UPDATED: C-SPAN’s Washington Journal Caller Problem

UPDATED: May 26, 2014   (appearances of egregious frequent callers)

Click here to go directly to list of James Morris calls

C-SPAN hosts are typically overly respectful and too patient as a handful of frequent callers spew invective and falsehoods against Jews and Israel. No other ethnic or religious group or nation is repeatedly vilified on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal 3-hour daily broadcasts. This vilification is enabled if not positively encouraged by C-SPAN‘s receptivity especially the feckless performance of the hosts. Many C-SPAN viewers, perhaps not knowing the facts and not hearing them from network hosts or, often, from guests, are at risk of being influenced by those callers seemingly driven by an obsessive pathological desire to falsely blame major world problems on the Jews and Israel.

This group of egregious frequent callers features a particular pair, a man and woman, working basically from the same script. For example, on two consecutive days in January 2010, the Washington Journal host for both days, Paul Orgel, listened politely, first on January 1 at 9:51 AM to “Janet from Birmingham, Alabama” and then on January 2 at 7:50 AM to “Carol from Scotsville, Arizona.” Janet’s call took place during a segment whose topic was “Social Networking & Political Participation” (no guest was on hand) while the topic for Carol’s call was “Rise of Al-Qaeda in Yemen.” The latter time, the guest was Christopher Boucek of Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

The following video clip (3.5 minutes) contains the Janet/Carol calls:

Janet’s monologue:

Hi. Happy new year to you. First of all, I want to back the caller from Colorado. No one mentioned the Goldstone report. I called in months ago and brought it up on C-SPAN because no one even brought it up on C-SPAN. As far as the Gaza protest, nobody – and you didn’t hear it on the news at all, the local news, CNN, Fox, MSNBC – none of them really talked about it. The best place to get your news is – I will name a couple of Web sites, if I may. One is PressTV dot com. You will hear all unbiased news – you will see things that are going on in the Middle East you’ll never dream that’s going on here because it’s covered up – for the ADL [Anti-Defamation League] actually runs the media. Of course, AIPAC [American Israel Public Affairs Committee] runs our whole foreign policy. So, that’s the deal. Also you can go to america-hijacked dot com and you can see stories like , for example, CFR’s [Council on Foreign Relations] Foreign Affairs magazine. [Zbigniew] Brzezinski wrote of the motivation for attacks – 9/11 – well, because of our foreign policy because we back Israel – and support Israel – and all that – and their oppression of the Palestinians. Also, there’s another one you can go to – two more I’d like to mention if I may. One is – because of AIPAC influence – you can go to stopaipac dot com and you can go to neoconzionistthreat dot com for the other news. Thank you very much. Bye bye.

This caller is allowed to promote anti-Jewish, anti-Israel, conspiracy theory Web sites (the caller is allowed to carefully provide the complete spelling of the site names) including PressTV which is a propaganda tool of the Iranian government. Typically, the C-SPAN host failed to scrutinize the caller’s claim concerning the Foreign Affairs magazine article by Mr. Brzezinski, not even asking to which issue, e.g. January/February 2010, she was referring. Mr. Brzezinski’s article in that issue did not say what is claimed by the caller. Likewise, Mr. Orgel failed to point out that bin Laden stated in his fatwas in the 90s, that his main motivation for 9/11 was the presence of U.S. forces in “the land of the two holy places” (meaning Saudi Arabia).

Carol’s monologue:

Yes, hello. First of all, keep in mind what George Washington warned of – of getting entangled in foreign governments. Why don’t we talk about the motivation. You should have on Ben Stein and Ron Paul. I think you guys should do – and let them finish the debate that they started – when Ben Stein really owes Ron Paul an apology of calling him anti-Semitic. Well, he didn’t say anything anti-Semitic. But what he did say is – I guess because they’re guilty of it – because they’re occupying their country and they’re angry, and rightfully so. And also support for Israel, the oppression of the Palestinians and you have no idea of what’s going on there – you gotta go on PressTV to find out – and that’s what motivated the 9/11 attack on 9/11 which you can see – there’s proof in the 9/11 commission report on page 147. Obama should be in world court right now for war crimes just like George Bush.

Neither the host nor guest commented on this caller’s anti-Jewish, anti-Israel rant. Included in her paranoid conspiracy view of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks is promotion of Iran’s anti-Western, PressTV Web site. Boucek’s comments were limited to disagreeing with the caller’s “entangled” assertion – and reiterating what he sees as the dangers faced by Yemen and the resulting implications for the United States.

