F&F’s Bizarre Bocephus: Obama Like Hitler?

[UPDATED, infra: “Bocephus going, gone.“] Hank Williams, Jr.: Obama/Boehner on the links “like Hitler playing golf with Netanyahu.” In a rather bizzare Fox & Friends interview today, country star Hank Williams, Jr., so compared President Barack Obama to Hitler. When pressed by co-host Brian Kilmeade, Williams dug himself in even deeper, surlily replying that Obama was “the enemy.” As the surreal promo for NFL Monday Night Football (and his illustrious deceased father‘s new release The Legend Begins) finally ended, relieved co-anchor Gretchen Carlson said, “I just want to say that we disavow any of those comments or analogies that he made. At least…the analogy between Hitler and the President.”

Interestingly, the segment began with Brian lauding Williams as “coming from country music royalty” and being the “voice of Monday Night Football for over twenty years” who “knows a little about politics, too.” Subsequently, co-host Steve Doocy enthusiastically welcomed Williams, exclaiming, “Joining us right now to break down the 2012 GOP field is country singer superstar Hank Williams, Jr. As he did, Bocephus sat back with his arms crossed and shook his head with a laugh. Somewhat incisively, Brian waggishly interjected, “Your body language says [to] leave you alone. Your hands are crossed. You’re shaking us off.”

Perhaps, in an adumbration of the fractious nature of the interview, Williams stuck out his tongue and uncrossed his arms, retorting, “Yeah, whatever. Yeah!” Then, he added, “I’d rather be there looking at Gretchen.”

Smiling, a flattered Gretchen cooed, “Good morning to you, too. Good morning to you, too. Let’s just have a little intimate discussion right here.” Ironically, prefacing her question, saying, “I’d love to pick your brain about politics….I’ll start with an easy question, she asked, “Who do you like in the GOP race?” Quite curtly, William answered, “Nobody!”

“Nobody?” Brian incredulously interposed. Williams nebulously responded, “You remember the golf game they had, ladies and gentlemen?…That was one of the biggest political mistakes ever. That turned a lot of people off.”

Trying to clarify his response for her F&F audience, Gretchen asked, “You mean when John Boehner played golf with President Obama?” Agitated, Williams answered, “Oh, yeah, yeah. And  [VP Joe] Biden and [OH Guv John] Kasich, yeah. Uh, huh.” Probing further, Gretchen queried, “What did you not like about it? It seems to be a really pivotal moment for you.”

Animatedly, Williams answered, “Come on, come on! That’d be like Hitler playing golf with Netanyahu. Okay? Not hardly!” As a stunned Gretchen meekly replied, “Okay,” Brian asserted, “I don’t understand that analogy actually. Arching his eyebrows in disbelief at Williams’ comment, Steve interjected, “Well, it’s, it’s out there.” Unrepentant, Williams snarked, “Well, I’m glad you [Brian] don’t, brother, because a lot of people do. You know, they’re the enemy. They’re the enemy.”

Stone-faced, Brian monotoned, “Who’s the enemy?” In response, Williams groused, “Uh, Obama! And, Biden. Are you kidding? The Three Stooges.” As Gretchen grimaced, Williams moved on, saying, “The one that makes the most sense is Herman Cain. Herman Cain makes more sense than any of them.”

Before segueing to the promo of Monday Night Football, Gretchen pressed Williams, saying, “One thing I’m gathering from your very emphatic statement this morning is that you are not a big fan of the parties coming together at all to kinda find compromise?” Looking at his watch and then crossing his arms over his chest again, Williams replied, “No. Come on….We’re more polarized than we’ve ever been, guys. You know it….I’m not going to sugarcoat it.”

Gretchen responded, “Well, you didn’t. You didn’t because…you used the name of one of the most hated people in all of the world to describe the, I think, the President.”

Smiling, Williams answered, “Well, that’s true. That is true. But, I’m telling you like it is. That…just wasn’t a good thing. It just didn’t fly.” He concluded, “Like Fred Thompson said, ‘You don’t want to ask me a question, because I’m gonna give you too straight of an answer. Let’s talk about something else.”

Later, when Williams had touted MNF and The Legend Begins three-disc compilation, Gretchen cheerfully bid him adieu, saying, “Hank Williams, have a great football season. Have fun at the game!” After he tersely replied, “Bye,” Gretchen concluded, “I just want to say that we disavow any of those comments or analogies that he made. At least, I’m going to say that–disavow the analogy between Hitler and the President.” As Steve nodded his concurrence with Gretchen, Brian derisively declared, “I asked him to define it.”

Define Bocephus’s analogy, Brian? At best, bizarre.

[Author’s aside: After Williams’ appearance, F&F guest comedian George Lopez joked, “In America, we love when we take somebody out….When [bin Laden] was taken out, [Obama’s] approval rating soared. So, I think it’s time to kill someone else…maybe, Hank Williams, Jr., after [Obama] sees the interview this morning.”* As Brian beamed and Steve laughed, a grinning Gretchen replied, “Uh, yeah!]

