Comparing his work as host of Martin Bashir to that of the network’s primetime stars, like Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O’Donnell, Bashir’s quick to concede he’s still learning. “It’s a challenge to find a voice, but also to do it in a way that consistent to me,” he told Mediaite. “I’m really more of a listener than a shrieker.”
He may be known as a genteel listener, but that’s not to say he’s a pushover when temperatures get hot. When Bashir delivered a commentary on Sarah Palin’s on-again, off-again bus tour, suggesting the motive behind it all was money, Palin’s supporters unleashed a torrent of criticism–and a few lightly veiled threats. “It was extraordinary. I had people literally leaving messages (late at night),” he told us, describing some of calls as unsettling in their tone and content. “Extremely offensive language and saying things about me personally. They said they knew where my family lived.”
Bashir, in keeping with his character, pondered the passion behind the threats before deciding what to do. “I’m an outsider, but I can tell you it’s a privilege to work in this country. So much of America is special and exceptional. And the implication of people who were (calling) was that because I was criticizing a quasi-politician, I was criticizing the country…that I was in some way implying comtempt or disrespect for this nation.”
Bashir made the decision to respond by going on his program and showing viewers his green card. “I am, in fact, a legal, permanent resident of the United States,” he said, holding the green card in his hand. “And I’m well on my way to becoming a citizen of this great country.”
It was a unique moment and a revealing one. It also put an end to the phone calls. “It was something. To be perfectly honest, it silenced everybody.” And for Bashir, it was not a moment manufactured for television–but a response that came from his heart. “I’m not someone who hates this country. I’ve grown to love this nation.”
I don't think that it is too much of a stretch to say that there is little doubt that Martin Bashir loves this country MUCH more than Sarah Palin ever could.
Sarah Palin is a spoiled little girl who uses the language of the patriot to manipulate people into supporting her, and lining her pockets with cash. Bashir is a man who was born elsewhere and was drawn to this country by the freedoms that many of its people take for granted.
His awesome smackdown of the Palin-bots almost makes me wish I had a green card to wave around when they come after me.
"Sarah Palin is a spoiled little girl who uses the language of the patriot to manipulate people into supporting her, and lining her pockets with cash."
ReplyDeleteBingo !!! Other than that skill Palin it totally useless.
I hope the FBI can track some of the people who made threats? What is the difference between the threats he got, and the ones Palin/Heath got? How scared could the family be, when they are going on "bus tours" and filming reality shows in L.A.? Anything Palin connected is suspicious as far as I am concerned. Cannot be trusted. I wonder if any of the threats were from the Palin delinquents?
ReplyDeleteBravo to Martin. Chris Mathews has a promo spot where he talks about "Amercian exceptionalism" being explained by Obama's election to the Presidency. It certainly is not blind allegiance to a woman who does more complaining than excelling, by a group of people who will threaten a person for disagreeing with her, or by candidates who threaten, use intimidation, and wave their guns around as proof they are patriots just like in the good old Revolutionary days. Sometimes I feel these people have no idea what patriotism means....it means love of country, which means loving the people, all the people. There is no room for hate in an exceptional country.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad he thinks America is great. I hope he realizes that what makes this country great and worthy of immigrating to and growing up in are policies completely opposite of what our current President believes in. The facts about Obamas real plans are there. One just has to use an open mind anf rationality.
ReplyDeleteI love how people criticize Sarah for her ardent fans, like she can control them. Dude, people can't control other. They can't contrl the people they inspire to fight for their futures. They can't control the 15 year old who is currenting penning her first book as a result of being inspired by Sarah.
ReplyDelete"Spoiled little girl" ???
Wow. Interesting phrase Gryphen. You prove your ignorance daily. You obviously know nothing about her, her struggles, her passions, her drive. Or you'd never use that phrase. And don't throw around racist comments like "white people don't know struggle."Women face more struggle than anyone else in this country/world. Care to argue?
Please re-educate yourself on Cloward and Piven. It should clarify a few things.
hmmm...I guess I will have to watch his show. He sounds like somebody I would like. And as a pending citizen, he sounds like he understands and cares about our country a lot more than the Bots. What is it with their need to make threats anyway? Simply trashing people who disagree with their queen isn't enough for some of them. They have done this repeatedly, so they can't say it was an isolated incident. And, of course, the bulk of the Bots who spend their days trashing anybody who makes even the slightest criticism of their queen don't seem to be interested in rooting out the particularly nasty ones among them, who go beyond simple trashing. It's really sad. They are a truly pathetic assortment of sleazy nutballs.
ReplyDeleteThe UK media and reporters see Palin for what she is...Grannie Grifter pity the US press can't catch on yet.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry he had to defend his right to be here. Just like Obama had to show his long-form birth certificate.
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, being in America means we don't have to prove our faith, patriotism, or even support the troops. We support them whether we want to (those of us who pay taxes that is) how many conservative millionaires can say the same?
I'm glad the 'Bots come here to hang out with we more enlightened folk. $arah was so amusing last week at the Iowa State Fair/straw poll. She reminded me of nothing more than a younger sibling escaped from parental clutches at the piano recital of her older sister, running up on the stage and stamping her little foot and screaming: "Look at me! Look at MEEEEEEE!!" You nailed it, Gryphen -- "spoiled little girl" indeed.
ReplyDelete4:21 am. It was obviously way too late at night when you wrote your comment!! President Obama, if he were receiving any cooperation from the Republican side of the aisle in Congress, would be making great strides in helping all Americans. That's the greatness of this country: "we the People." No "we the rich people" as the Republicans would have it, but "we the People," all of us no matter our race, creed, gender or economic status.
