Home > Jay Bookman > Archives > 2008 > September > 06 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBill O’Reilly’s Faux bravado
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
On this peaceful, pleasant Atlanta Saturday morning, my colleague Cynthia Tucker, syndicated columnist and the AJC’s editorial page editor, was returning from a trip to the grocery store when she was “ambushed” on the sidewalk in front of her home by a three-person crew sent by Fox’s Bill O’Reilly.
Here’s a little background:
In a recent column, Tucker noted that Bill O’Reilly had skewered the parents of 16-year-old Jamie Lynn Spears after she became pregnant. “The blame falls primarily on the parents of the girl, who obviously have little control over her,” O’Reilly said. Yet as Tucker noted in her column, O’Reilly seemed to have a different set of standards for the parents of Bristol Palin.
As Tucker stopped outside her house to pick up her mail, the Fox camera crew emerged out of a car parked across the street and advanced on her, yelling questions. At this point, I’ll turn it over to Tucker for the blow-by-blow account, as she recalls it:
O’Reilly guy: “Cynthia, in your column, were you comparing Bristol Palin to Jamie Lynn Spears?”
Cynthia: “In my column, I was criticizing Bill O”Reilly. And I stand by that.”
O’Reilly guy: “Bill pointed out that Jamie Lynn Spears was running around unsupervised. You know that. So you were saying that Bristol Palin was running around unsupervised.”
Cynthia: “If I said that, read that part. You’re holding the column (in your hand). Read where I said Bristol Palin was running around unsupervised.”
O’Reilly guy: “You inferred (sic) it.”
Cynthia: “I inferred O’Reilly is a hypocrite. And I stand by that. Good day, gentlemen. I’m going inside to finish my Saturday chores.”
(They ran behind me, shouting, “Why weren’t you in Minneapolis? You went to the Democratic Convention. Why didn’t you go to the Republican Convention?” I didn’t look back — just got in my car and drove into my driveway.)
For the record, the AJC sent reporters to both conventions. Tucker went to the Democratic Convention, while our more conservative colleague Jim Wooten went to the Republican Convention.
Now, “Bluster Bill” O’Reilly likes to try to intimidate people. But in this case, he didn’t have the courage to do it in person. He probably didn’t want to bite off more than he could chew — as Clint Eastwood once said, “A man has to know his limitations,” and apparently O’Reilly knows his.
You can judge for yourself whose version of the column is correct, because it’s posted right here. I don’t think their “ambush” went quite the way they envisioned it, and it’ll be interesting to see whether O’Reilly chooses to actually air that little bit of video in its entirety or whether he’ll back down and throw in the loofah.
Oops, I meant throw in the towel.
UPDATE: Commenting on this post is closed.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By "The Corporal"
September 6, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
Jay:
This is very easily corrected (I don’t know who is right and I don’t care) but I am sure O’Reilly has already made the invite or will soon do so. All Cynthia has to do is go on the program and explain her viewpoint.
However, most reporters/opinion writers don’t like the tables turned and being on that side of the camera and the scrutiny that it entails ………… :o)
By David C
September 6, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
How despicable is the leftist elite media in this country. They are proving how scared they are of a conservative country loving woman who could keep their messiah from his throne.
By southside
September 6, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
cynthia said what she said..she doesn’t owe Bill O an explanation. He owes the explanation for being a hypocrite. He owes that to his own audience. As a democrat, I listen to him to see what the left wing is spewing up these days
By Just an observation
September 6, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
What I wanna know is why Bill O’Reilly has a tendency to infringe upon others’ freedom of speech by sending a “goon squad” to harass them in their private lives because they call his punk @$$ out????
They’re gonna’ run up on the wrong person eventually and get beat the f&&k down? Or even worse… shot!
Maybe Bill or his people will scour the AJC blogs and come across this post and take heed.
By brian
September 6, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
Tucker has been invited on the program many times publicly to explain her position but she ducks the O’Reilly factor. To say that Bill knows his limits with Cynthia is ridiculous. Get Tucker on the Factor and then we can see who has their limits.
Cynthia Tucker has no business being an editor. She displays the sloppy, left wing journalism to promote the liberal agenda that is a big problem with major newspapers these days. The AJC has no reason to be proud of this editor.
Go on the O’Reilly factor. If she is above Bill’s limits as suggested above - great. Just get on the show and let her explain her many columns that infuriate middle America (you know, us frustrated people that cling to religion and guns)
By Bosch
September 6, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
Wow Jay,
You better watch out if you go to the mailbox today.
I guess Jon Stewart should as well. He pointed out Bill’s hypocrisy on his show too.
Corporal,
Maybe opinion reporters don’t like being harassed at their homes by idiots. Was Tucker INVITED to appear on Bill’s show?
By DizzyJay
September 6, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
As usual when someone questions an AJC “God or Goddess” on their opinion the whole world is against them. Jay has the right to attack anyone who disagrees with him, but let anyone else question him or his friends then here comes the crying towel. The tv media sends out crews to do legwork. Jay can’t leave the office cause his pants will fall down. Anger management, Jay, anger management.
By Bemused Humanist
September 6, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
Anyone ambushed by Bill O’Reilly’s toadies should repeatedly ask a simple question: “Why does Bill O’Reilly sexually harass FOX News employees?” The No Spin Zone needs answers!
