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Gotcha Questions For Katie And Her Colleagues (The MSM And Red State America Alert)
Townhall.com ^ | 10/07/2008 | Dennis Prager

Posted on 10/07/2008 4:35:43 AM PDT by goldstategop

Just as Charlie Gibson did in his interview with Sarah Palin, Katie Couric set out to humiliate the Republican vice-presidential candidate with a series of "gotcha" questions.

This tactic -- rarely employed with major liberal candidates -- could be used equally effectively against Couric, or most any other liberal member of the television news media. It would be highly instructive to have Couric asked questions in the same way in which she (and Gibson) asked questions of Palin.

For example:

Q: Critics of the war in Iraq argue that prior to the invasion of Iraq, America had never attacked a country that had no plans to attack it. How then do you explain the Korean War?

On my radio show, I have asked this question of some of the most celebrated names among liberal intellectuals, and they had little or nothing to say. One major editor simply admitted that he had little familiarity with that war. That is too bad because America invaded a country that had absolutely no intention, let alone ability, to attack the United States. The United States attacked Korea -- and sacrificed over 30,000 American lives -- solely in order to prevent Korea from becoming a totalitarian Communist state. We succeeded in the southern half, and over 50 years later, North Korea remains essentially a gigantic concentration camp.

Q: Many Americans believe that the most important way of understanding the effects of taxation on government revenues is the Laffer Curve. What is your opinion about this?

The Laffer Curve, which, unlike the "Bush Doctrine," is objectively definable, is perhaps the most important economic argument against tax increases -- because at a given point of increased taxation, the government will actually receive less tax revenue, not more. It would be quite surprising if many TV news people, including anchors, could define this economic theory, let alone intelligently discuss it.

Q: Is there any point in a woman's pregnancy at which you would call an abortion immoral?

Couric spent some time trying to show how immoral Palin's anti-abortion position is, since it even extends to cases of rape or incest. That was not necessarily unfair questioning. Even some who believe that human life begins at conception are prepared to allow abortions in the case of rape or incest. But it would be highly educational for Americans to see the tables reversed on pro-choice people: Are there any circumstances when a pro-choice person is prepared to make a moral judgment on killing a human fetus? How about during the third trimester (presuming, of course, that the pregnancy poses no threat to the life or health of the mother)? Or when an abortion is performed solely for convenience (for example, a married woman who was planning to start a new business or to take a long-planned trip abroad -- and the pregnancy therefore came at an inconvenient time)?

Some more possible questions:

Q: Members of the news media believe, correctly, that individuals running for political office, because of their potentially great impact on American life, should subject themselves to interview after interview about their views, values, personal life and knowledge base by often hostile members of the news media. But, the most powerful members of the news media, people who have more impact on American life than almost any politician in America, do not allow themselves to be interviewed about their views, values, personal life and knowledge of the issues. Why not?

Q: Which of the Federalist Papers do you think is most important? Why?

Q: In a question to Palin, you said that "women make 77 cents for every dollar a man makes." If that is so, why don't employers only hire women whenever possible? What employer wouldn't want to save 23 percent for the same work? Is it possible that many women choose more flexible hours, want jobs with less travel and may choose less demanding work given their desire to be home more?

Q: On one of your CBS newscasts this year, you said: "A new study on teens and sexual harassment should give every parent pause. … In a study that appeared in the journal Child Development, 90 percent of teen girls say they've been harassed at least once." Did you read that report? If not, how do you justify reporting it on a national newscast in order to alarm "every parent"? The report defines sexism and sexual harassment as including "sexist comments about their academic abilities, sexist comments about their athletic abilities … demeaning gender-related comments, teasing based on their appearance, and unwanted physical contact." In other words, if a boy says to a girl, "You throw a ball like a girl!" that is deemed an instance of sexual harassment. Isn't that somewhat hysterical?

Q: What did you think of any articles in the most recent issues of Commentary, The Weekly Standard, National Review or any other conservative journal? Or do you only read liberal writing?

