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Keith Olbermann brings on Washington Post’s Eugene Robinson to discuss the horrific history behind Bill O’Reilly’s casual and callous use of the phrase “lynching party” in reference to Michelle Obama’s quote about being really proud of this country and the implications one may draw from it.
You know what lynching was? Lynching was a horrific practice of murder, torture, dismemberment, burning alive, hanging, and the only purpose of lynching was to perpetuate white supremacy in the Jim Crow south. It wasn’t…the idea of course, wasn’t to lynch all black people, but by lynching a few black people…not a few, by lynching some black people to demonstrate to other African Americans that this could happen to you, that you have no power, that we have all the power, and that we can take anything we want from you, including your life. There’s nothing funny about lynching. There’s certainly nothing at all funny or remotely appropriate about the use of a lynching reference to talk about Michelle Obama. And the word “unless” followed by “we’ll track it down,” is way beyond the pale.
Filed Under: Bill O’Reilly, Countdown/Keith Olbermann, Racism/Bigotry
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I don’t think these were calculated statements by BOR, he’s just a flat-out racist.
Between dredging up and coyly threatening lynchings, the endless debates on whether waterboarding is torture, and the gun massacres, ad nauseum, I am so freakin’ glad I don’t live in the U.S.
Nor do I ever wish to visit.
What a fucked up country….still living the 18th century and enjoying it.
Guess we won’t be seeing Eugene on The Factor anytime soon.
I tend to think O’Reilly used the term in its modern sense of ‘ganging up on someone’ rather than its more direct meaning. However I support any misunderstanding that brings that asshole down. So I will pretend to be outraged if it helps get Billo in trouble.
And Billo IS a racist.
thank you
i went blue in the fingers yesterday trying to argue this point with various peeps who felt that injecting a historical violent racist word into a story about Michelle Obama was somehow acceptable… which it is not.
gene robinson is more eloquent than i will ever be, take it away gene~
Boycott all products advertised on Fox News network, or don’t complain.
FilthyHarry
“modern meaning” ? There is no “modern meaning”, and if you are using it in that way, stop. Stop, now.
O’Racist responded: “You far left-wing pinhead, NYT-based, ACLU supported, Vermont-based, Soros-funded, smear-merchant, hate mongers took me out of context”
Did I miss any of the reich-wing talking points?
I think Billo has been hoist by his own petard! Excellent.
O’Reilly is broadcasting The Fester from Los Angeles this week. He will also be giving a speech at the Brentwood Theater on the grounds of the WLA Veteran’s Administration. That’s right - the Veteran’s Administration. The federal agency responsible for, amongst other things, programs to assist veterans who are homeless due to finances, emotional or physical disability, substance abuse, or other hardships. The agency that reports that there are a couple hundred thousand such veterans who are homeless. Now O’Reilly actually has the gall to show up at a facility whose purpose is to aid people who O’Reilly is on record as saying do not exist.
Anyone up for greeting Mr. O’Reilly and giving him the welcome he deserves?
Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008 - 7:00pm (get there early)
The Brentwood Theater.
West LA Veteran’s Administration
11301 Wilshire Blvd
Brentwood, CA 90049
Tel: (310)479-3003
BREAKING: Here’s a just released picture of O’Reilly with his lynching party:
Bill O’Reilly’s Lynching Party
O’Really is despicable. All the Faux people are piling on Michelle’s comment today, misrepresenting it, accusing her of treason basically. O’Reilly’s producer even defended his lynching remarks. [See MediaMatters.org] Unbelievable.
How many times do we have to be hit over the head with the fact that Billo is a racist?
But, I think he secretly masterbates to those he so publically hates.
Mark,
Great idea to protest O’Reilly in LA. I’m in NYC, otherwise I’d join you.
Arran @ 2:
OK. We’ll miss you.
Filthy Harry @ 4:
It is only someone who is ignorant to the historical meaning who believes that one can say this with any other implication. I don’t mean to be rude, but you must be aware what words mean when you use them (especially in this case because O’Reilly was talking about Michelle Obama, a black woman.)
Its similar to using the word “crusade” to describe invading the Middle East.
