Lefty Blogs Declare Victory Over O’Reilly?

Ken McCracken • August 1, 2007

I’ve seen a lot of crowing from liberal bloggers over Home Depot’s announcement that the won’t be advertising on Bill O’Reilly’s Fox News show. The problem?
Home Depot wasn’t advertising on O’Reilly’s show anyway. The company wasn’t even on the list these left-wing goon squads drew up of his advertisers. As Don Surber notes:

That’s a lefty victory: Getting someone who has never advertised on a show to vow to stop advertising on that show. It is sort of like bragging that the Pittsburgh Pirates have not lost a football game in 50 years.

So not quite the victory they’d have you believe. But even if Home Depot had actually been an O’Reilly advertiser, I don’t think it’d be a victory for anyone who values political debate in the media. I think Roger Simon has the best take on this:

The power of the Internet will only increase as its economic viability – advertising revenue – grows. What Kos and the HuffPo [chief participants in going after O'Reilly's advertisers] are doing is ultimately discouraging advertising on the Internet and elsewhere where strong opinions are voiced by picking on places they think unfit. The result of this “speech police” behavior will be that all political sites will suffer, as advertisers become gun shy.

At the end of the day, we have to remember that all of these online political forums and blogs (and even political talk shows like O’Reilly’s) are made possible through advertisers. I could not run Say Anything the way it is without advertisers. The amount of traffic this site gets makes hosting, bandwidth and maintenance expensive. Too expensive for me to pay for it out of my own pocket. Most webmasters of even moderately popular blogs would agree. Without some form of advertising sponsorship, blogging wouldn’t be worth it.
What we should be focusing on when it comes to political debate is defeating one another with ideas and facts, not trying to silence one another by attacking advertisers. In the former instance we all win, because vigorous debate is a healthy thing that helps inform us all. In the latter instance we all lose, because silencing people stifles free debate.

Tags: Asshats, Domestic Issues, Freedom Of Speech, Media, Politics, The Loony Left

http://Array Lestat

Do you always selectively quote people to make your “poins” Lestat?

Not always, but when my point is that Fox News is not a news channel, I try to point out when people call it news. Its not news, its opinion.
http://www.ski-blog.com/ sayanything-24

Let’s look at this article versus the results announced that Home Depot will join Lowes and not advertise on O’Reilly (where they have never advertised):

Activists are urging Home Depot, which recently unveiled an environmentally conscious marketing program, to withdraw advertising from Fox News, whose hosts and commentators dismiss global warming as liberal hysteria. But Home Depot is unswayed, and the environmentalists appear to be doing something they generally discourage: wasting energy.

A short video by Robert Greenwald, “Fox Attacks: The Environment,” has been viewed more than 380,000 times since it was posted on YouTube on July 9. Like his feature-length “Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch’s War on Journalism,” the video highlights Fox News clips, in this case experts claiming that global warming caused by pollution is, among other things, a “hoax.”

In April, Home Depot introduced an Eco Options label for thousands of products that it deemed environmentally friendly.

“You can’t say we’re green and give money to an organization that day after day, week after week and month after month says that global warming is something that is made up by a few kooky scientists,” Mr. Greenwald said.

“It’s not our place to judge Fox News’s position or any other media outlet’s position on global warning,” responded Ron Jarvis, vice president for environmental innovation at the retailer, based in Atlanta. “Nor will we try to influence that position with our advertising dollars. We’re advertisers, not censors.”

So Home Depot announces they will stop advertising on O’Reilly (which they never did to begin with), and the left declares victory in a battle that never was a battle in a war that they just lost with Home Depot.

At the end of the day, all is exactly how it was–Home Depot advertises on Fox News, Home Depot does not advertise on O’Reilly–but the Dems claim “victory”.

I only wish victory in Iraq were as simple as their battle over Home Depot. But then again, that is the only kind of war they have the stomach for. One that they never have to fight and can declare victory despite doing nothing. Good job.
http://proof-proofpositive.blogspot.com/ proof_positive

Bill the philanderer is hardly a journalist.

Don’t take the Clinton’s name in vain!

Oh, and you managed to get ‘Republicans’ in scare quotes. Here’s your cookie!
carrick

C’mon Rob. Give Lestat credit. Perhaps he was trying to say that you left out “Network” in “Bill O’Reilly’s Fox News [Network] show”.

