Most of the viewer responses that CNN’s Jack Cafferty read during one of his “Cafferty File” segments on Monday’s Situation Room agreed with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Congressman Steny Hoyer’s “un-American” label against anti-ObamaCare protesters. Though he surprisingly remained neutral when he presented the issue, all but one of the responses sided with the two Democratic leaders.
Cafferty devoted his 5 pm Eastern “Question of the Hour” to Pelosi and Hoyer’s USA Today editorial which ran in Monday’s edition. He summarized their talking points, and then read an excerpt from Republican Senator Mitch McConnell’s response. His question to the CNN viewers: “House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Congressman Steny Hoyer call the town hall protests against health care reform ‘un-American.’ Are they?”
Ten minutes before the top of the 6 pm Eastern hour, Cafferty returned with his selected viewer responses. Only one response disagreed with the Democrats’ “un-American” label, but this particular example raised a chuckle out of the CNN commentator (who earlier this year compared Pelosi to Mao Zedong).
A cursory examination of Cafferty’s blog, where all of the viewer responses are posted, finds that there are more than a few examples of those who disagree with Pelosi and Hoyer’s charge against the town hall protesters.
The full transcript of the Cafferty File segment, which began nine minutes into the 5 pm Eastern hour, and the viewer responses near the end of the hour:
JACK CAFFERTY: Top Democrats call the protest against health care reform ‘un-American.’ House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer write in a USA Today op-ed piece that opponents of this debate ‘are afraid not just of differing views — but of the facts themselves.’ They claim that ‘drowning out the facts’ is how this country has failed so many times at overhauling health care. Although they say dialogue is at the heart of democracy, these Democrats- Pelosi and Hoyer- describe the protests as an ‘ugly campaign’ that represents reform and disrupts the discussion- misrepresents reform I should say. They point to tactics that have included hanging in effigy one Democratic congressman, holding a sign that showed a tombstone with the name of another lawmaker, and shouting ‘just say no’ over those who wanted to have a real discussion on reform.
Pelosi and Hoyer insist that despite the disruptions, members of Congress will listen to their constituents and explain the reform. They say they’re confident that their health care plan will stand up to any critics. Meanwhile, Republicans insist these protests are legitimate. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell calls complaints from the Democrats ‘absurd.’ He says attacking people for expressing their opinions ‘may indicate some weakness in their position.’ McConnell says the fact is Americans are concerned about health care reform, and the Democrats need to deal with that.
So here’s the question: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Congressman Steny Hoyer call the town hall protests against health care reform ‘un-American.’ Are they? Go to CNN.com/CaffertyFile, post a comment on my blog.
-05:50 pm EDT
CAFFERTY: The question this hour: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Congressman Steny Hoyer say the town hall protests against health care reform are ‘un-American.’ Are they?
Mike writes, ‘Yes, the protests are un-American. We have a lot of people without health care, and every day numerous American citizens die because of it. The protestors have no concern for anyone but themselves.’
Rita writes from Florida, ‘When the Bush administration did anything that was not to our liking, being un-American was the way to drown the criticism. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, they’re screaming freedom of speech.’
Ron in Florida writes, ‘The Democratic Congress should force the health care reform plan down the throats of the Republicans who refuse to participate in reform, apparently finding it more productive to encourage their constituents to shout down any attempt at civil discussion. President Obama was elected because of his agenda, which is the people’s agenda.’
Lynn in Oklahoma City: ‘Jack, Pelosi’s full of it. She just can’t handle the truth that we the people hate her plan and won’t just follow her into hell. If she loves this plan so much, why isn’t there a requirement that all federal employees (including the House and Senate) go on it? I’ll tell you why: because she knows it’s crap!’ (laughs)
Bev- Bev in New York: ‘The behavior’s un-American and thuggish, and shows to the rest of the world ignorance is alive and well here in the U-S-of-A. When I look at some of coverage, most of these clowns are bigots worrying about their own Medicare, or wanting their America back. None of them has read the plan, as evidenced by how fast the euthanasia rumor got around. Even the non-reading, Alaska quitter was willing to repeat that.’
Jim in Colorado says, ‘Being loud, rude, crude and obnoxious has always been an American trait. The term Ugly American wasn’t coined without a reason.’
—Matthew Balan is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.




















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Cafferty always picks the
August 10, 2009 - 17:48 ET by bigtimerCafferty always picks the email posts that agree with him, then gives a token opposition view so he can pretend to be fair and balanced.
It would have done him well to watch CNN's own special they had last week with the public voting live and grading differing topics, from O's performance, the congress-critter performance to health care etc.
Oh well, maybe he did, but knows full well CNN is last in the ratings and not many watch.
He is such a useless old tool....yet they keep this old bag of bones around, about like Larry King Almost Alive.