*Fox & Friends – 10/03/11 (@ 8:33 a.m. ET)

Update: Bocephus, going, gone. After Williams made his remarks, ESPN decided to can his Monday Night Football promo, “Are you ready for some football?,” for the night: In response, Williams conceded that his “analogy was extreme” but insisted that he had been misunderstood. Today, ESPN announced that the pull was permanent, saying, “We have decided to part ways with Hank Williams, Jr.” Striking back, Williams countered, “I have made MY decision. By pulling my opening Oct 3rd, You (ESPN) stepped on the Toes of the First Amendment Freedom of Speech, so therefore Me, My Song, and All My Rowdy Friends are OUT OF HERE.”

Hurricane Huddy: Camerota a Casualty?

“I’m Dave Briggs, Juliet Huddy is in, [and] Brian is in for a vacationing Clayton Morris.” As Fox & Friends Weekend co-host Juliet Huddy celebrated Saturday her third straight weekend at the F&FW helm since Megyn Kelly returned from maternity leave, Juliet Huddy abandoned her usual “in for Alisyn Camerota” intro each hour. Instead, she simply said, “I’m Juliet Huddy.” As Aly’s four-month-plus absence from F&FW continues, her co-anchor Clayton Morris’ “maternity shuffle” explanation becomes less and less credible: in contrast, Carpe Diem‘s suggested “Shine shakeup” seems more and more realistic.

Yesterday, F&FW co-host Dave Briggs did nothing to dispel any rumor that Juliet had replaced Aly on the curvy couch for good: in fact, he continuously fueled the fire. Shortly after Juliet began the show saying, “I’m Juliet Huddy” and greeted F&FW guest co-anchor Brian Kilmeade, Dave did not add his customary “Juliet Huddy in for Alisyn Camerota” but rather pointed to Brian and remarked, “By the way, Brian in for a vacationing Clayton Morris this morning.” Two hours later, after Juliet Huddy again introduced herself, simply saying, “I’m Juliet Huddy,” Dave commented, “Clayton Morris is off….Brian is here in his place. Juliet here.” Subsequently, when the final hour began with Juliet repeating her new abbreviated intro, “I’m Juliet Huddy,” Dave declared, “I’m Dave Briggs, Juliet Huddy is in, [and] Brian in for a vacationing Clayton Morris.” But, again, not a single word about the missing Aly.

Nevertheless, the trio talked often about Clayton. Not only did Dave repeatedly reference the “vacationing Clayton Morris” but also Brian Kilmeade began the show acerbically ribbing Clayton for remaining on vacation while the President and NJ Governor Chris Christie cut theirs short for Hurricane Irene. Furthermore, Juliet revealed that Clayton had gone to Ocean Springs, Maryland, and Dave disclosed that he had had to be evacuated.

However, today, no mention was made of either Clayton or Aly. Rather, F&FW producers obviated the problem by introducing the co-hosts (Dave, Juliet and guest co-anchor Steve Doocy) via a banner beneath the trio rather than the usual self-introductions.* Nevertheless, Juliet seemed to limn F&FW‘s future even more pellucidly. She Tweeted, “Quite the 24 hours….See you on FnF’s Friday thru Labor Day.”

And, speaking of labor, Clayton, a pregnant Megyn leaves her show for four months but her non-gravid “maternity shuffle” partner Aly is still not scheduled to return to F&FW almost a month later? Seems implausible at best. Rather, it sounds more like a “Shine shakeup” or yet another of his F&FW anchor defenestrations without properly apprising the audience.

Perhaps, Shine is using the special coverage of Hurricane Irene to transition stealthily between Aly and Juliet. If so, maybe, some F&FW‘s viewers won’t notice. But, Carpe Diem readers will.

*[Author’s aside: At the beginning of the first two hours, Dave, Julie, and Steve were given an introduction only with the regular chyron: however, at the start of the final two, strangely none was given at all.]

Juliet Returns: New & Improved?

“Part of my charm, Karl. Just part of my charm.” FNC anchor Juliet Huddy finally resurfaced on the air to fill in for co-host Alisyn Camerota on Fox & Friends Weekend Saturday. To the joy of her devotees, the sassy, sexy, irreverent Juliet was back sounding and looking better than ever. And, to the painful pleasure of her co-hosts, Dave Briggs and Clayton Morris, and her guest, FNC contributor Karl “The Architect” Rove, she was happy to attend.

Re her viewers, Juliet offered them no explanation for her absence of over two months from the “Fair and Balanced” network. Nevertheless, her nasal timbre sounded markedly improved and her nose appeared somewhat surgically enhanced. But, for those with an eye a little lower on her figure, she offered scant evidence to assay.

Regardless of whether Juliet had any work done or not, the Fox & Friends Weekend fave was back and at her best keeping her boys in their place. On one hand, she was sultrily swaying in the aftermath of Dave’s “dulcet” tones and suggestively discussing “posing oil” with Clayton. On the other, she was giving them grief as the Doublemen twins a la Aly (and the author): To wit, an incredulous Dave Tweeted, “@juliethuddy…keeps confusing @ClaytonMorris & I [sic], RIDICULOUS we don’t look alike.”

Not to mention, Juliet had Karl Rove, the favorite political whipping boy of many on the left and the right, practically in her lap asking for just one more smack. After the former Bush top aide spent two segments beating up President Obama and Donald Trump, Juliet practically purred, “Karl, can I just say something? We were talking about what a savant you were from such a young age.”* Pleading, Rove cautioned, “Be careful. Be careful.”

