Posted on 08/11/2007 1:46:22 PM PDT by kristinn
The Honorable Harold Ford, Jr.
Chairman
Democratic Leadership Council
600 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20003
Dear Rep. Ford,
I appeared with you on the O’Reilly Factor on July 31, 2007, in my capacity as spokesman for FreeRepublic.com to discuss politics on the Internet. The host, Bill O’Reilly, falsely accused FreeRepublic.com of having the following comments on its site: "Homosexuals are dogs," "I hate blacks," "Hillary Clinton should be assassinated," and "A stray bullet should kill her."
To be blunt, those comments were made up by the O’Reilly Factor.
The O’Reilly Factor was not able to provide documentation that those comments appeared on FreeRepublic.com. A request for an on air retraction and apology has been ignored.
Let me assure you that, contrary to how the O’Reilly Factor portrayed FreeRepublic.com to you and the viewing public, FreeRepublic.com is not a site where people feel comfortable posting a comment such as “I hate blacks.”
As I made clear on the broadcast, those alleged comments cited by Mr. O’Reilly would be in violation of our posting guidelines and would not be tolerated by our moderators.
It is unfortunate that the O’Reilly Factor stooped to making up comments to besmirch the reputation of FreeRepublic.com in order to appear ‘fair and balanced’ in its campaign against the Daily Kos. Being that the O’Reilly Factor has declined to correct the record, I am writing you personally so that any misconception you have of FreeRepublic.com is cleared up.
Sincerely,
Kristinn Taylor
Spokesman
FreeRepublic.com
It’s a damn shame there was a need to write such a letter to a former Congressman.
You guys are making me feel a lot better.
Last Thursday, O’Reilly tore into me by reading a letter I wrote. He got so mad he put my letter to the top of the pile and spent a minute yelling at me. He redacted the first paragraph severely. He then claimed he saw combat armed with a pen and a notepad. I don’t think too many vets were amused.
Here’s the letter——(O’Reilly only read the first sentence)
OReilly,
You sound like a gold plated hypocrite when you questioned Mr. Millard’s military service by saying he’s “anti-military”-—this when you yourself NEVER served one day in the military. Just because he has expressed his opposition to the Iraq strategy doesn’t give you license to treat a honorably discharged veteran that way.
When the heck are you and Greta going to cover the Major Jill Metzger fraud/cover-up story? Or is that too “anti-military” too? The Military has lots of scandals involving the leadership but you guys don’t want to go there!
What ever happened to “looking out for you” and “no free pass”?
Gritting my teeth in disgust!
(my name redacted, MSgt USAF (ret.)
Suisun City, CA
I used to think BOR was less than honest. Now I know he’s a liar.
You’re The Man, Kristinn! Well done!
My opinion also but the DLC is kaput. The RATS are being led by KOSaccks now.
If he hears from a lot of us, maybe he will look into FR good works more.
(And it doesn't hurt to say your a fan of his show. He was the first one to get me hooked on FOX.)
O’Reilly is like Star Jones was on The View......so full of himself. He’s also like Rosie was on The View......a rabid democrat and irritating. We all know what happened to them and why. There is absolutely nothing special or charming about him.
Don’t watch the idiot.
Don’t be fooled by Jr. He is as slick as snot!
Even if O’Reilly had logged in, bumped into a few rare comments as he alleges, he also would have been impressed by the overwhelming tone promoting fair and balanced treatment within the forum.
IMHO, his position merely telegraphs a tactical debating technique, which he employs to deny accountability of his own thinking and behavior, while attempting to burden others with the allusions of impropriety and a well intentioned response to hold the line.
Where’s the beef, Bill? If his intent had even a smattering of honor for righteousness, the discussion wouldn’t exist. Instead, I am left with the impression that the only honor he respects is his own sense of honor to himself, doing whatever is right in his own eyes, void of faith through Christ.
FWIW, I’m left with the distinct tone that a well hidden agenda exists between Harold Ford Jr and MSNBC. IMUS and O’Reilly both seemed to think Ford was of no fault and the epitome of their direction, yet his positions, IMHO, are immature and sophomoric in nature. I guess the true essence of Harold Ford Jr is the epoch for all the folks at MSNBC, and all they will ever aspire to feasibly contemplate to reach, no matter how many generations or seasons of effort are dedicated to advance the world moreso. The proof is in the pudding.
Kristinn, is this precisely true? I have read the other threads where the producers provided you with the thread information and FReepers tried to find instances of these things being written.
I think it is fair to say that parts of the comments were posted, out of context and twisted to mean something completely different than what was originally posted. I don’t think you can say in all four instances that they were “made up.” The “I hate blacks” comments comes specifically to mind.
‘Pod.
Well stated. Thanks.
FR should immediately sue o,rielly and fox for commercial slander and for millions of dollars.
Good Job Kristinn...and thanks.
I’m sick to death of:
“The no Spin Zone” (because he is a liar)
“What say you” (because he doesn’t really want to know)
“Yours truly” (because he is an arrogant self-serving phony)
“We’re looking out for you” (we’s looking out for BOR)
etc.
Hey BOR! Don’t be a “prevaricator” because you are now the “most ridiculous item of the day”
Am I being too pithy?
I think not!
Sadly, O’Reilly has turned into Phil Donahue. He is so in love with the sound of his own voice (and determined to befriend the left) and so intent on using every possible minute to spout his own opinions that he stopped being about anything except self promotion. The fact is that his interpretation of “fair and balanced” seems to be to tear down what’s right and defend what’s wrong and give them equal credence. He stands for nothing.
Jr is a panderer.
CALL FONZ FOR FUTURE CAREER OPTIONS.
He's so clean.
Seriously, about MM on Fox, she's undoubtedly the best. She runs rings around O'Reilly and Hannity, and Colmes, Greta don't hold a torch to this talented lady. Fox really needs to give her her own show. The ratings would go through the roof.
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