Bill O'Reilly Apologizes For Michelle Obama "Lynching" Remark

First, there was the offensive remark. Then, the producer's defense of the comment, followed by the requisite Olbermann weigh-in. And, finally, the apology: on his show last night, Bill O'Reilly apologized for saying, "I don't want to go on a lynching party against Michelle Obama unless there's evidence." O'Reilly's exact words:

"While talking to a radio caller, I said there should be no lynching in the case, that comment off Clarence Thomas saying he was the victim of a high tech lynching (he said that on 60 Minutes, you may remember). I'm sorry if my statement offended anybody. That, of course, was not the intention. Context is everything."

Watch:

Comments

[mox]

Yuck.
The latest debacle from yet another under-educated Republican shows us two things. 1. O'Reilly is a dyed-in-the-wool racist. 2. His terminology is indicative of someone with a mindset that is firmly planted in the past (which is yet another symptom of close-minded, short-sighted conservatism).
I can't understand why so many people watch this guy.
Are these the 75% of the electorate that didn't have more than a high school education during the last presidential election?

[SethBLiNK]

There was a lynching in this case. Knee-jerk liberals lynched O'Reilly.

Before anybody accuses me of being a knee-jerk conservative, I should mention that I'm a lifelong democrat, an Obama volunteer who traveled to Iowa to campaign for him, a big fan of Michelle Obama and no fan of Billo.

But right is right. He did defend Ms. Obama when she made a statement that left her wide open to attack from Bill and his ilk. He did cut off a caller who was attempting to add to the rumor mill. And he did use "lynching party" to describe the way others were attacking Ms. Obama.

Perhaps lynching was too strong a word and a delicate word for a white reporter to appropriate even in defense of a black candidate's wife.

However, his sentiments in this instance were correct and right in line with those of the candidate's supporters, and his words echo a truth.

Leave the guy alone.

[tbone99]

If you believe that was a live caller I've got some land in Az I want to sell you.His show is so tightly controlled precisely to highlite his mental superiority.Lets see what you say two months down the road and they've "tracked" down the "facts" on Michelle and are whuppin your ass with them..

[SanGuevara]

Predictable enough, and still a travesty that this man gets out on a day pass to be on TV - but the real gem is the photo...

caption:

"Sharpton, Sharpton! Calm down! How was I supposed to know no one finds lynching remarks clever anymore?? You know me!! I was just making witty... with the witticisms...!!"

[findingthetruth]

To whom is he apologizing? Perhaps to the "people" who agree with his sentiments IN THE FIRST PLACE. Wow !!! WHAT A GREAT ROLE MODEL !!!

[sameritech]

Bill, your apology is NOT ACCEPTED!!!

http://sameritech.wordpress.com/

[jadez]

wow.
The people pay the price of these propagandists
because the honest msm refused to stand up to and distance themselves from fox.
Keith O. takes them on but it has become ingrained that fake news is on a par to other news stations and reporters.

and B..O.. is still lying here because the key word he omits is "unless"..which by any interpretation meant he was willing to lynch as soon as "evidence' he deemed to be telling was uncovered.

[Mewcatone]

Bill O'Reilly is just a frightened little boy who can't accept that we are no longer living in the 1950's, as are so many others in the Republican party. The 1950's was a time period where they felt safe. A time where everyones thinking and race was homogenized and women knew their place and the only thing that people like him had to worry about was a perfectly manicured lawn. There was no on to challenge their way of thinking or their way of life. And when they wanted to see something "exotic", they took a trip to Hawaii to watch the natives.

News flash to Bill and the Republican Party... the year is 2008 and this is a global world We must all work together in order to survive. In fact, most of us already work together quite successfully.

So stop being babies and leave the womb already! Trust me the world isn't as scary as it seems.

[cameltrax]

The apology is worthless. It's not clear whether he realizes just how he insulted Michelle, or both Blacks and Whites as human beings. But hope springs eternal that any time now he is bound to say one stupid thing too much, and lay upon the olympian heap of stupid things said the last stupid thing that broke the camel's back.

[Mewcatone]

Bill O'Reilly is just a frightened little boy who can't accept that we are no longer living in the 1950's, as are so many others in the Republican party. The 1950's was a time period where they felt safe. A time where everyones thinking and race was homogenized and women knew their place and the only thing that people like him had to worry about was a perfectly manicured lawn. There was no on to challenge their way of thinking or their way of life. And when they wanted to see something "exotic", they took a trip to Hawaii to watch the natives.

News flash to Bill and the Republican Party... the year is 2008 and this is a global world We must all work together in order to survive. In fact, most of us already work together quite successfully.

So stop being babies and leave the womb already! Trust me the world isn't as scary as it seems.

[T.Roll]

Mewcatone, thanks for one the most bizarre comments to a Bill O'Reilly story I've ever seen on the Huffpo. Are you from Mars, or something?

[tbone99]

Well he has been born again , and again, and again - in fact he;s never had to progress past the two year old tantrum stage, thanks to Jeezuz dying for his sins.

[BPCentrisAmerican]

Another half-ass excuse from an ass. Anyway McCain’s own ethical problems should make Cindy McCain a little more careful about casting stones.

Speaking of asses, Rush suggested that McCain come home to the wing-nut fringe. Rush commented that McCain couldn’t cross the isle, because the liberals, who ever they are must be beaten. Gee I hope so because pleasing the wing nuts won’t get McCain elected and he knows it, wing nuts just alienate to many people. In the words of Jack Cafferty CNN, who cares what that blowhard thinks anyway.

[tbone99]

All we can hope with O'Reilly is that reincarnation is true and he will come back as the bottom feeder he really is , he'll be caught in a net , left gasping for air and turned into cat food.

[thacher]

Has Michelle Obama apologized yet?

[tbone99]

for what - saying how she feels? I don't think feelings are totally outlawed YET

[BillOrites]

In the original clip that I've listen to, BO never mentions Clarence Thomas at all, and makes no reference to his confirmation hearings either. So what the heck does he mean by "context is everything"?? And what a laugh that his show's phone # has "no spin" in it! Yeah, right, pal!

[moda31]

yeah sure it's never his intention to offend anyone, that BS apology is not good enough.

[intuition]

That didn't sound like any apology I've ever heard. I suppose he was "forced" to apologize and this is all we can expect from such a man who thinks he answers to no one.