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FOX News Calls White Supremacist, Holocaust Denier and Anti-Semite a 'Free Speech Activist'

By Heidi Beirich, SPLC's Hate Watch. Posted August 13, 2008.


Fox News interviewed Paul Fromm, an infamous racist and Holocaust denier, presenting him as a normal guest.
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On Aug. 4, FOX News aired a segment about the Canadian prosecution of conservative author Mark Steyn for alleged anti-Muslim human rights violations. Steyn, the author of the No. 1 Canadian bestseller, America Alone: The End Of The World As We Know It, has had three complaints lodged against him for human rights violations by the Canadian Islamic Congress. Two cases have been dismissed, but the Human Rights Tribunal of British Columbia is still investigating a charge that Steyn's work amounts to hate speech against Muslims.

Steyn's book, which was serialized in the well-known Canadian newsmagazine Macleans, contends that Western democracies, particularly in Europe, may become fertile ground for Islamic extremists because of rapidly growing Muslim populations.

While there are many individuals and groups that think the prosecution of Steyn harms free speech in Canada -- including PEN Canada and the Canadian Association of Journalists -- Fox News correspondent Steve Brown chose to interview a decidedly odd source: Paul Fromm, who was very sparingly identified on the broadcast as a "Free Speech Activist." That's a pretty weak, not to say completely misleading, description of Paul Fromm. As anyone who lives in Canada or who has access to Google should know, Fromm is Canada's most notorious extremist, whose views form a trifecta of hate: he's a white supremacist, a Holocaust denier and an anti-Semite. And he's got a history of extremism a mile long.

"What we are seeing is an effort by minority groups, including in this case radical Muslims, to shut down criticism and that's what it is," Fromm, who habitually mocks Muslims, once calling a Muslim woman "a hag in a bag" while participating in a conference put on by former Klansman David Duke, told FOX about the Steyn investigations. At a 2007 meeting of racists and Holocaust deniers in Atlanta, Fromm pulled the Muslim hate card again, labeling Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama "a crypto-Moslem of mixed parentage."

Fromm

Fromm's been a source to news reporters before -- but not the type who most American news operations would want to brag about. In 2005, Fromm told the Iranian Mehr News Agency that Hollywood is "controlled by Zionists," discussed "the story of the 'Holocaust' [that] has allowed the Jews to acquire many billions of dollars," and described the Nazi genocide as "a religion created by the Jews for non-Jews."

Fromm, whose Canadian teaching certificate was yanked in 2007 because of his racist views and activities, is a stalwart of the American white supremacist and anti-Semitic scene. He has attended dozens of white supremacist events, including one held to mark the anniversary of Adolf Hitler's death.

Besides running his own extremist group in Canada -- the Canada First Immigration Reform Committee -- Fromm is a national director of the white supremacist Council of Conservative Citizens, a group that believes in "racial integrity" and views blacks as a "retrograde species of humanity." Fromm is also a signatory to a 2004 hate group protocol calling for an alliance between various racist and anti-Semitic groups, including David Duke's European-American Unity and Rights Organization and the neo-Nazi National Alliance.


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View:
He is a free speech activist
Posted by: rickiey on Aug 13, 2008 11:27 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Just as Larry Flynt was a anti-censorship activist.

Just because we don't like what someone has to say (and I don't) does not mean we should discourage them from saying it.

Free speech above all else, no matter how offensive.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: He is a free speech activist...sickofsleaze Posted by: ladybug1@carrollsweb.com
» Yes, but... Posted by: BreeMass
» RE: He is a free speech activist Posted by: acmwallace
Free Speech is Free Speech
Posted by: Reader11722 on Aug 13, 2008 1:33 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
In Germany, they jail you for speaking about the 'holocaust'. Even in the US, censorship is becoming our favorite past-time. The US gov't (and their corporate friends), already detain protesters, ban books like "America Deceived" America Deceived (book) from Amazon and shut down Ron Paul. Long live Free Speech.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Help a girl out... Posted by: BreeMass
» With all due respect... Posted by: BreeMass
» RE: With all due respect... Posted by: BreeMass
» RE: With all due respect... Posted by: EncinoM
» RE: With all due respect... Posted by: blitzmesser
» RE: With all due respect... Posted by: blitzmesser
» RE: And a little more... Posted by: Quannah
» bcgirl has rights too Posted by: countingdaisies
» Why is this so difficult ?? Posted by: AdamSelene40
» What Israel hates most of all? Posted by: weathered
» RE: Free Speech is Free Speech Posted by: blitzmesser
He is a free speech activist
Posted by: login@bugmenot.com on Aug 13, 2008 5:17 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Paul Fromm founded the Canadian Association for Free Expression. Like it or not, the guy is a free speech activist, albeit a racist douchebag.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: He is a free speech activist Posted by: JBravoEcho11
» Free speech is not hate speech Posted by: countingdaisies
» Why is it that... Posted by: CanuckKid
Before Israel, Islam was of little concern to America
Posted by: weathered on Aug 14, 2008 12:41 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Israel makes their problem, your problem.

