Fox News: Home Of Windbags And Sandbags

You know, when Bill O'Reilly said there was more to the Jackson/Obama remarks story last week, I knew we'd hear more about it as soon as they had a slow "news" day. Didn't take 'em long, did it:

The Rev. Jesse Jackson used an emotionally charged racial slur during a break in a TV interview in which he criticized presidential candidate Barack Obama, Fox News confirmed Wednesday. . .
In additional comments from that same conversation, first reported by TVNewser, the African-American leader is reported to have said Obama was "talking down to black people," and referred to blacks with a slur commonly referred to as the N-word when he said Obama was telling them "how to behave."

So, "fair and balanced" really means "we'll mete out the news as we see fit to milk the stories"? Nice. That's balanced. :roll:
Jackson's remarks were inappropriate--on that I think everyone with a brain can agree. However, I seem to remember Bill O'Reilly saying something like this:

We held back some of Jackson's comments because they were not relevant to public policy. If we were trying to hurt the man, or the Democratic Party, we surely would have used those comments. The fact that we did hold back some of Jackson's emarks has angered some viewers, like Steven Graham, who lives in Laramie, Wyo.
He writes, "Bill, you only reported half of the story. Do you think NBC or CNN would have reported half the story if Bush or Cheney had been overheard?"
Well, you're absolutely right about the president and vice president, sir. The left-wing media would have used every damaging thing they had, especially NBC News, which routinely lies about conservatives and Republicans to its everlasting disgrace. But we are not like them. You got the entire story concerning Jackson and Obama. Nothing was held back on that.
We didn’t run some trash talk that had nothing to do with policy. As most people know, the 'Factor’ has been tough on Jesse Jackson, holding him accountable for what he does in the public arena, and even investigating his finances. But we are not out to hurt the man in personal ways.
Again, that separates us from the vicious media that we deplore. We hold nothing back about policy. We are tough but fair to everyone, but the personal stuff we reject, unless it affects your life. That policy has served us well over the past 12 years. No spin analysis. It holds the powerful accountable and protects the folks, especially the kids and the elderly. But no personal stuff, unless it is absolutely necessary.

To use one of QJ's favorite expressions, that's pure Comedy Gold. "Everlasting disgrace?" Them's harsh words, Billy. You are "not out to hurt the man in personal ways?" Right. And I have a bridge to sell. This should've been news in the original story, not a sandbag tactic to further ratings.