Maher: “I lied” about direction of new film to participants
posted at 9:55 am on October 14, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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CNN looks into complaints from people appearing in the new Bill Maher film, Religulous, that filmmakers misrepresented their aims in interviews. Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR) claims to have been taken out of context, but others claim that Maher and director Larry Charles flat-out lied. Both of them admit to it:
Pryor’s complaint seems minor compared to the other allegations in this piece. I would imagine that PBS might have some issues with Maher and Charles posing as members of their news teams to gain the trust of these subjects, as it will make it more difficult for them to get interviews in the future. I imagine CNN would have provided a lot more criticism of this practice had Maher posed as one of their news units, although CNN does a pretty good job of reporting on Maher and Charles in this piece.
Documentaries only have value when they report truth and don’t distort for propaganda purposes. Religulous obviously falls into that latter, Michael-Moore category, and that was obvious from the first time I saw the trailer a month ago. It speaks ill of any documentary filmmaker and the value of their project when they lie about their intentions and misrepresent their project as baldly as Maher and Charles do here. Deception may be needed in investigative journalism when uncovering government abuses or similar practices in the private sector, but how much deception would be necessary to find extremists in the various religions of the world? Most of them constantly clamor for attention.
In the end, a documentary exploiting the extremists in any endeavor for laughs does nothing but feed the smug superiority of the filmmakers. It’s the worst kind of self-indulgence, and in this case exposes the bigotry of Maher and Charles. We already knew that much about Maher, and now we know he’s also intellectually dishonest as well, without the courage to stand in front of his project and have a valid debate rather than lie and then poke fun of billions of people by equating them with the freak show he himself stages.
Update: Yes, CNN still can’t figure out how to create embeddable code for its videos. Yes, they’re incredibly lame. Click the link at the top to take you to the video on CNN’s site.
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No surprise here.
ManlyRash on October 14, 2008 at 9:58 AM
Maher is a character right out of the Old Testament. No wonder he can;t stand seeing his own reflection from scripture.
Hening on October 14, 2008 at 9:58 AM
Lie down with dogs, you get fleas.
I personally wouldn’t cross the street to spit on this POS if he was on fire after his praise of the 9-11 terrorists.
hawkdriver on October 14, 2008 at 9:59 AM
While we’re on the subject of films—-don’t forget to boycott Oliver Stone’s latest BDS “W” on friday.
Liberal producers just don’t seem to care about throwing their money away while dumbing down their viewers.
Rovin on October 14, 2008 at 10:01 AM
pathetic Reps. couldn’t find someone to run against this guy
jp on October 14, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Hose-pail makes a film. Won’t be going. yawn.
whitetop on October 14, 2008 at 10:03 AM
PS, and OT.
Where is the praise for President Bush for his handling of the economy with the up-turn of the stocks the last two days.
Like the bailout or not, he provided key leadership the partisaned SOTH Pelosi was incapable of providing.
PPS and further OT.
Say a prayer that they can find a good vein for Richard Cooey and successfully dispatch his evil ass.
hawkdriver on October 14, 2008 at 10:03 AM
I’m shocked, shocked I tell ya
ballz2wallz on October 14, 2008 at 10:04 AM
this “documentary” should be viewed as more of a study on Maher than religion. or better yet it just shouldn’t be viewed. seriously. how can this make $?
twoarmman on October 14, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Boycotting them all. A couple bad showing in a row for any production company is bad news for them. They need a constant money flow and keep very little in reserve.
hawkdriver on October 14, 2008 at 10:06 AM
All we have to do is not see it. Who’s going to forget that?
CherokeeJack on October 14, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Really. How cute. Because, you see, when you make a documentary, that’s exactly what the hell you’re supposed to do, you witless elitist jackhole.
MadisonConservative on October 14, 2008 at 10:09 AM
hawkdriver on October 14, 2008 at 10:03 AM
And can we get a big “WAY TO GO BUSH” for not allowing another large piece of real estate to come crashing down at the hands of our enemies?
Rovin on October 14, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Cooey’s last meal.
