During a World News report on American options in the aftermath of Hamas’ violent takeover of Gaza last week, ABC’s Dean Reynolds on Monday got out the ten-foot pole to describe the group whose suicide bombers have killed numerous Americans in Israel as well as hundreds of Israeli civilians: “Now that Hamas, considered a terrorist organization by Washington, has taken command in Gaza, some things are becoming painfully clear about the Bush administration’s course of action up to this point.”
“Considered a terrorist organization by Washington”?! That’s an echo of the formula favored by the late Peter Jennings, who in 2002 referred to the group that blew up the Marine barracks in Beirut this way: “The Bush administration says Hezbollah is a terrorist organization.” As if it’s only our government’s biased opinion.
Reynolds also tweaked the Bush administration for turning on the financial aid spigot now that Hamas, the “fair and square” winners of last year’s election have been excluded from the Palestinian government: “The new government excludes Hamas, even though Hamas was elected fair and square a year and a half ago. This new Palestinian government is headed by a prime minister whose party won all of three percent in that election.”
Reynolds made no mention of the not-so-democratic way Hamas gunmen allegedly executed their Fatah rivals in Gaza last week by tossing them off of rooftops and shooting them in the street.
If you’re not sure how to classify Hamas, check out this YouTube video posted by the Palestinian Media Watch. It shows very young children, some that look to be about 10 years old or younger, being groomed to be suicide bombers. Here’s how it is described on the site:
A Hamas video encouraging the participation of children in terrorism has been broadcast on Hamas TV. The video, which focuses on Ahmed Yassin, Hamas founder and religious leader killed by Israel, portrays young children as the continuation of Yassin. Children are shown in uniforms, holding rifles and participating in military training. The lyrics stress the children's connection to Yassin: ‘Even though they killed our [Ahmad] Yassin, the land will grow a thousand Ahmad.’
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
The MSM is a terrorist organi
June 19, 2007 - 11:35 ET by mattmThe MSM is a terrorist organization. (or at least they run cover for terrorist organizations) I think we should give every Leftwing "journalist" the middle name "Tokyo Rose", i.e. Dean "Tokyo Rose" Reynolds...
"If Arab Muslims put down their weapons today there would be no more violence. If the Israelis put down their weapons today there would be no more Israel." - Anonymous
People in masks are either cr
June 19, 2007 - 11:41 ET by bassndudePeople in masks are either criminals or terrorists, hard to tell the diffrence over there. Any way you look at it, these masked men are not the Lone Ranger nor Zorro. They hide behind their masks so they are not marked for death while at home. For my money, I would drop cluster bombs on the entire lot while they are grouped up. Every mask should have a target on it.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
ABC -- Considered a news orga
June 19, 2007 - 11:42 ET by TeamcheeserABC -- Considered a news organization by ABC...
Ham Ass? Terrorist?
June 19, 2007 - 11:51 ET by Cool ArrowObviously they won't be considered a Terrorist Organization after Nov 2008. Problem solved.
Is ABC headquartered somewhere deep underground in New York? Do they have a Crescent Moon on the side of the building?
ABC doesn't seem to have a problem saying what is considered what when it comes to their pet projects. Like Religion of Peace. Or when life begins. Or how Muslim women should act in public.
Gosh folks, let's cut poor De
June 19, 2007 - 12:03 ET by CaringwhiteguyGosh folks, let's cut poor Dean Reynolds a little slack. If he comes right out and says Hamas IS a TERRORIST organization Hamas' communications director might not be as amenable to setting up ABC interviews. They might even try to kidnap some poor schmuck from ABC and threaten to cut off his wee wee. We can't let objective news reporting stand in the way of ABC's unalienable right to have sleazy sources.
'Considered a Terrorist Organ
June 19, 2007 - 12:03 ET by Phan of Truth'Considered a Terrorist Organization by Washington.' Well that's a relief. You never know nowadays. Some fool might even call them "freedom fighters."
That depends on what section
June 19, 2007 - 12:08 ET by CaringwhiteguyThat depends on what section of the State Department you are referring to.
You got that right.
June 19, 2007 - 12:14 ET by Phan of TruthYou got that right.
That depends on what section
June 19, 2007 - 12:08 ET by Caringwhiteguysorry, double post
Typical of the leftist libera
June 19, 2007 - 12:09 ET by iveseenitallTypical of the leftist liberals. Hear no evil, see no evil, except for the great evils--TRUTH, COMMON SENSE, and CONSERVATISM.
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
Dateline May 14, 1940, the Na
June 19, 2007 - 12:14 ET by Dan The Man 2Dateline May 14, 1940, the Nazi’s so called warmongers by Washington, invaded France.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark. -- save my gun, shoot a liberal.
Rich. Terrorists defined by Sec. Albright.
June 19, 2007 - 12:41 ET by Gary HallRich. Super catch.
As you know, the MSM has played this game from far left of center for a long time - it's simply more apparent with a Republican in the White House. During the Clinton years I suspect the record might show that the same journalists were only a bit more careful in not offending their friends in the White House.
A quick look back at "Washington's" history of identifying terrorist organizations shows us that Hamas and Hezbollah were identified as such during the Clinton years. Foreign Terrorist Organizations Designations by Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright.
Assuming that the media wished to appear free of the issue in "labeling" terrorist organizations, and wished to be nonpartisan in the same breath, they might have said, "..as long identified by "our" government [of the people] for a great many years now." (;~> gary