The speaker is responsible for the connotations.
Of course, nothing at all will happen to the “Frank Burns of News,” - however, had this been a progressive radio host like Bill Press or Stephanie Miller, OH MY GOD! The shit would truly have hit the fan and Bill-O’s head would have exploded and “The lefties are racists!!!” shpiel would have been belching out of every right winger’s radio speaker!
Un-FUDGING-believable!!!
Dr. Matt @ 8:
Note that O’Reilly was talking about Obama people defaming Clinton. You need to throw in some intra-party strife.
So let me get this straight.
The word, lynch, when used in the context of lynch mob or lynching someone is completely unacceptable and inherently racist? Or is that only in reference to an African American?
Anyone else think that Michelle Obama is going to get the “Hillary treatment” from the right-wing assholes?
They have to do racism quietly. Misogyny is right out in the freaking open.
As a black man, this sort of talk has always horrified me, but to be honest, I’ve given up being able to do anything about it. If you point it out as racist, you get called racist, because “people don’t do that anymore.”
It will forever be a freebie for people to use against blacks when they get too “uppity,” and nothing will ever be done about it. All I can tell you is, I hope no one ever has to see the faces of the Obama’s two young daughters when they hear people say this stuff about their parents. On national radio. And never be held accountable for it.
Meanwhile, Don Imus and Dog the Bounty Hunter are back on the air, so you can bet nothing will happen to Bill O’Reilly about this.
Some things never change.
Old Billy and Dr. Matt @ 8:
You also need to turn O’Reilly into the victim of a left-wing smear campaign…because, per him per usual, O’Reilly didn’t say what he said, etc.
Filthy Harry @ 5:
Give me a break. The only “modern sense” that this makes is that it’s an attempt to incite more racism and to justify the feelings of many bigots. Mentioning a lynching party on a black woman to racists is like yelling “keg party”‘ in a college dorm. The people that are excited about it will salivate at the opportunity.
This sounds like a terroristic threat to me. Where’s the FCC?
Blue Lensman @ 1:
Everything he says is read off a script. Some putz somewhere wants those words out and BOR is more than willing to spew them, for money. F-en Rovian tool.
Actually, there is a “meaning” that is separate from whites murdering/torturing/terrorizing African Americans. It’s not much better in meaning, but it’s the one I grew up with, and that is a ‘lynch mob’ or ‘lynch gang’ was associated with vigilante justice in the “Old West”. This, of course, was whites murdering/torturing/terrorizing whites, blacks, grays, greens and any other variety of human being who they felt had broken the law and whose trial could just not wait for the circuit judge. Sort of like the old player quote about Vince Lombardy: “Coach doesn’t discriminate; he treats us ALL like dogs…”
Was BillO remember old spaghetti westerns when he made the comment. Who cares? I say: “Hang ‘im high!” (pun intended to make the point).
There is no “modern meaning”, and if you are using it in that way, stop. Stop, now.
Certainly, when Thomas called his treatment a “high-tech lynching” he was implying the racial dimension. I think that the “modern meaning” does have the racial overtones. Remember, Robinson is not saying that O’Reilly literally is advocating killing Obama. Instead he is saying this is racist, and threatening in the way that a policeman firing a shot near an unarmed civilian might be. Or that’s how I read it.
bobaloo @ 18:
I think you have to be sensitive to the context. If you mean “lynch” then say “lynch.” But if you use the word, be aware of the connotations.
Are you implying that there is something unfair about this? Maybe you should try to use the word “niggardly” in polite company and see what happens. Its not inherently racist, but you would be an idiot to not be aware of the possible interpretations.
Blue Lensman @ 1:
Blue Lensman,
I agree, this was no mistake. These were calculated statements by O’Reilly.
Filthy Harry @ 4:
Filthy Harry,
If she were Jewish and he talked of gassing Mrs. Obama for her comments would you still be providing the modern interpretation? This guy knew full well the connotations of his comments, the “modern sense” of the term notwithstanding.