By Patrick
September 6, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
If Bill O’Reilly ever set foot on my lawn I’d make no hesitation in exercising my 2nd amendment rights on that @55hole’s kneecaps.
By Stephanie
September 6, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
Hats off to Cynthia for sticking to her story. Bill O likes to think he can intimidate people. She proved him wrong
By LEONARD DOZIER
September 6, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
T
By "The Corporal"
September 6, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
To Bosch
All Cynthia got is what left wing so called investigative networks and reporters do all the time. It’s not fun when the camera is in your face is it?
I don’t know if Bill invited her or not but I bet he will. If not, why doesn’t she call them and ask to come on national television to explain her viewpoint? Wouldn’t that be any reporters dream? National exposure? Hummmmmmm …….?
By Paul
September 6, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this
Cynthia, You Go Girl! Now that is what I call “field-dressing a moose” !!!
By jmoss
September 6, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this
As a conservative, I’ve been amazed at the hypocrisy that has come from my party. Bill O’reilly is a hypocite by his own words. So is Karl Rove, Sean Hannity, and notably John McCain. I’ve never been so disppointed in my Party. Then, Factcheck.org states that our campaign has been that with an intentional pattern of deceit. Even if you hate the democratic party, when do we stand up and make our own party live up to the high standards that we claim? Having a child out of wedlock and pictures of teens drinking alchol are not images that I support. But, somehow my party and religious leaders do just to win this election. I’m a Republican with morals and integrity. Where is my Republican party at right now?
By eenawas
September 6, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
Jay Jay Jay…Stop trying to defend Cynthia. She’s a big girl, and she know good and well what she was inferring. Seems like you two are of the same mold…..Leftist bigots.
By Rich
September 6, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this
Bill O’Reilly is a board certified “idiot” and right wing attack dog. Who cares what he has to say anyway? Just another blow hard. Go crawl back into the hole that you came out of.
By gary
September 6, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this
Good for Bill. The AJC just cut back on staff due to the decline of the number of readers. The AJC is not interested in the people of Atlanta. We are a conservative state and city. All you print is liberal crap. Tucker is a far left winger. Cox keep it up and you will end up all laid off! Wie up if you want people to read your paper make it fair and balanced. Lay off Tucker and watch your readers increase.
By DHD
September 6, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
You have in your headlines that O’Reilly ambushed Tucker with a picture of O’Reilly.
Uhh….he wasn’t there. How about some TRUTH to your headlines? Of course…why would I expect that?
By scottnjaxbeach
September 6, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this
All I can say is “Thank God For Bill O’Reilly”! and the way he exposes Tucker for the hypocrite that she is. She hides behind her veil of so-called objective journalism and consistently writes from a liberal-secular progressive point of view. Actually I don’t have a problem with this and neither does Bill as long as they admit this is their agenda. Which, Jay you and Cynthia refuse to do!
Be the woman that you claim to be Cynthia and end all of this and just go on the show!
Something tells me that you lack that moral courage!
By TW
September 6, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this
Boy picks on girl - sissy
Boy afraid to pick on girl sends others to do it - Bill O’Reilly.
So, the GOP stance is that Sarah Palin was standing there watching Levi do her duaghter?
Ya know, I thought in big tough Republican world, Todd Palin swas supposed to whip that dirtbag Levi for fornicating with his daughter? Great example of how the right is void of real men now a days. Maybe Todd was hoping Sarah would do it, being that she clearly wears the pants and pays the bills in that family. Kind of Cindy McCain does for hers…
No thanks.
By tore
September 6, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
Cynthia, I am proud of you for holding your head up high. The right wing media uses intimidation and fear to get their point across. When Obama is elected president, hopefully will have the fairness doctrine reinstated, so the agenda of corporate America is not monopolized over the airwaves.
By MAK
September 6, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
Why can’t Cynthia defend herself? She is constantly “ambushing” folks. Cynthia may be accepted in Atlanta proper, but she is clueless out side of the perimeter. Just one of many reasons I cancelled my AJC subscription five years ago. Tired of the constant liberal slant and how you go about dividing this state and country…
By Wanda
September 6, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
All I have to comment”YOU GO GIRL!!!”
By Chris, Atlanta, GA
September 6, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
So did Bluster Bill go to the Democratic Convention? Enough said.
By GodHatesTrash
September 6, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
Kudos to Cynthia for not going on Faux.
Faux is to news what Little Lynnie Westmoreland is to intellect.
Glad to see the AJC ahdering to a modicum of journalistic standards, at least.
Although they still have that Klan mouthpiece Woo-tan on the payroll…
By bill campbell
September 6, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this
That is hilarious. Goes to the root of AJC’s long slow death and Fox News rise. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.
By Maj
September 6, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this
Good for FOX and O’Reilly. Tucker is the usual left side moron that thinks she is better and smarter than everyone else. She’s scared to go on the show because her ignorance will show. The Democrats are biased and if you don’t agree with them you’re either racist, sexist, or small minded. The situation is what it is. Cheers to Obama’s defeat in November.
