CNN founder Turner regrets equating IDF actions with terrorism

News Agencies-Haaretz ^ | June 19 2002

[xvb]

CNN founder Turner regrets equating IDF actions with terrorism

By News Agencies

CNN founder Ted Turner, reacting to criticism of his comments to a London newspaper about violence in the Middle East, said Tuesday he regretted "any implication that I believe the actions taken by Israel to protect its people are equal to terrorism."

"My comments were part of a long and extensive interview that I gave two months ago when I was condemning the loss of human life," said Turner, vice chairman of CNN's parent company, AOL Time Warner.

"The violence in the Middle East has reached an intolerable level, and in that interview I condemned that violence on whatever side it may come.

"But, I want to make it absolutely clear that my view was -- and is -- that there is a fundamental distinction between the acts of the Israeli government and the Palestinians," Turner said.

"I believe the Israeli government has used excessive force to defend itself, but that is not the same as intentionally targeting and killing civilians with suicide bombers."

CNN issued a statement saying Turner "has no operational or editorial oversight of CNN" and was speaking for himself in the comments he made April 16 that were published Tuesday by The Guardian newspaper in London.

"Ted Turner's views are his own and they definitely do not reflect the views of CNN in any way," CNN's statement said.

Turner was quoted Tuesday as saying Israel was engaged in "terrorism" against the Palestinians that could be compared to the suicide bomber attacks on Israelis.

"Right now, aren't the Israelis and the Palestinians both terrorizing each other?" the 63-year-old billionaire founder of 24-hour news network CNN said in an interview with the Guardian newspaper.

"The rich and the powerful, they don't need to resort to terrorism... The Palestinians are fighting with human suicide bombers - that's all they have.

"The Israelis... they've got one of the most powerful military machines in the world. The Palestinians have nothing. So who are the terrorists? I would make the case that both sides are involved in terrorism."

Israeli government spokesman Daniel Seaman lashed out at Turner's comments as "stupid."

"My only advice to Ted Turner is if people assume you are stupid, it is just best to keep your mouth shut rather than open your mouth and confirm everyone in that view," Seaman was quoted as saying by the Guardian.

Turner also acknowledged in the Guardian interview he had used an "unfortunate choice of words" when he said in a speech earlier this year that the hijackers who flew planes into the World Trade Center and Pentagon on September 11 were "brave."

Turner said he tended to overuse the word as owner of the Atlanta Braves baseball team. "I chose accidentally to say that they [the hijackers] were brave... I use that word so often, it just pops out," he said.

[speedy]

Not only is he an idiot, he doesn't even have the courage of his convictions.

[Semper Paratus]

I regret Ted Turner.

[max_rpf]

Teddy -- Grow up. When is TW going to realize how much of a liability this man is. First of all - they don't have to put up with him. Remember when he donated 1 Billion to the UN? Well, he quickly realized that while he had the cash, if he was to give it away he would have to sell a major interest in the company. What ever happend with this? I know he changed his gift to be '1mmm or xxxx shares of stock' whichever is smaller, but it was still enough shares to put him in a much weaker position with the company...

[3AngelaD]

I loved the Seaman quote. The jews and Israelis ought to join my personal boycott of CNN.

[Lazamataz]

CNN founder Turner regrets equating IDF actions with terrorism

The guy is completely out of control.

I bet CNN is happy as hell they fired his sorry a&&.

[cardinal4]

Ted Turner is Anti-American like his ex-wife.

[Lazamataz]

Turner .... said in a speech earlier this year that the hijackers who flew planes into the World Trade Center and Pentagon on September 11 were "brave."

This guy is a complete asshole.

[riri]

You said it. And the only reason he is semi-retracting his words is because the ratings at CNN are in the toilet.

The irony is Turner loves his wealth, but no where else but in this country he despises would he be allowed to live in such opulence-what's he own? Half of new Mexico? Try that in one of those 3rd world cess pools you are trying to turn this country into, Mr Turner.

[Sub-Driver]

he needs to sober up........

[Freemeorkillme]

"he needs to sober up........" again

[xvb]

*he needs to sober up........

Or drink more. Or take his meds.

[Wphile]

"I believe the Israeli government has used excessive force to defend itself,..."

This is the most ridiculous statement of the whole article. Excessive force, my arse. Israel is the model of restraint if you ask me. Turner doesn't have a clue. He needs to shut up. What an embarrassment this guy is and why is it that so many of our leftist celebrities love to pop off during interviews with the British press?

[cardinal4]

I was in Scotts Bluff,NE last year,and learned that 90% of the Western Panhandle,a very historical and beautiful place,Capt Cook lived there and befriended the Sioux,is owned by Ted Turner. The area is mostly Pine Ridge and prairie,a lot of beef ranching. The locals claim he bought the land in Dawes,Sioux,and Scotts Bluff counties because he was against cattle ranching.

The guy is really out there,had to be, to marry Jane.

[McGavin999]

Why the he$$ is this guy still living in America? He hates this country so much he should be living somewhere else.

[riri]

If he wasn't so old I'd think he was going to start a cult. But now I am thinking, he will probably leave all that property to the UN or some other organization that is against private land ownership. Except for the elite of course...yeesh

[GingisK]

CNN founder Turner regrets equating IDF actions with terrorism

Ted, you have babbled mindlessly so many times that we tend not to listen you or CNN.

[cardinal4]

One other point the ranchers made that day; This Nebraska,not Massachusetts or California, if he {turner} leaves the land to the UN for any reason,they will not be welcome. West Nebraska cowboys take a dim enough view of the UN and its supporters, it would be unwise for the UN to establish a Global Warming office or a Food and Agriculture,World Health Organization,or refugee facility in Sioux county Nebraska.

[mhking]

Turner said he tended to overuse the word as owner of the Atlanta Braves baseball team. "I chose accidentally to say that they [the hijackers] were brave... I use that word so often, it just pops out," he said.

Running into the mouthy one once in an elevator, the first impression I got of him was that he was one of those (even though he was wearing a suit) that would just as well look at you, crack a goofy smile and say, "Hold muh beer, an' watch this!"

[Diogenesis]

Can a rational human believe Turner OR CNN? No.

NEW TELEVISION SERIES

The New Destruction of Western Civilization by, and on, CNN

==========================

Monday:

A program on 'Our Planned Future Destruction of Israel'
narrated by Sheila MacVicar, Andrea Koppel and Terrorist Arafat.

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Tuesday:

A startling program on "Our Previous Destruction of Czecho.. 'Old-Switzerland'.

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Wednesday:

Ms. Fonda Turner returns for 'Our Past and Future Treason against America'

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THURSDAY:
Ted Turner will tell of his being "a student at Brown University
...kicked out for painting swastikas on the doors of Jewish student's rooms."
Turner will give an intro into turning Hate Crime,
like his, into paying off with billions and billions of $$$$$$$$.

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Ted Turner, June 18, 2002: "So who are the terrorists?
I would make a case that both sides are involved in terrorism."

CNN harbors terrorists. Now we know why.