This caller utters such expressions as:

“Well, he [President Obama] took us into Iraq, into Afghanistan. N ow with Israel, they’re trying to go against Syria. All these wars we’re fighting for Israel…(6/9/12)”
“The European Jews introduced terrorism.”
“First of all, you need to go to Presstv.com (Iran’s government mouthpiece) to get real, unbiased news.”
“Nobody is covering the killing of the Palestinians that were holding up the white flags. I mean, from the Israelis. I mean it’s just mind boggling to me – of course because of Jewish controlled media.”
“Our (Republican) Party has been totally neocon-ed and bought off by AIPAC, the AIPAC lobby – the most dangerous Jewish lobby.”
“Senator McConnell has been sold, bought and paid for by AIPAC.”
“She (Nancy Pelosi) has been bought off by AIPAC which is a very dangerous Jewish lobby.”
While it’s usually a different name and locale each time, the script remains basically the same for each Washington Journal appearance of the caller (45 calls since December 2008):
 

May 26, 2014 – 8:32 AM, Mary from California

May 26, 2014 – 7:44 AM, Christine from California

March 31, 2014 – 7:59 AM, Rachel from Reseda, California

March 13, 2014 – 7:59 AM, Rachel from California

January 18, 2014 – 9:29 AM, Rachel from California

December 2, 2013 – 8:19 AM, Rachel from California

November 9, 2012 – 7:37 AM, Batma from Valencia, California

September 26, 2012 – 7:24 AM, Jody from Reseda, California

June 9, 2012 – 8:16 AM, Rachel from Reseda, California

September 2, 2010 – 9:09 AM, Doris from Sun Valley, California

August 2, 2010 – 7:13 AM, Mary from Long Beach, California

August 1, 2010 – 8:22 AM, Debby from Los Angeles, California

July 17, 2010 – 9:52 AM, Camilla from Reseda, California

May 3, 2010 – 9:57 AM, Mina from Mission Hills, California

April 17, 2010 – 8:08 AM, Joanne from Los Angeles, California

April 11, 2010 – 8:47 AM, Sherry from California

April 5, 2010 – 7:54 AM, Susan from Santa Clarita, California

April 5, 2010 – 8:45 AM, Aida from Sparks, Nevada

March 23, 2010 – 9:56 AM, Ida from Compton, California

March 17, 2010 – 9:36 AM, Susan from Riverside, California

March 12, 2010 – 8:57 AM, Margaret from Huntington Beach, California

March 10, 2010 – 8:52 AM, Carol from Winnetka, California

January 27, 2010 – 8:11 AM, Peggy from California

January 5, 2010 – 9:25 AM, Miriam from Los Angeles, California

January 4, 2010 – 9:30 AM, Louise from Los Angeles, California

January 2, 2010 – 7:50 AM, Carol from Scotsville, Arizona

January 1, 2010 – 9:51 AM, Janet from Birmingham, Alabama

November 5, 2009 – 9:49 AM, Mary from Long Beach, California

October 12, 2009 – 7:24 AM, Deloris from Houston, Texas

September 21, 2009 – 7:23 AM, Sally from Reseda, California

September 8, 2009 – 9:12 AM, Rachel from California

August 30, 2009 – 9:55 AM, Rachel from Reseda, California

August 16, 2009 – 8:56 AM, Jenny from California

July 23, 2009 – 9:43 AM, (indistinct name) from California

July 11, 2009 – 9:21 AM, Sherri from Dallas, Texas

June 28, 2009 – 8:17 AM, Mary from North Hills, California

May 23, 2009 – 9:56 AM, Sally from Port Arthur, Texas

May 16, 2009 – 7:18 AM, Rena from Porter Ranch, California

May 10, 2009 – 8:48 AM, Rachel from Brentwood, California

April 24, 2009 – 8:37 AM, Rachel from Reseda, California

April 6, 2009 – 7:05 AM, (no name given) from Sherman Oaks, California

March 11, 2009 – 9:57 AM, (no name given) from Encino, California

March 1, 2009 – 8:12 AM, (no name given) from Reseda, California

December 10, 2008 – 8:12 AM, (no name given) from Los Angeles, California

The egregious frequent male caller typically utters such expressions as:

“Apparently Obama is following the will of the Israel lobby.”

“Why we got attacked on 9/11? — and that is support for Israel.”

“We’re in there because of Israel.”

“Israel should be the focus, not Iran.”

“How we’ve gone to war for Israel for AIPAC”

“It (the economic crisis) all goes back to 9/11 and our support for Israel which made 9/11.”

“I’d like to make a call about the Census. It’s a waste of time taking a census when what you’ve got is this AIPAC lobby that reflects a small percentage of the population, the Jewish line of voters, who are pushing us into these wars for Israel.”

While it’s usually a different name and hometown each time, the script remains basically the same for each Washington Journal appearance of this caller who is actually James Morris (73 calls since Dec. 13, 2008):
 

