Friday, December 21, 2007

The Hopelessness of Neil Cavuto




















[Caveat lector: There is a photograph below that can properly be considered offensive. It is included here to illustrate a point, not to cater to prurient interests. ]


Nature played a vicious trick on Neil Cavuto by making him a near clone of Eddie Munster. Being victimized by a cruel caprice of that kind should be sufficient hardship for one lifetime. But Mr. Cavuto has also had to contend with both cancer and multiple sclerosis, beating the former and enduring the latter with commendable grace.


I suspect that there is a decent and knowledgeable man behind Mr. Cavuto's television persona. Tragically, the corporate (and corporatist) culture of Fox News apparently requires him to keep those facets well-hidden, as befits someone cast in the role of a media herd-poisoner.


His calling is to fling State-glorifying slogans and sound-bites at his audience, and, where appropriate, to act as a kind of media prosecutor when dealing with public figures who threaten to infect the public with unauthorized opinions.


It was in that latter role that Cavuto attempted to put Ron Paul on the defensive regarding a $500 donation to the Paul presidential campaign by white supremacist Don Black, who operates the Stormfront neo-Nazi website.


By focusing on this one aberrant contribution, Cavuto – or, most likely, those who sign his paycheck and determine the specific length of his leash – wanted to convey the impression that the significance of that donation eclipses the Paul campaign's accomplishment of collecting roughly $18 million, most of it in very small individual amounts, in a fund-raising drive that is being carried out almost entirely by volunteers.


A related assumption here is that a $500 contribution from a marginalized, malodorous crank somehow trumps the huge donations the Paul campaign has received from active-duty and retired military personnel, who see the candidate as an heir to the patriotic foreign policy of Washington, Jefferson, John Quincy Adams, and Robert Taft.


Does Cavuto, or the other adolescents peddling this complaint, really believe that Ron Paul's allegiance could somehow be purchased by a white supremacist for a mere $500 investment? Of course not.

Apart from the mathematics of the proposition, Dr. Paul is either renowned or notorious for being inhospitable to lobbyists who seek to purchase his support in exchange for far larger blandishments. While other congress-entities are being plied with expensive lunches charged to K Street expense accounts, the abstemious Dr. Paul (who at 72 still has the physique of a state track champion) can be found in his Capitol Hill office eating an austere meal while working at his desk.


Rarely, if ever, has American politics produced a statesman less compatible with the politics of rent-seeking, or more thoroughly “over” himself, than Ron Paul. In tribute to his near-incorruptibility, the lobbyists who swarm the Imperial Capital, Dr. Paul have more or less written him off, their absence from his office being a singularly eloquent testimony to his character.



Mr. Paul does have standards regarding the money he'll accept. He will not vet private donors regarding their worldview, and will take their money as long as it is honestly and legally earned. He will not receive stolen property, however, which is why he won't accept "matching contributions" from the federal government.


Mr. Cavuto must have known at least some of this when he raised the issue of the tainted donation. He appeared to be a little ashamed and reluctant to broach the issue. And when he did, he fell victim to one of the most thorough and humiliating forensic demolitions ever captured on film – an experience that must have been made all the more painful by the polite and earnest way in which Dr. Paul applied the scalpel. (See below.)


We are taught by the Source of all wisdom that it is pointless and self-destructive to obsess over the mote in a neighbor's eye while our own vision is occluded by a beam. In this case, the comparison is not between a mote and a beam, but rather between a sub-microscopic particle of matter and an obstruction roughly the size of the Sears Tower.

Ron Paul's supposed offense was to accept an unsolicited donation – a minuscule amount, delivered in perfectly legal fashion – from a deservedly obscure figure who reeks of wretched opinions. His moral auditor is a figure who was among the most conspicuous supporters of an illegal, immoral war that has cost tens of thousands of lives, and the better part of a trillion dollars.



















Neil Cavuto, moral tutor:
In keeping with the corporate priorities of his employer, the Fox "News" personality interviews two largely non-biodegradable participants in the "Lingerie Bowl."



In April 2003, Cavuto addressed a “Common Sense” segment to “all those who opposed the liberation [sic] of Iraq." At the time, Fox "News" was emitting a gale-force wind of flatulent flackery promoting the Dear Leader and his war. Cavuto did his part by regurgitating a thick slurry of partially digested triumphalist buzzwords.


