Why would I expect anything but the worst from Fox News? Last week, host Bob Beckel used the slur "Chinamen" -- yes, people, it's a slur -- during a broadcast, in the middle of a xenophobic rant about China.
Bob Beckel Uses Racial Slur On Live Television
On Thursday, during Fox News' The Five, Beckel called China "the single biggest threat to the national security of the United States," launching into a tirade about the imminent threat Chinese hackers. You know. Those hordes of sneaky "chinamen" who come over here and learn "how to do computers" for evil purposes.
Beckel was discussing a New York Times article that said Chinese hackers broke into the computer networks of a U.S. government agency that houses the personal information of all federal employees.
Here's video of Beckel's rant:
If you didn't catch that:
"Yeah, I came across a story, I've said all along, as bad as Islamist terrorists are to this country, the Chinese are the single biggest threat to the national security of the United States. They have been, they will be and they can wait, they're very patient. Do you know what we just did? As usual, we bring them over here and teach a bunch of Chinamen -- er, Chinese people -- how to do computers. Then they go back to China and hack into us, right? The Chinese have hacked into the office of the management of budget. Who do they go after? Everybody with a top-security clearance."
I love how he just casually throws in "chinamen" and then corrects himself -- really, why ever bother? -- but that part almost seems irrelevant compared to his hateful fear-mongering. Beckel's bottom line: never trust a Chinaman and his computer. Seriously, even his fellow hosts look uncomfortable as hell.
California State Sen. Ted Lieu is calling on Beckel to resign immediately, pointing out that this is at least the second time he has used racial slurs:
“We should all be alarmed by the racist, xenophobic comments by Fox News host Bob Beckel," Lieu said in a statement Saturday. "His comments have no place in America, and this is at least the second time he has used racial slurs. He must resign immediately."
"I am one of those 'Chinamen’ with 'Oriental' eyes that immigrated to America and majored in computer science. I also served on active duty in the United States Air Force and continue to serve my country in the Reserves," Lieu said in the statement. "And today, as an American and as a California state senator, I call on Mr. Beckel to resign."
More here: Sen. Ted Lieu wants Fox News host to resign over 'xenophobic' remarks
UPDATE: Here's an online petition calling for Bob Beckel's resignation: Call for a network apology and Beckel's resignation