Video: O’Reilly apologizes to Hot Air, sort of
posted at 9:36 pm on May 28, 2009 by Allahpundit
Yes, he concedes, the quote last night should have been specifically attributed to a commenter, not to the site itself — but that’s what we get for letting stuff like that be posted, now isn’t it? Do a better job of moderating comments and we won’t have this problem. He’s been making this argument for years, usually when ripping on Kos, without any apparent sense of what kind of comment load blogs with big traffic deal with. Between Ed’s and my 20-25 posts plus the 40 or so Headline items, Hot Air must get, let’s say, 2,700 comments a day. To put that in perspective, if I worked 15 hours a day doing nothing but moderating them, in order to read and rule on each one I’d have to work at a clip of three comments per minute without taking a single break. That is to say, we’d need not one but two full-time moderators to do the job right, the cost of which would bankrupt nearly any blog given the realities of online ad revenue, especially in a recession. Add to that the endless headaches involved in deciding whether a given comment’s over the line and the inevitable haphazard, arbitrary standards we’d end up imposing on readers and it’s simply not worth it. Frequently we’ll get tips alerting us to really nasty stuff, like racist cracks or death threats, which we promptly clean up, but by and large, if other readers are willing to let a comment pass without mention — stupid and/or distasteful though they may find it — we’re willing too. There’s just too much else to do.
InstaGlenn has some wise words about this subject, which you should digest after watching. Oh, and if you’re wondering what was going on over at the Fox Nation website tonight while O’R was busy lecturing us on the Factor, feast your eyes.
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I know that, but it is owned be his employer.
That’s correct. But he didn’t do that. And that’s what make O’Reilly a hypocrite on the matter at hand: he’s being paid by someone who did something worse–worse by O’Reilly’s standard.
So everyone is just faking being mad, eh? Look, I’m at the point where I think everything the president has said since being in the public eye is a lie. But have a fit and misreading what AP is saying about it makes you seem like you need a pill.
baldilocks on May 28, 2009 at 10:42 PM
Same here.
ClericalGal on May 28, 2009 at 10:43 PM
Excuse all my grammar errors.
baldilocks on May 28, 2009 at 10:44 PM
This is amazingly weak AP.
Attack BOR by linking to a post about commentors.
Weak. Ass.
Stephen M on May 28, 2009 at 10:44 PM
Hey Hurray Jim Robinson at FR!!! Whoooooo-hoo!
O’Reilly as Elite gasbag is right.
bperiwinkle on May 28, 2009 at 10:46 PM
More like the Kent Brockman (though I’ll forgive Rush for missing that reference; he grew up on “Mary Tyler Moore” while I have “The Simpsons”).
steveegg on May 28, 2009 at 10:47 PM
Let me put it this way, baldi; I certainly hope they’re faking it. Otherwise, these are some of the most hypersensitive folks I’ve run into.
Me too. And it is true.
I don’t care about what AP says. I was feigning outrage, myself, just to get into the whole mood, here. (Though his need to continue with his attitude about the eligibility issue is just plain stupid, not that I really care).
progressoverpeace on May 28, 2009 at 10:48 PM
Here’s hateful: suck it, Bill.
Put that on your show and let the folks decide.
Kensington on May 28, 2009 at 10:48 PM
O.K. I’ve had my fill!!! Thank you!!!
The guy is off his nut. I got the impression by comparing his older posts to his newer ones. I stopped at the post where he defends Sotomayor.
….I’ve learned my lesson, Never again please :)
FontanaConservative on May 28, 2009 at 10:49 PM
That was no apology at all. Bill “James” O’Rielly simply corrected a byline error. Then he accused Michelle of a cop out/spinning what happened.
Just look at the way he says, “It’s not enough to say, ‘I didn’t do it.’”
- The Cat
P.S. Bill is still a (_|_)
MirCat on May 28, 2009 at 10:51 PM
For the record, I don’t think he was born in Kenya either–the logistics of the situation make in highly implausible. I think that there something else he’s hiding and I refuse to have a cow about it. It will be found out.
baldilocks on May 28, 2009 at 10:54 PM
Yup.
