On MSNBC this morning, around 10:30, Contessa Brewer was covering the current unusual responses of crowds at McCain and Palin events, particularly "Kill him!" (referring to Obama).
She stated that "the fact of the matter is on both sides, we're hearing the volume increasing, the chorus from the crowd being truly racheted up when the candidates are behind those podiums and when people are yelling things like 'Barack Obama is a terrorist!' or...'Kill him!', is there anything the candidates can do to address it right then and there...?" Her guest from Politico then affirmed the candidates could and should reprimand the crowd (and in fact have done so in the past, even McCain).
Then Brewer said:
"I'll tell you, we're hearing a lot of volume from the other side too. Yesterday, listening to Barack Obama in Indiana, I got to laughing because it reminded me of some of these old-fashioned churches where people were yelling back at the preacher, 'You've got it! You're right! Amen!' and it really sounded like he was getting a lot of encouragement from the crowd."
That wrapped the segment. My e-mail to her producer after the jump.
"Please instruct Brewer that:
The newsworthy aspect of the responses from Republican crowds is not volume.
The responses are newsworthy because of their hostility, violence, and aggression, and the fact that the inaction of both Republican candidates appears to condon these sentiments.
There is no rational comparison between expressions of encouragement from a crowd, and the lynch-mob mentality being expressed.
Let me say this another way: 'Amen!' does not equal 'Kill him!'
I am not only appalled by this kind of media commentary, I am frightened by it. Please get an understanding of this bizarre phenomenon and notice how your news anchors are interpreting it. Brewer's observation is some kind of mindless gesture toward "balance" that serves to diminish the disturbing tenor of these Republican rallies, and how the candidates appear to be inciting what we used to recognize as mob mentality.
I believe inciting a riot is still a crime.
Don't be a part of it. Report it for what it is.
I would like an immediate personal response to my concerns from Contessa Brewer's producer."
I will report back if I receive a response. Meanwhile, if you wish to contact MSNBC:
viewerservices@msnbc.com
And, hey, this is my first diary.