Today Show Blacklists Toby Keith But Features Singer Glorifying Johnny Taliban

Media Research Center ^ | August 20, 2002 | Brent Baker

[abner]

I got another one for you. I don't know if it was bias, but it sure seemed strange at the time...

We were scheduled to be at Weehawken Park on top of the Lincoln Tunnel with our US Flag Balloon around June 13th or so. We would be putting up the Flag Balloon and about 40 first responders from 9/11 would be there, the National Guard, a bag pipe band, fire trucks, & police cars, and the mayor of Weehawken. This was a tribute to the 1st responders of 9/11 and the people that they lost to the terrorists.

The Today Show contacted the promoter of the event and secured the exclusive for the Weehawken coverage. They sent a crew out the day before, they told us that Al Roker would be coming out and they would be doing a weather thing. At about 6:00 PM the night before, the promoter calls us and says the the Today Show cancelled because they were keeping the entire Today Show open for breaking news on the Elizabeth Smart case. At that point, it was too late for him to get any of the other shows out there. I thought well, if there is breaking news, why aren't they breaking it? Anyway, the day of the event, Al Roker was covering a golf tournament, and there was no breaking news on Elizabeth Smart.

The Today Show missed an incredible tribute, and all of the men and women that were there were so appreciative of the balloon. It was very touching. We took everyone up in the balloon and brought them down again. It was great to see so many of them almost brought to tears by the sight of the balloon right across the river from where the towers used to stand.

It was wierd to say the least. Maybe they kept the Elizabeth Smart breaking news for a slower news day.

[PJ-Comix]

The way I read the lyrics, the "glorification" is all in the speaker's mind.

Perhaps you need some lessons in reading comprehension. Check out these lyrics below. They couldn't be CLEARER. This Cretin, Earle is comparing Johnny Taliban to Jesus.

If my daddy could see me now – chains around my feet
Well he don't understand that sometimes a man's gotta fight for what he believes
And I believe God is great, all praise due to him
And if I should die, I'll rise up to the sky
Just like Jesus, peace be upon him

[Wyatt's Torch]

That's the same way I read it. The song is clearly from Lindh's perspective and tries to get to his thoughts about what he has done. Despite his chosen path, I think more of Lindh's drive and desire to pursue something that he truly believed in whereas most teenagers are vapid myrmidons that don't give a wit about anything. That sort of dedication, again - ignoring the particulars of the chosen path, is somewhat rare. That being said, I think he should have ben tried for treason and executed.

To say this is glorification is a huge stretch.

[phasma proeliator]

"Put a boot in his ass" PING

[Wyatt's Torch]

And if I should die, I'll rise up to the sky
Just like Jesus, peace be upon him.

This is clearly from Lindh's perspctive and what Lindh has professed. He, Earle, is not comparing Lindh to Jesus. that is what Earle understands Lindh thoughts, through the Islamic teachings, to be.

[PJ-Comix]

What you have stated is all part of a GROWING TREND among the liberals as we approach the anniversary of 9-11. What they are doing is trying to get away from any "overly patriotic" ceremonies or from assigning blame for 9-11. We already see that in the "non-judgemental" guidelines for teaching about 9-11 just issued by the NEA and in the attempt by that money grubbing Matt Lauer (he doesn't actually have much in the way of political beliefs---he just wants those network dollars) to promote a singer and a song glorifying the terrorists.

Hey Matt! If they paid you enough, would you promote a singer glorying those terrorists who chopped off Daniel Pearl's head?

Remember one IMPORTANT thing about Matt Lauer. It isn't really the politics that ultimately matters to him---It's how much he gets paid. Lauer will do ANYTHING for the money.

p.s. And I am praying that when Lauer's wife leaves him, she hits him up for some buku bucks---That would really hurt Lauer where he hates it worst...in the wallet.

[PJ-Comix]

Why even have a song about Johnny Taliban in the first place? The guy is a CREEP and a TRAITOR. I'm sure he just sat back and laughed when Spann was murdered by his fellow Taliban terrorists.

[JimSEA]

Last Tuesday Joan Baez gave a concert here and sang an Earle song, a Tniisian and a Sumerian song. These folks are happily taking up the Islamist cause in America.

And a lot of the song is, is what I learned about Islam and, and this revelation of how ignorant we are all about Islam in this country, just from the research that I did trying to make the song work.

Do these so called idealogues really understand what would happen to them personally under an Islamist government. The would be in the square just like the Nigerian girl who is to be stoned to death for bearing an illigitimate child.

[timydnuc]

I'm never too upset about what is said or done on the "Today Show". All of those network shows are showing their a$$es on TV, butt (har, har) Perkie Katie did them one better! Socialist elistist dirvel...don't watch...never will, and most of America is joining me. I sure hope Katie saved/invested that big contract $$$. I sincerely doubt she'll get another one!

