E&P explains the background: “It all started exactly one week ago when New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, taking note of Bill O’Reilly‘s focus on keeping the Christmas in Christmas, suggested that the Fox personality might honor the season better by exposing the continuing genocide in Darfur, which the TV host has allegedly ‘ignored.’ O’Reilly responded by denouncing Kristof as a ‘left-wing ideologue.’
Now Kristof has challenged O’Reilly in print:
| Let us all pray for Bill O’Reilly. Let us pray that Mr. O’Reilly will understand that the Christmas spirit isn’t about hectoring people to say ‘Merry Christmas,’ rather than ‘Happy Holidays,’ but about helping the needy. Let us pray that Mr. O’Reilly will use his huge audience and considerable media savvy to save lives and fight genocide, instead of to vilify those he disagrees with. Let him find inspiration in Jesus, rather than in the Assyrians. Finally, let’s pray that Mr. O’Reilly and other money-changers in the temple will donate the funds they raise exploiting Christmas – covering the nonexistent ‘War on Christmas’ rakes in viewers and advertising – to feed the hungry and house the homeless. Amen. Alas, not all prayers can be answered. Fox News Channel’s crusade against infidels who prefer generic expressions like ‘Happy Holidays’ included 58 separate segments in just a five-day period…” |
Kristof challenges O’Reilly to “come with me” on a trip to Darfur. “Will you dare travel to a real war against Christmas values, in which the victims aren’t offended shoppers but terrified children thrown on bonfires? I’m waiting to hear.”
The full column is behind a subscription wall, but this blogger has posted the full text.