Posted by ( Chester ) on June 18, 2009 at 10:08 am

For less Gov’t,

If you are then dismissing the power of the media to influence people, then perhaps you can explain the purpose of television commercials?

Look, the reality here is that Bill O’Reilly is on record as indicating he is powerful and influential. He brags about his ratings. He bragged about his boycott of France and how it demonstrably caused them to lose money. If he is that powerful, then obviously he has the ability to influence people. Right?

Now then, O’Reilly is on record with his crusades against media figures whom he says influence people to engage in poor moral behavior i.e. action. He readily admits that media personalities have the ability to influence the actions of others. That is a fact.

Another fact, O’Reilly is on record as saying these things:

On the May 15 edition of The O’Reilly Factor, O’Reilly stated that Kathleen Sebelius, who was then the governor of Kansas and is now secretary of health and human services, “is the most pro-abortion governor in the United States. Based upon Dr. Tiller, the baby killer in her state, and all of that. All right? So there’s no doubt.“

On the May 11 edition of The O’Reilly Factor, O’Reilly said Sebelius “is pro-abortion. She wants the babies done for. This is—she supported Tiller the baby killer out there.“

On the April 27 edition of The O’Reilly Factor, O’Reilly said that Sebelius “recently vetoed a bill that placed restrictions on late-term abortions in Kansas. The bill was introduced because of the notorious Tiller the baby killer case, where Dr. George Tiller destroys fetuses for just about any reason right up until the birth date for $5,000.“

On the April 3 edition of The O’Reilly Factor, O’Reilly said, “Tiller got acquitted in Kansas, Tiller the baby killer.“

On the March 27 edition of The O’Reilly Factor, O’Reilly stated: “Now, we have bad news to report, that Tiller the baby killer out in Kansas—acquitted. Acquitted today of murdering babies. I wasn’t in the courtroom. I didn’t sit on the jury. But there’s got to be a special place in hell for this guy.“

Also On June 12, 2007, he said, “Yes, I think we all know what this is. And if the state of Kansas doesn’t stop this man, then anybody who prevents that from happening has blood on their hands….“

What does all these things tell you sir? Despite the fact that O’Reilly actually denies ever calling Tiller a baby killer, the reality is that he led a personal crusade against this man, knowing full well that media personalities have the ability to influence action in others.

So, given these facts, if you want to deny any culapability on the part of O’Reilly and other right wing mouthpieces for this murder or any other recent acts of violence from right wing persons, then go ahead. Keep telling yourself this. Keep pretending that these people don’t have any responsibility whatsoever for what they say. Where do you think the man in Pittsburgh got the idea that Obama was going to take his guns away before he killed two policemen?  From where did the man who killed those people in Knoxville formulate his hatred of liberals? From where did Dr. Tiller’s murderer come to the conclusion that “And if the state of Kansas doesn’t stop this man, then anybody who prevents that from happening has blood on their hands….?“

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Posted by ( Chester ) on June 10, 2009 at 2:29 pm

Jody,

you wrote: “of course people who are “sick” can be easily influenced by just about anything, including media persons.  But to claim that the media person bears some kind of responsibility, therefore, as to what actions the sickos take is just plain wrong.“

I disagree. First of all, you obviously understand that “sick” people can be easily influenced and logically we should conclude that people like Bill O’Reilly know this as well. He is the one who brags all the time about how popular and powerful he is. In fact, he is a big believer in the power of media personalities ability to influence people. That is why he frequently goes on his crusades against rappers and actors. He says their lyrics, music, and actions influence people to do bad things. Don’t believe it, check it out. Remember his crusade against the rapper Ludicras? What was his point regarding his opposition to the man?

So the reality is that if Bill O’Reilly is on record as saying that media personalities must be careful with their words lest they cause harmful influence, then doesn’t he have that same responsibility?

Another fact here, Bill O’Reilly is on record as saying folks in Kansas who don’t stop Tiller have blood on their hands. Now, that statement along with the other incessant hate filled propaganda spewed by O’Reilly where he constatnly repeated that Tiller is called “baby killer” most certainly could have played a role in pushing this man over the edge. I believe it did, just as the crazy guy who killed the “liberals” in Knoxville was found to have O’Reilly’s, Hannity’s, Beck’s and other right wing mouthpieces books scattered around his home and their hate filled philosophy helped push him over the edge. In fact, that guy wanted to kill all the 100 people Bernard Goldberg claimed were destroying America. Guess who allowed Mr. Goldberg frequent opportunities to spread this vile crap to millions on their “top rated cable news show?“

For you to simply dismiss any responsibility on the part of people like O’Reilly in inciting violence just because they don’t come right out and call for it is disingenuous. These mouthpieces you are defending, I believe, know full well their ability to influence their audience. Let’s face it, these guys have audience members who adhere to radical right wing ideology, dangerous people. They know it, you know it, and I know it. For any of them to stoke the fire of inciting hatred for another human being by using their popularity and ability to reach millions is wrong.

The reality is that if it turns out that Dr.Tiller’s murderer obtained his information about Tiller from O’Reilly, we can safely deduce that his perception of the Tiller came from O’Reilly as well. That makes O’Reilly culpable in some way in the mans murder. Either way it makes O’Reilly a hypocrite for dismissing his influence in this matter after bragging about his power and after crusading against others for not being responsible for their ability to influence others.

I guess you and O’Reilly disagree on a media figures ability to incite action in others.

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Posted by ( Jody Lee ) on June 09, 2009 at 10:20 pm

Next?, of course people who are “sick” can be easily influenced by just about anything, including media persons.  But to claim that the media person bears some kind of responsibility, therefore, as to what actions the sickos take is just plain wrong.

And no, Bill O’Reilly is the one chosen to take majority of the wraith of those determined to make a pro-life somebody responsible for this guy’s actions.  Whether Rush also took some heat, I have no idea.

And just for the record, I am not Rush Limbaugh’s “friend” - I’m not even a fan.  I wish you - and others -  would quit trying to pigeonhole me into some kind of stereotypical whatever. 
Have a good one yourself,
Jody

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Posted by ( Next ? ) on June 09, 2009 at 1:33 pm

Jody, God I wish you hadn’t reopened Pandora’s box. I just finished reading what ended up becoming useless, irrate and personal attacks on beliefs, on another blog, between to opponants that started out to be just a difference in opinions on the subject of abortion and the death of this Doctor Tiller.
  I have to disagree with the fact that a TV or Radio talk show host doesn’t influence some sick peoples actions. The power of suggestion is much stronger than you obviously think. And I believe that your friend Rush was the person being refered to as an instigator, according what I read in the news, in the actions taken toward the Doctor not Ol’Bill.

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Posted by ( Jody Lee ) on June 05, 2009 at 10:10 pm

If I understand your comment correctly, EaTn, then I must strongly disagree.

To hold someone responsible for someone else’s actions is a dangerous path to go down.  Especially when the person in question - in this case, Bill O’Reilly - was merely expressing his opinion. 

(BTW, He is not a newscaster, he is a news commentator.  Big difference.)

  But in either case, deeming the expressing of one’s opinion as encouraging “..those who may have strong suggestive impluses” puts all of us who express an opinion at risk.  At one point does one become responsible for one’s own actions?

If I suggested you jumped off a cliff and you did it, would it be my fault?  Of course not.  It would have been YOUR decision.  And holding me legally responsible for your decision is just nutty, isn’t it?

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