To Sean Hannity, the unimaginably brutal execution of Jordanian pilot Muadh al-Kasasbeh – burned to death by ISIS – was all because of President Obama’s semantics. Or at least that’s what Hannity argued last night.
Hannity used to insist that criticizing our president during a time of war emboldened our enemies and undermined our troops. If he believes his own rhetoric, Hannity was doing a whole lot of emboldening and undermining last night.
But Hannity’s anti-Obama hysteria may have come to a head during his interview with Democrat Bill Richardson, a former ambassador to the U.N.
Richardson tried to tell Hannity that ISIS had made a “major miscalculation” in burning al-Kasasbeh to death because, “They’ve turned Jordan into a huge tiger.”
However, Hannity was so obsessed with using the tragedy to smear Obama, he could not have cared less about what the repercussions of the execution might be.
Richardson told Hannity, “What they have done with this execution of this young pilot is they have enraged the tribes in the surrounding area, the religious imams because the Jordanian, the Hashemite kingdom, is related to the prophet Mohammed. And what I think is gonna happen with Jordan is a huge, huge military effort. They’re gonna need more F16s…"
Hannity interrupted to make it about Obama and those magic words that Fox wants us to think keep us safe. “Governor, the president won’t even admit that the Islamic state is Islamic. He won’t say the words ‘radical Islam,’” Hannity complained. “Don’t you think this president needs to finally step up and recognize the simple truth that radical Islam is an enemy of western civilization and the United States? Doesn’t he need to say those words?”
“Well, I think we need more than words,” Richardson said.
“Say it! That’s a good start!” Hannity insisted.
Richardson continued to explain what he thinks should be done to combat ISIS.
RICHARDSON: We need a U.S.-led effort, a coalition effort. There’s over 60 countries. This is going to explode into more countries. Those countries like Jordan, like Saudi Arabia, like Turkey. I think you’re gonna get motivated now. Muslims have been killed. This hasn’t happened before in such a brutal fashion. I think you’re going to see a new dynamic. And the United States, I believe, is leading. There’s over 60 countries that are part of this coalition.
Richardson kept speaking calmly as Hannity continued to rant against Obama. Finally, Hannity acknowledged that he agreed with Richardson on some of his proposals. But he was still all about those magical words!
HANNITY: But the president needs to lead. He’s sat back and allowed this to happen because he’s afraid to say “radical Islamic terrorism.” …He seems paralyzed by Islam and radical Islamists. Afraid to say it!”
As he ended the discussion Hannity got in one more dig that he’d surely spend months attacking any Democrat who said such a thing about a Republican president: “It’s sad when the king of Jordan and the general running Egypt, al-Sisi, seem more courageous than our president. That’s not good,” Hannity said. This from the guy who chickened out of a promise to undergo waterboarding for charity, which he called "dunking."
Hannity closed the segment before Richardson could reply.
But Hannity might be slipping. He seems to have forgotten all about Benghazi!
Watch it below, from last night’s Hannity.
Jane S, I’m not a huge Richardson fan either but I think Richardson he usually does a pretty good job on Fox. I think it’s because he seems pretty pushy.
In fact I don’t think you mentioned it at all. You could have at least used the term, lone wolves who had a history of mental disorders. You know, the way white gun loving folks are described when committing these types of violence.
This twisted cafeteria Catholic is vindictive, cold and evil. Hugh’s Omen son finds anything negative that would stick to Obama. That’s his nature.
Hannocchio is not innocent. He’s done things in his life that would never be forgiven, and he knows exactly what he’s done.
This short-tempered, aging man has three fears in life: 1. His hidden secrets become public knowledge 2. Losing his broadcasting career. 3. Merri Jill leaves his sorry azz. He would pass out cold on the floor.
His past habits have fried his brain.
Hex him and vex him; respect him naught.