Bill Press Defends His Anthem-Bashing, Says Michelle Malkin's Like A Tiny Bug
The Radio Equalizer catches up with Bill Press on his Friday radio/Current TV show after his blatant attack on the National Anthem. "Boy, I never expected it," he claimed. Was Press professing shock that his rant was controversial -- or perhaps he's shocked anyone noticed from his obscure posting in the media? It's not exactly CNN or MSNBC down there for the former chair of the California Democratic Party.
Despite his puny perch in the commentariat, Press boasted that somehow Michelle Malkin on the Fox News Channel is a mere insect. She's on Fox, and he's on Current TV, and she's the insect? (Audio and transcript below)
PRESS: Before I was even on CNN ran a poll asking people to call in if they agreed with me or not. Then Fox and Friends brings in Michelle Malkin. She’s talking with Gretchen Carlson about what a terrible terrible person I am because I dared suggest that the Star Spangled Banner is un-singable and we’d be better off with something like God Bless America. Here’s Michelle Malkin and Gretchen. [Audio of Malkin and Carlson plays]
This is so over the top. [As the audio plays] Bla bla bla bla. It’s so over the top. Yeah I said of course I was on Current TV with Cenk Uygur last night on the Young Turks and I said being attacked by Michelle Malkin is like being attacked by an ant or like a gnat or like a flea. I mean come on give me a break and you know first of all I I I the main point I made about being un-singable about being militaristic, but on the bravery thing, does she really thing that Americans are the only brave that’s the point I made, are we the only brave people on the face of the earth?
Now if Rush Limbaugh said being attacked by Margaret Cho was like being attacked by a gnat, he would surely be tried and convicted as an anti-Asian racist. Notice Press doesn't defend himself on his hating the "militaristic" language. But he thinks he's a genius for suggesting America doesn't have a monopoly on bravery. Press doesn't take exception to "the land of the free," saying, "hey, we're not the only free country on earth, so why are we bragging?"
If we take Press's argument against Anthem-boasting to its logical conclusion, he could scold the NAACP -- "Come on, like you guys are the ONLY group that favors the advancement of colored people? How arrogant of you!" But he was on a roll:
I mean I don’t want to make too much of this, but don’t you think maybe the Brits were pretty brave during World War II when they were getting the hell bombed out of them, we weren’t. Don’t you think the French, not all of them of course, some of them caved in to the Nazi occupation, but the French resistance, don’t you think they’re being pretty brave? Don’t you think the people that defied Saddam Hussein in Iraq were being pretty brave? You can go on and on.
Don’t you think that Nelson Mandela was pretty brave? That’s that I mean you know come on. Let’s just admit it. We’re a great country I love this county. We’re not the only brave people on the planet.
Press was stretching it a bit to tout the bravery of the French in World War II, but clearly the bravery described in Francis Scott Key's poem was referring to how our bravery preserved our flag when our country was very young. He wasn't writing a universal thesis. Press didn't take his bravery argument to the next step: there was also bravery on behalf of the Nazis or Saddam Hussein, but that's not something we honor.
As a radio host trying to draw attention to himself, Press succeeded. As an American liberal trying to persuade the average American to sign up for his side of the debate, he only underlined again that liberals despise nationalism and militarism, and then claim it's unfair to describe them as less patriotic than the norm. And who has the gnat of an argument here?
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Comments
Don't just say it dear boy.
Submitted by The Vet on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 7:23am.
Put it to music.
As you have pointed out. It is frighteningly simple. Now, what rhymes with flea?
Pointless criticisms of popular songs by Bill Press.
Submitted by The Vet on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 7:58am.
Oh we're not gonna take it --- Ah, so you are the only one that has had it, huh?
No, we ain't gonna take it --- Heard you the first time.
Oh we're not gonna take it anymore --- And the point of "anymore" would be? Already not taking it.
We've got the right to choose it --- Choose what? You claim not to take it so why choose?
There ain't no way we'll lose it --- What? You did not take it so you cannot lose it.
This is our life, this is our song --- Ah, so you are the only one with a life and a song, huh?
We'll fight the powers that be just --- Splitting a sentence there junior.
Don't pick our destiny 'cause --- Awww. Go pick your nose.
You don't know us, you don't belong --- What, with a buncha whiners?
Oh we're not gonna take it --- Here we go, lather rinse repeat.
No, we ain't gonna take it --- No? Who said yes?
Oh we're not gonna take it anymore --- Again with the "anymore". What does that add?
Oh you're so condescending --- Wait, Me? The listener? Or who...
Your gall is never ending --- Sorry, just a music critic. Lay off.
We don't want nothin', not a thing from you --- Even if you did, you QUOTE "won't take it" UNQUOTE.