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» If its sneaky, snotty, selfish, Posted by: weathered
Steyn has never had a single complaint filed against him
Posted by: florap on Aug 14, 2008 5:53 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Mr. Steyn has never had a single complaint
filed against him in Canada. Not one.

The three complaints were all against Rogers Publishing for refusing to print a comment in repsonse to Steyn's articles. The proceedings before the BC Human Rights Commission are available on line under Andrew Coyne's blog - you can see who the parties are.

This is a classic example of how elements of the media simply fail to do basic fact checks. Mr. Steyn, who also delights in being a "free speech martyr" has created a myth to sell his columns. Who fed Fox the story? Steyn has had the right to say what he wants. Check out the second segment of The Agenda on TVO where Steyn is interviewed - it is a classic.

American conservatives, who are normally (and rightly) suspicious of big government would do well to check on big media too before swallowing fabrications, hook, line and sinker. Oh, by the way, all the complaints so far have been dismissed by the commissions because of free speech.

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Rightwing irony
Posted by: HughScott on Aug 15, 2008 2:47 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I find it incredibly ironic and rather amusing that Paul Fromm, a Canuk rightwinger, Holocaust denier and rabid anti-Semite, would even be allowed on FOX News.

"Fixed News" claims to be fair and balanced -- more like a teeter totter with the right end permanently anchored in concrete. But in this case, Roger Ailes' network has done freedom-loving Americans a favor by giving Fromm 15 seconds of fame -- enough TV exposure to show how dangerous rightwing extremists can be.

The irony comes in when Fromm bashes Jewish people. Here in the United States, anti-Semitism violates a prime directive of neocons in general -- and PNAC members specifically -- that Israel is a friend of America to be defended at all costs.

It would be interesting to watch a debate about the Holocaust between Fromm and Bill Kristol, the rightwing weasel who started "Project for a New American Century" (PNAC), of which John McCain, America's Number One Neocon, is a member.

By the way, the following PNAC members/neocons are foreign policy advisors on Unfit McCains's campaign team:

Richard L. Armitage: PNAC signatory, former Bush 43 Deputy Secretary of State. By his own admission, Armitage was responsible for leaking CIA agent Valerie Plame's CIA identity to the press.

John R. Bolton: PNAC signatory, former U.S. ambassador to U.N. (Nomination to U.N. rejected by Senate, but George W. Bush put him in place on a recess appointment. Name floated for possible Secretary of State for McCain. Advocates attacking Iran.

Max Boot: PNAC signatory, columnist, McCain speech writer. Said McCain's "bellicose aura" could "scare the snot out of our enemies," who "would be more afraid to mess with him" than with other then-potential presidential candidates.

Steve Forbes: PNAC founder, flat-tax fanatic

Robert Kagan: PNAC founder.

Bill Kristol: PNAC founder and editor of the rightwing rag, Weekly Standard.

Daniel McKivergan: PNAC deputy director

Randy Scheunemann: PNAC signatory, co-director and executive director of Committee for Liberation of Iraq.

Gary Schmitt: PNAC signatory, Research Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Defended warrantless eavesdropping on Americans by claiming that Constitution "created a unitary chief executive who could, in times of war or emergency, act with the decisiveness, dispatch and, yes, secrecy, needed to protect the country and its citizens."

James Woolsey: PNAC signatory, Director of the CIA, 1993-1995.

Robert B. Zollick: PNAC signatory, President, World Bank.

PNAC has disbanded and pulled down its Web site but the subversive organization's imperial mission of "changing the world with American military might" (a Max Boot quote) continues with more vigor than ever, thanks in part to the so-called "success" of Unfit McCain's Iraq surge.


