Here is how CNN describes their new ‘Wingnut of the Week’ feature on American Morning:
We’re trying out a new segment on “American Morning” called “Wingnuts of the Week.” It builds on a simple premise – the far-right and the far-left are equally insane.
What’s a Wingnut? It’s someone on the far-right wing or far-left wing of American politics – the professional partisans and the unhinged activists – the folks who always try to divide rather than unite. In our polarized two party system, they have disproportionate influence and too often define the terms of debate. With this segment, we’re going to try and take that power back.
Noble CNN is trying to take back politics from the polarizing left and right. See how fair and balanced they are. The problem with this approach is that from CNNs point of view every conservative is a ‘Wingnut’. Their inaugural edition features two very different personalities. They are: leftist, conspiracy theorist and former Representative Cynthia McKinney and conservative Representative Michele Bachman.
This approach is standard fare for the mainstream media. They will claim, “See, the crazy people are on both sides!” Putting these two women in the same league shows a complete lack of perspective from CNN. McKinney is certifiably insane. She is a 9/11 conspiracy theorist who has hinted that it may have been an “inside job” all along. “A complete investigation might reveal” that “President Bush or members of his administration have personally profited from the attacks of 9-11.” In addition to seeing a Jewish conspiracy to derail her campaigns, her race-baiting skills are enough to make Al Sharpton blush.
What, according to CNN, are Ms. Bachmanns “extreme views?”
Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachman first became nationally known in the late innings of campaign ’08, when she told Chris Matthews, “I am very concerned he [Barack Obama] may have anti-American views.”
CNN claims that this statement lacks common sense and common decency. I would say that is pretty tame considering that almost all “progressives” could be said to have anti-American views. In fact, I’ll say it now. All progressives have anti-American views. At least what is thought of as “traditionally” American. Progressives do not hide the fact that they view America as inherently unfair, racist, homophobic and unjust. That is why it needs fixed. CNN then repeats the lie that Ms. Bachmann made a “call to investigate all members of Congress for anti-American views.” This claim comes from an interview with Chris Matthews where he badgers her until she finally relents and says , in effect, that yes it would be nice if the media were interested in the political views of those on the left.
If those two examples aren’t enough damning evidence against Ms. Bachmann for you, CNN outsources the remaining examples of outrage to the liberal blog The Daily Beast. Here are paraphrases of the Daily Beast’s condemnations:
- She’s a Christian.
- She once claimed that she was assaulted by two lesbians.
- Her husband is a Christian.
- She thinks her children are attractive.
- She opposes hate-crimes legislation.
- Jesse Ventura thinks shes crazy. (No word on Al Franken’s opinion of her)
- She said that Saddam’s palace was big.
- She was seen sitting near a Gay rights rally. (Yeah, I don’t get this one either.)
- She claimed have knowledge of an agreement between Iran and Iraq.
- She claimed that some suspicious imams attended Keith Ellisons victory celebration.
- She has a gay stepsister.
- She once touched President Bush.
