SUMMARY: Sean Hannity edited a clip of President Obama's speech in Cairo to claim that Obama "decided to give 9-11 sympathizers a voice on the world stage." In fact, the context of Obama's words makes clear that Obama was condemning those who would "justify the events of 9-11."
On the June 4 edition of his Fox News show, Sean Hannity stated that in his June 4 speech in Cairo, President Obama "decided to give 9-11 sympathizers a voice on the world stage," then aired a cropped video clip of Obama saying, "I am aware that there are still some that would question or even justify the events of 9-11." However, the context of Obama's comments makes clear that Obama was condemning those who would "justify the events of 9-11"; immediately following the clip Hannity showed, Obama stated:
But let us be clear: Al Qaeda killed nearly 3,000 people on that day. The victims were innocent men, women and children from America and many other nations who had done nothing to harm anybody. And yet al Qaeda chose to ruthlessly murder these people, claimed credit for the attack, and even now states their determination to kill on a massive scale. They have affiliates in many countries and are trying to expand their reach. These are not opinions to be debated; these are facts to be dealt with.
Media Matters for America has documented a pattern in which Fox News hosts and correspondents -- including Hannity -- have on dozens of occasions cropped comments by progressives and Democratic political figures in a manner that misrepresents them.
From Obama's speech:
The first issue that we have to confront is violent extremism in all of its forms.
In Ankara, I made clear that America is not -- and never will be -- at war with Islam. (Applause.) We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security -- because we reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject: the killing of innocent men, women, and children. And it is my first duty as President to protect the American people.
The situation in Afghanistan demonstrates America's goals, and our need to work together. Over seven years ago, the United States pursued al Qaeda and the Taliban with broad international support. We did not go by choice; we went because of necessity. I'm aware that there's still some who would question or even justify the events of 9/11. But let us be clear: Al Qaeda killed nearly 3,000 people on that day. The victims were innocent men, women and children from America and many other nations who had done nothing to harm anybody. And yet al Qaeda chose to ruthlessly murder these people, claimed credit for the attack, and even now states their determination to kill on a massive scale. They have affiliates in many countries and are trying to expand their reach. These are not opinions to be debated; these are facts to be dealt with.
From the June 4 edition of Fox News' Hannity:
HANNITY: He went on to imply to the foreign audience in Cairo that the U.S. is a nation that tortures.
OBAMA [video clip]: I have unequivocally prohibited the use of torture by the United States, and I have ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed by early next year.
HANNITY: He also decided to give 9-11 sympathizers a voice on the world stage.
OBAMA [video clip]: I am aware that there are still some that would question or even justify the events of 9-11.
HANNITY: And throughout the speech, Mr. Obama spoke out of both sides of his mouth. He said on Iraq that he's glad that Saddam is gone, but then he added this caveat. Listen to this.
OBAMA [video clip]: Iraq was a war of choice.
No comments:
Post a Comment