*Hugh E. Scott, Vietnam vet, lifelong registered Republican and ardent Obama supporter.
Seven Reasons to Vote Against Unfit McCain

*For the benefit of first-time AlterNet visitors.

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» RE: ightwing irony Posted by: Elurby
» RE: I Love Hugh Scott! Posted by: desidid
Indeed sir, a free speech activist!
Posted by: sleepingdog on Aug 15, 2008 3:15 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Why, how is he not, seeing as though the chap says what he believes and gets hounded for doing so, i say. Although we may disagree with him, we must accept that he has a right to speak!

unless, of course, he is advocating the subjugation and oppression of other people (and therefore taking away what he is claiming to defend). Then, there's no defense, and he loses everything else he has ever said or will ever say. the end.

"racist is like a cat and dog right papa?" "yea, it can be"

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Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Posted by: theVRWCwhodatesLiberals on Aug 15, 2008 4:09 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I fought this article was about him, he also denies the holocaust but his nation has no gays... hmmmm...

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» RE: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Posted by: Xynyx
» I understand... Posted by: Bbear41
» they get lynched Posted by: theVRWCwhodatesLiberals
Wait... this is from the SPLC
Posted by: theVRWCwhodatesLiberals on Aug 15, 2008 4:21 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
These people have "Nation of Islam" as a hate group. This used to be a great Non for profit. I guess the quest for Northeast Moonbat acceptance was too lucrative to pass up.

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» Adding... Posted by: BreeMass
» RE: Adding... Posted by: Quannah
» RE: Adding... Posted by: BreeMass
» RE: SU Posted by: 876
» RE: SU Posted by: BreeMass
Magna Carta and Free Speech
Posted by: Elurby on Aug 15, 2008 5:18 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
#######
#######

Canada is a cesspool of
socialist/communist
totalitarianism. Anyone
who supports the ideas
"hate-speech" and "hate-
crimes" is mentally ill
--is weak-minded:

Magna Carta and Free Speech
http://magnacartaandfreespeech.blogspot.com/

#######
#######

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» Hey, it's been fifteen years ... Posted by: goodsensecynic
» My Canadian colleague Posted by: Ignatz deFyre
Free speech or NO free speech
Posted by: richholland on Aug 15, 2008 6:22 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I think the word is political correct.

In the 18 th century a lot of homosexuals were burnt, till 1945 in Germany they put them in a concentration camp.
In Holland it is a "denial"of Holocaust if you say the NAZI didnt put 6ooo.ooo Jews in a gaschamber..
(I believe in the death of 6000.000 Jews in several ways and the death of millions others by anglo/american civil people bombing, starvation, shooting, severe illnesses etc.
NO MORE WAR.
but the thing is this; Are the Rich and powerfull in their right to close our mouthes???
As mentioned in a comment on alternet.org elsewere;
by some americans democracy and freedom means oil and gas.

OK lets stop Fromm of speaking and then we have opened a door to stop;
Noam Chomsky and Obama and Nadar and Michael More and Naomi Klein and you, especially you.