Cooey dined Monday evening on the special meal he ordered, including T-bone steak with A-1 sauce, onion rings, french fries, four eggs over easy, toast with butter, hash browns, a pint of rocky road ice cream, a Mountain Dew soft drink and bear claw pastries.
(Hmm, he might not make it)
But I wonder if his college student victoms were able to consider their last meal.
hawkdriver on October 14, 2008 at 10:10 AM
I smell Oscar!
Michael Moore will present the award.
saint kansas on October 14, 2008 at 10:10 AM
What a maherhole.
Akzed on October 14, 2008 at 10:12 AM
So we can add “liar” to:
–Right after 9/11, Maher said, “We have been the cowards lobbing cruise missiles from 2,000 miles away. That’s cowardly. Staying in the airplane when it hits the building, say what you want about it, it’s not cowardly.”
–To celebrate the Halloween that came right after the beloved Steve Irwin was killed by a sting ray, Maher donned a khaki shirt and shorts, and he had a fake sting ray tail attached to his chest.
–Maher was slapped with a $9 million palimony suit by an ex-girlfriend who alleges that he subjected her to physical and verbal abuse, including “degrading racial comments”. The plaintiff was Nancy Johnson, a Black model and former flight attendant.
–Maher: “When you look at beliefs in such things as, do you go to heaven, is there a devil, we have more in common with Turkey and Iran and Syria than we do with European nations and Canada and nations that, yes, I would consider more enlightened than us.”
–Maher: “I have two dogs — if I had two retarded children, I’d be a hero. And yet the dogs, which are pretty much the same thing. What? They’re sweet. They’re loving. They’re kind, but they don’t mentally advance at all. Dogs are like retarded children.”
jgapinoy on October 14, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Such an assmaher.
Akzed on October 14, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Well, I guess anytime you talk religion there is some misrepresentation going to happen.
Gullibility has no limit. These people claiming to be duped by Maher actually believe in immaculate conception, healing the blind, Walking on water etc. Being duped is there stock and trade.
TheSitRep on October 14, 2008 at 10:14 AM
poeple who believe in stuff like ghosts are easy to trick.
eh on October 14, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Really. Because all that has been proved to be false. Right? They have been proved to be myths and lies, right?
Akzed on October 14, 2008 at 10:15 AM
They HAVE a constant money flow that has nothing to do with people paying to see their movies, and which does not originate in the United States. Too bad we don’t have anybody looking into it, but who would be interested in doing that… CNN?!!
Of course, the US taxpayer also funds them through the write-offs they take on their well-earned losses. Hollywood has degenerated into one big “Springtime for Hitler” scam.
drunyan8315 on October 14, 2008 at 10:17 AM
What I’m amazed at is that anybody is listening to this nutball throw stones at other people’s silly beliefs. If there was ever anybody throwing stones in glass houses it’s Maher.
Lehosh on October 14, 2008 at 10:17 AM
It would be nice to see Maher get sued for fraud before this is over.
EconomicNeocon on October 14, 2008 at 10:18 AM
YEAH, they had it coming those stupid, stupid religious gullible stupid people. God, I don’t know how in hell these stupid people even remember to breath, Jesus!
hawkdriver on October 14, 2008 at 10:18 AM
So, um, Wow, I guess.
Intellectually dishonest people used dishonest means to create a dishonest piece of propaganda.
And, yes, I’m pretty sure this piece of crap will get serious Oscar consideration.
Religious_Zealot on October 14, 2008 at 10:22 AM
And on the other side of the aisle, people believe that one day, the universe just “banged” into existence.
The fact of the matter is that Maher is a liberal putz, and an elitist who thinks he knows more than most people, religious and non-religious. He just targeted the faithful so he could make cracks about them and make money while doing it. He’s the epitome of Hollywood smug scum.
MadisonConservative on October 14, 2008 at 10:22 AM
To declare something true that can not be proven to be true, is at best speculation.
I ain’t backing up Bill M. That guy is a monster. I am just thinking that if you buy the whole miricle deal, you’re probably a pretty easy mark.