By gary
September 6, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this
Wow!! Cynthia Tucker is so Brave! Writing those columns, calling out conservatives and such in no uncertain terms. And when it comes to defending her position, it’s a quick jump back into her car and into her safe house! I’m looking forward to Cynthia accepting Bill’s invite (well, any one of the several he’s extended) to appear on his show. Oh wait, that would be out of Ms. Tuckers’ “Safe Zone”, and we know that won’t happen. Quick Cynthia… back to your PC and attack someone!!
By johnatl
September 6, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
Bill O is a total scumbag that didn’t have the balls to approach Cynthia in person. You go girl!
By Mrs. Betty Bowers
September 6, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
I love these idiots who work under the misapprehension that thinking people OWE Bill O’Reilly a responsibility to increase the ratings of his silly little show by appearing on it!
By Denver Dog
September 6, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
Maybe if you so-called “journalists” were able to report, rather than “infer”, you wouldn’t have that problem. Based on what I see though, the AJC editorial page is going to go down like all the others; inlcuding her step-mom “the old grey lady”. Actually it is hard to tell Ms Tucker from her dear friend Cynthia McKinney. I guess Ms Tucker needs to go to work for TASS or Pravda.
By Mike
September 6, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
Jay:
When will you understand that you, Tucker, and O’Reilly are all the same thing? That most Americans find you all equally bafoonish and hypocritical.
It’s like the Crips claiming the high ground over the Bloods. They are both just a gang of selfish thugs who are poison to their community.
By Chris, Atlanta, GA
September 6, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
Perhaps someone should ambush Bill in front of his wife and ask him about his attraction to his assistants and how much he loves dildos up his a* (his words, not mine).
By BeachGuy
September 6, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
Great job Bill. Too bad Cynthia is too scared to go on the show.
By FSJR
September 6, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
How far does parental supervision extend?
Did a supervised Bristol or unsupervised Bristol get pregnant.
Is the parent responsible for a teen getting pregnant or impregnating; or is the teen to blame?
Bottomline: You call one teen’s parents out you have to call them all out.
By Jay
September 6, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
Cynthia didn’t “infer” anything in her column. She “implied.”
Readers and listeners “infer.” Speakers and writers “imply.”
Both of them should have known better. Do journalists not study English anymore?
By Right on the Right
September 6, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this
Liberals can’t handle it when things don’t go their way. They have the mainstream media in their back pocket - and still they have no backbone or a decent argument for their point of view.
Tucker uses her column and the Internet to spew hate - the way all Democrats do in a cowardly fashion. The Internet is the only way the Democrats have been able to get out their message.
Well Dems, your hateful words are coming back to haunt you. The party that claims to be the most compassionate and understanding is being revealed as the exact opposite of what they portray.
America IS watching, reading and listening. They do not like what the Democratic party has become and will let you know with a resounding DEFEAT in November.
By Johnny
September 6, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this
Why would she want to be on his show? So he can yell at her and then cut off her mic? Bill’s a childish control freak and a chickensh*t bully who’s afraid to face a real debate.
By clint ellison
September 6, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this
Cynthia Tucker is a disgrace to the once great AJC. I have never seen a writer so outrageously biased. My God, if everyone in this country were the same race, she would have ZERO to write about. She’s a racially prejudiced one-trick pony, an empty skirt to bo with Hussein Obama’s empty suit.
By jmoss
September 6, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
My Republican friends, do you not find any of this hypocritical coming from our party? We are the party of truth, morals and honor, right? We can not defend statements by Bill Oreilly or Karl Rove or James Dobson that contradict our core values and beliefs. We’ve all seen the Comedy Central video that exposed our leaders as liars. Remember, they lied about John McCain in 2000. When he supposedly had a Black child out of wedlock, he was forced to drop out of the primary. We can not let our Republican Party go down that road again. We must restore truth and honesty now!
By David
September 6, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this
My question for Sarah Palin. Did she depend on ‘abstinence education” to keep her daughter from getting pregnant? It works so well you know.
By James A. Hall
September 6, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this
These two high profile teen pregnancies;Spears and Palin have become part of the Presidential race.Neither candidate will touch sex-ed.In some cultures a pregnant teen has brought about her own death.There will be a shotgun wedding for the Palin girl.
By Mike
September 6, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
“By Jay
September 6, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
Cynthia didn’t “infer” anything in her column. She “implied.”
Readers and listeners “infer.” Speakers and writers “imply.”
Both of them should have known better. Do journalists not study English anymore?”
LOL. You need to get a dictionary.
By Chris, Atlanta, GA
September 6, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
Perhaps someone should ambush Bill in front of his wife and ask him about his attraction to his assistants and how much he loves dildos up his behind (his words, not mine).
By Miss Kitty
September 6, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
Of course Bill is a hypocrite. He has based his entire career on double standards and defending the status quo. That Palin’s daughter is being hailed as some sort of hero is proof the right wing is not only desperate, but totally bereft of any morals whatsoever. But then again, these are the people who gave us the Iraq “war”, and forced George Bush on us. Thankfully, Democrats and forward-thinking Independents will turn out in droves in November and we will put Obama in the White House, make significant gains in Congress, prepare to put more judges in the Supreme Court who actually believe in the rights of the people, and begin the process of uniting America instead of dividing it.
By Chris
September 6, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
I guess this explains why the AJC is so supportive of the “Fairness Doctrine”. The silence by your newspaper to event censor several of COX’s other enterprises, including WSB-AM, is deafening!