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SHUT DOWN FOX,BROOMSTICK REVOLUTION
Posted by: jeffrey7 on Aug 15, 2008 6:54 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
~JOIN the CALL for a BROOMSTICK REVOLUTION~ A SINGLE AFTERNOON There shall soon be a day whenWe, the People of America,will stand up together as Oneon a Single Afternoon--yes, a Single Afternoon--and shake these criminals from our national lifeas a dog shakes off its fleas. We will show them compassion as human beings—as they would never do for us—but the leash of power will never be put backin their bloodied hands again. Yes, in a Single Afternoon. It CAN be DONE!!And WE CAN do it! Rise shoulder-to-shoulderand heart-to-heartand soul-to-souland physically occupy the corridors of powerin every town, every city,every state,every corporation in America. We ask all PEOPLES OF THE WORLD to join us in their own countries. Yes, on a Single Afternoon. Leave the comfort of your home and join the People in the peaceful retrievalof our own Power and in the re-establishment of the Constitution of theUnited States. Yes, on a Single Afternoon it can be done. By ALL & EACH of us. AMERICA WILL BE AMERICA AGAIN!! -Harvey Arden Re: CALL FOR A BROOMSTICK REVOLUTION Let's collectively decide the day and hour for a peaceful BroomstickRevolution...on, say, a Tuesday afternoon the week before election day inNovember 2008..all those in favor of ending the Iraq War, againstofficially-condoned torture, against 'Patriot' Acts I & II...against thewhole Bush/Neocon strangehold on America and the World...all those who DARETO STAND UP TO INJUSTICE...TAKE A BROOMSTICK AND WALK PEACEFULLY OUT INTHE STREETS OF AMERICA...EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US...GATHER IN FRONT OF EVERYCORPORATE GOVERNMENT FRONT, including the White House, the Pentagon,Military Recruiting Centers, Multinational Corporate HQs etc etc...or juststand outside your house and HOLD HIGH A BROOMSTICK OF PEACE...a trueBroomstick Revolution as enunciated by Seneca Wisdomkeeper Grandma EdnaGordon. KEEP THE PEACE! SWEEP'M OUT!! SAVE AMERICA!!! Below excerpt from VOICE OF THE HAWK ELDER by Seneca Wisdomkeeper GrandmaEdna Gordon...available at www.haveyouthought.com A BROOMSTICK REVOLUTION WE NEED CHANGES in this world, really big big changes. I'm prayin' they'llbe peaceable changes, not violent and bloody ones. I'd like to see apeaceable revolution, a revolution of broomsticks instead of guns.Call it a Broomstick Revolution.That's right. The People pick up their broomsticks and march together andSweep Injustice Out!Make a clean sweep, a big cleanin' like's never been seen before.Broomsticks against Injustice. Now that'll be the day!We'll take our broomsticks and we'll sweep Leonard Peltier right out o'prison, along with all the other Innocents.Yep—a Broomstick Revolution! That's what we need!~Contact Edna at rdgordon@hotmail.com A-ho, brothers, sisters, it's in OUR HANDS...Sweep American clean with BROOM STICKS OF PEACE!

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» Information Overload Posted by: edgar1
I'm surprised
Posted by: popsicle67 on Aug 15, 2008 7:04 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I would have thought there would be more fawning
over this article. It seems though that even the opportunity to bash FOX once again is not enough
to forgive the obvious tone of the article. I have been and ever shall be in favor of anybody
having the freedom to shout whatever crackpot belief it is that turns their crank because one day I just might feel the need to tell everybody about my own crackpot ideas.

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» RE: I'm surprised Posted by: Xynyx
» Agreed Posted by: BreeMass
» RE: Agreed Posted by: Lauren
What Prosecution?
Posted by: cns on Aug 15, 2008 7:23 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Steyn has never been "prosecuted" for anything. The Human Rights Commissions are institutions of CIVIL law, not criminal law. Bringing a complaint before them is more like suing someone than filing charges against them. No prosecutor's office is involved in any way.

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» RE: What Prosecution? Posted by: EncinoM
» RE: What Prosecution? Posted by: cns
» RE: What Prosecution? Posted by: florap
Neo Con tactic #1- work both sides of the street
Posted by: Purple Girl on Aug 15, 2008 7:38 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Hates Muslimns, hates Jews- so he claims the holocoust did not occur and hollywood is run by the Jews. Then turns around and claims the Muslims are trying to take over the World..hmm, so what's his stance on the Catholics? Same as his counterpart Hagee?
Not only does he hate these groups - he also hates Women (Hag In a Bag).
Just like his cohort Hagee- let them talk, they reveal so much when they continuously put their foot in their mouths and limit the numbers of Who they have Not Offended.Village idoits- bring them out in the open so we can throw rotten tomatos at them.Perhaps that will begin to show others they will get the same, concensus is key to inclusion into a community.Let them speak so we can tell them they do not have a concensus and will not be allowed in the group.
See how many 'republicans' are changing their tunes and distancing them selves from Bush & Cheney Now?

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FOX Noise
Posted by: Tom Degan on Aug 15, 2008 7:59 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What else could we possibly expect from the people at FOX? For those of you who haven't yet seen Robert Greenwald's poweful documentary, OutFoxxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism, you really don't know what you're missing. It's great - as is everything ever produced by Mr. Greenwald.

FOX News is a blight on our culture. Recently, Murdoch purchased my local paper, the Middletown, NY Times Herald-Record - or the Times Herald-Wreckage as I am now fond of calling it. Within weeks of obtaining it, that paper's longtime, popular and gifted progressive columnist, Beth Quinn, was fired.

So much for freedom of the press.