BTW, I know what a Birther is. What the heck is a Nirther?
- The Cat
MirCat on May 28, 2009 at 10:58 PM
One more thing about the ‘Hussein’ “issue”: I keep handing you all the perfect retort for when someone gets bent out of shape about the use of the name (now that’s faux outrage.) All you have to do is pick it up and use it.
baldilocks on May 28, 2009 at 10:58 PM
I’m not big on the Kenya birth angle, myself (though something is clearly wrong with the BC, or else it would have been released long ago). My issue is that dual citizenship invalidates ‘natural-born’, and I think that is fairly obvious, though the SCOTUS must rule on it.
But the point is that the eligibility issue is an important Constitutional question that no one should be scoffing at.
progressoverpeace on May 28, 2009 at 10:58 PM
I still like the ‘vast dimly lit room’ concept………
Seven Percent Solution on May 28, 2009 at 10:59 PM
AP, don’t know if this was mentioned, but a few other sites have designated moderators. You COULD annoint some of your other trusted commenters or bloggers as comment moderators. You don’t need to shoulder all the load.
eaglesdontflock on May 28, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Dual citizenship with what country? UK? Kenya? Doesn’t have either. I know.
baldilocks on May 28, 2009 at 11:00 PM
I think we had this conversation before.
baldilocks on May 28, 2009 at 11:00 PM
I know, and I appreciate it, but for this blog the comparison between someone calling himself ‘Allah” having problems with the name ‘Hussein’ is my prefered line of argument. You are handling the Luo naming issue well enough.
But I will be bringing your point up on other blogs (with proper attribution).
progressoverpeace on May 28, 2009 at 11:01 PM
KINSOLVING BROKE THE JONES STORY AND WAS NOMINATED FOR TWO PULITZERS
IlikedAUH2O on May 28, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Well, we don’t know if he still has any or not. We don’t much of anything about his Indonesian citizenship. But the point is that once you lose ‘natural-born’ status, it’s gone. You can’t get it back. If someone is a ‘natural-born’ AMerican and then relinquishes his American citizenship, then it is clear that he is no longer a ‘natural-born’ American (as he is nolonger an American citizen. Even if he becomes a naturalized citizen later, he still doesn’t recover his ‘natural-born’ status. This is the same with dual citizenship (to my mind). Once you take another citizenship, you lose your status as a ‘natural-born’ American, never to get it back again.
The fact that he had dual citizenship is not in doubt. Now, some go on about being a minor … but that is why people want to see his passports andcollege records, to know if he declared himself a foreign national when he was of age. But, to Allah, that’s too embarrassing to even ask, and I find that pathetic and wrong-headed.
But, like I said, the SCOTUS needs to rule on this. And it certainly should have.
progressoverpeace on May 28, 2009 at 11:06 PM
I understand, Allahpundit, that you, Ed, and Michelle can’t be full time moderators. However, I’ve emailed before calling attention to comments that were atrocious and no one did anything. I would imagine if someone emailed calling attention to an offensive comment that you can’t claim the site leaders are totally clueless about what is going on?
terryannonline on May 28, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Doesn’t one have to be of age to do that?
baldilocks on May 28, 2009 at 11:09 PM
I agree that calling Obama “Hussein” might be bad form and I’ve read some of the comments here regarding its use. However, it seems to me that Allah is implying Bill was right to single it out as “hateful” but that the problem was with him identifying it as a HotAir blog post. Then AP goes on to say that he can’t moderate all the time.
That sounds to me like an admission that saying “Hussein” is a bannable offense, which does not sit right with me at all, whether I like its use as an epithet or not.
OneGyT on May 28, 2009 at 11:11 PM
Offshore it. You could get a half dozen in Bangalore for that price. What could go wrong?