TheSitRep on October 14, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Hey hawk! Don’t feed the trolls. ;)
Religious_Zealot on October 14, 2008 at 10:22 AM
He learned everything from Michael Moore.
Mazztek on October 14, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Talking to the choir here buddy. And Johnny Depp who hates the free market, evil US capitilist way of life has made 73 million on POTC and is getting a straight up 75 million for the next. All the time I have to pay 8 bucks for 32 cents worth of popcorn.
We would never send money to the most liberal candidates, but we give it to hollywood hand over fist for them to give it to them. We’re buying the bullets they’re shooting us with.
hawkdriver on October 14, 2008 at 10:24 AM
I saw an interview where Maher referred to “the mythology of Christianity.” Hard to see how he would have gotten interviews without lying.
highhopes on October 14, 2008 at 10:24 AM
lol, I know, I know.
hawkdriver on October 14, 2008 at 10:25 AM
“God can’t be real! I’ve never seen him–that’s proof, right?”
jgapinoy on October 14, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Lying sacks of shit! Everyone of them.
Hey, want a good laugh. Here ya go.
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2008/10/13/howard-stern-exposes-why-so-many-people-support-obama
Keemo on October 14, 2008 at 10:25 AM
I’m not a feminist by any means, but Maher’s horribly sexist attitude toward Sarah Palin actually makes me wish the NOW people would attack him.
Speedwagon82 on October 14, 2008 at 10:26 AM
I didn’t & won’t see the show. Did he make fun of ISLAM?
PappaMac on October 14, 2008 at 10:26 AM
-heh-
What Maher and his ilk are REALLY showing is the “Mythology of those who believe Christianity is a mythology.”
Of course, history was never their strong point.
I guess that’s what you get when you use The DaVinci Code as your basis of church history.
Religious_Zealot on October 14, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Not sure about that. My Jewish and Christian friends are definately the most “grounded in reality” folks I know.
hawkdriver on October 14, 2008 at 10:27 AM
all the other nasty stuff aside, maher got a bad rap on the above example. for one thing, he said that by way of agreeing, practically verbatem, with conservative avatar, dinesh d’souza. the point being made wasn’t “let’s attribute only the finest qualities to al qaeda”. the point was that calling them “cowards” was part of a popular and comforting misapprehension of the threat, in which, for pride’s sake, people were making them out to be buglers who accidentally got one off by chance.
in the week after 9-11, maher actually supported bush, closing his friday show with a tearfull, “the office makes the man” appeal to liberals to give him a chance to lead.
so, take that for what it’s worth.
you can replace that one with this item:
http://www.moonbattery.com/archives/2005/03/bill_maher_and_1.html
eh on October 14, 2008 at 10:27 AM
So is “Malformed Error” talking about the video in particular or CNN in general?
highhopes on October 14, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Typical liberal Democrat . . . they lie, cheat, steal, quibble, obfuscate, and commit any other crimes and indiscretions that will tend to further their liberal/socialist agendas. They are in the common vernacular . . . a sorry bunch of dirt bags.
rplat on October 14, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Ain’t the first time. As I’ve indicated in another post, PBS once interviewed my wife for nearly four hours as part of a program on juvenile sport injuries.
The PBS people took about a minute of the interview out of context, and made my wife look like an adult who was projecting her fantasies of never having been a gymnast onto her son. What my wife had stated was that when she was growing up, her family was so poor that they would not have been able to afford the classes my son was taking, and she was glad that he had the middle class opportunities she had not had while she was growing up.
She was livid when the tape arrived and she discovered what she had been turned into. She vowed never to give another interview to PBS, and thankfully they obliged her (since she’d already had her minute of PBS fame).
unclesmrgol on October 14, 2008 at 10:28 AM
I’m hoping Maher financed this bomb with his own money, just so I can savor the satisfaction that every penny of it went right down the toilet.
pilamaye on October 14, 2008 at 10:28 AM
I used to date a girl that watched this scumbag as often as she could. She didn’t have much substance, huge pothead, was annoying, anti-religion, college dropout, quick to intolerance towards Christians, theater junkie, big time leftist elite.
