Bill O'Reilly targets Al Gore for selling Current TV to Al-Jazeera
The conservative TV host questions the sale of Gore's cable news network to the pan-Arab broadcaster.
Conservative television host Bill O'Reilly is condemning former U.S. Vice President Al Gore as a "hypocrite," citing a report that Gore wanted to sell Current TV, the cable network Gore helped establish, to Al-Jazeera before higher taxes kicked in on Jan. 1.
O'Reilly, whose top-rated "O'Reilly Factor" airs on Fox News, cited a story in the New York Times that said Gore and his partners were eager to complete the deal before year-end because of the higher tax rate.
That comes just two months after Gore told Reuters he felt citizens should "do their fair share," O'Reilly noted. "I guess that means selling assets at the lower capital gains rate?" he added.
But O'Reilly's not the only one taking aim at Gore for selling to Al-Jazeera, the pan-Arab broadcaster backed by the oil-rich country of Qatar -- which O'Reilly described as an "anti-American network."
Gore, who shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for his fight against climate change, stands to gross about $70 million from the sale, according to Bloomberg. Gore reportedly has a 20% stake in Current TV.
“It’s reeking with irony,” Jeff Sonnenfeld, senior associate dean at the Yale School of Management, tells Bloomberg. “It seems to be at least a paradox in terms of his positions on sustainability and geopolitics.”
The estimated profit is a huge jump from the maximum net worth of $1.7 million reported by Gore when he ran for president in 1999, the article points out.
Al-Jazeera, whose English-language version has struggled to gain a foothold in the U.S., might face an uphill battle to see a turnaround with American audiences.
Immediately after the purchase, Time Warner Cable shut down Current TV's programming, cutting off access to 12 million homes.
But Time Warner appeared to reconsider on Thursday, noting that it would keep "an open mind" as the network develops. Al-Jazeera, which is reportedly paying $500 million for the network, plans to shut down Current's programming and start a new English-language channel via Current's distribution.
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Yup, the OBAMANIANs strike again. For all you working folks the more you make the more we take until you have no more. For the Entitled whom the rules do not apply. When I see Pelosi, Reed, Franks, Gore, and the so called representatives of the "People" lead once, JUST ONCE, by example and follow the same pathetic nonsense the "People" have to follow, our nation may have a chance. Now he is up for Secretary of STEAK or State.
Sotos, there is a Village in DIRE NEED of your presence, as they are missing their, well...ummm.
You get it.
Quit the political Ignorant comments and constant idiocy of blaming Republicans. Did you fail to watch the "fiscal" cliff? It showed in more detail that it's not Republicans, or Democrats, it's ALL of the politicians, including Obama...They LIED about Fiscal Cliff, we still, as middle class got hit with 2% increase, yet there are idiots out there that can't get their personal bias out of the comprehension game.
BOTH are screwing us, idiots like you and others on Conservative side that can't admit and see are the biggest problem. Now, go back to your village.
rick, why not attempt to make 1 intelligent response, instead of spewing your stupid hate. We get it.
But you don't get it do you "bright one?" Read up on O'Reilly he's openly critical of both parties, and is typically very objective (something you clearly haven't the capacity to comprehend).
Go back to your village...bright one, they are searching for you.
O'Relly is nothing but a loud-mouthed fool, not unlike the other rightwing nut jobs. He needs to sweep his own dirt first, but as usual, he sees everyone else's faults hoping it'll deflect others from seeing what a nasty man he is.
Hmmm, that pretty much describes the new Puritan (Republican) party. Too bad a party that started out being ethical has turned into what it is now and it's also unfortunate there are so many middle class or lower class to want to protect the pocketbooks of the rich. Still waiting for that trickle down effect that Reagan told you would be yours some day? Good luck with that.
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