IT TAKES REAL EFFORT TO BE THIS AWFUL…. Once in a while, Sean Hannity’s painful on-air antics are so over the top, they’re almost hard to believe.
Last night, for example, whining incessantly about President Obama’s speech in Cairo, Hannity told Fox News viewers that the president “decided to give 9/11 sympathizers a voice on the world stage.” He then showed Obama saying, “I am aware that there are still some that would question or even justify the events of 9/11.”
And then Hannity moved on to other attacks.
Here is what the president actually said:
“The first issue that we have to confront is violent extremism in all of its forms.
“In Ankara, I made clear that America is not — and never will be — at war with Islam. (Applause.) We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security — because we reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject: the killing of innocent men, women, and children. And it is my first duty as President to protect the American people.
“The situation in Afghanistan demonstrates America’s goals, and our need to work together. Over seven years ago, the United States pursued al Qaeda and the Taliban with broad international support. We did not go by choice; we went because of necessity. I’m aware that there’s still some who would question or even justify the events of 9/11. But let us be clear: Al Qaeda killed nearly 3,000 people on that day. The victims were innocent men, women and children from America and many other nations who had done nothing to harm anybody. And yet al Qaeda chose to ruthlessly murder these people, claimed credit for the attack, and even now states their determination to kill on a massive scale. They have affiliates in many countries and are trying to expand their reach. These are not opinions to be debated; these are facts to be dealt with.”
The point, which even some of Hannity’s limited skills could understand, was to address the persistent conspiracy theories in some parts of the region (9/11 was not a real terrorist attack, was not launched by al Qaeda, etc.). Obama was not giving “9/11 sympathizers a voice on the world stage,” he was setting the record straight, characterizing terrorists as bloodthirsty monsters, and encouraging Muslims to reject outrageous lies.
It was the kind of message Sean Hannity should have approved of. Instead, he engaged in some clumsy editing to lie to his viewers and smear a president while he’s overseas. What a sad joke.
Hannity is obviously incapable of shame, which is too bad. Now would be an excellent time for some.
