Eric Alterman and CAP Smear Bill O'Reilly
Last week the "Center for American Progress" published a piece by Eric Alterman and George Zornick: Hatred for Sale. The article posits that certain cable news personalities serve up a "steady diet of fear, anger, and resentment" over the problem of illegal immigration. The unholy trio? Glenn Beck, Lou Dobbs, and Bill O'Reilly.
Alterman spends most of his time on Beck and Dobbs, but O'Reilly gets singled out for misstating a statistic, and for raising the issue of illegal immigrant crime 66 times over the course of the year. The author's riposte to this coverage is to cite a study about crime rates among immigrants--not illegal immigrants, mind you--all immigrants.
But this bit of rhetorical sleight-of-hand is not our main focus. Let's look at another of Alterman's criticisms, in his own words:
Where Dobbs, O’Reilly, and Beck are on even shakier ground, if that’s possible, is when they devolve into a discussion of an imaginary “NAFTA Superhighway”... It’s nuts for sure, but this hasn’t stopped Dobbs, Beck, and O’Reilly from flogging the issue relentlessly.Alterman goes on to cite specifics: Lou Dobbs, Glenn Beck, and... And? That's it. No examples from Mr O'Reilly are cited.
Early on, Alterman credits a report from Media Matters as a primary source for his piece. Perhaps we will find substantiation for this criticism of O'Reilly there. But this is what we find:
Dobbs and Beck have perpetuated two related myths, that there are plans to construct a "NAFTA Superhighway" running from Mexico to Canada, and that there are plans to join Mexico, Canada, and the United States in a "North American Union"They say nothing about Bill O'Reilly advancing either of these theories. In detailing both of these of "urban legends", they give examples from both Beck and Dobbs (including the same one used by Alterman), but O'Reilly's name is never even mentioned!
We didn't leave it at that. We did a search through available transcripts and internet sources for any evidence that O'Reilly has been "flogging" the superhighway story "relentlessly" and found nothing. O'Reilly's own website has an archive of program topics and discussions that goes back for years. No reference to a "superhighway". Even the term "highway" turned up nothing related to the issue at hand.
So where did Mr Alterman come up with the notion that Bill O'Reilly has been flogging this issue "relentlessly"? Why did Alterman add O'Reilly's name to a Media Matters analysis that only dealt with Dobbs and Beck? We asked:
Date: June 5, 2008 2:04:38 PM EDTAfter five days, Mr Alterman has not replied to our email. The wording of his commentary remains unexplained, and unchanged. fox news bor eric cao
To: ealterman@americanprogress.org
I just linked to your article on immigration hate at my website. However, I notice you say this about the NAFTA superhighway hoax:
"It’s nuts, for sure, but this hasn’t stopped Dobbs, Beck, and O’Reilly from flogging the issue relentlessly."
Dobbs and Beck: you are correct. But when did O'Reilly ever even mention it, let alone flog it relentlessly? I may be wrong but I don't recall that EVER being a topic on the tv show, and the only reference I can recall from radio is when it came up once and he dismissed it as a phony issue. I know you want your article to be factually correct, so I would appreciate knowing if in fact O'Reilly has flogged this issue relentlessly, or if that is an error on your part. Thank you so much.
olby sucks
"steady diet of fear, anger, and resentment"
Sounds alot like "Countdown" with Olbyonesidedkanoby to me. Just sayin.'
June 10, 2008, 12:34:46 PM EDT – Like – Reply
On the Mark
It appears to me that Alterman is incorrect to link O'Reilly to the NAFTA highway, but I think his list of of cable news hate-mongerers is correct, even if he omitted Hannity. One of the outcomes of this election might well be an end to the acceptance of fear-mongering, race-baiting, divisiveness and intolerane. I know that is Pollyanna-ish, but it would be lovely.
Perhaps, the vanishing Coultermann hould be included, but her boat may have already sailed into the great sea of viewer fatigue.
As for Cavuto, he might seem to fit into the mix, but he seems to change with the wind, so he is probably innocuous.
June 10, 2008, 1:19:30 PM EDT – Like – Reply
johnny dollar
He's wrong to link the issue to O'Reilly, and he only compounds it and raises suspicions of his honesty by not correcting it.
June 10, 2008, 1:40:39 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Missy
OTM, when have ANY of these people ever engaged in "hate" rhetoric? All any of them have ever done is to PLEAD with our government to enforce EXISTING IMMIGRATION LAWS!!
And whenever any of them do any stories on this, they are clear to delineate between LEGAL and ILLEGAL immigrants. Illegals are the ones who broke our laws to get in to our country, and continue to do so via violent crime. LEGAL immigrants value our nation and its laws, and are likely even MORE law abiding than are native born citizens, as is often pointed out by these three.
Someone owes these guys an apology. If not all three, then O'Reilly for sure, because as J$ pointed out, he has never mentioned the "superhighway" that is falsely attributed to him.
June 10, 2008, 2:24:36 PM EDT – Like – Reply
olby sucks
enforce EXISTING IMMIGRATION LAWS!!
by missy
That's "hating" and "racist," missy. Don't you know anything? Jeez.
