Couric Stumped by Dignified Father of Fallen Marine; W Portrayed as Having Big 9/11 Problem

[governsleastgovernsbest]

A triple-header of interesting segments on Today this morning. The most notable was Katie Couric's interview with the father of a young Marine who was just killed in Iraq.

There is something inherently grotesque about this kind of interview. We all know that Couric is bitterly opposed to the war in Iraq and above all to the Bush administration. If she were honest, she would say to the father "don't you realize that your son died in vain?"

But of course she doesn't dare do that. So instead she tries to draw out the most maudlin, heart-rending details of the loss. "How did you hear about it?" "What details do you have about how your son died?"

To his eternal credit, the father, Kirk Morris, would not provide Katie the kind of Bush-bashing fodder she was hoping for.

To the contrary, he said that his son Jeffrey "knew why he was there." He stated that his son's life had not been taking a good path until he joined the Marines, and that the Marines had turned Jeffrey into "the perfect son."

Katie quoted from a letter Jeffrey had sent home from Iraq, in which he told his family that even if he didn't come home, he knew that he was "fighting for the Iraqi people to choose their government, it was a huge injustice for them to be suppressed for 30 years."

Still, Katie persisted in trying to jerk as many tears as she could from the situation. "Jeffrey left behind five little brothers and sisters. How are they dealing with loss?"

Although Mr. Morris had already given sufficient indication that he would not be used for Katie's propaganda purposes, she closed with final question hoping for something to use against President Bush.

"In closing, the country is so conflicted about Iraq. How do you feel about situation in Iraq?"

A. "I think government made best decision it could based on facts it had. I support government and the troops."

I find it despicable that she would even seek to conduct these kind of interviews. Leave them to someone, if there is such a person at NBC, who doesn't think soldiers and their families are chumps.

The interview with Mr. Morris was preceded by a reasonable interview by Matt Lauer of Paul Bremer, US administrator in Iraq.

Lauer did ask one tough question: "We expected opposition from the Sunnis, who are Saddam loyalists, but recently we have seen violent uprisings by Shi'ias. So if Sunnis and Shi'as hate us who are our friends?"

Bremer's answer: "The 90% of Iraqis who support democracy."

As to the situation with Al-Sadr, the radical Sh'ia cleric, Bremer said "this is not a Shi'ia uprising, it is an illegal militia that has attacked Iraqis above all."

Q. "There are reports that Iraqi police have been hesitant to act. How can we be confident in turning over power to that force if they are unwilling to carry out their duties?"

A. "We will take measures against those police who fail to act."

Finally, there was a "pre-game show" for Condi's appearance before the 9/11 Commission.

Reporter David Gregory served as an apt DNC shill. The premise of his report was that W was in a deep hole as a result of the Clarke testimony. Thus Gregory portrayed Condi as "the Bush administration's best hope to answer credibility questions that have come up regarding issue of whether Bush administration did enough to prevent 9/11. They hope her testimony will neutralize what could be a major problem for a President who likes to portray himself as a war-time president."

Note the sarcasm, note the implicit assumption that Clarke has damaged the President's credibility, note the way he tries to portray W as being on the ropes.

Even in a sea of liberal reporters, Gregory consistently distinguishes himself for sheer partisanship.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Today Show ping.

[leadpenny]

Thank you for posting. It's painful for me to even think about watching the morning SHeeple programs.

[Always Right]

Is this the same Couric who was so offended by Bush using 2 seconds of 9-11 footage in a commercial?

[Support Free Republic]

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[Wilhelm Tell]

The media shills are hitting a new low as the election nears. The question is no longer, "You just lost a son in Iraq, how do you feel?" but "You just lost a son in Iraq, how do you feel about President Bush?"

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Liberal media rule #1: It is a grotesque exploitation of tragedy for Republicans to use 9/11 to promote their political agenda.

Liberal media rule #2: It is the highest public service for Democrats to use 9/11 to promote their political agenda.

[Lee'sGhost]

Katie: And there you have it folks, a first-hand look at how false patriotism can so consume some Americans that it even prevents a father from seeing where the blame lies for the death of his son. I will not rest until the lie created by this administration is revealed and we stop the senseless compulsion of our fine young men from wanting to preserve America and foster freedom around the world.

[TomGuy]

note the implicit assumption that Clarke has damaged the President's credibility

According to reports from analysts yesterday (FoxNews and talk radio), Clarke's testimony hasn't had much impact on GWB's poll numbers. The current trend does seem to be that GW's numbers are rising and JK's are falling.

Since the Clarke attack hasn't generated much success, look for an all out attack on Condi's, GW's, and DC's testimonies. Also, look for more books like the upcoming Woodward book to blast at the Bush administration. It is still a long way to the conventions and November elections.

[Trust but Verify]

I'm always so impressed with the courage and demeanor of the folks who have lost husbands and sons in Iraq. They are almost universally supportive of Bush's policy of taking the fight to our enemies, and they honor their loved ones by accepting their sacrifice.

[buffyt]

We just spent the weekend in San Antonio, San Marcos, and Austin. At our hotel in San Marcos the TVs got CNN but NOT Fox News! Indoctrination of the liberal mindset is everywhere. I noticed they had the lobby TV on Katie Colic Monday morning. I muttered Katie Colic, I HATE Katie Colic.

[MEG33]

This hasn't come on here yet,but I have seen David Gregory break into giggles over a W gaffe on Imus.He is biased,biased,biased,and can't disguise it many times.

Of course the other thing is the media loves conflict.Clarke v Condi is the latest hope for big ratings and advertising dollars.

When Condi testified in private, some of the commission members didn't bother to attend.They'll be there with scripts when they can get camera time...

[Lacey]

We were recently in a hotel in Lubbock and had the same problem; no Fox news. I wrote it up on the comment card in the room and submitted to HQ.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

When Condi testified in private, some of the commission members didn't bother to attend. They'll be there with scripts when they can get camera time.

Bingo.

[rageaholic]

People like that Marine and his Dad are the backbone of this great Nation and the salt of the earth. People like Couric are just straphangers.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

If there could be a bubble over Katie's head containing her real thoughts, there's no doubt that's how it would read.

[Maigrey]

Even the thought of the affable Eva Braun makes my stomach coil in revulsion. It's despicable that she does such.

[Skooz]

...the country is so conflicted about Iraq...

Uh, no. The vast majority of Americans support the war. Only the odious Katie Couric and her ilk are "conflicted."

[MEG33]

I am going to watch in order to hear the father speak.I only watch when governs convinces me to tough it out!

[Quilla]

Again, thank you for your sacrifice! I am curious about something though. This morning on Fox & Friends, it was reported that a 45,000 word terror 'manifest' was left by the outgoing Clinton Administration for the Bush Administration. This lengthy transfer of national security concerns contained four references to bin Laden and NO references to al Qaeda. I don't suppose Katie or Matt covered this interesting little tidbit, did they?