Fox News Show blasts "The Amazing Race"

Fox News's show "The Five" spent several minutes criticizing "The Amazing Race" for showing "anti-American" places and events while the The Race traveled through Hanoi, Vietnam.

The Fox News video can be seen here.

Bob Beckel, the liberal co-host of Fox News’ “The Five,” had some harsh words for the executives at CBS over the network’s “idiotic” decision to air what some are calling communist propaganda disrespectful to Vietnam veterans.

CBS’ “The Amazing Race” had its contestants travel to Hanoi, Vietnam where they learned communist anthems and were subjected to state propaganda. The contestants also traveled to Vietnam’s B-52 memorial, the site of a downed U.S. B-52 bomber.

“I am so outraged by this, I can’t believe it,” Beckel began. “CBS is idiotic, they’re stupid. The idea that they would put something like that on the TV — don’t blame it on young producers. It had to go through somebody at the executive branch at CBS.”

He went on: “If CBS can’t do any better than that, to go to a memorial where Americans died, then you ought to get off the network. Take that show and shove it!”  Beckel also said CBS executives should apologize for the segment.

I watched that episode of "The Amazing Race" and it never struck me as something inappropriate to show a "shotdown B-52 wreckage" park in Hanoi, Vietnam.  While I can see how it is sort of a memorial against the United States forces during the Vietnam War, it strikes me that the war has been over for a long time and the nations are not enemies anymore.  It would be like Japanese tourists visiting the Pearl Harbor Memorial.

I thought the communist propaganda shown in the show was a funny farcical parody, not real.  There was a show of people singing lyrics and dancing girls in cheerleader type uniforms -- which is funny when done by a former foe of the US.  The lyrics are just a funny parody on their own, aren't they?

“Vietnam Communist Party is glorious.
Long live freedom and independence of our Nation,
Our land does not forget the truth in your name.

[Chorus]

Vietnam, we are going to the century of light.
Socialism is growing more beautiful with time.
Follow the party’s step. Be loyal. Be pure.
Although the path has been muddy with rain and dusty with sun,
Vietnam, spring has come (repeat chorus). 
Glory to our young generation.”