# Bill, Bill, Bill. You really have lost it, haven't you? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 21, 2006, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-bill-bill-you-really-have-lost-it-havent-you/373606 "2006-09-21T19:50:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-bill-bill-you-really-have-lost-it-havent-you/373606/41 "2006-09-21T22:47:16Z")
[QUOTE=Lord Ashtar] Again? Seems like he picks O’Reilly for that slot at least once a week. [/QUOTE] He does it because he knows it pisses O’Reilly off. Bill-O has some kind of irrational hatred for Keith Olbermann, Olbermann knows it, and likes tweaking him. A sort of pundit-trolling, if you will. Outside of calling him out on the Malmedy thing, it’s usually one big joke for Keith. Case in point: Bill had a petition going to get Olbermann fired and replaced with Phil Donahue. Keith himself made a big show of signing said petition. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-bill-bill-you-really-have-lost-it-havent-you/373606/42 "2006-09-21T22:47:27Z")
[QUOTE=Maureen] Well, I think it would’ve been better for everyone if he’d just come out and said “yeah, I banged her. So what?” [/QUOTE] You know what would have been even better? If he had said “None of your business. Next question.” As soon as I saw him shake his finger and say “I did not have sex …” I clapped my hands to my ears and said “OH NO!” ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-bill-bill-you-really-have-lost-it-havent-you/373606/43 "2006-09-21T22:47:41Z")
[QUOTE=Maureen] Well, I think it would’ve been better for everyone if he’d just come out and said “yeah, I banged her. So what?” We could’ve gotten past it and got a lot more accomplished. Same with admitting to the whole pot smoking thing. Either flat out deny it or admit it, don’t be coy. Hell, if we can elect someone with a cocaine problem, a little pot can’t possibly be a deal breaker. [/QUOTE] Cocaine? I snorted it, but I didn’t… Hey, wait a minute. That was a trap, wasn’t it! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-bill-bill-you-really-have-lost-it-havent-you/373606/44 "2006-09-21T22:57:15Z")
[QUOTE=kaylasdad99] I can’t find any references, but does anyone know if O’Reilly was an embedded “journalist” during Afghanistan or Iraq? [/QUOTE] If he had, he’d certainly have told you about it, constantly referring to it as a source of his expertise and credibility. > [@Starving Artist](#): > > If so, he damn well was in combat! You don’t have to be firing a gun to be in combat. Just ask any journalist returning from Afghanistan and/or Iraq who happened to be caught in a combat situation. O’Reilly’s a liar. You’re a fool. But one of those problems can be fixed. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-bill-bill-you-really-have-lost-it-havent-you/373606/45 "2006-09-21T23:02:08Z")
[QUOTE=kaylasdad99] I can’t find any references, but does anyone know if O’Reilly was an embedded “journalist” during Afghanistan or Iraq? [/quote] He was not. Even Geraldo has more balls than he does. > [@](#): > > I’m able to find a reference that he shot footage of a riot in Buenos Aires during the Falklands war, but nothing to support a claim that he had been on a battleground during a military action. He has never been in the field for a war. He covered the Falkland War from a hotel in Buenos Aires far away from the shooting. I think in his mind that seeing a riot from his hotel balcony qualifies as “combat experience.” Speaking of O’Reilly’s dishonesty, can anyone really tell me that [url=[http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/billoreilly/a/oreillyquotes.htm](http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/billoreilly/a/oreillyquotes.htm)]this quote was not intended to give the impression that he has had military combat experience? > [@Rambo O'Reilly](#): > > “I’ll tell you what. I’ve been in combat. I’ve seen it, I’ve been close to it… and if my unit is danger, and I’ve got a captured guy, and the guy knows where the enemy is, and I’m looking him in the eye, the guy better tell me. That’s all I’m gonna tell you. The guy better tell me. If it’s life or death, he’s going first.” Journalists have 'units?" They capture and interrogate prisoners? They KILL prisoners? The kind of hot air expressed in that quote could only come from someone who has never been near a battlefield. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-bill-bill-you-really-have-lost-it-havent-you/373606/46 "2006-09-21T23:09:31Z")