This is your typical Maherpes fan. Similar to that of Colbert or Stewart’s following.
leetpriest on October 14, 2008 at 10:29 AM
In my life I’ve met Christians who were school teachers, police, scientists and even one who was a project leader for the Hubble Space Telescope.
It should also be noted that some of the greatest scientists and mathematicians of all time were Christians.
Does that PROVE Christianity?
Of course not.
But it does disprove that old trope that Christianity and reason/thinking don’t go together.
Religious_Zealot on October 14, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Yeah, Augustine, Aquinas, Kepler, Pasteur, Galileo, Newton, just a bunch of “easy marks.”
Naturally, you’ve looked for God everywhere and couldn’t find Him. That wouldn’t even be proof that your lost car keys didn’t exist.
Akzed on October 14, 2008 at 10:33 AM
No, There may be 100 gods. They may even have a god civilization that rotates the ruling of the universe in 4 year terms electing a new leader every 4 years. Who knows?
Is it one god? What if you are worshipping the wrong god, and every tome you go to church you are just making the real god madder and madder.
Am more of a Thor guy, but Vishnu is pretty cool.
TheSitRep on October 14, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Bill Mahers slap at the military and praise of the terrorists cannot even be defended.
The fact that he chuckled on a Politically Incorrect episode he had when Sandra Bernhardt spit on a priest tells me all I need to know about his views on religion. He is an avowed Marxist and he sees his part in the transformation of the US in the area of breaking down traditional rules and values. He’s read the manifesto.
hawkdriver on October 14, 2008 at 10:34 AM
What I don’t understand to this day is why Maher and his ilk get so hot and bothered that others possess faith in a higher being. If they truly think that Christianity is mythology, what does it matter to them and their shallow world driven by nothing more than the whims of popular culture?
Maher, certainly, has hosted scores of individuals who worship the (false) gods of fame, money, and instant gratification. Why is he so resentful and hateful of those who know there is a higher being?
highhopes on October 14, 2008 at 10:34 AM
You believe in a god sitrep. His name’s sitrep.
Akzed on October 14, 2008 at 10:35 AM
If there was a god, he’d have already struck Maher and Moore down. ha ha.
TheSitRep on October 14, 2008 at 10:36 AM
That’s funny, I was about to say the reverse about you.
By the way, you misspelled “miracle”. Need I correlate your lack of spelling ability to your intellect, then correlate your substandard intellect to your lack of faith?
leetpriest on October 14, 2008 at 10:37 AM
It’s funny.
There are people who want to paint all Christians with the broad brush of being unreasonable, anti-intellectual and anti-science.
And while there are certainly some Christians who unfortunately fit that description…
…I’ve found that the non-intellectual “easy marks” to almost always be the anti-Christians who ignore reason and history when it comes to Christianity.
These people always fall for stuff like Maher’s propaganda, books like the DaVinci Code and garbled, factually incorrect anti-God diatribes like Hitchen’s latest book.
Religious_Zealot on October 14, 2008 at 10:38 AM
No, I have some theories but they are all unproven.
I am thinking though, that it was not a bunch of turd herders in the middle east that figured it all out 2 – 4 thousand years ago.
TheSitRep on October 14, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Ya got me there, I am a moron.
Thanks for pointing that out Brother leetpriest.
TheSitRep on October 14, 2008 at 10:40 AM
I’m sure that somewhere Maher is on record bashing the producers of Expelled for obtaining their interviews dishonestly (which they basically did). I’d love to see that piece of tape and this one slapped together on a loop.
John on October 14, 2008 at 10:41 AM
You’re so witty. By turd herders do you mean Jews?
Christians don’t believe that anyone “figured it out.” God revealed His existence and will to man through the written ans spoken word. So your assertion that anyone figured out God is wrong and wrongheaded, initial evidence that you are prone to leap to conclusions.
Akzed on October 14, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Maybe even a Nobel prize.
ballz2wallz on October 14, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Surely you can take a thrashing equal to that which you’ve dished out, right?
