On this afternoon's Tucker Carlson show, an MSNBC consultant flatly called President Bush a recovering substance abuser. Guest host Joe Scarborough took things a giant step further, seeming to analogize evangelical Christians with such substance abusers.Joe Scarborough substituted for Tucker Carlson on the latter's MSNBC show today. Discussing President Bush's upbeat mood, despite congressional opposition and the tough slogging in Iraq, Scarborough asked MSNBC consultant Craig Crawford "what's this guy got to be cocky about?"
Crawford: "I would point to the history of anyone recovering from substance abuse. No, seriously. There is a body of thought that those in recovery, like he is, become very absolute about blacks and whites. There's no middle ground. You either take that substance or you don't."
View video here.
Scarborough: "As a guy who has grown up in an evangelical church, you could also say that about certain people of faith. A lot of people are more pragmatic, but there're some people that go in those church pews, and it's black or white, right?"Crawford: "Sure, yeah!"
UPDATE 02-20-07: Joe Scarborough has contacted NB to express his very strong objection to this item, which he described as "deeply offensive and intellectually dishonest," claiming it suggested that he is anti-Christian. Said Mr. Scarborough: "the fact that I mocked Craig Crawford with a laugh for suggesting Bush was a substance abuser and then suggested it might be his faith instead that makes him see the world in black and white does not mean I compared the two. Seeing things in black and white is not a negative [in Christianity]." Added Mr. Scarborough: "The fact I am writing a book about how Christians are slandered by the mainstream media and American culture makes your remarks all the more maddening."
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Aside: Is it just me, or does Craig Crawford's voice sound eerily like Pat Robertson's?
Update: Craig Crawford has posted my musing about his voice at his blog. He replied to a message from me to say that he's frequently heard the comparison to Robertson made, and that "as a kid growing up in Orlando, I actually watched Pat Robertson a lot. Not for his beliefs so much, but because I thought he was such a skilled broadcaster." Crawford places Robertson with Ronald Reagan and Walt Disney in his top three greatest modern communicators.
Contact Mark at mark@gunhill.net
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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Not exactly a new message fro
February 16, 2007 - 21:28 ET by AtheistRepublicanNot exactly a new message from liberals is it? Opiate of the masses stuff. I wish they would at least be a little more creative with their attacks.
What makes this notable is
February 16, 2007 - 21:33 ET by Mark FinkelsteinWhat makes this notable is that it came from Joe Scarborough, a former Republican congressman who still describes himself as a conservative.
Mark,I hate to admit it. But
February 16, 2007 - 21:35 ET by NeoConfirmedMark,
I hate to admit it. But there was a time when I actually liked this guy.
I don't blame you a bit. It
February 16, 2007 - 21:38 ET by Mark FinkelsteinI don't blame you a bit. It was a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away ;-)
Thank you, Obi Wan Kenobi.
February 16, 2007 - 21:39 ET by BlondeThank you, Obi Wan Kenobi.
Never watch msbnc--no reason
February 17, 2007 - 14:02 ET by Andrew H.Never watch msbnc--no reason to unless I want to feel my temper rise. I'm afraid Joe is slipping into the lie like Huffington did some years ago. Too bad.
Liberalism is a convenient lie.
Joe's got the nerve....Isn't
February 16, 2007 - 21:34 ET by NeoConfirmedJoe's got the nerve....
Isn't he the guy that's been injecting himself with MSNBCrack for the last year?
That's exactly right ... hang
February 17, 2007 - 04:02 ET by josephsamuelsonThat's exactly right ... hang out with left-wing crack abusers, BECOME a left-wing crack abuser.
"There is a body of t
February 17, 2007 - 07:30 ET by motherbelt"There is a body of thought that those in recovery, like he is"
They are not even creative in "projecting" (I use that in the psychiatric descriptive way) their own opinions onto others. I'm sure there is a "body of thought" on any number of subjects. That's very different from having studies that uphold a certain belief. "Body of thought" is just another form of their old standbys "critics say" or "some say". Craig Crawford is a political analyst, not a expert in addiction recovery, so why should we take his word for anything?
Joe Scarborough used to be a common-sense guy before he got his own show. Maybe it's all gone to his head; after all, he's a political "star" now.
Didn't Ayman al-Zawahiri sme
February 16, 2007 - 21:55 ET by SMGalbraithDidn't Ayman al-Zawahiri smear Bush re his past problem with alcohol with a similar claim just this week in a video?
Hmm, Zawahiri watches MSNBC? Or does MSNBC follow Zawahiri?