Tom Degan
Goshen, NY
Jerome Corsi is a Liar and a Pervert

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» RE: FOX Noise Posted by: weathered
» RE: FOX Noise Posted by: Lauren
» RE: FOX Noise Posted by: weathered
ANyone who thinks Paul Fromm or Fox News...
Posted by: leafsong1 on Aug 15, 2008 8:15 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
...are in favor of free speach is just plain stupid. Lenin and Hitler and Mao and Mussolini were free speach activists by the same logic right up until the point they had sufficient power to shoot anyone who disagreed with them. The accurate term for these is "liars."

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Please allow me my free speech.....
Posted by: Spiritgirl on Aug 15, 2008 9:26 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Just as yelling "fire" in a crowded theater is banned, "hate speech" isn't free, because in the end real people get trampled when these crazies are loose.

I think what bothers me about these people, is their dis-attachment from reality. What these people don't see is that whatever gains they believe minorities have is not at their expense. They are annoyed by what they see as minorities getting ahead of "them". They believe that their white skin entitles them to having more than non-whites. The sad fact is that they don't see that they are being taken advantage of, not by non-whites, but by their own (the richest 1% of white people).

Non-whites may not be "whining", but they have learned that they must roll up their sleeves to work for what they have. These ignorant, illiterate (in some cases), and trifling people have the nerve to blame their circumstances and situations on non-whites because they are unwilling to confront the reality. They too are being taken advantage of, they are being used by the more advantaged white people, that could really care less about them - because rich white people know that as long as they talk the talk to these po' ignorant white folk, these po' folk won't recognize how badly they are being used and taken advantage of!

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» Spiritgirl,is spot on again Posted by: BlueGorilla
Here's the issue.
Posted by: Evola on Aug 15, 2008 9:53 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
People like the author of the article want to ban this sort of speech because it is convenient to erase these viewpoints to make life more "comfortable." The problem with this "hate speech" zealots is that they always end up moving into other areas and wreaking havoc, such as the art world. They never stop at political speech. They are just as Orwellian as the neo-cons.

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» RE: Here's the issue. Posted by: BreeMass
The Problem As It Is But Not Shown!
Posted by: Mr. Terrific on Aug 15, 2008 10:08 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
As a black male, anytime someone is labled a "racist" or "anti-semite" by the Mass Media, I observe them and their ideological viewpoints, statements and the like.

There is a fallacy in Logic called "Argument Against The Person." Instead of disputing the argument of the person making a claim, such as, "Blacks are mentally inferior to whites," the individual, group or organization, attacks the individual by calling them "racist, anti-semite, etc."

This does absolutely NOTHING to address the argument and it simply makes those who believe the argument stated, feel vindicated!

So I say to you brothers and sisters, regardless of your ethnicity so-called "race," we are ALL family! Now with that in mind, those of us who are of a particular ethnicity or creed whom do NOT speak out when we see EVIL practiced and gotten away with, we are participants in that EVIL act.

Terrific

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876
Posted by: 876 on Aug 15, 2008 11:07 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
These types tend to relish gloating on the real or perceived anti Semitism of Muslims yet here you have them in full support of an anti Semite. The truth is Europeans have a long history of anti Semitism, of rabid bigotry, slavery and genocide hence their rush to brand others as anti Semites specifically and as hateful in general, all the flawed traits of their own character which they find shameful. It is as if Europeans collectively hold the belief that by projecting their own character onto others they can disengage from their own nature and shift their crimes and their shame onto others.

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» RE: 876 Posted by: Evola
The real story here is...
Posted by: Jdog on Aug 15, 2008 2:24 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
That Fox "News," in typical fashion, didn't give this asshat time because he's a free speech activist (free speech being something the neocons generally oppose), but because they like his message and want to get it out. At least his uber-right, white supremacist views.

I agree with others here that free speech is free speech. I don't like this dude's message, but I'm more concerned with retaining our collective ability to speak our minds in this country. So...Let this dickhead shoot his verbal wad all he wants as long as our rights to speech are not curtailed.

One more point: Funny that Fox would label many of us anti-Semites simply for speaking against the occupation of Palestine and pointing to human rights violations by Israel, but they hand a holocaust denier an open mike. Strange.

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FOX "News" said it?
Posted by: Jeanne on Aug 15, 2008 4:17 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Well, you can assume it is wrong.

