Roger Ebert Takes On Bill O'Reilly

Bill O'Reilly has added the Chicago Sun-Times to his "Hall of Shame," a list of media outlets that "have regularly helped distribute defamatory, false or non-newsworthy information supplied by far left websites" and O'Reilly "recommend[s] that you do not patronize or advertise with."

Apparently O'Reilly's rant was triggered when the Sun-Times dropped his syndicated column. The Sun-Times film Critic, Roger Ebert responded with a witty note to O'Reilly.

Dear Bill: Thanks for including the Chicago Sun-Times on your exclusive list of newspapers on your "Hall of Shame." To be in an O'Reilly Hall of Fame would be a cruel blow to any newspaper. It would place us in the favor of a man who turns red and starts screaming when anyone disagrees with him. My grade-school teacher, wise Sister Nathan, would have called in your parents and recommended counseling with Father Hogben. Yes, the Sun-Times is liberal, having recently endorsed our first Democrat for President since LBJ. We were founded by Marshall Field one week before Pearl Harbor to provide a liberal voice in Chicago to counter the Tribune, which opposed an American war against Hitler. I'm sure you would have sided with the Trib at the time.

Your column ran in our paper while it was owned by the right-wing polemicists Conrad Black (Baron Black of Coldharbour) and David Radler. We dropped it to save a little money after they looted the paper of millions.

Ebert continues his thoughts and adds a bit of humor.

Bill, I am concerned that you have been losing touch with reality recently. Did you really say you are more powerful than any politician?

That reminds me of the famous story about Squeaky the Chicago Mouse. It seems that Squeaky was floating on his back along the Chicago River one day. Approaching the Michigan Avenue lift bridge, he called out: Raise the bridge! I have an erection!