Watch out Canada

[Johonebesus]

Flipping through the channels, I came across Bill O'Reilly. He was ranting at some stupid Canadian columnist because Canada has supposedly taken in two American deserters and the press is praising them. He had the gall to threaten Canada with a boycott that would send the country into a recession, and stated that without the American military Canada would be totally defenseless, because of course Canada is totally dependant upon the U.S. in every way. It's a shame the guest didn't have a bit more nerve. I would have liked to see her get mad and tell the idiot off. How can so many people take that arrogant fool seriously?

[Darth Wong]

Flipping through the channels, I came across Bill O'Reilly. He was ranting at some stupid Canadian columnist because Canada has supposedly taken in two American deserters and the press is praising them. He had the gall to threaten Canada with a boycott that would send the country into a recession, and stated that without the American military Canada would be totally defenseless, because of course Canada is totally dependant upon the U.S. in every way. It's a shame the guest didn't have a bit more nerve. I would have liked to see her get mad and tell the idiot off. How can so many people take that arrogant fool seriously?

Quite frankly, that is a question that Americans should take more seriously: where do Bill O'Reilly's fans come from? What drives them? Are there any socioeconomic correlations one can make among his fan base? I find his popularity baffling.

[Frank Hipper]

I find his popularity baffling.

People seem to like nasty assed loudmouths who abuse their guests.
On that subject,ever hear of Wally George?
O'Reily is a somewhat more high-brow version of that recently deceased poltroon.

[Patrick Degan]

Flipping through the channels, I came across Bill O'Reilly. He was ranting at some stupid Canadian columnist because Canada has supposedly taken in two American deserters and the press is praising them. He had the gall to threaten Canada with a boycott that would send the country into a recession, and stated that without the American military Canada would be totally defenseless, because of course Canada is totally dependant upon the U.S. in every way. It's a shame the guest didn't have a bit more nerve. I would have liked to see her get mad and tell the idiot off. How can so many people take that arrogant fool seriously?

Quite frankly, that is a question that Americans should take more seriously: where do Bill O'Reilly's fans come from? What drives them? Are there any socioeconomic correlations one can make among his fan base? I find his popularity baffling.

Basically, his fans come from the booboisie —the Idiot class.

[Col. Crackpot]

Bill O'Reily, believe it or not spans socioeconomic spectrum. My father, an educated engineer/entrepreneur watches him several times a week. Bill O'Reily (and others like him), IMHO is a pressure valve. He is a way for people of a certain ideological persuasion to blow off excess steam. Watching him berate someone they don't agree with makes them happy, and most times nobody is hurt. In his absence that ideological steam would build up and boil over. Lets face it, nobody here is going to actually boycott Canada. We like Canada, and although Quebec looks (and often smells) like France, even the hillbillies are smart enough to tell the difference.

[Crown]

I have a question ... from whom is Canada under threat from militarily?

[Stofsk]

I have a question ... from whom is Canada under threat from militarily?

The eskimoes, man. Beware, or they'll get you too. We gotta get 'em before they get us!

[18-Till-I-Die]

Bill O'Reilly is actually getting stupider. I thought it wasnt possible, but he is. He takes stances that other Right Wingers find laughable, even themost extreme ones laugh at him. He's a joke, a guy you watch because you hate and want to yell at his image on the sceen, like Simon Cowell, but without the charisma.

I truly hopes he tries to start this 'boycott' so that he'll get really, really laughed at hard in public and maybe get a clue.

[Crown]

I'm starting to think that Simon Cowell's so called 'charisma' is just a pommy accent.

[Col. Crackpot]

Bill O'Reilly is actually getting stupider. I thought it wasnt possible, but he is. He takes stances that other Right Wingers find laughable, even themost extreme ones laugh at him. He's a joke, a guy you watch because you hate and want to yell at his image on the sceen, like Simon Cowell, but without the charisma.

I truly hopes he tries to start this 'boycott' so that he'll get really, really laughed at hard in public and maybe get a clue.

Bill O'Rielly pisses off the Jesus Freaks on the right almost as often as he pisses off the lefties.

[BoredShirtless]

In his absence that ideological steam would build up and boil over.

I hope you're joking.

[Col. Crackpot]

In his absence that ideological steam would build up and boil over.

I hope you're joking.

people watch him smite the token 'anti-american' or anti-whatever and come away with a sense of satisfation, a percieved sence of justice or whatever. People like that are less likely to internalize and let their anger build up and then go out McVeigh style.

