Did FOX News Deceptively Doctor Jimmy Hoffa ‘Violent Speech’ Video?

[Editor's note: We want to know your thoughts.]

While we aren’t fans of Jimmy Hoffa, we are fans of getting the most accurate version of a reported story out even if that story is not in our favor. Truth telling, not bearing false witness, like not stealing, is fundamental to good reporting.

It has come to our attention that a recent Jimmy Hoffa ‘call to violence’ sounds more like a ‘get out the vote’ speech with the use of some uncivil and even violent rhetoric. FOX News released a clip of Hoffa’s Detroit speech on Monday. Left out of the clip was the entire context of Hoffa’s speech. It has been reported by some that FOX News has used the entire clip in their TV show, but what is making the rounds on the internet is the edited version.

Let’s be clear, “Let’s take these son of bitches out” is way over the top, so much so that Mr. Hoffa should resign from his union leadership position. If a conservative leader had said anything similar, he would be packing his bags today.

By editing the speech, FOX is giving Hoffa and his supporters cover. They can rightly say, “The speech was edited.”

This is how Hoffa’s remarks are currently being reported by most Conservative news organizations (Section in bold is my doing and is the most pertinent piece. It sounds like violent rhetoric with a violent call to action; Chicago style:

“President Obama, this is your army. We are ready to march. Let’s take these son of bitches out and give America back to an America where we belong,” Hoffa added.

Now, let’s revisit the bolded section when it is left unedited:

President Obama, this is your army. We are ready to march. And President Obama, we want one thing: jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs. That’s what we’re going to tell him. He’s gonna be [stutter] and when he sees what we’re doing here, he will be inspired. But he needs help. And you know what? Everybody here’s got to vote. If we go back, and we keep the eye on the prize. Let’s take these son of a bitches out and give America back to an America where we belong.

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