By The Truth Comes Out
September 6, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
Dont watch Fox if you cant handle the truth.
By Herring
September 6, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
Cynthia Tucker is just another example of affirmative action. Nobody cares what dear old Cynthia writes. Cynthia is not and was not hired to be a paragon of objectivity, nor should she be taken too seriously. Her main task is to look good as a Black woman being the editorial page editor of a big-city Southern newspaper. “Covers Dixie (can we still say that word?) like the Dew.”
By John Henry Nations
September 6, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
Looks like Ms. Tucker has lots of gays, a gun nut and even a gangbanger, coming to her defense on this blog. What an interesting soup kettle of friends.
John Henry
By Jimmy-Bones
September 6, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
I went to UGA,I was raised in Georgia but I doubt I’ll ever live there again.The UGA people in general make no attempt at fairness when it comes to their sense of ”us and them”.I read Rivals site post by UGA people and I’m truly ashamed at times.
This case brings out many of the same god fearing people who trashed Max Cleland,it disgust me.In their twisted view Tucker is a hypocrite for pointing out the obvious.As I’ve stated there is simply no attempt by these sheet heads to be fair.
By Atl
September 6, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bookman et al., the more hateful you are to the right, the less likely they will come around to your side. Calling someone a coward or worse is not productive.
So then why does Ms. Tucker feel O’Reilly is a hypocrite?
B/c he didn’t criticize the Palins? She clearly feels he should have done so, and the reason being b/c—in her view—Bristol was indeed “running around unsupervised” etc. Can she really say that she doesn’t believe that?
btw O’Reilly shouldn’t be calling people pinheads either, since as Ms. Tucker notes people try to raise their kids right, but sometimes the children still get into trouble. However this should not imply that we don’t live in culture of moral relativism (or anarchy really) in many aspects.
By Al
September 6, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
Sweet. Although why anyone would waste their time reading a Cynthia Tucker column is beyond me. Tony Barnhart, Furman Bicher and Maria Saporta get shown the door but Tucker keeps her job? That really inspires me to keep my AJC subscription.
By Derek
September 6, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this
SO CYNTHIA WORSHIPPED AT THE FEET OF HER MESSIAH< OBAMA The has Jay “left rag” Bookman defend her when the tables are turned and the heat gets turned up! Listen try to be objective as you can see what an article or reporting can do (see above). I know its hard to be in this little liberal democrat island (Atlanta)is a sea on conservatives, but if you * Can’t Takr it don’t dish it out!*
By @@
September 6, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this
Personally, I find Bill O’Reilly to be rather condescending towards women on his show.
Sounds like Cynthia held her own, not unlike Sarah Palin in defense of her daughter against hateful attacks.
A couple of points from Cynthia’s column:
I’ve often found that when someone calls for chastity, then follows it with a “but”, allowances are set in place to bring about failure.
Barack Obama and the democrats, have enthusiastically welcomed “the allowances” of Hollywood and their pop culture.
Or even if it takes one of the many churches, and their congregations, who independently support teen moms in a multitude of ways. Those who receive funding from President Bush’s Faith-Based Initiative Programs are even willing to do so while government restrictions prevent them from sharing the faith they hold so dear.
When responsible adults are divided, our children’s future is defeated.
I’ve seen plenty of angry women over the attacks made on Governor Palin and her family. Just yesterday I watched Kirsten Powers (D) who angrily said that NOW needed to change their name making it clear to everyone that they were not in support of ALL women…….just some.
If nothing else, this presidential campaign has succeeded in exposing an unprofessional media, and the extreme to which the radical left will go before realizing they’ve exposed themselves.
Very entertaining.
By SS2
September 6, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
Ms. Tucker is right about O’Reilly not showing grace to Jamie Lynn Spears. But speaking about him and the right in hateful and mocking terms is not really good either, and that goes for Mr. Bookman too. No one is going to come over to your side if you keep doing that.
By BigMan
September 6, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
Everyday, there are some dumb blogs made by some dumb azz peoples. I dont heard either canidate promoting education, something America really needs!
By Free
September 6, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
Not a single one of you conservative freaks has actually challenged the substance of Tucker’s column. Is O’Reilly a hypocrite in this situation or not? That is the question. Seeing as how you are all going off on tangents about the liberal media bias, I take it you are afraid to answer that question squarely.
I guess Todd Palin just watched Levi have sex with his daughter. Supervision at its best.
By Leroy
September 6, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
Give me a friggin’ break; I should feel sympathy for Tucker???? If anything, the only thing I should feel for her, and there’s no room for inference here, is a great sense of watching her really reflect her great indignation and hypocrisy.
Tucker used to be a great journalist; however, the past few years, she become nothing of the sort.
Her columns have become all too predictable and frankly, just lame a*: her ” we liberals” sanctimonious diatribes reveal her constant whining. Yeesh cry me a river!
By Renee
September 6, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
Kudos to jmoss. This article is not about Liberal/Conservative; GOP/Dem. This article was about the hypocrisy of Rush Limbaugh and Bill O’Reilly. If a particular lifestyle is shunned because Jamie Lynn Spears does it, then why doesn’t Bristol Palin receive the same type of treatment? If the behavior is wrong, then it should be called out as wrong no matter who is engaging in it and not by what their parents do (or are trying to do).
