Fox News worships groups which advocate for Christian rights. But as "the place where you can bash Islam with impunity," Fox never, EVAH, wastes an opportunity to bash the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a group which advocates on behalf of Muslims. For instance, while Fox supports Christians who feel that they are being unfairly portrayed by librul Hollywood (see reaction to the movie "Noah"), they bashed CAIR for its objections to a movie which, CAIR felt, stereotyped Islamic culture in a denigrating way. Underscoring, once again, why Fox News is seen as an "echo chamber" for America's Islamphobic network, this morning's Fox & Friends promoted the newest "outrage" in the world of anti-Islamic hate. Elisabeth Hasselbeck informed her audience that CAIR hates American soldiers. It's not true - but then this is Fox & Friends.
Hasselbeck wasted no time in bashing CAIR: "The Council on American Islamic Relations, or CAIR, claims to be a pro-American group fighting for Muslims rights. But how is this pro-American?" She read (her usually monotone voice getting louder) and showed a tweet from a CAIR official: "Struggle with Memorial Day each year. How does one balance being pretty staunchly anti-war while honoring those who died in the military." She added "that's on Memorial Day, she tweeted that." Obviously this is a legitimate question that I have even asked myself during our occupation of Iraq based on the lies of the Bush administration. But not so for Fox News. The chyron framed the Fox propaganda message: "Memorial Day Disgrace, CAIR Asks Do US Troops Merit Honor?"
She introduced her guest who just happens to be a "national security analyst" for the Clarion Project, an anti-Islam group behind the above cited movie to which CAIR objected. In other words he's part of the paranoid fringe, so beloved by Fox, that sees creeping Sharia everywhere. During his March Fox appearance, he fomented fear of Muslim military chaplains. As far as I know, he hasn't served in the military; but one of his past jobs was with a Christian group fighting the gay agenda! But he does read Newshounds and has accused, in an article in the anti-Islamic "Front Page Mag," your humble correspondent of being - wait for it - a "Fox Hater Carrying Water for CAIR." (Oh, nooooo) Hasselbeck noted that Mauro says that the tweet is just typical CAIR "deception" and "secret strategy." (Oh, noooo)
Hasselbeck said it was "hard to even read that tweet on a day that is so meaningful for those who sacrificed their lives." A smirking Mauro responded that the tweet was "incredibly offensive" to both Muslims and non-Muslims in the military. He referenced other supposed bad CAIR tweets cited in his Clarion project article about this faux outrage. The Cavuto marked chyron kept hate alive: "Disrespecting the Troops, CAIR's Curious Memorial Day Tweets." He noted that some of the tweets described the troops as having killed Muslims and being occupiers - both of which are true! He claimed that millions of Muslims are able to vote because of American soldiers who are also responsible for Afghan girls going to school. Just in case you didn't know who to send death threats to, the tweeter's name and picture were shown.
Mauro continued to bray about the evil and unpatriotic tweets. Sounding very sincere, Hasselbeck said that, according to Mauro, "even Muslims don't identify with statements like this." She added that CAIR "is seen as this moderate agency." Mauro cited a Gallup poll which showed that most Muslims don't see CAIR as representing them. (Mauro didn't mention that the same poll showed that Muslims, more than other religions, "say that violent attacks by militaries on civilians were never justified (78 percent)." Not surprisingly, Mauro worked in the requisite anti-Islamic/Fox News agitprop that CAIR is linked to the Islamic Brotherhood. He whined that CAIR is treated as the voice for the American Islamic community.
On cue, Hasselbeck whined about how CAIR should be firing these employees rather than "giving it a nod." Mauro whined about how CAIR endorses the - wait for it - Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, and other scary Muslim groups while nobody gets reprimanded or fired. He claimed that FBI wiretaps prove that CAIR uses "deception in order to influence the media and public perception of their cause."
Remind me of who is using "deception" to influence "public perception?"
And Memo To Mauro - Thanks for reading Newshounds.
“when in reality there are sick demented twisted people out there who make up majority groups of most if not all organised religious groups starting with Christianity.
Joseph is right in pointing out that the GOP has never walked the talk on basic human rights. Lots of fine words but nothing, zilch, nada when it comes to actually doing something that’s not motivated by greed … all in the name of christianity (small “s” intentional).
“Islam is a religion of conquest……Joseph you are the same kind of bleeding heart liberal who thinks that all the world can be peaceful and fun and games when in reality there are sick demented twisted people out there who make up majority groups of Islam. If you think they are small portions of bad apples wake up and smell the coffee. It’s better than being a gullible liberal dimwit.”
Hey Arthur — if you’re THAT concerned about the “sick demented twisted people out there who make up majority groups of Islam” may I suggest the following:
WHY DON’T YOU OR YOUR MILITARY AGED LOVED ONES ENLIST??
I’m sure the line at your local armed forces recruiting center is not long. You wouldn’t happen to be another loudmouthed rightwing “Five Deferment Dick” Cheney-like PFC (Privileged Fascist Chickenhawk) who always expects those not as fortunate as you to fight and die in wars, would you?
And in 1991, after liberating Kuwait, the US insisted that Kuwait enact a wide range of women’s rights but, when the Kuwaitis never got around to it, the GOP-controlled Congress saw no reason to tie foreign aid to Kuwait with progress on human rights.
Furthermore, when have right-wingers cared anything about “basic human rights?” For crying out loud, they don’t even agree to “basic human rights” in THIS country. The GOP voted AGAINST the Lily Ledbetter Act (guaranteeing women—mostly—a right to sue over pay discrimination REGARDLESS of how long it takes to discover the inequality). The GOP have done their damnedest to gut affirmative action programs designed to level the playing field. The GOP have refused to support ENDA (which would protect LGBT workers from losing their jobs solely because they’re LGBT).
(Edited by moderator. Please do not engage in personal attacks.)