Obama's a Community Agitator, a walking, talking destroyer. ~ Rush Limbaugh
Maybe Cafferty's Views All Agree with Him
August 10, 2009 - 17:56 ET by allanfBy now, with their one sided reporting, CNN has scared away almost all those who might disagree with their world view.
Howdy allan.. Hey, I
August 10, 2009 - 18:05 ET by bigtimerHowdy allan..
Hey, I think not, did you click on the link above to the comments he recieved..there were over 300 last I saw, and what I read, they sure as heck didn't all agree with good ol' slow-witted Jack.
Ya gotta love it.
Obama's a Community Agitator, a walking, talking destroyer. ~ Rush Limbaugh
Come on, bt, you know darn
August 10, 2009 - 18:22 ET by motherbeltCome on, bt, you know darn well that Cafferty knocked himself out looking for a balancing number of opposite views...he just couldn't find any!
And he asked every single one of his friends!
mb... ...Which he can
August 10, 2009 - 18:26 ET by bigtimermb...
...Which he can count on one hand...and I think he's even cheating there.
Obama's a Community Agitator, a walking, talking destroyer. ~ Rush Limbaugh
Suddenly
August 10, 2009 - 18:04 ET by justbob223Suddenly, dissent is un-American. When conservatives and Constitutionalists adopt the tactics the left has been using for half a century, all at once what was regarded as patriotic by the enemies of liberty is now abhorrent. It all depends on whose ox is being gored.
Jack Cafferty
August 10, 2009 - 18:15 ET by TommyOWho watches Jack Cafferty but the far left nuts. Lou Dobbs is the only one there who makes any scense.
Angry Old Drunk
August 10, 2009 - 18:18 ET by BW222As long as CNN has Cafferty, it doesn't have to worry anout the angry old drunk demographic.
BW222
Just Call Him Craftsman
August 10, 2009 - 18:31 ET by txradioguyCafferty is a tool. Not surprising that he picks only the e-mails that agree with his skewed view of the world.
God forbid he take a peek outside the hive and notice a different point of view.
"I May Be Changed By War, But I Will Not Be Defeated By It" - Audie Murphy
I suppose I was wrong about Health-Care Reform
August 10, 2009 - 18:36 ET by SterlingI consider myself a liberal; but what I have been seeing lately by these pundits and politicians is completely ridiculous. I cannot even believe that I am saying this; but I think you right-wingers have persuaded me. After seeing the Megyn Kelley interview with the gentleman from Michigan- I felt goose bumps on my arms; it was quite chilling to see that Americans would be threatened in the middle of the night for disagreeing with policy. The thing that is truly stunning is how bad these professional politicians are misreading the American public; to call those who are opposed to you “un-American” is vulgar and churlish. Worst yet is the cover the media is providing, This Cafferty segment was just one example of the sophistry that I have been seeing by the media. I guess I must apologize to those who I ripped to shreds with my most excellent graceful rhetoric on this one issue.
Sterling/Sy... LMAO! Tha
August 10, 2009 - 18:39 ET by bigtimerSterling/Sy...
LMAO!
That is comical.
...ta ta...
Obama's a Community Agitator, a walking, talking destroyer. ~ Rush Limbaugh
dude!
August 10, 2009 - 18:41 ET by katainkentWilliam "Bill" S. Preston Esq. is that you?
___________________________________________
"The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax" - HR 3200 (Health Care Bill) Pg. 203. Ln 14 & 15
I wish I believed
August 10, 2009 - 18:48 ET by NL207I wish I believed you.
But it is one of the objectives of the debate to clearly demonstrate, even to liberals, that the Democrat healthcare takeover proposal is going to accomplish not a single one of its stated goals and that because of the very nature of freedom, it is impossible for any government solution to these 'problems' to 'succeed' without extinguishing basic liberties. The reason is simple. Freedom means individuals are allowed to decide for themselves. There will always be some individuals, who for a variety of reasons, use this liberty to make poor or suboptimal decisions for themselves. To prevent these outcomes means to revoke the liberty that led to the undesired outcomes and replace it with tyranny.
Not tyranny- but a Republic
August 10, 2009 - 18:58 ET by SterlingWell Sir, I may not like the tactics that my side is using; but I do hold on these principals. You elevate liberty to a place on par with divinity. Your “freedom” that you execute on various choices has what economists call externalities. Being that, your choices affect others. Sometimes we need a referee involved to say- what you cannot do.
You may not like the health-care plan, but you must admit the principals are noble; these congressmen mean well. All they want to do is help the poor afford decent healthcare and not be stuck with treatment in some filthy free clinic. It’s about the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people.
Economic consequences of
August 10, 2009 - 19:46 ET by NL207Economic consequences of freedom in the absence of coercion can never be immoral. Why? Because our inalienable rights are derived from God and are therefore are in concert with His definition of morality. The concept of private property was established in part to define what you may, and may not, do. In general, one man may not transgress another's person or property. All criminal law is an interpretation of this simple principle.
