Today: Katie Hauls in Economic "Expert" to Analogize US to a Prostitute

The Today Show | governsleast governsbest

[governsleastgovernsbest]

On an otherwise slow news day, why not take advantage of the lull to have an economic expert analogize the United States to a prostitute?

That was apparently Katie Couric's working hypothesis this morning. You knew there wasn't much shakin' in the world when the opening segment dealt with the Queen's decision to skip Prince Charles' and Camilla's civil ceremony. Whatev-uh.

Then it was on to a discussion of the stock market's sizeable drop yesterday - 174 points on the Dow. As a general rule, nothing makes less sense that trying to discern a trend from one day's market action, but that doesn't deter Today, which regularly trots out Ron Insana of CNBC in such situations.

Normally in these segments, Insana, perhaps embarrassed by the meaninglessness of reading one day's tea leaves, says nothing of particular interest, keeping it neutral.

But for some reason he chose, with (as you will see) malice aforethought, to analogize the USA to a . . . woman of the night.

He said that the triggering event for yesterday's slide was the reported decision by South Korea to stop buying US dollars. S. Korea is apparently the fourth largest government purchaser of our currency. This caused the dollar to slide, setting off a negative chain of events.

In any case, at this point, Insana stated to Katie that, in relying on foreign purchases of our currency, "the United States is living off the kindness of strangers." That, of course, is Blanche Dubois' famous line from A Streetcar Named Desire, in which she delicately admits that, yes, she is a prostitute.

Insana admitted that this was no mere impromptu remark. To the contrary, he stated that he had cleared his statement with the Today Show producers. So there was undisputed connivance among the people at NBC and CNBC to cast the country in this light.

One is tempted to say: let those who are not media street walkers cast the first stone!

[finnigan2]

"Insana admitted that this was no mere impromptu remark. To the contrary, he stated that he had cleared his statement with the Today Show producers."

- I have watched Insana on MSNBC do his thing for some time now. I've seen him confront people on what he thought were rash or ill considered remarks so my impression of him is of someone who has a bit of honesty in his makeup.
My reading of the above sentence is that Insana was pressured before the Today Show to "jazz up" his segment with the prostitute analogy. He may have even been ordered to do so.
Being forced, Insana complied but then deliberately gave the game away by admitting, on air, that the segment had been a pre arranged set up.
I don't think they'll be asking Insana to play that game again anytime soon.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I wish I had taped the segment so I could more carefully describe just how it played out. It was clear that when he came out with the line, there was something of an embarrassed pause or reaction. Frankly I can't remember if it was Katie who reacted, or perhaps Ron himself, who felt uncomfortable with what he had said.

Along the lines of what you said, Insana has always struck me as a good, level-headed guy, which made this morning's remark that much more surprising.

[texasmountainman]

"Gasoline prices are likely to remain high for the next few months".

That's akin to stating that summer is likely to be here in a few months. Real insightful, Ron.

[EmilyGeiger]

Sometimes I think it would be fun if CBS named her their anchor for the evening news. It would be very interesting to watch her. And then of course make fun of her. :)

[CitizenM]

I soooo preferred the Today show with Dave Garroway. And the little chimp he had on was waaaay more perky.

That's when morning shows started my day out right.

[theDentist]

Maybe he was insinuating that he knew what ol' Katie's previous profession was...

[Arrowhead1952]

There is NO way I could ever watch another morning show, except Fox and Friends. That show is getting too PC for me as well, but they have a much more balanced show.

Not like the perky b!+c#. She makes me want to puke. I was in an appliance store not long ago, and she was on the tube. I changed the channel to Fox, and left.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I was in an appliance store not long ago, and she was on the tube. I changed the channel to Fox, and left.

LOL. Good work. I see a lot more Fox on TVs in public places. Seems that many people, like you, are taking the MSM into their own hands!

[Raycpa]

"the United States is living off the kindness of strangers."

Funny way to describe taxpayers. At least a prostitute usually consents.

[HarleyLady27]

they really should give the dizzy blonde more to do...she acts like she's very, very bored....maybe type for Blather?????

[unsycophant]

The fact that he "cleared it" most certainly does make his remark more offensive, and suspect.

What a strange thing to say, and yet--consider the network. The hate-Americ-first thinking seems to be their mindset, so maybe it's one of those "go along to get along" situations.

[queenkathy]

I remember a show long ago, before I discovered FR. They not only had her pay for her contract but someone broke it down to how much she made in a minute and it was just a huge number! I don't remember, but it was more than most people make per minute I'll say!

[an amused spectator]

You knew there wasn't much shakin' in the world when the opening segment dealt with the Queen's decision to skip Prince Charles' and Camilla's civil ceremony. Whatev-uh.

Actually, glgb, this IS a big deal in little Mattie's and the Perkster's world. They're royalty, too, dontchaknow, and what's shaking with their "homies" down in the 'Hood is big news to them.

Shouldn't it be big news for us peasants, too? ;-)

Or as me and my friends like to say: "How can yer tell she's a Queen? Well, she 'asn't got shit on 'er, does she?" (credit Monty Python and the Holy Grail)

[governsleastgovernsbest]

this IS a big deal in little Mattie's and the Perkster's world.

Good point. It's all about celebrity.

[sevry]

Katie Couric's working hypothesis this morning

That more people are tuning into the show than tuning out?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

maybe it's one of those "go along to get along" situations.

Agreed. I don't sense that Insana's instinct would be to trash America, but he is surely well aware of the prevailing political culture at his workplace, and wants to show that his heart is in the right place. And what better way to do it than suggesting that the country with the most powerful economy in world history is really nothing more than a cheap -----?

[doug from upland]

Katie gets a really good mention in YOU'VE BEEN FREEPED, Vol. 1 ---

For years the game they had been winning 'cause they were really good at spinning
It was easy as could be
Entertainment they sometimes threw in for fun...they came down hard on those with guns
Oh my, there's Katie's colonoscopy
There was shock when they examined her..."That's her brain" each one would soon concur
Then the nurses all started screaming...when they realized they're not dreaming
We heard some shout, "Here is a chance we cannot let pass
We will say we're sorry if we're being too crass
Everyone knew Katie's head was in her *ss"
Old Media would die

[governsleastgovernsbest]

LOL. Thanks Doug - it's an honor to have you post on the thread!

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

...Ron Insana...

Is that his real name, or are you just being clever?

[Uncle Vlad]

You should have seen Today the other morning when they featured this little tidbit of hard news:

http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/lyle_24/myhero.html