Ha. More likely just being smarmy.
http://www.ski-blog.com/ sayanything-24

People watch by the million, and unless the left finds a way to make those people stop watching the advertising dollars are going to flow in.

So we play supply and demand and there is suddenly less demand by advertisers. Maybe ad rates come down and it makes it even more of a bargain to reach this many people. And then demand rises again for a less expensive version.

Ad rates are based on viewers so it makes more sense to target viewers than advertisers. Make O’Reilly’s statements so offensive that your average viewer is embarrased to watch or listen. If O’Reilly were that offensive, he would have 10M listeners and be named Michael Savage.

Imus made statements that were able to be summed up in a sound bite. And it is gonna cost CBS around $100M to get rid of him.
http://www.ski-blog.com/ sayanything-24

Which BTW, follow the links that you just posted:

UBS, Hefty Bags, CapitolOne, AT&T/Blackberry, One-A-Day Mens’ Vitamins, Lending Tree, Mercedes Benz, Terminix, Nissan, American Movie Channel, and Michael Moore’s “Sicko”.

Contact Michael Moore and ask him what the hell he was thinking (but since his website currently sports a large “Take a Republican to see Sicko” banner, we can guess.)

They can actually declare victory of a more substantial variety when an actual O’Reilly advertiser pulls his ad dollars in favor of spending the money on clothes for his Oscar that he wins for Sicko and on french fries and ice cream. Michael Moore would be a victory because HE ACTUALLY ADVERTISES ON THE FACTOR.
ellinas

It is befitting for Bill O’Reily to drink from the same cup he had others drink from. He is getting too big for his britches,and has to be brought down to earth.
Many a time he has called for boycotting buissiness, state tourism attractions, and various products and services based upon what he perceived right or wrong, and wether it fit into his narrow world.
http://www.ski-blog.com/ sayanything-24

Keith Oberman’s MSNBC show or perhaps Lou Dobbs’ Cable News Network show.

Those sure make a lot of sense. But Rob saying “Bill O’Reilly’s Fox News show (with a lower case ‘s’ in ‘show’)” is interpreted to be:

The Bill O’Reilly Fox News Hour with Bill O’Reilly

Kinda different statements, don’t you think. I think Rob stated it correctly in his original statement.
http://www.ski-blog.com/ sayanything-24

sorry, first quote was a NYT article from this morning.
carrick

Lestat:

Its not news, its opinion.

You should have stuck with Door #2, “Lestat is being smary.”

All news has a viewpoint, be it liberal or conservative. Because it appears to cast the news from a more conservative position than yours, it’s no longer the “Truth” and just opinion. IMHO, that’s just a bone-headed statement on your part. Even a cursory view of FNC makes it clear they present the news, and not just opinion.
Dan Biehl

I just researched Bill a little bit. WOW! Her accusations were hardcore. Bill getting excited after interviewing porn actors. What was funny is I heard that interview. And you know what I though… I thought he sounded excited. I am serious, Bill sounded like he was having fun with some aspect of the interview in a naughty kind of way. Even as he voiced opposition to their live styles, I could here him entertaining what they were talking about.

The fact he caved so fast and her “recollections” felt so real says that Bill was up to no good. Bill said it was the most evil thing he has experienced. Obviously, him doing the actions didn’t meet that standard of evil. Bill needs to have a serious talk with the Deity. He is a hypocrite and he is totally irresponsible with his position. I know a lot of Catholic men who were totally cool with cheating on their wives. They acted as if they were doing their wives a favor by putting their dirtiness on other women. The whole attitude Bill is described as having by his accuser seems familiar to me. Like his comments about his wife being pregnant and wanting to score with some other ladies. It is true it could all be accusation, but he caved and he did so because there was hard evidence. Bill needs to kick his own ass not protect his reputation. The most evil thing I see is people doing bad things, knowing it, and calling people who expose them evil.
Mickey

I wasn’t aware that leftys were fixer uppers. Aren’t most of these people the types that need someone else more “handy” to do their tasks for them? Is Home Depot shooting themselves in the foot here? I don’t need to buy from them either. It’s a two way street.
Lestat

Bill O’Reilly’s Fox News

He hasn’t done news since Inside Edition.
Ronald Walter

Bill the philanderer is hardly a journalist. He’s a loudmouthed, ham-fisted drunken Irishman who gropes women on occasion. He then gets sued for sexual harassment.

