# Bill O’Reilly really is the most virulent scumbag in the media today **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 21, 2003, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-o-reilly-really-is-the-most-virulent-scumbag-in-the-media-today/170069 "2003-04-21T17:11:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cainxinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7bcc69/32.png) [@cainxinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cainxinth)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-o-reilly-really-is-the-most-virulent-scumbag-in-the-media-today/170069/1 "2003-04-21T17:11:04Z")
Forget Imus, he’s old news. Sorry Rush, you’re too tame. No dice Coulter or Hannity, a little too dim. But Bill, you sir take the fucking cake you megalomaniacal, self-righteous, tactless, deluded, swill spewing, waste of genetic material and polyester. A blog, [cruel.com](http://cruel.com), linked to this [transcript](http://www.thismodernworld.com/weblog/mtarchives/week_2003_02_02.html#000159) from the hilariously titled portion if his show, “The No Spin Zone.” The fact that his show is by far the highest rated news program in America makes me ill. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-o-reilly-really-is-the-most-virulent-scumbag-in-the-media-today/170069/2 "2003-04-21T17:19:54Z")
It’s not a _news_ program. It’s a rant-fest by an overbearing turd whom I take pleasure in not watching. The “off” and “mute” buttons are your friends. ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-o-reilly-really-is-the-most-virulent-scumbag-in-the-media-today/170069/3 "2003-04-21T17:23:58Z")
Then. Don’t. Watch. Him. I don’t know what else to tell ya. ---
**Author:** ![december](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-o-reilly-really-is-the-most-virulent-scumbag-in-the-media-today/170069/4 "2003-04-21T17:25:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cainxinth \* > \*\*The fact that his show is by far the highest rated news program in America makes me ill. \*\* I believe it is the highest rated _cable_ news program. > [@](#): > > Indeed, viewing levels for the networks’ newscasts, which totaled about 28 million people for the three networks, dwarfed the combined average of 7.3 million viewers attracted by the Fox News Channel, a unit of News Corporation, CNN and MSNBC… [http://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/14/business/media/14TUBE.html?ex=1050897600&en=94faab38ac455dec&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE](http://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/14/business/media/14TUBE.html?ex=1050897600&en=94faab38ac455dec&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE) ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-o-reilly-really-is-the-most-virulent-scumbag-in-the-media-today/170069/5 "2003-04-21T17:33:13Z")
Michael Savage is about as bad, maybe worse. Trinopus ---
**Author:** ![XJETGIRLX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9fc29f/32.png) [@XJETGIRLX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XJETGIRLX)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-o-reilly-really-is-the-most-virulent-scumbag-in-the-media-today/170069/6 "2003-04-21T17:40:34Z")
_\>\>Bill O’Reilly really is the most virulent scumbag in the media today_ Oh, I dunno. I think he’s kinda cute when he gets all mad like that. I can just picture the steam coming out of his ears in little puffs of smoke. Makes it a little more fun to watch. :😁: ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-o-reilly-really-is-the-most-virulent-scumbag-in-the-media-today/170069/7 "2003-04-21T17:52:11Z")
Haven’t you ever heard of James Carville, or Al Sharpton? Compared with them, O’Reilly is a pussy. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-o-reilly-really-is-the-most-virulent-scumbag-in-the-media-today/170069/8 "2003-04-21T18:02:39Z")
I’ve never seen his show, and I’m glad. ---
**Author:** ![cainxinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7bcc69/32.png) [@cainxinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cainxinth)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-o-reilly-really-is-the-most-virulent-scumbag-in-the-media-today/170069/9 "2003-04-21T18:06:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Shodan \* > **Haven’t you ever heard of James Carville, or Al Sharpton? Compared with them, O’Reilly is a pussy.** Al Sharpton is a buffoon, nothing more. And I happen to like James Carville. The left is in dire need of more people with a set of brass ones like him. Bill Maher doesn’t know what side he’s on and I’d sooner classify him as medium-grade jackass than a man with conviction. Maureen Dowd has a lot to say but she doesn’t have much exposure. Paul Begala’s not bad either but similar situation. What does that leave us with? The celebrities? Tim Robbins has said some things I agree with, but the plain fact that he entertains for a living devalues his political message. I don’t get my medical advice from Tiger Woods, and I’m sure as shit not going to ask Barbara Streisand who to vote for in the primaries. Media aside, we don’t have a single person in Washington I’m rushing to throw my hat in with either. As of now I’m voting Kerry, just because there isn’t anything better. God this shit is depressing… ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-o-reilly-really-is-the-most-virulent-scumbag-in-the-media-today/170069/10 "2003-04-21T18:36:08Z")
Do the high ratings for O’Reilly suggest that his view of the world resonates with more Americans? In other words, is the mood of the country shifting right, and is O’Reilly simply riding the wave? Or is he an opinion-maker, rather than a reflection? ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-o-reilly-really-is-the-most-virulent-scumbag-in-the-media-today/170069/11 "2003-04-21T20:16:36Z")
> [@](#): > > Do the high ratings for O’Reilly suggest that his view of the world resonates with more Americans? In other words, is the mood of the country shifting right, and is O’Reilly simply riding the wave? Or is he an opinion-maker, rather than a reflection? I don’t think that the mood of the country is shifting to the right, at least not that dramatically. Witness the Presidential election of just two years ago. About a dead heat. _The O’Reilly Factor_ has been on since 1996. So there’s little evidence that he’s an opinion maker. Given that Conservative talk show hosts both on radio and tv have [i[greatly\* outnumbered Liberal talk show hosts the last 20 years, Mr. O’Reilly is a non-opinion maker. At least as far as _changing_ opinions of the general public. ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-o-reilly-really-is-the-most-virulent-scumbag-in-the-media-today/170069/12 "2003-04-21T20:31:35Z")
