Michelle Obama Attends Beyonce Concert
7 Weird Ways To Bug-Proof Your Picnic
Bill O' Reilly, known for incendiary remarks on his controversial Fox Network talk show "The O'Reilly Factor", ignited the simmering animosity of Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg during an appearance on "The View" Thursday, provoking them to storm off set.
Attempting to explain in his usual patronizing tone why President Barack Obama's approval ratings are hovering around 45 percent, he decided to use the Ground Zero mosque controversy to illustrate the disconnect between the President and the American people:
"They see a widening gulf between the President and them, personally," the Fox News host says. "Let me give you an example. The mosque. The mosque down here, on 9/11, that's inappropriate. Sure, they have a right to do it, and it's in the constitution, but it's inappropriate because a lot of the 9/11 families who I know say 'We don't want that.' And there's the president, saying, 'Well, they have a right to do it!'"
To audience applause, O'Reilly pointed out that 70 percent of Americans are against the mosque. In outrage, Goldberg responded that 70 Muslim families lost relatives on 9/11 and demanded O'Reilly explain why he believed Americans were so vehement in their disapproval of the mosque.
His response? "Because Muslims killed us on 9/11."
By choosing -- whether by design or ignorance, not to distinguish the radical Islamic extremists responsible for that atrocity from the general Muslim population, O'Reilly fanned the flames of religious and racial intolerance that have left this nation battered and bruised since its inception.
His ignorance was so astounding that it left many wondering if it was a publicity stunt. The purpose of his visit was to promote his latest book, "Pinheads and Patriots," and love or hate him, O'Reilly is known for capturing his audience's attention. He is savvy enough to realize that press, especially inflammatory in nature, has the potential to translate into book sales.
Regardless of intent, though, passive racist statements are dangerous and one must recognize that many people agree with O'Reilly's unadulterated words to fully comprehend the escalated state of hate America finds itself in today.
There are actually those who believe that all Muslims are bad. They equate Islam with evil and Christianity with righteousness, and there is nothing anyone can say to change that opinion.
We don't discuss the many atrocities carried out in Islamic nations in the name of Christianity, which have been equally violent and span a longer period of time. We wouldn't expect a Catholic church not to be built near a boys' school out of respect for the sexual molestation they have had to endure at the hands of Catholic priests. Yet, we expect Muslim American citizens to forego a place of worship because of the open wounds of 9/11.
When do we realize that hatred will never eradicate hatred? Freedom of religion is a right, not a privilege, and every American citizen has a right to express themselves freely.
However, there are many who oppose the mosque that do so out of ill-founded allegiance to this country and respect for the victims and families of 9/11. To encourage those people not to be heard would be hypocritical, irresponsible and narrow minded.
The crux of the matter is to not allow the dissenting voices to become the defining voices if religious tolerance is ever to become the rule, and not the exception in this country.
I agree with O'Reilly on one point: The American people who elected President Obama based on his perceived values deserve to hear his opinion on this matter; however, Obama realizes that if he ventures in to this debate, he stands to alienate voters that are sorely needed for the Democratic Party to keep their political leverage. Understandably, Obama refuses to allow that to happen on his watch.
As Joy Behar said, "This is America!"
Our America is one that encompasses ambition, political games, intrinsic fears and deep-seated prejudice, and to ever move forward as a country, we cannot continue to simply walk off the set.
Comments: (120)
Add a comment
By: Tom Truth on 10/14/2010 7:36PM
Wow, those liberals just can't stand a truth teller.
Liberals are the most intolerant people in America.
That includes the BV staff.
I know how O'Reilly feels
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: autirose on 10/14/2010 9:38PM
We are too divide, too much discord. Where are the peacemakers? Is this the time of the call when it's said "Peace, Peace when there is no peace"? Do we not have with spiritual discernment? Are we all deceived? Are we all mentally off balance: "There will come a time when man will be as though he is drunk as if with wine but he will not have drunken any." Is that now? Good, God folk!People, we are not each other's enemy.
Those Jihadist were attacking Capitalism. The same vile, wicked, deciteful, practices of capitalism that have destroyed lives of people here at home, Americans, and people of other nations, worldwide. That's the enemy. We fight not against flesh and blood (one another) but spiritual wicked, principalities and powers in high and low places.