I want to show you all the joyous scene in downtown Baghdad today,” he declared. “People oppressed. Now people free. People once hopeless. Now hopeful. People you forgot. But we remembered. If you had things your way, they'd still be under the thumb of a dictator. And you were fine with that. We were not. You had no problem telling them, live with it. We had a big problem telling them, get over it. Look at their faces. See their smiles. Feel their joy. Their freedom. Their fervor. How do you feel now? Still sure going the extra mile for them wasn't worth it? I don't think they'd agree.”


You were sickening then,” Cavuto concluded, referring to pre-war opposition to the invasion. “You're sickening now.”


Even at the time it was clear that "liberated" Iraq was about to descend into unalloyed barbarism. By now, four and a half years after Cavuto composed and recited his juvenile philipic, any honest and rational person would admit that the critics and opponents of the war at the very least had a point. There's no point in expecting as much from Cavuto, of course.



As someone who has done nothing to promote or advance Don Black's views, Ron Paul has no responsibility to apologize for them. Had he returned the check, Dr. Paul would not have placated those who feign offense over the donation. Instead, he would have given them fresh ammunition: The next talking point would be that the Paul campaign "had to return a donation from a neo-Nazi."


In this instance, the association was chosen by Black, who did so on Ron Paul's terms, rather than the reverse. Rather than inferring that Paul has been influenced by Black, it may be reasonable to hope that Black, after decades of devotion to bigotry, might succumb to the appeal of a movement (not just a candidate, a movement) that promotes liberty, prosperity, and peace for all people.


I grant that this is an anorexically slender hope. But on the available evidence, Don Black is more susceptible to reason than Neil Cavuto.




Dum spiro, pugno!




21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mr. Cavuto must have known at least some of this when he raised the issue of the tainted donation. He appeared to be a little ashamed and reluctant to broach the issue. And when he did, he fell victim to one of the most thorough and humiliating forensic demolitions ever captured on film – an experience that must have been made all the more painful by the polite and earnest way in which Dr. Paul applied the scalpel.

Amen, William! I was cheering the whole time.

Rob & Julie said...

You could have said "haplessness" just as easily...

Anonymous said...

Will: Don't hold on to any hopes, even in jest, for the likes of Don Black (oh how he must hate his last name) or his twin, David Duke. There's plenty of reason to conjecture that he, and other salaried, career race-baiters, are employed as dupes and patsies by the same people that pull the strings of Neal Munster-Cavuto.

Al Newberry said...

I never get enough of watching that clip. Cavuto was rather smug in bringing up the donation, then looked absolutely ill as Ron took him apart. He began stammering and then almost whimpering.

Anonymous said...

The entire reason to confront RP on the racist money accusation is simple.

The next day the AP headline read 'Ron Paul will not give racist money back'. Where the real news was '56K people donate 6 Million to shatter record held by Kerry.'

It was a complete set up.

Now that Russert had his 15 min. of fame with the doctor.. expect more headlines similiar. I already found one on CNN..

Brace yourselves, the media hate machine hasnt even started on RP yet.

Grantland said...

How disappointing that the same lemmings who have finally seen the filthy lies of the MSM on the issue of Ron Paul, still swallow their lies on other issues - and then parrot back the alleged wickedness of patriots like Don Black and David Duke. Black is a patriot who supports the Contitution. He also opposes illegal immigration and AA. He's not afraid of mentioning the ethnicity of AIPAC and the MSM and the Fed and the neocons who are destroying the Republic. That makes him evil?

Get real. Black sent the donation because he loves the RP message. As do all other patriots.

Don't believe the lying MSM - judge for yourselves.

(no affiliations)

Anonymous said...

Will, I have been over this post a number of times and have yet to find an offensive photo. Did I mention I have been over it a number of times?

Duncan Bayne said...

I'm still struggling to see which of the photos could be considered offensive ... perhaps the author would prefer the women pictured were wearing birkas instead of bras?

Anonymous said...

@grantland: In case you weren't aware, scientists have finished sequencing human DNA. It revealed many wondrous things, along with one rather unfortunate thing, for those with a racist world-view: WE ARE ALL IDENTICAL.

Race is little more than variations on the permanence of one's tan; racism has been relegated to the ideological trash heap. It is a dead issue, not to be spoken of in the presence of thinking people.

Spook, RN said...

Mr. Grigg.

