Bill O'Reily Doesn't Know Oz, and One Excited Journalism Student.

In reading up on the story that I actually wanted to talk about in this post, I happen to stumble across this Huffington Post article that just about made my eyes pop out of my head in disgust and disbelief. Bill O'Reily Likened distinguished White House Correspondent Helen Thomas "The Wicked Witch of The East". Before I talk about why this should be monumentally offensive to everyone (mostly women and journalists), I want to point out why this should be offensive to fans of L. Frank Baum, as well as of the movie "The Wizard of OZ". Lets take a step back Bill, and for one second ignore the fact that you used incoherent screeching to impersonate a women who has covered every president since Kennedy, lets ignore the fact that you belittled her perfectly reasonable question to the president by asking if your mom got to ask a question too, lets ignore the fact that she has had a more noteworthy and respected career than you could ever dream of and the only way for you to deal with that is to brush her off as a silly old woman. If we set aside all that here is the problem with this statement: The Character you're referencing is the Wicked Witch of the West, not the east. The Wicked Witch of the East is crushed by Dorothy’s house upon its bumpy arrival to Oz.

Even so Bill, if Helen Thomas is the Wicked Witch of the WEST, what does that make you in this Ozian metaphor of American journalism? Calling you the giant inflated head of Oz himself is giving you far to much credit, and those flying monkeys are way to cool for me to want to associate them with you. I guess that makes you a Munchkin Bill, an amusing little character with a funny voice, who in reality does very little to advance the plot other than sing "Follow the Yellowbrick Road"
It really is such as shame to see two men so threatened by this woman’s career as a journalist that they are reduced to cheap and petty ageism (which is in reality only disguised sexism), which is funny in and of itself considering you are no spring chicken there Billo. Nor is your partner in ageism Bernie Goldberg, whos suggestion that she "find something else to do during press confrences" because she asked about "so-called" terrorists. Just to go out on a limb (as I really can't confirm this either way) but could she have been refering to detainees that have yet to be convicted of anything, and as such cannot be called terrorists, as they have yet to be proven guilty of terrorist activities? could she be respecting the fact that people are innocent until proven guilty?
note: I have sinced learned that this is not the true context* of Helen Thomas' question, and this was irresponsible speculation on my part. My bad, I'm sorry. slings 09/02/13*

I also feel like Alan Colmes deserves the good sportsmanship of the century award, himself and Bill at times embodying the liberal/conservative relationship in contemporary politics, Bill Yells and poor Mr. Colmes tries to calmly and rationally explain why he’s wrong, and Billo yells some more using ridiculous metaphor and fallacious logic, and Mr. Colmes sheepishly backs down, not wanting to drag himself down to Bill’s level. one day I want him to see him snap and punch Billo right in the mouth, mid-sentence. You watch, one day it'll happen, "Alan Colmes finally loses it" the headlines will read.

I feel like I owe Bill O'Reily a thank you, for reminding me (and hopefully the Hegelian "we") just how much more needs to be done before we (Canada, The U.S. and indeed the world) live up to those self evident truths laid out by Locke and other political theorists, and in some way adopted into liberal democratic constitutions around the world. If nothing else he (Bill) serves as a reminder of our need to stay vigilante against oppression of all kinds, in all forms, and against all persons.

Now that that’s out of my system I feel a bit better and can move onto the story I was reading before Billo’s impression caught my eye, a story that is far more positive, I think. Last night a fiend of mine and I were at my place watching Countdown. Not having access to American news channels on Canadian cable (nor access to cable in my place of dwelling. the TV serves as a means to play videogames and watch movies) I watch Keith Olbermann, as well as Rachel Maddow via podcast on my computer. As we gathered around my laptop the T.V. Machine (thank you Rachel Maddow, its her phrase not mine) staring on Blankly, delegated finally to the realm of entertainment. I had this slightly romanticized image of people years ago gathered around a radio to listen to a boxing match or news broadcast, but I digress.
Olbermann ran two stories that made me think, and almost made me cry, both relating to the town halls Mr. Obama is partaking in to promote his stimulus package. The first being the desperate plea for help from Henrietta Hughes being part of the number five story last night, also reported on by the Huffington Post. What struck me most about this was President Obama’s handling of the situation. He walked down and gave Ms. Hughes a kiss on the cheek and told her he was going to do what he could to help her. As he’s telling her to talk to his staff afterwards my friend leans over and remarks, “ That’s why he’s like Oprah” which degenerated into giggling fits and shouting “you get a new car, and you get a new car!” But his point was well made, he gives the citizenry hope, it seems as if for the first time in a long time the American people have a real leader in all the symbolic sense of the word. They have a head of state that they can believe in, or at the very least has an above 50% approval rating. I’m not saying hope alone will turn the U.S. Economy around; it’s going to take hard work and smart policy. However it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that if people think there is a way out of this, a light at the end of the tunnel they will be more likely to put the work into getting there. It is a very fine line to walk, providing realistic projections and maintaining hope, and Mr. Obama is at the very least showing us his willingness to try, his own hope, and faith in other people. With all this in mind it was Olbermann’s interview with aspiring journalist and presidential questioner Julio Osegueda that really made me smile. I don’t have much to say about this guy (as I think he speaks for himself well) so I offer him up as evidence to the point I have been trying to make. and what an excellent video to end a post on.