Is the Secret Service Investigating Liz Trotta and Fox News?

FOX News political pundit Liz Trotta jokingly suggested this weekend that someone should assassinate an American presidential candidate. She had first "mistakenly" referred to Obama as "Osama" while discussing theories that Hillary Clinton's recent comments about the RFK assassination was in fact a suggestion that someone "knock off Osama." When she was corrected and reminded that she meant "Obama," she then said, "Well, both if we could."

The United States Secret Service is charged with the protection of Senator Obama and famously takes all threats seriously, so it's important to ask the question whether they will be investigating Liz Trotta's comment, FOX News' response to that comment, and any collateral threats that may have been generated by the comment.

Assassins throughout our history have repeatedly claimed to find their motivations in the media. John Hinckley claimed his attempted assassination of Reagan was because of his obsession with Jodie Foster, Mark David Chapman cited The Catcher in the Rye and the film Ordinary People as inspirations for his assassination of John Lennon, and Charles Manson claims his murders were a result of his twisted interpretation of The Beatles' "Helter Skelter."

While these so-called motivations are inexplicable to a healthy mind, it is foolish and naive not to accept as a terrifying fact that psychotics can and will be triggered by almost anything, which is why it's not only vulgar but completely reckless, irresponsible and bordering on criminal for those who comment on politics and political figures to say the kind of disgusting thing that Liz Trotta said. It's also, not incidentally, why the world pounced so quickly and decisively on Hillary Clinton's comments about the RFK assassination.

This from the Secret Service website: "The Secret Service is interested in legitimate information relating to threats, plans or attempts by individuals, groups or organizations to harm Secret Service protectees. However, the agency does not desire or solicit information pertaining to individuals or groups expressing legitimate criticism of, or political opposition to, the policies and decisions of the government or government officials."

The questions the Secret Service should be asking are: Were Liz Trotta and FOX News criminally negligent in using the public airwaves to suggest the assassination of a presidential candidate; Is the suggestion of political assassination an example of legitimate criticism; and, If the First Amendment doesn't allow one to yell "Fire!" in a crowded theater or "Bomb!" on an airplane, how could it allow a public "joke" about assassinating a political candidate?

And what is the question the rest of us should be asking? How about, what kind of world are we creating for ourselves and our children where we allow our political divisions to become so deep that the suggestion or even the joke about a political assassination is in any way acceptable?

Comments

[gymmy]

..........­..........­......Fox News is an information product, it's meant to be sold to a certain group 'demographic'. What is wrong is here, is like saying Professional Wrestling is a sport, it is not.
Fox News is not news.....i­ts infoflamatory opinion product with a mix of current event reporting. It is safe to say that the 'brand' will soon need to change, for it's becoming less and less relevant as a 'product'.­.......may­be Fox News should get involved with Professional Wrestling.­...sounds like a match made in heaven..

[Chillinout]

Hillary could take some pointers from Trotta on how an actual apology works.

[cla62]

So could all Democrats!

[tbrnotb]

Maybe a few of you neo-cons who have messed up this copuntry, not to mention the world, should do a little self reflection instead of trolling liberal websites and making ill-advised sarcastic little cracks, eh cla62?

[ebanks84]

We, the people, can change what's going on in our government and media today if we bind together to make a difference. If we boycott FOX and let their sponsors know we will not buy any more of their products until they change the pattern of that stations racism and hate mongering, then and only then will something happen for the good.

Sponsors don't like losing money. Follow the money and threaten the money and watch what happens. Here are a few complaints to make:


Contact FOX:
Teri Everett, Senior Vice President
Corporate Affairs & Communications
Phone: [phone]
E-Mail: newscorp.comscorp.com
newscorp.comcorp.com
----------­----------­-------

U.S. Secret Service
Office of Government and Public Affairs
245 Murray Drive,
Building 410,
Washington, DC 20223
202-406-5708
Email: http://www.secretservice.gov/contact_usss.shtml
----------­----------­----

FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE FCC
http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm
----------­----------­-------

LIZ A TROTTA
[phone]
340 E. 66th St, New York, NY 10065
----------­----------­-

Verizon (commercial aired after her comments)
Eric Rabe
Vice President, Media Relations
[phone]
verizon.comerizon.com
All subjects

Bill Kula, APR

[citizenxyz]

ebanks84,
Thank you for this information- I will express my outrage at the sources you have cited.

