Video of Deaths U.S. Caused; Pull the Cipro Patent; Pledge of Allegiance Too Intolerant; "Staunch Republican" Can't Help Poor? 1) ABC and NBC gave life to Taliban propaganda by airing video of injured civilians. ABC's Dan Harris declared: "U.S. attacks on a village near Kandahar killed 93 civilians on Tuesday, including 18 members of one family." Harris prompted a doctor: "How do you feel when you see these kids?" Harris directed him: "Angry at the United States?" Peter Jennings mocked Pentagon denials, but CBS and NBC noted they conceded some mistakes. 2) Are most Muslims anti-U.S.? Depends which week you... continue reading
Brokaw's Moral Equivalence; Freedom "Lies in Eye of the Beholder"; CNN's Platform for a Terrorist; Rather Wound Down with the Bible 1) NBC's moral equivalence of terrorists and victims of terror. Tom Brokaw referred to the assassins of an Israeli cabinet minister as "militants" and relayed their claim that it was payback for Israel's "murder" of their leader, before he lamented how the incident could escalate "the cycle of revenge." 2) CBS's Allan Pizzey dismissed "freedom" espoused by the U.S. as "a perception that lies in the eye of the beholder." Pizzey argued despair rationally fuels terrorism: "If you were... continue reading
So Far, No Defeats for Taliban; CBS: "We're Bullies" for Killing Civilians; "Right Wing" Blamed for Anthrax; "Urge to Be Unbiased" 1) "So far this is a war without any clear-cut victories or defeats," a befuddled David Wright reported from Afghanistan on ABC's World News Tonight. Wright relayed how Taliban troops say they "are still alive and well-armed and that the bombing isn't fazing them. 'We just laugh at these bombs,' one of the Taliban escorts said." 2) Dan Rather specifically noted the ingratitude of Saudi Arabia as he highlighted on Monday night how, "in public criticism of the United... continue reading
Kids' Bucks Vile "Propaganda"; CBS & ABC Conflict on Civilians Killed; NPR: Journalists First, Americans Second; Brokaw's Anger 1) ABC News portrayed President Bush's call for kids to give a dollar each to help Afghan children as a vile propaganda ploy. Michele Norris warned that "behind the scenes there are quiet grumblings about this dollar drive" with "concerns that American children are being used in a propaganda campaign." But school officials are afraid to speak out now that "America appears to be swept up by symbolism." 2) CBS and ABC aired conflicting reports about civilian deaths caused by U.S. bombing... continue reading
"Taliban Officials Say"; ABC Focused on Civilian Killed by U.S.; Bush's Oil Interests Behind Terrorism Fight; Reagan Oldest Ever 1) Introducing two CBS Evening News stories on Thursday night Dan Rather couched statements by the U.S. as "the official version" and then gave equal weight to how "Taliban officials say U.S. attacks have killed more than 200 people." 2) ABC devoted a story Thursday night to supposed atrocities committed by the U.S. against civilians as ABC's Bob Woodruff highlighted the claims of two men who had just fled Afghanistan. He reported that "the Taliban believes more than a hundred civilians... continue reading
Jennings Mad at Pentagon; U.S. & Taliban Kill "Innocents"; Rather Urged Perseverance; More Skeptical of bin Laden Than Bush? 1) Peter Jennings is dissatisfied with the Pentagon's information flow. After complaining about how the briefing was canceled, he demanded to know: "Is the Pentagon unable to assess what it has done or just doesn't want to share it with the public?" 2) A night after ABC dedicated a whole story to how U.S. food drops are just "propaganda," World News Tonight acknowledged that the Taliban are confiscating food trucks. But David Wright put the U.S. and Taliban in the same... continue reading
U.S. "Making Matters Worse?"; U.S. Supports Terrorism; Americans First & Reporters Second; Limbaugh's "Cheerfully Right-Wing Views" 1) The U.S. just can't win. "Are the U.S. food drops on Afghanistan making matters worse? Some relief agencies say yes." So declared Peter Jennings on Tuesday night. ABC and NBC stressed the futility of the effort, how the U.S. bombing, by inhibiting ground transportation, has made matters worse -- and ABC just dismissed the food drop operation as U.S. "propaganda." 2) On CNN syndicated columnist Julianne Malveaux defended Hezbollah as a group which is "simply defending their land" from Israeli invasion. She charged... continue reading
U.S. Food Drops Just Propaganda; Tough Words from James Woods; Tax Cuts Ruin Bi-Partisanship; ABC's Anti-Missile and Israel Comments 1) ABC's Peter Jennings chose on Monday night to highlight how the food and medicine drops into Afghanistan are "not popular with everyone" as one group "described it today as military propaganda designed to justify the bombing." 2) Dan Rather ended the Monday CBS Evening News with a patriotic message about accepting the deaths of U.S. servicemen in "a war forced upon us." As for fears of another terrorist attack, he maintained: "This will remain the land of the free only... continue reading
Rooney to Apologize to Bush; Gumbel Pushed Guest for Criticism; West Wing's Liberal Points; Brokaw Broaches Blaming the U.S. 1) On Sunday night Andy Rooney will apologize to President Bush for denigrating him as "not too smart" for saying terrorist "harbors won't be safe" when Afghanistan is "landlocked." Rooney realized, "upon reflection," that Bush "was probably speaking metaphorically." A letter-writer suggested: "Andy must think 'wildlife preserves' are breakfast jams." 2) Nightline needs to "fact check" itself. John Donvan used a clip of Ari Fleischer to show how he threatened free speech by decrying Bill Maher's "coward" comment. But minutes later... continue reading
Dan "The Hawk" Rather; WB/TNT Terrorist Victim Fundraiser Helped Gun Control Groups; "Fox News is Not Located in Switzerland." 1) Dan "The Hawk" Rather. He pushed Colin Powell for military action: "With 13,000 U.S. casualties, surely some time we're going to do more than just put together coalitions and talk about cutting their finances." On Entertainment Tonight he again offered himself for service if President Bush asks: "If he needs me in uniform, tell me when and where -- I'm there." 2) WB and TNT simulcast on Tuesday "an all-star concert dedicated to New York City and its people." But... continue reading