[update] Bill O’Reilly Insults Helen Thomas After Just One Obama Presser
UPDATE: 2/12/09:
Here’s the video of Courtney Martin on O’Reilly’s show. He tells her that if she can show that she called out sexism against Sarah Palin, he’ll apologize. Here is one instance of when Martin did that (O’Reilly didn’t do his homework before making the bet) and this instance is of Martin calling out sexism levied against Palin by…O’Reilly. Be prepared for O’Reilly to say he wasn’t being sexist enough to be called out for it.
UPDATE: 2/11/09:
Statement from The Women’s Media Center President, Carol Jenkins:
Thank you all so much for your support! The messages–thousands of them–are getting through and generating discussion. The topic will be covered on “The O’Reilly Factor” tonight, and our own Courtney Martin will lend her perspective as a young, woman journalist and member of our Progressive Women’s Voices program.
Original post:
He wastes no time, that Bill.
If you have to ask someone else if they think your insult of the legendary journalist Helen Thomas was over the top, Bill O’Reilly, the answer is…YES!!
The Women’s Media Center has set up a site where you can go to demand an apology.
12 Responses to “[update] Bill O’Reilly Insults Helen Thomas After Just One Obama Presser”
Did you by any chance see the question? Even Obama was wincing as he called on her; he knew he was going to get some bit of nuttery, and Helen, as always, delivered, with her “so-called terrorists” editorializing.
I suspect over the next couple years, liberals–err, that is moderates–are going to get just as sick of Helen as the conservatives have.
Good for you, Jill.
Have just been to the site and signed the petition.
Regardless of what Helen said, Bill O'Reilly was way out of line, but it is not surprising to hear such verbal degradation and personal insults from this man who calls himself a journalist.
Brainster, I'm not speaking one way or the other about Helen – I think that's clear from my post. The point is, if you watch the O'Reilly clip, what he says is just 100% gratuitous – it has NO value what.so.ever. As a pretty conservative guy I know said to me tonight when I mentioned this to him, re: what O'Reilly said, the guy asked me, “Why?” as in, why did O'Reilly say that. And the answer is? For no reason at all.
That's just wrong and it's not entertaining – it's pretty despicable. Frankly, it goes to show how shallow O'Reilly's knowledge or ability to talk about anything really is if that's all he could muster for a minute or two. Seriously.
But thanks for reading and commenting. I do appreciate it. I've met Helen – I live-blogged a keynote she did last year at a conference being held at MIT (Women, Action and the Media) and you know, she's feisty still. She's to be respected, period. Questioned, sure – but called names, by someone like O'Reilly?
No way.
D.E. Rodriguez – thanks, I appreciate that. I agree – look, we call men who are like Helen curmedgeons (ok – I don't know how to spell it!) and for sure, Helen is a crusty kind of lady – but what on earth does that have to do with anything related to the questions she asked etc. So – I agree with you – O'Reilly just plays for time with name-calling rather than substantive discussion. Very very low, to pick on an almost 89 year old person who has broken more barriers than O'Reilly will ever face.
what he says is just 100% gratuitous
Now you know how I feel whenever Keith Olbermann opens his mouth.
Save your outrage and let's call it even.
LOL – well – where's your petition? I'll check it out, how about that?
(I actually don't watch Olbermann or Colbert or Jon Stewart or well, just about anything lol – I am not a tv person at all)
Why would you care what a blowhard like O'Reilly thinks and why would you bother to watch his show? As for Helen Thomas, I'm afraid she's overstayed her welcome like Strom Thurmond did.
YouTube going overboard on the audio muting again?
DaGoat – I don't watch O'Reilly and from a personal perspective, I don't care. But to not condemn such behavior when I become aware of it and to ignore the millions whom he does reach is being an ostrich – and I promise, I'm no ostrich on this issue. Likewise, it really doesn't matter whether Thomas has “overstayed her welcome.” That doesn't mitigate O'Reilly's crude and inappropriate insults. Why are offering up excuses for something that's inexcusable?
Helen Thomas is a Washington institution like the Smithsonian— the press corps wouldn't be the same without her. Love her or hate her- she doesn't let anyone intimidate her!
Bush had her moved to the back of the room- so I'm glad Obama put her back out front.
Thanks Kritt – I'm also about to post an update to this post re: O'Reilly is going to discuss this on his show tonight.
Thomas Muster…
UPDATE: 2/12/09:Here’s the video of Courtney Martin on O’Reilly’s show. He tells h [...]…