In keeping with a "Seinfeld" character's famous phrase that "it's not a lie if you believe it," Fox & Friends continues to pimp the lie that the student "rally," to protest the removal of Lee Greenwood's ode to red state patriotism, was organized by parents and students when, in reality, it was a press appearance by a GOP candidate for the US Senate. This morning, Fox & Friends doubled down on this myth in a segment during which they interviewed US Rep. Bob Turner who showed up at the school in order to get some free PR and show his - uh - patriotism by singing Greenwood's song with kids who were dragooned into it by Turner's aides. And in addition to advancing this myth, Turner got to promote his conspiracy theory by suggesting NY Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was behind some "rally" heckling. So it seems that Fox & Friends is once again (think "war on Christmas") creating an alternate reality which is seems to be the favorite destination spot for today's patriotic, Christian right for whom Fox provides a mouthpiece.
Kilmeade, with Steve Doocy at his side, launched the lie immediately in typical less than forthright and incendiary Fox & Friends propaganda style: "Hey when a principal refused to let them sing, "God Bless the USA" parents and students from Brooklyn New York refused to stay silent. They organized a rally right outside the school but they weren't alone." Kilmeade didn't mention the reasons that the principal gave for her decision. After reporting that a heckler showed up, he showed video of the heckler. Kilmeade didn't say anything about the parents who also showed up to support the principal. Doocy tossed to Rep. Bob Turner who "was there that day." Doocy didn't explain that Turner was there for a press event - he just didn't happen to show up. Not only were his aides present but they handed out copies of Lee Greenwood's book which had been donated to another GOP congressional rep, Michael Grimm.
Doocy said that he understood that Turner was "invited" to the event at a nearby park as "a demonstration against the school that wouldn't allow them to sing that song." He wanted to know when the hecklers showed up. Turner claimed that the hecklers showed up during the singing and that they were "tracked" by Gillibrand aides. Doocy asked if Turner was "suggesting" that Gillibrand's campaign was responsible for the heckling. Turner said that would be "tough to prove in a court of law" and asked who "were these guys." Kilmeade noted that the children must have been traumatized by the heckler who said that they would "burn in hell." (Kind of thing yelled by "pro-lifers" in front of abortion clinics all the time!) Turner said it was "poor form."
Doocy did note that the Gillibrand campaign vehemently denies any involvement. Turner said that her "tracker" should be spoken to. Turner then whined about how Bob Beckel "called me a jerk on national television." (I can think of stronger language!) He added that Rush Limbaugh defended him. (Now there's some crediblity.) When he said "pretty big deal," Kilmeade said that Limbaugh is a big Turner fan. Doocy added that the school declined Fox's request for a comment.
So rather than focusing on how Mr. Turner used a bunch of school kids in order to grab some free PR and promote his political agenda (which he's getting from Fox "News"), the discussion was all about a local man who might have some mental health issues. Nice use of the propaganda tool of distract and divert. Good thing Fox & Friends is an "opinion" show because it certainly isn't "fair & balanced."
Video available at Mediaite.
