.jpg)
(Charles Sykes/Associated Press)
Related Articles
Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly has amplified false claims about U.S. guns and Mexican crime according to a letter posted by Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership:
...Bill O'Reilly stated his concern for a more secure border and his concern that "all of the guns the drug cartels are using, are coming from the United States, machine guns, etc"
We've seen false claims in this regard for some time--the underlying agenda being to resurrect the so-called "assault weapons" ban--as articulated by Attorney General Eric Holder floating a premature trial balloon, and more recently by Mexican President Felipe Calderon. We've seen the numbers outright lied about, and then presented with a different spin.
There is literally no excuse for O'Reilly to be ignorant of the truth in this matter, particularly since his own network presented one of the early and definitive reports exposing the "The Myth of 90%."
I just got done checking O'Reilly's website for confirmation of the JPFO letter--so far, no video of that segment is posted, and the latest transcript is from June 23. I recommend verifying before drawing a definitive conclusion on what he actually said.
Still, it would not surprise me--after all, we're talking about someone who supports gun confiscation in government-defined emergencies. Which is surprising when you consider the point he made in this March 29 show segment:
He expresses a belief that Obama banning guns "is not out of the realm of possibility." Yet he thinks police and military refusing to obey confiscation orders is "a pretty extreme position"?
O'Reilly has the most popular cable news show out there, a huge radio following and consistent best seller status for his books. While he defines himself as an "independent" and an admirer of Robert Kennedy, what's telling is it serves the agenda of the political left to attack him as an arch-conservative. Based on near-universal acceptance of that misdirection, it appears to be working, which makes it convenient for characterizing anyone who takes a more hard-line stance as "pretty extreme."
Anybody think that doesn't serve a purpose in terms of defining the acceptable ideological boundaries for "mainstream" political discourse...?
Comments
David, Bill O'Reilly may come across as a hard-nosed conservative to some, but he's almost as pro gun control as Schumer is. On that score alone, I don't trust him.
Agreed, Luis. I've listened to him and watched his show when I could for years, and he's been consistent all that time. He claims to be a supporter of RKBA, but he's a gun-grabbing fascist at heart.
Who watches or listens to Bill O'Reilly anymore?!
as for myself, I go out in the yard and play with my dogs when he comes on. he is a camera gobbler as well as the loudest voice on tv, not letting others have their voice be heard when being voiced about any matter. he hollars and hollars until no one is understood. in my opinion he is the sorriest there is on the fox network.
I just have to comment on the misconception that all democrats are gun grabbing crazies. I am usually on the demo side of issues, but I don't want anyone messing with my right to own and use guns....and just for the record, I don't want to see gays marry, or teach their views to my kids...
Ditto to what Luis said. I used to think Bill was okay, but he's shown himself to be way too wishy washy on too many issues. I also don't trust him based on his second amendment views.
I am a democrat too. BUT, leave my guns alone, let my kids pray in school, teach evolution AND creationism, and close the damn borderrs
O'Reilly is a pimp with a superior knowledge of the skills of his whore for sale, since it is himself.
O'Reilly is an egotistical nut. I read an article by a columnist at Lew Rockwell that showed how BillO changed and edited the interview with someone who owned O'Reilly so it appeared that BillO "won" the discourse. The columnist recorded the interview and posted what really happened.
The guy's a fraud, and no friend of liberty. He should be working for MSNBC or SEE BS.
The "Np Spin Zone" means (I guess) that he will attempt to be fair without suppressing the truth. But that is no excuse for being stupid, and he does frequently visit the Stupid Zone.
How many news stories can we google up that report the Border Patrol intercepting rifles and hardware being transported back into Mexico? Why would they want semi-auto when China and Venezuela offer full-auto? See what I mean about the Stupid Zone?
I don't watch O'Reilly. I think he's a closet liberal begging to come out. He is not who he appears to be. He's a typical New York left thinking liberal IMO.
We all know that the real number of guns confiscated in Mexico is more like 17%, but even that number is misleading. It's based on all guns confiscated not just those taken from drug cartel members. With the strict gun control laws in Mexico regular citizens are forbidden guns for self protection. I believe that most firearms traceable to US sources were taken from regular folks who were desperate enough to break the law in order to have the means to defend themselves. Similar to what we see people in "gun free" zones like Chicago doing here.
Many years ago in the upper midwest I would watch Mexican workers in the local steel mill buy up inexpensive handguns just before the yearly shutdown. They were a way to finance the trip back to their home village or as gifts for friends and relations south of the border.
And Bill O'Reilly? He may claim to be fair and balanced. but far too often he comes across as just another opinionated fool.
Fox News is still the only real beacon of truth in the left-wing liberal MSM, but O'Reilly has always been a statist who thinks the government can do no wrong.
O'Reilly is neither a conservative or a liberal, and whether he votes republican or democrat .... who knows.
He has come out in favor of gun registration but I believe he changed his mind after Katrina, so he's not so thick headed he can't learn.
He is wrong on this issue about how Mexican drug cartels obtain their guns. Yesterday, I sent him a e-mail explaining the facts. It won't appear on his TV show because it's too long, but hopefully, it just may get to him and he'll start doing some real research and get it right.
He's not hopeless. I think if anything he's too much the populist.
But he is capable of learning .... which puts him way above MessNBC's ranks!!!
I put little stock in what O'Reilly thinks, says or does anymore. He's proven himself a statist loyalist on too many occasions. If something violates the constitution it violates the constitution whether the outcome is a seemingly desireable one or not. O'Reilly seems to think if the outcome is desireable then why let that old, out-dated constitution thingy get in the way. He's way to wishy washy on the law and constitution for me to give him any credence anymore.
If it's the "No Spin Zone" then why can't he just call communists communists?
Why can't we just get away from that OLD, TIRED Republicrap v. Demoncrap language? Where in the Constitution does it mention either a Republicrap or Demoncrap Political Party? Why do we even have parties at all? All voters are SUPPOSED to be Americans so what difference does it make if you're registered as whatever or whatever. I know, I know about the "primaries" but if there were ZERO registered Dems and Repubs, would the primary matter? Where in the Constitution does it require "primary election"?
Divide and Conquer. Quit playing their game!!!!!
OK. So he's an idiot. Why is anyone shocked? The few times I have heard him, he was wrong at least 50% of the time.
Regardless of us liking it or not ITS TRUE! and the biggest drug consumers are AMERICANS as well as the biggest weapon supplier.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!