Bill O'Reilly defends Murdoch in hacking case but forgets he backed jail for Sarah Palin hacker
By: Patrick Roberts | Published Wednesday, August 24, 2011, 2:42 PM | Updated Friday, September 9, 2011, 10:26 PM
Bill O'Reilly is the latest from the Fox stable to jump to the defense of beleaguered Rupert Murdoch who after all does sign his lucrative paycheck.
Speaking on the O'Reilly Factor Bill O' stated;
“You have The New York Times absolutely running wild with the story. Front page, front page, front page. Column, column, column. Vicious stuff. Vicious stuff, and it’s all ideological, isn’t it?”
Bill O' was talking to Nile Gardener of the Heritage Foundation,a right wing think tank who heartily agreed with O'Reilly that there was a witch hunt against Rupert Murdoch who was being unfairly treated.
It is a classic case of blaming the messenger, in this case The New York Times which broke several major developments in the story.
The spluttering of outrage might be a little more convincing if we didn't know that Bill O' had recommended serious criminal charges when a hacker hacked into Sarah Palin's e mail in 2008. That hacker later did jail time for an offense that was minor compared to what Rupert's boys were up to.
This is what O'Reilly said at the time; "Now, it is a felony, a federal crime, also a state crime in Alaska to hack into people's private correspondence. And what I want to know--and I'm not going to mention the website that posted this, but it's one of those despicable, slimy, scummy websites that in a free society we have to tolerate, but I'd like to see the website prosecuted, arrested, put in cuffs, all the people who run it.
He added:
Look, we know, everybody knows, the Feds know, the state authorities in Alaska know, everybody knows where the stuff is, OK? And they know the people who run the website. So why can't they go there tonight, to the guy's house who runs it, put him in cuffs, and take him down and book him?
That surely is a different take. It is amazing how much it all depends on whose ox is being gored.
Surely O'Reilly is not defending the hacking of the cell phone of a dead school girl as Murdoch's minions did?
No I don't think so but when you go out to defend Rupert Murdoch you get lots of slime on your shoes too Bill.
o'reilly reminds me of that Norwegian Breivik nutcase ...... a pair who'll go to any lenght for their Hashdockery masters.
Breivik wrote that it was essential to "fight" for a "Judeo-Christian Europe", praised the rejection of "anti-Jewish views" and stated that "the new Conservatist ‘new right’ is rapidly developing into a pro-Israel, anti-Jihad alliance." He applauds Israel, and considers Israel to be a victim of "cultural Marxists" who "see Israel as a 'racist' state".
cillowen | Jul 24, 2011, 04:25 PM EDT
o'reilly acts somewhat like Norway's breivik nutcase ......
Breivik wrote that it was essential to "fight" for a "Judeo-Christian Europe", praised the rejection of "anti-Jewish views" and stated that "the new Conservatist ‘new right’ is rapidly developing into a pro-Israel, anti-Jihad alliance."[48] He applauds Israel, and considers Israel to be a victim of "cultural Marxists" who "see Israel as a 'racist' state".[49]
buzzer7 | Jul 24, 2011, 12:05 PM EDT
O'Reilly has an "Entertainment" focused "Opinion" show. His words must be taken with a grain of salt! The main-stream media in the United States is basically biased toward the left! This type of activity has given rise to the predominance of a news media outlet, Newscorp, that can gain a large market share by pushing a right-wing agenda! Objectivity in the American media, has long been dead! People seem to forget that the purpose of a newspaper is to sell advertisements, thus gain revenue. Newspapers, be they Murdoch's or any other, are primarily interested in making a profit, and not the truth!
hancock | Jul 24, 2011, 10:57 AM EDT
The whole English press/political corruption makes me laugh. Right out of Casablanca.
seanomelbourne | Jul 22, 2011, 02:25 AM EDT
Murdoch controls over 70% of the print media in Australia and he is not averse to harangueing political parties to change media laws and or change governments to suit his own ends.Politicians are now standing up to this media bully.