If he had a lick of sense, he would see that he is a loudmouthed, ham-fisted drunken Irishman who harasses women for sexual favors.

That’s all he has going for him. ‘Washed up’ is what he is. A has been.

He is hardly anyone that should be listened to for moral guidance. His moral compass is out of whack.

But then, ‘Republicans’ aren’t any better.
CozyGuy

I used Fox News own search engine to find ‘Global Warming’ stories. Most seemed to be more or less wire service. Of course, both sides are offered, unlike the liberal blogosphere; that is, CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, and MSNBC.

At the scientific level, liberals test the theory by attacking the funding of individuals and institutions who question it. Sort of an odd parallel to attacking Fox News advertising, rather than offering better content to lure back cable news viewers.

From Greenpeace:

“Exxon Still Funding Climate Change Deniers”
Dallas

Bill the philanderer is hardly a journalist. He’s a loudmouthed, ham-fisted drunken Irishman who gropes women on occasion. He then gets sued for sexual harassment.

True, but he is entertaining. I don’t think that he sways anybody’s viewpoint. He just makes everyone rally around their camp. He is a cheerleader for the conservatives and a motivator for the liberals. Just like Howard Stern, he has millions of people listening who hate him because they “want to hear what he says next.”

I do think he is a womanizing oaf who has no business telling people what their morals should be. Who in their right mind tells someone they work with that they want to feel her lady lumps?
docdave

Greenpeace is one of the wacked out environmental groups who know absolutely nothing about climate change.
Mickey

here is the feedback i recieved from Home Depot:

Dear ******,

Thank you for contacting The Home Depot Customer Care.

We appreciate you taking the time to forward your concerns regarding The
Home Depot’s sponsorship of Bill O’Reilly’s show.

The Home Depot has a policy that prohibits the running of its
advertising on programs that express strong opinions or political views.
This includes Bill O?Reilly?s show.
If you would like to speak with a Customer Care professional, please
call us at 1-800-HOMEDEPOT (1-800-466-3337) and select option 3. We
would be happy to assist you.

Sincerely,

Amol
Customer Care
http://sayanythingblog.com robport

He hasn’t done news since Inside Edition.

Do you always selectively quote people to make your “poins” Lestat?
http://sayanythingblog.com robport

Of course I said it right. Bill O’Reilly has a show on the Fox News Channel. So I said “Bill O’Reilly’s Fox News show.”

I’d call Lestat a pedant, but that would imply that he’s actually technically correct. Which, of course, he’s not.
http://sayanythingblog.com robport

In addition to Carrick’s comments, let me point out that I wasn’t even meaning to make a comment about Fox News’ content. “Fox News” is the actual name of the flippin’ channel.
http://sayanythingblog.com/readers/author/sparkiearbuckle sayanything-81

O’Reilly defeats himself by being such a dick. Don’t shake his hand… you can just tell he spanks it habitually.
http://sayanythingblog.com/readers/author/sparkiearbuckle sayanything-81

I can’t believe people have a problem with this. Its only professional not to be partisan on the job. I would never put a political sticker on my vehicle because sometimes i use it for work. There is nothing odd or outlandish about that. Home Depot are just smart business people.

rob,
don’t you think you give the libs edification by paying attention to their blithering and expending your energy on bullshit like this. what has politics even come to? home depot and bill o’reilly? seriously, what the fuck?
http://sayanythingblog.com robport

don’t you think you give the libs edification by paying attention to their blithering and expending your energy on bullshit like this.

Perhaps people like me who address this silliness do give those behind it credibility, but I’m not sure what you do about it. I’d rather we not be wasting our breath on debating socialized medicine either. I’d rather we spend our time talking about how we’re going to make people independent of the government, not lure them into dependency. But there are serious people out there pushing it, so it’s worth addressing.

And I do see these attacks on corporate sponsorship of political speech to be important, serious matters.
http://sayanythingblog.com robport

This whole campaign to try and silence O’Reilly (who I don’t particularly like, by the way) is pointless anyway. O’Reilly has the most popular television political show in the country. People watch by the million, and unless the left finds a way to make those people stop watching the advertising dollars are going to flow in.

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