[BoredShirtless]

people watch him smite the token 'anti-american' or anti-whatever and come away with a sense of satisfation, a percieved sence of justice or whatever. People like that are less likely to internalize and let their anger build up and then go out McVeigh style.

Whaaaaat?! How is Bill "venting" for people good, when he just shoves more poison through their brains?

[Col. Crackpot]

people watch him smite the token 'anti-american' or anti-whatever and come away with a sense of satisfation, a percieved sence of justice or whatever. People like that are less likely to internalize and let their anger build up and then go out McVeigh style.

Whaaaaat?! How is Bill "venting" for people good, when he just shoves more poison through their brains?

poison, eh? How would you solve the problem? Censorship? That would blow up the stove, nevermind the kettle.

[BoredShirtless]

people watch him smite the token 'anti-american' or anti-whatever and come away with a sense of satisfation, a percieved sence of justice or whatever. People like that are less likely to internalize and let their anger build up and then go out McVeigh style.

Whaaaaat?! How is Bill "venting" for people good, when he just shoves more poison through their brains?

poison, eh? How would you solve the problem? Censorship? That would blow up the stove, nevermind the kettle.

I'm not advocating that we should solve anything. I'm just pointing out your country doesn't "need him" as a vent release. If someone is internalizing political opinions, they should release that pressure by dicussing politics over dinner or something. Don't you get it? Bill perpetuates the process. Think about it. Smacking down a lefty does what exactly? It may feel good to see the smack down, but the warped issues raised still hang around, don't they?

[Col. Crackpot]

Whaaaaat?! How is Bill "venting" for people good, when he just shoves more poison through their brains?

poison, eh? How would you solve the problem? Censorship? That would blow up the stove, nevermind the kettle.

I'm not advocating that we should solve anything. I'm just pointing out your country doesn't "need him" as a vent release. If someone is internalizing political opinions, they should release that pressure by dicussing politics over dinner or something.

Isn't that what he is causing people to do? here we are discussing politics in the context of the O'Reilly Factor. The man has the highest rated daily cable tv show, but there are dozens of these show here. On every one pundits from the left and right stir passions and often make themselves look like assholes. The only reason Bill O'Reilly is so controveral is because he is the most popular. If Phil Donahue's show on MSNBC got off the groubd we would be bitching about that lefty asshole filling people with poisonous ideas and warping the issues. Sadly that is the nature of politics everywhere in the world now.

[Glocksman]

O'Reilly's idiocy aside, Canada has admitted two army deserters.
Should they be extradited back to the US to face charges?
I believe so for the simple reason that these aren't draftees who were forced into the military against their will.

Rather, they were volunteers who of their own free will took an oath that they now are spitting on. They don't even have the courage of their convictions, unlike Staff Sgt. Camilo Mejia. He opposes the war and refuses to fight, but he is willing to face the consequences of his actions and turned himself in to face court-martial. I can respect his courage to own up to the consequences, even though I may disagree with his actions.

More on the story here

Other news stories claim that both young men "escaped" from the US, that they were "lured" into joining the Army. No one appears interested in the matter of free will, that they joined the Army of their own accord.

Hinzman joined in January 2001 and says he was amazed when he realized he was being trained to kill. He served in Afghanistan, but, pending decision on his application for conscientious objector status, in a noncombat capacity. That status was denied, according to information on his website, when he admitted he would fight in self-defense.

Hughey joined after 9/11 - knowing full well the US had declared war on terrorism. He abandoned his unit just before they were deployed to Iraq.

Hopefully they'll be deported back and then they'll get some education on life in a military prison.

[Exmoor Cat]

Interesting. perhaps also two debates here, one on Bill O'Reilly and one on the ability to hold volunteers to oaths, etc. I don't believe desertion is an answer and whatever happened to resignation from them ilitary? Over here, you are fined if you quit your joining contract early.

On another note, 11 sailors on a Brit nuclear submarine were granted a request to transfer off their ship over safety fears, despite it going through a refit. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3665327.stm

[KrauserKrauser]

Ban Canada. It's all cold and stuff.

I hear the beer is good though. And hey I can always desert and go live there.

[Col. Crackpot]

Ban Canada. It's all cold and stuff.

I hear the beer is good though. And hey I can always desert and go live there.

bah! Just take over and rename the provinces. North Montana, New Texas etc...
with the exception of Quebec of course.