Sean Hannity Fox News 2/8/18 monologue
Posted by John T. Reed on
In the article below, I compare a transcript of the named pundits to my rules against intellectually-dishonest debate tactics. You can see those rules at:
https://www.johntreed.com/blogs/john-t-reed-s-news-blog/60887299-intellectually-honest-and-intellectually-dishonest-debate-tactics
I am also writing a forthcoming book about honest and dishonest debate tactics.
Sean Hannity said on 2/8/18 |
The dishonesty |
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Tonight, an investigation into what is becoming the biggest scandal in American history |
I googled “the biggest scandal in American history.” One high result listed the following “top 10:” 10. Woodrow Wilson's Engagement 9. Grover Cleveland's Illegitimate Son 8. The Petticoat Affair 7. The Credit Mobilier Scandal 6. Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings 5. The Whiskey Ring 4. Iran-Contra 3. Teapot Dome 2. Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky 1. Watergate Exaggeration is dishonest. |
| the corruption, malfeasance, and desecration of Constitutional civil liberties |
This is hair-on-fire, reckless exaggeration. “Corruption” in this context means violation of one or more laws, but he fails to name any. “Malfeasance” means wrongdoing by a public official and is therefore redundant with “corruption.” “Desecration” means 1. to divest of sacred or hallowed character or office. 2. to divert from a sacred to a profane use or purpose.
3. to treat with sacrilege; profane.
This is a religious word. Although Conservative partisanship is arguably a religion to Hannity, it is not to the average TV viewer even on Fox.
“Constitutional civil liberties” is also redundant. In the United States, our civil liberties are listed in the first ten amendments to the Constitution which are also known as the Bill of Rights. Since his monologue is about the Mueller investigation, the only pertinent civil liberties are protection against unlawful search, right to a speedy jury trial, reasonable bail. In view of the fact that Trump has not yet been indicted for anything, this accusation appears to be premature at best. |
| unmatched in the history of this country |
Redundant with the “biggest scandal” accusation above and equally untrue. There are Supreme Court decisions on virtually all of the rights in the bBill of Rights and none involve Trump. Hannity has admitted he believes in repeating the same phrases over and over. This is badgering and a brain washing technique, both of which are intellectually dishonest. It is also prohibited in U.S. courts by Rule 403 of the Federal Rules of Evidence. |
| he promises thoroughness in tonight’s show | good journalism if it happens |
| the promises to expose “the 2016 election saboteurs” | Assumes facts not in evidence. No one that he will name has been indicted for or convicted of violating the law with regard to the 2016 federal election. “Sabotage” means to deliberately destroy, damage, or obstruct (something), especially for political or military advantage. Although executives of the Obama administration, Obama DOJ, and Obama FBI appeared highly motivated to prevent Trump from winning the election, and seemed to intend to take action toward that end, other than FBI director Comey’s not recommending prosecution and reopening the Hillary investigation speeches, there appears not yet to be evidence of actual official misbehavior toward that end let alone effective efforts. Trump won the electoral college by a vote of 304 to 227. Criminal convictions do not require success, only proof of intent, but the revelations so far appear to indicate that both the Russians and the Hillary partisans in high places talked a better game than they played. Only overt acts are law violations. |
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text messages now show that [Democrat] Senator Mark Warner was in communication with a lobbyist
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That is not illegal. Probably everyone in Congress is in communication with lobbyists at least weekly. This is insinuation and innuendo. |
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working for a Russian oligarch |
The word “oligarch” is subjective name calling and nowadays pejorative with regard to Russia. It insinuates the person so described has been the recipient of illegal government favors. Even if true, the “oligarch’s” relationship, proper or not, with Russian officials does not make Warner communicating with a lobbyist who also works for the “oligarch” illegal or improper. |
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all in an effort to set up a meeting with fake news dossier author Christopher Steele |
Setting up such a meeting is not illegal. It might be depending on what happened at the meeting if it was ever held. My impression is it was not held. The use of the phrase “fake news” is a Trump administration talking point. “Dossier” is a dysphemism and therefore a dishonest word. “Report” is the honest word for it. An honest journalist would just describe the Steele report as “unverified” which is a quote from the FBI. |
| it’s turning into a scandal bigger than Watergate | That is a false statement. President Nixon resigned over. Watergate. A burglary occurred. The burglars were caught by the police and prosecuted. They were White House employees. Forty government officials were jailed in Watergate including the attorney general of the U.S. While such could happen in the future in this case, it will not be a scandal bigger than Watergate until then. And we have a long way to go to get from here to there. |
| all the information we have been telling you so far is just a sample of what is to come, it’s the tip of the iceberg. These facts of this evidence will rock the foundation of Washington DC |
He has no way of knowing any such thing. If he had more, he would have already reported it.
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Okay, I’m exhausted. I only analyzed 1:18 of Hannity’s monologue, but you get the picture and the guy has zero subtlety that requires any nuanced analysis. Plus, since he is extremely repetitive, my continuing to analyze this monologue would itself be repetitive. It already has been in just 1:18.
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