MrSinatra | Jul 21, 2011, 09:42 PM EDT
are you saying murdoch did the hacking? what stupid rubbish.
seanomelbourne | Jul 21, 2011, 09:04 PM EDT
James Murdoch has already been accused of misleading parliament.This family is a blight on truth and a free press.Palin couldn't clean a coffee cup.
peterson | Jul 21, 2011, 08:44 PM EDT
With the tens of thousands of people working for him DI am sure he has a few "jerks" working for him. Murdoch should be judged by what he does to them for their nasty deed.. In the case of Palin, I think that the liberals are afraid of her because she might clean up the U.S. Congress like she cleaned up politics in Alaska.
seanomelbourne | Jul 21, 2011, 07:14 PM EDT
Typical hypocrisy from Mr.narcissus O'Reilly.I found it amusing that the three stooges from the Fox/GOP morning show telling other networks to stop reporting the biggest news story in town.Varney in a 2009 interview with Old man Murdoch(on Fox)"I would like to ask you about rumours of phone hacking" Murdoch replied. "I am not talking on that today"Varney "Ok mr chairman"dribble dribble dribble yes your majesty. The fox team are "A parcel of rogues in a nation" (Robbie Burns).
cillowen | Jul 21, 2011, 02:50 PM EDT
fair and balanced Miurdock's butt boy O'Reilly goes
into frenzy ... he fearing his master being gored.
cillowen | Jul 21, 2011, 02:38 PM EDT
understandable - boot licker o'reilly
tundish45 | Jul 21, 2011, 02:18 PM EDT
@jdi2269 on Jul 21, 2011, 12:56 PM EDT You have it right, jdi2269. No parallel between Murdock as boss and the Palin hacker. Owners like Murdock get a free pass because they are not actually in charge. They just direct overall policy and skim the profits. As in any good arrangement, somebody else actually jumps into the cess pool.
aka.red | Jul 21, 2011, 01:52 PM EDT
If O'Liely supports it, presents it as fact, or expresses anything resembling an approving attitude for it, "it" Is unquestionably WRONG.
olovely | Jul 21, 2011, 01:41 PM EDT
O'Reilly's incapable of offending his meal ticket. The whole Fox News channel are living in fear of this scandal.
FastEddy | Jul 21, 2011, 12:55 PM EDT
Jail for the hackers, fine. Turning up the heat on Murdock is OK, he can take it. Condemning O'Really? It does not become you.
McNamara31 | Jul 21, 2011, 12:45 PM EDT
wmbyrnes "If anyone logically thinks that James or Rupert Murdoch knew of and/or approved such actions are delusional". Really is that your fair and balanced opinion? The Murdoch organization had intentfully smeared and slandered many and has distorted the news globally to fit their desired view. Do you think we are dealing with ethical people here? This thrice married media mogul is no alter boy. Lets get serious.
wmbyrnes | Jul 21, 2011, 12:23 PM EDT
Hello Fellow Clansmen & Clanswomen: this is the 1st time I have ever commented on ANY blog, but thought another perspective from the ones bashing O'Reilly might be helpful! Details and distinctions ARE important in looking at these 2 incidents. Certainly everyone is allowed to have an opinion, but the valid ones separate the crime from the criminal. Was the hacking committed by the employees of The World infinitely more horrible than the 2008 hacking of Sarah Palin's email account? Absolutely! The criminal, David Kernall (son of a Democratic Tennessee state lawmaker) was tried & convicted in 2010 and is awaiting sentencing. All of the criminals in the hacking of emails & vmail boxes have yet to be identified, but hopefully will be soon. If anyone logically thinks that James or Rupert Murdoch knew of and/or approved such actions are delusional. As heads of a global business, the likelihood of their knowledge and involvement is a likely as Oliver Cromwell posthumously being awarded the Irish National Defense Service Medal!! To analyse Bill O'Reilly's 2 comments is to recognize a single and consistent theme, which is that he believes criminals should be punished, not innocent people. If one steps back from the emotion of the crimes, can those who 'trashed' O'Reilly see this issue differently?