Chuckling, Juliet joked that the first civics papers of her herself, Dave, and Clayton, respectively, were probably on the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, or Bill of Rights: Then, coaxing him to reveal an apparent off-camera remark, she asked, “Karl’s was?” With his hands in his lap forming a subtle steeple, Rove proudly proclaimed, “The Theory of Dialectical Materialism.” Groaning, Dave interjected, “Oh, Karl, that’s sad!”

As Julia laughed, Rove reveled, “I had a brief case. I had Hush Puppies. Pocket protector. You know, come on, I was a nerd.” Then, as Clayton thanked him for coming, a grinning Rove groused, “Well, thanks for making it so easy for me to come to the curvy couch by having Juliet here to insult me all during the breaks.” Giggling gleefully, Juliet riposted, “Part of my charm, Karl! Just part of my charm.”

Indeed, Juliet. Just part of your charm. Welcome back!

*Fox & Friends – 04/11/11 – (@ 8:19 a.m. ET)

The Donald Jabs Obama: Hu, Too?

“You’ll let me know whether our President drops to his knees, right?” As Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived into the United States today, New York real estate mogul Donald Trump got in a sharp jab at President Barack Obama. During a phone interview with Your World host Neil Cavuto, the potential 2012 U.S. Presidential candidate opined about American-Chinese relations as Cavuto simultaneously covered live President Hu’s arrival at St. Andrew’s Air Force Base. When Cavuto noted, “Alright, they’re rolling out the red carpet [for President Hu],” Trump laughed, “”So, I don’t have a television in front of me: You’ll let me know whether our President drops to his knees, right?”*

In response, Cavuto smiled at Trump’s apparent acerbic reference to President Obama’s past “bowing” controversies, cautioning, “Now, Donald, careful, the President, the Vice President is there.” “Chastening” Trump further, “Cavuto continued, “You could do this when you’re President but right now we have an etiquette here.” In turn, Trump simply awaited Cavuto’s next query without comment.

[Author’s aside: In response to Trump’s jest, supra, off-camera Your World guest and FBN anchor Judge Andrew Napolitano could be heard laughing heartily.]

*Your World with Neil Cavuto – 01/18/11 (4:06 p.m. ET)

Who’s Briefing Obama?

Mr. Brennan, perhaps, Jim Clapper should be “sitting in front of the TV 24 hours a day” after all. To his briefers’ disgrace, President Barack Obama made two salient mistakes in succession today in front of French President Nicolas Sarkozy and the American people as he praised the heroes of the Arizona tragedy. After a few perfunctory remarks about the shooting of Representative Gabrielle Giffords and some of her constituents, Obama opined, “I think it’s important for us to also focus though on the extraordinary courage that was shown during the course of these events: the twenty-year-old college student who ran into the line of fire to rescue his boss, a wounded woman who helped secure the ammunition that might have caused even more damage; [and] the citizens who wrestled down the gunman.”

Ouch! Had the director of national intelligence Clapper been watching Fox News’ America Live, he would have seen a healthy Patricia Maisch, who grabbed the magazine from the shooter: contrary to earlier reports, she had not been shot and was not among the casualties.* Had Clapper been watching CNN’s American Morning, he would have heard the twenty-year-old intern, Daniel Hernandez, who came to Representive Giffords aid, say, “I don’t know if the gunshots were still going on when I was running towards the Congresswoman.”** Even if it were not the job of Clapper to appropriately apprise the President, someone should have.

It is simply inexcusable for any cable news viewer to be better informed than the President of the United States of America. Not only is it embarrassing for the Commander in Chief to be out of the loop but also it is a bit scary for John Q. Public. Time to turn on the tv, Mr. Brennan?

*America Live – 01/10/11 (@ 1:30 a.m. ET)

**American Morning – 01/10/11 (@ 8:13 a.m. ET)

AM Amnesia: Kiran & John’s “Bad Dream”

Nothing happened between us: really! Today American Morning co-hosts Kiran Chetry and John Roberts treated their viewers as if they had been slipped an extra powerful “roofie” and could not recall not only last night but also almost the entire two full weeks earlier. Back together for the first time since the video of Roberts sniping at Chetry on camera truly went viral, both co-hosts acted as if John’s odd behavior had been merely a bad dream (a la Dallas). But, for the AM acolytes suffering from that “amorous amnesia,” Carpe Diem is happy to jog their memory.

As the author first reported almost two weeks ago (September 8), Roberts appeared to brusquely rebuke Chetry on air while he was doing an interview with David Axelrod, President Obama’s senior adviser. The very next day everything seemed to be reasonably civil between Roberts and Chetry but thereafter both of them did not appear together again on AM until today. In the meantime, the strange episode went viral as Mediaite‘s Steve Krakauer seized the story and it consequently reverberated throughout the media outlets, e.g., Huffington Post, Gawker, and, yes, even the staid TV Guide.

Giving the story even more prominence, Chetry’s former Fox News colleague Juliet Huddy added her two cents on Red Eye. When asked by host Greg Gutfeld about the incident, Huddy opined, “I knew Kiran; we used to work together; [and] I like Kiran a lot. She is a very energetic, hyper girl. She was probably either texting or something like that because she’s very hyper.”* Not wanting to appear malevolent, Juliet animatedly concluded, “And, I love her. I do love her.” Then taking a stab at Roberts, Huddy exclaimed, “I can’t believe he did that. Unprofessional!”