Sarcastically referring to me with a term of religious endearment in a failed effort to somehow point out that I don’t live up to my residual self image is further proof of my earlier point.
leetpriest on October 14, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Hey, if Klugman can get a Nobel Prize for economics it’s possible.
Akzed on October 14, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Yep, all you got’s ta do is be liberal.
hawkdriver on October 14, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Akzed,
Do you really think that anyone who would call Christians “easy marks” or Jews “turd herders” is in any way, shape or form inclined to listen to reason?
S/He’s not interested in discussion, s/he’s interested in getting a rise out of us (i.e. s/he’s a troll).
Religious_Zealot on October 14, 2008 at 10:48 AM
I’m letting my local theater know, that even though there are several movies coming up that I would like to see, I will not be visiting their establishment as long “W” is playing.
MarkTheGreat on October 14, 2008 at 10:48 AM
leetpriest on October 14, 2008 at 10:46 AM
BTW, leetpriest, great website.
hawkdriver on October 14, 2008 at 10:49 AM
See though, the difference here is that Ben Stein pulled a fast one on some of the world’s most intelligent people.
If Maher is right about “all us crazy Jesus-lovin’ folk”, there’s not much of a feat to brag about.
leetpriest on October 14, 2008 at 10:50 AM
That’s what we have to do on a large scale. I’m in with you brother.
hawkdriver on October 14, 2008 at 10:50 AM
I really think we need another discussion about god
LimeyGeek on October 14, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Nothing wrong with a little apologetics until he proves himself unworthy of engagement. So far he’s only exhibited the generic banal hostility of an ignoramus.
Akzed on October 14, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Speaking of Hollywood, go Robert Duvall for supporting Governor Palin at an RNC fundraiser. I try very hard to not put my faith or hopes in conserative hollywood types, but I just love this guy.
hawkdriver on October 14, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Thanks man, I reserve myself slightly on HotAir.
*SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION*
I’ve been writing for tonight’s post, which I believe to be a delectable rant about the future of America under an Obama presidency with the real and present danger of what I call the “Liberal Trifecta” (Dem. controlled Senate, House, POTUS). It should be up by 7:00 P.M. EST.
*END SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION*
leetpriest on October 14, 2008 at 10:56 AM
i don’t know what to tell you. he didn’t “praise the terrorists” with the coward quote.
he may have on another occasion. i’d believe it. he’s said a lot of disgusting things. any one of those should be exhibit a in a maher-bashing manifesto, but none of them are. exhibit a is always this instance of him agreeing with a conservative pannelist on his show that calling al qaeda “cowards” is to dangerously underestimate the threat they pose cynically twisted out of context.
eh on October 14, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Well, I think I just wasted about a half hour considering anything to do with Maher.
Tennman on October 14, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Not trying to pick a fight. I concede to you being able to read it in the manner you see it. From my point of view as an active duty member, it’s a little disheartening to hear fellow Americas speak in those terms. If he intented the context you asserted, there are definately better way to say it. And it’s not so much what he said about the terrorists, it’s what he said about us. Lobing CMs from 2000 miles is not all we do. I suggest you read about SFC Smith’s award narrative, our first Iraq War MOH winner and ask if Mahers assessment of his military is accurate.
hawkdriver on October 14, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Just like Al Franken and how he duped those such as John Ashcroft to talk about his personal sexual life under the guise of researching and writing about abstinence education. Franken even sent his queries out on Harvard letterhead. They guys are so incapable of believing their position is wrong, they do such things to manipulate and even humiliate others who don’t agree with them. I guess they figure they deserve it. Sick people.
Paul-Cincy on October 14, 2008 at 11:06 AM
So everyone who believes things that you don’t, is just duped.
You are the ultimate authority on what can be real and what can’t?
MarkTheGreat on October 14, 2008 at 11:09 AM
So you are stating, categorically, that miracles are impossible. That everyone who believes in miracles is a fool. Everyone who claims to have witnessed a miracle is by definition a fool?
And you are claiming somehow to be the enlightened one here?