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Context is everything.
Posted by: BlueGorilla on Aug 15, 2008 5:43 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I dont beleive that anyone, is denying this vile piece of crap, his free speech.
It is the context in which he is being framed by Fox news ,that is morally abhorrent.Fox took a decision to attach positive attributes to Paul Fromm.
By extension,Fox considers all neo-nazis to be heroic defenders of our rights.
Now we have to be very vigilant here as well,as these facsists given a whiff of power, would instantly eradicate every one else's democratic rights.
Certainly Fox's lauding of facsist scum,has destroyed the bogus pro-Zionist line that they have pedalled for years.This line was nothing more than right wing convenience.
Fox-Uber-Alles eh!?

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Fox says Free Speech, author says Hate Speech
Posted by: whealeydj on Aug 15, 2008 8:20 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Based on the case presented by author of article, Fromm has used his right to free speech to engage in some hate speech. I am glad Fox News has been called out on using Fromm as a source. I was going to forward this to my friend who has become convinced that the Left is anti semitic,anti Zionist and Jew Haters and I wanted to how his friends at Fox are similar. However all the comments from posters who lived up to his expectations by echoing Fromm (i.e. scapegoating and those who give Rothschilds etc) on Zionists and Jews disappoint me. Thanks to all those who call the posters on their bigotry and/or give them low ratings.

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Comprehending hatred in this country...
Posted by: Bearzerker on Aug 15, 2008 8:29 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
... there's always been someone somewhere to hate!

the largest human bloodbath of the 19th century was fought over it...
the largest human death toll in known times happened in the 20th century because of it!
and there is still people with enough hate in them to see it last a few more times
before we finally get it!

call it what you want...
racism, nationalism, communism ...republicanism...
they all seem to end in a "ISM" are politically motivated and is about the "hatred" of something,
its the glue thats become the Raison d'être!

time to recognize it for what it is... hate!
and long past time to legislate an end to it... hate!

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free means free
Posted by: siamdave on Aug 15, 2008 9:53 PM   
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Just to add my voice to the apparent majority here affirming that 'free speech' means just that - it doesn't mean, as many try to interpret it, 'you're free to say things as long as we agree with whatever it is'. This growing trend by many western governments is all part of They're Building a Box - and You're In It - http://www.rudemacedon.ca/dlp/box/box-intro.html . Stand tall.

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This comment has been removed from the site due to non-compliance with AlterNet's community policies.
Censorship
Posted by: The Cynical Skeptic on Aug 16, 2008 10:10 AM   
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So much of Ron Paul's off the Wall Libertarianism comported with corporatist/fascism that he was far from being censored. Mike Gravelle, on the other hand was so embarrassingly truthful and took measure on corporatists as well as the sycophantic catering to corporatism by the hacks, claques and quacks of the Repooblocrats/Demoblicans party that marginalizing him was an absolute must. So complete a job did they do on him that hoi polloi would laugh at the mere mention of his name, completely unaware of how justifiably critical he was of some dumbass action the government had taken or was about to take and the justifiable skewering he had done to the front runners who were in one fashion or another suffering from a cases of serious dumbass. He was an equal opportunity criticaster - pointing out the foibles, faults and failings of the corporatists sycophants. He certainly was NOT LIKE THEY, apologists for the system that has created the most chaos in the world, the most disparate maldistribution in the wealth of this nation since the age of the "robber barrens" of the "Gilded Age" and a dismal prognosis for the future of what once was a growing Middle class and an upwardly mobile working class. And... there is absolutely NO ONE in any current leadership positions in the nation who has the courage to speak to these truths.

Anyone who states that the United States is knowingly truly democratic republic is either a knowing liar or an unknowing naïf.

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» RE: Censorship Posted by: Quannah
Here Is An Article That Huffington Post Said They Were Posting But Didn't Pt.1
Posted by: desidid on Aug 19, 2008 7:13 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
If anyone here ever wonders how low information voters are so entrenched in their ignorance read this article about a southern town.

SCANA Satellite Office Forces Black Employees To Watch FOX NEWS

By: Desnee Flakes
Aiken, SC
August 13, 2008 9:00am
It started innocently enough; I was simply going to pay my utility bill. As I entered the small office July 29, 2008 on Chesterfield St., in Aiken, SC, I was struck by the fact; that every time I come here the lobby television is showing FOX NEWS. After I concluded my personal business, I asked the CSR, “Who decides what is watched here?” Her smile told me I may be addressing an issue, which had been discussed between some of the ladies and gentleman who work in this, dingy little building. There are six employees working there, five are African-American with the remaining employee being white. I walked to another AA woman, who had an office. I asked her, “Who decides what is watched here?” Again I got a shoulder shrug, and the sort of vagueness that one instinctively knows is partly fear, and partly not wanting to get involved. I assured everyone that I am not employed by SCANA, and I would find out why I am insulted each time I walk into that office to give them my money.