IronMountainMovies | Jul 21, 2011, 11:13 AM EDT
Poor Bill. He's about as useful to intelligent debate as a cat flap on a submarine.
seagreen | Jul 21, 2011, 11:08 AM EDT
Bill O'Reilly is the piano player in the whorehouse
norinalundy | Jul 21, 2011, 11:05 AM EDT
What do you expect from Bill? He's shot.
nicgearailt | Jul 21, 2011, 11:05 AM EDT
McNamara's Galway grandmother had it just right..by their deeds you shall know them...
this little axiom will help you understand many things in this complicated life we live...
Fox News has no integrity..how anyone can work for that organization is beyond me...Murdoch has set out to manipulate the political conversation in this country...sought to do the same in England..he is ruthless...ambitious ..No one organization should own so many newspapers/media outlets..he was seeking to have 100% control over Sky...already having secured 39% of the company.
I believe citizens everywhere need to become better informed of what is happening in their country..how your tax dollars are being spent...become an activist in whatever way possible...let your vote be counted...
DannyBoyG | Jul 21, 2011, 10:56 AM EDT
Spot on...except your last line. "You're better than that Bill O'".
No he's not. It is his typical 'know it all' hypocritical behavior. And like Murdoch he too is a bully. If you don't like him or disagree with him...he'll just mow you down. it is easy to see why he works for Rupert. Both from the same pig pen.
mayoman | Jul 21, 2011, 10:51 AM EDT
Thanks, Pat. Everyone should recognize what a hack and a hypocrite this bogus tough guy, Billy Boy really is.
McNamara31 | Jul 21, 2011, 10:12 AM EDT
During this past week’s hearings in England Rupert Murdoch said of his current situation: this is "against what I stand for" and was "inconsistent with my code of ethics". When I heard the words come out of this shyster I thought of what my Galway grandmother would say… "Always watch the actions, not the words". Murdoch and his huge News Corp/ Fox News entities are guilty of the lowest of the low and have controlled the journalistic message and the politicians with them for far too long. This shyster is accountable for running an organization that has committed criminal deeds to the most vulnerable while paying hush money to cover their tracks across the continents. And for setting up the pie in the face; I wouldn't put it past him knowing this would be a perfect way to control what was aired on the nightly news rather than the damming testimony of the day. His Fox News in America controls the weak corporate owned politicians while smearing and demeaning all they see as their opposition. They have successfully divided this country in a way that hasn't been seen since the Civil War all the while manipulating the news so the middle class has no idea they are being hit with a truckload of corporate greed. Fox with Murdoch’s long time political operative at the helm (Roger Ailes) and their ensemble cast of unethical possible candidates and commentators have the gall to call themselves “fair and balanced” while they slander all in their path. Murdoch and his family are the bottom feeders of journalism and the world will be a far better place without them. Regulations should be put in place to never allow one mogul to control so large a slice of worldwide media and news.
BGAndersson | Jul 21, 2011, 10:03 AM EDT
Please be more responsible in your reporting. This is a real stretch if ever I read one.
Paulinebyrne | Jul 21, 2011, 10:03 AM EDT
I think Bill O'Reilly is just another loud mouthpiece who picks up a Murdock paycheck. What else is he going to say. He is part of the narrow minded vocal extreme right in the US, would not expect anything else from him or Fox news.
