What's So Bad About Bill O'Reilly?

I saw Al Franken on stage with O'Reilly once.

Franken called him on the fact that he'd claimed repeatedly that he'd won numerous awards that he hadn't, then lied about the fact that he lied. Now, say what you will about Franken, but he was absolutely right about this.

O'Reilly's response was to tell frank to shut up, call him names, brow beat him, make it impossible for him to get a word in, etc.

This is pretty much SOP for O'Reilly. Even by the standards of political talk, he's a blowhard.
 
MilwaukeeMike said:
I never even said who I watched. I prefer newspapers like the Wall Street Journal usually. I also said I find many things he said "misleading". But many people in this thread are making character judgments on a man they have never met. And if he is lying, prove it. Post some facts that are not just smear weapons from leftwing websites and news anchors. And I would imagine that a majority of cable news anchors distort and skew news much of the time. So why not all the hate for them?
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Um, are you aware of his "Paris Business REview" citation on statistics?

I'd go into research mode and find his numerous lies for you but evidently you ignore evidence that has already been provided to you on this very thread. so why should I bother if you won't even look at the evidence?

Funny, everyone else seems to know he lied about his Paris Business Review.

And don't forget O'Reilly claiming Inside Edition won a Peabody award. When confronted with evidence against that he claimed he never said it.

Lurker
 
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And the last person, er ... dog, you want to piss off is that Peabody guy.

 
In reply to the OP, we see O'Reilly here (Australia) on cable. Lately, he seems to have toned down his rhetoric somewhat, perhaps to sell his book.

Generally, I find him an amusing twit, who appeals to fellow twits; i.e., people who generally don't have two brain cells to rub together.

(Guess that doesn't say much about me :( )

M.
 
MilwaukeeMike said:
I never even said who I watched. I prefer newspapers like the Wall Street Journal usually. I also said I find many things he said "misleading". But many people in this thread are making character judgments on a man they have never met.
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I've never met him. Do I have to meet a man who loudly and frequently exposes his moral superiority while sexually harrassing an employee in order to recognize him as a sanctimonious hypocrite?

Given that Mr. O'Reilly himself makes character judgements on people he has never met, isn't your observation somewhat absurd?
 
senorpogo said:
Honestly though, I see him as Jerry Springer with a political bent. He's a loud, annoying laser light show. I don't really understand why so many people get so worked up by him.
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We get worked up because some people are taken in by his masquerading as an unbiased news reporter.
 
Renfield said:
I saw Al Franken on stage with O'Reilly once.

Franken called him on the fact that he'd claimed repeatedly that he'd won numerous awards that he hadn't, then lied about the fact that he lied. Now, say what you will about Franken, but he was absolutely right about this.

O'Reilly's response was to tell frank to shut up, call him names, brow beat him, make it impossible for him to get a word in, etc.

This is pretty much SOP for O'Reilly. Even by the standards of political talk, he's a blowhard.
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And the Crowd cheered when O'Reilly told Franken to "Shut up".

I think most fans of O'Reilly like him for his bullyish attitude rather than what he actually has to say.
 
Dustin said:
And the Crowd cheered when O'Reilly told Franken to "Shut up".

I think most fans of O'Reilly like him for his bullyish attitude rather than what he actually has to say.
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Similar to how Paul Krugman stood up well to him on the issues, but O'Bilely's fans though he had won (he basically just started yelling at Krugman).
 
Snide said:
Similar to how Paul Krugman stood up well to him on the issues, but O'Bilely's fans though he had won (he basically just started yelling at Krugman).
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Good points. yeah, O'Reilly fans are for the most part the type of people who think he's won a debate when he's screaming at them to shut up and practically threatening physical violence.
 
jimtron said:
Do you disagree that many are taken in by his pretending to be fair and balanced?
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Many? Actually I doubt it, but don't think we'll ever know.

He's a friggin commentator/actor, and I doubt the number of mouth-breathers watching his act and believing it are even a small fraction of those who hang on every word of the NBC.ABC.CBS.etal "news".
 
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hammegk said:
Many? Actually I doubt it, but don't think we'll ever know.

He's a friggin commentator/actor, and I doubt the number of mouth-breathers watching his act and believing it are even a small fraction of those who hang on every word of the NBC.ABC.CBS.etal "news".
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Seriously? I don't mean this to be an insult, but I wonder how many people you've personally had discussions with regarding network news, pundits, etc.

That's a polite way of saying, "You don't get out much, do you?" Sorry, only kidding. But I seriously wonder who your anecdotal samples are to reach this conclusion.
 
hammegk said:
Many? Actually I doubt it, but don't think we'll ever know.

He's a friggin commentator/actor, and I doubt the number of mouth-breathers watching his act and believing it are even a small fraction of those who hang on every word of the NBC.ABC.CBS.etal "news".
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I agree that he's an actor of sorts, but I doubt that he would characterize himself that way, and I doubt his many devotees think of him that way. Ever noticed how he calls his show the "no spin zone" (and then proceeds to spin like a top)? In my view he portrays himself as someone who is sharing the "truth" about the world, telling folks what's "really going on" in the world.

eta: from the horse's Web site:
Now in its tenth year on the air, "The O'Reilly Factor" on the Fox News Channel remains the dominant number one cable news program in the USA. In fact, it has been the highest rated broadcast for more than 200 straight weeks! Blending news analysis with investigative reporting, "The Factor" has gained international prominence as well -- it is now seen in more than 30 countries. (bold added)
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eta part two:
Bill O'Reilly has won a bevy of journalism awards including two Emmy's.
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Since when is an Emmy a journalism award, and what kind of journalist spells "Emmys" with an apostrophe?
 
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hammegk said:
Ten times more viewers/believers of NBC.CBS.ABC "news" for a start.
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Could you be a bit more specific? There are very many shows on those three networks (many of which I'm sure are crap). How about Nightline on ABC--how do you think that compares to the Factor?

eta: By the way, two wrongs don't make a right. If you'd like to discuss other bogus news shows, I'd be happy to, but their existence does not make Bill's show any less bogus.
 
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jimtron said:
eta: By the way, two wrongs don't make a right. If you'd like to discuss other bogus news shows, I'd be happy to, but their existence does not make Bill's show any less bogus.
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You'll notice soon that he expects you to pursue his distractions, as if it's your obligation. Very kooky.
 
I once heard a caller phone into O'Reilly's radio talk show and say, "Bill. I know what war is really like. I lost an arm and both legs in combat in Viet Nam, and I feel..."

O'Reilly interrupted him and said, "This guy's a great American! Send him a complimentary 'No-Spin' coffee mug."
 
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