Olbermann and Mancow Knock Down Waterboarding Hoax Allegation

Last updated on August 10th, 2014 at 05:29 pm

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On MSNBC’s Countdown tonight, host Keith Olbermann and conservative Chicago morning radio host Erich “Mancow” Muller denied right wing claims that Mancow’s waterboarding had been a hoax. Mancow said that for legal reasons the waterboarding had to be described as simulated, but it was real. Check out the video.

Here is the video:

All of this started due to Gawker report that Mancow faked his waterboarding for publicity. Mancow said, “I lose and I lose and I lose on this. The far right is mad at me because I said it was torture. The left is mad at me because, well I don’t know they are always mad at me. I can’t win here, but what about the truth? It doesn’t matter. the truth has been lost here. The CIA is very specific, head back water in the nose and mouth.”

He explained the use of the word hoax in his publicist’s email, “Here’s the deal. It’s selective. You have to understand something, Citadel, my parent company, ABC, Talk Radio Network, building security, the Chicago cops came and said you can’t waterboard. You cannot do this. Oh,we’re not, we’re not, and also the word stunt. It is a radio stunt, hoax, stunt.”

Mancow said that anyone who doesn’t go party line faces this same kind of punishment. He asked what about the truth? What happened to Americans able to debate? He said he wasn’t trying to recreate Gitmo. He said that people in both parties say what their parties tell them to say. He said that torture supporters can’t allow this to be out there. He asked how it could be faked.

The idea that this was a hoax that goes against Mancow’s stated opinion on waterboarding is insane. It is desperate spin by those who support torture. If they can’t make a good argument in favor of waterboarding, then they are going to discredit the other side. Gawker got played on this one. Of course, it was real. There are lots of cameras and witnesses to prove it.

Jason Easley

Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.

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Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association