Fox News never wastes an opportunity to accuse the African-American community of playing the victim with bogus complaints about discrimination. Yet, Fox News provides a platform for countless Christians who are making bogus complaints about how badly they are being treated. Last week, one of Fox's stable of bubble-headed bleached blondes giving us "dirty laundry" on America Live (offical news program), Shannon Bream, hosted a discussion about the silliness of complaints, against an Arizona school, over "Redneck Day," an event which included a student sporting a Confederate flag cape. Concerns about the whole affair have prompted a federal investigation which Bream, and her right wing guest, Mike Gallagher (he who wants Muslims profiled) think is a waste of taxpayer money which should be spent on getting to the bottom of -drum roll please - Benghazi!!!!!
Bream happily reported on how the show "Duck Dynasty" inspired an Arizona high school to sponsor a "redneck day" which, as happily explained by Bream, was part of their prom festivities. Her voice accented in a humorous manner, she added "now that district is in hot water." She explained that the Dept. of Education has launched an investigation because of questions regarding possible civil rights violations which "created a racially hostile environment after one student showed up wearing a Confederate flag. (Actually, the Confederate flag cape was just one aspect of concerns articulated by several African-American clergy members and parents who felt that the celebration of "redneck" culture was offensive because blacks are not part of that culture.) She then discussed the issue with Alan Colmes and right wing radio host Mike Gallagher.
The group chuckled over the speculation that Colmes is not a fan of "Duck Dynasty." Bream then noted that even though the student took off the cape, "the feds are investigating." When Colmes said that it's the Department of Education's responsibility to investigate these complaints, Bream whined "but this is use of taxpayer money and time" (That those who filed the complaint are taxpayers, too seemed lost to Bream). When Colmes asked if there should be recourse if somebody feels that they are being discriminated against, Gallagher shouted "no" and snarked that there should be an investigation because he feels offended that there is an investigation." (So there, "that proves it!") He said he's waiting for a time when Americans say "enough is enough" and that he's still waiting for an investigation into - wait for it - Benghazi. When Colmes said it isn't a scandal, Bream interjected "four dead Americans."
Getting back on topic, Gallagher laughed when he said that "there's an investigation because a kid wears a Confederate flag." Obviously, this would have been the time for Bream to mention the bigger story but the agitprop was more important. Despite the fact that the investigation will be done by the Dept. of Education, Gallagher didn't want to waste an opportunity to diss the Attorney General (and play the Fox "scary black man" thing) with his question "How, bout the Black Panthers, Alan." (How bout it Mike, there was nothing criminal about it) Gallagher claimed that "there's a lack of priorities" with regard to investigations. Gallagher claimed that "there's a lack of priorities."
Back on topic, Bream then did admit that "at least one person" complained about the school event. After she cited how the principal said that "no offense was intended," she whined, "where do you draw the line. To Gallagher's question of what the resolution should be, Bream added "that's the question." Gallagher asked if the kid should be jailed or the school fined. When Colmes suggested a course in racial sensitivity, Gallagher laughed and "joked" that those who are upset should be forced to watch "Duck Dynasty" because "they will fall in love with." Bream repeated "they will fall in love with it."
The discussion then went back to Benghazi because, as Bream repeated, "there are four dead Americans." Gallagher repeated that the Obama administration "lacks priorities." He lied when he did the requisite Fox talking point about "how one person was offended because a kid unwittingly wore a Confederate flag." (There were, as mentioned, several.) Bream then lied about the LA case involving termination of funds for a religiously based youth group as an example of how "people think, is that what we have the time and money to be doing, going after these kids." (The district didn't request a renewal of the grant), Gallagher said that it's a "total overreach." There was one more mention of
Benghazi
Every time a Christian is offended, Fox takes their concerns very seriously. But Confederate flag on school sponsored "Redneck Day." No big whoop. Fox News, Fair & Balanced & Racist?
BTW, how do you think Bream and Gallagher would react to a kid sporting a Hezbollah flag at a public school event?
Probably with the same freaked-out reaction they get whenever a Mexican flag appears at a largely Hispanic school.