In Bill O'Reilly the Media Confuses Integrity with Conservatism

Self | Nov 23, 2001 | The Duke

[The Duke]

Lately one hears the leftist media inaccurately labeling the ascendent Bill O'Reilly as being "conservative", and yet Mr. O'Reilly has never promoted himself as such. In fact, over the months and years that I've listened to Mr. O'Reilly's comments I distinctly recall him having lent voice to ideas that were anything but conservative. I recall, for example, Mr. O'Reilly voicing support for organized labor in a way that is fairly liberal.

I would submit that the media flaks don't (or won't) recognize Bill O'Reilly as a liberal because, after so many years of seeing "gangster-types" such as those who surrounded and infused the previous inhabitants of the executive office, they have in the most classic Pavlovian sense become conditioned to label only criminals and/or their enablers as "liberal".

Just as Pavlov's dog came to associate an audible cue with feeding time - to the extent that merely hearing the cue would cause the dog to begin to salivate in anticipation, the media has come to associate corruption and criminality with liberalism.

You see, Mr. Bill O'Reilly is, if nothing else, a beacon of sincerity, honesty and integrity - and being in possession of such copious quantities of these attributes which are virtually extinct within the liberal community, the non-thinking media can only bring themselves to assign to him the only label that they have left associate with such personal qualities - the label of "conservative".

Having found an honest liberal in Bill O'Reilly, perhaps we should give more serious credence to 'Bigfoot'?

[The Duke]

Perhaps others could contribute their own observations regarding Mr. O'Reilly's position on the political spectrum?

[buffyt]

I certainly wouldn't call O'Reilly a conservative. He doesn't always agree with the Republican side, yet he more often disagrees with the Demoncrats. I think he is more of an Independent. He isn't Libertarian. But he is sincere, speaks his mind, and isn't swayed by polls or popular opinion. If you read his book, THE GOOD, THE BAD, and THE UGLY (I think that is the title, I have a copy signed by him here somewhere) you find out where he is coming from.

[The Duke]

I shall certainly acquire and read that book...thanks!

[AZFolks]

He is a populist.

[jerryrivers]

This is not confusion. This is done on purpose. If you don't agree with the Democratic Talibans, you are automatically branded as a conservative.

[Caipirabob]

The same if you show an ounce of integrity! Makes it pretty clear where the liberals are coming from.

[Khepera]

integrity is the mark of a conservative. Hmmmmmm!

[steve50]

I have heard Bill speak in favor of gun registration, so he's no friend of mine. Seems like Fox is becoming little more than a cheerleading squad for the the so-called right anyway.

[yoe]

I don't always agree with O'Reilly, but at least I know the man does not spin! Unlike others, perfect Peter and Tom B., O'Reilly goes out to see just what is happening, I really appreciate this. Fox News and the Net are about the only places to get a true picture of our world today. John Gibson is another of the Fox people who can be feisty and outraged over some of the political correctness that CNN, ABC, NBC and CBS taint the truth with.

Give me old-fashioned integrity any day. The media has become the 'associate' that condones corruption and criminality among the liberals, they push it; they gloss over truth; they pander and fawn over the likes of the Clintons, they cloud the truth with spin and they try to swing presidential elections their way; in short they lie to the viewers!

I trust Fox News and I trust Bill O'Reilly!

[TheOtherOne]

You see, Mr. Bill O'Reilly is, if nothing else, a beacon of sincerity, honesty and integrity

Bill claims to be a journalist. Yet, his constant hawking of his book on his show is pathetic. One, twice, maybe weekly.....but daily? It has become like an O'Reilly infomercial.

[RnMomof7]

Bill is a populist IMHO..never a conservative except when discussing his taxes :>)

He is an honest man..so the media has no clue what to call him

[BUSHdude2000]

I agree with you that Bill is not conservative. After having read his book, he appears to be a moderate independent who never really takes a stand on anything, he sees both sides of every issue. At the same time, FoxNews is not conservative either, they just happen to mix in a conservative here and there.

[RightRules]

If you read much liberal puke-aganda, they refer to the mainstream media as being "right-wing". Of course, that's laughable. The point being -- and they do this really well -- that the folks on the left work hard at shaping opinion. Mr. O's political alignment is doesn't matter. What they position him as is very important.

[LADY J]

The liberal media does not invite a viewpoint from the conservative side and Fox does. I guess if any conservative viewpoint is given a chance - the program is labeled as being a conservative show.

[Utopia]

he sees both sides of every issue
I've often wondered about that. Bill has had some successes - the Red Cross for example. But generally, his approach is: "if you don't agree with me, you're wrong, you're flat out wrong!". His tone frequently reminds me of a kid who has discovered an inner strength and has finally decided to confront that awful street bully. Confrontational journalism may be appropriate in some instances, not in all. And for this reason, Bil does not adapt his style to the guest he has.

I generally give him 10 minutes (if I remember to watch him) before boredom has me turn off the TV and go back to my books.

[Protagoras]

Bill is a populist IMHO..never a conservative except when discussing his taxes :>)

He is a statist. That is to say, he advocates big, powerful government and thinks it is good at solving problems.

He is an honest man..so the media has no clue what to call him

If a man wants to violate my rights, but he's honest about it, would I be happy to allow it?

[PapaLima]

Didn't you know, if you disagree with someone who calls themselves "liberal", the only reason must be you're a right-wing conservative. There's no way they're just wrong.

[fish hawk]

Excuse me but what's the use of writing a book if you don't push it. No one will buy it if they don't hear about it. He's not likely to go on Larry King to promote it like everyone else does. Go Bill.

[1 FELLOW FREEPER]

"Bill is a populist IMHO..never a conservative except when discussing his taxes
Hmmmm....for huge federal government and lower taxes, and only TJ sees a problem here?

[thucydides]

This is the old Leninist tactic of the left: if you are not with us, you are against us. If you are not a leftist, you are a fascist. In fact, O'Reilly is not a conservative. He frequently calls for getting the federal government involved whenever he sees something he doesn't like. Nevertheless, he is a determined interviewer, and because he is not a standard issue liberal, he is interesting to watch.