With all the focus on Cliven Bundy's shocking comments "just wondering" if African Americans were better off under slavery, this seems a good time to remind people that Bundy is not the first or even the second slavery apologist Hannity has found as a kindred spirit. Hannity's pal, Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson has said, "Thank God for slavery" and likened slave ships to flying coach in an airplane: "It’s a tough ride. But you’re happy when you get to your desitination." Hannity also repeatedly welcomed white supremacist Hal Turner on the radio who said "black people would still be swinging on trees in Africa," were it not for slavery.

In case the names don't ring a bell, Peterson is a conservative African American pastor who has repeatedly been a guest on Hannity's shows. Peterson has made such anti-black statements on the air as, "Most blacks, not all but most in Tennessee, especially in the Memphis, Tennessee area, are still living in the 50’s and 60’s. They are so racist that they don’t even realize that white Americans have moved on." Not only did Hannity not challenge that remark, he refused to allow his other guest to do so.

Peterson has or had his own radio show. In a video uploaded to YouTube in 2008, Peterson said:

“I’ve often said that, ‘Thank God for slavery,’ because, you know, had not, then the blacks over here would have been stuck in Africa… Everybody and their Mama are trying to get out of Africa and come to America and so God has a way of looking out for folks and He made it possible by way of slavery to get black folks into this country.

…I thank God that He saw fit for me to get here. Never mind that, you know, (my ancestors) were sold… by Arabs and blacks to white folks… The ride over was pretty tough but you know, it’s like riding on a crowded airplane when you’re not in First Class. It’s a tough ride. But you’re happy when you get to your desitination… I thank God that he got me here and to show my appreciation to the blacks who suffered as the result of coming here, and Arabs and blacks who sold us to the white man, the white man for going there and getting us and bringing us here, I want to say, ‘Thanks.’”

Media Matters has a clip of Hannity (below) condemning Bundy's remarks. But Hannity is still listed as a member of the advisory board of Peterson's non-profit.

In 2005, The Nation wrote about Hannity's "Soul-Mate of Hate," Hal Turner:

During an August 1998 episode of (Hannity's radio) show,Turner reminded Hannity that were it not for the graciousness of the white man, "black people would still be swinging on trees in Africa," according to Daryle Jenkins, co-founder of the New Jersey-based antiracism group One People's Project. Instead of rebuking Turner or cutting him off, Hannity continued to welcome his calls. On December 10 of the following year, Turner called Hannity's show to announce his campaign to run for a seat in the US House of Representatives from New Jersey, and to attack his presumptive opponent, Democratic Representative Robert Menendez, as a "left-wing nut."

By this time, according to Jenkins, Turner and Hannity had bonded off-air. In 1998 Hannity received an anonymous e-mail linking to an AOL discussion board on which Turner had allegedly confessed to a cocaine problem and alluded to past homosexual trysts. Turner (or someone claiming to be Turner) wrote in an August 4, 1998, Google discussion forum that Hannity called him to clear the air: "Just last week, Sean phoned me at home from his job at FOX News to continue a conversation we'd begun earlier while he was at WABC," Turner wrote. "Sean advised that one of you sensitive souls sent him an e-mail about 'revelations I had made' here on the internet. He told me it was obviously and [sic] attempt to 'poison the water.' " Turner continued, "I told him that I've done things I'm not proud of, and had dark times in my life; and those experiences helped shape the way I live today...the right way. He [Hannity] laughed and commented that he knew the feeling." Turner added that such chats with Hannity were "not unusual," often occurring while Hannity held his calls during commercial breaks.

The length and extent of Hannity's relationship with Turner (which Hannity seems to have cut off at some point)  is in dispute. But one thing is clear, Turner is a vicious racist who repeatedly called into Hannity's show. Turner was also later convicted and served time in prison for threatening federal judges.

Hannity also has quite a history of tolerating - if not outright encouraging - racebaiting on his Fox News show.

So while I'm glad to see Hannity call Bundy's racial comments "beyond repugnant" (despite days of cheerleading Bundy's hatred for the federal government and the rule of law), let's not forget he has a record showing otherwise.