Bill O’Reilly says he can’t find any homeless veterans. After a few hours of calling, I was able to find several hundred. One of them was Fletcher C. Hicklen.
To make FOX ATTACKS! “Non-Existent” Veterans, I had arranged to interview three veterans at U.S. Vets — an organization that provides treatment, transitional housing, and classes to homeless vets — but Fletcher wasn’t one of them. After shooting the interviews, my cameraman, Phil, and I walked around US Vets looking for a few vets who wanted to send a quick message to Bill O’Reilly. I met Fletcher in US Vets’ computer lab, where vets can learn how to use computers and have internet access.
Like most of the vets I met that day, Fletcher had a lot to say. He told me about how proud he was to serve. He told me what an honor it had been to shake the hand of George HW Bush when he came to Honduras aboard Air Force One to thank the troops stationed there. He also told me that vets get a “raw deal” in America and are not given the respect they deserve.
Fletcher also told me that he had spent many a night sleeping under a bridge when he was homeless in Michigan. He slept under a bridge where three men had frozen to death just a few weeks before. Fletcher told me he often went to sleep praying the same thing wouldn’t happen to him.
Sadly, there are tens of thousands of stories like Fletcher’s — and Bill O’Reilly is trying to ignore all of them from his windowless ivory tower. Does it help vets like Fletcher for BOR to tell millions of people that he doesn’t exist and that he doesn’t matter? Does it help America’s hundreds of thousands of vets when BOR tells his viewers that the government has no obligation or ability to help veterans who served their country (which BOR has not) and returned home mentally or physically scarred? Is it helpful for BOR and his viewers to blame homeless vets for their own homelessness?
Places like US Vets and the Fitzgerald House are dedicated to helping people like Fletcher. They know he exists, they know that the US government isn’t doing enough to help those like him, and they’re trying to give him a helping hand — not a hand out — so he can make a safe transition out of homelessness. The staffs at US Vets and Fitzgerald House spend every day helping the homeless vets that BOR wants so desperately to ignore. They spend their days dealing with the institutional problems that BOR wants to blame on the vets. They are picking up the considerable slack left by our government that claims to revere them. BOR wants to claim that addiction and mental illness are the main causes of homelessness among vets, instead of acknowledging that they are the symptoms of a system that does not help servicemen re-integrate back into society and get the services they have earned.
Fletcher is a proud man, and he deserves to be proud. He should not have to beg or wade through miles of red tape to get help — his country should offer it because he deserves it. And despite BOR’s assertions, Americans should be made MORE aware of the problem of homeless vets and what their suffering says about our country.
This assertion is incorrect.
Bill said that there ARE 200,000 homeless veterans but their plight was not due primarily to the economy as Edwards would have you believe, but like most homeless–their plight is due to drug use and mental illness. Up to 150,000 beds are available each night for homeless vets as are other financial, health, and educational benefits.
But anyway, get the facts on the homeless vets programs and benefits offered through the VA. www1.va.gov
Also take the time to read the transcript posted on foxnews.com from Bill’s show.
It would be wise to base your attacks on facts and real events, not lies.
Happy reading.
Hey STARS MAN. You fell for it.
Edwards has not blamed homeless vets on the economy. He uses it as evidence that the gap between the haves and have nots is so vast and growing that even vets are being cast aside when they deserve so much better. And O’Reilly has never shown you a clip where Edwards links them. I saw an episode the other night where BOR showed one clip of Edwards talking about record oil profits, then a separate clip of Edwards talking about homeless vets, then said Edwards was connecting them. BOR doesn’t show you the clip where Edwards links them because it doesn’t exist.
Edwards never linked the two. BOR is just making it up, and you fell for it. You’re a rube. BOR lies to his audience constantly because he knows they’ll just believe it without looking it up themselves. He’s just trying to direct the attention away from himself, and you fell for it.