Always wondered where this silly Craig Crawford got his material from.
Mark, you guys should compile a list of smears directed at Bush by the terrorists and another one by journalists and have the reader try to guess which was done by which group.
Not a bad idea ... they're pl
February 17, 2007 - 04:00 ET by josephsamuelsonNot a bad idea ... they're playing for the same team ... so it would be interesting.
Black and white
February 17, 2007 - 00:13 ET by nkviking75You could say that about people who have a clear sense of right and wrong as well.
Viking,A clear sense of right
February 17, 2007 - 00:18 ET by NeoConfirmedViking,
A clear sense of right and wrong....does that still exist anymore?
I thought that in this day and age that everything had shades of grey.
B & W
February 17, 2007 - 00:20 ET by nkviking75Neo, it's very rare.
"A clear sense of righ
February 17, 2007 - 07:56 ET by motherbelt"A clear sense of right and wrong"
I love how they see that as a problem....
No. There is no such thing
February 17, 2007 - 08:53 ET by Tom1969caNo. There is no such thing as "right" and "wrong" anymore.
I actually believe this is quasi-theological (and ties in with Coulter's last book, Godless); if we assume for a moment that there are things in this world that are "right" and things that are "wrong", who/what defines "right" and "wrong"?
Ultimately, the concepts of "right" and "wrong" lead one inexorably to a superior authority who defines these ideas (without getting into the name(s) and/or denominational affiliation(s) of said entity.) I believe the idea of having to answer to this entity for one's choices is anathema to liberals, as opposed to the "it may not be right for you, but it's right for me" philosophy of the left. (Note how no liberal ever says abortion is "right" or "good", but rather it's just not anyone's place to question the woman's choice. "Right" and "wrong" never enter the debate.)
~~~
VOTE DEMOCRAT!
(It's easier than thinking)
very true.I got into a debate
February 17, 2007 - 11:56 ET by Conservative in the Artsvery true.
I got into a debate with a hard core lib during work last summer. After discussing many topics, she accused me of seeing the world in "black and white", and I answered "dang straight, it's much easier of a life than yours. I admit that there are some areas of grey, but for the most part it's either right or wrong. It puts life into very clearly defined boundrys, you should try it. It really simplifies things." She didn't have a come back after that.
No Black & White for Libs?
February 17, 2007 - 09:44 ET by ChasvsOf course Liberals have a problem with those who can decern Black from White! To be a true lib you can have no morals, no standards, no differentiation of Right or Wrong! That scares the Sh!t of a Liberal, and anyone who has the Guts to say that this is Right and that is Wrong has got to be mentally unstable!
They say Liberals are Pragmatic, I call the COWARDS!
WHAT'S WRONG WITH GEORGE BUSH?
February 17, 2007 - 09:52 ET by John Q CitizenWHAT'S WRONG WITH GEORGE BUSH?
WE GET THE GOVERNMENT WE DESERVE… and, boy, we’ve really been getting it for the last 6 years! Truth, values, competence and results no longer matter in America.
The problem: our President is not a rational thinker – his mind accepts information from only two sources: faith and experience. For example, he learned the "the enemy will follow us here" from Vietnam and the Domino Theory: “If we don’t defeat the communists in Vietnam, then we’ll have to fight them here in America.” Now just insert “terrorists” and “Iraq” into the one lesson Bush learned from Vietnam.
Because George Bush is not rational (strictly empirical and subjective), objective facts and evidence such as the recent National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) that found this Iraq war has created more jihadists and terrorists and made America less safe are meaningless to this anachronistic man of several millennia ago. The reality of Iraq is what he thinks it is from the beautiful White House, and so our country and our precious soldiers are in for much more of this growing catastrophe, incompetence at the top from day one and continuing for the foreseeable future, and SPIN, SPIN, SPIN.
The next application of Bush's mind to our tribulations ... GOOD NEWS! God has spoken directly to George Bush (again) and told him to go to war with Iran after the November 2006 elections. This new war should go as well as the Iraq war (our President’s last consultation with “a higher authority,” “another Father” than Bush41) and further help over one billion Muslims in their decision to fight America in a mutual holy war. When the President finally increases the level of hatred against the United States to where it engulfs Pakistan, then we face nuclear terror, and Biblical Armageddon becomes real and a self-fulfilling prophecy. Oh, the joy, the Rapture!