Suivness10 | Jul 21, 2011, 09:52 AM EDT
I never liked the guy and this article reminds me why. Thank you DaddyMac22, definitely well spotted and well written.
brokerguy | Jul 21, 2011, 09:48 AM EDT
Patrick: the two senarios are about as unrelated as it gets. Now if O'Reilly advocated for the actual phone hackers to get off, you would have a point. Or if O'Reilly had advocated for the head of the DNC - Howard Dean to go to jail since the Pailin hacker was loosely connected with the DNC, you would also have a point. Alas, neither is the case, therefore, you have no point. What this does illustrate, however, is just how hard you are working to attack anything and everything Conservative. Grasping @ straws Patrick. Now go find some greedy Yank Republican to blame for the coming compulsory Irish Austerity package imposed by the EU for the impending bailout.
wjb1tex | Jul 21, 2011, 09:37 AM EDT
Nice try. Murdoch was not the one doing the hacking. O'Reilly was advocating harsh penalties for the people who actually did the hacking. Now you may believe Murdouch is responsible because it's his company but it is not the same as him doing hacking which he says he was entirely unaware of.
DaddyMac22 | Jul 21, 2011, 07:41 AM EDT
Brilliant stuff. I would add, I wonder what O'Reilly thinks about the hacking of the phones of dead British soldiers and their families? Be interesting to hear him explain that one. So transparent and pathetic. Well spotted, Sir, and well written.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.hancock | Jul 24, 2011, 08:40 PM EDT
Wow.
cillowen | Jul 24, 2011, 04:31 PM EDT
o'reilly reminds me of that Norwegian Breivik nutcase ...... a pair who'll go to any lenght for their Hashdockery masters. Breivik wrote that it was essential to "fight" for a "Judeo-Christian Europe", praised the rejection of "anti-Jewish views" and stated that "the new Conservatist ‘new right’ is rapidly developing into a pro-Israel, anti-Jihad alliance." He applauds Israel, and considers Israel to be a victim of "cultural Marxists" who "see Israel as a 'racist' state".
cillowen | Jul 24, 2011, 04:25 PM EDT
o'reilly acts somewhat like Norway's breivik nutcase ...... Breivik wrote that it was essential to "fight" for a "Judeo-Christian Europe", praised the rejection of "anti-Jewish views" and stated that "the new Conservatist ‘new right’ is rapidly developing into a pro-Israel, anti-Jihad alliance."[48] He applauds Israel, and considers Israel to be a victim of "cultural Marxists" who "see Israel as a 'racist' state".[49]
buzzer7 | Jul 24, 2011, 12:05 PM EDT
O'Reilly has an "Entertainment" focused "Opinion" show. His words must be taken with a grain of salt! The main-stream media in the United States is basically biased toward the left! This type of activity has given rise to the predominance of a news media outlet, Newscorp, that can gain a large market share by pushing a right-wing agenda! Objectivity in the American media, has long been dead! People seem to forget that the purpose of a newspaper is to sell advertisements, thus gain revenue. Newspapers, be they Murdoch's or any other, are primarily interested in making a profit, and not the truth!
hancock | Jul 24, 2011, 10:57 AM EDT
The whole English press/political corruption makes me laugh. Right out of Casablanca.
seanomelbourne | Jul 22, 2011, 02:25 AM EDT
Murdoch controls over 70% of the print media in Australia and he is not averse to harangueing political parties to change media laws and or change governments to suit his own ends.Politicians are now standing up to this media bully.
MrSinatra | Jul 21, 2011, 09:42 PM EDT
are you saying murdoch did the hacking? what stupid rubbish.
seanomelbourne | Jul 21, 2011, 09:04 PM EDT
James Murdoch has already been accused of misleading parliament.This family is a blight on truth and a free press.Palin couldn't clean a coffee cup.
peterson | Jul 21, 2011, 08:44 PM EDT
With the tens of thousands of people working for him DI am sure he has a few "jerks" working for him. Murdoch should be judged by what he does to them for their nasty deed.. In the case of Palin, I think that the liberals are afraid of her because she might clean up the U.S. Congress like she cleaned up politics in Alaska.
