The ABC News political radar blog provided a bit of cover for former DNC Chairman Don Fowler (Democratic Superdelegate) who was caught on tape in a conversation with Rep. John Spratt (D-SC) gloating over the timing of hurricane Gustav, saying it was a sign from God.

An anonymous person posted the video to YouTube and published an accompanying article at the Red State blog. The comments were captured by a passenger sitting behind them on a flight as they departed from the Democratic National Convention.

“The hurricane’s going to hit New Orleans about the time they start. The timing is — at least it appears now that it’ll be there Monday. That just demonstrates that God’s on our side. [Laughter] Everything’s cool.”

In typical "circle the wagons" style, ABC provided a platform for Don Fowler to explain away his comments as a satirical comment on the late Rev. Jerry Falwell while simultaneously blaming the entire incident on a "right-wing nutcase".

First ABC provided Fowler's apology, which could have been considered sincere.

"If this offended anybody, I personally apologize," Fowler told ABC News. "It was a mistake, and it was a satirical statement made in jest. And one that I clearly don't believe."

Good enough. ABC could have finished the report there but they can't really leave well enough alone. Democrat foot in mouth requires that a diversionary smoke screen be erected. In this case Fowler blames his comments on a "right-wing nutcase" and ABC is happy to oblige.

"One doesn't anticipate that one's private conversation will be surreptitiously taped by some right-wing nutcase," said Fowler. "But that's the nature of what we're dealing with."

Another case of a Democratic leader being under the undue influence of a right-wing nutcase. When will these wingnuts stop?

Now that the blame has been attributed to the jedi mind control tactics of a rogue right-wing army faithful it is only fitting that ABC allow Fowler a platform to portray the incident within the protective context of a supposedly similar one made by someone on the right. Rewind the tape about 7 years to comments made by the late Rev. Jerry Falwell.

Fowler said his remark was "facetious" and a "satirical comment" on the late Rev. Jerry Falwell.

Following the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Falwell told "The 700 Club," "I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America. I point the finger in their face and say 'you helped this happen.'"

Falwell, who later apologized, said he viewed the attacks as God's judgment on America for "throwing God out of the public square, out of the schools. The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked."

Fowler sought to contrast his religious views with those expressed by the late Rev. Falwell before his death.

Normally I would have blown off the comments made by Fowler. But ABC's coverage of the apology is a perfect example of liberal bias in the media. They used the incident as a perfect opportunity to rehash the unrelated and out of context comments of a conservative religious figure that died a little over a year ago. Such diversionary tactics are an oft-practiced trick that is designed to absolve the left of all responsibility for their own behavior by pointing the finger at the other guy.

As for the comments being made satirically as a commentary on the late Jerry Falwell I'll let you decide for yourself. You can watch the video here.

Image created by Terry Trippany using NOAA hurricane image as a backdrop. Terry Trippany is the publisher of Webloggin and holds the post as The Watcher at Watcher of Weasels.