Why Does Everyone Think I Am Going To Be Killed?
In a candid installment of the "Candace Owens" podcast, host Candace Owens and guest Ana Kasparian delve into a sensitive and critical discussion surrounding the personal toll of being a political commentator. Candace shares her firsthand experiences of harassment and mischaracterization, revealing the impact of a media storm that ensued following misinterpreted remarks at a UK event. She gives a personal account of the professional and physical repercussions that emerged from this misrepresentation, from a temporary media ban to stress-induced health issues, as she navigates through a narrative spun out of her control.
Further exploring the battleground of political discourse, Owens sheds light on the relentless tactics used to suppress voices that diverge from specific political narratives, particularly regarding Israel. Describing these campaigns as a form of "psychological terrorism," she reflects on the chilling effect these strategies have on open conversation. The podcast also hears Candace making proactive proposals to those who question her viewpoints, demonstrating her commitment to shedding light on complex international issues through direct engagement and challenging public dialogues on her platform.
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1-Page Summary
Campaign of harassment against Candace Owens
Candace Owens has openly discussed the relentless harassment and mischaracterization she has experienced, focusing on how her statements are manipulated and the repercussions she faces. She is notably troubled by the misrepresentation of her remarks regarding Hitler, underscoring her ongoing need to rectify false narratives propagated by the media. At a 2018 event in the UK, Owens' commentary on nationalism was misconstrued, which, after Media Matters journalist Jonathan Whitehouse publicized a particular clip on Twitter, ignited a storm of outrage, leading to incorrect allegations of her condoning Hitler's actions. This led to considerable stress, including an autoimmune reaction, and professional damages, such as a temporary Fox News ban and condemnation from organizations like the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Anti-Defamation League.
Tactics used against political commentators
Owens highlights the intense pressures present within political commentary, especially for those who stray from staunchly pro-Israel stances. She mentions that political commentators often face dire repercussions, like character smears and reputational loss, if they don't align with pro-Israel views. Owens pinpoints a concerted effort by “an entire mob” to denigrate those like her friend Dave Smith, who do not echo pro-Israel declarations, citing Isaac Shorer's attempts to discredit her as evidence. Owens perceives these tactics as "psychological terrorism" and asserts that they aim to crush spirits and enforce conformity. Despite being framed in manufactured allegations, she claims these pressures have only intensified her resolve, but she also notes a pervasive fear that stifles open dialogue among her peers.
Candace Owens' offers regarding Israel/Palestine
In response to the criticism regarding her stance on Israel and Palestine, Candace Owens is making bold propositions. She's thrown down a challenge to Rabbi Barclay to facilitate a reporting trip to Israel and Gaza, where she aspires to investigate firsthand and report on the conflict’s complexity. Intent on engaging with IDF soldiers, potentially Benjamin Netanyahu, and Gaza residents, her goal is to attain a nuanced understanding of the situation. Moreover, Owens is extending an invitation to her detractors, such as journalist Isaac Shore and others, to appear on her show for a candid discourse, thereby opening up her platform for direct confrontation with her critics.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Candace Owens faced misrepresentation of her remarks regarding Hitler after a clip of her discussing nationalism was taken out of context. This led to false allegations that she condoned Hitler's actions, causing significant backlash and professional repercussions for Owens. The misrepresentation sparked outrage and condemnation from various organizations, impacting Owens both personally and professionally.
- Candace Owens faced allegations of condoning Hitler's actions after her remarks on nationalism were misconstrued at a 2018 event in the UK. This misinterpretation stemmed from a clip shared on Twitter by a journalist, sparking outrage and leading to false accusations against Owens. The situation caused significant stress and professional repercussions for Owens, including a temporary ban from Fox News and condemnation from various organizations. Owens has since been vocal about the misrepresentation and the impact it had on her reputation and well-being.
- Candace Owens faced professional damages, including a temporary ban from Fox News and condemnation from organizations like the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Anti-Defamation League, due to the misrepresentation of her remarks about Hitler. This misrepresentation stemmed from a clip shared on Twitter that sparked outrage and led to false allegations against her, causing significant stress and negative consequences for her career.
- Political commentators often face intense pressures, including character smears and reputational damage, especially if their views do not align with certain established positions, such as being pro-Israel. These pressures can come in the form of public scrutiny, social media backlash, and attempts to discredit their credibility. The environment can be hostile, with concerted efforts to silence dissenting voices and enforce conformity within the political commentary space. This can lead to fear of speaking openly and freely, as individuals may fear the repercussions of expressing views that go against the mainstream narrative.