By DJB
September 6, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
Bill O is a jackass and those who share his views are a well.
By BiteMe
September 6, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this
Tucker just wanted to find a way to criticize Paiin without directly doing so. Tucker is an expert at this kind of hypocrisy having practiced it artfully for years. It let’s her bash the Palin family while still preserving deniability.
Its more of the vicious sexist bigotry from the left. They are all for women unless they don’t agree with the prepackaged opinions that hypocrites like Cynthia have prepared for them.
Cynthia will be the person most responsible for turning the AJC into the Great Speckled Bird.
By Dusty
September 6, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this
I have never watched Bill O’Reilly, but evidently Bookman thinks his show is one worth mentioning.
But I have read Cynthia Tucker when I feel like a bit of leftist leaning propaganda. There are only a few as blinded by liberalism as Ms. Tucker. She has run down the President, the war in Iraq, the military, and appreciates almost nothing in America. I would say her philosophy is much like that of Mrs. Obama. Now comes the McCain Palin onslaught. Obama, of course, is ideal!
If O’Reilly pulled a fast one on Tucker and I don’t think he was present, it is almost fitting to say that Ms. Tucker got the same treatment she gives others. She doesn’t do the sneak interviews as she received (which is a lousy way to do things) but she most certainly spreads an unenlightened liberal view as far as print can be pushed.
Maybe O’Reilly will find that encounter as dull as I did. Who knows? Show or no show, I don’t care one way or the other. There’s little excitement when you know what to expect as we do from Ms. Tucker.
Read Wooten’s piece for Sunday, good folks. It is as American as apple pie and twice as tasty. Patriots will love it. The others?? Well, we’re all patriotic Americans, are we not??
By DJB
September 6, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this
Bill O is a jackass and those who share his views are as well.
By SharonH
September 6, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this
Bill O’Reilly is a punk hypocrite who can’t stand it when he is exposed like most of the weak and spineless right wing scumbags he defends. Did he really expect that ambushing Cynthia would cause her to change her position-which is 100% right by the way- that she would wilt? What a creep.
And I don’t know why she should go on his show to defend herself. She doesn’t owe him any explanations or apologies. He is the one who should explain why he is a flaming hypocrite. The distance from “A Current Affair” to the Factor really is a very short throw, isn’t it O’Lielly?
By MissV
September 6, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
Thanks jmoss. If he gets to the White House Mr. McCain will continue to use Mrs. Palin as a prop. If a mother can throw her daughter under a bus like this lady, no telling where she’d throw Mrs. McCain. Maybe now you see why Sen. Obama didn’t choose Sen. Clinton as a VP: her personal agenda (incl: Mr. Bill and pitiful Geraldine Ferraro) would overshadow the one he is setting for the nation.
By RandyG
September 6, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
Cynthia Tucker is a liberal pinhead and the AJC is not a fair and balanced newspaper which is why I canceled our home delivery. I just read what I want when I want for free at ajc.com on the web. I agree with the other writer that declared Tucker is a “racially prejudiced empty skirt”. If it weren’t for black + white people she wouldn’t have anything to put in her black & white lefty and worthless columns.
By jmoss
September 6, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
Can any of my Republicans bloggers truthfully say that Bill Oreilly is not wrong? I’m not defending Cynthia Tucker, but Bill is the one who made the contradictory statements. Remember, he made sexual advances to his coworker and will not talk about it. As a conservative, I’m offended by his lack of morals and integrity. Do we have any truth tellers left in our Republican Party? Please say yes.
By joe_h
September 6, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
LOL! It’s hilarious watching all the conservative assw*pes defending one of the biggest clowns on television. Bill O’Reilly is one of the biggest jokes in the history of TV. Everyone knows he and all necons are nothing more than hypocritical cockblocks
By Elrey Jones
September 6, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this
Jay Bookman is a known lying Bolshevik. And Cynthia Tucker is a black female and very racist against white people. Mr. O’Reilly is 1000 more honest than they have ever been on their best day at work. Bookman and Tucker are human trash.
By the truth
September 6, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
How ridiculous your statement “Bluster Bill” O’Reilly likes to try to intimidate people. But in this case, he didn’t have the courage to do it in person. …”
Is he going to go to her house in person? That is why they have FIELD REPORTERS- he’s the show’s host. Plus Cynthia Tucker is a D- celebrity in her own head idiot. Who’s gonna waist time on that
By dylan w/o the dead
September 6, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
I cant believe he asked if bristol was unsupervised! I am guessing during conception she was unsupervised I would certainly hope her parents werent watching her get knocked up
By Lou
September 6, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
How come all the filthy and vicious comments in these posts are ones who support little cynthia?
By joe_h
September 6, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
Mr. O’Reilly is 1000 more honest than they have ever been on their best day at work
LOL! Bill O’Reilly doesn’t have an honest or objective bone in his body. Is it any wonder he’s the most ridiculed man on television. So do me a favor and shut the hell up you simple-minded idiot.
By DK
September 6, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
Jay,
I agree that Bill O’Reilly is a hypocrite, but how about you Jay? Have you ever waited in a strategic location in an attempt to secure an interview from an elusive interviewee? Do other reporters employed by Cox Newspapers employ such tactics? Does Cox Newspapers have a policy against “ambush” tactics being used by the journalists that it employs? If it’s ok to treat others that way, why are you and your fellow colleges above it?
