Free Republic

>>Nancy Skinner . . . a stand-up comedienne<<

Well, she is HALF successful. On the RARE occasions I listen, half the time I laugh, the other time I cry.

>>WLS-AM is to be commended for their PRO-AMERICA programming this weekend.<<

Gee, can't wait for Ski & Skinner tomorrow. Or as I call it, The Venom & Toxin Show.

Didja ever notice that when Nancy Skinner is a guest on Fox News, they just call her, "Radio Talk Show Host"? First off, they ought to say co-host. Second off, they (I could hear Sean saying this) ought to point out that she shares a MERE three hours a WEEK on the radio. What does she do for her "day job?" I bet she's a paid political person of some ilk.

CLTV: 11:30
Live coverage of the sputtering Mayor winding down a press conference about city security. I called CLTV--(630) 574-2588. to encourage them to cover the rally. I told them I normally don't watch CLTV but was hoping to see the pro-America rally I was hearing about on the radio.

NOON
CLTV led into the coverage with a big graphic title behind the anchor: WAR PROTEST. Mary Frances Bragiel interviewed the pro-America rally organizer onsite (a bearded man named Andy). She seemed confused--what were these people here for? Thankfully, Andy was an EXCELLENT spokesperson, including the time he ALMOST got into the "they are commies" argument but wisely refrained. Great choosing of battles, my man!

1:00 AND LATER
The rally story got bumped later and later into the broadcast.

The graphic lead-in was a little different, and cleverly accomodated local and world rallies of all sorts: WAR REACTION. The script leading to the story teased,
"But not ALL the participants are against the war..."

No more Andy interview. Now they began repeating a piece taped at least THREE HOURS EARLIER (deceptively, introduced by, "Mary Frances Bragiel IS WITH US NOW...") showing arguments between the opposing rallies and...

SHOWDOWN SHOWCASE
Also taped before the rally, some interesting interview vignettes. CLTV showcased two pro-Americans with quick, intelligent comments.

* A young lady with hair pulled back beneath a bandana, and wearing trendy/nerdy eyeglasses. First impression: college liberal...except for the colors of her bandana: red, white, and blue. Oh, and yes, her words of support for the troops, hinting at the true nature of the opposing side--"This is not about Bush. It doesn't matter what you think of President Bush."

Then there was the "other side." CLTV let the man speak for himself... l o u d l y and in circles!

* The raving man was accompanied by a continual background drumbeat. His eyes never blinked and his pointed finger never stopped jabbing while he recited his simple case. "The war was wrong last year, it was wrong last month, it was wrong last week, it was wrong last night, it is wrong now..."

At the tail of this oft-aired segment, the reporterette mentioned that the pro-America rally numbers "overpowered" the BushWhackers' numbers.

I have a feeling when the pro-America folks leave, the antics of the BushWhackers will find their way into the spotlight, pre-empting any mention of the patriot brigades that graced the Federal Plaza grounds.

I called Metro News and spoke with Rachel Fuchelle (WLS news reader) about her NOON reference to "pro-war and anti-war rallies." I mentioned how CLTV and WLS's Steve Scott (at the rally) had interviewed organizers, who made it clear they were NOT pro-war, but pro-troops and pro-America. (I gently challenged her journalistic accuracy.)

At HALF PAST NOON, her report was closer to "one rally opposing the war and another supporting the troops."

Hats off to Metro News and Rachel Fuchelle. A teensy more fair & balanced.