Video: MSNBC whitewashes Van Jones Truther petition, of course
posted at 6:55 pm on September 8, 2009 by Allahpundit
Consider this a sequel to their now infamous clip featuring the crazy white guy with a gun at the Obama town hall who, um, wasn’t white. Here too viewers are missing a key fact: Just what did the petition say that Jones signed? Shuster, very curiously, doesn’t seem to know, even though (a) he’s moderating a segment about it on a national news channel and (b) you can find it online with 30 seconds of Googling. Quote:
An alliance of 100 prominent Americans and 40 family members of those killed on 9/11 today announced the release of the 911 Truth Statement, a call for immediate inquiry into evidence that suggests high-level government officials may have deliberately allowed the September 11th attacks to occur. The Statement supports an August 31st Zogby poll that found nearly 50% of New Yorkers believe the government had foreknowledge and “consciously failed to act,” with 66% wanting a new 9/11 investigation.
This wasn’t an accusation that Bush didn’t take the intelligence warnings about an AQ plot involving planes seriously enough. Very specifically, it claimed that he knew and let it happen. Shuster admits during the clip that Jones should have been canned if he supported the latter theory — while leaving it perfectly ambiguous for the audience whether he did or not. Good work.
Oh, weighing in on the liberal side here: Jane Hamsher, who seems to find perfect moral equivalence between Birthers and people who whitewash terrorism by accusing the U.S. government, in all seriousness, of conspiring to commit mass murder of its own citizens. If you missed Tom Maguire’s post about her yesterday, read it now. Her defense of Jones, as Maguire memorably phrases it, really does amount to arguing that VJ’s no crazier than the rest of the left. Which, in her defense, may have the virtue of being true.
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Like it helps this president to think he dumped Jones for such a small thing? It makes Obambi look even weaker.
leftnomore on September 8, 2009 at 6:57 PM
…and why do conservatives even go on that show? Let them rant to their own, they never learn anyway.
leftnomore on September 8, 2009 at 7:00 PM
He tried to sneak a nutjob past the nation in order to appease like-minded loons, and it backfired. Then again, the extremist left can be taken for granted, for the same reason that the extremist right can– they’re not going to switch sides, and they’ll fall in line prior to the next elections if you throw them a bone.
Stupid and loyal are a dangerous combination.
Tonus on September 8, 2009 at 7:01 PM
Don’t feed the hamsher.
faraway on September 8, 2009 at 7:02 PM
The lib moral compass lacks a north pole.
LibTired on September 8, 2009 at 7:02 PM
Conspiracy thinkers, whether on the left or the right, simply shouldn’t be involved in government.
If they wish to indulge in this type of extreme thinking, fine. Let them. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions.
But keep them away from real policy work.
AnninCA on September 8, 2009 at 7:02 PM
And the press wonders why people don’t trust them anymore?
When reporters are this clueless they either look outright stupid or just dishonest.
BakerAllie on September 8, 2009 at 7:03 PM
What an A%s-Clown…
Seven Percent Solution on September 8, 2009 at 7:04 PM
Not limited to the left, of course, when it useful.
Spirit of 1776 on September 8, 2009 at 7:04 PM
If focusing on that one issue is enough to absolve Van Jones then we are in deeper trouble than we thought. For Jane Hamsher to trivialize 9-11, what kind of horriffic disaster will it take to bring this country together again?
fourdeucer on September 8, 2009 at 7:05 PM
The “We’re all nutjobs” defense is only logical to progressives.
the_nile on September 8, 2009 at 7:06 PM
So once again liberals like Ann have to add the “yea but Bush did it too” defense. Give it up hon.
angryed on September 8, 2009 at 7:06 PM
Charles Johnson and the LittleGreenFootballs
bowl of granola (nuts-fruits-n’ flakes)lizard army… take 2.SilverStar830 on September 8, 2009 at 7:07 PM
was charles johnson a guest? he was the first person i saw who offered the defense of “what’s so wrong with just asking questions?”
eh on September 8, 2009 at 7:07 PM
Unfortunately par for the course for Shuster. Isn’t he Mr. 22 Indictments for GWB? So facts have always been malleable.