Okay, I’m SO not in the business of defending Bill-O, but I do think this is a bit overblown. People are being really shrill these days. Hillary says that she can hear the voices of Ann Richards and Barbara Jordan cheering her on, and people start saying she’s hearing voices from beyond the grave. Michelle Obama says that she’s never been more proud of America, and the right-wing nuts say she’s ashamed to be an American. Bill-O actually says that he’s withholding judgment on her for that statement - using an inappropriate figure of speech, granted - and it’s become this. I have no love for the guy, I think he’s a total idiot, but let’s focus on the BS that really matters, shall we? (I know this is where someone points out that it’s indicative of a pattern of race-baiting remarks he’s made over the years, and I won’t disagree with that. Just saying, it was a figure of speech.)
Is there a modern sense to the word “murder” because that’s what lynching is.
The Idiot @ 28:
a racist and violent figure of speech.
(sorry for the repeat C&L), it would be like, when referring to a woman, saying that you are going to have a rape party.
or, like K Myers wrote (#27).
.
My family asks me why I don’t listen to the PRAVDA NETWORK, T.V. and Radio stations, and because I because don’t want to offend my family, I tell them that I don’t find that kind of talk entertaining. What I mean to say is that I don not find bigotry entertaining. I just don’t want to call my family bigots or imply that they’re supporters of bigotry.
.
Idiot,
I don’t agree that this is getting overblown. Because Bill O’ threatened a presidential candidate’s wife on national TV. He should be fired immediately. If you or I said something like that to a co-worker, we’d be fired. There’s no excuse for making racist threats like that. And I don’t care if Bill’O understood the implications or not.
O’racist has a hissy fit when someone photo-shops herr dubyah or some other reich-winger in an unpleasant pose, but this racist language is acceptable? Gimme a break….
Jason B @ 20:
Maybe they will yet…maybe they will…I’m still optimistic that good will prevail…this sort of comment by BOR is MUCH more serious IMHO, than what Imus or that throwback bounty hunter said…I hope the NAACP puts so much pressure on his employers, and advertisers they will have no choice but to fire him.
No accident. Just slick and subliminal. Racist like O’Reilly speak in codes to his bigot followers constantly. We have a sports guy here in Chicago, Mike North, an absolute vile ignorant bigot who has made a career out of hounding black athletes and has openly admitted that he purposely injects “race topics to set the phones on fire.” O’Reilly knew exactly what he was doing.
Everyone knows these rightwing monsters are monsters. The horrifying thing is that so many of our neighbors support them, agree with them, vote for them, are not horrified by them. Even Fox advertisers are apparently unfazed by allusions to Republican mob hanging Mrs. Obama from a tree. She’d proud of her country, but there’s a lot to be ashamed of.
Old Billy @ 15:
The historical meaning does NOT refer only to racists lynching black people. You’d be ignorant not to know that. Black people are not the only people to have been lynched. Lynch mobs have hung all sorts of people. The phrase in it’s unconnotative state simply refers to an angry group formed to get someone.
And what the hell is this “The speaker is responsible for the connotations”? Bullshit? Who made you boss of what speech means and what a speaker’s responsibilities are?
Does not a person’s intent when he speaks count for nothing? Doesn’t the listener have any responsibility to listen with an open mind? To undertake to find out what the speaker meant if there is some confusion? To wonder if the speaker might have meant something that is beyond the scope of the listener, so perhaps the listener should stfu and do some learning before he embarrasses himself? I for one certainly do NOT subscribe to the current fashion of watching what I say because someone else, not caring about my intent may take it the wrong way. I speak as I like.
What PC garbage. If you wish to ascribe meaning to other people’s words that are not intended, than you will continue to lower the public discourse with unnecessary misunderstandings.
The Idiot @ 28:
Um…bullshit…
How dare they once again quote O’Lielly out of context!!! How dare they use his own words against him!!! That is what will be heard in response to the backlash from his absurd and deeply irresponsible statement!
liberalNmoderation @ 38:
Ditto!
Filthy Harry @ 37:
Try and slice it anyway you like…it’s still racist as hell in this context.
Arran @ 2:
No, not enjoying it. In fact completely repulsed by it. Unfortunately for those of us who live in the 21st century, the wanna be Puritans are in control of the government.
And will likely remain so through hook or crook come november.