MarkTheGreat on October 14, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith
United States Army
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy near Baghdad International Airport, Baghdad, Iraq on 4 April 2003. On that day, Sergeant First Class Smith was engaged in the construction of a prisoner of war holding area when his Task Force was violently attacked by a company-sized enemy force. Realizing the vulnerability of over 100 fellow soldiers, Sergeant First Class Smith quickly organized a hasty defense consisting of two platoons of soldiers, one Bradley Fighting Vehicle and three armored personnel carriers. As the fight developed, Sergeant First Class Smith braved hostile enemy fire to personally engage the enemy with hand grenades and anti-tank weapons, and organized the evacuation of three wounded soldiers from an armored personnel carrier struck by a rocket propelled grenade and a 60mm mortar round. Fearing the enemy would overrun their defenses, Sergeant First Class Smith moved under withering enemy fire to man a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a damaged armored personnel carrier. In total disregard for his own life, he maintained his exposed position in order to engage the attacking enemy force. During this action, he was mortally wounded. His courageous actions helped defeat the enemy attack, and resulted in as many as 50 enemy soldiers killed, while allowing the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded soldiers. Sergeant First Class Smith’s extraordinary heroism and uncommon valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Third Infantry Division “Rock of the Marne,” and the United States Army.
These guys were shooting back. The civilians in the towers had no weapons. That’s why they (9-11 terrorists) are cowards in my book.
hawkdriver on October 14, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Why do you believe God must be as intolerant as you?
As God told Job, my thoughts are higher than your thoughts, my plans are higher than your thoughts.
Just because you can’t figure out what someone else’s plan is (through lack of knowledge or lack of intelligence) is not proof that there is no plan.
MarkTheGreat on October 14, 2008 at 11:17 AM
DUNHAM, JASON L.
Rank and Organization: Corporal, United States Marine Corps
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Rifle Squad Leader, 4th Platoon, Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines (Reinforced), Regimental Combat Team 7, First Marine Division (Reinforced), on 14 April 2004. Corporal Dunham’s squad was conducting a reconnaissance mission in the town of Karabilah, Iraq, when they heard rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire erupt approximately two kilometers to the west. Corporal Dunham led his Combined Anti-Armor Team towards the engagement to provide fire support to their Battalion Commander’s convoy, which had been ambushed as it was traveling to Camp Husaybah. As Corporal Dunham and his Marines advanced, they quickly began to receive enemy fire. Corporal Dunham ordered his squad to dismount their vehicles and led one of his fire teams on foot several blocks south of the ambushed convoy. Discovering seven Iraqi vehicles in a column attempting to depart, Corporal Dunham and his team stopped the vehicles to search them for weapons. As they approached the vehicles, an insurgent leaped out and attacked Corporal Dunham. Corporal Dunham wrestled the insurgent to the ground and in the ensuing struggle saw the insurgent release a grenade. Corporal Dunham immediately alerted his fellow Marines to the threat. Aware of the imminent danger and without hesitation, Corporal Dunham covered the grenade with his helmet and body, bearing the brunt of the explosion and shielding his Marines from the blast. In an ultimate and selfless act of bravery in which he was mortally wounded, he saved the lives of at least two fellow Marines. By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Corporal Dunham gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
hawkdriver on October 14, 2008 at 11:17 AM
McGINNIS, ROSS A.
Rank and Organization: Private First Class, United States Army
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
Private First Class Ross A. McGinnis distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an M2 .50-caliber Machine Gunner, 1st Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy in Adhamiyah, Northeast Baghdad, Iraq, on 4 December 2006.
That afternoon his platoon was conducting combat control operations in an effort to reduce and control sectarian violence in the area. While Private McGinnis was manning the M2 .50-caliber Machine Gun, a fragmentation grenade thrown by an insurgent fell through the gunner’s hatch into the vehicle. Reacting quickly, he yelled “grenade,” allowing all four members of his crew to prepare for the grenade’s blast. Then, rather than leaping from the gunner’s hatch to safety, Private McGinnis made the courageous decision to protect his crew. In a selfless act of bravery, in which he was mortally wounded, Private McGinnis covered the live grenade, pinning it between his body and the vehicle and absorbing most of the explosion.
