Arnett fired

033103 | NBC

[dep]

"It was wrong for Mr. Arnett to grant an interview with Iraqi state television," said NBC in a statement. NBC, MSNBC, and National Geographic have all fired him.

Arnett on live, apoligizing to "NBC, MSNBC, National Geographic, and the American people." He then goes on to say that all he said in the interview was "what we all know.

[GGpaX4DumpedTea]

Cut Drudge slack for giving Arnett so much PR in the last 24-36 hours? I don't think so. And he did the same with that crap about Madona and her video. Sometimes Matt goes out of his way to rub our noses in it.

[Publius6961]

NBC, MSNBC, and National Geographic have all fired him.

And the funniest part is that this MENSA graduate will continue to be deluded, and believe that he is right, and everyone else is wrong.
I wonder if New Zealand will take him back?

Moron. A legend in his own mind, and a lousy reporter.

[Petronski]

"I am deeply
saddened."

[Ann Archy]

Amen to Brian Williams!! He is such a piece of CRAP!! he'll get his someday.

[GirlShortstop]

Bwahahahaha!!!! Couldn't happen better to a f*cked up bottom sucking, pond scum low life loser like Baghdad Pete than to lose his job with an American network.

  You have a way with words that has comprehensively anticipated my thoughts on the matter. Well done.

Yeah! ...What s/he said!   :-)

[risk]

I don't think his interview with Iraqi TV holds a candle to what he did in the "Operation Tailwind" scandal back in '98 (that got him fired from CNN).

Which was to report that the US used nerve agent on civilians and possibly American defectors in Viet Nam. I found an interesting rebuttal.

Also, here's an E-mail message from one of the Cobra pilots.

Here's what Smith concludes:

The real tragedy here is that the incredibly heroic efforts of a large number of Special Forces men, helicopter pilots, Forward Air Controllers, and fighter pilots is called into question by the unconscionable behavior of Peter Arnett and April Oliver.

I agree. And we can never thank our special ops people enough for their bravery and selfless execution of duty. Arnett could only think of gaining airtime, airtime that never saved anyone. A free press helps keep our nation strong, but special ops are among those who give it that strength. Journalists should think long and hard before criticizing their missions.

[ZinGirl]

WOO-HOO!!!!!!

[Ann Archy]

Jim Miklaswski on Imus and NBC is also disgusting! he just said Bush 41 did nothing but watch the TV during the Gulf Warand it would only follow that like father like son and that 43 was sitting in front of the TV. What a CROCK!! He has other things to do....Gad, I detest NBC's "reporters'...actually opiners.

[sweetliberty]

"Since he's no longer employed and not worth any more propaganda value, does this mean the Iraqis will take him out back and give him a smoke and a blindfold?"

Not likely. Jesse Jackass is on the missing journalist case, which means he will probably try to "rescue" this unfortunate pathetic @$$h*le as well.

Rev. Jackson to help search for missing Newsday journalists

[Oldeconomybuyer]

NEW YORK, Mar 31, 2003 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- NBC fired journalist Peter Arnett on Monday, saying it was wrong for him to give an interview with state-run Iraqi TV saying that the American-led coalition's first war plan had failed because of Iraq's resistance. Arnett himself called the interview a "misjudgment."

Arnett, on NBC's "Today" show on Monday, said he was sorry for his statement but added, "I said over the weekend what we all know about the war."

"I want to apologize to the American people for clearly making a misjudgment," Arnett said.

NBC had defended him on Sunday, saying he had given the interview as a professional courtesy and that his remarks were analytical in nature. But by Monday morning the network switched course and, after Arnett spoke with NBC News President Neal Shapiro, said it would no longer work with Arnett.

"It was wrong for Mr. Arnett to grant an interview to state-controlled Iraqi TV, especially at a time of war," NBC spokeswoman Allison Gollust said. "And it was wrong for him to discuss his personal observations and opinions in that interview."

Arnett, who won a Pulitzer Prize reporting in Vietnam for The Associated Press, garnered much of his prominence from covering the 1991 Gulf War for CNN. One of the few American television reporters left in Baghdad, his reports were frequently aired on NBC and its cable sisters, MSNBC and CNBC.

By DAVID BAUDER Associated Press Writer

[SamAdams76]

All our e-mails last night must have had an effect. MSNBC, NBC and National Geographic have all severed their relations with Peter Arnett. Katie Couric is "deeply saddened" and joins Tom Daschle in "deep depression."

Things sure are different from Gulf War 1. Fox News, Free Republic, talk radio...we're not putting up with this anti-American bullshit anymore.

[Alouette]

[yonif]

THIS MAKES MY MORNING

[sanchmo]

He said that Iraqi resistance ruined the American war plan, and that his reporting of it delivered valuable ammunition to the anti-war crowd in the USA.

Basically he encouraged the Fedayeen to continue and step up their suicide attacks against US forces. His treasonous words will cost more American lives.

I hope he dies in Iraq.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

The POS is on the Today Show in the central time zone.

[Blanking] pathetic!

[kcvl]

They're a little too late for me. I will never watch, buy or support these traitors in anyway, shape or form. They used bad judgement when they hired him and knew he was a LIAR. That just proves to me that they aren't any better.

[smith288]

If you arent American, why not fly your country flag in your profile? :)

[kcvl]

Good. Now arrest him.

[sit-rep]

Justice is served.

I am "Giddy", one might say...

[VRWC_minion]

< flame suit=on> This is a lynching and we should not be a part of it. I don't think Arnett should be fired. Censoring is not what our country is founded on and similar words have been mouthed by Jennings and all the rest.