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In a small but portentious victory for progressive online activists, FoxNews host E.D. Hill was forced to apologize today for her suggestion Friday (June 6) that Barack and Michelle Obama's now-famous knuckle bump might be some sort of "terrorist fist jab." After the remark was reported the same day by progressive media watchdog group Media Matters, which also encouraged readers to sign an online petition and e-mail Fox in protest, the story spread quickly through the blogosphere, finally catching the attention of the mainstream media. Today, Fox bowed to the pressure and Hill was forced to issue a half-hearted apology. Today also, Fox announced that Hill's show, America's Pulse, would be cancelled, though it is unclear whether this additional development is connected to her "terrorist fist jab" remark (I like to think it is). In any case, the fact that Fox and Hill were forced to issue an embarrassing apology, in addition to the possibility that her remark may even have resulted in the loss of her show, is a great statement on the power of progressive online media activists, bloggers, and YouTubers. While Hill's is a minor case, don't forget that former Republican senator George "Macaca" Allen of Virginia was brought down in 2006 by one guy with a video camera and an internet connection. Today Allen's seat is held by a Democrat. This election year, online activists will again play a crucial role in fighting the Republican slime machine, including its paid shills at Fox.
Mark C. Eades
http://www.mceades.com
