Hannity Fomenting Civil War – Again
Reported by Ellen - August 14, 2009
One day after Ann Coulter said that Rahm Emanuel’s brother is on her “death list,” Sean Hannity upped the ante by fomenting civil war – and not for the first time. The Southern Poverty Law Center has just released a report about the return of the militia movement, stating that there has been “a remarkable rash of domestic terror incidents since the presidential campaign, most of them related to anger over the election of Barack Obama. At the same time, ostensibly mainstream politicians and media pundits have helped to spread Patriot and related propaganda.” One law enforcement authority stated, "All it's lacking is a spark. I think it's only a matter of time before you see threats and violence." Instead of doing its part to quell these threats, “we like America” Fox News has been actively fanning the flames of hostility and even ratcheting them up. The latest frightening example was on Thursday night’s Hannity show (8/13/09) in which he repeatedly hinted that a new revolutionary war is needed, complete with a suggestion that Obama is not a legal citizen. Even the caption on the video suggested that Americans need to “stand up and fight for their country.” With video.
The video below, shown at the beginning of last night’s Hannity, features a fictional Paine interspersed with video of health care reform opponents. At the beginning they were carrying protest signs such as “WAKE UP TYRANNICAL GOVERNMENT IS HERE!!! NOW!!!”
“Paine” began: “A special greeting to all elected officials around the country who refuse to listen to the will of the people. To all the activist judges who ignore the spirit of our laws by rewriting our history, erasing our history, our values, traditions and denying we are one nation under God.”
Cut to the town hall protesters, one of whom is shown saying, “Let us be independent. Let us stand for ourselves.”
Back to Paine: “To a rapidly expanding government that is shamefully and criminally (my emphasis) plunged America from the Number One creditor nation to the Number One debtor nation on the planet.” Paine now sounded angry.
Back to the protesters, this time speaking or yelling: “Say no to socialism!” “This is a vehicle to take us down to a path of total socialism!”
Paine also raised his voice: "And to a deaf and reading-impaired new regime in Washington who arrogantly dismiss a nationwide grassroots uprising (my emphasis) by labeling patriotism and pride in country as extremism.
“… I say to all of them,” Paine continued, “Put your ear to the ground. A terrifying rumble is shaking this nation… Listen to us or your days are numbered!” (his emphasis)
After a couple of protesters talking about how angry they are, Paine added, “The long sleep is over. In town hall meetings all over the country… a giant is awakening, a giant who has never been defeated.”
Paine’s rose louder. “That giant’s name is ‘We the People.’”
After more footage of angry protesters, Paine moved in for the kill. He even included a veiled shout out to birthers. “This happened in 1776 and now it’s happening again. Americans are standing up and shouting in one voice: Enough is enough! We’re returning our republic to its rightful owners, the legal citizens (my emphasis) of the United States of America!”
Paine concluded dramatically, “On this night of shining possibilities, in our country’s largest city, before a worldwide audience of millions, Americans are again sending the message of hope to all who would be free (more footage of angry protesters) … That message is clear. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. When the government fears the people, there is liberty. My name is Thomas Paine. May God bless America.”
The hypocrisy and Orwellianism is sickening: While cloaking themselves in patriotism, Fox News is actively endeavoring to tear our country apart.
Please consider contacting Hannity at hannity@foxnews.com, Fox News yourcomments@foxnews.com and/or call them at 1-888-369-4762.
The screen grab below, underneath the video, shows its subtitle, which does not appear with the Fox News embed: “Thomas Paine calls on Americans to stand up and fight for their country,”
How amusing. This is all a political game and these folks feel that they are more clever than the next person. Naturally you will believe their spin, you are watching their show right? It's like a sitcom, jumping the shark to get higher ratings. We are Americans and loath any restriction of the freedom of the press, even when they are necessary to prevent tragedy. We would rather maintain our freedoms and allow such hatred than stop anyone from expressing their viewpoint. We rely on each other to be honest and trust that the next person loves this country like we do. Well, this network puts the lie to that illusion. What are the limits?
Imminent lawless action
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Imminent lawless action is a term used in the United States Supreme Court case Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969) to define the limits of constitutionally protected speech. The rule overturned the decision of the earlier Schenck v. United States (1919), which had established "clear and present danger" as the constitutional limit for speech. Under the imminent lawless action test, speech is not protected by the First Amendment if it is likely to cause violation of the law more quickly than an officer of the law reasonably can be summoned.[citation needed]
The doctrine states that speech that will cause, or has as its purpose, "imminent lawless action" (such as a riot) does not have constitutional protection. As of 2009[update], "imminent lawless action" continues to be the test applied in free speech cases.
Quotation
The Court upheld the statute on the ground that, without more, "advocating" violent means to effect political and economic change involves such danger to the security of the State that the State may outlaw it. Cf. Fiske v. Kansas, 274 U.S. 380 (1927). But Whitney has been thoroughly discredited by later decisions. See Dennis v. United States, 341 U.S. 494, at 507 (1951). These later decisions have fashioned the principle that the constitutional guarantees of free speech and free press do not permit a State to forbid or proscribe advocacy of the use of force or of law violation except where such advocacy is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action.
Text of Brandenburg v. Ohio, 395 U.S. 444, 447 (U.S. 1969) is available from: · Cornell Legal Information Institute
Anyone seen a police officer near the FOX studio this week?
Anyone who believes that this isn't a dangerous path for a media outlet to pursue should read about the role of hate radio.
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