By Najeh Davenpoop
September 6, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
The more I see what Bill O’Reilly does, the more apparent it becomes that he must have the smallest penis in the history of mankind.
By @@
September 6, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
Big Man reminded me of an article I read here at the AJC.
Everyday, there are some dumb blogs made by some dumb azz peoples. I dont heard either canidate promoting education, something America really needs!
Cleveland Avenue, Atlanta — A 23-year-old man was stabbed in his neck and stomach with a can opener while fighting with his brother over who would get to have sex with a prostitute first, according to an Atlanta police report.
First?
Howzabout 6,927th?
Ewwwwww……….
just ewwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!
By Maj's Daddy
September 6, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
I taught you better than that son!! Take a look at the facts!! Really I can’t beleive that you are still supporting the Republican Party which insists on continuously insulting the people of the USA!!
By FMPofView
September 6, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
Looks like a no win scenario feud.
Cynthia Tucker’s articles are half truths, bias idea, and full of innuendoes that befuddle and confuse the issues.
I read her articles sometimes, and when I finish. I sit for a moment, then try to shake the confusing verbage out of my mind. Sometimes they read like a Jesse Jackson speech. A lot of double talk.
By GodHatesTrash
September 6, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
Cynthia avoids answering the question - so I will.
(Since O’Reilly brought it up, I hope that Mr. Bookman will allow me to respond. )
Both girls were the same ages when they got pregnant.
It appears that Jamie Lynn’s mother was chagrined by her daughters news/condition. Given the way that Governor L-o-l-a tried to hide the news until Levi and Bristol had tied the knot, she was either chagrined, or embarrassed, or upset that her daughter had the nerve to throw such a big monkey wrench into Governor L-o-l-a’s grand schemes.
Both pregnancies are regrettable, no sixteen-year old is ready for parenthood, especially these two. Jamie Lynn’s mother must feel some guilt about rushing her daughter into the shark tank of Hollywood. Governor L-o-l-a probably wishes she’d used some state troopers to follow her daughter around, or maybe that she’d spent some time talking to her daughter instead of taking her to that fire-and-brimstone church, or maybe, instead of 6 days a week of step-aerobics, maybe a shopping trip (or some illegal moose-hunting) with her oldest child every couple of weeks just so she felt less ignored and bored.
In “Small Town America” that the GOPers are so fond of, Bristol’s story is played out all the time, kids ignored and bored by poor educational and cultural facilities, left to booze, guns, sex, truancy, huffing, meth, and the general lack of stimulus and ‘values vacuum’ that is rural American culture - well, Bristol’s story is pandemic, kids birthing kids. Of course, most of them don’t have the millions in under-the-table “campaign” contributions that Bristol has to “fall back on”, and we taxpayers end up footing the bill.
So, Mr. Falafel, I would say Jamie Lynn’s is a lesson for all children caught up in a celebrity lifestyle, all three or four hundred of them around the nation. And Bristol’s is too, for every poor kid ignored by self-aggrandizing vapid self-absorbed parents in small towns and suburbs across small-minded, small-town America, and the many kids that suffer from having parents, or no parents, or just one parent, who can’t spend quality time with their kids because they are working two and three jobs to ‘put food on their family’.
Both sets of parents, given the advantages that life has given them, should have done better jobs.
By Robert
September 6, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
To Patrick, To defend Cynthia, and then go on to say that you have the 2nd amendment right to shoot someone when they are on your lawn. This shows how much intelligence you have not knowing the law, and supporting a racist liberal.
By james
September 6, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
people like Cynthia Tucker are really uptight that their “messiah” Obama and his weirdo wife may not be in the White House. The democrats & leftist liberals in the media like Tucker will DO ANYTHING to smear someone like Gov Palin becuase she is a THREAT to the coveted crown liberal Wonks aspire. I LMAO thinking about the expression on liberal wonk Tucker’s face when approached. She’s a grad from that Cow School in east Alabama.
By joe_h
September 6, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
How come all the filthy and vicious comments in these posts are ones who support little cynthia?
Because anyone who defends a scumbag like O’Reilly deserves to be b*tchslapped.
By cjack
September 6, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
She has never presented a balanced view for anything.She will do anything for pubicity.She ought to send Bill a fee for having recognized her at all.
By The BIG Boss Man
September 6, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
I love it when Tucker, Bookman, and their ASSociates in the MSM whine like a bunch of little wussies.
Day after day, and year after year, Bookman and the rest of the far-left extremists who dominate the AJC opinion page have waged war against all things conservative.
Hiding in an ivory tower that protects them from their (ever-dwindling) readership, they only choose to respond when and where they feel safe and comfortable. (Sounds kind of like Obama, doesn’t it?)
In closing, I have a question for Ms. Bookman: why do you wimps in the MSM try to hold conservatives “accountable” for any “controversial” remarks they may make, when you refuse to take the heat for your own offensive comments?
By cjack
September 6, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
She has never presented a balanced view for anything.She will do anything for pubicity.She ought to send Bill a fee for having recognized her at all.
By Mrs.Godzilla
September 6, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
BillO is of course a hypocrite on this issue. No surprise there.