ItsForTheChildren on May 28, 2009 at 11:11 PM
O’Reilly’s been comment fishing for a long time now. I’m surprised that MM was so shocked, because she’s been there with him numerous times when he did this.
sandman on May 28, 2009 at 11:14 PM
I was only taking the extreme example of someone actually getting rid of their American citizenship to illustrate the impermanence of ‘natural-born’ status. Once people acknowledge this ability to lose ‘natural-born’ status (along with not getting it back) then the whole dual-citizenship issue and how it invalidates ‘natural-born’ status is easier to see.
progressoverpeace on May 28, 2009 at 11:15 PM
BOR can never admit he is wrong, period.
Gasbag indeed.
Nirthers? I thought it was Birther? Either way they are Truffer loons.
AprilOrit on May 28, 2009 at 11:16 PM
Let’s hope he doesn’t get over to Atlas Shrugs or Ace :)
progressoverpeace on May 28, 2009 at 11:16 PM
He is just looking out for us, folks. The little people need no outlet of expression when we have that pinhead talking for us.
Chubbs65 on May 28, 2009 at 11:17 PM
I’ve never had a problem with this. Allah’s always been plenty quick with the bannishments.
Maybe you’re yardstick on atrocious is different than mine. And there lies the problem. Bill O expects his to be the judging one.
And I’ll not be lectured on discourse by a man that acts like he’s one step away from violence with his guests. (Donahue)
Plus the whole Rivera thing. Way to stand up to hateful people O’Rielly you (_|_).
- The Cat
MirCat on May 28, 2009 at 11:17 PM
Since when is using Obama’s middle name considered hateful?
Come OReilly, that’s just shtoopid!
Apology my butt. More like CYA. And a lame CYA.
katy on May 28, 2009 at 11:18 PM
Good Lord it’s his name! If he doesn’t want anyone calling him that he should have it legally changed or removed.
darwin on May 28, 2009 at 11:18 PM
Now that would be a scandal.
- The Cat
P.S. Hey! Maybe he did this already.
MirCat on May 28, 2009 at 11:23 PM
Got it….I think. :)
I guess that I’m just refusing to be afraid…of him and of the Truth. And I believe that the latter will triumph.
baldilocks on May 28, 2009 at 11:24 PM
Well this was run of the mill gas bagging. And complaining about using some one’s name is simply weird. The campaign is over. You don’t have to hide the truth any longer.
petunia on May 28, 2009 at 11:25 PM
Let’s hope he does go over to Ace’s. Heheheh.
baldilocks on May 28, 2009 at 11:25 PM
OneGyT on May 28, 2009 at 11:11 PM
Agreed.
petunia on May 28, 2009 at 11:27 PM
I was thinking about this. I figure he won’t because Ace is just too damned funny (along with the rest of them, there). It’s hard to generate outrage when you’re laughing your arse off.
progressoverpeace on May 28, 2009 at 11:30 PM
I know it must be hard to moderate comments. It is a balancing act. One doesn’t want 2 be too quick with banning people but you don’t want to let the comments get out of control. And the internet also has a very HIGH tolerance for crazy talk.
terryannonline on May 28, 2009 at 11:31 PM
I still have a tenuous hold on my faith in America’s manifest destiny. But I keep my fingers crossed, too :)
progressoverpeace on May 28, 2009 at 11:32 PM
On BOR’s interview the ACORN ladies, how was he supposed to go after a blind woman?
BuckeyeSam on May 28, 2009 at 11:39 PM
Good Lord, O’Reilly had Luntz and his dials reporting on O’Reilly. He’s such a “this is what I think of me, what do you think of me?”.
Marcus on May 28, 2009 at 11:40 PM
I’m offended by all the comments by RINOS, so if I email Allahpundit about those, is he supposed to erase those comments or ban the RINO making the comment?
Whose subjective idea of “offensive” determines which comments are inappropriate? The person who sends the most whiney emails to the moderator?
Buddahpundit on May 28, 2009 at 11:40 PM
I am surprised the Factor overlooked the disclaimer right above the comments section. I am guessing that Bill may not be very blog-savvy and may have had trouble distinguishing between a “post” and a “comment”.
You know, with this many comments to deal with, Hot Air could consider migrating the comments to a discussion forum. You could find many willing folks to volunteer to moderate I bet.