Spirit of 1776 on September 8, 2009 at 7:07 PM
If Obama’s supporters in the State Media were smart, they would just stop talking about Van Jones. Too bad for them, they aren’t so smart.
forest on September 8, 2009 at 7:07 PM
Geez….that’s a pair that could beat a straight.
Is Shuster so bleepin clueless that he thinks no one knows what Van Jones has said or supported unless we hear it from him…?
How can he so indignantly state “He never said that “?
Tool.
Hamsher came across as a loon trying to compare birthers to truthers as if they are the same.
NeoKong on September 8, 2009 at 7:09 PM
Sigh.
Cuffy Meigs on September 8, 2009 at 7:09 PM
It doesn’t matter what anyone says on msnbc. Nobody on the right takes them seriously. Everybody on the left already agrees with that they say. Then there’s the 4 moderates who watch msnbc thinking it’s cnbc and quickly chance the channel when no stock ticker comes up at the bottom.
angryed on September 8, 2009 at 7:09 PM
It isn’t all about his truther connections. These media clowns don’t get it.
iceman1960 on September 8, 2009 at 7:09 PM
Liberals and the truth are never to be mixed.
tarpon on September 8, 2009 at 7:09 PM
Actually, no. My post said nothing about Bush. I presume you’re talking about a different post, in which I quoted Laura Bush as saying that the education speech was good.
She did. I think you should be able to acknowledge that is true.
But this thread is about a different topic altogether.
AnninCA on September 8, 2009 at 7:09 PM
Wow – Cartman’s slimmed a lot and that sex change really took well.
calbear on September 8, 2009 at 7:09 PM
The more they talk about this stuff, the crazier they look.
Terrye on September 8, 2009 at 7:10 PM
Hon, try to focus. I said what I said directly in response to this thread and your take on it. You are a wackjob liberal and….aw f**k it, I’m not going to waste any more time on you.
angryed on September 8, 2009 at 7:10 PM
I know many of you NeoCons think that our fine president is some kind of Amateur Plastic Jesus or something. I find this criticism laughable and I strongly disagree with the assessment.
He is Professional Plastic Jesus since he gets paid to what he does.
Take that! You NeoCons.
Geochelone on September 8, 2009 at 7:12 PM
AnninCA:
Laura Bush is a gracious lady. I have never heard her say anything deliberately critical or unkind about Clinton or Obama. She just does not do that kind of thing. But you are right about one thing, this thread is about something else entirely.
Terrye on September 8, 2009 at 7:12 PM
They know , they’re just playing the narrative.
the_nile on September 8, 2009 at 7:12 PM
Olby scratches the “dig for Glenn dirt” campaign!
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/9/8/778706/-Also,-Lindbergh-Has-Just-Landed-In-Paris-%28Updated%29
bucsox79 on September 8, 2009 at 7:12 PM
AnninCA on September 8, 2009 at 7:02 PM
Quit trying to play both sides. Van Jones, Valerie Jarrett, Bill Ayers, Rev. Wright are all Obama and you know it. GWB is not the KKK, Hitler or any other lunatic.
fourdeucer on September 8, 2009 at 7:13 PM
And btw, there is a big difference between thinking someone might have fudged Obama’s birth certificate and thinking that a Commander in Chief would deliberately slaughter thousands of Americans so that he could go steal oil, which he did not even up stealing.
Terrye on September 8, 2009 at 7:13 PM
If the guy was that squeaky clean then why did he quit? If he never did anything wrong that would have embarrassed the Won, why leave.
Kissmygrits on September 8, 2009 at 7:14 PM
Hamster’s 15 minutes of fame came when her blog published a photoshopped picture of 2000 Democrat VP nominee Joe Lieberman in blackface.
And she calls those on the right “racist”? She really needs to getalife, or maybe getlaid.