[realpolitic]

Thanks! I expressed concern to the secret service and the FCC. Fox is really too casual with this kind of talk.

[scarfoot]

4. things re remarks and apology

1. fbi or ss should investigate but that's as far as it will go. law requires intent, none demonstrated here.

2. barely adequate apology, at least it wasn't conditional

3. cable news is worthless. almost no actual reporting, just people talking about things they know little about. actually surprising there are not more harmful thoughtless remarks.

4. no one can resist trying to make a joke. especially when they have just screwed up. a moment of reflection brings Trent Lott to mind.

Give her some credit for recognizing that it was lame humor. She would deserve more credit if she recognized that such remarks are dangerous, not just offensive. Nuts with guns have killed bright young candidates before and doubtless will again. Fuller credit still if she recognized and expressed in the apology that the remark was entirely motivated by and in service to one person: herself. She was quickly trying to use a joke to cover for a really stupid illiterate blunder. Far better if one must make a joke to have it be on oneself. Self deprecating humor, made famous as brilliantly used by JFK disarms all.

[dotmafia]

Sorry, but I'm not going to give any credit to this ignorant wannabe journalist. Nobody in their right mind jokes about an innocent person being killed, let alone in front of a worldwide audience, which just shows how incredibly dumb she is as well as what she's really thinking inside her pea-sized brain.

[scarfoot]

"Nobody in their right mind jokes about an innocent person being killed, let alone in front of a worldwide audience..­."

Couldn't agree more. Perhaps I give her too much credit. Just goes to show how making a stupid mistake (subbing Obama for Osama in front of God and everybody) will make a person instantly insane. She couldn't resist the double temptation to cover her ass by trying to make a joke. Pathetic, but all too common.

[Titonwan]

You don't know jack. To publicly even JOKE about this is criminal. Over the air broadcasting this shit to millions of people is criminal. If enough people complain, they (SS) will be forced to make an example out of that prune. This is WAY past serious.

[scarfoot]

I regard "you don't know jack" as abusive.

Nonetheless, I take your point that this is a serious matter. As others have here pointed out, who knows what it will take to tip the next Sirhan Sirhan over the edge? I think she's just a pathetic Fox News contributor trying to cover herself after making the completely inexcusable and illiterate blunder (or was it deliberate?) of substituting Osama for Obama. She's just selfish and careless in the extreme, trying to cover her own screw up with a lame and dangerous joke.

I agree that we should complain loud and long and have done so to entities given elsewhere in this blog. Hope you and many others do to. That's the only accountabiity she will likely face.

[dawlishgal]

There is nothing funny about advocating assassination. NOTHING! And apologies have become greatly devalued as currency these days when any moronic buffoon can say the most hurtful, dangerous and damaging things and think that an "apology" will get him or her off the hook.

It is almost as silly as murderers serving time in jail and then saying that they have "paid their debt to society." PLEASE, the person they killed is still dead, and "society" has spent a hundred thousand bucks a year keeping them from killing anybody else.

The scum from these remarks will hang in the air FOREVER.

A gruging lame apology won't do the trick, especially if it is forced by people who demand one.

[scarfoot]

I agree the apology is inadequate, but is better than no apology at all. I'm actually surprised that any apology is issued. Maybe someone at Fox was reading this or another blog, discovered that there are laws, or more likely, that people were talking about getting in touch with sponsors and decided to do something to lower the temperature of the situation. Fox is, after all, just a talk product to sell advertising aimed at a demographic. Let's hope a disappearing demographic.