While every conservative pundit, commentator and talk show host I know of is regularly exposed to liberal thought, the opposite is not the case. It would be fascinating to learn how much Couric knows about how half the country thinks.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Editorial; News/Current Events; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: advocacyjournalism; charlesgibson; chucklestheclown; dennisprager; flyovercountry; gotcha; hitpieces; katiecouric; katietheclown; liberalism; liberalmedia; mediabias; msmdrivebys; redstateamerica; republicanparty; townhall
The MSM/Drivebys are in the tank for Obama to the point they regularly trip up Republicans with "gotcha" questions and hit pieces. This is however, exceeded only by their complete ignorance of Red State America. It would be fascinating to discover how much they know about America outside their liberal circles. They have convinced themselves they know America is on their side. But how well do they really know the entire country? I doubt Katie Couric or any one them could survive the exacting type of scrutiny to which they give Republicans.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

1 posted on 10/07/2008 4:35:43 AM PDT by goldstategop
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To: goldstategop

A group needs to be set up to question the media. It goes both ways. They do not deserve legitimacy and it has been apparent they have abused their power. Someone needs to grab a camera and a microphone and take it to the media tyrants and ask why the double standard and the refusal to report anything negative and defending only Obama? They need to have their personal lives disclosed and examined like politicians so we know their motives and there should be a disclaimer when they push editorials. They are right out of any dictatorship and how they manipulate the public. And they are certainly pushing a dictatorship and are attempting to take dissent away. Damn them all to hell. We have to take action.


2 posted on 10/07/2008 4:45:39 AM PDT by bushfamfan (Palin is America's Thatcher, Obama is America's Chamberlain)
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To: goldstategop

If she’s stupid enough to wear black and cry because Bush won, why should any intelligent person care to watch her “reporting”? She doesn’t report the news - she gives commentary. And when she “questions” a candidate, she’s still giving commentary. I haven’t listened to her in years.


3 posted on 10/07/2008 4:46:42 AM PDT by no more apples ( Secret Agent Frowny Fan)
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To: goldstategop

bttt


4 posted on 10/07/2008 4:47:49 AM PDT by petercooper (IQ tests for all voters!)
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To: petercooper
They're losing viewers, readers and market share. The MSM/Drivebys are going out of business - but not soon enough to do this election any good.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

5 posted on 10/07/2008 4:51:27 AM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: goldstategop
It's really simple:

The MSM interviews liberals in an effort to make them look good.

The MSM interviews conservatives in an effort to make them look bad.

6 posted on 10/07/2008 4:56:49 AM PDT by TexasNative2000 (Obviously, liberals can't handle a strong, independent woman.)
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To: goldstategop

Couric now saying that Sarah is a liar when she says she reads the Economist as most people lie about reading that paper.

But, she Couric really does read the Economist.

There is something about Couric.


7 posted on 10/07/2008 4:59:08 AM PDT by Carley (she's all out of caribou.............but does have a bracelet!!!!)
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To: goldstategop
Q: What did you think of any articles in the most recent issues of Commentary, The Weekly Standard, National Review or any other conservative journal? Or do you only read liberal writing? <--- My favorite question.
8 posted on 10/07/2008 4:59:23 AM PDT by Notasoccermom (.)
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To: goldstategop

Prager hits one out of the park..


9 posted on 10/07/2008 5:11:20 AM PDT by hosepipe (This propaganda has been edited to include some fully orbed hyperbole....)
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To: goldstategop

EXCELLENT ARTICLE!!!

Of course, the liberals belive that they are just “correct” about everything, and that others with different points of view are just ignorant sheep led by greedy and evil Republicans. So there is no “other side” worthy of notice, let alone consideration.

And they call us the ones blinded by faith!


10 posted on 10/07/2008 5:27:27 AM PDT by cvq3842
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To: goldstategop
More questions for liberal media twits....

Q: Would you please define “Assault Weapon” ?

Q: What guns would be banned by the new AWB and how do they differ from common sporting arms?

Q: Do you support the wearing of fur, and if not, are your shoes and handbag made of plastic?

Q: If the objection to wearing fur is that the hair is still on the leather, Do you wear anything made from wool or goose down?

Q: If all drilling for oil was ended, how many common products would be absent from store shelves?

Q: Do you favor mining? If not, do you wear any gold,silver, or Diamonds? Do you own any metallic objects ?

Q: Do you favor logging in the forests? What is your home made from?

Q: Did Wall Street greed cause our current economic problems? Do you own any stocks, bonds, or mutual funds?

Q: Do you favor the KKK? Do you think that Jimmy Carter should have sought their help to get elected Governor of GA?

Q: Do you agree with Roe Vs Wade?

Q: Should fathers pay child support?

Q: Should fathers have a say in their children being born?

Q: One last question...Would you be willing to now admit that you are a Dumb-ass just to end this interview?

11 posted on 10/07/2008 6:35:07 AM PDT by Beagle8U (FreeRepublic -- One stop shopping ....... Its the Conservative Super WalMart for news .)
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