In his celebrated address to the Conservative Political Action Conference this past February, Andrew Breitbart predicted that the left and the media would do exactly what they are doing today: concoct false accusations of racism to divide Americans and intimidate opponents of President Barack Obama.
Breitbart specifically singled out Al Sharpton and MSNBC, anticipating that they would cynically use empty "dog whistle" accusations to inflame racial tensions. He noted that it made no sense for Sharpton to have a prime time program "unless you understand what they're doing":
This is gonna be the dog whistle election cycle. They tested it in 2011, so that [Sharpton] and his pal Touré, and that punk, Tim Jacob Wise, and Ed [Schultz], and [Rachel] Maddow can sit there and call everyone who's caucasian racist--"I heard it! I used 'is' instead of 'are'! He's a racist! That's a dog whistle"--[and] ignore it when Congressman [Jim] Moran does it against Allen West--no more! We're gonna go after you.
I bought a dog whistle. I bought a dog whistle factory, and I'm giving you dog whistles. [Applause] And we're gonna listen to every word that comes out of your mouth, and we're gonna hold you to the same standard that you hold us--which is an impossible one--and you're gonna have a hell of a time in 2012 because America's finally awoken to your Saul Alinsky, bullsh** tactics, and we're coming to get you. Thank you very much.
Though Breitbart could not have anticipated the tragic death of Trayvon Martin--and the regrettable race-baiting that followed--his prediction came true, as Sharpton and MSNBC have been central to the fabrication of false racism charges in the Martin case. Touré and the mainstream media have followed along.
Whatever the outcome of the Martin case, the deliberate distortions of NBC, CNN, ABC, NPR, PBS, and the New York Times--among others--are a matter of public record. They are following the plan Breitbart predicted. And we--by holding them to account, relentlessly--will continue to do so as well.
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