- Tactics perceived as "psychological terrorism" in this context involve the use of intense pressures, character smears, and reputational attacks to intimidate and silence individuals who hold differing views, particularly on sensitive topics like Israel. These tactics aim to create fear, crush spirits, and enforce conformity by targeting the mental and emotional well-being of the individuals, making them feel isolated and vulnerable. The term suggests that these actions are not just about disagreement but are designed to psychologically harm and manipulate the targeted individuals, impacting their ability to freely express their opinions and engage in open dialogue.
- Candace Owens has put forward challenges and proposals related to Israel and Palestine, including inviting Rabbi Barclay to organize a trip for her to visit the region for firsthand investigation and reporting. She aims to engage with various stakeholders such as IDF soldiers, potentially Benjamin Netanyahu, and residents of Gaza to gain a deeper understanding of the conflict's complexities. Owens also extended invitations to her critics, like journalist Isaac Shore, to appear on her show for open discussions, offering a platform for direct dialogue and debate.
- Candace Owens is offering her critics, like journalist Isaac Shore, an opportunity to appear on her show for an open and honest discussion. This invitation allows her detractors to engage with her directly on her platform, providing a chance for them to express their viewpoints and engage in a candid conversation. Owens aims to foster dialogue and confront differing perspectives in a public forum, promoting transparency and understanding. This initiative demonstrates Owens' willingness to engage with those who oppose her views in a constructive and open manner.
Counterarguments
- Owens' approach to discussing nationalism and historical figures could be seen as lacking sensitivity or nuance, which may contribute to misunderstandings.
- The media's role is to scrutinize public figures, and while misrepresentation is a serious concern, not all media coverage can be dismissed as harassment or mischaracterization.
- The claim of "psychological terrorism" used against political commentators could be viewed as an exaggeration, and the intense scrutiny might be a part of the accountability process in public discourse.
- The fear among peers that Owens notes could be attributed to the polarized nature of political discourse rather than a targeted campaign against specific viewpoints.
- The invitation to her detractors to appear on her show, while a gesture towards open dialogue, may not necessarily lead to productive conversations if the show's format or audience is not conducive to balanced debate.
- The challenge to facilitate a reporting trip to Israel and Gaza is a positive step towards understanding, but it should be acknowledged that such a trip would need to be approached with care to avoid potential biases or oversimplifications of a complex issue.
- Engaging with a diverse range of voices in the Israel-Palestine conflict is important, but it is also crucial to ensure that the perspectives of marginalized groups are not overshadowed by high-profile figures like IDF soldiers or political leaders.
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Campaign of harassment against Candace Owens
Candace Owens opens up about a series of attacks and misrepresentations she has faced, describing how her comments and actions have been received and the consequences she's endured.
Smears about her Hitler comments
Owens has been grappling with the persistent smearing of her character, particularly concerning her comments about Hitler. Owens clarifies that she never said what was claimed and stresses her frustration over continually having to correct the record because of libels and smears in articles and on media platforms.
In the course of a speech in the United Kingdom in November 2018, Owens made comments about nationalism in response to a question. She emphasizes that the words "Holocaust" or "Jews" were never mentioned. Owens reflects on the specific clip from the live event in the UK that led to the controversy, pointing out that no attendees, including journalists and Jewish individuals, initially found her comments to be problematic.
However, in 2019, Jonathan Whitehouse, a journalist from Media Matters, made the clip go viral on Twitter, leading to a widespread public outcry. Owens was then inaccurately accused of supporting Adolf Hitler based on out-of-context quotes that were circulated across various media outlets.
Calls for her firing over Kanye West tweets
[Content not provided, so this section is not addressed]
Attacks after liking a tweet criticizing Rep ...
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Campaign of harassment against Candace Owens
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Candace Owens is a conservative political commentator known for her outspoken views on various social and political issues. She is a prominent figure in the conservative movement and has gained attention for her critiques of liberal ideologies and her support for conservative causes. Owens is also known for her active presence on social media platforms, where she often engages with her followers and critics alike. Her views on topics such as race, culture, and free speech have sparked both support and controversy, leading to debates and discussions about her perspectives and public persona.
- Candace Owens faced controversy over comments on nationalism made during a speech in the UK in November 2018. Her rem ...
Counterarguments
- Owens' comments, while not explicitly mentioning the Holocaust or Jews, could be interpreted as insensitive or minimizing the impact of Hitler's actions beyond the genocide, given his aggressive expansionist policies and the global impact of World War II.
- Public figures, especially those with controversial opinions, often face scrutiny, and it is part of the public discourse to have their statements analyzed and critiqued, which can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or misrepresentations.