You're obviously very profi
February 17, 2007 - 09:57 ET by Uncle JohnYou're obviously very proficient with the cut and paste functions. Those mad skills allow you to post one long, boring, inaccurate, inane and oddly-formatted post in one area, and then do the same thing 10 minutes later in another area here.
Don't you have a bridge to guard somewhere, or a rock to crawl back under? You're accomplishing nothing here. I'm done feeding you, so bye-bye.
"It isn't that Liberals are ignorant. It's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan
"the enemy will follow u
February 17, 2007 - 10:01 ET by ThisnThat"the enemy will follow us here"
Just exactly what is your problem, here? Ever hear of 9-11? The enemy has already followed us here, and has made it clear that they intend to do so again until we are defeated. This is something Clinton should have learned, and it's something the next President had better pay attention to. Seems to me GWB is the clear thinker, not you.
Your analysis is way too simp
February 17, 2007 - 10:05 ET by GalvanicYour analysis is way too simplisitic, and ignores fact. Beyond the fact that the Domino Theory held true in Southeast Asia and could happen in the Middle East, there's the fact that, unlike the Viet Cong, the Islamic terrorists actually have attacked us at home.
And in fact the terrorists did follwo us home. Our failure to effectively fight AQ encouraged them to escalate both the size the attacks and the value of the targets. AQ perceived weakness, and progressed its war right to downtown NYC and the Pentagon itself. Since terrorism isn't about capturing and holding dirt (as in the SE Asia Domino Theory), we might even say that in its own way, we witnessed a Terrorist Domino Theory. We've relocated the central battle in Iraq, away fro us.
Also, please cite the NIE that says that America is less safe now than before the Iraq war. If you can't cite it, please retract the statement.
TROLL! I hate newspapermen
February 17, 2007 - 10:11 ET by Dave RTROLL!
I hate newspapermen.....I regard them as spies.....If I killed them all there would be news from Hell before breakfast. -Gen. William T. Sherman
Unless you are going to impea
February 17, 2007 - 10:17 ET by NL207Unless you are going to impeach his tripe, get out of the way.
Interesting that you should m
February 17, 2007 - 10:15 ET by NL207Interesting that you should mention the Vietnam domino theory. That is exactly what happened there. After the Communists took over South Vietnam, they also took over Cambodia and Laos. And what did the Communists do in these places? They operated "re-education camps", political prisons on a vast scale. They drove hundreds of thousands to flee at the risk of their lives, so many that we derived a new term fo refugee from this, "boat people". And the summarily executed millions, not just in Cambodia, but in Vetnam and Laos as well. What crime were these persons executed for? Opposing the state? Having dangerous ideas? in short, the Domino Theory was VINDICATED BY HISTORY.
I like your analogy to the present situation. Johnson and Nixon were right about Vietnam. The leftists and liberals were wrong. Bush and those who agree with him argue that if we lose in Iraq and Afghanistan, Al Qaeda and its allies will return with more Holy War. We had a taste of their Jihad here in America on 9-11. The Islamofascists have shown they have the capability, if left unmolested, to wreak havoc on small parts of America. The liberals and leftists say that we should withdraw from the Middle East and the Islamofascists will leave us alone and like us. History says they have hated and despised us since before the foundation of our present republic. Once again, the President and his advisers are correct and the leftists are wrong.
Keep up the good work making arguments like these. Shows clearly to everyone what fools you leftists are.
It seems the "Q" st
February 17, 2007 - 10:40 ET by kathleenirishIt seems the "Q" stands for "Quack", eh? You are totally wrong about George Bush's reasoning. It has nothing to do with raptures and religion. It has everything to do with the reality of the threat this country, and western civilization, is under due to Islamic terrorism. It has to do with his sworn duty to fight them as enemies of the Constitution and the US. Something the Left is still totally in denial over. Conspiracy theories, lying about the president to further their own power grabs and political aims, and pointing their fingers in the wrong direction is their obsession. The terrorists want to kill you, your family, and your way of life in a free America, jerk. The Democrats are the consumate traitors to our country. They want failure, they want another Southeast Asian-style holocaust? That's what it looks and sounds like!
"He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, and he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere" -Ali ibn-Abi-Talib, 4th Islamic Caliph
What's Demented About John Quazy Citizen?
February 17, 2007 - 14:07 ET by NeoConfirmedFlashback to 2000:
John cries for weeks after Bushy steals the election from his green hero Albert Bore.
Flashback to 2001:
John rejoices with the terroists as the towers fall. He immediately flies to Iraq to dance in the streets with Saddam and Co.
