Words matter and Bill O'Reilly's words about how David Corn deserves to be in a "kill zone" have those at Mother Jones concerned for Corn's safety. And well they should be, given the death threats that follow Bill's occasional fatwas.
In speaking with TV Newser, regarding Corn's Mother Jones article about O'Reilly's journalistic "inconsistencies," O'Reilly claimed that he was being "defamed" because "everything I said is true." He continued to defend himself: "I’ve talked to about eight or nine reporters, and when they verify what I’m saying, because it’s easily verifiable, then I expect David Corn to be in the kill zone. Where he deserves to be. CBS News has the footage to this day. Everything I said about my reportorial career. Everything is accurate."
While the "kill zone" thing might just be an O'Reilly metaphor, it has the folks at Mother Jones very concerned that some of Bill's followers could take it seriously. As such, they have sent a letter to Fox expressing their concerns and requesting that O'Reilly apologize for the remark.
"... We are writing with alarm about Bill O’Reilly’s response to our report investigating his characterizations of his reporting in “war zones.” We welcome criticism, but calling for our reporter “to be in the kill zone” crosses a line. Like everyone in media today, we are concerned about the safety of our staff. We’d have hoped that statements with this kind of violent tone would not come from a fellow media professional..."
In attacking Dr. George Tiller as a "killer," Bill O'Reilly contributed to a climate of hatred in which the doctor was assassinated. O'Reilly never apologized to Tiller's widow and odds are that he won't apologize for his comment about Corn.
Words matter.
Well MoJo, that’s where you went wrong: mistaking BillO for a “media professional” . . .
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These Fox “News” Workplace Bullies have extreme low-self esteem. They get offended very easily, and can’t take criticism very well.
The egomaniac unsurprisingly has gone on the offensive name calling Mother Jones as a bottom feeder and Corn a far left hater. Even if his critics are scum of the earth types, for O’Reilly to make his stereotypical liberal liar accusation stick he needs to address the questions which unsurprisingly he hasn’t including tonight’s sideshow of a taking points memo dedicated to the topic even as it dodged all the germane points.
O’Reilly is relying on the partisanship of his rabid fan base to circle their wagons around their hero, America’s lovable daddy. Based upon a handful of conservative reactions I’ve witnessed (not including paid sycophants Geraldo and Bernie Goldberg on his show tonight) it’s working. Suspension of disbelief is a low bar with Factor fanboys.
