Child abuse or not? Bill O’Reilly seems to think so...

Recently I’ve started spending more time around the web-based video sharing sites like YouTube, and a few others. I blame Mandali and Michael for stoking my interest. I think that most of the video’s being uploaded are just plain useless and irrelevant, but... some of it is quite interesting and thought provoking.

Recently while searching around for something interesting, something other than Imus, Iraq, Bush, Virginia Tech, more Imus, more Iraq, more Bush or more Virginia Tech, I ended up on the YouTube site. One of Mandali’s blog posts a while back brought the guy Stephen Colbert (The Colbert Report) to my attention, so now if I head over to the YouTube site, I always search for his stuff first (Dave Chapelle second).

On this day, while searching for Colbert, I noticed that the commentator Bill O’Reilly also had quite a few of his videos uploaded by viewers. So, since I’ve heard his name a few times, I decided to watch some of his shows... After 10 episodes or so, I am totally convinced that this guy has a serious problem.

My impression of Mr. O’Reilly is that he is the typical Republican. Actually, he is the perfect Republican even though he doesn’t claim affiliation with any party. I think that most of his arguments were based solely on what he’s read in The Washington Times and The Wall Street Journal. Its the same lines Republicans repeat over and over again on things like the so-called war on terror, the need to stay in Iraq, liberals being unpatriotic, Cindy Sheehan being a radical, and illegal immigrants not deserving rights, etc. (And my family wonders why I am in no hurry to get back to the U.S...)

Anyway, on to why I am writing this blog... the title, “Child abuse or not? Bill O’Reilly seems to think so...” is about a video out there having a go at Mr. O (and believe me, there are numerous out there. He doesn’t seem to be too popular with the liberals.). This particular video, “The Coolest 8 Year Old In The World Talks About O’Reilly” is just what the title says, an 8 yr old kid really giving Mr. O a hard time.

Apparently as a comeback to the kid’s video, “Bill O’Reilly takes on YouTube”, Mr. O shows a clip of the video on his show and asks a child advocate (probably another Republican) about what she thought of the kid “being used” in the video clip. When watching Mr. O’s show, please note that he doesn’t show the first few seconds of the kids video to the advocate... meaning, the advocate probably doesn’t know the kid is ripping Mr. O during the clip she is asked to view.

What does it all mean? It means some people will probably see it as using the child to get a message across in a creative manner. Some will see it as child abuse and totally unexcuseable behavior on the part of a few adults (but keep in mind, the people who will see it as abuse are the same people who think its okay to buy their kids shotguns at the age of 8 and 9 years old).

Me, I just see it as creative way of giving Mr. O a swift kick in the teeth, something he so desperately needs.

- Mike

Peace out...