The healthcare plan has no principles. None. If it did, there would be no talk of this end-of-life counseling in place of care or government imposed rationing. Therefore, by your own argument, it is ignoble.
The politicians do not want to help the poor. They could accomplish that in many ways without nationalizing the healthcare industry but choose not to.
Filthy free clinic? What filthy free clinic is other than government run?
Since this healthcare takeover is in net harmful, it cannot possibly be about the greatest good for the most people. Any other interpretation of the facts presupposes our elected leaders are complete fools. Obama and his handlers are not fools.
No one, not even illegal aliens are without healthcare in this country except by their own choice. That is a fact. I remind you there is a difference between healthcare and health insurance. Everyone has the former but there is some small fraction of the population that is without the latter.
Time to take out the scalpel
August 10, 2009 - 20:22 ET by SterlingWhere shall I start to disect this:
Economic consequences of freedom in the absence of coercion can never be immoral. Why? Because our inalienable rights are derived from God and are therefore are in concert with His definition of morality.
You mean what man says what God's definition is.
The politicians do not want to help the poor. They could accomplish that in many ways without nationalizing the healthcare industry but choose not to.
Who are you to judge a man's motive? Nationalizing healthcare is the most efficient way to reach the greatest amount of people.
No one, not even illegal aliens are without healthcare in this country except by their own choice.
Yes, one can receive healthcare, but paying for it is quite another thing, I have seen people file for Bankruptcy because they broke an arm.
As soon as you inject human
August 10, 2009 - 21:36 ET by NL207As soon as you inject human interpretation into God given rights, they are no longer rights, but privileges. They may be redefined by man, taken away entirely, or subject to government approval, etc. Your statement about this exposes you as an enemy of both the Constitution and limited governance.
All men communicate their intentions through their actions, barring mental defect. The intentions of the left are on display for all to see through their actions. They INTEND what they do.
On one thing we agree: Nationalizing healthcare will certainly reach the maximum amount of people, and at least 84% of those reached will be the worse for having been reached. The vasty majority will lose a part of what they have so that a few may gain. Everyone will be forced to pay more for less. That is the lesson of healthcare nationalizations past.
You cannot even demonstrate a fractured arm was the root cause of these bankruptcies you cite, even if such did actually occur. Anecdotal evidence of this nature is valueless.
You need some new arguments. Yours are full of holes.
Tyranny indeed
August 10, 2009 - 19:02 ET by bigtimerTyranny indeed NL.
Btw....only reason I laughed above is because he's an old trollster, in various forms, he'll always have plenty of back-ups like other trollsters...I'm leaving it at that.
Obama's a Community Agitator, a walking, talking destroyer. ~ Rush Limbaugh
Hope you are serious, Sterling
August 11, 2009 - 11:25 ET by BO STINKSMay I suggest that you now read the bill and others that came before it (Stimulus, clunkers, etc). With your new ability to perceive beyond the socialist indoctrination you have received, you may be able to understand the truth of these bills.
"...it must be known that we are at all times ready for war." G. Washington
Hillary disagrees
August 10, 2009 - 18:48 ET by Insane ChipmunkHillary disagrees
my take, this is the most
August 10, 2009 - 20:07 ET by Edhenrymy take, this is the most unamerican bill, ever. Yes ever.
Did they let crazy old Uncle Jack out of The Rest Home again ?
August 10, 2009 - 20:13 ET by Free StinkerWhat is the difference between Mr. Potter from the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" and Jack Cafferty from real life?
One is an angry, bitter, friendless, balding, demented old man, and the other is Mr. Potter from the movie "It's a Wonderful Life".
"THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON CUTTY SARK"
August 11, 2009 - 05:28 ET by SgthulkaWhat does this guy have on the CNN suits? What possible business model would deem his 30 second segments as beneficial to their bottom line?
Re Cutty Sark
August 11, 2009 - 10:17 ET by slickwillie2001Hey, a significant portion of our population consists of mean old drunks like Cafferty. Don't they deserve their own spokesman?
A
August 11, 2009 - 09:10 ET by jessieHAnother nut jumps out of the fool-pool. Who was the blogers, his family? Wouldn't doubt it. Congress hasn't earned any respect.
A real doctor
August 11, 2009 - 13:06 ET by slickwillie2001Great testimonial from a real doctor regarding one's ability to pay and the problems of Medicare and Medicaid:
ObamaCare and Me: http://www.americanthinker.com
"For those of you who are over 65, this bill in its present form might be lethal for you. People in England over 59 cannot receive stents for their coronary arteries. The government wants to mimic the British plan. For those of you younger, it will still mean restriction of the care that you and your children receive."