Sob Stories: Read 'Em Too Close And Weep (Russert-Broussard)

CBS ^ | September 26, 2005 | Staff

[Anti-Bubba182]

It seemed for a moment over the weekend that the blogosphere had claimed one more victory over the mainstream media, but reaction to Aaron Broussard’s return to NBC’s “Meet the Press” shows a deep split of opinion over his comments – and the role bloggers have played.

You remember Broussard, the president of New Orleans’ Jefferson Parish, from his September 4th appearance on the same show. His weeping tale of the death of a colleague’s mother was among the more emotional punctuations in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and seemed to encapsulate the growing frustration with the government’s response. But no sooner had the appearance become embedded as part of the story’s overall fabric, bloggers began picking it apart...."

[Anti-Bubba182]

"It seemed for a moment over the weekend that the blogosphere had claimed one more victory..."

It seemed that way, because it was that way. Broussard was lying and it was exposed.

CBSNews doesn't like Bloggers. I hope they like third place, they certainly have earned it.

[flashbunny]

I just hope fox starts a national newscast on its affilliates - that way CBS can slip to fourth place.

[ncountylee]

"Can something be factually flawed and still be an important part of the bigger story?"

Dan's phony defense.

[rocksblues]

All I need to know about this story is the fact that no where in any news report was Aaron Broussard's party affiliation mentioned!

[abb]

"Too much of journalism is turning this way today: If we nitpick the facts and follow some rules some committee wrote up, we’ll be safe; we’re doing our jobs. No, sir, our job is to get more than the facts. Anybody can get facts. Facts are the commodity. The truth is harder to find. Justice is harder to fight for. Lessons are what we’re after."

Say what?!?!?!?!

[Enchante]

The usual MSM b.s., supported by liberal bloggers decrying Russert's feeble attempt to set the record straight: Broussard's original story was clearly meant to imply that the federal government ("the cavalry") delayed all week while the colleague's mother and lots of other people died in that nursing home. IN FACT, as become clear, and as is highly relevant, the true import of the story was 180 degrees away from what Broussard tried to use it for. This is not minor "nit picking" -- as usual, when the MSM gets wrapped up in a colossal mis-representation they shift and shuffle, try to change the subject, and say that people who demand accuracy and accountability are 'nit-picking'..... (ala the Rathergate fabricated documents).\

Broussard got caught trying to smear the feds for what was clearly a local failing.

[pepperhead]

"It seemed for a moment over the weekend that the blogosphere had claimed one more victory..."

It seemed? They caught him red handed and he had to change his story. That seems like a victory to me. If this would have been a republican that did this the MSM would have been all over it and Russert would have been more prepared the second time around.

[Steve_Seattle]

The reactions from the media seem to be: (1) "Gotcha" journalism can only be used against conservatives and Republicans; when used against Dems or liberals, it is unethical; and (2) the story COULD have been true, therefore it was immoral to challenge Broussard's facts, even though the story WASN'T true.

Thus David Weinberger said: "It was an ambush. It was an attempt to discredit the story's teller in order to discredit the story's MEANING. It was contemptible." In other words, the story's symbolic value should have been respected even though it was not true. In my opinion, THAT is contemptible.

[SwinneySwitch]

“Too much of journalism is turning this way today: If we nitpick the facts and follow some rules some committee wrote up, we’ll be safe; we’re doing our jobs. No, sir, our job is to get more than the facts. Anybody can get facts. Facts are the commodity. The truth is harder to find. Justice is harder to fight for. Lessons are what we’re after."~ Jeff Jarvis

LOL! Jeff doesn't let a little thing like facts get in the way of Truth and Justice! He threw me a curve with the Lessons though?

[traderrob6]

Absolutely correct. CBS spinning again

more here:http://exposingtheleft.blogspot.com/2005/09/la-pol-slams-russert.html

[Anti-Bubba182]

That's becoming a CBS specialty, the "Fake but Accurate" school of journalism.

What the bloggers have done is reduce one of the most poignant segements broadcast about the New Orleans flood to a Twanna Brawley story.

It kills them.

[Steve_Seattle]

"Anybody can get facts. Facts are the commodity. The truth is harder to find. Justice is harder to fight for. Lessons are what we’re after."

Say what?!?!?!?!

Translation: "The [media] story line is more important than the facts. The facts are essentially unimportant; what matters is what can be done with the facts. To achieve a certain propaganda objective, almost any facts will do, as long as they are properly presented."

[Spok]

"Anybody can get facts."

Pretty close to admitting that they're really just looking for spin, which just about everyone but the MSM has figured out.

[BlessedByLiberty]

Another point Russert did not make is that Broussard is already under indictment in LA for bribery.

The man whose mother died in the nursing home basically called Broussard a liar and Broussard claimed the man was too distraught to be believed. Timmy boy let him get away with that and blaming his staff for his reprehensible lie.

Time Russert, Host of DNC Talking Points Sunday edition.

[pepperhead]

Another point Russert did not make is that Broussard is already under indictment in LA for bribery.

We knew that one day after the first interview. But little Timmy couldn't find that out yet? Either he didn't know it or did and didn't bother to go anywhere with it. These MSM whores make me fn' sick.

[gaspar]

I never thought I would see it but Russert is running scared.

[Steve_Seattle]

"Pretty close to admitting that they're really just looking for spin, which just about everyone but the MSM has figured out."

He might as well have said, "Facts? We don't need no stinkin' facts!" You are right; it was a virtual admission that what matters most is spin.

[Political Junkie Too]

Translation: "The [media] story line is more important than the facts. The facts are essentially unimportant; what matters is what can be done with the facts. To achieve a certain propaganda objective, almost any facts will do, as long as they are properly presented."

Cindy Sheehan: "We have always been at war with Eurasia!"

-PJ

[shhrubbery!]

Can something be factually flawed and still be an important part of the bigger story?

Does the CBS staffer who wrote this line have any idea he is parroting the very line used to excuse the Tawana Brawley hoax ???