ReplyDeletelol troll at 4:21. Long on BS, short on reality. Are you going to tell us that if we are rational and open minded we will see that President Obama is a socialist? Or that he hates America? Which one of the very tired and worn out lies are YOU peddling today? Perhaps the one about class warfare against the rich? Or maybe FEMA reeducation camps. Or how our President is the one not focused on jobs but the Republicans have been working their little asses off trying to get us jobs? Your ignorance and hubris are showing. Might want to tuck those away.
ReplyDeleteJust goes to show that her followers are no more than the mentally deranged. I wouldn't brag or have any since of pride in that, but with palin you could say birds of a feather flock together..
ReplyDeleteprojection, sad, but projection nonetheless
ReplyDeletelol troll at 4:21. Long on BS, short on reality. Are you going to tell us that if we are rational and open minded we will see that President Obama is a socialist? Or that he hates America? Which one of the very tired and worn out lies are YOU peddling today? Perhaps the one about class warfare against the rich? Or maybe FEMA reeducation camps. Or how our President is the one not focused on jobs but the Republicans have been working their little asses off trying to get us jobs? Your ignorance and hubris are showing. Might want to tuck those away.
Fairybot troll seems to be drinking more these days.
ReplyDeleteAs a first generation natural born citizen of our country, I admire this man for being so candid about his citizenship status. Patritotism means absolutely nothing. Being proud of a country simply because an act of fate caused you to be born there is Bot stupidity.
ReplyDeleteBeing a patriot because you understand what your country stands for, it's rich diverse history, and it's greatest strength, accepting immigrants from all countries is what makes me proud
They got a wall in China that's proof that keeping out the people who make it strong isn't the way to go.
Obama is about bridges, not fences, and Bashir "gets it"
Seriously, palin inspires a fifteen year old to pen a book? WTF is this country coming to? She's a complete and utter joke, and some juvenile cool aid drinker finds inspiration in anything she says?
Get Real. Have her read "My Country Tis of Thee" to get a clue.
The fairy tale bot, w/ 2 posts on this page so far, is losing energy. Her posts have less & less "umph." Care to argue? No, not with a spoiled child.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gryphen. I listened to his broadcast about the green card (first time I've heard him), and I was very impressed. I'll add him to the sources I go to for commentary. That's one of the things I like about your blog. You've connected me to many resources I didn't know about.
ReplyDeleteTo 4:27 - you dumb are you or rather how dumb do you think we are?
ReplyDeleteSarah Palin has never, ever come out to ask her followers to behave in a civil and respectful manner. She's never told folks who have called out threats to or slurs about our President when she's giving speeches. At least McCain had the decency to do that. She is below contempt.
Of course she can control or manipulate her followers - why do you think they are followers/
Advertisers control us all the time. They know the power of images and words. So does Sarah - of course, she doesn't care about consequences. At least business wants to manipulate us to just buy their products. Sarah wants us to believe she is a decent person who cares about others. Balderdash and BS - she has not used her status as a celebrity of the moment, her money, or her influence to help special needs kids - which she touted as her special goal which Trig was on the scene.
Sarah is a liar, a sham, a player, and doesn't actually follow through on all her boasts, her high-sounding ideas, or even the basics of good mothering.
Sarah is who she is: a damaged woman who seems driven to excel to compensate for her inadequacies. She will do whatever it takes to get where she wants to be. Sadly, she will never be a true hero, a dependable leader, or even a woman worth her salt. She uses people for her own ends and never gives back.
She's in it for herself. Her husband and kids take sloppy seconds when it comes to attention and nurturing. I'd feel sorry for her, but she has squandered her opportunities to really make a positive difference.
Sadder still, she is indifferent to all the damage and pain she has caused.
Emotional patriotism is the most dangerous form of allegiance to a nation.
ReplyDeletePeople who define patriotism as flag-waving, gun-toting, bumper-sticker showing are simpletons who can be manipulated by whomever plays to their emotions.
We all can be stirred by our flag, our anthems, rousing marches, and passionate speeches, but emotional patriots mistake all the hoopla for real patriotism and they could not be further from the essence of love of country. They are all trappings, all style but little substance.
Real patriotism is paying your taxes, supporting policies and programs that help your fellow citizens, volunteering at programs that enrich the community even if it it merely involves picking up litter along the highway or in the parks.
Real patriots don't have to shout, don't have to wear silly hats, buttons or wave flags to prove they love their country. Like good life partners/spouses, like good parents, responsible neighbors they simple do their duty day in and day out with a grateful heart to live where they do.
They will defend their country, their community with quiet dignity and real work - not just bullets and sound bites. They spend their time making sure their own lives and families are the best they can be and then expand their circle of care to their neighborhoods and communities, states and then the nation as a whole.
They know how government works, why it works, and make sure they inform themselves about the issues, not just the personalities paraded before them at election time. Being born here doesn't make you a patriot. Being a patriot comes from both the heart and the head - informed patriotism - knowing why, with all its faults, you still believe in the country and its laws.
So when will the Palin-bots realize that many people who criticize the half-governor are natural-born citizens?
ReplyDeleteIt's great that they stopped threatening Bashir. But now it seems like they think that green card holders have First Amendment rights and natural-born citizens do not.
"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel"....Samuel Johnson
ReplyDeleteAnon. @9:39, love your whole comment, especially agree with "I'd feel sorry for her, but she has squandered her opportunities to really make a positive difference."
ReplyDeleteWith the slight difference, you said "I'd feel sorry, but ..." whereas I still do feel sorry for her and her whole family. But I agree she has squandered every good opportunity she has had to make a positive difference for improving her own skills, for bettering her family, and as you say making a positive difference in the lives of Alaskans, special needs children, heck children of any kind, and any kind of Americans. What has she done since leaving office that has actually helped anyone?