Why are they hiding Sarah Palin?
Does the GOP think “cramming” will make her acceptable?
Geez!
By Dan
September 6, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
Perhaps O’Reilly’s angst with your article can be explained by focusing on one line in Ms Tucker’s article where she states:
“I too, believe adolescents, boys and girls, should remain chaste. But given the enormous pressure from popular culture — everything from adolescent-themed TV shows with sexually active characters to clothing lines that sexualize young girls — many teens are going to become sexually active no matter what their parents or teachers say.”
Well, Ms Spears parents and the studios their child works for are the ones creating that enormous pressure. Furthuremore they market the behavior by selling photo spreads and glamorizing it. That is the social ill that O’reilly was beefing about and the distinction he was making in the case of Ms Spears vs the Palins
Perhaps if society would stop watching or protest against that business enough it would diminish and then abstanence programs WOULD be enough.
I am not aware of the Palins marketing their daughters behavior. nor covering up anything. They just did not want to draw attention to it nor encourage anyone else to do it. Everyone in Wassilla new about it and respected how they handled it.
That is the difference, and that is not hypocracy.
In my opinion Sin, Desperation, Mistakes… what ever you want to call it begins with the eyes. “I saw it, I wanted it, I took” it without regard for the consequences.
Neither abstinance training nor sex education will do any good if you dont scrutinize what you let your eyes watch.
The only pressure in your life is that which you allow to put on yourself.
I don’t identify with Mr O’Reilly’s attacks nor Ms Tucker’s in print. Mr McCain stated correctly at the RNC the other night when demonstrations broke out (paraphrasing) “Americans want all the yelling to stop.
Both Mr O’Reilly and Ms Tucker are fine Americans with valid points of view based on their life experiences. But please both of you give some consideration to how you communicate it.
By Brian
September 6, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
Mrs. Tucker,
Why weren’t you at the Republican Convention? Why can’t you answer that? Is it because you are “ONE SIDED”? Is it perhaps you are an OBAMAITE and you quite possibly are a racist? Hmm.. Just curious.
Cynthia Tucker is a liberal pinhead and the AJC is not a fair and balanced newspaper which is why I canceled our home delivery. I just read what I want when I want for free at ajc.com on the web. I agree with the other writer that declared Tucker is a “racially prejudiced empty skirt”.
Although I don’t totally agree with the “poster” above me. I do agree that the AJC is a very one sided paper with a very Liberal Agenda. The “PRAVDA On the ‘hooch” needs an “equal” columnist.
Thanks
By ray
September 6, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
Being as how she stands by her comments, Cynthia should just take the 5 minutes to appear on the show via whatever satellite connection and just show everyone. Think of all the attention she’d get. But then, I’m sure it’s easier to do her business behind the scenes and not really answer for anything she says.
By Denise
September 6, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
I am a conservative. I agree with Cynthia Tucker. Read the column. It’s a fair assessment and not an attack on Bill. Her oped was well written and exposes how hypocritical we have become. All for the sake of politics. Teen sex isn’t a political issue.
By GodHatesTrash
September 6, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
Looks like Mr. Falafel gonna show that uppity Ms. Tucker a thing or two - eww yuck -
sorry for the most obscene disgusting imagery I’ve come up with yet!
Go ricky, it’s your birfday, girlfriend!
By Mrs.Godzilla
September 6, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
New GOP Spin: Sarah Palin’s Not Ready
EXCUUUUUUUSE ME!!!
By Houckster
September 6, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
I see the right-wing paranoids are in fine voice today.
By Wyman
September 6, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
Poor Cynthia. She is trying to compare apples to oranges. Let’s look at the differences between Bristol and Jamie Lynn. Jamie Lynn is/was on TV, her sister is infabmous for he recent meltdowns, her parents are divorced and there was tense fighting between the two for awhile. Jamie Lynn was in the public eye. Bristol was not in the public eye, was already pregnant when she sort of landed in the public eye. She has not sought out attention by being on TV or had famous siblings.
So Bill O probably should not have said what he did about Jamie Lynn’s parents but the public had already made a judgement on their parenting skills (whether right or wrong). Bristol’s parents are married and there is not sufficient evidence to claim that the Palin’s are bad parents. The public was not given a choice to decide anyway because the press wanted to say the Palin’s were bad parents to shut down a conservative voice they disagree with.
So there was no hypocrisy by Bill. The problem I see is that we have 2 very liberal “journalists” (Bookmand, Tucker) who don’t have the sack to face questions about their stands. When 90% of the press votes Democrat don’t you think that is a problem? Especially since 60% of Americans consider themselves conservative? Also consider that a Democrat has not garnered more than 50% of the popular vote since Carter in 76 won 50.8%
By Alicia
September 6, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
She does not have go on his mess of a program. She stated a fact and I totally agree with her. He needs to go back and crawl under that rock he calls home.
By FMPofView
September 6, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
I don’t really care Bill O’Reilly has to say either. He gets just as confusing as Cynthia Tucker.
I like to throw the both of them in a closed room with the door locked and barred. Then leave it that way despite what I hear.
My opinion is let the story of Sarah Palin’s daughter go, and move on to other things wrong with this country and tried to make it better.
