I do believe that Tavis Smiley has hit the nail on the head. In an interview when asked about his thoughts about this incident (comment) he said something to the effect that he doubts sincerely that O'Reilly is a racist---what he is a very smart fox who has had not many headlines and this was one way of making them while not saying anything really negative. As, Mr. Smiley, contends he knows exactly what he was doing.

On another note--hopefully many watched Jon Stewart last evening---what a great riff on this:

1) Comment--Gee, ",...just like Italian Restaurants--must have have some mob killings in there".

2) Then their African- American "correspondent" went to Sylvias and when asked to order for a drink he asked for Mother F&*^%% Beer--they said that is no way to talk---he said he thought it was the house brand. Then proceeded to eat with his hands until it was pointed out that there was silverware. His reaction was how on the mark O'Reilly was---so much like so many other places.
       Great riff on the whole to-do.

   I don't think this compares, as some said, to Imus. His remarks were racist in a very direct way and slurred some hard working athletes. Would the air-waves be better off without these two---my opinion is SURE. The only difference to me, at this point, is that Imus crossed the line. As to Sharpton---he is one hell of an arbiter of right and wrong since his main interest seems to be Al Sharpton and his headlines

Bill Hahn