PBS Radio Producer Explains Why Harry Belafonte’s Anti-Obama Remarks Were Cut From Show
- Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:33pm by
Madeleine Morgenstern
- Print »
- Email »
AP
Legendary singer Harry Belafonte hasn’t been one to hold back his political opinions: He’s attacked the Tea Party, then-GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain and in July even voiced his dissatisfaction with President Barack Obama, saying Obama lacked courage and vision.
Interviewed recently on the “Smiley & West” radio program — co-hosted by PBS talk show host Tavis Smiley and Princeton University professor Cornel West — Belafonte came down on Obama again, saying the president lacks a “moral compass.”
But as Brian Maloney of the Radio Equalizer pointed out, Belafonte’s comments about Obama, available in full on the “Smiley & West” website, appear to have been edited out when the program was broadcast to its public radio affiliates around the country.
First, listen to Belafonte’s remarks about Obama [transcript follows]:
BELAFONTE: When I think of Barack Obama and I think about all that is at stake here, I’ve really long since left talking about how many terms he will be as a president. My question is what legacy will he leave having had the opportunity to serve under such hugely dramatic circumstances and boggled the mind and boggled people’s thinking and had such a huge impact on the universal state of things.
And how could he have had such a splendid opportunity to do more than most presidents would have ever been able to do and he let that opportunity slip away from him. And I am very cautious of the fact of those who thinks that he has some hidden agenda and that if only he could be given a second term for us to see the new light, new things will be revealed. A new efforts will be made to take us to a place other than where we have been and where we languish.
I just don’t trust that. I don’t think that a safe way, an accurate way to look at the scenario. I think if there was the kind of moral compass serving Barack Obama in the way we had all hoped, the moral force would have helped him make choices. The absence of that force in his equations, the absence of that barometer to guide him when he has to make these decision which are hugely complicated, especially from the political perspective. He should have come to the table with things that I think would have helped us in this moment of crisis.
Now, hear his remarks in the context of the entire interview, available on the Smiley & West website [relevant portion begins at the 24:10 mark]:
Finally, hear the version broadcast on the radio, courtesy of Radio Equalizer, skipping the above portion entirely:
Belafonte’s comments about Obama are also missing from the official transcript posted on the show’s site, even though the website features the full audio. In the original interview, Belafonte’s remarks come between the two paragraphs shown below:
Smiley & West Show transcript | smileyandwest.com
But Joe Zefran, the producer of “Smiley & West,” said in a phone interview with The Blaze that the show was edited for time, not to try to cover up Belafonte’s remarks.
There are always two versions of the show, he said: A broadcast version that goes out to affiliate stations that’s limited to 59 minutes, and the longer, unedited version that is posted online and in podcast form.
“There was never an edit after the fact, that’s how it went out last week,” he said, calling it “standard for any interview that goes over time.”
As for the show’s transcript, it reflects the broadcast version of the show, not the unedited one, he said.
But why cut that segment specifically?
“It was the least interesting part to be honest,” he said. “A lot of people have been saying that [about Obama], Fox News says that every night.”
He added that Smiley — who was booted as a speaker from an upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. event for making critical remarks about Obama — has no input on what’s cut from the broadcast version.
“I‘m not thinking if I take it out of the broadcast that that isn’t getting out of there,” Zefran said of the edited remarks. “It‘s not like it’s a big secret.”
Popular Stories
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 578 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 404 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 403 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 372 Comments
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 354 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 403 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 404 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 354 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 150 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 403 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (140)
Zombee
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:28pmThe State Run Propaganda media is still trying to cover up and hide the truth about Barack Hussein Obama. The Marxist liberal leaning media has poisoned the waters of American opinion and the results are an ill informed American public and voting based on Misinformation.There can be no question of the fact that the media has long since left the ethics of journalism to pursue a political agenda and ideology of socialistic/Marxism and Anti-capitalism.The media originally was intended to be the watchdog of democracy… given their lack of curiosity and nonexistent investigative journalism regarding the current imposter in the Whitehouse they have FAILED miserably in that task.
