Posted on 06/27/2006 4:59:04 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
by Mark Finkelstein
June 27, 2006
Given NewsBusters' goal of exposing outrageous liberal media bias, perhaps I should switch focus from the Katie-less Today to Harry Smith & Co. at the Early Show. I rarely check in on the show, which has languished seemingly forever in last place. But, happening upon it this morning, Smith's bald-faced bias left me breathless.
Smith's guest was Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report. Talk was first of the proposed flag-burning amendment. Disdain dripping, Smith observed
"I'm just curious about this. Because somewhere I read in the last couple of days in the entire history of the republic there have only been 200 documented serious incidents of this in the entire history of the United States." Lotta history there, Harry.
Walter "Yeah."
A skeptical Smith "Yet we should be chasing after a constitutional amendment? That's big stuff."
Walter "Yeah, no, you're hitting right on it, Harry."
Guess we know why Harry likes Amy.
The pair ended with a discussion of the New York Times' recent leak of the government's anti-terror program designed to track terrorists' financial transactions.
Smith "Let's talk about the president and vice-president mad as heck at the New York Times . . . about revealing the bank surveillance system. Is this a way to attack the 'evil media' or is there a legitimate effort here?"
A compliant Walter took her cue from Smith: "Right. Well, listen, I think that certainly the president going on the offense on terrorism is always a place where he feels the most comfortable, the most confident, and it still the place where most Americans give him high marks. So if the president wants to go out on the offense on this issue, I think it still helps him ultimately in pushing his goal toward positioning himself and the Republican party on terrorism as the leaders and protectors."
Not a word from Walter suggesting the administration might be sincerely angered by the divulging of a program designed to help track down people trying to kill as many of us as possible.
Smith's parting shot was the most telling of all:
"Yeah, easy target. Amy Walters, thank you so much. Great to see you."
I bet.
Early Show/NewsBusters Harry-Met-Amy ping to Today show list.
Freeper steveyp found that on September 24, 2001, the NYT editorial staff urged the administration to take strong steps to track the financial transactions conducted by terrorist networks.
I think we should all send this find to the following news outlets:
Hannity@foxnews.com
Oreilly@foxnews.com
Special@foxnews.com (Brit Hume)
Studiob@foxnews.com (Shepard Smith)
hardball@msnbc.com
myword@foxnews.com (John Gibson)
Drudge@drudgereport.com
captain@captainsquartersblog.com
writemalkin@gmail.com
hhewitt@hughhewitt.com
pundit@instapundit.com
powerlinefeedback@gmail.com
Rush@eibnet.com
Intelligence@senate.gov
Send them this:
The New York Times
September 24, 2001 Monday Late Edition - Final SECTION: Section A; Column 1; Editorial Desk; Pg. 30 LENGTH: 545 words HEADLINE: Finances of Terror
Organizing the hijacking of the planes that crashed into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon took significant sums of money. [snip] Washington and its allies must also disable the financial networks used by terrorists.
[snip]
Much more is needed, including stricter regulations, the recruitment of specialized investigators and greater cooperation with foreign banking authorities. There must also must be closer coordination among America's law enforcement, national security and financial regulatory agencies.
[snip]
Though some smaller financial transactions are likely to slip through undetected even after new rules are in place, much of the financing needed for major attacks could dry up.
[snip]
If America is going to wage a new kind of war against terrorism, it must act on all fronts, including the financial one.
(Excerpt) Read more at select.nytimes.com ...
Who's the bigger emasculated has-been dope on morning TV. Harry Smith or Charlie Gibson? A tough choice.
"the president going on the offense on terrorism ...is still the place where most Americans give him high marks."
Gee, I wonder why?
Perhaps they like the idea of being on the offense against terrorism?
Hehe.
NYT: Disclose Valerie Plame, you're a criminal. Disclose covert intelligence, you're a 'source.'
"...in the entire history of the republic there have only been 200 documented serious incidents of this..."
Huh? What, only 200 documented flag-burnings?
Someone's not paying attention, or not filling out the paperwork.
I don't watch either much, but I'm giving the nod to the snide Smith.
The media is more concerned about the privacy rights of terrorists than the privacy rights of Rush Limbaugh.
VERY good find! I am always amazed at my fellow freepers at being able to retain such information.
In the public interest, maybe the NYT should disclose their secret sources for their leaks. We have a right to know, and we demand to know.
Good reminder, Peach. I remember the nyt writing about that for some time...
I e-mailed a lot of political radio and television hosts this morning.
Hugh Hewitt has posted it on his web site:
http://hughhewitt.com/
Both.
Time for the Dinosaurs to Circle. How pathetic!
Pray for W and Our Troops
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