Stars Man you aren’t very bright are you. Edwards never, ever linked homeless vet issue with economic factors do you drink the O’Leilly kool-aid because you need the urine rush or do you just like the taste?
Not to mention, does it really matter why 200,000 vets are homeless? Even if true, does their being homeless because of mental illness and drug use matter? I can’t imagine why Vietnam and Iraq might have those effects on people. Sounds to me like you are trying to demean homeless veterans stars man; why do you despise veterans so much?
It would be wise if you based your attacks on facts and real events not stupidity.
Does anyone know where the bridge John Edwards was talking about with the 200 homeless people under it is? Talking about lying.
Yes Raz, everyone in the country knows where the bridge is you fool except that moron, right-wing nut O’Reilly the liar and it seems you. Why don’t you read this and educate yourself.
Edwards originally stated: “I want to say to everyone here, on the way here today, we passed under a bridge that carried the interstate where 100 to 200 homeless Americans sleep every night. And we stopped, we got out, we went in and spoke to them.”
Bill O’Reilly claimed that the homeless encampment under an overpass in New Orleans that former Sen. John Edwards mentioned did not exist.
On January 11, the Times-Picayune published an article on the “homeless encampment” under an interstate overpass near Claiborne Avenue in New Orleans that Edwards was referring to under Interstate 10. City Councilwoman Stacy Head, whose district includes the Claiborne Avenue encampment, said a count by her staff found 247 people staying beneath the overpass.
Now that you have some truth on your side, go turn the TV on and watch the demise of the pathetic GOP that you and your buddy O’Reilly embrace.
Is it any surprise that it is in New Orleans. A democrat run state with a democrat mayor and governor. And if it is like you said “Everybody in the country knows where it is why doesn’t somebody do something?” John Edwards stopped and talked to them. WOOOHOOOO Bet they are still heehawing over that huh. Hope the wind didn’t mess his hair up. New Orleans is a perfect example of what happens when you let democrats run something. Homelessness goes up, welfare shoots skyhigh,crime goes up, and taxes go up. You can blame the Republicans all you want , it you your lazy liberal democratic bloodsuckers who aren’t doing anything about it.
Let’s review how Raz was humiliated this morning on this topic shall we. It will be very instructional as it’s representative of how reactionary’s lie and misrepresent and then when they are caught and confronted with facts, they try to change the subject.
First Raz says Edwards was not telling the truth about seeing 200 homeless persons living under a bridge. Then I post facts proving him to be wrong.
So what does he do? He changes the subject to John Edwards hair and blasting Democrats for it, which of course is an admission of course that he was wrong initially.
And just becauase I am in the mood for “no spin” this morning. Let’s be clear what Raz’s last comments about welfare and crime were all about. Racism.
Lets be clear here. I still think Edwards is a liar. And I doubt there is 200 homeless people living under 1 bridge. And where did you get the notion that crime and homeless is about racism. Talking about spinning and not making sense.
Wasn’t it a company that John Edwards invested in that forclosed on houses in New Orleans and profitted a whole lot of money? What did John Edwards do besides saying “Hi Guys, It’s ashame your homeless.Gotta run Bye!!” Then going on the news saying “I seen 200 homeless guys under a bridge.
Raz do you realize what a fool you look like on this topic? Edwards was in New Orleans that day that’s a fact, he drove over that bridge, that’s a fact, he made that statement that’s a fact, others in New Orleans corroborated what he said as I proved to you and that’s a fact. There were over 200 homeless people living under the Claiborne overpass bridge.
