MSNBC's Rachel Maddow is actually about to win an award for her "civility" and "tolerance."

"The Walter Cronkite Faith & Freedom Award, established by Interfaith Alliance in 1998, recognizes individuals who courageously promote democratic values, defend religious freedom and reinvigorate informed civic participation," reads a statement released by the organization Monday.

"The award recognizes individuals whose actions have embodied the values of civility, tolerance, diversity and cooperation in the advancement of public dialogue and public policy on traditionally controversial and divisive issues."

And here's why Maddow qualified according to Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, the organization's President (h/t New York Post):

“Rachel’s passionate coverage of the intersection of religion and politics exhibits a strong personal intellect coupled with constitutional sensitivity to the proper boundaries between religion and government."

Question: When you think of Rachel Maddow, or anyone on MSNBC for that matter, does promoting "democratic values," defending "religious freedom," or reinvigorating "informed civic participation" come to mind?

Or how about embodying "the values of civility, tolerance, diversity and cooperation in the advancement of public dialogue and public policy on traditionally controversial and divisive issues?"

As Maddow and MSNBC represent and emblemize some of the most divisive, hyperpartisan invective on television today, to even suggest she or the network she works for embodies the values of civility and tolerance is about as preposterous a comment one could make with regard to the media.

On the other hand, former winners of this "honor" include George Clooney, Peter Jennings, Tom Brokaw, Larry King, and Bill Moyers.

Any questions?

By Noel Sheppard

Read more: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2010/08/17/rachel-maddow-receive-award-her-civility-and-tolerance#ixzz0wswvntd5