Flashback to 2003:
John climbs up on his rooftop to scream in protest as the US starts to bomb Saddam's palace. He is furious that George doesn't call to ask his permission and cannot understand why after being attacked, his country doesn't immediately call for a series of meetings with leaders in the middle east.
Flashback to 2004:
Positive that Vietnam war veteran and subsequent traitor John Kerry will crush dumb ol' Georgey in the election, John opens a tee shirt stand on a college campus. His number one seller is the standard picure of Bush with the caption 'International Terrorist'. Most of his sales are to faculty members.
Again, after that bastard GWB manages to steal another election through voter intimidation and fauly machines, John meets with the Iranian dictator to ensure him that if he keeps sending terrorists to screw up the developing new democracy, Americans will grow tired of the mess. John supports the troops though, he just can't bring himself to support the entire purpose of their exsistance.
Flashback to 2006:
John is vindicated when those lying, sleazy Republicans lose control of both houses. He sends Bin Laden a love letter and signs it 'Keep up the good work.' Despite his wife's objections, John plasters the walls of his bedroom with pictures of that sexy new speaker. He especially feels excited when he looks at the ones where she's wearing the tight red business suit.
2007:
John finds pleasure while posting nonsense at Newsbusters. He's tried the Daily Kos and the Huff blog, but somehow debates over whether it's better for a sixteen year old to kill her unborn baby in the seventh or eighth month is unfullfilling. And even he is tiring of wet dreams about 911 conspiracies...
Go away, John. I think Al Franken is looking for volunteers.
Go away, John. I think Al Franken is looking for volunteers.
February 17, 2007 - 14:09 ET by acaiguana"Go away, John. I think Al Franken is looking for volunteers."
And he has...
Gone away.
ACA
...
Hillary Clinton says: "I want to take those profits."
"the enemy will follow us here"?
February 17, 2007 - 17:47 ET by BritcomThe enemy has followed us here! The Communists arrived and established beachheads in Hollywood, the MSM, the Clinton Administration, and now they control Congress.
You guys are talking to a dead man. (recently deceased)
February 17, 2007 - 17:52 ET by acaiguanaYou guys are talking to a dead man. (recently deceased)
ACA
...
Hillary Clinton says: "I want to take those profits."
I'm in shock. I guess it j
February 17, 2007 - 17:57 ET by Uncle JohnI'm in shock. I guess it just shows how precious life is. I remember laughing and joking with JQ like it was this morning. Wait...
"It isn't that Liberals are ignorant. It's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan
Crawford - um... Deep deep thinker here. Very deep. Deep.
February 17, 2007 - 10:53 ET by acaiguanaCrawford - um... Deep deep thinker here. Very deep. Deep.
Let's see.
"I would point to the history of anyone recovering from substance abuse. No, seriously. There is a body of thought that those in recovery, like he is, become very absolute about blacks and whites. There's no middle ground. You either take that substance or you don't."
Gavin Newsome, Mayor of SF goes into recovery (maybe because he was outed as the only Heterosexual left in the City) and becomes an absolutist?
He He, I'm gonna look forward to that first speech when he absolutely says something like, "From now on I'll actually not break State laws and be an example for San Francisco's Gang members." The Gangs must be laughing their rear ends off.
Or, for example, "I'm absolutely going to really really do something this time about the incredible corruption in San Francisco schools and everyone involved in ripping off that dedicated bond issue to build infrastructure in schools to spend on the Teachers Union will go to jail."
He He, the teachers must be laughing themselves silly on that one! Huh?
So, there we have it. A twit's idea of recovery. Conflated with a twit's idea about Bush's religous beliefs.
Sigh.
Oh would that some of these idiots would show the same respect for George Bush's character and religion that they show for Obama (er Osama) Ben Laden's character and religion.
Is that too much to ask?
ACA
...
Hillary Clinton says: "I want to take those profits."
I listeded to this tripe yest
February 17, 2007 - 13:21 ET by bigtimerI listeded to this tripe yesterday...
What it all boiled down to is the breathless anticipation from the looney leftist in the media and in the House that were spewing their vitriol when they thought they were going to get close to fourty to sixty votes from the republicans...didn't happen, quite a few less eh? (not that I am happy with 17 of the RINO's)
MSNBC just has to come up with anything to deflect from the numbers they kept shoving down every-one's throat for a good week...
Scarborough has sunk to levels I didn't even think he was capable of....Crawford is just well Crawford...a simpleton...a joiner with no idea's of his own....
I cannot wait until Joe is finished.
Forever.