On Saturday, the website NewsBusters.org posted a story under the headline "Bill Maher Sorry the Assassination Attempt on Dick Cheney Failed."Now, yes; that was written by Bill Maher himself. But Bill Maher isn't the only person defending Bill Maher. Believe me, I realize that some Republicans and conservatives will choose to focus on Bill's last line about himself as the exact reason why Ann Coulter should be given a free pass to proceed with her hate mongering. In fact, they will claim that that is what the MAJORITY of their side feels and wants!There's just one problem: As a fair reading of the show's transcript makes clear, I never said those words. Still, over the weekend, dozens of websites, mostly right wing, picked up the story (with headline intact) thus proliferating the myth that comic Maher somehow advocates the whacking of our Veep.
Don't get me wrong: I've never joined the Dick Cheney Fan Club. But what I said Friday -- and what I believe -- is that the Vice President has presided over a bungled execution of a war in which thousands of our bravest continue to die. And I believe that were he not in power, our troops would likely come home sooner. But I don't wish him dead.
Ironically, I made my comments during a discussion about Free Speech, which is one of the chief reasons that I love my country.
Well, that it simply is not the case, friends, not even close.
As we are already aware, there are many conservatives out there who are publicly lambasting Ann and at the same time are surprisingly coming to the defense of Bill Maher. Now before you call me a fox news lover, let me be clear; this is not to say that we owe them any kind of congratulations or credit for using common sense and compassion. Period. People don't get a medal from me for employing logic. However, we DO owe it to the extremists to point out their obvious "in the minority" thought process. In fact, we owe it to America to demand accountability from that group every single day.
Take a look at what the probable new queen of conservatism Michelle Malkin (whom we all know is armed and ready to jump into Ann's place) has to say about Ann Coulter and Bill Maher. I know, I know; it is hard to watch and she makes me ill too, but this is not your typical liberal roast/conservative pity party video clip. Instead, we are seeing the conservative talking heads eat their own (and rightfully so) while glossing over (rightfully as well) Bill Maher's non-gaffe with a wave of their hand.
Oh, and there are more...
A self proclaimed conservative and former Republican Congressional representative with a TV show (can you guess whom I speak of?) who appeared on Bill's show Friday night and two news commentators (well, one and a half, but the half ends up with his tail between his legs) patently agree that Bill Maher said no such thing about Dick Cheney as the extreme right wing claims. They also agree that Coulter was way out of line.
Kind of crazy, huh? AND 4 out of 5 guilty counts for Libby. Sheesh...what a week (and it's only Tuesday).
In conclusion, I give you a video gift; if you missed the Maher bit, you'll be able to see it here. If you want to see what conservatives say in defense of Maher, you'll get that too. If you want to see even more conservatives trash Ann Coulter, just click. And finally, if you want to watch it in order to take notes so you can shot down the misinformed liars at the water cooler tomorrow, you will get some great info and talking points.
Cheers.
Bill Maher simply posed the contention that the killing and dying in Iraq would be measurably reduced if the VP were no longer serving. He solicited a rebuttal, any rebuttal. So far, no one has stepped forward to argue otherwise.
From the website of Americans United for Separation of Church and State:
Noting that seven doctors and clinic personnel had been killed, Coulter said, "Those few abortionists were shot, or, depending on your point of view, had a procedure with a rifle performed on them.
Coulter also repeated her f-bomb remark about Edwards.
The March 3rd remarks were made at D. James Kennedy's Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, associated with the ultra-right Coral Ridge Ministries.
Americans United is a great group by the way. I've contributed to them in the past.
No one is for abortions, not even the doctors who include them in their practice. But once you know that ending a pregnancy is almost always safer than continuing it, it's awfully hard to say the decision should be made by people who don't have to face the slippery slope of health factors that go from low risk to life-threatening, in addition to the effects on financial, personal, and educational opportunities. (That being said, it's never been easier to prevent pregnancy. DO IT.)