The Easter weekend is looking glorious in the Northwest.
Across the world, of course, there are threats of war from North Korea, and al-Qaeda assassinations in Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, of America's two wars in the 21st century, one (Iraq) is over and the other (Afghanistan) is winding down.
Dana Perino, ex-Bush press secretary, now with Fox News, takes up arms in the "War on Easter." Suggests a "Free range organic chicken egg hunt."
Stop! There is another war going unnoticed — the "War on Easter."
Fox News is following its mighty mouth Bill O'Reilly into battle, conjuring up an attack on the Feast of the Resurrection even as Pope Francis is applauded for washing the feet of delinquent girls and President Obama wishes all Americans, believers and non-believers alike, a "blessed Easter."
The "War on Easter" — a familiar trailer these days on Fox News programs –apparently takes the form of a few scattered school districts declining to use the term Easter Bunny, and choosing to stage "Spring egg hunts" instead of Easter egg hunts.
It is all part of a "war on the Judeo-Christian tradition," O'Reilly thundered last week. "Secular progressives are running wild with President Obama in the White House. The feel unchained, liberated and they are trying to diminish any form of religion."
The Amen Corner has taken up the cry. On Fox & Friends First, BillO's bluster was replayed, and then co-host Heather Nauert asked, "What the heck is a 'Spring egg' anyway?"
On Palm Sunday, Fox & Friends Sunday co-host host Jesse Waters — the O'Reilly producer who stages ambush interviews — saw an effort to "diminish religion" by banishing the bunny and renaming the egg.
"Now, a lot of people say it offends people when you use the word 'Easter,' a very small minority, but then by removing the word Easter ends up offending much more people to begin with," said Waters. "Don't they see that they're actually causing more pain."
Who are the "lot of people?" Nobody on Fox has specified.
The Tuesday of Holy Week saw Fox find a target. On "The Five," co-host Eric Bolling upbraided an Alabama middle school principal for holding a "Spring Egg Hunt." The hunt was taken up Wednesday with two segments on the Alabama principal, with co-host Gretchen Carlson lecturing:
Bill O'Reilly: "Christianity is on the run in this country."
"I just always love to know who complains about this? Because if you're talking about Passover this week, and you're talking about Easter, I think those are the only two religious holidays this week. Correct me of I'm wrong." (Actually, there is also Holy Thursday and Good Friday, and holidays in other faith traditions.) "So if you include both of them, what's the big deal? I guess if you believe in nothing, then you would be one that might criticize, saying either of these two words."
Fox hosts, as is their wont, brought heavy sarcasm into play, with co-host Steve Doocey, giving instructions on how to avoid the "E" word.
Holy Thursday, or Maundy Thursday, say co-host (and former Bush press aide) Dana Perino chime in on The Five:
"Greg, do you think it would be better if we called, like if you had an Easter egg roll, an Easter egg hunt, if you had a 'free range organic chicken egg hunt,' do you think that would be more acceptable in the culture?"
The war came full circle with a final Holy Week salvo from O'Reilly. "Christianity is on the run in this country. You rarely see those kinds of assaults against Jews and Muslims," said BillO, adding: "The 10 percent who would be upset by the Easter Bunny, they should be institutionalized by the way."
What "10 percent"? The figure appears to be made out of thin air. Ditto the "War on Easter." It has clearly been created as one more scare, one more threat to toss out at at Fox's elderly, fearful, partisan and insular viewership.
On Good Friday, President Obama issued a statement from the white House saying in part: "These Holy Days are a time to reflect on the momentous sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for each of us, and to celebrate the Resurrection and his gift of grace."
A tip of the hat to the Media Matters website for tracking Fox's beating of drums for a nonexistent war.
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