[dawlishgal]

One more thing....t­hat 'apology" thing is right out of the nanny show. Making grownups who say filthy calculated things sit on the "naughty chair" for two minutes and then forcing them to say "sorry Mommy," is not going to push our society in a more civil direction. Stuff just doesn't work that way! The people who say horrific crapola like Trotta did (and Hillary too ) deserve to be continually shamed for their bad behavior until a certain amount of time goes by with no further bad behavior, not forced into some perfunctory bogus "apology".­...SHAME WORKS, and it it doesn't, then there is always PRISON.

[realpolitic]

" law requires intent, none demonstrated here."

By the way, scarfoot, when did you graduate from law school anyway? Let me know if Ms. Trotta retains your services?

[robertlockwoodmills]

Fox Network is an arm of the Republican party and the Bush administration. It's the only network Cheney watches, by his own admission. At the start of every broadcast day, Fox decides how the day's news will be slanted, and its reporters act accordingly. If someone crosses a line, it's dismissed as a "bad joke."

Ordinarily, a complaint to the FCC would carry weight. In this case it doesn't, because everything Fox puts on the air is slanted toward the White House. Ann Coulter joked about killing Supreme Court Justice Stevens, and nothing was done. In fact, she was more in demand for speeches than ever, at five-figure sums. Fox has been all over Obama's case because of remarks made by his former pastor, none of which were threatening to anyone and all of which Obama condemned. There is no fairness to be expected at any time from Fox Network, nor any balance.

Write all the letters you want, but don't expect results. As someone said here correctly, Fox Network is our equivalent of Pravda or Tass during the Cold War.

[Deparis]

Reason why someone pointedly calls it Fixed News. It's a Right Wing propaganda network, no journalism, but at best some entertainment now and then. Truly Faux News as my Parisian family would say.

Deparis

[SMP]

To those who are defending Fox and Trotta:

Children that are required to write in a daily journal in school, English class, have been investigated when their writings reveal any kind of Columbine reference, so why would you feel a news organization would not be investigated for their assination remarks. Please understand­....some people only need a slight nudge to feel justified in committing a crime. What Trotta said and Fox condoned is not free speech...n­or for that matter what Hillary has said at least 2 x's .

Are we to sweep under the rug statements so vile it insults the integrity of America just because one is a politician and the other is a news organization? I say NO....both should be investigated and reprimanded. Hillary should sign an agreement.­..if something unforeseen happens to Sen Obama before Jan 2009, I will not accept the Dem nominee position..­.and Fox and trotta should have their licsens suspended until Feb 2009. No air time period. This will be an example to all....

[ebanks84]

Thank you.

[paleoimage]

Here's an idea. Why don't Americans (Republica­ns,Liberta­rians,Demo­crats and Greens) just stop watching the FOX News Channel? Come on, everyone knows it's the "bubble headed - bleach blond spewing neo-con crap" channel. FOX News sources continually broadcast errors, misinformation, divisive rhetoric and always provides far more sleezy "sex and violence" content than any other network or cable news outlet. They are a huge reason we distrust each others patriotism, are fighting a mismanaged war and are deeply in debt.
If we completely avoided FOX - read more newspapers, newsmagazines and, perhaps, watched the PBS News Hour or other network news programs, we'd be better informed, would get along better in a bi-partisan fashion and might just put Rupert out to pasture.
Take control of the remote... Just say no to FOX News and live a happier, more educated life.

[mediamarv]

Not watching is part of the equation: the rest is to make sure that Neilson ratings go down the toilet and you do that by never admitting to any survey, phone or diary, that you watch Faux... even if you do occasionally. All the networks have are guesses on the number of viewers represented by a little over 2000 households­... plus the overnight phone surveys. Faux staying on the air depends entirely, let me repeat, entirely on those results. Ad rates are adjusted almost daily depending on the overnights.