May 26, 2014 – 8:30 AM, James from California

March 13, 2014 – 7:12 AM, John from California

March 1, 2014 – 7:14 AM, Tim from Los Angeles, California

January 6, 2014 – 7:06 AM, James from Malibu, California

December 7, 2013 – 8:00 AM, Jim from Marina del Rey, California

December 6, 2013 – 7:09 AM, John from Los Angeles, California

September 9, 2013 & #150; 7:12 AM, John from Canyon Country, California

September 2, 2013 – 7:11 AM, Tim from California

May 27, 2013 – 8:49 AM, Tony from Los Angeles, California

April 22, 2013 – 7:31 AM, James from Los Angeles, California

January 6, 2013 – 9:50 AM, Tim from Los Angeles, California

December 25, 2012 – 8:24 AM, James from Los Angeles, California

September 19, 2012 – 7:32 AM, Tim from Norfolk, Virginia

August 11, 2012 – 8:26 AM, Tim from Los Angeles, California

July 8, 2012 – 9:46 AM, Tim from Norfolk, Virginia

July 4, 2012 – 7:55 AM, Don from Monrovia, California

March 9, 2012 – 8:25 AM, Tony from Norfolk, Virginia

March 5, 2012 – 7:39 AM, Tim from Los Angeles, California

March 4, 2012 – 9:15 AM, John from Dallas, Texas

January 20, 2012 – 9:11 AM, Don from Los Angeles, California

January 10, 2012 – 8:50 AM, Tim from Los Angeles, California

January 7, 2012 – 8:27 AM, Jim from Los Angeles, California

January 1, 2012 – 9:01 AM, Tim from Des Moines, Iowa

December 31, 2011 – 9:11 AM, Tim from Los Angeles, California

December 12, 2011 – 7:43 AM, Jim from Los Angeles, California

September 11, 2011 – 7:13 AM, Tim from Los Angeles, California

September 10, 2011 – 8:49 AM, Jim from Los Angeles, California

July 2, 2011 – 9:48 AM, James from Los Angeles, California

May 2, 2011 – 9:48 AM, James from Los Angeles, California

August 12, 2010 – 8:59 AM, Jim from Atlanta, Georgia

May 13, 2010 – 8:14 AM, John from Norfolk, Virginia

May 3, 2010 – 9:45 AM, Tim from Oshkosh, Wisconsin

May 2, 2010 – 9:03 AM, Ron from Lake Jackson, Texas

April 23, 2010 – 9:38 AM, Ronald from Austin, Texas

April 21, 2010 – 9:51 AM, Timothy from Atlanta, Georgia

April 17, 2010 – 9:08 AM, Danny from Seattle, Washington

April 14, 2010 – 7:55 AM, Tim from Atlanta, Georgia

April 14, 2010 – 8:50 AM, Jamie from Houston, Texas

April 6, 2010 – 8:54 AM, Tim from Clarksburg, West Virginia

April 5, 2010 – 8:15 AM, James from Fort Worth, Texas

April 4, 2010 – 8:09 AM, Jim from Alexandria, Virginia

April 3, 2010 – 8:14 AM, James from Los Angeles, California

February 28, 2010 – 7:06 AM, James from Los Angeles, California

February 28, 2010 – 9:02 AM, Alexander from Alexandria, Virginia

January 27, 2010 – 9:20 AM, Tyrone from Los Angeles, California

January 20, 2010 – 9:37 AM, Tim from Los Angeles, California

January 6, 2010 – 9:13 AM, Tyrone from Los Angeles, California

January 4, 2010 – 8:18 AM, Tim from Norfolk, Virginia

December 13, 2009 – 8:30 AM, Tim from Austin Texas

December 2, 2009 – 8:13 AM, Jamie from Los Angeles, California

October 6, 2009 – 8:58 AM, Jamie from Nashville, Tennessee

September 27, 2009 – 8:47 AM, Tim from Alexandria, Virginia

September 26, 2009 – 7:46 AM, Timothy from Atlanta, Georgia

September 23, 2009 – 9:07 AM, Danny from Plano, Texas

September 21, 2009 – 8:16 AM, James from Lake Jackson, Texas

September 8, 2009 – 9:19 AM, James from Mission Hills, California

September 2, 2009 – 7:58 AM, Harold from Atlanta, Georgia

September 1, 2009 – 7:23 AM, James from Los Angeles, California

August 23, 2009 – 8:51 AM, (no name given) from Encino, California

August 8, 2009 – 8:09 AM, (no name given) Los Angeles, California

July 29, 2009 – 9:21 AM, Tony from North Hills, California

July 13, 2009 – 8:43 AM, (no name given) from Los Angeles, California

July 4, 2009 – 9:54 AM, Sheila from Redondo Beach , California

 June 28, 2009 – 8:01 AM, Jamie from Los Angeles, California

May 20, 2009 – 9:38 AM, Jamie from Los Angeles, California

May 3, 2009 – 9:17 AM, James from Stuart, Florida

April 19, 2009 – 8:44 AM, Jim from Stuart, Florida

April 5, 2009 – 9:14 AM, (no name given) from Recida, California

April 4, 2009 – 8:47 AM, (no name given) from Sherman Oaks, California

March 29, 2009 – 8:28 AM, (no name given) from Stuart, Florida

March 26, 2009 – 8:18 AM, (no name given) from Lake Jackson, Texas

March 9, 2009 – 9:46 AM, (no name given) from California

December 13, 2008 – 8:28 AM, (no name given) from Los Angeles, California

The lists in this report are only a partial accounting of all the anti-Israel, anti-Jewish calls aired by Washington Journal in 2009 and into 2010. A much larger list – one that aims to show (chronologically) all of Washington Journal’s anti-Israel, anti-Jewish calls aired in 2009 and thereafter – is in CAMERA’s C-SPAN Watch.

Comments are closed.