[QUOTE=Starving Artist] You have to remember that people on the air don’t have every word vetted for every possible meaning by countless others who oppose their every move, such as goes on around here. General statements are meant to be understood in general ways by the general public…and outside of boards such as this, they generally are. 😃 [/QUOTE] A lie is a lie is lie. Fucker _wasn’t in combat_. Are you always this much of a fuckin’ imbecil or are you making an extra effort just for us? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-bill-bill-you-really-have-lost-it-havent-you/373606/47 "2006-09-21T23:15:42Z")
[QUOTE=Starving Artist] Are you referring to his comments about being in a combat situation while working as a journalist? If so, he damn well was in combat! You don’t have to be firing a gun to be in combat. Just ask any journalist returning from Afghanistan and/or Iraq who happened to be caught in a combat situation. I can very easily see myself saying that I was “in combat” or that I “saw combat” were I a journalist who’d been present in and among the fighting. You have to remember that people on the air don’t have every word vetted for every possible meaning by countless others who oppose their every move, such as goes on around here. General statements are meant to be understood in general ways by the general public…and outside of boards such as this, they generally are. 😃 [/QUOTE] You know, I made a comment about how I am sometimes embarrassed to be in the same political party as you. You made some comments at the time that made me think maybe I was mistaken. I am sad to see I was not mistaken. Why would you expend the energy to defend this shit-stain muckraker Bill O’Reilly? Jim ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-bill-bill-you-really-have-lost-it-havent-you/373606/48 "2006-09-21T23:20:41Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] He was not. Even Geraldo has more balls than he does. He has never been in the field for a war. He covered the Falkland War from a hotel in Buenos Aires far away from the shooting. I think in his mind that seeing a riot from his hotel balcony qualifies as “combat experience.” Speaking of O’Reilly’s dishonesty, can anyone really tell me that [url=[http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/billoreilly/a/oreillyquotes.htm](http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/billoreilly/a/oreillyquotes.htm)]this quote was not intended to give the impression that he has had military combat experience? Journalists have 'units?" They capture and interrogate prisoners? They KILL prisoners? [/QUOTE] You’re right, **Dio**. I have to admit that you guys are right here. If this is what O’Reilly is saying (and even worse, if it turns out that Geraldo has more balls), then I have no choice but to call bullshit on O’Reilly and retract my defense of him. Gah! Crow tastes like shit! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-bill-bill-you-really-have-lost-it-havent-you/373606/49 "2006-09-21T23:22:15Z")
[QUOTE=Starving Artist] You’re right, **Dio**. I have to admit that you guys are right here. If this is what O’Reilly is saying (and even worse, if it turns out that Geraldo has more balls), then I have no choice but to call bullshit on O’Reilly and retract my defense of him. Gah! Crow tastes like shit! 😛 [/QUOTE] Oh sure, now I have to apologize to you again. You just waited until I could make myself look like an idiot, didn’t you. I am sorry and I see you are not unreasonable. Jim ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-bill-bill-you-really-have-lost-it-havent-you/373606/50 "2006-09-21T23:30:47Z")
[QUOTE=Starving Artist] …Gah! Crow tastes like shit! 😛 [/QUOTE] Tabasco helps. Or so I’ve been told. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-bill-bill-you-really-have-lost-it-havent-you/373606/51 "2006-09-21T23:31:07Z")
Thank you, Jim. I appreciate that. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-bill-bill-you-really-have-lost-it-havent-you/373606/52 "2006-09-21T23:39:49Z")
[QUOTE=elucidator] Tabasco helps. Or so I’ve been told. [/QUOTE] Hypothetically speaking, of course. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-bill-bill-you-really-have-lost-it-havent-you/373606/53 "2006-09-21T23:49:14Z")
[QUOTE=Starving Artist] You’re right, **Dio**. I have to admit that you guys are right here. If this is what O’Reilly is saying (and even worse, if it turns out that Geraldo has more balls), then I have no choice but to call bullshit on O’Reilly and retract my defense of him. Gah! Crow tastes like shit! 😛 [/QUOTE] My goodness. I’m impressed. Thank you, that was good of you to say. Not the thing about Geraldo’s balls, but…nevermind, I’ll drop it now. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-bill-bill-you-really-have-lost-it-havent-you/373606/54 "2006-09-22T00:04:28Z")