So, if you are serious about doing serious damage to Faux (and the others too) Neilson needs to learn that no one is watching. Tell everyone you know to deny viewing to any pollster or survey. Lie in the diaries if necessary (I did).

It's just a matter of time until Murdoch buy Neilson anyway.

[thecanadian]

Excellent paleoimage and right on. While you are ignoring Fox, include CNN as well!

Couldn't agree more. Get your real news and a bit more truth from the written word.

[RadicalConservative]

And you may as well stop watching MSNBC too. That channel is as left leaning as Fox is right leaning.

[Deparis]

Stop watching "American Idol" and they would get the message. I have not watched anyting on Fox News for 4 1/2 years now and I feel really good about myself.

[robXdion]

She had to be prompted to apologize today, like it was an afterthought.

[belikejeanvaljean]

I think this is more an FCC thing. I filed a complaint with them today. http://www.fcc.gov/eb/oip/Compl.html They have a complaint category that covers this:

Unauthorized, unfair, biased, illegal broadcasts (does NOT include Obscene, Profane or Indecent material)
INCLUDES:

Illegal or bribed advertising on a public broadcasting station (e.g. advertising alcohol during certain hours)
Biased or distorted news stories by the media
Unauthorized broadcast of telephone conversations
Broadcasting threatening or intimidating statements about an individual or group
Announcement of Station ID or Call Sign
Unfair contests, hoaxes, lotteries
Unlicensed broadcasters

I also plan to contact Fox News advertisers once I find out who they are for that show. Money talks. I figure that contacting Fox itself is a waste of time, however.

[SMP]

Great Idea......­EVERYONE that believes in human life should file a complaint.­...to turn your back is unAmerican.

[Paula1953]

I wrote to the FCC and I wrote a letter to Chris Wallace. Isn't he the head honcho of FoxNews?
I also plan to write to MSNBC and ask Keith Olbermann to cover this on his show.

[Kundera]

"EVERYONE that believes in human life should file a complaint"
That rules out all who voted for partial birth abortion.

[SifSkade]

Yeah, I went ahead and wrote them anyway, but I figure that any email they're receiving with the words "Trotta" and "assassination" in them are being picked up by an Outlook filter and junked immediately. They probably sent the wretched woman a fruit basket and a bottle of champagne.

[FreeThinkn1]

I'm filling out the FCC form now, but they want the name of the show and the time of the incident. Does anybody know if this was on a particular show on Fox News and and what time it happened?

[Bademus]

Some article mentioned the O'Reilly show, but it was a different news host. I just put news program, or election news or something similar and left the time blank. Since it is cable they rebroadcast things at various intervals. I'm assuming it's OK to leave out the specifics if you aren't sure.

[keglined]

The FCC can do nothing to FOX News.

It'd be just as effective to complain to the American Kennel Club about this female dog.

[thecanadian]

Thanks for all the hard work getting the information. Everyone should be reporting this man many other things.

Note on the blog a bit further down that the Dallas police reported that the SECRET
SERVICE QUIT CHECKING OUT PEOPLE FOR OVER AN HOUR AT A HUGE RALLY there
for Obama. .
THAT DEFINATELY SHOULD BE REPORTED. THE SECRET SERVICE ISSUE IS A VERY
frightening report. and should be receive everyones highest priority. That is truly beyond the
pale! This is not the first time this unforgiveable action by the Secret Service has been reported either. Read for details - further down this blog!

[louisev]

A little investigation by the Secret Service would go a long way to putting a dent in any further attempts by Fox and other media smear machines to intimidate the electorate and heighten fears about electing a change candidate in the fall.

[Soulsurfer]

Well, since the SS ordered Dallas police to stop checking people for weapons(they turned off the metal detectors and quit "wanding" people entering the building) at an Obama rally in Dallas last week, I think they'll let Faux Noise off with a warning...­...

