Revd Peter Jennings
Posted on 08/08/2005 9:36:03 AM PDT by goldstategop
Jihadi Journalist: The Real Peter Jennings
By Debbie Schlussel
While the rest of the world is blindly singing the praises of Peter Jennings, here's a reality check: Peter Jennings did more for the cause of Islamic terrorism than any media figure today. And that's nothing to celebrate, honor, or even memorialize.
Before there was Al Jazeerah, there was Peter Jennings.
From the beginning of Jennings career until his death, Jennings' biased coverage went beyond the pale, bending over backward in "understanding" the terrorists who hate us-- from seeing "their side" when he covered the seige and then murder of innocent Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics to honoring an Al-Qaeda operative with a prized "commentator" spot during Jennings coverage of the 9/11 attacks.
Throughout Jennings' coverage of the attacks, he frequently featured a man named Tariq Hamdi (whose commentary urged understanding for the radical Muslim world), identifying Hamdi only as "journalist" on the chyron.
But, in fact, Jennings' friend Hamdi was no journalist at all. As I've written, Hamdi was an alleged Bin Laden Associate and employed by Islamic Jihad's U.S. frontman, Sami Al-Arian.
According to prosecutors and documents in the 1998 trial of the Bin-Laden bombings of U.S. Embassies in Africa (the 7th anniversary of which was yesterday), Hamdi provided Bin Laden a battery instrumental in those bombings. He's also an unindicted co-conspirator with Islamic Jihad frontman Sami Al-Arian, who employed him at his Islamic "charity" fronts at the University of South Florida. Hamdi was also an employee of a Saudi-funded charity raided by Customs agents for allegedly laundering billions to Qaeda through the Isle of Man.
This is the type of "journalist" and "commentator" Jennings frequently employed in his so-called newscast of which he was an all-controlling editor.
I always say, pillow talk is the most effective form of political speech. And it apparently had its effect on Jennings early on. When developing and heading up ABC's Beirut headquarters, Jennings dated (euphemism) Palestinian "beauty" Hanan Ashrawi. And it colored his vitriolic, anti-American, anti-Israel coverage ever since.
Then there were the sneers, the sneers of a Canadian high school drop-out for anything conservative, anything mainstream, anything pro-Western, pro-Israel, etc. Jennings' sneers and snide comments were always evident for those who did not meet his very left-of-center point of view. A great example was his sneering during the 2000 vote recount, and after, when Bush was declared President. Another was his sneering just after the 9/11 attacks when Bush delivered his speech to a joint session of Congress. Jennings' elitist sneers will NOT be missed.
While I never wish death upon anyone, it's only sad that Jennings despicable brand of advocacy journalism--parading as "news"--wasn't laid to rest along with him.
Unfortunately, that will not happen. Sadly, the female, more personable, non-toupeed version of Jennings--Elizabeth Vargas--is set to step into Jenning's shoes. She got off to a great Jennings-esque start in her first hosting duties at ABC's "20/20," last fall. She delivered a very sympathetic profile and interview of HAMAS operative and fundraiser Cat Stevens. Expect more of this to come.
It's sad when anyone dies of cancer. I won't dance on Jennings' grave, the way he danced on the graves of young, innocent athletes slaughtered at the Munich Olympics--the way he blasphemied their murders with his shallow, understand-the-Islamic-terrorists coverage. Unlike the murdered Munich athletes he dishonored, Jennings died in peace and without pain. He got to say good-bye to his loved ones. They did not.
But I will remember Peter Jennings for the less than honorable person he was--not the emperor with no clothing that is now being memorialized.
Jennings used to end his newscasts with, "And that's a look at our world." No, it wasn't a look at our world at all. It was Peter Jennings' slanted world, and every day he acted as if he was doing us a favor giving us his warped look at it.
No, Peter Jennings, that wasn't our world at all. Jennings' legacy is helping advance the cause of Islamic terrorists on broadcast television, parading it as news. He wrote his own epitaph with it. Unfortunately, it came with a lot more tombstones and epitaphs then just Jennings'--and most of those buried beneath are a whole lot more innocent.
They are the victims of Islamic terrorism--the brand Peter Jennings helped build into a network news product. That cancer,unfortunately, is still here. And it has metasticized
Was Ted Koppel all that bad? He helpd get Ronald Reagan elected with his accurate reporting about Carter's inept handling of the Iran Hostage crisis.
I saw Katie Couric say this morning on the Today show intro that he was "sophisticated and had a worldliness about him that will be missed". I had to turn the tv off before I heard any more.
I'm pinging you beause I thought you too would appreciate an honest look at his reporting career.
Holy Cow!!! The TRUTH comes. This lady says what I knew, felt, and hated about that bum. I will not miss Jennings. Simply, an enemy of the Republic has died. I feel no remorse at his passing. None.
Before there was cable news, no single news show brought the "Palestinian" cause more legitimacy then Nightline with Ted Koppel.
His idea of a balanced panel of three is a "Palestinian", an Arab Journalist, and to express the Israeli side an Israeli Leftist who agrees 95% with the "Palestinian" that Israel is at fault.
Not to sound mean, 'cause I totally understand what you're saying...but what did you expect? It's kinda like the story about the scorpion and the frog...scorpion asks for a ride across the brook, promises not to sting the frog, and when he does sting the frog, he tells the frog "that's what I do".
Well, that's what they do. But you know that. It was a pleasant "what did you expect". Get ready for more of it when Walter and Dan and Tom and Ted and Jimmah go the way of the earth.
I like Debbie Schlussel and mostly agree with her. I also didn't care much for "Jihad" Petuh Jennings as a news reader but, let's be Christian about this. The man is dead and has left behind family and friends who are mourning his loss. IMO, we should respect that. Let's not bash someone who won't ever be able to defend himself again.
Whether we liked him or not, another life has ended. As Christians, we should allow him to rest in peace.
Wasn't Jennings the guy who spent a lot of time in Lebanon where the Jihadists were serving him up Palestinian girls to win his allegiance to the cause?
He looks like a sad old drunk in that picture.
Hell, MY generation is passing. Let's be determined to go out with class and a blaze of glory!
Yeah, I remember his words during the 1994 GOP landslide. Ironically, it was Peter who said America who was having a temper-tantrum when they threw the Democrats out.
Who are the people who hire an anti-American Canadian High School dropout and plant him in a tenured prime time news slot?
Talk about a Manchurian Candidate.
A picture of three boobs.
Revd Peter Jennings
You won't find any from me and a few other FReepers on the praise Jennings threads. I left the threads, I couldn't take anymore praise about the man.
I will not mourn a smug antisemite.
Wow . . someone tells the truth about "petah"
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