Perhaps, most notably, Chetry’s husband, Chris Knowles, weighed in on the matter. When a Twitter follower asked, “Did you catch JR snapping at your wife this morning?,” Knowles tersely responded, “Noticed and no comment.”

Carpe Diem noticed, too, but did comment. And, now, so have many of the other media watchers. Apparently, AM, like Chetry’s spouse, remains mulishly mute, too timorous to remember more.

*Red Eye – 09/17/10 (@3:18 a.m. ET)

Aly & the Boys: Ready to Play?

Fox & Friends‘ official “B Team,” Alisyn Camerota, Dave Briggs, and Clayton Morris, had a much too short stint this weekend. Yesterday the trio was regrettably replaced by F&F‘s first-string, Gretchen Carlson, Brian Kilmeade, and Steve Doocy, for F&F‘s special four-hour 9-11 edition. Apparently, FNC Senior Veep of Programming Bill Shine thought that he should once again bring in his weekday cast for such a momentous occasion.

Unfortunately, Shine did not give his untried trinity an opportunity to prove their mettle as one. As to Camerota, Shine has shown that he knows she is assuredly “A Team” material. E.g., he has placed his seasoned star side-by-side with Doocy and Kilmeade in such F&F specials as Pope Benedict XVI’s 2008 trip to America, President Barack Obama’s inaugural celebrations, and Senator Ted Kennedy’s funeral. However, perhaps, Shine is still not fully confident in his developing “Doublemen Twins,” i.e., Dave Briggs and Clayton Morris.

As the author has previously noted and Camerota has humorously alluded to, Briggs and Morris have come a long way since they were first thrust upon Fox & Friends fans with the then similarly callow Ainsley Earhardt. Under the tutelage of Camerota, the occasional coaching by the weekday denizens (when subbing), and, perchance, some comments from critics, Briggs and Morris seem to be growing into more serious journalists less apt to play the princess or the clown. Furthermore, they and Camerota seem to be evolving into that ensemble to which they have aspired.

Next time, Coach (Shine), put the Doublemen Twins in with Camerota for the big game to see what they’ve got. Their fans would surely love to see them play. And, just, maybe, they’ll surprise you.

Kilmeade: Not People, Dems

Malkin smiled. While most seasoned viewers know generally where the sympathies of the sundry cable news channels tend to lie, Fox & Friends co-anchor Brian Kilmeade left little doubt for even the most virginal viewer this morning. During an F&F segment entitled “President to Veto Tax Cuts?,” conservative pundit Michelle Malkin opined that President Obama was fearful of the November election results and simply could not bring himself to say that he would veto the Bush tax cut extensions and “override the will of the people once again.” Always the ready wag, Brian caustically jested, “Right. But, the thing is, Michelle, we’re not even talking about people: we’re talking about Democrats.”

Pausing to punctuate his partisan prick, Brian beamed broadly before continuing his interview. Meanwhile, co-anchor Gretchen Carlson nodded her agreement while co-host Steve Doocy was studiously stone-faced. As for Malkin, she simply smiled and guffawed in agreement.

“Fair and balanced”? At that moment, not so much. Of course, the viewer can always change the channel to find his/her preferred spin.

Fox & Friends – 09/08/10 (@8:07 a.m. ET)

Ed Henry Reveals Cook’s Direct Number

Transparency in media. During his American Morning segment entitled “She Ordered Sherrod to Quit: Where is Cheryl Cook?,” CNN senior White House correspondent Ed Henry chided the Obama Administration for its lack of transparency today and then inadvertently provided his own. As the popular newly elected president of the White House Correspondents Association board brought viewers into his inner sanctum and let them listen in to a direct call to USDA Deputy Under Secretary Cheryl Cook, he gave them a peek at his personal pad which included the direct line to Cheryl Cook’s office. On his tablet was the name “Cheryl Cook” underscored twice and with the telephone number (202) 720-4581 written next to it.*

In an attempt to verify that the number was indeed that of Cheryl Cook and to interview Cook if possible, the author dialed it. Surprisingly, it went through and an actual person, who did not identify herself or the office at all, answered the phone. When the author asked to speak with Cook, he was quickly redirected to someone else. This person, in turn, sent the author to another who identified the office as that of Cheryl Cook. After requesting again to talk with Cook, the author was transferred to someone else who gave him the e-mail address of Stephanie Chan for media inquiries as to Cook.

Ed Henry: Talking the talk and walking the walk.

*American Morning – 07/23/10 (@6:15 a.m. ET)

Olbermann’s Racial Authority?

Believe it or not: Reagan’s Interior Secretary James Watt! Last night on Countdown, incredibly, MSNBC’s top dog Keith Olbermann cited Watt approvingly in his advice for President Obama to “be Obama” and “to stand up” to the “perpetual fraud machine that is Fox News” who “assassinated” Shirley Sherrod with their “complete perversion of journalism” in their “manipulation of reality to make the racist seem benevolent, and to convict the benevolent as racist.”

And just who is this James Watt that Olbermann accords approbation? He is the Reagan Interior Secretary who had to resign after cracking a joke insulting blacks, women, Jews, and the physically challenged. In reference to one of his advisory committees, he callously commented, “‘We have every kind of mixture you can have. I have a black, I have a woman, two Jews and a cripple. And we have talent.”

