FOX News Responds with a Message from Ailes (BARF)

Email from FOXNews ^ | 11-02-2001 | ME

[N. Theknow]

On November 1st, Fox News Channel signed Geraldo Rivera to be a war correspondent. Upon hearing this news, many of you sent e-mails expressing your concern. As a result, Roger Ailes, Chairman and CEO of the Fox News Channel, drafted this response:

Dear Viewer:

Thank you for your email. Frankly, we've been expecting some negative reaction to Geraldo from some of our viewers. He has had a long and controversial career and I disagree with many of the things he has said in his life. However, I don't hire only people who agree with me. Geraldo is being hired as a war correspondent. He has been in action in Bosnia and covered the drug wars in South America. He is fearless and has a record of doing exemplary work on issues such as mental health, drugs, and war, just to name a few.

Geraldo, by his own admission, has made mistakes in his career. But at his core, he is a solid journalist. Frankly, he could have made millions of dollars more by staying in his safe NBC contract, but he elected to go in harms way to cover the biggest story of our time. I encourage you to read his commentary as to why he chose to leave NBC at this link: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,37942,00.html. He, like many of us, has been changed by the events of September 11th. That doesn't mean we will all agree on every issue, but it does mean that Fox News Channel is truly committed to fair and balanced news. I have great confidence in the American people to make up their own minds if they hear all the facts.

I'm not sure if I will be able to convince people whose minds are made up, but while very opinionated, you strike me as someone who may be open to at least a wait-and-see attitude. I appreciate your opinion. I hope you will read Geraldo's comments and give this thoughtful consideration. Please keep watching the Fox News Channel even if you don't agree with all 168 hours a week. We do our best, we are making a difference, and we are #1.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Roger Ailes

[Anthem]

ASHLEIGH: (waving hand) Oh, oh, oh, Mr. Terrorist!!! Mr. Terrorist!!! Can I come and talk to you or will you kill me? Is that a real gun? Isn't that, like, so last year? Look at me, I have a burka!

Your post is pretty funny by itself! \8^D

[Clinton's a liar]

You think that's funny, watch Ashleigh Banfield! LOL

When they cut away from Asleigh in Pakistan to Perry somethingorother in the field, he sounds like Jim Backus. It's like the East Coast Register does Asia. It's absolutely hysterical.

PERRY: Thaaaaaaaank you, Aaaaaashleiiiiiigh.

Hugs.

[craigo]

I don't get Fox News Channel, I wish I did, especially now that they have made the bold move to bring Geraldo on board. Nobody - NOBODY, with the main-stream media has been doing as good a job (IMHO) as Geraldo. He has become a regular jingoist. Rivera is not a liberal, he is a libertarian. Big difference. I for one think it was a smart move.

[aculeus]

It's Arthur Kent and he's now doing stuff at the History Channel.

[fly_so_free]

"Rivera is not a liberal he's a libertarian"

Geraldo is a Clintontarian.

[pointsal]

If Christiana is a "war slut", is Geraldo going to be the FOXNEWS "gunfire gigolo"?

[Anthem]

Known as the scud stud.

[Anthem]

LOL I'll check it out. You're spoofs are a hoot!

[Anthem]

Your. Of course you are, too!

[Clinton's a liar]

... scud stud."

ROTFLOL! Perfect!

And, those "spoofs" were not far from the actual truth, Anthem!

A few weeks ago, I watched Ms. Banfield, dressed in local garb, interview a guy who is a guard at the barrier between the "civilized" Pakistanis and the nomad, tribal folks where two missionaries were attacked by the usual band of thieves, the man was skinned alive and the woman was raped.

Ms. Banfield's was standing with this guard on top of a wall, looking down on the people in the "dangerous" area in question. The guard had this big smile on his face (you could tell he was laughing at her) when she came with her barrage of hard-hitting questions (this is not a spoof, I kid you not): "See that guy over there? Would he kill me if I went over into that area? Would I be in danger? See that guy with the gun? What would they do to me?"

The guy was about to bust a gut. In his limited English he just kept saying, "Very dangerous." LOL

It truly was weirder than anything I could make up! It's just a real shame that we have the typical horrendous American stereotype representing America over there(to the locals). The really good guys are the ones dropping bombs! How weird is that? LOL

[snorkeler]

Yeah..let's remember one thing here....Jerry will be working for Roger...not vise versa.

[snorkeler]

I don't understand why everyone assumes that Jerry will be in control here. Sheesh...he has been hired by Ailes....he didn't take over the place. In your jobs, aren't you compelled to preform the way your BOSS wants you to?

Jerry is a known personality and has a lot of experience in this stuff. IMHO, this is just what FOX needs!

[bulldog905]

In your jobs, aren't you compelled to preform the way your BOSS wants you to?

Yes, but in my field of work(law enforcement) we don't hire criminals.

[snorkeler]

not even paid informants?

[Arabesque]

I Remember Steve Doocy as a features reporter here in Washington, D.C. market years ago, during the George Allen or Joe Gibbs days, I think. He was pretty representative of the average liberal D.C. reporter. He seems quite changed. I work in a very liberal field; my friends have gone quite conservative, several of whom tell me that for the sake of their children, there is no going back to the Democrat party.

I say let us give Geraldo a try; we can complain later.

I was once a liberal from a liberal family; I now practice at the local gun range; people get older!

Happy Weekend, Fellow Freepers....Dancer

[bulldog905]

not even paid informants?

You are correct. Good one. It takes a criminal(or at least his information) to catch a criminal sometimes.