The quote, When fascism comes to America, it will come wrapped in the flag and waving a cross,” could describe one of the most popular themes on Fox & Friends, a morning propaganda show that never wastes an opportunity to denigrate those evil Jesus haters who oppose this Christian symbol being placed on government land other than a cemetery. Fox & Friends has done many segments regarding cross disputes and in each and every one, only one side, the Christian side is represented. As Roger Ailes is very concerned about evil secularists who are "threatening to cut America off from its Judeo-Christian roots," it isn't surprising that this meme is a consistent feature on the "morning happy-talk show that Ailes uses as one of his primary vehicles to inject his venom into the media bloodstream." It also plays to the popular meme of Christian victimization which,as Jon Stewart says, is the "true genius of Fox News." This morning's Fox & Friends revolved around whether a court decision, which ruled that the placement of a Christian cross on public land is unconstitutional, is "another example of the war on religious freedom." Funny, the issue of religious freedom was never invoked when Fox "News" was aiding all those who opposed the so called "Ground Zero Mosque."
Clayton Morris introduced his guest, Hiram Sasser, of the Christian right Liberty Institute. Sasser is no stranger to Fox & Friends. He has discussed how dreadful it was that the Veterans Administration was trying to stop the nice Christian ladies who shove prayer cards into the hands of mourners at military funerals. He defended bible verses on military rifles. In May of 2010 he told Gretchen Carlson that thieves stole a Memorial Cross, from a vets cemetery, because they hate Jesus. He talked about the horror of good Christian Texas Christian kids who were stopped from bringing in Jesus themed holiday gifts. Today he was back to whine about the 9th Circuit court decision regarding the "Soledad Cross" whose cause has been supported by Fox & Friends. The case will now be heard by the Supreme Court and Fox News is there to rally this audience 'round the cross.
Morris set up the Fox propaganda, in support of the cross, with the comment that the cross "had been around for years" and "become a historic landmark." Sasser continued with the pro-cross talking points about how it "stood for half a century." Sasser said he was hopeful that the Supreme Court will rule in favor of the cross. Morris referenced the Liberty Institute's campaign to "rescue" this and other crosses. Sasser expressed dismay that "these culture wars have spilled over now to attack these veterans memorials..." As he spoke, a graphic of his website was shown. Rather than address the actual legal issues, he talked about the heroics of the veterans who "laid down their lives" to "defend our freedom" in the Korean War. He asserted that "because these memorials contain religious imagery is no reason to discriminate..." The chyron provided the name ofLiberty's campaign: "'Don't Tear Me Down," Campaign Dedicated to Saving Cross." Sasser provided the website addresss.
To Morris' question of whether the Obama administration could assist, Sasser said that "they hold all the cards" and could file an appeal. Morris replied that "the ball is really in Obama's court" Sasser said that government intervention would greatly assist their cause. (So if the DOJ doesn't take it and the SCOTUS rules against it, that secret Muslim president will at fault.) Sasser hopes that the president "will do the right thing." Morris referred the audience to the "Don't Tear Me Down" website where they can sign a petition and donate to the cause.
As usual, the facts became obscured by the propaganda. The case has been in litigation since 1989 due to the placement of the cross on government property. Despite Sasser's claim that it's all about honoring veterans, Christian Easter services are performed at the foot of the cross. The legal action has been extensive and complex but bottom line is that the 9th circuit has ruled it unconstitutional because "Overall, a reasonable observer viewing the Memorial would be confronted with an initial dedication for religious purposes, its long history of religious use, widespread public recognition of the Cross as a Christian symbol, and the history of religious discrimination in La Jolla." Fox & Friends are hardly subtle in their disagreement with the decision involving yet another "old rugged cross" that Fox & Friends in constantly carrying.
Also, TRUE Judeo-Christian values (emphasis on the “Christian” part) don’t feel a need to impose anything on anyone. A REAL Christian seeks willing converts—people who truly WANT to accept Christian doctrines and values. It’s Christians who either are weak in their own faith or have no true faith that want to impose their beliefs on others who feel Christianity is not for them.
(As an aside, it’s worth noting that crucifixion was a capital punishment doled out to thousands of criminals during the Roman era; in fact, as the tale goes, Spartacus and his band of rebel slaves were crucified—nearly a full century before Jesus’s slightly more famous crucifixion. And doesn’t the very use of a cross as a symbol of worshipping Jesus seem just the least bit creepy? Then again, the Communion ceremony—with its cannibalism overtones—is a bit creepy when you think about it.)