seanomelbourne | Jul 21, 2011, 07:14 PM EDT
Typical hypocrisy from Mr.narcissus O'Reilly.I found it amusing that the three stooges from the Fox/GOP morning show telling other networks to stop reporting the biggest news story in town.Varney in a 2009 interview with Old man Murdoch(on Fox)"I would like to ask you about rumours of phone hacking" Murdoch replied. "I am not talking on that today"Varney "Ok mr chairman"dribble dribble dribble yes your majesty. The fox team are "A parcel of rogues in a nation" (Robbie Burns).
cillowen | Jul 21, 2011, 02:50 PM EDT
fair and balanced Miurdock's butt boy O'Reilly goes into frenzy ... he fearing his master being gored.
cillowen | Jul 21, 2011, 02:38 PM EDT
understandable - boot licker o'reilly
tundish45 | Jul 21, 2011, 02:18 PM EDT
@jdi2269 on Jul 21, 2011, 12:56 PM EDT You have it right, jdi2269. No parallel between Murdock as boss and the Palin hacker. Owners like Murdock get a free pass because they are not actually in charge. They just direct overall policy and skim the profits. As in any good arrangement, somebody else actually jumps into the cess pool.
aka.red | Jul 21, 2011, 01:52 PM EDT
If O'Liely supports it, presents it as fact, or expresses anything resembling an approving attitude for it, "it" Is unquestionably WRONG.
olovely | Jul 21, 2011, 01:41 PM EDT
O'Reilly's incapable of offending his meal ticket. The whole Fox News channel are living in fear of this scandal.
FastEddy | Jul 21, 2011, 12:55 PM EDT
Jail for the hackers, fine. Turning up the heat on Murdock is OK, he can take it. Condemning O'Really? It does not become you.
McNamara31 | Jul 21, 2011, 12:45 PM EDT
wmbyrnes "If anyone logically thinks that James or Rupert Murdoch knew of and/or approved such actions are delusional". Really is that your fair and balanced opinion? The Murdoch organization had intentfully smeared and slandered many and has distorted the news globally to fit their desired view. Do you think we are dealing with ethical people here? This thrice married media mogul is no alter boy. Lets get serious.
wmbyrnes | Jul 21, 2011, 12:23 PM EDT
Hello Fellow Clansmen & Clanswomen: this is the 1st time I have ever commented on ANY blog, but thought another perspective from the ones bashing O'Reilly might be helpful! Details and distinctions ARE important in looking at these 2 incidents. Certainly everyone is allowed to have an opinion, but the valid ones separate the crime from the criminal. Was the hacking committed by the employees of The World infinitely more horrible than the 2008 hacking of Sarah Palin's email account? Absolutely! The criminal, David Kernall (son of a Democratic Tennessee state lawmaker) was tried & convicted in 2010 and is awaiting sentencing. All of the criminals in the hacking of emails & vmail boxes have yet to be identified, but hopefully will be soon. If anyone logically thinks that James or Rupert Murdoch knew of and/or approved such actions are delusional. As heads of a global business, the likelihood of their knowledge and involvement is a likely as Oliver Cromwell posthumously being awarded the Irish National Defense Service Medal!! To analyse Bill O'Reilly's 2 comments is to recognize a single and consistent theme, which is that he believes criminals should be punished, not innocent people. If one steps back from the emotion of the crimes, can those who 'trashed' O'Reilly see this issue differently?
IronMountainMovies | Jul 21, 2011, 11:13 AM EDT
Poor Bill. He's about as useful to intelligent debate as a cat flap on a submarine.
seagreen | Jul 21, 2011, 11:08 AM EDT
Bill O'Reilly is the piano player in the whorehouse
norinalundy | Jul 21, 2011, 11:05 AM EDT
What do you expect from Bill? He's shot.
nicgearailt | Jul 21, 2011, 11:05 AM EDT
McNamara's Galway grandmother had it just right..by their deeds you shall know them... this little axiom will help you understand many things in this complicated life we live... Fox News has no integrity..how anyone can work for that organization is beyond me...Murdoch has set out to manipulate the political conversation in this country...sought to do the same in England..he is ruthless...ambitious ..No one organization should own so many newspapers/media outlets..he was seeking to have 100% control over Sky...already having secured 39% of the company. I believe citizens everywhere need to become better informed of what is happening in their country..how your tax dollars are being spent...become an activist in whatever way possible...let your vote be counted...