So Edwards was telling the truth, you and O’Reilly are the liars aren’t you?
when i first stumbled upon this website i didn’t know who bill o’ rielly was, but he sounded like an ass. but before i just quoted fact based on this website i went and did research, i looked all over the internet fact checking the stories and BNF is right on. starr and raz why don’t you stop being so defensive and do some research. it can be really painful to find out that someone who you look up to and who shares your opinions and ideals is not who you thought they were. it seems to me that it comes down to you guys being prejudiced about democrats and i can understand that. when i was a teenager i was extremely prejudiced about Repub.’s . and everyone has a reason, a good excuse for it; me i was raised by a poor lesbian who lost her son because her ex husband was able to use her sexuality against her. my mom was (is) a wonderful woman who had a tough life and she busted her ass to take care of her kids. She adored me and understood me, fought school counselors who wanted to write me off as retarded because they couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me. her relentless quest to help me paid off and with a diagnosis i went from being told i was retarded to the honor roll and test scores that had me at the level of of a 55 yr. old post grad while in the 4th grade. but even as awesome and as devoted to me as my mom was she had still come close to losing custody of me to my chronically alcoholic, wife beating father. (fortunately for me he was scared of my mom.)growing up in the 80′s all i saw was my mom who was in constant pain, work her ass off and never get ahead, i couldn’t talk about my family because we lived in the jesse helms state and i was scared that those god fearing republicans would take me away from my mommy. they already told me on a regular basis that my mom was going to hell. so suffice it to say i had a bit of a issue with republicans, but then one day i found out my best friend was one and it started me thinking. i know this seems rambley but what I’m trying to get across is, just because you don’t agree with Democrats doesn’t mean were wrong. watch the Edward’s speech, watch what billo said, decide for yourself, don’t let billo decide for u. you are the ones being screwed and disrespected the most. he may talk shit about us and tell lies about us, but we are (in his mind) the enemy. you are his “people” and he is lying to you , blatantly, again and again
And even if it is true What did JOHN EDWARDS do besides saying “HEY!! I saw 200 homeless people under a bridge and stopped to say hello. Address the fact that John Edwards has redirected part of his $16 million investment with Fortress Investment Group, a fund that holds ownership in Nationstar Mortgage, a subprime lender involved in the New Orleans foreclosures. That was really nice of him. What about the lie your telling about me? When you say I said welfare and crime were all about racism. Where in the post did I mention race? The democrats are the best in using people for their own purpose then drop them, i.e. Micheal J Fox, Max Cleland, 9/11 widows,homeless people They are just some examples of who the democrats use.
Raz. The only thing we are discussing is this topic; you are not changing the subject at least not with me. You have been proven to be dishonest and you owe Edwards and Mr. Hicklen and all homeless veterans and non-veterans an apology.
So please apologize for calling John Edwards a liar when it has been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was telling the truth. It has been corroborated by many, many people and extensively in the media.
If you do not apologize then I am done with this thread with you. I once again point out as I have done so many times in the past how you play loose with the facts and how dishonest you are.
Another freedom raping chickenhawk wants to take a flying shit on our military courtesy of Rupert Murdoch. History will not be kind to Bill O or Mr Murdoch, mark my words. There will be hell to pay, and it is just around the corner. They’re pissing off all the wrong people, and I can’t wait until it comes back against them 10,000 fold.
Apoligize for what?!? I’ve done research on the Claiborne overpass bridge and nowhere does it say hundreds of homeless sleep under it. So now your going to play your stupid bury the post game right. Go ahead play you immature little game you have been exposed as a liar.
been awhile since i’ve been to this site. it’s interesting to see that raz has gone from a mildly annoying gnat to a full-blown foaming at the mouth twat who cannot form a cohesive argument that actually a)stays on topic and b) provides relevent support.
cnmc
Why does it only let you respond to certain blogs? Others it says something about java not working correctly?
Good to see the immature name calling by someone who doesn’t know what he is talking about. Did I miss the topic?? Wasn’t it on homeless? Did you actually read the post or are you like the homeless talking about what O’Reilly said and never heard him say it.
then why are you wetting your nappy over edward’s investments? waahhhhhh screams the waahhhhhpublican
I have mixed emotions about this homeless vets situation. I have 8 years in and have served in Operation Desert Spring 2002 and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. People with two years of active service is rare to me in my experience. Most contracts I come across are anywhere from 3 years to 6 years. When I see people with just 2 years, I wonder did they get chaptered out of the Army for illegal activity.
