Bill O'Reilly's bizarre thought process is vividly displayed in his contention that because Christmas is a federal holiday, governmental agencies are obligated to promote the Christian aspect of the day which, Bill O'Reilly notwithstanding, is a secular holiday that, Bill O'Reilly notwithstanding, did not become a major American holiday until the 19th century. Any attempts, by schools or other agencies of government, to exclude Jesus from holiday celebrations are seem as outright heresy by America's culture war inquisitor-in-chief. Last night, O'Reilly, assisted by Megyn Kelly, aimed his merry Christmas vitriol towards a New Jersey school district which is not performing religious songs at winter concerts. And in addition to attacking the school superintendent, O'Reilly issued a thinly veiled threat to make her life miserable. When it comes to Christmas, Bill O'Reilly just embodies the spirit of peace and joy!
Pope Bill began the discussion by shouting about "another crazy school district, we just got through Wisconsin, didn't we solve this?" Kelly validated Bill with "I think we did some good in Wisconsin." Bill said "we we did" and claimed that "they had to fold and let the kids sing the Christmas carols." Kelly grinned as she said "we're good."
Bill, once again, is engaging in false hubris and misinforming his viewers as he did when he declared victory over the town of Great Barrington MA's alleged Christmas transgressions. The situation that he and Kelly referred to involved a Wisconsin school district which, after threats of lawsuits, required a balance of secular and religious songs sung by the school's choir. There was a dispute over whether the district imposed an actual ratio of secular to religious. While the issue was being discussed, with public input, the choir director cancelled rehearsals but the choir has resumed practicing the original mix of songs. But, contrary to O'Reilly and Kelly, the school didn't "fold" because, according to the school superintendent, "we're in the middle of the process and no final decisions have been made, did this erupt into the fireball that it did." Obviously Kelly and O'Reilly didn't do their homework or they were intentionally trying to mislead.
Kelly then reported that a New Jersey school district has banned Christmas Carols because some "apparently a couple of parents suggested that we don't want to hear Christmas carols at the winter concert." O'Reilly asked if Kelly had the names of those who complained so, presumably, his hateful fans could harass them. (Was he assuming that these folks were Jewish?) When she said no, he whined, "c'mon." Kelly sarcastically described how the school's lawyers said that "religion should not be a part of the program." O'Reilly described the lawyers as "pinheads" and declared that the right wing Christian advocacy group (and Fox fave) "Alliance Defending Freedom" were the heroes because they are challenging the school district. Kelly, clearly supporting the religious music, summed up the Alliance's letter to the district with more sarcasm directed towards the school: "really, no Christmas carols at the winter concert, what are we going to sing about, the snowflakes over and over and over?"
After Kelly explained the legalities of these types of cases, Bill repeated his lie with his claim that Wisconsin rescinded their decision. When Kelly said that the NJ school hasn't backed down because (more sarcasm) "they might offend somebody," Bill interjected "go to private school." (How bout those who want Jesus songs, go to Christian schools?) They then segued into a deliberate personal attack on the school superintendent whose name was repeated so that the "folks" can harass her. Kelly's voice was dripping with sarcasm as she read the superintendent's statement about diversity. Kelly added "as long as that diversity doesn't include anybody who is Christian."
Bill added - wait for it - his trademark comment about Christmas being a federal holiday which has nothing to do with the issue. He added "this is why we have the season." Bill accused the superintendent of being a pinhead and said that if she didn't like Christmas, she should try to get the holiday rescinded. Bill and Megyn laughed as Dr. Bauer's picture was put on the screen. Bill ordered Dr. Bauer ("hey you") "If you don't like it, stop taking it out on the kids." He, again, referenced the federal holiday. As he did with the Wisconsin case, America's daddy threatened to go to NJ and bring his "friends with him, lots of friends." Kelly reinforced the Wisconsin lie when she joked that after O'Reilly's last threat, the school "completely reversed their decision."
So Bill O'Reilly says screw you Jews and others who don't want to listen to Christian Christmas carols. It's Christmas, dammit and you'll celebrate it and like it!!! Seriously, I thought Christmas was supposed to be about harmony. Leave it O'Reilly to use it as a wedge issue with which to sow hatred.
As Donna might ask-Why is O’Reilly, and the right-wing, trying to take the President out of Presidents Day???
Actually, when Pres. Bush, a Republican, was in office, O’Reilly started his attacks on those who criticized Bush approximately 12 months prior to the Holiday!
Donna, I don’t think you really want to hitch your wagon to a douchebag like O’Reilly, do you?
I can’t even pretend to respect a so-called religion that honestly thinks every facet of religion, from where someone can build a church, to what holidays we’re allowed to observe… must go through them.
And the last straw for me is this BS that, despite all nine of the world’s largest religions having a major Holiday in December, we’re supposed to act like the Christian holiday is the only one. Guess how many fingers I have up for that.
Priscilla, I’m not seeing why this has to be “or.” Perhaps it could be better worded as “Obviously Kelly and O’Reilly didn’t do their homework SINCE they were intentionally trying to mislead.” (And I’m not so sure that “trying to” should be there either.)
So, Billy sticks his splotchy nose into the business of a school district. Unless his daughter attends school in New Jersey, it’s none of his business.
Billy complains about government telling the masses what to do, yet, Mr. Spotchy does the exact same thing from the comfort of the News Corporation studio.
If this school district, or the superintendent receives death threats as a result of Billy and this fraudulent “news” outlet, we recommend seeking legal advice.
Last time Billy went after someone he was murdered by a nut. Remember Dr. Tiller?
NOTE TO NEW JERSEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
If they come to harass you on school property have them arrested for trespassing, and charge them for harassment of school officials. You have students to protect. They are NOT authorized to film on school grounds unless given permission by officials at the school.