June 10, 2008, 2:45:32 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Steve L
Professor of Journalism at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism
He lives in an alternative universe where balance and fairness does not exist.
June 10, 2008, 4:05:45 PM EDT – Like – Reply
The Factor
Lying is what Liberals do. O'Reilly has never mention the NAFTA super highway and it has only been a topic on Becks show a few times. I Don't watch Dobbs. Oh, and how is talking about a NAFTA super highway " Hate for Sale"? Aren't liberals the ones who are running around saying they want to get rid of NAFTA?
June 10, 2008, 4:20:05 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Kevin
"One of the outcomes of this election might well be an end to the acceptance of fear-mongering, race-baiting, divisiveness and intolerane."
Yeah, I can see where electing a guy who attended a racist, America-hating church for 20 years and who surrounds himself with America-haters, racists and domestic terrorists would put an end to the acceptance of fear-mongering, race-baiting, divisiveness and intolerance.
June 10, 2008, 4:26:09 PM EDT – Like – Reply
The Factor
OFF the Mark | 06.10.08 - 1:24 pm
Is clearly one of those humanitarian liberals who like the site of the unwashed masses toiling in sweatshops for slave wages and being raped and robbed at the boarder by coyotes for the common good of course. He must also like the site of criminal illegal immigrant gangs ethnically cleansing African American neighborhoods. The only ones spreading hate and slavery are convicted liars Eric Alterman and George Zornick.
June 10, 2008, 4:39:41 PM EDT – Like – Reply
johnny dollar
OK, enough with the election talk on both sides. This is a cable news site.
June 10, 2008, 4:39:55 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Fox Fan
Excellent point, Kevin.
I went to the article to comment about the lie, but like with many hit pieces, commenting isn't an option.
I'm surprised NH didn't run with this one in their usual Chicken Little Fox-frenzy style.
June 10, 2008, 6:25:43 PM EDT – Like – Reply
John-O
And to think that Olbermann once claimed (in reference to O'Reilly of course) that nothing Media Matters ever put out has failed independent vetting. I have no idea how Olbytard would know that, since they're the ones he depends on for information.
June 10, 2008, 6:56:57 PM EDT – Like – Reply
jv
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June 10, 2008, 8:10:49 PM EDT – Like – Reply
impostor olby sucks
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June 10, 2008, 10:24:37 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Shakezy
I think I am okay with this one. So O'Reilly never said anything about the superhighway, but I don't think that is central to Whatshisface's total argument.
I also think it is worth pointing out that the superhighway stuff that Dobbs has talked about before is indeed demigog crap, and the article rightfully shows that.
June 11, 2008, 12:00:35 AM EDT – Like – Reply
Vince P
I listen to Beck almost every day . He is not obssessed with the highway in Texas. He is very concerned about the military-type violence occuring on the Mexican side of the border, and the instablity it's wrecking all along the border.
What drives him mad is how very little reporting is done on this issue and teh fact that it seems that Bush's behavior give the apperance as if Mexico is given special consideration over american citizens.
And good for Beck. Whoever critizes that is an elitist know-nothing
June 11, 2008, 12:22:45 AM EDT – Like – Reply
On the Mark
If I could ask, Vince, and I am not being confrontational: What is the source of your information about military-type violence along the Texas border? Is it only Beck, or is there other evidence? I ask because the border seems to be rather and relatively tranquil at the moment. The stagflation in the US has tempered immigration a bit, and I am not getting any reports, cable, broadcast or print, about unusual violence. Is that because it is unreported, or because there is none (relatively)? I may be wrong, but I sure want to hang my hat on something other than Beck.
June 11, 2008, 2:40:37 AM EDT – Like – Reply
Vince P
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html
Violent criminal activity fueled by a war between criminal organizations struggling for control of the lucrative narcotics trade continues along the U.S.-Mexico border. Attacks are aimed primarily at members of drug trafficking organizations, Mexican police forces, criminal justice officials, and journalists. However, foreign visitors and residents, including Americans, have been among the victims of homicides and kidnappings in the border region....
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June 11, 2008, 3:12:12 AM EDT – Like – Reply
olby sucks
Vince, don't expect a reply from otm. As soon as she's proven wrong she bounces to another thread or heads over to the dog pound.
June 11, 2008, 3:19:20 AM EDT – Like – Reply
Vince P
Why Are Dems Making Mexico Suffer?
INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY
http://www.investors.com/editorial/editorialcontent.asp?secid=1501&status=article&id=295571449663387
When a neighbor's house is on fire, it makes sense to send water, not argue about building codes. Except to Democrats. As Mexico reels from its drug war, Congress is withholding critical help. It's a lethal logic.
The Merida Initiative, proposed to Congress by President Bush after consultations with Mexico last fall, is a three-year, $1.4 billion program to help Mexico wipe out drug traffickers and terrorists
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June 11, 2008, 3:26:35 AM EDT – Like – Reply
Vince P
olby: That's how the Left is. They put their head in the sand and then criticize the way other people try to deal with problems... and offer no alteratnive solution. Just complain and whine and point fingers.