Yikes! Ironic, though. Perhaps, Olbermann, too, will want to proofread his producer’s copy in the future.

“Weird Cal”: Just Repeat It

A possible successor to embattled RNC Chair Michael Steele? According to FNC contributor Cal Thomas, another African American, Ken Blackwell, who is “very, very intelligent, and articulate, and smart, and as Joe Biden would say, ‘clean.'”

During an America’s News HQ segment Saturday, co-anchor Rick Folbaum  asked the conservative columnist whether Steele should stay at his GOP post after his controversial comments about the Afghan war. After saying that he “was an early supporter of  Michael Steele…because he represented a different face for the party” and had a compelling life story, Thomas answered, “But, he’s not the only African-American in the party. One of those who ran against him for the chairmanship, Ken Blackwell, former Secretary of  state of Ohio, very, very intelligent, articulate, and smart, and as Joe Biden would say, ‘clean’ candidate.”* After smiling at his peculiar homage to the Veep, he continued, “If he’s still out there and still wants the job, I think…he might be a good candidate for it.”

As the reader may recall, Biden apologized for similar remarks about then Senator Barack Obama, his then Democratic primary opponent during the 2008 election season. (Biden characterized Obama as “the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy.”) To the author, it seemed strange at best that Thomas would intentionally happily echo what many consider to be a racially-charged “compliment” for another charismatic black candidate. Perhaps, he was tippling before his holiday weekend appearance on the America’s News HQ: It might help explain his racially rasping remark but it certainly does not excuse it.

*America’s News HQ – 07/03/10 (@6:06 p.m. ET

A.M. & Costello: Funny Business?

CNN’s Carol Costello: Journo joker? (Cf. “Who’s Your Expert, Carol?,” infra.) If the BP oil spill ecological disaster were not so tragic, perhaps, Carol’s Orwellianly named report, “Emotion vs. Science: Are sand berms a smart defense?” would have been comedic. As President Barack Obama, under fire for being unemotional and for his reticence to approve of the sand berms to protect the Louisiana wetlands, traveled to Louisiana today, Carol seemed to be on a personal mission to give him cover from his detractors, both liberal and conservative.

Introducing her straw-man segment, Carol stated, “When President Obama comes here today, some people want him to show more emotion. They want him to take emphatic charge of the situation. There are plenty of local politicians, showing a lot of emotion. You know, they want to build those sand berms. But, scientists say, ‘Hold off on the emotion for just a minute and think about what these sand berms really do to the environment.’ So, is emotion or science better? A gut check this morning.”*

As footage of the disaster site ran, including that of Louisiana Governor Jindal, local Louisiana officials, and an oil-soaked pelican in the wetlands of Louisiana, Carol opined, “Louisiana’s governor is usually low-key but not these days. He’s fired up, emotional like so many other Louisiana politicians…There is a sense of doom here and some say politicians in their eagerness to do something are calling for solutions that may not work like giant six-foot walls of sand or sand berms. It’s a concept that politicians say has been in their area contingency plan with the Corps of Engineers. President Obama finally agreed under pressure, approving six berm sites.” [Italics added for emphasis.]

After portraying the Louisiana “politicians” as being uber emotional, Carol turned to a young unidentified bearded man with sunglasses and a BTNEP baseball cap, asking, “Would these giant sand walls really work?” He answered, “There are instances where they would be of benefit.” With no mention of his credentials, Carol continued, “Mel Landry studies the barrier islands and marshlands Louisiana politicians are so desperate to protect.” Subsequently, she solicited his view on the berms which he said “could have adverse impacts” citing a bulldozer’s incidental leveling of nests in the berm-building process. (Seemingly not satisfied with her sound bite, Carol superimposed, “He adds the berms could be blown away in a hurricane and could also disrupt natural tidal flows if they’re use to block gaps between barrier islands. But local politicians aren’t hearing that. The berms will go up and BP will pay the price, $360,000,000!”)

As the footage ended, Carol remarked, “John, six berms have been approved. One berm is under construction. Um, experts tell me [that] it could take a couple of weeks for these things to be put up but they’re raring to go.” Then strangely BP sensitive, Carol facetiously snarked, “And, hey, BP’s footing the bill, $360,000,000. So a lot of people here are saying, ‘If it is a waste of money, who cares? BP is paying!”

Seemingly, less than impressed with Carol’s reasoning, John sensibly stated, “Alright. Well, some good news for those folks there.” Similarly sympathetic to the plight of Louisianans on the Gulf coast, Kiran (who herself had reported from Grand Isle and other devastated areas in Louisiana) cogently countered, “The front page of all the papers this morning has some heart-breaking pictures–and we have the video as well–of these birds covered in oil. And, a couple of the datelines at East Grand Terre Isle, which is where one of those berms is being built currently, and they said [that] if they could have just gotten that done earlier, maybe, that marshland would not have become oiled. So, there are very strong opinions on both sides about that.”

Unfortunately, after Carol nonchalantly said, “Absolutely,” and asked for viewer input to her AM blog, she got back on message. Shaking her head, Carol icily commented, “I mean, should politicians just step back just for a minute and really study this and bring scientists in and, and really get a group together to see if these berms are really effective because sometimes the solution could be worse than the initial problem–because if these sand berms are gonna kill the wildlife anyway, why erect them?”