By Press's logic, no song,
Submitted by kareling on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 7:46am.
By Press's logic, no song, not even God Bless America, would qualify for the National Anthem. And for someone who thinks Michelle Malkin is an ant or gnat or flea, he sure makes a big fuss about being attacked by one.
What a zero Press is, always
Submitted by Semus on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 8:24am.
What a zero Press is, always has been.
The more Press tries to explain his statement . . .
Submitted by Galvanic on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 11:55am.
. . . the more ridiuculous it gets.
As for his personal attack on Michelle Malkin, I would say that under Alinsky Rules, it qualifies as racism.
What a zero Press is, always
Submitted by Semus on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 8:24am.
What a zero Press is, always has been.
He's never obviously ...
Submitted by PopPop on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 8:36am.
... either tried to sing or translate the national anthem of a people he admires so, "La Marseillaise" (that's French, in case somebody still doesn't get it). It speaks of soldiers cutting the enemy's throats and making the blood of the "impure" flow through the streets. In comparison, the SSB is quite tame. Or perhaps he'd prefer the Mexican national anthem, which calls all Mexicans to arms and exhorts the spillings of "waves of blood".
On yesterday's Dennis Miller show, he said he'd met Press before and liked him. Dennis just vowed to turn his back the next time he sees him. Might I suggest we all do the same to this blithering idiot.
Viva la Mexico! Blood! War! Sweat! Tears! Puppies!
Submitted by The Vet on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 8:49am.
War, war without quarter to any who dare
to tarnish the country's coat of arms!
War, war! Let the national banners
be soaked in waves of blood.
War, war! In the mountain, in the valley,
let the cannons thunder in horrid unison
and may the sonorous echoes resound
with cries of Union! Liberty!
Stanza VI
Oh country, ere your children, defenseless
bend their neck beneath the yoke,
may your fields be watered with blood,
may they leave their footprints in blood.
And may your temples, palaces and towers
collapse with horrid clamor,
and their ruins continue on, saying:
Of a thousand heroes, this country was
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061203201156AAzmtpX
Good Mornin' Vietnam! Blood! Armies! Battle! Onward ho!
Submitted by The Vet on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 8:52am.
Armies of the Vietnam, forward!,
With one single determination to save our Fatherland,
Our hurried steps resound on a long and arduous road,
Our flag, red with blood of victory, bears the spirit of the country,
The distance rumbling of the gund mingles with our marching song.
The path of glory is built by the bodies of our foes,
Overcoming all hardships, together we build our resistance bases.
Ceaselessly for the People's cause let us struggle,
Let us hasten to the battlefield!
Onward! Altogether advancing!
For one eternal Vietnam.
http://srttaseancorner.blogspot.com/2010/03/national-anthem-of-vietnam.html
I, too, must be a paleocon.
Submitted by nolefan2 on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 4:38pm.
You are absolutely correct about Barry Goldwater and LBJ. In today's political scenario, Homer Simpson would be 10,000% superior to the Anointed One.
I agree with Press.
Submitted by motherbelt on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 9:09am.
The Star Spangle Banner IS unsingable. The range is ridiculous; even professionals have trouble with it.
Other than that, Press is talking out his nether region.
The song doesn't say "The ONLY land of the free and home of the brave."
Is no nation allowed to praise itself, because all nations are worthy of praise?
Oh, wait! That IS the liberal philosophy.
And Malkin's been called MUCH worse things by bigger jerks than Press; I doubt that fazed her in the least.
I disagree.
Submitted by nolefan2 on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 4:47pm.
Our National Anthem is NOT unsingable. I'm old enough to have heard it sung many times. There are people who can sing it properly, but they are not trying to put their own personal "stamp" on the song. They are just singing it the way it was written to be sung. Rosanne Barr absolutely butchered it when she screeched it and others have, too.
Without America the world would descend into chaos
Submitted by thestalkinghorse on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 9:13am.
I'd agree with Bill if we could replace it the Colimbia the Gem of the Ocean. Wouldn't it be delicious at ballgames to have to watch libs choke on the words "thy banners make tyranny tremble"?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA47A6GQ5x0
Bill Press: Just for the sake of argument…
Submitted by Grumpy in Arizona on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 9:16am.
Bill, just for the sake of argument; Let’s say that “God Bless America” was (as you recommend) our national anthem…
“What would that do to your ‘Separation of Church and State argument’?”
- Even caffeine deprived minds want to know.
- Grump :o)
What a doofus~
Submitted by GG_NB on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 10:00am.
1.) It is a patriotic but NOT an arrogant song. We're not slamming anyone else. Geez-oh-pete! I would guess most Americans love it. I still tear up anytime I hear it.