CG - Colorado on May 28, 2009 at 11:45 PM
So are we not supposed to ever email the folks at HotAir about offensive comments but we are only offensiveness is “subjective”?
terryannonline on May 28, 2009 at 11:49 PM
Yes, how loony it is to be familiar with the U.S. Constitution.
Jim Treacher on May 28, 2009 at 11:49 PM
I’m leaning toward the latter.
: P
jgapinoy on May 28, 2009 at 11:53 PM
Eh. Ed sent me a nasty warning for posting some sexual innuendo about chubby mccain. I’m sure AP put him up to it because he was the one so hot and bothered over her at the time. The funny thing was that I was just quoting chubby’s own comments. If the girl has a potty mouth, take it up with her.
Blake on May 28, 2009 at 11:57 PM
I don’t understand what was so outrageous about the comment in question.
Socialist…..True
Block the nomination………..yes they should
Hussein…….its the mans middle name for gods sake!
To compare us to the kos kids and some of the hateful venom they spew is just stupid.
conservnut on May 28, 2009 at 11:58 PM
Lay off man, they’re “just asking questions”.
crr6 on May 29, 2009 at 12:00 AM
Someone, please post or link to the comment in question. Thanks ahead.
p.s. some in here are holier-than-thou, very tedious.
Schadenfreude on May 29, 2009 at 12:02 AM
By traveling to Pock-ee-ston on his Indonesian passport as an adult, when US citizens couldn’t go there, he may technically have renounced his US citizenship. At least that’s one of the theories I’ve seen bandied about.
The Monster on May 29, 2009 at 12:02 AM
How progressive of you. April is a man.
Schadenfreude on May 29, 2009 at 12:03 AM
It’s offensive because the people using Obama’s middle name are only doing it to drawing attention to it and paint him as a closeted Muslim. And he isn’t. It’s absurd. You are not going to honestly tell me that the people who demagogue his middle name are doing it for pure affectionate reasons? Come on.
terryannonline on May 29, 2009 at 12:06 AM
Did you answer the question? Should the moderator ban everyone who offends me or shouldn’t he?
As for the comment that O’Reilly was getting his panties in a bunch about, I wasn’t offended by it in the least. I thought it was mild.
You might want to post examples of posts that you found offensive to help make your case.
Buddahpundit on May 29, 2009 at 12:08 AM
terryannonline on May 29, 2009 at 12:06 AM
0bama could have dealt with this a long time ago. He omits it when it’s advantageous, and he includes it when it is. The rest are then free to use, abuse, or do whatever they please with it.
Schadenfreude on May 29, 2009 at 12:13 AM
Heh.
Sorry, Bill.
Stopped watching you years ago.
Your radio show sucked too.
What’s the problem Bill?
Too hateful for ya?
Saltysam on May 29, 2009 at 12:14 AM
It’s here.
I hear you. I like to say: Holier-than-thou kills, and it usually kills the holier one.
progressoverpeace on May 29, 2009 at 12:15 AM
For someone who doesn’t care, you sure seem to cry a lot about it. Think about that.
MadisonConservative on May 29, 2009 at 12:15 AM
Hmm. If Hussein is ‘evil’, what about ‘Ogabe’? Or Obummer? Or any of a host of other dimunitives for our President’s name?
I disagree (and vehemently) with almost everything our new President has done (and what I don’t disagree with, I disagree with the method by which it has been done). However, I refuse to call names in some juvenile fashion.
Hussein is President Obama’s middle name. Exactly how much worse is this than ‘W’? I see using any of the various names at the start of this post worse than ‘Hussein’, as at least Hussein is part of his legal name (as far as we know).