Del Dolemonte on September 8, 2009 at 7:14 PM
Here’s what I said:
onspiracy thinkers, whether on the left or the right, simply shouldn’t be involved in government.
If they wish to indulge in this type of extreme thinking, fine. Let them. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions.
But keep them away from real policy work.
AnninCA on September 8, 2009 at 7:02 PM
AnninCA on September 8, 2009 at 7:15 PM
‘
Read my actual post.
AnninCA on September 8, 2009 at 7:15 PM
SCHUSTER FOR PRESIDENT!!!
bwconq on September 8, 2009 at 7:16 PM
again. :o)
Diane on September 8, 2009 at 7:17 PM
Heh, she’s only following the lead of many Hot Air pundits and commentaters.
2Brave2Bscared on September 8, 2009 at 7:17 PM
That’s priceless.
scalleywag on September 8, 2009 at 7:17 PM
Someone actually went to Hamsher for the liberal opinion on this?
Hammy puts the “nut” in batasscrazyweirdolibfreakazoidmoonbatnutjob.
Bishop on September 8, 2009 at 7:18 PM
Birthers were just asking a question, too. Yet the media had no problem jumping on them.
Enoxo on September 8, 2009 at 7:19 PM
This guy Shuster is OUTRAGEOUS. My lord, some of the dirtiest journalism I have ever seen. I mean this guy twists more than a licorice here, with full knowledge that he is lying his pants off and turning the truth upside down on its head. Absurd!
Comparing the general brief that there might be terrorism with the truther concept that the government had full knowledge & complicity is.. I mean it is just outrageous.
saus on September 8, 2009 at 7:19 PM
Read my actual post.
AnninCA on September 8, 2009 at 7:15 PM
I did and you speciffacally said RIGHT conspiracy thinkers. Now tell me you aren’t playing your high and mighty,above it all game.
fourdeucer on September 8, 2009 at 7:20 PM
You are, quite frankly, an idiot. Everybody believes in some sort of “conspiracy,” that is something that cannot be proven indefinitely by facts and evidence. Even you. If we followed your idiotic line of reasoning, no one could be involved in government.
2Brave2Bscared on September 8, 2009 at 7:21 PM
Truthers and Birthers are alike. Flip sides of the same type of conspiracy thinking.
If the shoe fits…..
AnninCA on September 8, 2009 at 7:22 PM
When was the last time any of these chumps witnessed a building brought down by explosives at the upper floors? Any dumb-ass blue collar guy could give you answer. Wasted your time in college. Oh, by the way, what happened to the people on the plane that DIDN’T hit the pentagon? Where are they? How much did they get paid? SHIT!!
LarryG on September 8, 2009 at 7:23 PM
That’s ridiculous. No, they don’t. A lot of people are quite capable of thinking about issues minus the nutty theories.
AnninCA on September 8, 2009 at 7:23 PM
I don’t think Truthers and Birthers are alike, in so far as no one died in the Birther scenario.
Terrye on September 8, 2009 at 7:24 PM
Getting y’all back “on point”:
MSM = Dodo birds…
Almost there… Almost there…
Khun Joe on September 8, 2009 at 7:25 PM
No, look. They’re both conspiracy theorists and I goof on Birthers all the time for it, but one is much more pernicious than the other. Truthers are apologists for Al Qaeda, at bottom; if you take them seriously, they’re willing to let jihadists off scot free for mass murder.
Allahpundit on September 8, 2009 at 7:26 PM
And I think that while Laura Bush as kind enough to say something gracious about Obama’s speech, he eared the ire of the people who reacted badly to his plans to speak to the children. Their reaction tended to be spontaneous and genuine. It was not about conspiracies or racism or anything else of the kind. Obama screwed the thing up and underestimated the amount of distrust in the public. He created the situation.
Terrye on September 8, 2009 at 7:27 PM
I do. It’s the same type of thinking. I don’t think Van Jones has any business being in government, but I also would say the same about any birther, too.
Want to propose far-fetched stuff, go ahead. Post or blog away. Sign petitions. Wave a sign.