[thecanadian]

THE SECRET SERVICE? Obama Dallas Rally. Have you reported this to authorities? There was a previous statement from the actual Policeman who was there AT the Dallas Rally - saw it and was disgusted. He was on the Huff blog but can't remember which thread. According to his post, they were told by the Secret Service to basically "mind their own business" Apparently they didn't check computers, check photographers or cameras or bring out the sniffer dogs FOR OVER AN HOUR..
This would be easy to find out and confirm- there were apparently many who were as disgusted with the Secret Service as he was.
Should be easy to find out by contacting the Dallas police Dept. & asking who all the Police Department members were who were on Duty that day for the Obama rally.

[ProudNeoCon]

that story was reported and over with.... do not act suprised..­.

[ldaniel65]

The United States Code,Title 18, Part I, Chapter XIV, Section 879(a) Whoever knowingly and willfully threatens to kill, kidnap, or inflict bodily harm upon?(1) a former President or a member of the immediate family of a former President; (2)a member of the immediate family of the President, the President-elect, the Vice President, or the Vice President-­elect;(3)a major candidate for the office of President or Vice President, or a member of the immediate family of such candidate; or (4) a person protected by the Secret Service under section 3056 (a)(6); shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.(b) As used in this section?(1) the term ?immediate family? means? (A) with respect to subsection (a)(1)of this section, the wife of a former President during his lifetime, the widow of a former President until her death or remarriage, and minor children of aformerPresident until they reach sixteen years of age; and(B) with respect to subsection (a)(2) and (a)(3) ofhis section, a person to whom the President, President-elect, Vice President, Vice President-elect, or major candidate for the office of President or Vice President? (i) is related by blood, marriage, or adoption; or (ii)stands in loco parentis; (2) the term ?major candidate for the office of President or Vice President? means a candidate referred to in subsection (a)(7) of section 3056 of this title; and (3) the termsPresi­dent-elect­?and?ViceP­resident-e­lect?have the meaningsgiventhose termsinsection 871 (b) of this title.

[mediamarv]

She could file her stories from her cell! An appropriate association for Fox Noise...

[Fez]

Free speech does carry some responsibilities. Given the violence of the normal "discourse" on TV these days, it would seem appropriate for both Fox and Liz Trotta to apologize. And to keep things in perspective, we should remember Abbie Hoffman's famous pronouncement: "Free speech is the right to yell 'Theater' in a crowded fire."

[TuneOutTheMedia]

The FCC should heavily fine Fox News and Liz Trotta should be suspended if not outright fired.

She has claimed that she was making a lame joke when she conflated Osama with Obama and suggested it would be great to knock them BOTH off "if we could".

These sentiments and these words do not constitute free speech and they do not belong on a news program.

The FCC must act immediately.

[Jabali]

I caught the "we" portion of that and to me that sounds like it has been talked about outside the broadcast in question, as in the break room, etc.

That makes it not an isolated "joke" in my mind.

[kim390]

Even though I think it would be great if Trotta could be made an example of and recieve some kind of punishment,I doubt if anything will be done.She covered her comments by saying "if WE could" so I doubt it would be considered a direct threat.
It is not as though she said outright that she wanted to kill Sen.Obama.­I did sign the petition and I did contact the FCC but I doubt if anything will be done about what she said.
Of course what she said was out of line considering the wide audience but it is Fox and I'm not at all surprised.­I stopped watching them years ago.
It would be funny as hell for the Secret Service to show up on her doorstep.M­ight teach her a valuble lesson.
I am very concerned with all the assassination comments floating around of late.First Huckabee and then possibly Hillary and now Fox.I just hope that the Secret Service is taking all of this into account.

[mediamarv]

Good catch.
Go for conspiracy, that fits the Homeland Security profile!!!

[MGhamma]

Make no mistake, they know exactly what they're doing. Some right wingnut will convince himself that they're speaking to him in code and telling him to assasinate Obama.