As an, apparently, incredulous John sat tight-lipped, wide-eyed, and stone-faced, Kiran reasonably remarked, “Yeah, a lot of questions this morning about that situation. And, another guy (vis-a-vis Landry?) locally said, ‘Hey, if a hurricane does knock the berm over, it’s done its job. At least, it’s protected it from getting on shore. So, again, a lot of differing opinions about it. Carol Costello this morning, thank you.”

Carol smugly smiled and shrugged her shoulders.

“Who’s Your Expert, Carol?” Even though John and Kiran seemed to sanely reject Carol’s premise that the sand berms were a case of “Emotion vs. Science” (or, in Carol’s case, local Louisiana “politicians” versus her mysterious scientific expert Mel Landry), they did not tell you the “rest of the story.” Just who is Mel Landry, Carol’s source for science or font of wisdom? According to his Facebook page, the twenty-nine year old Mel Landry is a 2004 college graduate from LSU who majored in fisheries and aquaculture. Furthermore, he states that he is the “Public Involvement Coordinator for the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program.” In his role, Landry explains, “I work with local communities, businesses, governments and volunteers across the state to save Louisiana’s vanishing coast and culture. I’m neck deep in science and politics and anyone who’s been around long enough knows that there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

So, for her scientific authority, Carol depended on a mere college graduate who is “neck deep in science and politics” and who works as the “public involvement coordinator” of a non-profit organization, Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program. Perhaps, she could not find a non-political, post-graduate Louisiana scientist to do her bidding. After getting this senior sage who taxied her around Grand Isle and a berm or two, Carol (in her AmFix blog) vapidly and vacuously pontificated, “So, chalk up one for emotion: the berms will go up, BP will dole out $360 million for the project, and maybe science will be the better for it. Or not.”

“Chalk up another one for emotion”? Indeed. In fact, Carol’s seeming selection of her own “expert” to make her case is remarkably similar to the time (about six months ago) that she apparently chose a panel of four “very sharp” women to pan, er, critique Sarah Palin’s book, Going Rogue. Now, as then, she appears to have readily obtained the conclusion that she wanted from her self-selected “experts” that had few if any bona fides. Playing politics with Sarah Palin is one thing but playing politics with Louisiana, its wetlands, and its way of life is another thing altogether.

Carol, as a CNN reporter, you should be ashamed of yourself for producing another biased, specious piece: strike two. Jamie, as AM executive producer, you should be embarrassed for letting it air once, much less a second time. And, Jon, as CNN news chief, if you really meant that you wanted CNN “to position itself as an opinion-free, middle-of-the-road alternative to its cable news rivals — conservative Fox News and liberal MSNBC,” you need to make it happen.

*American Morning – 06/04/10 (@6:32 a.m. ET)

Nick Jonas: Brian, “Very Funny” (NOT!)

A Miley Cyrus question? Two! Fox & Fans co-anchor and former stand-up comic Brian Kilmeade did not fully amuse Nick Jonas this morning. In an interview of the Jonas Brothers (Nick, Joe, and Kevin) before their appearance at the White House tonight in a tribute to Paul McCartney, Brian served up mainly softballs to the boys. However, toward the end of the discussion, Brian got a bit personal with Nick.

After questioning all three brothers about their performance in front of the President and Sir Paul, Brian remarked, “Nick…what is your take on your ex-girlfriend Miley Cyrus writing a song and using your relationship as inspiration.”* (Miley recently revealed that her new song “Full Circle” was based on her relationship with her former flame Nick.) Taking his left hand out of his pants pocket and wiping his brow, Nick coolly responded, “Miley is a good friend and has been now for a long time so I think that our relationship now is friends and that’s what’s important. And, it’s good to see that we both can express ourselves through music.”

Ever the wicked wit, Brian persisted, “Right. Do you think she should cut you in on the profits?” After a pregnant pause, Nick, with almost clenched teeth hidden in a smile, retorted, “Very funny!” With co-host Steve Doocy laughing in the background, a grinning Brian riposted, “I guess I’ll take that as a ‘no.’ So, fine.”

Nick should count himself lucky, though: he got off relatively easy. As long-time Fox & Friends fans know, Brian has a knack for getting under the skin of certain celebs. Examples include such notables as KISS’ Gene Simmons (“Make Out with Clarinet Players”), country star Trace Adkins (“Such an Idiot”), and comedienne Janeane Garofalo (“Saddam Must Love You”). Even if Brian was not “very funny” to Nick, he was rather entertaining to his audience.

*Fox & Friends – 06/02/10 (@8:11 a.m. ET)

Kiran: Tea Party Blooper?

American Morning co-host Kiran Chetry seems to get stewed when she interviews her Tea Party guests: today was no exception. Looking like Carol Costello discussing Sarah Palin, Kiran had her arms crossed and her mind apparently made up when she and co-anchor John Roberts interviewed Tea Party Patriots leader Jenny Beth Martin, one of Time’s “100 Most Influential” people. As the duo began to question Martin, they looked like the tired trope of good cop/bad cop. Or, perhaps, more aptly, they seemed like two desperate priests trying to exorcise the evil spirit that now possessed Time and, by extension, the entire Time-Warner family, including CNN herself.