But don’t expect to be a part of government.
AnninCA on September 8, 2009 at 7:27 PM
You believe in theories you can’t prove. I bet you believe in evolution, for instance. What theories are “nutty” and which ones are rational depends on the theory, and somewhat on the individual. Are you the arbiter of what is nutty what is not? If not, who decides? Some nutty conspiracy theory czar?
2Brave2Bscared on September 8, 2009 at 7:27 PM
MSNBC is full of truthers, communists, and racists. Why would they have a problem with Jones?
jhffmn on September 8, 2009 at 7:29 PM
Truthers and Birthes are both idiots. However, I think believing that the U.S. government was in on killing thousands of Americans strikes me as a new level of sickness. But to be clear I still think the Birthers are nuts.
terryannonline on September 8, 2009 at 7:29 PM
See that’s the only reason why there wasn’t a genocide, because it was a black man, white boys shoot up schools and such. Besides, what are all you people complaining about, shouldn’t you be busy poisoning the black man with your pollution systems?
LevStrauss on September 8, 2009 at 7:30 PM
correct me if i am wrong but, everybody but glenn beck (fox news)and hot air are a day late and a dollar short, so all you libtard azzhats need to have a coke and a smile and stfu.
SHARPTOOTH on September 8, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Actually, Terrey, she was quite direct, and it was not complimenting people who were teaching their children to disrespect the president.
She said, “This type of disrespect has been going on for awhile, and the extreme partisanship is still with us.”
She was pointing out that Bush suffered under the same type of treatment from the far-left. When people clap because the president has a shoe thrown at him, or they pull their children out of school for fear he’ll talk to them, then there is simply something way off about EITHER viewpoint.
I agreed with her 100%.
AnninCA on September 8, 2009 at 7:30 PM
I agree with that. I wouldn’t want a Birther in our government.
terryannonline on September 8, 2009 at 7:31 PM
Is this simply a personal opinion, or are you advocating some kind of law?
That goes for you as well.
2Brave2Bscared on September 8, 2009 at 7:33 PM
That’s where personal judgment comes into play. I understand that there is a difference between absolute proof and nothing beyond paranoid thinking.
Each of us must decide for ourselves. People of good judgment are the ones to be advising the president, and that doesn’t mean I have to agree with them. But I don’t want nuts running the country, either.
AnninCA on September 8, 2009 at 7:33 PM
I am over at the Daily KOs under Keiths Diary. You cant even talk to those people. They are literally nuts. You really should read some of their comments. Most of the time they wont respond to your comments or questions because I dont think they know how to.
Some them arent very happy that Keith called off the attack. lol
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/9/8/778706/-Also,-Lindbergh-Has-Just-Landed-In-Paris-%28Updated%29
bucsox79 on September 8, 2009 at 7:33 PM
Van Jones also thinks that the white people are deliberately polluting areas where blacks live…a kind of genocide.
Frankly, there’s no escaping this one’s insanity. But I can point out equally insane thinking on the far left, too.
AnninCA on September 8, 2009 at 7:34 PM
Neither do I. But my point is that we do not agree on what is “nuts” and what isn’t. So what’s the solution here?
2Brave2Bscared on September 8, 2009 at 7:35 PM
I really hope you folks don’t get too caught up in the Van Jones stuff, especially the truther and birther dichotomy, people like Sunstein are next.
Sunstein on the Second Amendment
Here is a good start for research to educate yourself.
LevStrauss on September 8, 2009 at 7:35 PM
Can we dispense with the absurd notion that MSNBC is a news channel?
RadClown on September 8, 2009 at 7:36 PM
Hindsight is always 20 20. There are times when the tinfoil hat people are right. Here are a couple of examples.
1. Germany 1942 or so..
AARON: “You know benny, I’ve heard rumors that the SS is killing our people in camps by the thousands”
BENNY: “Aaron you are such a putz. The government would never do that”
2. The future
MARY – johnny’s 45 yo mother ” So johnny, when are you and your wife going to give me grandchildren?? What is wrong with you two”
JOHNNY – “Mom, I don’t know, we keep trying… I’ve heard rumors that Minster Holdren is putting sterilizing drugs in the wat…”
MARY – “You better watch your mouth or I’ll have to report you.”
