O'Reilly Should Retract Sheehan Smear
Reported by Judy - August 10, 2005
Fox News and its right-wing pundits pride themselves on their patriotism, support for America's troops, and conservative values. But after Bill O'Reilly's smear of Cindy Sheehan on Tuesday (August 9, 2005), it is clear O'Reilly's conservative values means trashing the reputation of a grieving mother who dares to talk back to President Bush.
O'Reilly and his guest, Michelle Malkin, went too far in last night's attack on Sheehan, whose son Casey was killed in Iraq in April 2004. Using the familiar Fox News technique of "some say," O'Reilly accused Sheehan of near treason. You can listen to audio of it here, along with Malkin's claim that Sheehan's son would not approve of her actions.
Sheehan has been camped out alongside the road near George Bush's ranch demanding a meeting with him, but the president has been too busy on vacation to leave Neverneverland and confront the human consequences of his disastrous Iraq policy.
O'Reilly's thinly veiled attack on Sheehan went beyond the bounds of acceptable behavior. He must retract his cruel words and give Sheehan some of the sympathy Fox News showers on the mother of every white girl who turns up missing.
O'Reilly said last night that Sheehan will be on his show tonight. This is the perfect opportunity for him to apologize. Please e-mail O'Reilly at oreilly@foxnews.com to demand that he retract his statements.