Opening the interview, John served up a softball to Martin about the nature of the Tea Party. After she had answered that it was both a political and protest movement with the “three core values” of “fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited government,” and free markets, Kiran went in for the kill. After acknowledging the Tea Party’s growing support by the American public (20% in the latest poll), Kiran opined, “Some of them also have radical views, I guess you could say, sometimes when it comes to race and other things. How did that sort of start to seep into what you say is the core of the movement?”

Not accepting Kiran’s bald premise about the heart of the Tea Party, Martin riposted, “Well, in Tea Party Patriots, we have no place for that. If we see somebody who’s doing something racist, we tell them to leave our events.  We’re there for our core values. We want to reclaim our founding principles in this country.”

Giving Kiran a rest, tag-team partner John innocently interposed, “What is that you think, Jenny Beth, that has led so many people to come to the Tea Party movement in such a short period of time?” When he more pointedly added, “I guess we should point out, too, that most of them according to polling are disaffected Republicans, Kiran nodded her agreement.

Then, after Martin had answered John’s question and his follow-ups, Kiran raised the specter of race again. Kiran queried, “At a lot of the rallies and according to a lot of the polling, nearly 80% of people that say they support the Tea Party or go to the rallies [or are actively involved are Caucasian. What would you say to minorities who say, ‘Is there a really a place for me as part of the Tea Party movement?'” (Unfortunately, Kiran failed to disclose the salient fact that 2008 U.S. Census estimates indicate that 80% of Americans are white.)

In response, Martin replied, “Absolutely, there is a place for you. This is about ordinary citizens in America, and we’re reclaiming our founding principles. And those principles are liberty: it effects everyone in this country regardless of race or age.”

Kiran, America  embraced post-racial politics with the election of President Obama. Obviously, our nation should stay on course. Now, we must make certain that that “buried hatchet” remains so.

F&F Goes “Nuclear”

Kaboom! As Fox & Friends co-anchor Gretchen Carlson Tweeted (after her Obama arms restrictions plan debate segment), “Whew….[T]hat’ll wake u up!” In a segment that promised to be prosaic and soporific, Carlson interviewed both Richard Grenell (former advisor to four U.S. ambassadors to the U.N.) and Joseph Cirincione (former director for nonproliferation of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace) as to whether Obama’s proposed agreement with Russia’s President Medvedev would make Americans safer. However, fireworks quickly ensued and did not abate thereafter.

Moderator Carlson asked if the “whole point” was that the U.S. was trying “to stop these rogue states” and whether Iran and North Korea’s presidents would suddenly “get it” and “not…do nukes anymore.” Grenell posited that Obama’s announcement was “based on the erroneous assumption that if we Americans will lay down our weapons first, that others are just going to follow suit”: He added that the U.S. could deal with Iran and North Korea separately but that “the real problem is with non-state actors…[who] are not just going to lay down their weapons.” Cirincione countered, “That’s a phony argument [Carlson’s] and Rick’s argument is totally naive: He continued that Obama’s plan was to get the world on board and to isolate the rogue leader(s).

Before Cirincione concluded his comments, Grenell interjected, “That is a left-wing fantasy. That is a left-wing fantasy!”* Enraged, Cirincione retorted, “Hey, man! Don’t smear me! Who the hell do you think you are talking to me like that!” Then, after subsequently citing the support of the Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he agitatedly added, “You don’t know what you’re talking about, man!”

When the allotted time had elapsed and the polemics battled still, Gretchen interjected, “Guys, I gotta wrap it up, unfortunately. Joseph and Rick, thank you very much for your very spirited debate. Appreciate it, especially, so early in the morning.” Arching his eyebrows, pursing his lips, and feigning a backhand through the camera, Cirincione disdainfully snarled, “Spirited? This was insulting!” Not satisfied, he then stared at Gretchen with deadly daggers until he disappeared off-screen.

Raw must-see F&F.

UPDATE: Vid (courtesy of  Johnny Dollar’s Place)

*Fox & Friends – 04/07/10 (@6:18 a.m. ET)

Kyra: “I Can’t Wait”

If there was any doubt about their relationship as a couple, both John Roberts and Kyra Phillips appeared eager to dispel it this morning. On American Morning, John had April-fooled his co-host Kiran Chetry, CNN biz correspondent Christine Roberts, and an unnamed third person with the claim that President Obama had named him ambassador to Canada (his homeland). As AM ended, John tossed to the anchor of CNN Newsroom, his reported flame Kyra Phillips.

When he did, Kyra facetiously remarked, “John, Congratulations on your new position, ambassador to Canada. That’s amazing!”* Before he could reply, Kiran laughed and added, “We’re so proud of him.” Jesting, John riposted, “I was very surprised by it.” Giggling, Kyra responded, “Kiran and I, especially, wish you the best of luck. Moving right along!”

Not quite ready to do so, John haltingly asked, “Are you, are?” Kyra prompted, “Yes?” John continued, “Are you coming?” Animatedly, Kyra answered, “Of course! I can’t wait to be a first lady!” A rather reddened John and an incredulous Kiran chuckled as that revealing segue ended.