Compared to, say Sean Hannity or Mr. Limbaugh, O’Reilly is a centrist. He does have a number of views that I disagree with, but he is better than some of the extremists (on both the left and the right) in that he actually does let people finish a sentence most of the time, and does not generally call people names just because they are of a different political persuasion, while still letting you know where he stands on things he’s passionate about. I can listen to O’Reilly, and I can listen to Carville, and often do because I like to get as many sides of an issue as I can. I cannot listen to Limbaugh because his voice and pompous manner annoy me too much. When Hannity starts in on one of his trite, hackneyed rants, I have to turn him off, too, but I listen as long as I can. Sharpton? Fuggetaboutit. ---
**Author:** ![a\_daft\_girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@a\_daft\_girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a_daft_girl)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-o-reilly-really-is-the-most-virulent-scumbag-in-the-media-today/170069/13 "2003-04-21T21:03:00Z")
Maybe the condition that drives you to violently hate someone who doesn’t agree with everything that you do, should be evaluated. I’d hate to see you suffer an embolism and die before you started to enjoy a life of diversity & open mindedness. 🙂 Cheers. ---
**Author:** ![Morrigoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/858c86/32.png) [@Morrigoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morrigoon)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-o-reilly-really-is-the-most-virulent-scumbag-in-the-media-today/170069/14 "2003-04-21T21:07:19Z")
I get it… it’s okay when a liberal rants and raves on a news program (cite: just about every tv journalist out there), but when a conservative gets a voice, and people WATCH, it’s suddenly a problem. Why can’t democrats come to terms with the fact that O’Reilly’s show is as popular as it is because a fair share of the population either agrees with him, or at least finds his brand of arrogance and self-righteousness extremely entertaining? If you don’t like it, no one’s holding a gun to your head and forcing you to watch. ---
**Author:** ![a\_daft\_girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@a\_daft\_girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a_daft_girl)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-o-reilly-really-is-the-most-virulent-scumbag-in-the-media-today/170069/15 "2003-04-21T21:08:11Z")
Maybe the condition that drives you to violently hate someone who doesn’t agree with everything that you do, should be evaluated. I’d hate to see you suffer an embolism and die before you started to enjoy a life of diversity & open mindedness. Bill O’Reilly may not be your hero, but he’s popular for being himself and having the open mindedness to not ride one side of every fence. 🙂 Cheers. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-o-reilly-really-is-the-most-virulent-scumbag-in-the-media-today/170069/16 "2003-04-21T21:13:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Trinopus \* > \*\*Michael Savage is about as bad, maybe worse. > > Trinopus \*\* Bill O’Reilly is downright courtly compared to this guy. I heard his radio show once, right before the war started and I thought he was a tinfoil-hatted caller until I realized that he was the host.:eek: He was actually advocating jailing anti-war protesters for [treasonous speech](http://www.homestead.com/prosites-prs/savagenationexcerpt.html) under the 1918 [Sedition Act](http://www.homestead.com/prosites-prs/seditionact.html) (that he has posted on his website). The excerpt on his site doesn’t do justice to the whole bewildering rant, either. Here’s part of what he said: > [@](#): > > They’re the same plague and pox that almost destroyed this country from within in the 1960s. They need to be constrained until the war effort is over. They can be detained for aiding and abetting the enemy under the laws governing sedition. ---
**Author:** ![Morrigoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/858c86/32.png) [@Morrigoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morrigoon)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-o-reilly-really-is-the-most-virulent-scumbag-in-the-media-today/170069/17 "2003-04-21T21:20:09Z")
I thought the alien and sedition acts were nullified? Or perhaps I’m mixing them up with another set of acts. I say, if people want to make themselves look like idiots by claiming that the majority agrees with them when it doesn’t, let them. Consider your objection duly noted, now excuse me while I return to business as usual. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-o-reilly-really-is-the-most-virulent-scumbag-in-the-media-today/170069/18 "2003-04-21T21:26:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cainxinth \* > **Bill O’Reilly really is the most virulent scumbag in the media today.** If a talking head on TV is the worst person you know, then you don’t know enough people. -LA ---
**Author:** ![El\_Gui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@El\_Gui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Gui)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-o-reilly-really-is-the-most-virulent-scumbag-in-the-media-today/170069/19 "2003-04-21T21:32:22Z")
I doubt [this](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A27484-2003Apr15.html) this will make you think any more highly of O’Reilly, cainxinth. While emceeing an event for “Best Friends”, a charity for inner-city Washington DC children,: > [@](#): > > [m]embers of the “Best Men,” as the sixth-to-eighth-grade boys in the program are called, were delayed getting onstage to perform a lip-synced rendition of the Four Tops standard “Reach Out (I’ll Be There).” O’Reilly ad-libbed: “Does anyone know where the Best Men are? _I hope they’re not in the parking lot stealing our hubcaps._” Emphasis Mine. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![El\_Gui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@El\_Gui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Gui)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-o-reilly-really-is-the-most-virulent-scumbag-in-the-media-today/170069/20 "2003-04-21T21:54:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Morrigoon \* > \*\*I get it… it’s okay when a liberal rants and raves on a news program (cite: just about every tv journalist out there) . . . \*\* Yes, I get a big ole’ erection watching Cokie Roberts berate those poor conservatives that dare cross her. :rolleyes: [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-o-reilly-really-is-the-most-virulent-scumbag-in-the-media-today/170069.md?page=2)