June 11, 2008, 3:28:43 AM EDT – Like – Reply
On the Mark
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June 11, 2008, 4:25:11 AM EDT – Like – Reply
Vince P
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June 11, 2008, 4:35:16 AM EDT – Like – Reply
Fox Fan
If I could ask, Vince, and I am not being confrontational: What is the source of your information about military-type violence along the Texas border?
On the Mark | 06.11.08 - 2:45 am | #
I have some inside information on this, OTM. I work with police agencies on their servers around the country. A couple of months ago, I was in Mission, TX right on the border at the southernmost tip of the state.
I had fully intended to go to Mexico while I was there, but the police told me that there was a 3 month bulletin for no one to go because of the intense shootings and kidnappings just over the border.
The drug gangs in Mexico are much more powerful than the police, and even the Mexican army is largely in the pocket of them. The gangs pay the police and military much better than the government does, and cops who don't accept bribes die. Every day. Seriously.
Monuments to executed police in Mexico are adorned with death notices to other police who are on the list. Those on the list either leave the force or are killed.
It's a lot worse than our press has let on.
June 11, 2008, 7:07:00 AM EDT – Like – Reply
Vince P
FF: Obviously you and everyoen else have no idea what you're talking about.
Media Matters hasn't reported about it, therefore it's not happening.
June 11, 2008, 7:39:13 AM EDT – Like – Reply
On the Mark
Thanks, FF and Vince. Still, I have the question: Why is this not being reported more widely by reputable sources on the cable news networks? True, it's international news, but, if true, it has a direct impact on the US. Why is this forfeited to the Beck's, Dobb's, Hannity's and O'Reilly's, none of whom are news people/journalists and none of whom are widely respected as credible sources? In fact, they are such hot-heads most people view them as incredible. Don't you find that a bit torubling, on many levels?
June 11, 2008, 10:33:38 AM EDT – Like – Reply
ttc
Mark: The story about Mexican violence has also been occasionally been reported in various missing persons stories on "America's Most Wanted."
June 11, 2008, 11:02:10 AM EDT – Like – Reply
Vince
ttc: I dont think such facts matter to OTM.
His Progressive sources (whose worldview are so obsolete that they look stupid when they go on the attack against people paying attention to border violence... jihad.. etc) only care about the border to the extent that they could demogogue about it.
Everything is a political calculation. If a conservative notices a problem.. then they are automatically in denial about it.
June 11, 2008, 11:36:36 AM EDT – Like – Reply
On the Mark
Thanks, ttc. That cinches it for me.
Just to be clear, Vince, I am not denying there is a problem, and I am not accusing ou of being in denial. There are many conservative sources I find credible, and there are many liberal sources I find incredible. I wish you could cite a conservative source on cable or broadcast news, a Gibson or Hume, or a non-ideological source, a Smith or a Williams, who had reported on that. The absence of such a source makes me believe that this "fact" is far from established. I have to note that I get San Antonio broadcast stations, and even there, this is not a heavily reported topic. Surely, you are not expecting me to give any credence to a Beck, a Dobbs, a Hannity or an O'Reilly. If you are, then I shall disappoint you. My reasons aren't ideological, they simply go to credibility.
June 11, 2008, 11:55:31 AM EDT – Like – Reply
olby sucks
I have to note that I get San Antonio broadcast stations, and even there, this is not a heavily reported topic
by otm
That makes it false? My local media spikes important stories all of the time. They all have agendas as I know SA does. Reporting on heavy violence by illegals would not be in their best interest. Easier to act like it doesn't exhist like you do.
June 11, 2008, 12:20:24 PM EDT – Like – Reply
On the Mark
I think we all know that if there were any real substance to this, the "if it bleeds, it leads" local media would be all over this, and I think we also know that when Hume and FNC were pushing Guiliani, then Romney, he and it would have been all over this story to slam McCain. Since no one reputable is reporting this, I have to assume it is unsubstantiated, if not untrue. You can't extol a conservative network then ignore it when it doesn't cover a conservative dram story.
June 11, 2008, 12:50:03 PM EDT – Like – Reply
On the Mark
dram = dream
June 11, 2008, 12:50:33 PM EDT – Like – Reply
olby sucks
Do you remember all the links I showed you on OW about violence in Nuevo Laredo months back? Of course you do. Deny it all you want, philby....
June 11, 2008, 1:03:44 PM EDT – Like – Reply
On the Mark
I remember someone named Royal King posting some anti-Hispanic pieces, but, I am sorry, I don't remember you doing that, Mr. Sucks, and I don't recall them being pertinent to cable news. If they were, I'd be pleased to see them again. Otherwise, this topic ought to be closed.
June 11, 2008, 3:51:33 PM EDT – Like – Reply
olby sucks
That diversion was a total failure, philby. I'm very disappointed.
June 11, 2008, 4:02:33 PM EDT – Like – Reply
olby sucks
Is pointing out informative articles and cable news stories about mexican gangs killing Americans in America, Texas to be exact, considered "anti-Hispanic?" That's a very radical point of veiw, if true. I've NEVER met a Texan with that pov, either. I was once a Texan, too. Many fond memories...
June 11, 2008, 4:15:49 PM EDT – Like – Reply