*American Morning – 04/01/10 (@9:00 a.m. ET)

Ayla Brown: Dad May Consider 2012 Run

Massachussetts Senator Scott Brown has not ruled out running for President in 2012 according to his daughter and former American Idol contestant Ayla Brown. In an interview on America Live with anchor Megyn Kelly yesterday, Ayla was asked whether her father had indicated any interest in running for president in light of a Gallup poll that ranked her father fourth as the 2012 GOP presidential favorite among Republican voters (ahead of Mike Huckabee and Newt Gingrich). Ayla responded, “He mentioned that a poll came out and that he was fourth in poll. But, he was just like, ‘I don’t think it’s for me right now. We have to see how the next couple of years goes first and do my job.'” [Italics added for emphasis.]

If Brown does indeed decide to run for President during his freshman term as a U.S. Senator, he would be following in the steps of another heartthrob pol, the current occupant of the White House, i.e., President Barack Obama.

Obama: “Look Under the Hood”

Did President Barack Obama obliquely compare MA Republican Senatorial candidate Scott Brown to a Klan member today in Boston as he tried to fire up floundering Democrat Martha Coakley’s base? After lauding Coakley as being independent, he stated, “I hear that her opponent is calling himself an independent. Well, you got to look under the hood.” After a slight pause, the crowd laughed heartily and some audience members behind him looked at each other and appeared to exchange knowing looks.*

To be fair to the President, thereafter, he continued, “[B]ecause what you learn makes you wonder. As a legislator, he voted with the Republicans 96% of the time, 96% of the time. It’s hard to suggest that he’s gonna be significantly independent from the Republican agenda.” It is quite possible that the President was using the trope “under the hood” a la Ross Perot as to checking out someone or something as one would an auto.

N.B. The President’s health care plan, other items of his ambitious agenda, and even his future legacy may all be at stake in this special election in one of the bluest states of all. In fact, Brown has promised to be the 41st Senate vote to sustain a filibuster to block the Obama’s signature legislation. Liberal MA U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D) acknowledged, “If Scott Brown wins, it’ll kill the health bill.”

Just eight days after absolving House Majority Leader Harry Reid (NV-D) of extolling Obama’s chances of electoral success because he was a “‘light-skinned’ African American ‘with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one,'” let us hope that the President himself is not succumbing to such an abhorrent racial calculus.

FNC: Live broadcast of speech (01/17/10) – @4:15 p.m. ET

D&C Do “Courtney”

Not again, Dave & Clayton! Just when Fox & Friends Weekend viewers thought that co-hosts Dave Briggs and Clayton Morris were gaining their sea legs and establishing their separate identities, they re-embraced their Doublemen Twin avatars in the very first segment of the show today. Happily, their sexy tutor Alisyn Camerota was there again to save the day for her F&FW audience.

In the trio’s discussion of Mark Halperin and John Heilemann’s new book, “Game Change,” they turned to the passage about former President Bill Clinton’s purported slam of then Senator Barack Obama (in a conversation with Senator Teddy Kennedy in an effort to secure Kennedy’s endorsement of then Senator Hillary Clinton for President). After showing on screen Clinton’s cited quote, saying, “A few years ago, this guy would have been getting us coffee,” Dave stated that Kennedy got so turned off by such negativity that he switched his support to Obama. Interestingly, when Aly asked, “But what does that comment mean?,” Dave replied, “Well, I don’t think that’s racial: that’s experience.” Echoing Dave, Clayton chimed, “It just meant his experience.”

After their bald assertions, Aly delicately observed, “I think that’s giving him the benefit of the doubt. That’s great, and you may be right that.” Insisting he was indeed, Dave interrupted, “I don’t take anything racial from that.” Once again, Clayton reverberated, “Yeah.” Not completely cowed, Aly continued, “But it’s still sort of a nasty comment.” Seemingly, not satisfied with Aly’s lack of assent, Dave insisted, “I think that he would have said that about any low level staffer or representative.” Immediately, Clayton concurred, “Yeah. He was making the point that it’s just lack of experience.”

Unfortunately, the Doublemen Twins sounded like Courtney Friel vacuously opining about the healthcare plan. Not racial? Why did a “fuming” Senator Kennedy recount the quote to a friend and, further, switch his support to Obama? About lack of experience? Would a past Harvard Law Review president and University of Chicago School of Law constitutional law professor likely be subserviently serving Bill Clinton and Teddy Kennedy coffee? (As an aside, perhaps, both Dave and Clayton forgot about Bill Clinton’s stirring the racial pot in his comparison of Obama’s 2008 South Carolina Democratic presidential primary victory to prior ones by Jesse Jackson.)

The author was beginning to believe that the boys were able to fly on their own (and let Aly soar to new heights). At least, for today, it was not to be.

Reeling, O’Reilly?

Three George W. Bush terms: The No Spin Zone? Not necessarily: at least, if meant literally. During his O’Reilly Factor discussion with lib Columbia U prof Marc Lamont Hill (about whether terrorism will bring down the Obama presidency), O’Reilly opined that President Barack Obama would lose his presidency if the United States was struck again and if there was “blood in the street.” Reeling a whit, perhaps, O’Reilly elaborated, “Look, Bush was elected twice because of his response to 9-11. That’s why.” (Perhaps, catching himself, he added, “That’s why he was re-elected.”)

Obviously, 9-11 occurred during President Bush’s first term. To the real relief of many Republicans, Bush was re-elected in no small part because of his response to the attack on American soil. To the great joy of many Democrats, he was not elected to yet another term a la FDR.

Misspoken patriot or addled pinhead? You make the call.

*O’Reilly Factor (01/06/10) – @8:19 p.m. ET