As the defender of the Christian (conservative that is, none of that gay accepting liberal Protestant apostasy) faith, Fox News has no qualms about attacking those who dare to push back against those who don't believe in the separation of church and state. Meanwhile, the revere any group that supports the First Amendment rights of Christians. In smearing "atheist" groups who oppose what they believe are unconstitutional Christian incursions into the public square, Fox is able to promote their popular godless atheists are destroying this "Christian nation" meme. Along with the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the Military Religious Freedom Foundation and its head, Mikey Weinstein are targets of Fox's righteous Christian wrath. Last Friday, Megyn Kelly did a hit piece on Weinstein over his group's objection to uniformed military at National Day of Prayer ceremonies. Saturday, Fox & Friends picked up the ball and ran with it. 

The piece was part of the patented Fox & Friends "Fight for Faith" series. Fox friend, Roger Ailes' consigliore, litigator for the NY Catholic archdiocese and, ta, da, Catholic Knight of Malta Peter Johnson Jr. described, while images of praying people were shown, the awesome National Day of Prayer which, did ya know, has been recognized by every president since Truman. He reported that "an atheist group"  (It's a First Amendment group that takes cases on behalf of non-Christians and non-evangelical Christians who feel that their right are being violated.) has "demanded that the military retreat from taking part in that ceremony, the same military that fights for religious freedom across the globe." (Oh, noooo) He introduced his guest - no, not Mikey Weinstein - who is also vice-chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force so you know it's going to be "fair & balanced," right?

Johnson repeated that an organization is objecting to military participation in the event; but this time he added Weinstein's name. He asked John Bornschein what he thought about "Weinstein's complaint to Chuck Hagel." As did Day of Prayer organizers, Dr. and Mrs. Pat Dobson, on Megyn Kelly's show, Bornschein was effusive in his praise of the Day of Prayer which "is an American tradition" despite its present incarnation only going back to the early 1950's. The chyron invoked classic Fox battle imagery: "Prayer Day Attack, Atheist Group Demands Military Boycott Event."  He complained that Weinstein constantly complains about the event. The chyron's editorial comment: "Prayer Day Patriots, Military Stands Up to Atheist Group."

Johnson read part of Weinstein's statement to Def Sec Chuck Hagel in which Weinstein asserted that military participation in the prayer day violates DoD regs. Johnson asked if the military is "going to fold" - a silly question given that the answer, articulated by Kelly, is clearly no. Bornschein claimed that the arrangements are coordinated by members of congress; but, as Chris Rodda points out, "would any reasonable observer of an event that is emceed by the head of the NDP Task Force and at which the walls are plastered with the logos and signage of the NDP Task Force not think that this is an NDP Task Force even." He stressed that the event is important because the military "needs prayer" as the chyron doubled down on the agitprop: "Atheists in Uproar, Again, Army Plans to Support National Day of Prayer." Johnson thanked Bornschein for his "involvement" in the prayer day and solemnly intoned "we need prayer."

While Johnson says that we need prayer, what we really need is responsible, non-biased journalism which is clearly not part of Fox & Friends modus operandi. What we don't need is Fox bullshit. And seriously, folks, remind me who is really in an uproar!