Sean Hannity: Enemy of the State

Enemy of the State. These four words have previously been responsible for the deaths of countless individuals. During the French Revolution many found themselves victims of this label during the Jacobin's "Reign of Terror." In more recent times the Soviet Union had used the term to put death sentences upon those who were in opposition to policies of the government. These are only two examples of many that can be found throughout history in which the term "Enemy of the State" can clearly be seen as a label that is in opposition to all that democracy and decent society strive to attain.

On Sunday, January 7^th of this year, Sean Hannity took it upon himself to use this dangerous label on his show which can be found on Fox News. A segment on Sean Hannity's program was introduced in which Mr. Hannity labels a specific individual as an "Enemy of the State." This week's victim, actor and outspoken activist Sean Penn. On the show Sean Hannity had this to say about Sean Penn,

"And finally tonight, the 'Enemy of the State.' This week, actor, activist, and all around very angry man, Sean Penn takes the honors. Now, besides calling little old me a whore at a recent speech, Penn has called for the impeachment of just about everybody in the Bush administration, and called them bastards. Now, Penn can say whatever he wants, and we invite him on this program to sit in the 'Hot Seat' and defend his outlandish comments. But, the real question is who does this guy speak for, who does he represent other than other bad actors. So Sean Penn, you are this week's 'Enemy of the State.'"

Upon watching the video of Sean Hannity stating the above, I wondered if it was somehow possible that I was living in the Soviet Union of Stalin, or maybe the Communist China of Mao. The answer was obviously no. I was watching this program in the greatest country in the world. Has it really come to this? I am fully aware of the fact that there is a great partisan divide in the United States. However, I would never have expected a "journalist" on either the right or the left to label those with opposing views an "Enemy of the State."

Does Sean Hannity indeed believe what he is saying? Perhaps Mr. Hannity is using this segment in order to make a name for his show. That may very well be it. I can clearly see how it played out. Sean Hannity was at his house watching MSNBC, specifically Keith Olbermann's show. Maybe Hannity was switching back and fourth between Olbermann and "Mystic River." The segment on Olbermann's show titled "The Worst Person in the World" was viewed in it's entirety by Sean Hannity. It is fairly obvious where this is going. Mr. Hannity felt he could possibly share in the success of Mr. Olbermann by looking to Keith's show for inspiration. One could argue that Sean Hannity is indeed Satan. Others could argue that Sean Hannity is the second coming of Christ. No one can seriously argue that Sean Hannity is an original thinker.

Unfortunately Sean Hannity is not doing this solely to make a name for his show. I am sure that is a partial reason, he can not possibly believe everything he states. Sean Penn was probably correct when stating that Mr. Hannity is a whore. Sean Hannity has however been spewing his hate for a number of years. This hate has always been directed at those who are in opposition to his own beliefs. Aside from this hate brought fourth from Mr. Hannity, the man seems to be a compulsive liar as well.

I am not going to flood this article with quotes from Sean Hannity, however I do want to share this; On September 18^th of 2003 Sean Hannity stated "I never questioned anyone's patriotism." Is this something Sean Hannity took pride in? The fact that he had never questioned the patriotism of another? After making this statement near the end of 2003 it is almost surprising that Sean Hannity would devote a segment of his show to doing just that. Actually it is not surprising. Why is this not surprising? You guessed it! When Sean Hannity stated in 2003 that he had never questioned anyone's patriotism he was not telling the truth! The fact that Sean Hannity has labeled an American citizen who happens to disagree with him an "Enemy of the State" should not surprise anyone. Sean Hannity has on many occasions questioned the patriotism of those who hold to perspectives not of his own.

The following quotes all come from "Hannity and Colmes."

"Is it you hate this president or that you hate America?" (4/30/03)

"Governor, why wouldn't anyone want to say the Pledge of Allegiance, unless they detested their own country or were ignorant of its greatness?" (6/12/03)

"You could explain something about your magazine, [the Nation]. Lisa Featherstone writing about the hate America march, the
"'I hate America.' This is the extreme left. There is a portion of the left -- not everybody who's left -- that does hate this country and blame this country for the ills of the world..." (1/23/02)

It is nothing new for Sean Hannity to question the patriotism of those who disagree with him. Sean Hannity has indeed gone too far with his recent "Enemy of the State" segment. In this great country those who oppose our government should not be subjected to such an accusation. Criticizing those who do not share your viewpoint is one thing, however accusing them of treason is a blow against what this country stands for. I am not going to allow myself to sink to the great depths of lowliness that Sean Hannity resides in by claiming that his actions make him an "Enemy of the State." I will however conclude that Sean Hannity and "journalists" like him are a great danger to the democracy we live in. We live in the United States of America. In this country we listen to what others have to say without accusing them of treason because we happen to disagree. Not only should those who find themselves usually disagreeing with Mr. Hannity be disgusted with his recent accusation, those who have been loyal to Sean Hannity should find this very wrong as well.

On a final note I must ask a question. Who does this man speak for? Who does he represent other than other bad journalists? So Sean Hannity, you are this weeks Enemy to True Journalism, and Enemy to civilized society.