Report Post »drattastic
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:37pmWell put but lets not kid ourselves the media bias is not only to protect obama but the democrat party in general……..disgusting.
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:46pmI Think What Harry Said About Obama Has Placed His Name Near The Top Of Obama’s KILL LIST
The existence of this OBAMA KILL LIST came out during the Bin Laden murder.
Report Post »jhaydeng
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:25pmI saw West on CSPAN the other day at a Communist USA rally or something and I can whole heartedly say he is as racist as a Klan member! His rhetoric was extremely pointed! His speech did nothing to quell any tensions! Dr. King would probably ignore this individual!
Report Post »Maji
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 10:21pmJust explain why they thought anyone would care
Report Post »what Harry had to say anyway.
Ruler4You
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 5:26amMan, you are right on. Journalism was given huge responsibility as the watchdog of government because government was given such huge latitude within the confines of its construct.
In the final measure both have done themselves and their charges an immeasurable disservice. In fact, I’d argue they are treasonous in their present behaviors in comparison to their charters.
The MSM in general but government “TV” and broadcasting in particular are without question state propaganda arms that suborn socialism. But, I believe, that was the charter of the PBS system. The others just seem to have sold out over time or were infiltrated and subverted in an act that “IS” exactly what would happen in an invasion. Media outlets: First.
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 6:09amDon’t for get Obumbler considers Cornel West as a good friend. Belafonte was acting stupidly just like the Police.
OMG
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 8:34amThe explaination
Report Post »WE’RE IN THE TANK FOR OBAMA
poorrichard09
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 9:04amIt’s called c-e-n-s-o-r-s-h-i-p and it’s a key part of every dictatorship.
Report Post »ALLEGIANCE
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 9:12amDoes it make your hatred towards him more intense, by using his middle name, just because it is the same middle name as an Islamic terrorist. I wish that when you all did your posts, you did it because of your love for lady liberty. But it seems that most of you post, just to get some emotional baggage off your chest. Please be aware that loads of liberals (while they do not post on this site) they read everything we post. And as I am going to more and more liberal sites, The Blaze seems to be mentioned each and every day. And I never read where they are talking about our views or your stance on government or the economy etc. They seem to think that conservatives on the Blaze are concerned with the way Michelle Obama looks. How much Michelle Obama weighs, Obama is a racist. Michelle hates white people. Black people are on public assistance. I created an account on Tuesday on one of the sites, but I just could not bring myself to post, because yesterday, there were so many silly immature posts on the Blaze about absolutely nothing. And I would have looked like an idiot, denying their claims. Some of you post on this site, like the Potus reads these sites himself. Do you post to get under the skin of certain people or what. Why do some of you post such senseless dribble every day. Why can’t you all show that you are not emotionally driven and that you are a brave constitution loving American, who wants to post facts not opinions or feelings.
Report Post »crackerone
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 9:40am@ Allegiance
Don’t let that commie loviing, code-pink, it takes a village door, hit you on the way out!
Contempt breeds contempt!
Report Post »IMPEACHBHO
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 9:46am@ZOMBEE
Report Post »Very, very true. The State media still has a large section of our population fooled. We must not only remove BHO, we must abolish the propaganda.
V-MAN MACE
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 10:28amZombee
The same people you have described have done the same thing to Ron Paul.
The corporate-owned-and-run media cannot be trusted whatsoever. They have zero credibility.
Report Post »FormerLib
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 10:45amWhy did they cut those comments?
Here’s your answer: “A lot of people have been saying that [about Obama], Fox News says that every night.” If it’s on Fox, it must never be repeated, according to these folks.
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 11:05amde oooh….deee oh…please Mr Belafonte man go back to tallying bananas.
Report Post »BehindBlueEyes
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 11:07am@ZOMBEE
Report Post »I couldn’t said it better. I believe the press is the single most important tool of the commie in chief and his puppet master. Obama has personal meetings with the MSNBC reporters to make sure they are towing the line and are in harmony with the agenda.