They attacked the wicked system called Capitalism. Financial systems, governments, (policies) and the militaries (wars) are the bridges these wicked forces use as the bridges to manifest, uphold, and defend their dominion/power/sovereignity. Those radicals were carry out a Jihad.
We are told to be careful of our associations and have part in wickedness. Recall Satan's temptation of Christ. Pray for guidance and discernment. Be careful who you vote into power, be not deceived. Same as Islam there are RADICALS amongst the conservative Christians.
Prophet Muhammad, pbuh, fought "radicals" during his lifetime. I've studied the Quran, by Yusuf Ali, as he interpretated it into English. I was warned not to read any Koran or Hadith only those that were authentic, those written by those he taught. I've socialized and worshipped with Muslims, and at Georgia Tech I've worked with Muslim engineers and every one was true to Islam, of exemplary character. I have nothing but honor and respect. I tire of the assaults by those ignorant of the faith. These Muslim were of astute moral character, true to their faith, submitting their will to their highest ideal by striving to live in obedient to the will of God. They were charitable, hardworking and fair dealing entrepenuers, dedictated to family and Ummah, community. I am so sick of people who know very little about Muslims spreading their hateful stupidity.
Worldwide, there are billions of Muslims, some have radical, cultural viewpoints that are not consistent with the peaceful, unity of Islam but so do Christanity. From the time of Muhummad, pbuh, women were revered and held places of responsibilty and honor. Today, there are many professional Muslim women in positions of leadership, very well-educated.
If Islam were truly a religion of hate there would be far more bloodshed, having more that 5 billion Jihadists. Get real people, I'm sure in your heart you know right from wrong and somehow you know you are wrong as you allow that hateful ignorance to come from your hearts/souls.
People are quick to quote "kill all unbelievers". The phrase was referrencing those who are evildoers, disobedient to God, destroying the innocent but the Quran even states that God gives them the opportunities to repent until death. The Bible says there is a time for war a time when the sarriors of righteousness will be at war against evildoes. When the Christ return he will come back with a sword dripping in blood. we are told to be careful who we associate because when the judgment comes and not to be on the wrong side.
The way I see 9ll is that was attack against capitalism. The terrorist struck at the three levels of capitalism. We are told be watchful of the fire whose fuel is stone and man. Satan's kingdom, spiritually called Babylon, falling. we know that this financial, capitalist, system screwed the American workers. We are suffering now, put the world-wide practices had nations suffering and dying and enslaved for centuries. That's wickedness. Truth is like a two-edge sword, cutting asunder the flesh from the bone. The Christ is returning with a sword.
The innocent people who lost their lives were on the wrong side but were partaking in the vileness of capitalism.
Report This
By: DEE on 10/27/2010 11:27PM
Liberals are people who know that the problem started way back and you must blame it on someone the country will not change untill the people change and that will take an act of GOD.
Report This
By: peace4usall on 10/15/2010 3:05PM
autirose, I think your view makes sense in alot of ways and you sound very intellegent. I agree that there are Radicals of all religions, and absolutely not all muslims are likethose radicals. Thanks for your comment. But if it was an attack on capitalism, then how come Osama Bin Laden spoke of killing the "infidels" and not of "capitalism"?
Report This
By: russell laiosa on 10/15/2010 4:22PM
left wing liberal loons, stop using your silly show to spread your crazy views . god forbid someone should tell it like it really is , you socialist pigs leave there own show. isnt that how it always is with the liberals . its only what they think that matters . elitist slobs is what they are.
Report This
By: Robert on 10/15/2010 4:59PM
Green party, conservative party, Tea Parties. Americans party too much. These are all the same people, all the same mentality. They both want the same things, just in different amounts. Money, drugs and sex. Let's tell the truth. Tea parties want more money, not freedom. Homosexuals want health care; not weddings. But what a lovely country we live in where the only cares we have are hoarding riches, smoking drugs, and how our genitalia feel. If we told the truth, then we could see both sides as they really are. They all want the right to have the right to do what they want. However don't they already?