DannyBoyG | Jul 21, 2011, 10:56 AM EDT
Spot on...except your last line. "You're better than that Bill O'". No he's not. It is his typical 'know it all' hypocritical behavior. And like Murdoch he too is a bully. If you don't like him or disagree with him...he'll just mow you down. it is easy to see why he works for Rupert. Both from the same pig pen.
mayoman | Jul 21, 2011, 10:51 AM EDT
Thanks, Pat. Everyone should recognize what a hack and a hypocrite this bogus tough guy, Billy Boy really is.
McNamara31 | Jul 21, 2011, 10:12 AM EDT
During this past week’s hearings in England Rupert Murdoch said of his current situation: this is "against what I stand for" and was "inconsistent with my code of ethics". When I heard the words come out of this shyster I thought of what my Galway grandmother would say… "Always watch the actions, not the words". Murdoch and his huge News Corp/ Fox News entities are guilty of the lowest of the low and have controlled the journalistic message and the politicians with them for far too long. This shyster is accountable for running an organization that has committed criminal deeds to the most vulnerable while paying hush money to cover their tracks across the continents. And for setting up the pie in the face; I wouldn't put it past him knowing this would be a perfect way to control what was aired on the nightly news rather than the damming testimony of the day. His Fox News in America controls the weak corporate owned politicians while smearing and demeaning all they see as their opposition. They have successfully divided this country in a way that hasn't been seen since the Civil War all the while manipulating the news so the middle class has no idea they are being hit with a truckload of corporate greed. Fox with Murdoch’s long time political operative at the helm (Roger Ailes) and their ensemble cast of unethical possible candidates and commentators have the gall to call themselves “fair and balanced” while they slander all in their path. Murdoch and his family are the bottom feeders of journalism and the world will be a far better place without them. Regulations should be put in place to never allow one mogul to control so large a slice of worldwide media and news.
BGAndersson | Jul 21, 2011, 10:03 AM EDT
Please be more responsible in your reporting. This is a real stretch if ever I read one.
Paulinebyrne | Jul 21, 2011, 10:03 AM EDT
I think Bill O'Reilly is just another loud mouthpiece who picks up a Murdock paycheck. What else is he going to say. He is part of the narrow minded vocal extreme right in the US, would not expect anything else from him or Fox news.
Suivness10 | Jul 21, 2011, 09:52 AM EDT
I never liked the guy and this article reminds me why. Thank you DaddyMac22, definitely well spotted and well written.
brokerguy | Jul 21, 2011, 09:48 AM EDT
Patrick: the two senarios are about as unrelated as it gets. Now if O'Reilly advocated for the actual phone hackers to get off, you would have a point. Or if O'Reilly had advocated for the head of the DNC - Howard Dean to go to jail since the Pailin hacker was loosely connected with the DNC, you would also have a point. Alas, neither is the case, therefore, you have no point. What this does illustrate, however, is just how hard you are working to attack anything and everything Conservative. Grasping @ straws Patrick. Now go find some greedy Yank Republican to blame for the coming compulsory Irish Austerity package imposed by the EU for the impending bailout.
wjb1tex | Jul 21, 2011, 09:37 AM EDT
Nice try. Murdoch was not the one doing the hacking. O'Reilly was advocating harsh penalties for the people who actually did the hacking. Now you may believe Murdouch is responsible because it's his company but it is not the same as him doing hacking which he says he was entirely unaware of.
DaddyMac22 | Jul 21, 2011, 07:41 AM EDT
Brilliant stuff. I would add, I wonder what O'Reilly thinks about the hacking of the phones of dead British soldiers and their families? Be interesting to hear him explain that one. So transparent and pathetic. Well spotted, Sir, and well written.