By Jeff in Roswell
September 6, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
Hey Retardo’s, There was no AMBUSH. This kind of reporting is done all of the time. Jay Boogerman and Cynthia need a TUCKer know this, as well. Cynthia Tucker is an embarrassment. There’s really no need for her to open her mouth or write a column… everyone already knows what she’s going to say. Bill can’t everywhere at once. Sometimes, you just have to send out someone else to take care of the “light” work. Come on Sinthia, grow some nads and accept an invite to his show.
By Jeremiah Plaskett
September 6, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
Jay,
Tucker got exactly what she deserves. O’Reilly is right, it is Tucker who is not only a hypocrite, but a fascist liberal. Ms. Tucker has thrown honesty and integrity out the window in her columns and in her attacks against not only O’Reilly, but whoever dares disagree with her views. Columnists like Ms. Tucker, and the worthless Editors at AJC who choose to throw fair and un-biased reporting out the window, is exactly what is wrong with the Media today. How many times has the AJC ran Pro-Conservative or Pro-McCain pieces in comparison with Pro-Obama and Liberal Op-eds? Please, I dare you to provide us with that number, because it would clearly show the liberal bias of the AJC. Ms. Tucker gets exactly what she deserves, by being “ambushed” by real journalists who will hold her accountable for the lies and hypocrisy that she writes! Of course, I won’t be surprised if her next article tries to paint O’Reilly as a racist too, because we all know that is her favorite of all cards to play!
By Eric
September 6, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
Bill O’Reilly is a joke. Sara Palin is the only mother I’ve ever heard of who returned to work three after her baby was born. That tells me all I need to know about her parenting.
By Peter
September 6, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
I am amazed at the folks in the country………
How does a 16 year old teenager get pregnant ?
I guess with her parents in the room ?
How about the pics all over the internet with her buddy and bottles of booze……….. so the true assumption is she was drunk and got pregnant……… I would bet on that one !
So the real true “Republican Values” come into play….No supervision for the kids, under age drinking, and unprotected sex……..
HA HA HA…….. like Bristol was actually supervised……….Sure……. HA HA HA….
Mom off doing what she does, and dad out racing snowmobiles……
Yes I am sure there is allot of time left over to watch the kids !
By joe_h
September 6, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
Cynthia Tucker is a no good porch monkey. She needs to learn how to act like a civil human being rather than be a moronic baboon. Its ‘people’ like her who have genetically inferior brains. The African brain is missing several DNA strands that prevent them rational thinking, acting, dressing…..virtually every facet of life as we know it is inferior with these colored folk. Spread the word people:
LOL! So Tucker is simply minding her own business and she needs to learn how to act like a civil human being. But O’Reilly, offended by an obscure writer’s article which points out his obvious hypocrisy, ambushes said writer, and he’s acting civil. Take a hike you fool. I doubt you even know the definition of civility.
You can also take your racist comments and shove them up your piehole.
By Scott Miner
September 6, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
You go Bill!!!!! it seems to me that both Cynthia’s from Atlanta(Tucker and McKinney)need to find other work that suits them. Maybe Putin has work for them since they both love that kind of government. And the AJC wonders why their readership has declined…HMMMMMMMMMMMMM
By weewilly
September 6, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
Ms. Tucker is allowed to harbor any opinion that she wishes and to write about the same, be it black victimization or liberal left wrants. That is what makes America great. Mr. Wooten presents a different opinion and viewpoint and has the same privilege. I would like to see us stop yelling at each other and either buy the AJC or not depending on its value to you as an individual (for you see, we all are allowed our opinions also). Frankly, I don’t currently buy the AJC, haven’t for years and won’t in the foreseeable future. Vote with your pocketbook as they say (and yes, Cynthia and Jay are part of my reasoning).
By shelly
September 6, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this
poor baby! it’s okay to be the one criticizing, pointing fingers, making up lies and slamming other people but it’s not okay if it’s you! BOO HOO BOO HOO WAA WAA WAA LIBERAL CRYBABIES!
By Steve
September 6, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
On this peaceful, pleasant Atlanta Saturday morning, my colleague Cynthia Tucker, syndicated columnist and the AJC’s editorial page editor, was returning…
That should read On this peaceful, pleasant Atlanta Saturday morning, my liberalcolleague Cynthia Tucker, syndicated columnist and the AJC’s editorial page editor, was returning…
By alan
September 6, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
*Congratulations, Cynthia ! Your column obviously got under O’reilly’s skin. Why is the case of the daughter of the Spears any different from the daughter of the Palins? * O’reilly is a self-righteous nutcase. Sean Hannity is even worse. If they believe thay are the only ones who can go back and replay what others have said that is controversial, they are mistaken.
The so-called “compassionate” conservative “Christians” are so hypocrital. How could they lambaste the Spears’ daughter’s pregnacy as one of moral decadence, but the Palin’s as one of a mere “mistake”? They only love you and will defend you if you profess to be gun-toting, warmongering, e.t.c. They claim to be “pro-life” but they support life only when it is in the womb. They claim to be pro-life, yet they support wars, which bring death.
*No where in any part of the world is this kind of “Christianity” practiced, except in America”. Baffling !!
Alan
By joe_h
September 6, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
Jeremiah Plaskett
Another stupid idiot.
By Tyre
September 6, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
Face it, Bill is trying to help Cynthia by keeping her in the limelight so she won’