Posted on 05/06/2006 5:31:24 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
by Mark Finkelstein
May 6, 2006
Let's imagine it was, oh, Karl Rove who had been involved in a car accident under circumstances identical to those surrounding Patrick Kennedy. Think the Today show would be focusing on his 'courage' and largely taking at face value his claim that prescription medicines caused the crash? Or would they be asking another question: was Kennedy telling the truth when he claimed that no alcohol was involved?
That 'Today' was in a decidedly forgiving mood was clear from the show's very opening. Note the graphic Today attached to Kennedy's image: "Seeking Treatment". Not "Telling the Truth?" or "Drinking & Driving?"
In his subsequent report, NBC reporter Chip Reid clearly seemed to endorse Kennedy's version of events. We first were treated a clip of Kennedy's statement about his addiction to painkillers, concluding with his observation that "I struggle every day with this disease as do millions of Americans."
The very next words out of Reid's mouth: "That struggle came to a head this week in a bizarre traffic accident on Capitol Hill." Translation: Kennedy's version of the accident is true. It was the 'struggle' with prescription drugs, not alcohol, at the root of the accident.
Reid later referred to Kennedy's announcement that he was entering rehab as a "big step." Oh, the bravey! Again, had this been Rove or another disfavored Republican, one can imagine the MSM skeptically suggesting a decison to enter rehab was nothing more than part of a carefully-orchestrated PR campaign.
Now, it's true that Reid mentioned that Capitol Hill police officers suspected Kennedy was driving under the influence of alcohol. But Reid mentioned only the police report stating "Kennedy's eyes were red and watery, speech was slightly slurred and balance was unsure." No mention that police reportedly smelled the odor of alcohol on Kennedy. No mention that police at the scene wanted to perform a sobriety test and were prevented from doing so by supervisors who ordered Kennedy be given a lift home. Reid left it for viewers to infer that the police mistakenly confused Kennedy's pill-induced symptoms as stemming from alcohol.
We were later treated to file footage of father Ted Kennedy saying he was proud of Patrick, and to Sen. Kennedy's current statement saluting Patrick's "courage."
Not a word from Today of a reported eyewitness who saw Patrick Kennedy drinking prior to the crash at the 'Hawk & Dove' bar. No apparent investigative reporting on NBC's part to determine the truth.
Curiously incurious, those NBC folks, wouldn't you say?
You were hoping Rush would get 25 years in the hoosegow eh?
Not at all. It's just curious that Rush was a drug abuser and conservatives give him a pass and kudos for his rehab. Kennedy is a drug abuser and conservatives want him buried under the jail.
Addictions don't respect party lines that I am aware of. Even our own president is an alcoholic who was forgiven for a drunk driving stop.
Equal treatment seems appropriate if you are going to be grownup about it.
Addictions don't respect party lines that I am aware of. Even our own president is an alcoholic who was forgiven for a drunk driving stop.
Equal treatment seems appropriate if you are going to be grownup about it.
How uddderly and stupendously disingenuous of you. You've made these comments repeatedly here. You're obviously aware that no one on this thread wants anything less than equal treatment by the MSM. That is the issue. Conservatives want the "Equal treatment" you mention, same as Rush got, and they aren't getting it. Comprende Mr. Grownup?
And everyone on this thread knows that is not going to happen. Why worry about the media? Worry about your own thoughts and values and stop worrying about the press.
Whatev.
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