LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Monday, June 12, 2017

Rethink this one, NBC.

The man is a far-right radio talk show host.  In its profile of him, the Southern Poverty Law Center described him as "the most prolific conspiracy theorist in contemporary America."


All images from the Internet


The man claimed the attacks on September 11, 2001 were perpetrated by the US government.  As were the Oklahoma bombing and Columbine shootings.

The man called the shootings of the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando a "false flag terror attack" (one of his favorite terms) orchestrated by the Obama administration to enhance the acceptance of the LGBT communities.

The man claimed the Clintons are murderers.  Beginning with the suicide death of Vince Foster and continuing through the slaying of five police officers in Dallas.



The man said his gut told him the death of Antonin Scalia was murder by the Obama administration and warned that Clarence Thomas would likely be next.

The man said the Boston Marathon bombing was nothing more than another "false flag terror attack," this one designed to take away the rights of citizens to bear arms.

The man said that the US government has a "weather weapon" that can generate and steer tornadoes to certain areas causing floods and thus contributing to the fallacy of global warning.

The man has said far too many outrageous statements to list.  To me, the most egregious of his comments came when he called the 2012 attack at Sandy Hook Elementary School "synthetic, totally fake with actors" portraying the murdered twenty small children and six adults.

In case you did not recognize him in the photographs above, the man is Alex Jones.  And the man was recently interviewed by Megyn Kelly for her new show, "Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly." Outrage followed the announcement of the plan to broadcast the interview, none more poignant than the ones from the parents of the slain children from Sandy Hook Elementary.

NBC has declined to comment about the upcoming broadcast which gives this outrageous man a platform. Megyn Kelly, on the other hand, defends herself by saying that President Trump had praised Jones and had been a call-in to his broadcast.  In fact, Jones was issued White House press credentials.   She further went on to say that many people don't know him and it is "our job" to shine a light.

To make this interview more onerous, NBC plans to air it on Father's Day.  A day when so many fathers will grieve for their children killed at Sandy Hook.  If you are so inclined, you can contact NBC here.




I hope the powers that be will take a look at photographs such as this one and rethink whether it is appropriate to give any credence to Alex Jones.  On Father's Day or any other day.

[Purely Personal Note:  I cannot recall a time when I have objected to an interview without having seen it.  My view is generally "watch it, don't watch it; listen, don't listen; read, don't read."  My objection is not so much on my own behalf.  It's for the parents, victims and relatives still grieving from the horrible acts so demeaned by Alex Jones.  They should not have this dredged up again in such a malicious manner.]

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

The scales keep tipping in a direction that is breaking my heart. All sanity and compassion seem to have been sacrificed, and I'm not even sure for what. This is so terrible that I don't have words anymore. Where are we headed? I have no idea, but it scares me.

KB said...

Every time a person like this one is given a platform, the country veers further away from a fact-based discourse on the issues facing our society. This guy obviously simply makes up stories - ones that, for some reason that eludes me, people want to believe. I'll contact NBC.

And I agree on your personal note as well - let's show some semblance of respect for the grief felt by those parents.

This weekend, I found the most bizarre thing in the forest - a carefully drawn cartoon of a guy wearing a "make America great again" hat, with a tee-shirt that said "White Power" on the chest. Someone had trespassed on private property to shoot at this cartoon, so the cartoon guy had holes all over him. Neither my husband nor I have any idea how to interpret it... but it speaks to the generally bizarre situation in our country right now.


troutbirder said...

I sent a complaint to NBC....

Vicki Lane said...

I'm of two minds about this. I Agree this man shouldn't be given a platform and especially on Fathers Day -- but would like to see him thoroughly discredited on national television. But would Ms. Kelly do it?

Arkansas Patti said...

Perhaps if no one listened in, a zero rating might make NBC rethink such showings. When someone this twisted gets a spotlight, it gives like minded souls also a voice. Sadly there will be his fans plus are always the train wreck folks that will tune in. Sending my complaint to NBC plus will not watch.

Nance said...

I am speechless with outrage and disbelief. Sending my thoughts to NBC, strenuously. What a come-down for this network. The slide continues for this country. How disgusting.

NCmountainwoman said...

Thanks for your comments, everyone

Robin - I'm with you. People seem to feel free to lie and attack others.

KB - I have no idea what the target means either. And like you, I do fear we are veering further away from facts. I just find credible folks in whom I have confidence and listen to them.

Troutbirder - I understand NBC has been flooded with complaints. But at this point I don't think they want to inhibit Megyn Kelly on her first show.

Vicki - Given Ms. Kelly's last employer I'm not at all sure she is the right person to bring to discredit this man. Unlike you, I would prefer that he not have a platform. His mind will not change. Let the people who wish to see him find his ranting radio shows.

Patti - I'm with you on this one.

Nance - I agree. I'm also appalled that the parent network had MSNBC Brian Williams back in the spotlight.

joared said...

I think he's another of those big talkers on radio and TV who sell their souls for the almighty dollar -- they find some outrageous niche like conspiracy theory and just throw stories out there knowing there are actually people who will believe it. And they do. That's what Trump was capitalizing on with all his lies and knowing there would be those who would believe him -- and he's still counting on that. I watched Kelly. Too much of her Ailes created Fox news approach but in mellowed out form -- to let America know about this latest snake oil salesman, I guess, but am not sure he should have been given this platform so am disappointed in NBC News. Glad ratings show viewers chose 60 Minutes instead as its the only decent newsworthy program of it's type left. Dateline, 48 Hrs, 20-20, Nightline are all entertainment stuff now.