Bill O’Reilly to America: “OMG! Black People are Like White People!”

A new winning statement from America’s favorite Fox News pundit, Bill O’Reilly!

Apparently, O’Reilly spoke on his 19 September The Radio Factor broadcast that he met Al Sharpton for dinner at Sylvia’s, the famous soul food establishment in Harlem. It seems he had an eye-opening experience of some sort, because he stated:

“I couldn’t get over the fact that there was no difference between Sylvia’s restaurant and any other restaurant in New York City. I mean, it was exactly the same, even though it’s run by blacks, primarily black patronship.”

He continued to praise them for their “civility” throughout the program. When engaged in a discussion about the effects of rap culture, he noted, “There wasn’t one person in Sylvia’s who was screaming, ‘M-Fer, I want more iced tea.’” He then continued on, comparing Sylvia’s atmosphere to that of an Italian restaurant in an all-white suburb, with no “craziness.” (Yes, he said “craziness”).

Clearly, O’Reilly experienced a great deal of culture shock, by the way he kept bringing it up every time he could. It almost sounds like he had a life-changing experience.

However, don’t go thinking he’s changed all that much. His understanding of black culture?

“I think black Americans are starting to think more and more for themselves. They’re getting away from the Sharptons and the [Rev. Jesse] Jacksons and the people trying to lead them into a race-based culture. They’re just trying to figure it out. ‘Look, I can make it. If I work hard and get educated, I can make it.”

My very favorite part of that statement was my recognition that he went to the oh-so-”civilized” Sylvia’s with one of the “Sharptons” (in fact, The Sharpton!) I’m not sure how he explains how someone who is so reoccupied by race could enjoy such an environment.

There’s more on http://mediamatters.org, including a recounting of O’Reilly’s past comments on race and ethnicity, and a more complete transcript of his comments from the broadcast (with the video).

M-Fer, I want more iced tea evolved understanding of racial politics by Bill O’Reilly!

Busy Nothings

It’s necessary that I comment on the whole Ahmadinejad thing, not because it matters, but because it’s taking place at my lovely Alma Mater, the Acrapolis.

Why, I’ve been wondering, does anyone care?  What are they so afraid that he’ll say?  Because if you listened to the 60 Minutes interview with Ahmadinejad (I’m starting to learn how to spell his name!) that aired yesterday, you know that this guy rocks at the intricate art of answer-evasion.  Ask him any question, any question at all, and he will invariably respond with – nothing.

“It is an established fact now that Iranian bombs and Iranian know-how are killing Americans in Iraq. You have American blood on your hands. Why?” Pelley asked.

“Well, this is what the American officials are saying. Again, American officials wherever around the world that they encounter a problem which they fail to resolve, instead of accepting that, they prefer to accuse others,” the president replied. “I’m very sorry that because of the wrong decisions taken by American officials, Iraqi people are being killed and also American soldiers. It’s very regrettable.”

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Female of Legal Age Has Private Sex Life, Has Stood Naked… Holy %#@&!

I’m sure if you marginally follow popular culture/mainstream media, you’ve heard that Vanessa Hudgens – otherwise known to me as “that girl from yet another crappy Disney production; this one happens to be called High School Musical” has been facing the music due to a leaked photo of her standing in her all-together in her bedroom, smiling.

Reuters is reporting that Disney, vehicle for Cold-War-era anti-communist propaganda and enforcer of the status quo, is standing behind their star. As much as I hate Disney and all that it stands for, I’m happy for her that she didn’t get totally screwed by the whole thing.

What I’m not happy about is how people (ie. mostly parents who swear by Disney “wholesomeness”) are reacting.

Look at this gem of a quote, from that Reuter’s article, describing some parents’ reactions (emphasis mine):

“She’s damaged,” Renee Rollins-Greenberg, a Los Angeles mother of two, told Reuters. “She’s got this teeny-bop audience, young preteens and younger, who are admiring her and thinking she’s this wonderful, pure innocent person. Eighteen is awfully young for this kind of display.“

Whoop-dee-doo

If you need any proof that third-wave feminism, or at least, the TV kind, is a mess, just check out this very hilarious column by Lisa de Moraes about Whoopi’s View Debut.

Shut up, Babs! Knock it off, Joy! Put a sock in it, Elisabeth!

Whoopi Goldberg, the Oscar-winning comedy queen, tried to debut on the syndicated talker “The View” this morning, but she barely got a word in edgeways, what with evil stepsisters Barbara Walters, Joy Behar and Elisabeth “LookatmeI’mpreggersagain” Hasselbeck hogging the microphone and mugging for the camera.

…

“There is nothing that you can do that is not on YouTube, MyFace,” Babs said, which is perhaps the funniest line of the whole show.

Yep, they’ve got woman power.