"What I Saw at the Devastation" (Media were Heroes???)

Wall Street Journal ^ | 9/13/2001 | Peggy Noonan

[LS]

As I watched television I became aware, as everyone I've spoken to has mentioned along the way, that the great leaders in our time of trauma were the reporters and anchors and producers of the networks and news stations. What cool and fabulous work from Peter Jennings, Dan Rather and Tom Brokaw, what stunning work from Brit Hume and Aaron Brown, Katie Couric and Diane Sawyer, and the cameramen who took stupendous and dangerous pictures, and the guests like Richard Holbrooke and Norman Schwarzkopf and Tom Clancy, who added knowledge and context and well-grounded viewpoints. They all did that knowing it was dangerous where they were, knowing it could get worse, that the weapons or targets could change. They stood their ground and did their jobs. Those anchors and reporters, they led us Tuesday, with cool and warmth, with intelligence and deep professionalism. And every one of them must have known he, or she, was one way or another in harm's way. These men and women of the media should all get a mass Medal of Freedom the next time it's given. They really helped our country.

[LS]

I love Peggy Noonan but she is totally cockeyed on this.

Was Peter Jennings questioning Bush's courage on national television "heroic?" Is Chris Matthews and Howard Fineman's constant harping on what "Bush must do" and asking whether "Bush is up to it"---is that "heroism?" I think not.

I do not see Dan Rather sitting safely in a studio looking at video tape as a hero. MAYBE---MAYBE---the cameraman who goes inside a building to get pictures, but even then, is this heroism? Does this rate up there with the hundreds of firemen who went INTO the World Trade Center knowing the circumstances?

I love Tom Clancy and "Stormin' Norman." But how does their appearance to give analysis provide "leadership?" Would not a "leader" have led by taking the case for missile defense and/or anti-terrorist actions to Congress? No one questions Schwartzkopf's courage or integrity, but the use of the wrong terms in the wrong places. If you ask me, Guliani has come out of this looking magnificent---he is everywhere, and never seems flustered, nor irresolute.

But Katie Couric as a "leader?" Forgive me, but she is no one I would follow.

[Huck]

dittos

[billorites]

She must have been drinking.

I know I was.

[camle]

I was impressed by all the newsies who suddenly sported blazers and jackets coated with dust, yet their hair was perfect, and their facial makeup was flawless. NOT!!

[ken5050]

Paula Zahn is doing the CNN morning coverage....she's absolutely clueless......

[OKSooner]

After the work that sniveling punk Peter Jennings has done the last couple of days, I'd say she'd being sarcastic.

[Izzy Dunne]

No one questions Schwartzkopf's courage or integrity, but the use of the wrong terms in the wrong places.

And Schwarzkopf himself will tell you that...

[LadyJD]

Noonan has been known for sarcasm. Isn't this a prime example? I mean, surely she isn't serious about this.

[Terry Mross]

These liberal media set us up for this. They convinced the rest of the world that we were weak....that half the nation hated Bush....that Bush was "Dumbya".....that the nation was divided like never before....they just kept harping on it. I blame everyone of them.

[LS]

I have posted it above. You read it. I don't detect an ounce of sarcasm here.

[newzjunkey]

Well he's reportedly got a job approval rating of 80% today.

[The G Man]

Noonan is out of her tree on this one.

That having been said, Dan Rather (believe it or not)for the most part was pretty good. First off he had to do considerable damage control after Bryant Gumbel had gone into full blown sensationalism mode ("THE SEARS TOWER IS BEING EVACUATED!!" .... forgetting the part about "as a precaution"). Rather reined things back in nicely. He refused to speculate and only recited what was known. And believe you me, I am NO fan of Dan Rather. It was just the only station we could get tuned in at work.

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

And every one of them must have known he, or she, was one way or another in harm's way.

I know I'm in harm's way, one way or another, any time a drive to work. Or when I eat fish.

[Kermit]

Yesterday, the concensus was that CNN was doing a better job than Fox with the exception of Paula Zahn.

[johnny7]

If this isn't sarcasm, then Peggys brain has been compromised.

[Wyatt's Torch]

Reading the whole piece, I don't hink so....sadly.

[mountaineer]

Chris Mathews was wetting his pants last night, worried that his liberal credentials would be questioned if he dared suggest that perhaps, just maybe, the U.S. ought to respond with force against the terrorists. He must have apologized ten times for not sounding liberal enough. I had to change channels before committing a violent act against my TV.

[stainlessbanner]

Dan Blather is a punk-a$$ leftist liberal whiner. When other politicians (ie. Clinton, Gore, Daschle) are lining up behind Pres. Bush, Blather questions Bush's courage, integrity, and honor.

Apparently, the media is more concerned with the politics of war and blaming Bush for things than with the tragedy of the attack.

These actors are not heroes, they are mouthpieces for the left-wing libs. The REAL heroes are on the ground helping victims...

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

Before we can fight this war, we need to get rid of our enemies at home, Brokaw, Jennings, Rather, especially that ratfaced weasel Katie Couric and many more.

[Diogenesis]

Couric, Jennings, and Rather are our heroes traitors.