Private McGinnis’ gallant action directly saved four men from certain serious injury or death. Private First Class McGinnis’ extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
hawkdriver on October 14, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Now I’ve got you figured out. You are desperate to find someone you can feel superior to. So you invent them.
MarkTheGreat on October 14, 2008 at 11:18 AM
MONSOOR, MICHAEL, A.
Rank and Organization: Master-At-Arms Second Class (Sea, Air And Land), United States Navy
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as automatic weapons gunner for Naval Special Warfare Task Group Arabian Peninsula, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 29 September 2006. As a member of a combined SEAL and Iraqi Army Sniper Overwatch Element, tasked with providing early warning and stand-off protection from a rooftop in an insurgent held sector of Ar Ramadi, Iraq, Petty Officer Monsoor distinguished himself by his exceptional bravery in the face of grave danger. In the early morning, insurgents prepared to execute a coordinated attack by reconnoitering the area around the element’s position. Element snipers thwarted the enemy’s initial attempt by eliminating two insurgents. The enemy continued to assault the element, engaging them with a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. As enemy activity increased, Petty Officer Monsoor took position with his machine gun between two teammates on an outcropping of the roof. While the SEALs vigilantly watched for enemy activity, an insurgent threw a hand grenade from an unseen location, which bounced off Petty Officer Monsoor’s chest and landed in front of him. Although only he could have escaped the blast, Petty Officer Monsoor chose instead to protect his teammates. Instantly and without regard for his own safety, he threw himself onto the grenade to absorb the force of the explosion with his body, saving the lives of his two teammates. By his undaunted courage, fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of certain death, Petty Officer Monsoor gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
hawkdriver on October 14, 2008 at 11:18 AM
All MOH winners for Iraq, (and one close one that is now under independent review) have all been awarded posthumously. Tell Bill Maher that the US Military is as brave, and definately more righteous than his terrorist idols.
hawkdriver on October 14, 2008 at 11:21 AM
i’ve got to tell you, the public, political face of christianity is not exemplified by churchgoing physicists. it’s exemplified by the schnooks who built that stupid creationist meuseum and believe that dinosaur bones were put there to test our faith.
nobody worth mentioning in league with these from the modern era, huh?
eh on October 14, 2008 at 11:22 AM
So the people who non-Christians wish to highlight define Christianity?
MarkTheGreat on October 14, 2008 at 11:23 AM
that’s understandable. and it was vestigial liberal bs from the gulf war, which liberals derided as “nintendo war”. i see your point.
eh on October 14, 2008 at 11:26 AM
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Nope, the very word believe implies that you do know. I certainly don’t know the answer to the big question , but I can’t say I believe in any particular theory either.
TheSitRep on October 14, 2008 at 11:27 AM
You’ve never been there. The Answers in Genesis folks have some very compelling narratives about intelligent design and the only thing the really assert is that Bible History and Natural History are not mutually exclusive.
hawkdriver on October 14, 2008 at 11:27 AM
…since when???
MadisonConservative on October 14, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Fair exchange then. Well met.
hawkdriver on October 14, 2008 at 11:29 AM
The more you know.
MadisonConservative on October 14, 2008 at 11:30 AM
who would you prefer were highlighted who would be happy to adopt the role of model christian?
as it is, these people who i referred to readily step to the fore to claim responsibility for the public and political assertion of christianity.
eh on October 14, 2008 at 11:31 AM
That is the “very” point that atheists will never get.
Blessed are those who believe who have not seen.
hawkdriver on October 14, 2008 at 11:31 AM
ehh, i’ll leave it with the other exchange which ended pleasantly.
eh on October 14, 2008 at 11:34 AM
If that works for you, cool. Roll your own.
TheSitRep on October 14, 2008 at 11:39 AM
The Natural History folks have as many eye-raising assertions.
Pilthdown Man
Nebraska Man
Lucy
Endless arguments on Neandertal Man
To name just a few.
hawkdriver on October 14, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Maher can lie because he has no one to answer to…he deems what is a lie and what is not.
right2bright on October 14, 2008 at 11:41 AM
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