We already knew that Phyllis Schlafly would be receiving the "James C. Dobson Vision & Leadership Award" at this year's Values Voter Summit, but now we find out that the Family Research Council has decided to award Bill O'Reilly its first annual "Media Courage Award":
Today, FRC Action, the legislative lobbying arm of Family Research Council, announced that Bill O'Reilly, host of Fox News' "The O'Reilly Factor," will address FRC's fourth annual Values Voter Summit that will take place September 18-20 in Washington, D.C. O'Reilly is the author of eight best-selling books including Culture Warrior, Those Who Trespass and his most recent A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity: A Memoir.
For being a voice of virtue in a culture of death, FRC Action will honor him with the first ever Media Courage Award. In the face of intense pressure, Bill O'Reilly has stood for truth during a tumultuous time in the pro-life debate. Despite a firestorm of unfair allegations, he has defended his position against late-term abortions and brought new light to a gruesome procedure. He has used a national platform to promote the dignity of life - no matter what the personal or professional risk.
O'Reilly has never attended this event in the past, as far as I know - he's not listed among those who spoke at the events in 2007 or 2008 and I don't recall him attending back at the first one in 2006. Nor, for that matter, has FRC ever handed out this type of award at the event before.
Did they just create this award in order to bribe O'Reilly into attending this year?
