News Hounds

Mike Huckabee’s Flag Fetish

Here’s a quick quiz for you: Which of the definitions below best matches the intended role and function of the American flag?

(1) something that stands for or suggests something else by reason of relationship, association, or convention; a visible sign of something invisible.
(2 an object having cultural significance and the capacity to excite or objectify a response.
(3) a material object which should be considered sacred in its own right
(4) an object worthy of devotion, intense reverence, and ritualistic veneration

(1) and (2) describe a symbol, and if you chose one of these definitions you are correct. (3) and (4) describe a fetish, and if you chose one of these, you’re Mike Huckabee. With video.
Updated with second video.

“Patriotic” Beck Says Progressives Were Once Called “Tyrants” And “Slave Owners”

Glenn Beck ratcheted up his hate mongering a notch yesterday (10/20/09) to include all progressives, an expansion upon his usual targets, the members of the Obama administration. And instead of the usual cries of “socialism!” Beck added a few new (to me, anyway) smears: According to Beck, progressives would have been seen by Samuel Adams, Beck’s witch hunt prop-of-the-day, as “Tyrants” and “Slave Owners.” But the essence was the same old Beck McCarthyism: Progressives (just like Obama and his administration) are anti-American. With video.

Glenn Beck Disguises His Witch Hunt Against Robert McChesney and Free Press As A Crusade For Free Speech

Right wing media personalities seem to have a propensity for playing the victim at the same time that they engage in aggressive hostility, themselves. Just as Sean Hannity whined about being attacked while pursuing an overt campaign to get Obama advisor Kevin Jennings fired, so did Glenn Beck pose as a crusader for free speech while using the words of his latest targets as weapons in his own most recent witch hunt. Last night’s (10/7/09) subjects: Robert McChesney and Free Press, plus a dollop of attacks on another fave target, Mark Lloyd. With video.

O'Reilly's First Amendment Rights List: Ms. California – Yes! Janeane Garofalo – Denied?

Guest blogged by Julie

On the May 11, 2009 O'Reilly Factor, Bill O'Reilly said, “My newspaper column this week is about the incredibly hypocritical ACLU not sticking up for Miss California's freedom of speech . . . .” (See my recent post here) Remember that, folks: O'Reilly is all about everybody's First Amendment rights. With video.

O'Reilly Slams Gays and Feminists for Failing to Defend Miss California

Guest blogged by Julie

Beginning this segment on tonight's (5/11/09) O'Reilly Factor, O'Reilly began by talking about the “incredibly hypocritical ACLU not sticking up for Miss California's freedom of speech. It's unbelievable!” So suddenly O'Reilly's a fan of the ACLU, the same group he recently referred to as “terror allies?” But now he wants the ACLU in his corner? Well, here's a little news flash, Bill – the ACLU has already protected and defended Carrie Prejean through its staunch championing of the good old First Amendment. See, what people are protected from is the GOVERNMENT infringing on their speech. They're not, however, protected from the mighty roar of the populace when that particular speech – such as Prejean's – is deemed to be offensive. And stupid. And when she says that Americans can choose “same sex” or “opposite” marriage. Or talks about “my country” as though California is a country. And when the implant rumors circulate and then the topless pictures surface and she's laughed at and made fun of. With video.