At the same time, the Army I know for sure tries to prepare Soldiers for their eventual exit from the service by providing free college while on active duty, correspondence courses, and job training (MOS training).
I do understand what PTSD is all about and the Walter Reed situation. Nonetheless, O’reilly is still a clown that is out to get ratings.
America, and the free world in general, reap the benefit of the losses that our service persons, and veterans, continue to endure. Bill O’ would not have anywhere to spend his huge salary and wear his fancy suits, except maybe under a bridge, if it wasn’t for us vets. I guess he has the right to malign us the way he does; it’s his right as an American, albeit a spoiled rotten rich one.
My uncle is a homeless vet.. . .He does suffer addiction. But its because he was in the vietnam war. He was just recently diagnosed with post-tramatic stress disorder. THERE ARE HOMELESS VETS. THEY ARE NOT ALL ADDICTED. BUT THOSE WHO ARE MOSTLY CAME FROM A WAR! Bill O’Rielly is a piece of shit. I wish he’d just come to my neighborhood and see it for himself.
Bill O’Riley is a driven and smart man who has made something of himself. He deserves his paycheck. You can’t claim that about this other man, or he wouldn’t be homeless. 99.9% of homeless men wouldn’t be so if they had a little drive. There are 24 hours in a day. Show me ONE homeless man that is doing everything possible to better himself and is STILL homeless.
Sandy how the fuck can they got a job if they’re homeless? Would you ever hire someone who doesn’t even have a permanent address?
sandy is suffering from a belief in the ‘Just World” theory, where you believe that people get what they deserve, that bad things don’t happen to good people. If bad things are happening to a person, it’s obviously their own fault.
WRONG!
I've done research on the Claiborne overpass bridge…
From foxnews.com or foxnation.com I suppose.
Lame, rizzo, really lame…
” The democrats are the best in using people for their own purpose then drop them, i.e. Micheal J Fox, Max Cleland, 9/11 widows,homeless people They are just some examples of who the democrats use.”
Unlike Rudy “a noun, a verb, and 9/11″ Guliani, Sarah Palin, John “Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb bomb Iran” McCain, “W”, and dick cheney, who NEVER EVER used 9/11 for their political gains.
“I wish he'd just come to my neighborhood and see it for himself.”
He'll never do that, because it goes against all the propaganda he's feeding his viewers, and we can't have THAT now, can we?
that was disgraceful… I've met many homeless — and yes, most of them were veterans. truly sad… some patriot you are O' Reilly… and what if they were addicts.. or mentally ill? You think that's some excuse for allowing them to be treated this way? Big heart you've got – asshole.
Unfortunately foxnoise won't show the homeless because it doesn't play to their constituents, who don't care if the homeless exists or not as long as the government don't raise their taxes.
Very sad.
Very,very sad. The U.S. way of living in todays' economy makes more than Vets homeless. We are beginning to look like a third world country and Bill O'Rielly and fox news needs to admit it. The system is failing everyone. Living under a bridge is a way of life for too many of us. Fletcher appears to be an intelligent man, not a man with a brain deficiency as O'Rielly indicated.
Very,very sad. The U.S. way of living in todays' economy makes more than Vets homeless. We are beginning to look like a third world country and Bill O'Rielly and fox news needs to admit it. The system is failing everyone. Living under a bridge is a way of life for too many of us. Fletcher appears to be an intelligent man, not a man with a brain deficiency as O'Rielly indicated.
send him to Iraq not as a soldier but as a journalist bet he shits in his pants in a fire fight:)
My friend, in my third world country our vets are treated as heros,the way they are supposed to be. They and thier families are provided with free housing, children with scholorships and many other facilites and they are treated like true patriots in the society. It is a true tragedy how the government hasn't involved and such a popular channel that many americans watch to form thier opinions on such issues feeds them propganda and garbage as this.