Alex Jones: Theatrics on Piers Morgan

In the wake of the Newtown school shooting, CNN’s Piers Morgan has no qualms about aligning himself with gun control advocates and against the NRA. In a live debate with the executive director of Gun Owners of America, he called the guest “dangerous,” “stupid” and “an idiot.”

Years ago, news anchors avoided overtly taking sides and especially avoided name calling on the air. But even when he does these things, I consider Piers Morgan an example of a reasonable voice in mainstream media. But...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtyKofFih8Y

But in an interview with Alex Jones yesterday, Piers was subjected to a most incredible rant. I can’t recall seeing anything quite like this on television. I have seen guests with opposing views shout at each other over a news anchor, but they weren’t shouting at their host. On Jerry Springer and Morton Downey were hosts to chair throwing incidents and bar room brawls. But these involved the audience and not noted guests. It even eclipses the antics of early Gerlado shows. Perhaps Alex Jones can be compared to Hulk Hogan screaming about his anticipated bone crushing, head stomping victory at the World Wrestling Federation—But that is understood to be theatrics spoken for pure entertainment.

See these clips from the interview. (Be sure to see both clips--before and after a break).

Alex Jones is a conservative radio talk show host at the fringe. (His network produces The Katherine Albrecht Show—a more reasoned a conservative. I was a guest on her show last year).

Piers begins with a very civil introduction. He explains that Alex Jones is behind a popular White House petition to deport Piers back to England! (Incidentally, Alex justifies the petition based on Piers being a foreigner who is attacking the 2nd amendment to the constitution. Jones see this as an attempt to influence or overthrow our government.

Sitting next to Piers in the CNN studio with a humble smile, Jones politely explains that the deportation petition was simply a way to wake up his listeners and give momentum to the debate. But any debate yet to begin and without provocation, he loses all control in the first two minutes! Piers never has a chance to interject or ask a question. The guest is filled with hate and rage. He threatens to overthrow Piers and his relatives by restarting the 1776 independence revolutinon.

Don’t miss this one. It is unbelievable that Jones – a talk show host with a significant audience – cannot control his passion and rage during an interview with a mainstream host. C’mon! Even if you don't consider Piers Morgan to be “mainstream”, in the words of James Earl Jones, "This is CNN!"

Was Jones playing to the camera in an effort to score viewers for his own talk show? Perhaps his producer told him that jumping up and down like a monkey in estrus would ignite a durable soap box moment in the Internet age. Well, perhaps...But the message broadcast from the CNN soap box was “I am a buffoon!” —So sayeth Ellery.

I would love to hear from a 2nd amendment advocate. Does Jones represent your opinion? Does your passion match his? Is he articulate? Could it be that he is really a stooge for advocates of tighter gun controls? Now, that would be a clever ploy!