When I got home I called the toll-free number on my bill. I spoke with Nikki and told her my complaint. Nikki wasn’t especially helpful; in fact, she was downright rude. She also didn’t know whom I should contact. I asked if the company was publicly held, “Yes.” “Well perhaps I should speak with the President of the company,” I said. She responded, “He isn’t available right now.” “Oh, are you located near his office?” I asked. “No,” was her response. “Then, how would you know if he is or isn’t available, to me?” I questioned. I requested a supervisor. She went off the line for a while, and informed me upon her return that the supervisor wasn’t available at that time. At this time she let me know that if I didn’t like the channel playing in the office I could always pay by mail or online. In the meantime I had already looked up some local television news channels, and I let her know it was my intention to call them. She said, “Okay,” as if she were speaking for the company.

I did call two local stations WJBF the ABC affiliate, didn’t seem interested at all. I then called WRDW the CBS affiliate, and specifically asked to speak with an AA. I spoke with a man named Chris Thomas. I told him the entire story, and he thanked me in a very genuine way. I haven’t heard back from him, but I did call SCANA again on July31, 2008. I spoke with Laurie another CSR, who told me that Nikki didn’t have the authority to tell me the company President wasn’t available, nor was it corporate policy for her to tell me to either use snail mail or e-mail to avoid FOX NEWS. She then switched me over to her supervisor, Kim Jones, in the Columbia, SC office. Ms. Jones was so stunned by my story she transferred me to Nikki’s supervisor, Patti Jones in NC. I left her a message as she was on the phone. Its been about two hours now, and Patti has finally returned my call. She informs me she was present during my conversation with Nikki. And that she told Nikki to give me “options” as she didn’t know who to contact; other than Gerald Freeman, Manager, Customer Service, in Aiken. She also retracted what had been stated to me; and that is, that Mr. Freeman makes the decision, as to what channel is viewed. They also had told me that the office employees “couldn’t” change the channel. Now that I’m thinking about it; why did Nikki tell me Patti was unavailable, and Patti is telling me she heard the conversation, and she gave Nikki the bright idea to tell me to use e-mail or snail mail?

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SCANA FORCES BLACK EMPLOYEES TO WATCH FOX NEWS Pt. 2
Posted by: desidid on Aug 19, 2008 7:35 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I reminded her of the [company social responsibility statement] http://www.scana.com/en/social-responsibility/, and let her know it wasn’t her place to give me those options either. I also suggested she look the document up and read it.

In the meantime; I forgot to mention that up until this July 31, 2008, I had a streetlight on my property. SCANA decided to remove it, because I haven’t been paying separately for it on my energy bill. I have lived in my house for nearly a year, and they just figured out I don’t pay for a streetlight, that someone three tenants ago ordered: for a blind woman! I have found a great [website] city-data that shows the money various businesses and local citizens (who work for government contractors) gave to political parties and campaigns in the last election cycle. I think it will give this story more contexts.

I have finally spoken with Gerald Freeman, and I will share the text of my e-mails to him [here]:

salon.com, sourcewatch.org, fair.org, commondreams.org, pewresearch.org, peoplepress.org, peoplepress.org, journalism.org, colorofchange.org, moveon.org.

Mr. Freeman
Thank you for agreeing to remove FOX NEWS from my local utility office. I think I have given you a good start. If you need other resources please contact me, I will be happy to accommodate you. Thanks for the time, I appreciated the call.
Ms. Desnee Flakes
A Paying Customer


Mr. Freeman,
Just wanted to remind you, as I have; in each of our conversations of Aug. 1 and Aug. 4, 2008, that I am submitting an article to Huffington Post regarding SCANA and FOX NEWS. You still have the opportunity to send me an e-mail summarizing our coversations(sic), remedies, and your objections. I will be sending in the article for submission on, Fri. Aug. 8, 2008 around 4:00pm. I wanted to make sure either you or SCANA have an opportunity to issue a statement.

On another note; you will be happy to know I'm rolling my retirement money into SCANA stocks. This way I'm not only a customer, but a concerned stockholder as well.

