News Hounds

It's All in How You Ask the Question

Missouri voters approved a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage yesterday and Fox News Live today (August 4) featured a segment exploring its political impact. The way Steve Brown asked the question showed the intent of the segment.

Scott's Opinion Is Showing

Even when the Fox News "Fair and Balanced" banner precedes a segment, anchor Jon Scott can't help expressing his own opinion, as he did today (July 30).

Exception to the Golden Rule

In a discussion of gay marriage on Now (PBS, 9:40 p.m.) between Bill Moyers and Cal Thomas, a contributor to Fox News, religion was the basis for the conversation about marriage. When Moyers cited the Golden Rule of "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" as the Christian view of gay marriage, Thomas replied that "you can't rip it out of context."

Comment: Huh? I thought that was the universal rule that applies to everything reqardless of context.

Focus on Fanaticism

7/15/04 9PM ET
The first 18 minutes, of Hannity & Colmes, were spent with James Dobson, from Focus On The Family, a group representing Evangelical Christian Bush supporters. Dobson is known for his racist and homophobic philosphy and he is considered an extremist by many people on the right. Hardly a credible authority for most people, but Hannity welcomes his opinion often because he can always count on Dobson to praise George W. Bush unconditionally and denounce the heathen Democrats. Dobson is never invited on other networks because of his reputation as a fanatical reactionary, yet he is considered perfect to promote the Fox agenda.

Kerry The Heretic

(7/9/04 9:21 PM ET)
In keeping with the religious theme Fox has been promoting this week, Marc Balestrieri, a Boston Attorney, appeared on Hannity&Colmes; to explain why he is trying to get John Kerry ex-communicated from the Catholic Church.Balestrieri said he was "fed up" with Catholic pro-choice candidates and Kerry had no right to take communion and therefore should be banished from the Church. Colmes asked Balestrieri about Catholic politicians, who are pro death penalty but Balestrieri stayed fixated on Kerry and his stand on abortion.

Comment: One look at Marc Balestrieri and it was clear that this man was feverishly obsessed. His eyes were wide, unblinking and glistening with fervor. He spoke in a very strange and measured way that was almost frightening. Colmes made it clear that at this time no officials of the Catholic Church were considering Balestrieri's charges against Kerry. Only the most dedicated Kerry haters could have taken this guy seriously.