JOHNNY – “Mom, his own writings said he’d do that”
MARY – “That’s it, I’m reporting you for unobmama activity”
3. The Ukraine under Stalin
MISCHA “Why am I so hungry mommy?? I haven’t eaten for 2 weeks”
PAVEL (Mischa’s dad) : “I have heard that Stalin has ordered food withheld to starve us Kulaks to death”
MARYA (Misha’s Mother) “That is absurd, you are an idiot. The government would never do that.”
Meanwhile 7 million Ukranians were starved under Stalin’s orders.
So, what deliniates conspiracy and rightful concern??
bullseye on September 8, 2009 at 7:36 PM
It doesn’t have to be law. If we get a Republican prez in 2012 or 2016, I would want them to have a Birther anywhere in their administration….even a real low administrative position. They should vet their applicants.
terryannonline on September 8, 2009 at 7:36 PM
*snicker*
BigWyo on September 8, 2009 at 7:36 PM
The truther part is the LEAST concerning part of this wacko.
marklmail on September 8, 2009 at 7:36 PM
Ugh… meant to write
If we get a Republican prez in 2012 or 2016, I wouldn’t want them to have a Birther anywhere in their administration
terryannonline on September 8, 2009 at 7:37 PM
BTW – note that it is usually the leftists, fascists and communists that end up murdering by the millions. Hell, even Billy Ayers group had plans to get on the charts with 25 million or so.
bullseye on September 8, 2009 at 7:38 PM
Hehe. Sometimes typos are most appropriate.
2Brave2Bscared on September 8, 2009 at 7:38 PM
You can’t legislate judgment. Cheney thought/thinks that torture works. I don’t. A lot of military people don’t. So we have a serious disagreement, right?
But I don’t think Cheney is a conspiracy thinker.
He’s suggesting a cause/effect relationship that can never be proven. There’s a difference between that (which also will never be proven) and conspiracy thinking.
Gee, it’s just obvious to me through examples, I guess.
AnninCA on September 8, 2009 at 7:38 PM
MSMBC rating are in the dumper and they can’t understand why? My 10 year old nephew can even figure this one out.
Poway on September 8, 2009 at 7:39 PM
AnninCA on September 8, 2009 at 7:34 PM
I really don’t think he believes most of what he says. The whole time I have been a conservative, neocon (unknowingly for about three years), and libertarian, I have kept a close eye on the activist left. You can’t miss them in cities. I watched Democracy Now “religiously” to keep up with their worldview. There are a lot of hustlers. You don’t get exported from the Ivy Leagues to inner city community organizing and believe the crap you say, that’s why they are the organizers.
LevStrauss on September 8, 2009 at 7:40 PM
I was just wondering what ‘far left’ means these days…
BigWyo on September 8, 2009 at 7:40 PM
That should read MSNBC…sorry.
Poway on September 8, 2009 at 7:40 PM
Has anyone ever been banned for being outright boring?? (allah – hint hint – ends in CA)
Ris4victory on September 8, 2009 at 7:40 PM
No shuckin’ fit.
thomasaur on September 8, 2009 at 7:41 PM
BigWyo on September 8, 2009 at 7:36 PM
Sometimes the truth just sneaks right up and you and there it is.
fourdeucer on September 8, 2009 at 7:41 PM
I think we need to be careful getting into witch hunts over politically incorrect beliefs. I don’t want any Truthers near the White House or in government for that matter, but I think you’re dead wrong when it comes to the “birthers.”
I don’t like how this whole Van Jones thing has been framed around his 9/11 trutherism. There was far more wrong with him than just that.
2Brave2Bscared on September 8, 2009 at 7:42 PM
I agree with you. There are familiar talking points in that group. His remarks go right along to get along, so to speak.