Scott H on May 29, 2009 at 12:18 AM
I’m sorry I don’t buy that. It’s just more thin-skinned outrage that gets more ridiculous all the time. If they used his whole name Barack Hussein Obama would you find that offensive? People have, when Rush used his whole name people went bonkers. True the intent of the commenter was to slam him. And that name has become a popular slam. But I don’t see it as the same as Kos kids calling Bush Hitler. It’s the mans name. Are we supposed to be so politcally correct in our comments that we can’t use the mans name if it might offend? Perhaps if I was that sensitive about my own name I would change it.
conservnut on May 29, 2009 at 12:20 AM
Buddah: I think the point was that those who find comments offensive should notify the people in charge. The people in charge decide what action is appropriate. I don’t think anyone was objecting to the fact that nothing was done so much as the implication that the people in charge weren’t getting the message that something was perceived as wrong.
Scott H on May 29, 2009 at 12:20 AM
No not everyone that offends you or I should be banned. However, when you sign up to comment HotAir there is a actually a very tough “terms of use.” When we comment here it is under the understanding that we should not abuse the it.
Fine abuse your free speech rights all you want, then don’t get mad when a television pundit uses his free speech to call out the demagoguery. You are not the only with free speech.
terryannonline on May 29, 2009 at 12:20 AM
Danforth.
Ronnie on May 29, 2009 at 12:21 AM
Thanks, progressoverpeace.
No reason to forbid such comments in a free society.
dogsoldier, keep on soldiering.
Schadenfreude on May 29, 2009 at 12:22 AM
Please elaborate which term was breached.
You are not only holier-than-thou, you’re also incredibly naive.
Schadenfreude on May 29, 2009 at 12:23 AM
… that was the comment that caused all the commotion?
What, was this a segment they put together on 5 seconds’ notice? I can easily find stuff far more ‘damaging’ to HotAir’s ‘reputation’ than that tepid comment.
Scott H on May 29, 2009 at 12:24 AM
Schadenfreude: It’s a bit difficult to take you seriously with your name, but I’ll try.
Do you think that the Terms of Use is something that people here should try to uphold, and see upheld?
Scott H on May 29, 2009 at 12:25 AM
Our children is (still) learning.
Schadenfreude on May 29, 2009 at 12:25 AM
I remember reading one of y’all predicting this exact response from Billy O in the original smear thread.
Well played, to whomever it was.
Hawkins1701 on May 29, 2009 at 12:26 AM
Schadenfreude on May 29, 2009 at 12:25 AM
Um, what’s that in reference to?
Scott H on May 29, 2009 at 12:27 AM
Scott, no need to take me seriously.
Yes, I’m very familiar with the terms. Which ones were breached? I’ve seen comments in here that surpass that one many-fold.
Schadenfreude on May 29, 2009 at 12:27 AM
That is my point, I found that comment pretty mild myself. Why it has generated all this outrage is beyond me.
conservnut on May 29, 2009 at 12:27 AM
The way pretending journalists write today.
Schadenfreude on May 29, 2009 at 12:29 AM
Maybe O’Reilly just needs blog comments to be put into perspective – I’t like leaving a lewd message on someones answering machine.
gwelf on May 29, 2009 at 12:30 AM
Schaden: Heh. ;)
I’m not claiming any were. And I agree with your statement. I was just inquiring whether or not you find ‘Terms of Use’, in general, useful.
Scott H on May 29, 2009 at 12:30 AM
Ah, well, Schaden, they may have a word or two that’s unneeded, but subject-verb agreement is also quite useful, is it not? ;)
Scott H on May 29, 2009 at 12:31 AM
Scott, yes, they are the “terms” of the house, HA’s, and they may make them anything they wish. We’re here as guests. Guests in general are not that sensitive and holy, at least not on a political blog.
It’s all futile. Better to be apathetic.
Schadenfreude on May 29, 2009 at 12:33 AM
Thank you for the insight. =)
Scott H on May 29, 2009 at 12:34 AM
Glad you didn’t take me seriously, Scott, :)
Schadenfreude on May 29, 2009 at 12:36 AM
I wish. If I was a man I would rule, life would be so easy, and my doc has told me I would probably handle my chemo better..
