justifying bad behavior. I think you have your head in the sand.

We'll be back.

 

[lookingforward]

I have not read all the opinions but here is mine:

O'Reilly is racist, ignorant AND misunderstood. Pathetic.

 

[Mugg Mann]

Maybe liberals would get elected more often if they didn’t think they were so much smarter than everyone else.

I made no distinctions between liberals or conservatives. That distinction is yours, and yours alone. There are many people out there in all walks of life, be it political or social, who cannot distinguish between hard news and commentary when ingesting information.

It's fascinating that you decided to attach your own bias in the course of defending a proven liar. But the two of us both know why you do that, don't we?

 

[basas]

I made no distinctions between liberals or conservatives. That distinction is yours, and yours alone. There are many people out there in all walks of life, be it political or social, who cannot distinguish between hard news and commentary when ingesting information.

It's fascinating that you decided to attach your own bias in the course of defending a proven liar. But the two of us both know why you do that, don't we?

And why would that be?

 

[CapeMayMommy]

Sylvia's is a nice place. It's amazing they let him in with his big mouth that never stops yap , yap , yapping. The only reason he thinks he wins arguements is because he's rude and cuts people off.

To have someone like that in your favorite restaurant while you're trying to dine has got to be annoying.

 

[DisneyFreak72]

Oh because he's a pompous, racist, windbag.

True. But gosh oh golly is he good in bed!!!!!!!!

 

[Kathi OD]

I have not read all the opinions but here is mine:

O'Reilly is racist, ignorant AND misunderstood. Pathetic.

You forgot rich.

 

[yeartolate]

http://www.foxnews.com/oreilly/index.html

I think everyone should watch the video "dishonesty at CNN". Pretty much sets the story straight.

I fail to see how this changes O'Reilly's words.

 

[Mugg Mann]

And why would that be?

Like I said, I fully understand why you're standing firmly behind a proven liar, especially one who constantly preaches about moral values.

 

[disneyjunkie]

And the hits just keep coming.

Another one of O'Reilly's comments was just reported on The Steve Harvey Show that O'Reilly. He attended a show or concert at Radio City Music Hall. He said he was surprised at how well the black people were dressed.

 

[Mugg Mann]

I fail to see how this changes O'Reilly's words.

It doesn't.

The irony of watching all that spinning goining on in the alleged "no-spin zone"
was downright laughable.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Here's a link to the story.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200709210007

Here's the excerpt I just heard about.

"O'REILLY: You know, and I went to the concert by Anita Baker at Radio City Music Hall, and the crowd was 50/50, black/white, and the blacks were well-dressed. And she came out -- Anita Baker came out on the stage and said, "Look, this is a show for the family. We're not gonna have any profanity here. We're not gonna do any rapping here." The band was excellent, but they were dressed in tuxedoes, and this is what white America doesn't know, particularly people who don't have a lot of interaction with black Americans. They think that the culture is dominated by Twista, Ludacris, and Snoop Dogg."

 

[Fitswimmer]

Here's a link to the story.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200709210007

Here's the excerpt I just heard about.

"O'REILLY: You know, and I went to the concert by Anita Baker at Radio City Music Hall, and the crowd was 50/50, black/white, and the blacks were well-dressed. And she came out -- Anita Baker came out on the stage and said, "Look, this is a show for the family. We're not gonna have any profanity here. We're not gonna do any rapping here." The band was excellent, but they were dressed in tuxedoes, and this is what white America doesn't know, particularly people who don't have a lot of interaction with black Americans. They think that the culture is dominated by Twista, Ludacris, and Snoop Dogg."

I can believe that a good portion of HIS audience believes that African American culture is dominated by rappers, but I truly hope that "white America" knows better than that.

 

[OrlandoMike]

What "White America" is he refering to?

Certainly not mine!

 

[Patch'sD]

Just look at their (mediamatters) mission statemtent. A little left leaning wouldn't you say. As I posted. Does Media Matters post full transcripts or for their benefit take snippets that they want to make their point. Why do they have "..." in their transcripts. What was that a Commercial Break. Half of their misinformation issues are for what people failed to ask. If it was a outlet that was watching all media I would think it to be more believable. But hey I am a free thinker who can make my own opinions. Like I said I went over the whole broadcast. Did You? Didn't have to get my information from the Left Leaning outlet you did. Hey next time on the plane, read the whole transcript and form your own opinion. I'll be watching tonight with Jessie Jackson, will you. I will always be happy to be a free thinker rather than have someone do it for me, like you

 

[LuvDuke]

Just look at their (mediamatters) mission statemtent. A little left leaning wouldn't you say. As I posted. Does Media Matters post full transcripts or for their benefit take snippets that they want to make their point. Why do they have "..." in their transcripts. What was that a Commercial Break. Half of their misinformation issues are for what people failed to ask. If it was a outlet that was watching all media I would think it to be more believable. But hey I am a free thinker who can make my own opinions. Like I said I went over the whole broadcast. Did You? Didn't have to get my information from the Left Leaning outlet you did. Hey next time on the plane, read the whole transcript and form your own opinion. I'll be watching tonight with Jessie Jackson, will you. I will always be happy to be a free thinker rather than have someone do it for me, like you

Specifically, point out where Media Matters misquoted or downright lied about O'Reilly's remarks. If you can't do that because the quotes are accurate, all you're doing is spinning. As Muggs pointed out, it's ironic how many people are trying to spin Mr. No-Spin-Zone.

Btw, I read the whole transcript. It doesn't change one damned bit what O'Reilly said.

Maybe the right ought to wake up and smell the latte. They've been taken for a ride all these years and their moral/family values heroes are dropping like flies.

 

[yeartolate]

I would have great issue with the situation at MM if they did not make available full quotes or at least access to them.


But of course they are biased towards liberal and see things from that point of view.

But a quote is a quote. If clips of a full quote are posted and it is felt to beout of context and someone posts the full quote --- and it still conveys the same tone......both the snipped and full quotes were eqailly as bad.