Leader1776
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 11:26am@Ruler4you
Report Post »Excellent post. However, I would suggest the media is “state run” only if the left is running the state. As we all know journalism departments are way left of center attracting those left leaning, of mediocre IQ wanting to ‘change the world’. They (media) would not be on the side of the state if a true conservative movement were running it.
sdarbro
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 11:35amALLEGIANCE:
you could write a thesis on the mind set of a majority of the hate that goes into these comments. I would bet that 3 out of 4 comments are insulting in tone and are more of a ‘vent’ than a discussion of any nature. Of course, it is that way on other sites like HP, too.
That being said, did any notice that Belafonte’s voice sounds kinda like an alien? When he talks there is a harmony to it. Anybody pick up on that?!?! Poor guy, clearly his vocal chords are shot.
Report Post »Yeah_Buddy
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 4:41pm@ALLEGIANCE
Ignoring his middle name is EXACTLY what got us into this mess to begin with. We the people/media ignored his background, allegence with marxists, black theology hate religion, buddies aries, wright, etc.
We kept our collective heads buried in the sand because why…he seems like a nice, well spoken black guy? I’d vote for Condaleza Rice or my black neighbor before this idiot.
Oh don’t say his middle name! Even though he did during swear in.
Report Post »The10thAmendment
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 7:10pmWhy is it “news” when this clown says…………….something? He’s a shill for Ari Emanuel. Yes, the brother of Rahm Emanuel and the socialist agenda to subvert America into a Technocracy Marxist communism.
Report Post »snooop1e
Posted on March 18, 2012 at 9:17pmThis is referred to as Revisionist history. Same thing is happening with the books that are being used in public schools. Children are being taught how peaceful Islam is and all of the great contributions that Islam has made to society while the Christians were carrying out the crusades and the inquisitions. Well at least they are teaching our kids about gay penguins, not all is lost.
Report Post »trenton edwards
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:21pmold news is no news or should i say about the left and the way mainstream media covers them
Report Post »“any bad news about our guy will not be news”
TurboCat
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 3:58amSickening! The three of them pining for the way they think it should be. And how dare that nasty Belafonte criticize Colin Powell back when he was in the Bush administration. I’ll never forget how vile his attack was on such an honorable man.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 7:10amLegendary singer….. Nope. Legendary Douche bag……. Yep
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 9:46amBelefonte: A-O, A-O, A-O. Daylights coming and it’s time to go home. Go!
Report Post »From Virginia
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:19pmI can’t stand this commie, Belafonte. Just what is he disappointed in obama for? He’s (obama) has bankrupted the country, has a policy of discriminating against the white population while transfering the wealth of this country to africa. What specifically MORE does he want obummer to do to us?
This man (Belafonte) was made rich in a country because of its opportunities and this idiot instead of recognizing they leaps and bounds we’ve made regarding race have nothing but nasty things to say about this country. I wish he’d just get the h3ll out.
Report Post »drattastic
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:43pmBecause he along with the obamas and holders of the world want payback, they want vengeance, they want white people in chains. In their heart of hearts they want genocide. That is the truth and we all know it.
Report Post »UnseenAmerican
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 5:12pmSpoken like a true racist!
Report Post »sizzler2220
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:10pmFunny how the bIacks turn on other bIacks and whites after they have made their fortune. Smiley is another idiot.
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:48pmHe did not turn on Obama, where did you get that idea?
Harry will still vote for Obama and donate a generous cash campaign gift. Harry is not going to vote for a GOP whitty.
Report Post »Your Name Here
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 7:11amThat is a fact!
Report Post »Just look at all of the countries where blacks are in power and you will see this in action.
The one in power doesn’t care about the rest of the people under them. This is truly the 1% vs. the 99%.
Another thing I’ve seen in all of my travels is that blacks in power never build things up, they tear down what is already there.
I am not saying this to be mean, it’s just the way it is in the world.
Name one place that is better there they are in charge. Even the UN is being trashed by the leadership.
SilentReader
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:09pmIt’s no secret to anyone that the Teleprompter-in-Chief has no moral compass. He also has no soul.
Report Post »babylonvi
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:08pmPBS = Government Motors, a bad deal for the public all around. ZERO out the federal subsidy.
