When President Obama finished his primetime address to the American people last night, the spinmeisters on Fox News went to work. So did their sister network, Fox Business. Both networks lined up the most extreme so-called experts and analysts to comment on what the President had just said.
We can agree that there is nothing wrong with have an honest disagreement with another person–including the President; it comes with the office–but what Fox military analyst Ralph Peters said when speaking to Stuart Varney stepped way over the line.
Peters began by saying that he was upset President Obama urged Americans not to give into their fears, and then this pile of rotting dung came out of his mouth:
“Well, first of all he keeps speaking about ‘we can’t give in to our fears.’ You know, ‘don’t be afraid.’ Look, Mr. President we’re not afraid we’re angry, we’re pissed off, we’re furious. We want you to react, we want you to do something. You’re afraid. I mean this guy is such a total pussy, its stunning. And, you know, we want — we the people, the American people, whom he does not know in any intimate sort of manner, we want action. We want action against Islamic State and then — then, when the president is telling us he is going to destroy ISIS. This is a president who has done more harm to American police departments than he has done to Islamic State.”
Believe it or not, Varney actually told Peters not to say that on television. Not because it’s classless and proves what a scuzzy douchebag Peters is, but because it might upset the viewers. Varney remarked:
“I can tell you’re super angry and I asked you what your reaction was, but you can’t use language like that on the program, I’m sorry.”
This is what we’ve become, how we have devolved in the United States when it comes to what passes for “debate.” The person who can say the rudest things or talk the loudest (I’m looking right at you Donald Trump!) is perceived to be strong, assertive, even right by virtue of their boorishness. That’s not how it works.
If I wanted, I could go the same road Ralph Peters did and comment that since his last name is Peters, he is a monumental dick.
He is, but his name has nothing to do with it. It’s his dickish attitude that makes me certain.
