Posted on 12/12/2005 5:11:53 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest
by Mark Finkelstein
December 12, 2005 - 08:06
"Allies Establish Beachhead in Normandy: Could Troops be Home Sooner?"
Somehow, I doubt that was the headline in the wake of D-Day.
Yet this morning, the Today show viewed the impending Iraqi elections largely through the prism of bringing US troops home.
The graphic read "Iraq Votes: What Elections Mean to America", and Matt Lauer set the tone, introducing reporter Richard Engel in Baghdad by asking "what does [the election] mean for the future of US troops there?"
Engel picked up theme: "Sunni participation in this election could reduce violence over time, allowing American troops to be pulled out sooner. But there are very real dangers. If the next government excludes a religious or ethnic group, it could trigger more insurgent attacks, more Iraqi infighting, meaning more time in Iraq for American forces."
Lauer was back at it in a subsequent conversation with Tim Russert: "What's the importance [of the elections] to the American people?"
Russert: "Huge, Matt, if these elections are a catalyst for the Iraqis to step forward and stand up as the President said, so US troops can stand down. The only exit strategy for US troops is that the Iraqis put in place a government and a security force that allow us to leave."
Meanwhile, with all the speculation swirling around the possibility that Katie might be departing Today to take over the anchor chair at CBS Evening News, Couric gave signs that she was trying to polish her 'fair & balanced' credentials.
Katie's catchword of the day was 'controversial,' and she applied it twice, first, and more surprisingly, in reference to Richard Pryor.
After newsreader Natalie Morales reported his death, she spoke admiringly of him being "such a comic great" and tossed it back to the hosts. Lauer and Al Roker were engaging in some predictable praise, when Katie, defying the dual conventions of political correctness and nil nisi bonum, interjected:
"He's pretty controversial. I was reading an article this morning, someone writing that he was no role model, so I think his legacy will continue to be debated."
Later, in an interview of far-left lawyer Ramsey Clark, who is currently defending Saddam Hussein, she described Clark as a man "with such a distinguished record,' then caught herself and added "though controversial."
Today Show/NewsBusters ping.
Not dealing with the Today show, but while channel surfing this morning, Harry Smith on CBS's morning show, called tookie williams a "reformed" gang leader.
But isn't it just funny, sick, and oh-so "Katie Couric" for Katie to be polishing her "fair and balanced" credentials by attacking a dead black guy?
In this instance, she has no shame. And was he really controversal? I loved his movies, and liked some of his comedy although the language was a bit much. I never thought of Richard Pryor as a controversal figure.
Katie's comment about his legacy being in doubt was just mean. I see no reason why his legacy would be in doubt.
Here's a prediction: By next week, the story will be that conservatives are attacking Pryor and trying to tarnish his legacy, and that Hollywood is coming to his defense. By the next awards show they will give him a special award, and by next year any liberal column about mean-spiritedness of conservatives will include a reference to attacking a dead black comic like Pryor and trying to tarnish his legacy.
Snort.
Cavuto, do you actually watch Ms. Couric in the morning?
Cavuto?
Getting the troops home solves the Iraq problem for the Dems; accordingly, that will be the main focus by the MSM and the RATS from here on out -- even if it is to the detriment of the Iraqi's and us.
"Cavuto?"
Same here! Never knew that was you Neal ;D!
I posted the link in my reply #8. It's gonna be a while before I can watch Cavuto again.
I heard Cavuto's complimentary remarks about Couric and wondered the same thing.
Cavuto sounded like more like BO with'a woodie.
Ah-ha! Hadn't seen that - thanks for the link.
Well, don't know if this will surprise you or others, but I agree with Cavuto to this extent: I think Katie is good at what she does, and would be just as competent as Rather, Jennings or Brokaw as an evening anchor.
My beef with Couric is not her lack of credentials; it's her liberal bias.
With all due modesty, I'm much better-looking ;-)
The interview with Ramsey Clark was a major barf-fest. Poor, poor Sadaam was forbidden from bringing his Koran to the trial with him, boo-hoo. And "they took away his notepad", sniffed Clark.
Yep, she is very good at BSing the American people into thinking she is an intelligent and reasoned moderate who is just looking our for them.
Ha. Nice set up Mark.
Oh, sure he does.
Let's see - he was a lawyer at an obscure Texas firm until his father, a Supreme Court justice, brokered a political deal that made Ramsey Attorney General in exchange for his father retiring early so LBJ could appoint the first black justice.
He served for less than two years as AG.
Then he spent the next 35 years bouncing from job to job, teaching here, defending Nazi concentration camp guards there, working as the local US legal advisor for a number of dictators. campaigning for the legalization of hard drugs, etc.
Really impressive resume.
A Scrooge-like Take On Katie
New York Post ^ | 12/12/2005 | Richard Johnson
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1538704/posts
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