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:06pmawwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Report Post »the racist commies are censoring each other
awwwwwwwwwwwwwww
cosette
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:55pm@ Robert “Many a true word is spoke in jest.”… Chaucer 1309 …. Spot on!
Report Post »INOGAWD
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 11:46pmThere beginning to devour each other, saw Ed Shultz’s daughter
Report Post »Debbie, coming down hard on the Tea Party and how evil they are.
but no mention of the damage the Occupiers have caused…….
They have Bama and Palooosies blessing…If Debbie Wooserman
is the best they can come up with…she can’t even get her home
State of Florida to come around, and she is DNC chair, watta’joke..
goldmind
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:05pmBelafonte, “legendary”…how so? The only thing I recall, about this calypso cockroach is a song titled DayO. He’s a social parasite…not a legend.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 9:02amI have never understood it, either. One stupid song, and he is golden. Oh well, not too different with today’s, so-called talent. Most of them only have one song to brag about, too.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 2:23pmThat’s a lot of work for just one banana.
Report Post »suz
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:01pmunfortunately, belafonte’s moral compass looks nothing like mine.
mine align w/the Constitution; his don’t.
Report Post »SoupSandwich
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:11pmYeh, there is that. But then the whole enchilada with why is his opinion worth anything, and who was the company wanting to write off big losses for the smileyandwanker show. Hmmph. Slow news day.
Report Post »KangarooJack
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:55pmPUBLIC RADIO…need we type more?
Report Post »Bruce_Almty
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:53pmYou speak ill of our socialist president or his angry black wife…….the liberal // lame street media says …… YOU are a racist Harry.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:51pmBelafonte and West are worthless communists and are upset with their Marxist president because in their warped minds think he hasn’t gone far enough down the road to communism.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:56pmI wonder if they will say the same thing when they are facing the firing squad as their comrad orders “Ready, aim…”
Report Post »SHOWMESTATEGUY
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:50pmThey are so many things wrong in this story. First, you have the msm trying to cover up the fact that one of BO’s biggest supporters during the 2008 campaign says something negative about the great one. Second, Harry will not be happy until this country is like Cuba,after all Castro is his hero. Does Harry want the same for America as Cuba. The dem libs are nuts, about many, many things. Vote all dem libs out of office and watch America grow.
Report Post »Bro Geo Too
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:49pm`
Belafonte’s remarks echo the concerns raised by Hillary Clinton in 2008: Obama did not then nor does he now have the experience to properly govern this country. Sadly, after 3 years and trillions of dollars spent trying to train him, Obama remains inept and way over his head–he does not have the moral authority to lead.
But now for the good news; the 2012 presidential election is only 299 days away as of today, 01/11/12. Thank God!
If you voted for Obama out of a sense of guilt, i.e., to correct for past injustices, you can redeem yourself in 2012 by voting against him out of a sense of self preservation.
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:19pmobama is a globalist, he serves the globalist’s agenda 21. he takes orders from UN and NATO and dismisses The People of America as garbage. Globalism = slavery for us all (entire world). there is not “free globalist society”, you can’t be for liberty (individualism) and be a globalist (collectivist).
we are not all the same, we are individuals.
but, we are all born equal in “class”. hence, created equal, equal rights which can not be infringed upon, Legally, by any mortal or groups of mortals no matter what authority they “claim” to have.
stand up, fight and die for liberty or be a coward and live as a slave. there is no middleground with Liberty and Slavery, it’s one or the other. you either believe in liberty (Self Control) or you believe in slavery (control of others and others controlling you), make your choice now, you will be dying for it.
control doesn’t equal education. history has proven this.
Report Post »start teaching your children properly, teach them how to fish. teach them how to question everything and find the answers they are looking for. do not let them be cowards who would bend their morals for politics (political correctness). morals and values are not to be bent or compromised. … it doesn’t matter what people believe or do, it‘s their right to believe and do it as long as it doesn’t infringe on the rights of others. it’s basic logic… if your not bothering anyone else, what does it matter? LEAVE PEOPLE ALONE! FFS
From Virginia
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:22pmYou say he’s inept. But if he’s goal was to destroy the country exactly what would you have him do differently to succeed in destroying us? I say that‘s exactly what his purpose was and he’s done a bang up job at it.