2) Malkin is powerful, insightful and fabulous. There is nothing small about her, except her petite stature.
3) The only problem with singing the song in large groups (i.e., baseball games) is that professional singers choose the key and the register -- and often make it hard on the audience because they often choose a really tough key/register for the "average" person to hit the high/and or low notes. Heck, the professionals often fall flat themselves singing it (no pun intended). For me, they are just showing off when they make it unsingable for the audience, but it's their gig, so I guess they can do what they want. But it is totally doable to sing in an easier/decent key and register.
"If not us, who? If not now, when?"
~Ronald Reagan
The best rendition of 'The Star Spangled Banner' ---
Submitted by matthewdean on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 7:51pm.
I ever heard was in an email - with no video, only audio.
The sound of a muezzin making his noise is interrupted by the sound of a loud rifle shot, followed by the introductory bars of "The Star Spangled Banner".
Now that brought a tear to MY eye.
MD
^^Like^^
Submitted by UpNorth on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 8:19pm.
.
Ya know, I got to thinking. I
Submitted by ChicagoSteve on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 10:53am.
Ya know, I got to thinking. I only read about these wacky loonies from this marvelous website and the tweets they put out, otherwise I wouldn't have a clue to what these liberal parasites say and do. So, if the newsbuster employees stopped watching and listening no one would know what these urchins say or do because no one other than Newsbusters listens and they'd be gone...forever!!
Loonies
Submitted by rusino on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 12:20pm.
You make a valid point. We should stop giving free space for their drivel.
Name calling and
Submitted by misterbee241 on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 11:04am.
personal attacks. that's what liberals do. The facts do not support their arguments.
Press
Submitted by rusino on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 12:18pm.
Is now and always has been, a HAS BEEN!
Its okay to not like the star
Submitted by redfish on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 1:14pm.
Its okay to not like the star spangled banner, but Press' reasons for not liking it are stupid.
The Brits right now are pretty free also, although they don't have all of the Constitutional protections we do. The point is that freedom has to be fought for and defended with bravery. Its not "militaristic" to say that, the anthem doesn't talk about invading other countries.
I bet this nicely dovetails with Bill Press' view of the second amendment versus Francis Scott Keys' view.
Obviously, Bill
Submitted by nolefan2 on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 4:50pm.
Press is not fond of America. If his knowledge of geography is lacking, I would be happy to suggest some alternate countries for him to relocate to. I happen to be a big fan of Michelle Malkin. It would not do for him to besmirch her in my presence. I would show him how much damage a gnat can do.
If Michelle Malkin is a
Submitted by Antisocial-ism on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 6:12pm.
If Michelle Malkin is a "Bug", then I know where the saying "Cute as a bug" came from.
Is it me or are Bill Press and Roger Ebert the same person?
Not the same person
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 8:24pm.
But he does chin-ups with Ebert.
Does he root for any particular football team?
Submitted by Radical1979 on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 8:51pm.
Because you know the other team might be good too. Why cheer for one team above another?
I see this as another step towards global government, denying the value of country. How these people consider themselves smart is beyond me.
Bill Press
Submitted by donabernathy on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 10:19pm.
only brings to mind an image of him standing on a train platform with his pencil and pad. Ordering Jews into the cattle cars for their Trip to Auschwitz
roflmao
Great point about Rush and
Submitted by NCfairandbalanced on Sun, 06/10/2012 - 7:12am.
Great point about Rush and Margaret Cho. Kinda funny...I know libs think we're whining when we make a hypothetical comparison like that, but that's ALL they do...accuse of of whining. But they never REFUTE what we say. I wonder why that is!
Hmmmm.....!
Liberals
Submitted by Ruler4You on Sun, 06/10/2012 - 1:07pm.
What I love about liberals, is that they don't care about their own dogma. They INSIST that conservatives 'tolerate' and refrain from being 'judgmental', but they have no such compunctions themselves. They immediately hurl names and vile language and demean and use false information with a regularity and ease of use of lies that "IS" truly mind blowing.
A technique not unknown to civilizations, it's actually very well understood. And, during the cold war, was widely propagated: brainwashing.
Of course, that "IS" the most 'harsh' definition that could be thought up.
Today, we call the EXACT same techniques: 'PC' or 'tolerance.' But in either case it's a result of what is called: 'information dominance.' Sort of like our public schools.
Liberal logic on display
Submitted by CobraMan on Sun, 06/10/2012 - 4:33pm.
"Before I was even on CNN ran a poll asking people to call in if they agreed with me or not. "
What does that even mean? CNN ran a poll about what you were going to say before you even said it? And they asked people to call in before you appeared on the show and remark about what you said before you said it? Yea, makes a lot of sense, NOT!
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.