Peter Jennings facing issue of media ethics at Miami town meeting (LETTUCE ROLL!!!)

Miami Herald ^ | February 7, 2002 | Glenn Garvin

[PJ-Comix]

I don't think ABC News or Peter Jennings gives a crap about what we think. This is just a way for them to desperately boost their ratings in various metropolitan areas via a "Town Meeting" shtick. That's OK. We can always turn the tables on them. Remember, this show is LIVE locally. Hee! Hee! And I WILL be taping it in case there are any fireworks.

[PJ-Comix]

That's why he constantly displays that typically Canadian holier-than-thou attitude as he reads our nightly news to us.

Jennings is at his irritating WORST when he gets on his high horse and lectures us on what patriotism should mean. Have you ever heard him blathering on this topic? He has some memorized routine about how we MUSTN'T confuse patriotism with nationalism. He also does a silly sermonette about how there isn't really an American culture because we are too "diverse." Please, Peter! Go back to Canada and spare us the pompous sermonettes.

[Ron in Acreage]

Don't forget your Sore Loserman T-Shirts. A good sign for him would be "What does James Brolin have that you don't?" He did date Streisand I believe.

[spoiler2]

This aspect of Jennings bothers me because I am originally a Canadian myself, and after working here as an alien for a period in the seventies, I went out and got my American Citizenship, which I treasure dearly.

He should know all about a country being too diverse, as Canada can't even decide what language to speak, and segments of the provinces still threaten to break off at any time.

[Carolinamom]

Why does a news reader need to hold town meetings? If he's so against media personality cults, isn't he illustrating what he says he is against?

[spoiler2]

Just as Clinton used to hold all those "town meetings", it's all about style, rather than content.

Since he knows his popularity has dropped in the polls, he's just out campaigning, trying to "act" a bit more concerned than usual, so his poll numbers will go up, and his ABC bosses won't axe him.

[Pagey]

Petah says: "perhaps obscured his ability to tell us the story he was there to cover,"

Perhaps he should own up to it and say:" O.K. My Liberal tendencies DO obscure my ability to tell the stories I'm supposed to cover",instead of talking about Geraldo carrying a gun.Oh, you want Gun Control too,huh Petah?I agree w/ the above poster,Make sure you say "NO ONE LIKES YOU!"Please do that for the FReepers in L.A. Thank You!

[spoiler2]

Remember, being a Liberal is as good as it gets in Canada, as most of the Conservatives in Canadian government still wish and behave like they were a British colony.

[PJ-Comix]

If any Freepers make it thru the liberal filters and get into this "Town Meeting" tonight, perhaps they can ask Jennings why the murder rate DROPPED in Florida AFTER the concealed gun law was passed a few years ago despite the screaming by liberals that there would be mass bloodshed due to this law.

[summer]

Thanks for the flag. I won't be there, but it will be interesting to watch on tv! :)

[PJ-Comix]

I think it will be live on TV only here in South Florida on Channel 10.

[summer]

Oh, the PBS station here usually finds a way to broadcast anything like this as well. :)

BTW, I have something really funny to tell you. Check your freepmail in a minute.

[PJ-Comix]

I'm gonna tape this show when it airs live tonight. However, if something interesting happens (such as a Freeper asking a REAL question of Jennings) is there anybody out there who can provide a RealPlayer Video online if I send the tape to them? I'm sure ABC News will edit out anything showing Peter Jennings in an embarrassing light in later replays.

[summer]

I don't think I can help you there...but, I have to admit that I was thinking about what I privately freepmailed to you earlier, and I couldn't help but LOL again! :)

[colorado tanker]

Media Ethics. Aren't those terms mutually contradictory?

[calypgin]

Here's another ongoing *freep* of Peter Jennings, "Operation (Un)Valentine".

[Fearless Flyers]

I'm on my way hope to see some new freepers tonight. If not I'll talk to you all another day. Matthew

[JoeGar]

"I had a number of questions about why he felt the need to carry a gun," Jennings said.

And how many defenseless journalists were killed in Afghanistan?

''There was pretty much freedom of access across the board in Vietnam, you could work wherever you wanted,'' said Jennings ...

There were hundreds of reporters in Afghanistan. They were free to go wherever their courage would allow. No guts, no glory. Jennings chose the cowardly, safe route; Geraldo took a different approach.

[PJ-Comix]

I'll never forgot the time Peter Jennings was in Bosnia interviewing a boy in a mountainous area. While Peter chatted with the boy, he was explaining about how there were a lot of snipers in the area. Of course, Jennings was wearing a very visible bullet proof vest while the poor kid had none. Nice going Peter. Protect yourself while leaving the Bosnian kid exposed to gunfire.

BTW, on the local radio today, they were hyping up Peter's visit to Miami. I will definitely be taping this show tonight and hope that things at the "Town Meeting" do NOT go according to ABC's pre-planned course.