Fox's propaganda messaging involves clever manipulation of language such as the use of incendiary words to describe what they are framing as an "outrage." They are also adept at manipulating others words in order to convey whatever agitprop meme they are advancing. A classic example would be how Obama's campaign statement about reproductive freedom was really "endorsing contraception" for kids. In Today's Sunday homily by Fox News' only full time clergy contributor (no rabbis or liberal Protestant clergy - especially icky women clergy - need apply in the America's Vatican newsroom), employed this type of propaganda in that it conveyed what seemed, ostensibly, an inspirational message but was really an attack on President Obama whose cleverly cropped words were, at the beginning of the piece, very cleverly misinterpreted manipulated dare I say twisted.
One of the GOP and Fox News' main talking points is that Obama is waging class warfare and attacking the rich. So the first thing that was said, by Clayton Morris, on this morning's Fox & Friends was this: "President Obama making an interesting point on a recent campaign stop by IMPLYING THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE SUCCESSFUL MAY NOT HAVE THE SAME VALUES AS PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE CLASS."
Video of Obama was shown in which he said that "middle class is also an attitude. It’s not just about income; it’s about knowing what’s important and not measuring your success just based on your bank account. But it’s about your values, and being responsible — (applause) — and looking after each other"
Fox ended the clip before Obama said " and giving back." Rather than something out of Saul Alinsky, this sounds a lot like what the Catholic Church used to teach. It's not about status, it's about giving back. Where did Obama say that the "successful" don't have the same values as the middle class. Alisyn Camerota said that while Obama was talking about important American values, "implicit in that is rich people don't care about us or something like that." (WTF?) Fox priest and supply side Jesus worshipper Father Morris, all tanned and toned after his Costa Rica vacation, engaged in his usual sophistry by appearing to validate Obama's words but then adding the patented caveat: "But what he said could very much be interpreted and I hope he's not just pandering to the middle class by saying that actually because you are middle class, therefore, you're good people." The chyron reinforced the message: More 'Class' Rhetoric, President Talks Middle Attitude." Morris then claimed that middle class is really all about income levels and the response to "what God is calling us to be." (Giving back - who needs it!)
The Dave Briggs take away from "what's implied" was that "when you make x amount of dollars, you forget what's important." Morris tried to suss out something positive "but unfortunately there have been so many things that have been done recently that creates this class struggle, the rich are bad, the poor and middle class are good..." Morris, who said that this isn't in accordance with the bible and "right reason," didn't provide any specifics of these "things." Clayton Morris them claimed that while there is an idea that becoming rich is immoral, the bible preaches that by "making yourself wealthy, you can enrich other human beings by doing so." Fr. Morris said that the bible quote isn't "money is the root of all evil" but "the love of money" is the "root." After saying that "money is a good thing," Morris attacked Obama: "to suggest that the middle class is good and the rich are bad, "that is un-American, it's non biblical, and I think it goes against right reason." When Camerota asked where the poor fit in, Morris preached that "We should be encouraging people towards success, not just financial success, but financial success, too." He said that "the American dream is not about everyone being in the middle class" and noted that it is a good thing and comes with "responsibility and obligation to use it well but encouraging people to stay in the middle class because that's where the real values are, that is un-American and a very negative thing."
WTF???!!!!! Obama didn't say that middle class values are better than the values of "successful" people and he wasn't encouraging middle class people to stay in the middle class who are rapidly slipping from that class into poverty - something that the cute little padre doesn't seem to know or care about. Rather, he joins Fox and the GOP right in defending a system that puts the US far below many other industrialized nations in social mobility. One can understand why he was invited to join Fox when he was a member of an order, the Legion of Christ, that pandered to the rich and famous. And as far as the bible and the awesomeness of those who have money?
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Matthew 6:24
"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.'' Matthew 19:23-24
What say you, Father money bags Morris?