[QUOTE=Maureen] Were the FBI to confirm that Bill O’Reilly specifically (as opposed to U.S. media persons in general) is known to be on Al Qaida’s “hit list”, I’d retract my accusation of Bill O’Reilly lying, and my estimation of the collective intelligence of those in the upper echelons of Al Qaida would drop quite a bit. As it is, I think **John Mace** probably got it right. [/QUOTE] I’m watching MSNBC right now, Keith Olbermann’s Countdown show, and in his top-of-the-show blurb about this incident, he says that the FBI denies they said any such thing, and that Fox is not commenting on the issue. So it’s not looking good for O’Reilly if that’s the case. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-bill-bill-you-really-have-lost-it-havent-you/373606/55 "2006-09-22T00:56:23Z")
[QUOTE=Ferret Herder] I’m watching MSNBC right now, Keith Olbermann’s Countdown show, and in his top-of-the-show blurb about this incident, he says that the FBI denies they said any such thing, and that Fox is not commenting on the issue. So it’s not looking good for O’Reilly if that’s the case. [/QUOTE] Yep, he’s very gleeful about it, too. “Bill Orally”. I love Keith. (Seriously, he’s my most recent Embarassing Celebrity Crush) ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-bill-bill-you-really-have-lost-it-havent-you/373606/56 "2006-09-22T01:01:26Z")
[QUOTE=Guinastasia] I love Keith. (Seriously, he’s my most recent Embarassing Celebrity Crush) [/QUOTE] I crush on him and I’m not embarassed to admit it! Full disclosure - if you haven’t seen the show, Olbermann regularly tears O’Reilly a new one for various actions. However, it doesn’t sound like the FBI knows of **any** journalists that have been targeted - O’Donnell or O’Reilly - from what that segment showed. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-bill-bill-you-really-have-lost-it-havent-you/373606/57 "2006-09-22T01:14:30Z")
[QUOTE=Ferret Herder] I’m watching MSNBC right now, Keith Olbermann’s Countdown show, and in his top-of-the-show blurb about this incident, he says that the FBI denies they said any such thing, and that Fox is not commenting on the issue. So it’s not looking good for O’Reilly if that’s the case. [/QUOTE] If the FBI had told him this, it would be based on specific intelligence, and Bill blabbing it all over TV might put the source of this intelligence at risk. In that case, the FBI might deny it even if it were true. If this was the case, Bill is exposing intelligence assets, and is thus an ally of the terrorists who should be sent to Gitmo. Might change some opinions on the treatment of detainees. Actually, I suspect that John is right. But couldn’t we sent Bill to Gitmo anyway, just to be sure? If AlQ had been targetting him, I’d wonder why they wanted to raise the level of discourse in the US. Makes no sense. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-bill-bill-you-really-have-lost-it-havent-you/373606/58 "2006-09-22T02:42:03Z")
[QUOTE=Bricker] Just curious – if the FBI were to confirm that they did, in fact warn a group that included O’Reilly that he was an al-Q target, what would your reaction be? [/QUOTE] I’d think that O’Reilly was shockingly careless about protecting whatever source that information came from (both “how the FBI found out” and “how the FBI discreetly communicates these findings to concerned persons”). ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-bill-bill-you-really-have-lost-it-havent-you/373606/59 "2006-09-22T03:11:02Z")
[QUOTE=Maureen] My goodness. I’m impressed. Thank you, that was good of you to say. Not the thing about Geraldo’s balls, but…nevermind, I’ll drop it now. [/QUOTE] 😃 You’re most welcome, **Maureen**. Thank you for both your compliment and for the gracious nature of your post. It must not have been easy for you, given our contentious history, and to me that speaks all the more highly of you. Regards, **SA** ---
**Author:** ![tagos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tagos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tagos)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-bill-bill-you-really-have-lost-it-havent-you/373606/60 "2006-09-22T08:56:30Z")
[QUOTE=RedFury] A lie is a lie is lie. Fucker _wasn’t in combat_. Are you always this much of a fuckin’ imbecil or are you making an extra effort just for us? [/QUOTE] No - just endless, endless, practice. In 5 years time just seeing his name in a thread will suck the incredulous breath from our lungs like a passing bullet-train in a narrow tunnel. Anyway - as anyone should be able to easily guess the combat experience he is referring was gained in the other ‘Long War’. The War of the Sexes, which resulted in his out of court surrender. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-bill-bill-you-really-have-lost-it-havent-you/373606.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-bill-bill-you-really-have-lost-it-havent-you/373606.md?page=4)