AprilOrit on May 29, 2009 at 12:41 AM
i dont understand equating comments from readers to supporting what a blog stands for
saL on May 29, 2009 at 12:42 AM
Ha ha ha, check this out
Really Bill?
conservnut on May 29, 2009 at 12:47 AM
I missed the O’Reilly thing entirely. I stopped watching that less than regular gas bag when his buddy, Geraldo Rivera, threatened to spit on Michelle.
Zorro on May 29, 2009 at 12:50 AM
What’s the diff between a falafel and a loofah, Bill?
profitsbeard on May 29, 2009 at 12:58 AM
Okay. Fess up. (Think Rich Little here imitating James Cagney for the next two sentences.) Who done it? Who called the President by his middle name?
Sergeant Tim on May 29, 2009 at 12:59 AM
I really wish they would put Glen Beck in prime time and give O’Reilly some real competition. I would love to see him in 2nd place.
conservativemama on May 29, 2009 at 1:01 AM
Don’t know if someone mentioned it already, but why not install karma buttons so we can self moderate?
John the Libertarian on May 29, 2009 at 1:13 AM
Check out the Terms and Conditions from O’Reilly’s website:
What’s the matter, Bill-O, have you been getting “hateful” comments on your website too?
CultureWar on May 29, 2009 at 1:31 AM
Why should we excuse you. We are perfect. We do not mkae errors.
Johan Klaus on May 29, 2009 at 2:14 AM
Yeah Bill’s stepped it in this time…He’s been getting a little big in the head with his well deserved ratings. Let him not forget us that will make sure he does not ‘spin’
Doogiesd on May 29, 2009 at 2:58 AM
I think bankruptcy would suit Billy O’ just fine. This would force people back to the old oligopoly media, of which Bill is a member, for their news and information. The old would again decide what you needed to know and what standards would be applied.
Whether Bill realizes it or not what he is advocating is elitism. He was once the outsider, the gadfly, now he is no better than the elitist smug oligarchs he once despised.
Hot Air’s or Kos’s standards are just that, their standards, not yours Bill.
While I may agree with Bill about the Kooks over at Kos, I would never advocate censorship. Of course, planning, advocating, or condoning violence should never be tolerated. Neither should slander, stalking or threats.
DeathB4Tyranny on May 29, 2009 at 3:53 AM
To be fair to O’reilly, I think he was pointing out to the “Hussein” comment as an example of the kind of insenstive posts that does merit scrutiny from the mods. I think he realizes that constant moderating over the comment section is implausible.
Of course, whether or not calling the president as “Hussein” is truly offensive is up for debate. Conservatives often opt for that name to challenge prudish PC attitude concerning Obama’s muslim heritage.
Mad Kimchi on May 29, 2009 at 5:30 AM
My comment was neither stupid nor tasteless. Saying that someone is incompetent when they ARE, militant and socialist when they are is not tasteless. Nor is it stupid.
Sotomayor is as much a disgrace as a nominee as David Duke would be. I don’t understand how an American of ANY STRIPE could put forward a devout bigot for any post in government, never mind the supreme court. I feel like I’m living in a parallel universe or something.
Hopefully she will disqualify herself. Although it looks like Tancredo at least has the stones to call her what she is.
dogsoldier on May 29, 2009 at 6:26 AM
Oh and as far as O’Reilly,
Hussein is the middle MADE UP NAME for Barry’s current persona, which may be his third. His name is a JOKE. He crafted it for political purposes, and I refuse to be sensitive to a socialist piece of excrement thats wrecking our country. Hussein!
And Bill O is just a jerk. He should give an unequivocal apology.
dogsoldier on May 29, 2009 at 6:29 AM
American Power tracked-back with, “O’Reilly Gets Hammered on Hypocrisy!”:
http://americanpowerblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/oreilly-gets-hammered-on-hypocrisy.html
Donald Douglas on May 29, 2009 at 6:40 AM
I’d be ticked, if I were you. Your comment generates all this blog traffic for everyone and I haven’t seen a single one give you the proper attribution for your quote. Whatever happened to people’s respect for the quotes of others, giving the proper citation?
progressoverpeace on May 29, 2009 at 6:48 AM
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