Report This
By: Miguel on 10/17/2010 5:52PM
There is absolutely no falsehood to the statement that Muslims killed Americans on 9/11. Yes, they were radical Muslims. But they were Muslims nonetheless, and for Goldberg and Behar to act this way was more appalling than any comment made by O'Reilly. This is what passes for professional talk television, these are the hosts I have to hear colleagues talking about day in and day out. The only cap I could see myself allowing for on the freedom of speech would be the complete and total removal of "The View" from our country's historical record. Just pretend it never happened. Jones is a mad cow, Behar's a braying moron, Hasselbeck is that air-brained sorority girl we all new in college, Whoopi Goldberg hasn't had a point since The Color Purple, and, well, there's Barbara Walters, who in the above clip looked like a pro for the first time in twenty years... Don't ban truthful statements, Ban The View! PLEASE!
Report This
By: Mr. on 10/17/2010 3:09AM
It's a dumb topic to keep arguing over, Let'em build it. I lost Family members in 9/11, and Personally, I'm not against the Mosque and I'm Christian. The main people who are upset on this topic probably don't realize or forgot, there was a Mosque inside the Trade Center. So, what is this big uproar about? When the attack in the early 90's happened, How many demanded they close or remove the Mosque from the building? And it's HIGHLY hypocritical for us, As American Citizens, to deny any religion and where it wishes to practice it, when this country was first colonized by people who ran away from Europe to practice religion freely. They ran because they were tired of being forced into a religion and came to be free from the tyranny and do as you please, hence "Land Of The Free". I do not believe that there are going to be as many extreme Muslims in that Mosque or New York City as Christians or any other religion, it's all fair game. Not every Muslim is an extremist just as not every Catholic Priest is a pedophile. My Governor's(which I didn't vote for) father was a general in Hitler's army but it's "water under the bridge" because he married into the Kennedy family. It's funny how our society only views what the biased media puts out there, and believes it because we don't do our homework. But how about the War?
The War will never end, it's that simple honestly. The war will never end because there is TOO much instablity and an aggressive pullout would only make attacks on the U.S. and our citizens more prominent. Innocent lives are being lost on both sides. And think about an impoverished area, where are troops are, I can guarantee that these terrorist organizations are getting stronger due to the dislike and hatred toward us from those who may have lost family members/relatives due to us intentionally or not. They recuit young memvers and train them. We "only" know where few training sites they use are located, but it's funny how we gave them weapons and trained them to defeat the Russians but now we don't know where they are. Everybody has heard about the greed and power of a "man" being there ultimate downfall. Well, we've been that "man" for some time now, and I guess why we fear these terrorist so much is because they've found a loop whole which is happens to be our "poison" or "Kryptonite". How do you defeat someone/persons who will kill themselves to kill as many enemies as possible. Well, we better find out. The Wars death toll only rises and there not losing as many people as we our. So many lives lost in Iraq for no reason, and to many in general. Our societies mind state is in a state of emergency. Everything is a scare tactic. Everytime you turn on the news, read the paper, ect... This society is driven off fear, greed, lust, deception, and drug companies. Sorry about the obvious wake up but it feels shameful to call ourselves American citizens when our constitution was written with the Bible's intent and to approve gay marriage(in some states), Swear (in court, in/on God's name) which the Bible forbids, and every other vice that's so prominent. It's utterly embarassing. Sorry if I offended anyone, But I'm stating my opinion and truths.
Report This
By: farouq on 10/27/2010 11:26PM
YOU KNOW HOW OREILLY FEELS!! you have to be a moron!! why dont we get out of their country and then start accepting the blame for that farce called 9/11.. we did it and its a proven fact.. pull your head outta your A** and get off that "America is always Right" pedestal and see that our country is the worlds greatest and best funded terrorist entity but yet we point the finger at everyone else... Grenada, Panama, Cuba shall i continue... Wake UP!! Unstable Combat VET!!
Report This
By: sedated on 10/14/2010 7:45PM
By walking off, they forfeited their position within the arguement. Joy Barwhore's opinion is so inconsequential that the opinion of a bum sleeping in a train station would be more relevant. Whoopie really should have endured O'Reilly, she's smart enough to argue her point. (Probably doing Barwhore a favor by walking her out.) What a shame, a good debate is just so entertaining!
Reply to this Comment | Report This