Maybe she could run for the Senate from NY...........Upps, that job is taken!!!

[timydnuc]

I'm never too upset about what is said or done on the "Today Show". All of those network shows are showing their a$$es on TV, butt (har, har) Perkie Katie did them one better! Socialist elistist dirvel...don't watch...never will, and most of America is joining me. I sure hope Katie saved/invested that big contract $$$. I sincerely doubt she'll get another one!

Maybe she could run for the Senate from NY...........Upps, that job is taken!!!

[timydnuc]

Out out damn double post!!!!

[Wyatt's Torch]

p.s. And I am praying that when Lauer's wife leaves him, she hits him up for some buku bucks---That would really hurt Lauer where he hates it worst...in the wallet.

Wow. that is a fine Christian attitude there. Maybe if you just wished him dead...Put away your vitriol and think for a minute. Read the lyrics again (and maybe another time) and try to imagine Lindh singing it and see if it doesn't make more sense. Oh, and if you don't like Matt Lauer or the Today show, might I suggest not watching. Of course, you maight never find out if his wife dumps him to make you happy...

[PJ-Comix]

Maybe if you just wished him dead...

READ my post. I wished NO SUCH THING. However, I do know that Lauer will do anything for the bucks so the worst thing that could happen to him would be for him to lose about half of his dough to his wife if she ever splits (which I have heard is very possible).

BTW, Matt Lauer losing a large part of his fortune isn't nearly as bad as those poor folks in the WTC towers being forced to leap from those buildings. Sorry, I have no sympathy for those attempting to glorify the terrorists or any creep that associates with them like Johnny Taliban.

[abner]

I don't watch the Today Show either. We were kind of hoping that Katie would come out and Barry could have done the bunny ear thing behind her head though.

[Wyatt's Torch]

Why even have a song about Johnny Taliban in the first place? The guy is a CREEP and a TRAITOR. I'm sure he just sat back and laughed when Spann was murdered by his fellow Taliban terrorists.

Why have a song about "Blue Suede Shoes"? Who cares? Should we ban all books or articles or movies or TV shows about him as well? After all, he is a "CREEP and a TRAITOR". Both of which I agree, BTW. For whatever reason, Earle decided it was an interesting enough topic to write a song about. Perhaps it was his dedication to his chosen cause. Who knows. Are people who wrote books about Hitler Nazi sympathizers? Hardly.

[Wyatt's Torch]

READ my post. I wished NO SUCH THING.

Read mine. I never said you did.

As for the rest, why wish something bad, like the destruction of a family, just because he's done something you don't like? Are you a family values guys or is that just for families you agree with? Just asking.

As for the moral equivalence between Lauer losing money in a divorce and the families impacted by the terrorist attacks, it's quite appaling that you even try to make the comparison. Nobody, including me, tried to make the comparison. I just found it interesting that you wished the destruction of a family upon someone whose views you disagree. Seems quite angry and oddly out of place.

[PJ-Comix]

Actually in Lauer's case, their is no need to wish for the destruction of his family. They seemed headed that way quite well on their own. Read this NY Post description from 1998 of Lauer's wife who sounds like as much of a money grubber as Matt is. When they split, it will be ONE HELL of a monetary settlement battle.

New York Post, Page Six---"Today Show anchor Matt Lauer's blushing bride is hell on wheel--literally. The stunning Annette Roque, the Dutch lingerie model Lauer wed last month, isn't making a good impression on some of his friends and colleagues. Sources close to the couple say that Roque is insisting Lauer arrange for a chauffeur to drive her around the city in their BMW, and is also demanding a cook be hired for their apartment. It was just over a week ago that Roque also caused a ruckus when she insisted on attending John Glenn's Cape Canaveral shuttle launch, even though the event was restricted to working press. That demand sent NBC staffers scurrying to somehow get Roque press credentials in time for the Shuttle blast-off. So fond is Roque of living in the lap of luxury that before their Oct. 3 nuptials the couple registered for a whopping $40,000 worth of wedding gifts. Items on their lists at Bergdorf Goodman included $3,000 for a pair of crystal perfume bottles and a $1,050 serving spoon. Friends of Lauer's are stunned that the down-to-Earth newsman is suddenly catering to such indulgent whms. Offers one insider: "He's whipped."

Can Raoul Felder be far behind?

[Wyatt's Torch]

Thanks for the info by, frankly, I don't care about Matt lauer and his personal problems. You, however, seem fixated. Did you used to date her or something? ;-)

[TEXASPROUD]

Well, my youngest son just turned 20, and I worry about him too. Considering the fact that he is in the U.S. military and could be going to a combat zone worries the hell out of me. My prayers go for him and all those others that serve in the military, especially in this time of war. This record sounds like it might make a good skeet target. PULL!!

[Paul Atreides]

"Call me Mattie..."