Thank You For All Your Time,
Desnee Flakes

Mr. Freeman finally sent me an e-mail the morning of Aug. 8, 2008 stating SCANA’s position on this matter:

Ms. Flakes,

We have changed the channel from Fox News in our office in Aiken, however I cannot guarantee you that it will never be switched back. We do not have a formal written policy on what television channels can be viewed in our office, however we try and keep the television on either a news channel or a weather channel. Currently the plan is to rotate the television between several news and weather channels to give the public as well as our employees a variety of information to view.

Thank you,
Gerald K. Freeman

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SCANA FORCES BLACK EMPLOYEES TO WATCH FOX NEWS Pt. 2
Posted by: desidid on Aug 19, 2008 7:41 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I reminded her of the [company social responsibility statement] www.scana.com, and let her know it wasn’t her place to give me those options either. I also suggested she look the document up and read it.

In the meantime; I forgot to mention that up until this July 31, 2008, I had a streetlight on my property. SCANA decided to remove it, because I haven’t been paying separately for it on my energy bill. I have lived in my house for nearly a year, and they just figured out I don’t pay for a streetlight, that someone three tenants ago ordered: for a blind woman! I have found a great [website] city-data that shows the money various businesses and local citizens (who work for government contractors) gave to political parties and campaigns in the last election cycle. I think it will give this story more contexts.

I have finally spoken with Gerald Freeman, and I will share the text of my e-mails to him [here]:

salon.com, sourcewatch.org, fair.org, commondreams.org, pewresearch.org, peoplepress.org, peoplepress.org, journalism.org, colorofchange.org, moveon.org.

Mr. Freeman
Thank you for agreeing to remove FOX NEWS from my local utility office. I think I have given you a good start. If you need other resources please contact me, I will be happy to accommodate you. Thanks for the time, I appreciated the call.
Ms. Desnee Flakes
A Paying Customer


Mr. Freeman,
Just wanted to remind you, as I have; in each of our conversations of Aug. 1 and Aug. 4, 2008, that I am submitting an article to Huffington Post regarding SCANA and FOX NEWS. You still have the opportunity to send me an e-mail summarizing our coversations(sic), remedies, and your objections. I will be sending in the article for submission on, Fri. Aug. 8, 2008 around 4:00pm. I wanted to make sure either you or SCANA have an opportunity to issue a statement.

On another note; you will be happy to know I'm rolling my retirement money into SCANA stocks. This way I'm not only a customer, but a concerned stockholder as well.

Thank You For All Your Time,
Desnee Flakes

Mr. Freeman finally sent me an e-mail the morning of Aug. 8, 2008 stating SCANA’s position on this matter:

Ms. Flakes,

We have changed the channel from Fox News in our office in Aiken, however I cannot guarantee you that it will never be switched back. We do not have a formal written policy on what television channels can be viewed in our office, however we try and keep the television on either a news channel or a weather channel. Currently the plan is to rotate the television between several news and weather channels to give the public as well as our employees a variety of information to view.

Thank you,
Gerald K. Freeman

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SCANA FORCES BLACK EMPLOYEES TO WATCH FOX NEWS/Final
Posted by: desidid on Aug 19, 2008 7:47 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I have since spoken with my state Rep. William Clyburn and several friends, all of whom have agreed to monitor the television at our local SCANA office. Our intention is to keep FOX NEWS off that television set, and stop the indoctrination of employees and customers alike. As to the removal of the light post, no one has addressed why or how SCANA finally decided to act to remove it. However; Mr. Freeman did assure me it was merely a coincidence that the removal took place immediately after I issued my complaint.

**I have since closed a bank account and threatened to close another because, FOX NEWS is the channel of choice in most businesses here in Aiken. This accounts for the overwhelming population of village idiots.

**Added here.

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hate speech?
Posted by: roscogre on Aug 23, 2008 6:42 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
As you can see by the comments, YOU are obviously the racist hate monger slandering those who seek the truth with "holocaust denier".
YOU are proving the anti-semites to be right about zionist-controlled media slandering free speech and true inquiry.
We had the right to free speech in this country, until "PC" zionist fascists violated our Constitution with laws against free speech!
YOU cause hate with your underhanded plans to destroy our Constitution, bill of rights, international law and all human morality.
YOU are the hate speecher and everybody can see it.
Your story is pure zionist propaganda.Period.

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