Porno Publisher Issues Call to 'Pray' for Death of Broadcaster

CNSNews.com ^ | August 05, 2003 | Marc Morano

[Don]

Porno Publisher Issues Call to 'Pray' for Death of Broadcaster By Marc Morano CNSNews.com Senior Staff Writer August 05, 2003

(Editor's Note: Contains an Internet hyperlink in the third paragraph some readers may find offensive.)

(CNSNews.com) - Television commentators of all stripes have raised the ire of liberals and conservatives for years, but one is now the subject of a prayer vigil for his death.

Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt has called for a "National Prayer Day" on August 5 to "pray for the death of [FOX News Channel host] Bill O'Reilly."

The pornography publisher and California gubernatorial candidate's event is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. PDT in Los Angeles, and Flynt's political website offers a sample "prayer" describing in explicit and graphic terms how O'Reilly's death might come to pass.

"Dear (God/Allah/Buddha/other entity of your choice), we ask you to afflict Bill O'Reilly with a brain aneurysm that will lead to his slow and painful death," the "prayer" reads.

O'Reilly spokesman Robert Zimmerman told CNSNews.com: "We are not going to dignify it with a response." O'Reilly, the host of The O'Reilly Factor, presides over the highest-rated primetime news program on cable television.

Louis Giovino, spokesman for the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, called the Flynt event "an expression of evil."

"If this wasn't Larry Flynt, we would think it was just another wacko looking for PR, but since it is Larry Flynt and given his track record of hate, this is more than a sick joke, this is an expression of evil," Giovino told CNSNews.com.

Sean Carney, spokesman for the Flynt event, believes that O'Reilly uses "racist" rhetoric in order to appeal to the "common man."

"This guy even has a degree from Harvard, an M.B.A., but he sprinkles racist and inflammatory terms throughout his conversation to show that he is like one with the common man," Carney told CNSNews.com. Carney also serves as an editorial assistant at Flynt's Hustler magazine.

Flynt and his supporters are particularly angry with O'Reilly because of his stances on certain rap artists and pornography.

"He has attacked some people that we really love, like [rap singer] Ludacris and [porn movie actress] Jenna Jameson. "Bill O'Reilly treated them terribly and tried to ruin Ludacris's career - really awful stuff," Carney explained.

The sample "prayer" states that O'Reilly "would like America to believe he's a voice for the populace, but he's nothing more than a right wing shill who tries to destroy the careers of those he disagrees with."

Flynt will be unable to attend the service because "he is busy in his run for [California] governor," according to Carney.

Carney also made an effort to distance Flynt and his enterprises from the death prayer, calling the effort "clearly a spoof."

The suggested "prayer" includes a disclaimer that reads: "Prayer parody. However, if Bill O'Reilly dies, it must be God's will."

NATIONAL PRAYER DAY - PRAY FOR THE DEATH OF BILL O'REILLY

HUSLTER Magazine invites you to join us in prayer.

On Tuesday, August 5th at 12:45pm, we have organized a special gathering to pray to God for Fox News Channel blowhard Bill O'Reilly's death.

The service will be held in Los Angeles at Cornerstone Plaza, 1990 S. Bundy Drive. Located on the corner of Bundy Drive and LaGrange Av e.

DISCLAIMER: This serious gathering will truly take place, however if O'Reilly dies, it must be God's will.

For more information, please contact: Sean Carney 323-651-5400 ext. 7361

[breakem]

took a page from Pat Robertson's playbook

[Chad Fairbanks]

Man, what is it with extremists? I've reached the point where my personal motto is becoming "DEATH TO ALL EXTREMISTS!"

[Rennes Templar]

Thats rather extreme isn't it?

[D. Miles]

WOW, a Hustler call to prayer! Now, that is really sic!

[basil]

This will make O'Reily grow an even bigger head. It will bring him so much attention, and will be fodder for his shows for weeks to come.

People like Larry Flynt sending up prayers of any sort seems a bit far-fetched to me.

[Lijahsbubbe]

People like Larry Flynt sending up prayers of any sort seems a bit far-fetched to me

Plus, not to mention the fact that they'd have to wait until the next full moon anyway.

[clintonh8r]

When did Flynt convert to Islam?

[Ann Archy]

More people would read this if the subtitle was Flynt Prays for O'Reilly's Death. Many don't think of O'Reilly as a Broadcaster.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Ya think? ;0)

[I still care]

Pat Robertson never asked for anyone to pray that someone die. He asked for people to pray to "remove a liberal court from power" just like in the 1980's he asked us to pray for the Soviet leadership so that Russia would be freed.

Flynt hates O'Reilly because he is a strong voice for marriage and decency. Flynt hates that.

[breakem]

and Robertson said that if the justices died that would clear the court. Being more subtle than Larry Flynt does not make the behavior okay. Secondly, it would be nice to see Pat stand up for what he says and quit retracting statements when he gets a little pressure from the heathens.

[DaGman]

sic(sic)?

[Charles Henrickson]

Caption Governor Flynt

[I still care]

I often pray for the court to become more conservative, the house, senate etc. I never wish that anyone will die. I think there is a difference. I don't agree with Robinson on lots of things, but heck, I'll pray that the court becomes conservative.

However, I am with you on retracting statements. He needs to stand behind what he says or not say it at all.

I will say that I think no matter what he says the press will twist it if they can.

Years ago Robinson's operation blessing came to my town. The paper had a whole page 2 on it. They were able to manage 2 pictures and a whole page article concentrating on people coming to pick up food without mentioning Robinson or the 700 club ONCE and without having one picture of the side of the truck that would say "Operation Blessing".

[JoeSixPack1]

ROFLMAO!!
<|:-)~~

[fish hawk]

My wise old Indian grandmother told me as a child: never wish bad things on people as it may come back on your own head. And to pray to God for a bad thing could only be worse.

Remember Pharoah was going to kill the first born of all the Israelites and God turned his own decree back on the Egyptians, Pharoah lost his own son.

Good luck Mr. Flynt!!!

[Moby Grape]

Your comment is cut from the same cloth as liberal extremism...sterotypical, not based on any FACTS...just a dislike for religious conservatives, as your soul mates on the left who also have distain for them, and who also repeat untruths about them.

[alnick]

took a page from Pat Robertson's playbook

It's dishonest to equate praying for someone to retire to praying for someone to die.

[reg45]

It's a pity someone wasn't a better shot!