FNC's Baier Contrasts Media Focus on Murder of Abortion Doctor vs Army Recruiter
On his FNC show Wednesday night, Bret Baier looked at how the murder
of an abortion doctor on Sunday has earned much more media attention
than Monday's murder by a politically-motivated killer of a serviceman
in Arkansas, a disparity matched by the condemnation of the first
killing by an Obama administration which has ignored the second. Baier
reported:
In the media, [George] Tiller was a top story for almost three days. Several liberal analysts blamed pro-life groups for inciting the murder [video from MSNBC]. In contrast, there has been relatively little coverage about the killing of Army Private William Long and the wounding of Private Quinton Ezeagwula outside the recruiting center in Little Rock, despite the fact that the alleged shooter was a convert to Islam who police say probably had political and religious motives for the attack.
After outlining how the Obama administration has failed to condemn
the murder of the Army private, Baier related how "conservative media
analyst Brent Bozell says the different responses come down to
politics." Viewers then heard this soundbite from the President of the
Media Research Center: "Politics dictated that they be outspoken on the
murder of Doctor Tiller, but be silent when American servicemen are
gunned down."
The Tuesday night BiasAlert post, "ABC and CBS Spike Muslim Convert's Politically-Motivated Murder of U.S. Soldier," recounted:
The networks, which saw the apparently politically-motivated murder of a Kansas doctor who performed late term abortions as a major story, haven't been so interested in a Muslim convert who specifically targeted and shot two Army privates outside a Little Rock recruiting office, killing one, William Long. None mentioned it on Monday night and on Tuesday evening, as all aired follow-up pieces on Dr. George Tiller, only NBC gave it a few seconds. A Tuesday Arkansas Democrat-Gazette post reported Abdul Hakim Muhammad was "on a mission to 'kill as many people in the Army as he could,' police said" and targeted the "soldiers 'because of what they had done to Muslims in the past.'" (The Little Rock paper noted both victims "had recently completed basic training and had never seen combat.")
From the Wednesday, June 3 Special Report with Bret Baier on FNC:
BRET BAIER: Private William Long was gunned down Sunday. Another soldier was wounded in the shooting. Muslim convert Abdul Hakim Muhammad has pleaded not guilty in state court. The assault came just one day after an attack in a Kansas church that has received far more attention. Just a few hours after abortion doctor George Tiller was murdered in his Kansas church Sunday morning, President Obama, through his staff at the White House, released a statement saying he was shocked and outraged at the murder, adding quote: "However profound our differences as Americans over difficult issues such as abortion, they cannot be resolved by heinous acts of violence." Condemnations of Tiller's killing soon flowed from liberal and conservative lawmakers, pro-life and pro-choice groups. Even the group Operation Rescue, which organized a blockade of Tiller's office in the early '90's issued a statement, quote: "We denounced vigilantism and the cowardly act which took place this morning." In Washington, the U.S. Marshal's office said after Tiller's shooting, Eric Holder ordered the Marshalls to quote "increase security for a number of facilities," although they provided no specifics.
In the media, Tiller was a top story for almost three days. Several liberal analysts blamed pro-life groups for inciting the murder. In contrast, there has been relatively little coverage about the killing of Army Private William Long and the wounding of Private Quinton Ezeagwula outside the recruiting center in Little Rock, despite the fact that the alleged shooter was a convert to Islam who police say probably had political and religious motives for the attack.
There has been no call by Attorney General Holder to increase security at army recruiting centers around the country, even though recruiting centers and military facilities have been targeted for attack numerous times over the last five years. And as of 5 PM Wednesday, 55 hours after the little rock killing, there has been no statement released from President Obama, from White House officials, from Defense Secretary Gates or from Attorney General Holder.
Tuesday, President Obama introduced his nominee to be Secretary of the Army, without mention of the attack on Army, no condemnation, and no condolences to the family of private long.
OBAMA: As Secretary of the Army, he will ensure that our soldiers are trained and equipped to meet the full spectrum of challenges of our time.
BAIER: Conservative media analyst Brent Bozell says the different responses come down to politics.
BRENT BOZELL, MEDIA RESEARCH CENTER: Politics dictated that they be outspoken on the murder of Doctor Tiller, but be silent when American servicemen are gunned down.
BAIER: We asked White House officials why there isn't an official statement on the Arkansas shooting and we were told one was in the works, but as of the airing of this piece a statement had not been released. However, White House officials pointed to a statement that apparently was released to Arkansas media analysts, media outlets rather that were requesting a response and there was a statement but not an official statement as of this broadcast.
- Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