Report Post »Bro Geo Too
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:11pmYes, Virginia, there is a destroyer. His name is Obama and he is methodically dismantling the USA right before our eyes–in that respect you are absolutely correct. Good clarification you added.
Report Post »smokeyridgerunner
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:49pmWhy waste my time! Nobody is going to do anything about it.
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:47pmSorry I don’t bellieve Mr. Zefran.. This is nothing more than what a dictator does in his country to shut the voice of the people.. and we don’t wake up we will be Venezuala, we will Iran..Syria with a dictator who has us under his thumb.. I am always so amazed at people who are so blinded that they cannot see what is going on. God help us all!
Report Post »broper
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:02pmYou are spot on… Hugo Chavez was democraticallyelected in the beginning, and then he began to chip away at Venezula’s Constitution, and manipulate, confiscate, and mandate. Those who could oppose him, he left alone for a time, while he grew in power – then he pounced. Now he is a dictator, an enemy of freedom and liberty on the planet and our own dictator wanna-be is learning fast. It’s only hard by the yard, but a cinch by the inch. Step around Congress here, step around Congress there. God help us indeed!
Report Post »From Virginia
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:31pm@Broper – Except our congress is allowing him to do so. Remember when Bush was in office? It was one investigation after another. The supremes would step in and halt every action in the prosecution of the war. This admin is so corrupt and there is NOTHING being done to stop him. Neither by the supremes nor congress. We have been sold down the river by every aspect of government that was supposed to protect us.
Report Post »Phoneguy
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:47pmCover, duck and dodge.
Report Post »georgiavietvet
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:46pmi would suggest that pbs left out the negative comments about obama, by a well known and outspoken black democrat, was because pbs is biased in favor of obama and doesnt want to broadcast anything negative about obama. its really just that simple………………………….
Report Post »momrules
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:45pmHow many people really give a hoot what these three racists think except other racists?
Report Post »CatB
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:44pmCome now .. we know that they don’t have a bias toward Obama and all things Obama .. just ask them. Even old Harry can’t get away with a diss on their guy. Least interesting? Hardly.
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:44pmI guess, when even a crazy persons statements start making too much sense, they must be censored by the State Media.
Report Post »yougottabekidding
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:43pmHe added that Smiley — who was booted as a speaker from an upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. event for making critical remarks about Obama…….
The emporers clothes
Report Post »mcgrawactor1
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:43pmBelafonte is simply disappointed the Barrack Hussein Obama is not MORE of a communist that he is, or at least appears to be. It is sad that we pay Mr. Belafonte any heed. His voice, which is the sole reason he is famous, was lost long ago to nodes on his cords… He has found more fame simply being a shill for the uber-left. Why edit his comments? Americans cannot be shown the man behind the curtain…nothing to see here, Mr. Wizard!! Harry has just learned it was all smoke and mirrors and now he is sad. He cannot and will not see the real puppeteers until it is too late.
Report Post »Tower7_TRUTH
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:42pmAsk Barry why he signed the NDAA ????
And ask why only RP is opposed to it ?
Why suspend the habeas corpus in insurrections and rebellions? Examine the history of England. See how few of the cases of the suspension of the habeas corpus law have been worthy of that suspension. They have been either real treasons, wherein the parties might as well have been charged at once, or sham plots, where it was shameful they should ever have been suspected. Yet for the few cases wherein the suspension of the habeas corpus has done real good, that operation is now become habitual and the minds of the nation almost prepared to live under its constant suspension.” ~ Thomas Jefferson
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:56pmEvery politician who voted for NDAA or the unpatriotic act should be brought up on charges of treason.
Report Post »Ron Paul is the only constitutional conservative running and that‘s why I’ll vote for him,the rest are progressives with an R next to their name,so called conservatives the lot of them.
Tower7_TRUTH
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:15pmSo why does Beck call his supporters terrorist ?
Report Post »The same reason Rush is attacking him daily, more than he attacks Obama.
TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:40pmWest and Smiley….No words. Ok, one word. IRRELEVANT!
Report Post »