Bill O’Reilly Gives a Non-Apology Apology for “Lynching Party” Remark about Michelle Obama
Sen. Barack Obama’s wife, Michelle Obama, made recent statements saying that for the first time in her adult life she was really proud of her country. She said that for a long time she’s been frustrated by the way our country was going and that it made her feel isolated and disappointed. She said that her husband’s candidacy, and the response he’s gotten from America, has really convinced her that the country has a true hunger for change and that she isn't alone. And, this made her feel proud.
Well, all hell broke loose because the last thing a Black person can say is that they haven’t always been proud of their country. Despite the legacy of slavery and other historic injustices, continuing economic and social inequality, etc., we simply aren’t allowed to say that we aren’t always happy with the way America behaves.
In fact, this can be said of anyone of any race. Criticizing anything about America (policies, actions against other nations, internal injustices, etc.) is often twisted into an act of treason or an accusation that someone isn’t patriotic. This has become heightened because of the Bush Administration’s tactic of accusing people of being unpatriotic, of aiding and abetting terrorists for questioning Bush policies, of providing “comfort” to our enemies because of having ideas that are different than those put forth by the current administration, etc.
So, you know, Bill O’Reilly (Fox News Channel) had to try to go off on Michelle Obama. O’Reilly said, “I don't want to go on a lynching party against Michelle Obama unless there's evidence, hard facts, that say this is how the woman really feels. If that's how she really feels -- that America is a bad country or a flawed nation, whatever -- then that's legit. We'll track it down"
Some argued that Michelle Obama has a six-figure job and has done quite well for herself in America. So, they say, “How dare she say she’s suddenly really proud of her country for the first time in her adult life.”
My view is this…she could be the richest person in the world, the most blessed person in the world, but that wouldn’t change the fact that she has a right to find aspects of our American society to be unfair, inequitable, unjust, frustrating, disappointing, disheartening, etc. What does her personal life, career or financial success have to do with her overall view of how America is progressing as a nation, treating its people (rich and poor alike), dividing its wealth, protecting our interests, uplifting its people, etc.? One thing has nothing to do with the other.
Let's get real. There are people who aren't proud of the Vietnam war. It doesn't mean they don't love their country and haven't been proud of other things.
I think this is a matter of fake outrage and that it's just a way for some people to try to score political points out of her remark and to use her words to tarnish her husband, a presidential candidate.
O’Reilly has taken heat for the "lynching party" comments. As a result, he's issued a non-apology type of apology stating: "I'm sorry if my statement offended anybody. That, of course, was not the intention. Context is everything." O’Reilly also said: “As you may know, I believe Mrs. Obama was only referring to politics when she said that for the first time in her adult life, she is proud of her country. Now, if you look at both of the speeches that she made -- and I have -- the context is purely political. So I defended Mrs. Obama on both radio and TV.”
The link, in the source listed below, contains access to a video of O’Reilly making his comments about Michelle Obama.
Source: Media Matters, http://mediamatters.org/items/200802210014?f=h_top
Well, all hell broke loose because the last thing a Black person can say is that they haven’t always been proud of their country. Despite the legacy of slavery and other historic injustices, continuing economic and social inequality, etc., we simply aren’t allowed to say that we aren’t always happy with the way America behaves.
In fact, this can be said of anyone of any race. Criticizing anything about America (policies, actions against other nations, internal injustices, etc.) is often twisted into an act of treason or an accusation that someone isn’t patriotic. This has become heightened because of the Bush Administration’s tactic of accusing people of being unpatriotic, of aiding and abetting terrorists for questioning Bush policies, of providing “comfort” to our enemies because of having ideas that are different than those put forth by the current administration, etc.
So, you know, Bill O’Reilly (Fox News Channel) had to try to go off on Michelle Obama. O’Reilly said, “I don't want to go on a lynching party against Michelle Obama unless there's evidence, hard facts, that say this is how the woman really feels. If that's how she really feels -- that America is a bad country or a flawed nation, whatever -- then that's legit. We'll track it down"
Some argued that Michelle Obama has a six-figure job and has done quite well for herself in America. So, they say, “How dare she say she’s suddenly really proud of her country for the first time in her adult life.”
My view is this…she could be the richest person in the world, the most blessed person in the world, but that wouldn’t change the fact that she has a right to find aspects of our American society to be unfair, inequitable, unjust, frustrating, disappointing, disheartening, etc. What does her personal life, career or financial success have to do with her overall view of how America is progressing as a nation, treating its people (rich and poor alike), dividing its wealth, protecting our interests, uplifting its people, etc.? One thing has nothing to do with the other.
Let's get real. There are people who aren't proud of the Vietnam war. It doesn't mean they don't love their country and haven't been proud of other things.
I think this is a matter of fake outrage and that it's just a way for some people to try to score political points out of her remark and to use her words to tarnish her husband, a presidential candidate.
O’Reilly has taken heat for the "lynching party" comments. As a result, he's issued a non-apology type of apology stating: "I'm sorry if my statement offended anybody. That, of course, was not the intention. Context is everything." O’Reilly also said: “As you may know, I believe Mrs. Obama was only referring to politics when she said that for the first time in her adult life, she is proud of her country. Now, if you look at both of the speeches that she made -- and I have -- the context is purely political. So I defended Mrs. Obama on both radio and TV.”
The link, in the source listed below, contains access to a video of O’Reilly making his comments about Michelle Obama.
Source: Media Matters, http://mediamatters.org/items/200802210014?f=h_top
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posted by S. Mary Wills at 8:45 AM
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