I’ve come to believe that to work for Fox, the Republican Ministry of propaganda, one needs a PhD in Bullshitology. (PhD = piled higher and deeper.) I do watch it from time to time, because it gives me a better appreciation of how the right wing rank and file have become so divorced from reality. When the facts don’t fit what they want, Fox makes up their own facts and intentionally lies. Here’s an example of what I mean.
Fox News’s website blatantly misquoted State Department spokesman Mark Toner in a press briefing yesterday in Foggy Bottom. The Fox News report, which lists the Associated Press as a contributor, says Toner called a vote for the Palestinian statehood recognition bid at the U.N. an “anti-Israel vote.” The Fox story says [Faux Noise delinked]:
State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Wednesday the U.S. continues to see any kind of effort by the Palestinians at the U.N. gathering in New York as “counterproductive.”
He said a vote for Palestinian statehood is an “anti-Israel vote.”
But at the press briefing, Toner was asked repeatedly whether or not the U.S. considered voting for the Palestinian statehood recognition resolution to be “anti-Israel.” He failed to respond several times, but then said it was “not a zero-sum game.” Pressed on it, Toner seemed to say that the administration did not, in fact, consider voting for the resolution to be “anti-Israel.”…
…Watch the video of the whole exchange here:
While it’s not precisely clear that Toner’s remark that “It is not – no” was a response to the reporter’s question, it’s absolutely clear that at no point does Toner say that a vote for the Palestinian initiative is “anti-Israel.”… [emphasis original]
Inserted from <Think Progress>
I’m on no way supporting Toner’s position. I think that Palestinian statehood is the best thing that can happen for Israel, because putting Palestinians on an equal footing makes it more difficult for Israel’s current government to prevent a just peace, the best thing for both. Toner’s position is bad enough without Fox lying to make it worse.
People often ask in comments how Republicans are so totally misinformed. They are fed a steady diet of lies, not only from their own politicians, but also from Faux Noise.
20 Responses to “Fox lied on Palestinian vote”
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I used to try to watch the morning program, but Douchy is too much for my delicate constitution to handle.
JR, it does wonders for constipation!
I agree that it is not anti-Israel to recognize Palestine as a state. It is overdue.
Thanks Patty
Anyone who expects truth and integrity from Fox , is deluding themselves and swallowing the propaganda spewed out by the bought and paid for liars who represent Fox– A lie repeated becomes truth ?
When it comes to the truth, facts and accuracy, I put Faux News in the same category as The Onion … minus the humor!
LOL! Amen to both!
I know we’re “supposed” to be pro-Israel, but one would think after what they experienced in WWII they would not only be pro – Palestinian State, but would never again allow humanity to be treated in the same way they were – ?????? the only reason fox puts this crap forward is to appease the appocalyptic armeggedon christians who will preserve israel cause “the bible tells them to”! Wouldn’t it be nice to treat it as another country altogether? I suppose my atheistic ideology that would “abandon” Israel will create a shit load of flak!
It is ironic that they turned from being victims to perpetrators.
How can you tell FOX is lying? Their reporters’ mouths are open. Israel needs to lighten up on the Palestinians. At the same time people need to understand that it’s a very small country surrounded by deadly enemies who will not stop until it’s been destroyed.
Blue, I think Israel would face far less opposition from surrounding nations were the Palestinian issue resolved.
TomCat,
As we all know, Fox “News” will say or do ANYTHING to benefit Republicans, and they have spun hindreds of outright lies from their very first broadcast onward. So no one should never trust anything they see on Fox as being factual or based on reality. YOUR assessment of the benefit of a true, equal Palestinian state is, however, very sound. I congratulate you on your always clear-thinking, pragmatic approach to this unnecessarily thorny problem.
Thanks, Jack!
It isn’t just the Rushpubliscums that have a serious blind spot when it comes to Israel. I got told yesterday that I was aggravated at the lack of Hitler’s inefficiency because… I said that we should stop just handing Israel a free pass for everything it does. The “anti-Fascist Israeli Regime=Anti-Semitic SS wannabe” strain of stupid runs pretty deep all over the place.
You’re right, JR. Many on the left are just as imbalanced.
One third of the people in Israel are non-Jewish Arabs – one day that many people are going to get equal citizenship – a Palestinian state separate from Israel would make it alot easier for Israel to continue giving 1st class citizenship on the basis of being Jewish.
Interesting thought, Oh. My personal inclination is equality for all, but it’s not my country. You make sense.
Oh, so based on what you’ve said if I understand correctly, those non Jewish Arabs, in order to get 1st class citizenship would have to move into the new country of Palestine so that Israel could continue to provide 1st class citizenship to Jews only? Or wait for a day that may never come. If that is the case, I disagree with you. No country should be providing 1st class citizenship based on religious affiliation, regardless if that country be Muslim, Jewish, Christian, etc. . .
“a PhD in Bullshitology. (PhD = piled higher and deeper.)” — TC, is this one your doing? It is histerically funny. ROFLOL!
On the matter of Fox News aka Faux Noise, I have one thing to say, “Liar, liar, pants on fire!”
I thought that Toner, while taking a while to get there, was very clear — the US government feels it is in the best interests of both parties to negotiate. No where did I hear him say a vote for Palestine was a vote against Israel. I do not agree however with their position. I agree that Palestine should be recognised as a separate state. The Palestinian people have every right to self determination, just as the Jews did when Israel was created in 1948. Recognition is just the beginning because then the real work begins setting up laws, infastructure, etc etc.
PhD in Bullshitology is a TC original. Piled higher and deeper is so old that I forget whether I made it up or heard it.
Amen.
Exactly.