It is a real pleasure to read your columns. Your blog has now become my favorite stop after I'm done devouring Mr. Rockwell's website.

I may not agree with everything you say, but I love reading it no less. Intellectually stimulating and thought provoking.

Once again, a real pleasure.
Please keep up the excellent work.

cheers,
Spook

Anonymous said...

I think the main point is being missed. Regardless of what you think of Don Black, or anyone else, isn't Don an AMERICAN, too!? Doesn't he have the same rights as other Americans? Or, are his RIGHTS nullifide by opinions he holds which are different from ours? Isn't his right to opinions, his right to vote, campaign, send money, and all other rights we are guaranteed EXACTLY what the words FREEDOM and LIBERTY are all about? Likewise, isn't it Ron Paul's RIGHT to accept money from anyone he wants without explanations? Doesn't the LOONY LEFT accept donations from groups we would find contemptable? I don't hear Cavuto - or anyone else - railing against Hillary's donations, most of which come from the most bloodthirsty organizations on earth!

Unknown said...

I can't watch Cavuto's show. It often makes me sick (no pun intended).

RickR said...

Neil should have just turned in his resignation after that one.

Tom Eddlem said...

Of the two people on the screen during Cavuto's interview with Ron Paul, only one was promoting the cause of white supremacy.

Don Black and other white supremacists don't donate to campaigns like Ron Paul's to advance Ron Paul's agenda. They donate to it to get thousands of dollars in free publicity.

Neil Cavuto obliged Black, giving Black publicity that would have cost tens of thousands of dollars to purchase in straight-out advertising ... for a mere $500.

Grantland said...

"WE ARE ALL IDENTICAL"

Well anon, I don't know whether you are a troll, or wilfully ignorant, or just deluded. You are utterly wrong, of course. The mean IQ in, say, Zimbabwe, is 66. No that's not a typo. Google microcephalin to find out why.

Anonymous said...

i agree with eddlem...i never even heard of Don Black until neil thrust him into the spotlight...he was a mere speck buried under $18 million until these MSM idiots opened their mouths...im sure many people visited Don's website after Neil's interview..

WAY TO GO CAVUTO!

dixiedog said...

This post might not "get through" because it's 6:31pm EST Christmas Eve right now, but I'll post anyway.

Hope you have a Merry Christmas, Will! I also hope your wife will be able to join you and the kiddies at home or, if not, at the very least y'all can spend some quality time at the Krankenhaus with her, ya hear?

Always keep the faith and remember it's all about the birth of the Savior of the world. God Bless...

Anonymous said...

Tom Eddlum said "Don Black and other white supremacists don't donate to campaigns like Ron Paul's to advance Ron Paul's agenda. They donate to it to get thousands of dollars in free publicity." Now Tom, that's not necessarily so. How do you know WHY Black donated money? Besides, you make it sound like this was some grand scheme by Black to gain free publicity. Doesn't it, likewise, occur to you that maybe Black is NOT the "evil" dude he's made out to be and simply likes some of the values Paul espouses?
Only Black's enemies lable him "evil" without knowing anything more about the guy other than his assertions on race and culture. I know Leftists whose ideas are as repellent to me as Black's are to others. Does that necessarily make them BAD PEOPLE? I give everyone the benefit of the doubt until they PROVE to me to be undeserving. The main thing is that Black is an American along with the rest of us and his choices are his right. I detest all people who would assert otherwise and undermine true Liberty!

Anonymous said...

@grantland: In case you weren't aware, scientists have finished sequencing human DNA. It revealed many wondrous things, along with one rather unfortunate thing, for those with a racist world-view: WE ARE ALL IDENTICAL. Race is little more than variations on the permanence of one's tan;" Well, in fact none of this is true. Although it is true that human populations share roughly 99.9 percent of their genes, it is also true that humans share over 98 percent of their genes with chimpanzees, and a very high amount with animals like mice and dogs. Are you suggesting dogs, chimpanzees, and humans are "all the same"?

Anonymous said...

"WE ARE ALL IDENTICAL"

Not at all true. Did you know that scientists can run an analysis on blood left at a crime scene, and use the results to inform the police the racial makeup of the suspect?

Google K. Philippe Rushton.

Anonymous said...

Neil got owned !

Typical FOX. They were just about to pull the plug on Ron Paul. Did you notice the dismissiveness at the end of it. "OK" "unhuh" All we needed was Roger Ailes' feed saying "Cut It"