But it causes me to greatly question his actual contributions on green economics. Frankly, that type of going along is indicative of a very undisciplined mind.
Why should I buy his research on anything, really?
AnninCA on September 8, 2009 at 7:44 PM
I think she meant to say ‘far right.’ That’s why I found it funny.
2Brave2Bscared on September 8, 2009 at 7:44 PM
Why the NO for Truthers but Birthers are ok?
terryannonline on September 8, 2009 at 7:44 PM
Micro
Soft
Moron
Broadcasting
that works
Company
thomasaur on September 8, 2009 at 7:44 PM
So talk to others. Goodness, can’t you manage your own blogging choices?
*rolling my eyes*
AnninCA on September 8, 2009 at 7:45 PM
AnninCa:
Cheney thought that torture worked?? Says who? That is crap. We have reached a point where a belly slap is torture. The truth is men like Cheney kept this country from being attacked for years and they made a point of trying to stay within the law the entire time.
Terrye on September 8, 2009 at 7:46 PM
Hence the *snicker*
But it’s still a mighty big assumption with that one.
BigWyo on September 8, 2009 at 7:46 PM
Dude, get with youtube and google. How many commie nut job friends does it take to show where Bozo’s mind is at?
Here are three:
Jeremiah Wright
Bill Ayers
Van Jones.
helllOOOoooo MSNBC no one is buying your bulldip!
dogsoldier on September 8, 2009 at 7:47 PM
If they keep this stuff up, their numbers will continue to drop and they’ll be lucky to pull 100,000 a night.
kingsjester on September 8, 2009 at 7:48 PM
Oh, snap.
This one really hurts, doesn’t it?
drjohn on September 8, 2009 at 7:49 PM
Ann:
Did it ever occur to you that Laura Bush was making a point of not saying what the average Democrat would have said if her own husband had been talking to students?
That does not change the fact that Obama played into this kind of thinking with his silly lesson plan and arrogant over reach. If I had kids in school, they would have stayed home today.
Terrye on September 8, 2009 at 7:50 PM
AP explained it above. Surely you read that.
Truthers believe the government murdered citizens. Birthers want constitutional requirements verified.
You’re unbelievable, TA.
Spirit of 1776 on September 8, 2009 at 7:50 PM
Truthers and birthers don’t even belong on the same scales.
If that is what they mean by social justice, the metric is irreperably broken.
fourdeucer on September 8, 2009 at 7:52 PM
Because, unlike you, I don’t think they’re equally crazy. Indeed, I don’t think the two have anything in common other than the fact that they both believe in “theories.” One is based on rational inquiry, the other (Trutherism) on irrationality.
I am not what you would call a “birther” — least not in the traditional sense. For all I know or care, Obama was born in Hawaii. But for other reasons having to do with his father and his dual citizenship at birth, I do not think he is eligible to be POTUS per the “natural born” requirement in Article II, Section I, Clause 5 of the Constitution.
But despite my differences with what has become to be known as “birtherism,” I know you’d throw me in that camp anyway. Meaning you think people like myself should have no place in government. I resent that, and quite frankly I believe you’re ignorant to even say such a thing.
2Brave2Bscared on September 8, 2009 at 7:54 PM
Well, we’ll have to disagree on this one. I am alarmed at the divisivness and the level of disrespect in our culture right now.
It’s not good for anyone.
AnninCA on September 8, 2009 at 7:57 PM
To clarify, I am not meaning to distance myself from birthers because I think they’re crazy. I don’t. I just mean to point out that my “birtherism” (if you want to call it that) is of a different variety, if you will, from the standard form of birtherism (which focuses almost entirely on his place of birth, rather than his parental heritage).
2Brave2Bscared on September 8, 2009 at 7:58 PM
MS-NBC is gonna end up with a stockroom full of Obama T-Shirts that no one will buy…
TN Mom on September 8, 2009 at 8:08 PM
he is a tool who wouldn’t know real journalism if it hit him in the face
cmsinaz on September 8, 2009 at 8:10 PM
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