- The responsibility of a public figure includes ensuring their statements are clear and unambiguous to prevent misinterpretation, especially on sensitive topics like historical figures associated with atrocities.
- Jewish organizations have a duty to respond to statements they perceive as potentially harmful or minimizing the severity of historical events, especially when related to the Holocaust or antisemitism.
- Being ...
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Tactics used against political commentators
Candace Owens discusses the considerable challenges and targeted tactics faced by political commentators who do not express pro-Israel stances or who diverge from expected narratives regarding Israel.
Threats if they don't take pro-Israel stances
Owens asserts that political commentators are under pressure to take radically pro-Israel opinions, fearing that silence or dissent can lead to severe consequences. She argues that failure to comply with pro-Israel narratives can result in character attacks and a loss of career and reputation.
Coordinated efforts to smear reputations
Owens describes how an "entire mob" can assemble to attack those who do not submit to a pro-Israel narrative. She cites the example of her friend Dave Smith, who faced derogatory labels for not adhering to pro-Israel talking points. Additionally, Owens claims that Isaac Shorer is campaigning for her dismissal and has authored multiple articles denigrating her.
Owens believes there is a group of journalists actively trying to discredit her by monitoring her social media and manipulating her statements out of context. She feels besieged by this "mafia" of journalists who tell others to fire her because she refuses to exhibit animosity on demand.
Psychological terrorism to force compliance or snap
Reflecting on years of threats and harassment from individuals such as Rabbi Shmuley and his daughter, Owens perceives these calculated attacks as attempts to "drive [her] crazy." The intent, Owens claims, is to degrade her reput ...
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Tactics used against political commentators
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- "Pro-Israel stances," "expected narratives regarding Israel," and "pro-Israel talking points" typically refer to viewpoints, storylines, and arguments that align with supporting Israel's government, policies, and actions. These terms imply a position that favors Israel's interests, defends its actions, and promotes a positive image of the country in political discussions and media representations. They often involve advocating for Israel's security, sovereignty, and legitimacy while downplaying criticisms or challenges to its policies and practices.
- Psychological terrorism in this context involves targeted attacks aimed at causing emotional distress and mental anguish through sustained harassment, threats, and character assassination. The goal is to intimidate and manipulate the individual into compliance or to provoke a reaction that can be used against them. This form of coercion seeks to undermine the target's confidence, reputation, and mental well-being, ultimately aiming to silence or discredit them within their professional sphere. The tactics employed can include relentless personal attacks, spreading f ...
Counterarguments
- Political commentators have a range of views on Israel, and not all face the same pressures or consequences.
- Some commentators may experience pushback for their views without it escalating to character attacks or career damage.
- Criticism of political stances, including those on Israel, can be part of healthy democratic debate rather than coordinated attacks.
- Journalists have a duty to scrutinize public figures, which can include monitoring social media, but this is not necessarily done with malicious intent.
- The term "psychological terrorism" may be an exaggeration when describing the pressures faced by public figures in heated political debates.
- Public figures, including political commentators, often face scrutiny and criticism, which is not unique to discussions about Israel.
- The claim that reputations are degraded until commentators are no longer viable may not account for those who have maintained their careers despite controversy.
- Accus ...
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Candace Owens' offers regarding Israel/Palestine
Conservative commentator Candace Owens is making waves with her latest propositions involving the contentious Israel/Palestine issue.
Proposal to visit Israel and Gaza as a reporter
Candace Owens throws down the gauntlet, challenging Rabbi Barclay to organize a trip for her to Israel and Gaza where she intends to report on the situation with her own eyes. She plans to engage with various individuals directly involved or affected by the conflict, including conversations with IDF soldiers, a meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu, and interactions with inhabitants of Gaza, aiming to assess the realities on the ground.
Invitation for critics to come on her show
Owens isn't stopping at just a reporting trip; she's taking things a step further by exte ...
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Candace Owens' offers regarding Israel/Palestine
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Candace Owens hosts a show where she discusses various topics and invites guests to share their perspectives. Critics can participate by accepting her invitation to appear on her show and engage in a conversation with her. This format ...
Counterarguments
- Owens' ability to objectively report on the situation may be questioned due to her known conservative stance, which could influence her interpretations and interactions.
- The complexity of the Israel/Palestine conflict might not be fully captured in a single trip, especially if the itinerary is not balanced or if there is limited access to various perspectives.
- Meeting with high-profile figures like Benjamin Netanyahu may not provide an accurate representation of the everyday experiences of regular citizens affected by the conflict.
- The safety and logistics of traveling to Gaza can be challenging, and her presence as a high-profile figure could potentially alter the behavior of those she is reporting on.
- The effectiveness of inviting critics on her show ...
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