Tucker Carlson says on the air, twice, that he thinks it's a good thing the French government blew up the Greenpeace ship and killed some of its crew, unprovoked. He then goes on to call this "vandalism" rather than "terrorism." Greenpeace is, understandably, not pleased.
I've generally liked Carlson in the past, have always thought he played a far-right idiot rather than being one, but this is so far out of line during a time of war. How is this not supporting and endorsing terrorism? Should people go out and blow up other environmental groups and kill their staff? Is that an "okay" form of "vandalism" too? And how is killing people equivalent to blocking entrances to locations with your bodies?
What has happened to the Republican party in our country? They don't want to be compared to Nazis. Ok. How about being compared to Osama bin Laden?
June 22And this...
From the transcript of MSNBC’s “The Situation with Tucker Carson”
Full transcript at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8331191/
MADDOW: Can I just note that you just made a non-mocking reference to France? That's the first time.
CARLSON: Actually, I am objectively pro-France. You know, France blew up the Rainbow Warrior, that Greenpeace ship in Auckland Harbor in the '80s. And I've always respected them...
(CROSSTALK)
MADDOW: That made you like them?
CARLSON: Yes. Yes. It won me over.
MADDOW: Not steak au poivre?
July 15And then this...
From the transcript of MSNBC’s “The Situation with Tucker Carson”
Full transcript at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8551916/.
CARLSON: Yes, yes. Third, they blew up the Rainbow Warrior. Twenty years ago on Sunday, they blew up the Greenpeace ship, the Rainbow Warrior, in Auckland Harbor. It was a bold and good thing to do.
Carlson Calls Greenpeace
Telephone conversation between Tucker Carlson and Greenpeace Executive Director John Passacantando on 8/03/05 at approximately 4:00 pm to 4:30 pm
TC: Your letter is wrong. It was vandalism, not terrorism… Your point that I support terrorism is wrong. I don’t support terrorism. It was not an act of terrorism, that is an important distinction. Since you are the head of Greenpeace you should do your research. The French Government did not intend to kill anyone, therefore it is not terrorism. This is an important distinction. Vandalizing the ship was impressive on France’s part. I don’t support terror.
JP: Bombing a ship is terrorism. Killing a man is murder.
TC: You should know about vandalism, you guys engage in it all the time.
JP: We are a peaceful organization that engages in no violence to people or property.
TC: Spraying paint on seals is the same kind of vandalism, blocking entrances with your bodies…
JP: So would you call Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi vandals?
TC: I don’t want to make a generalization.
JP: Just answer two questions for me: are you proud of what you said and would you say it again?
TC: I have answered all your questions, unlike you, I am a busy man and have things to do but I know if I hang up you are going to send out a fundraising letter saying that I hung up on you…
JP: Just answer my two questions.
TC: I am not hanging up. I am returning the handset to the cradle…
