Weekend Links & Open Thread
Sunday cable news links [6:00 pm]:
Profile: "angry" Olbermann. Reax: Olbermann Watch, The Cable Game, TalkLeft, Democratic Daily, Page Six, Gawker.
Father's Day thoughts.
Bizarre Russert item.
Today's boycott!
MSNBC's dynamic duo?
Greta corrects Harpers.
Sunday talkers: tributes.
Comcast moving news channels.
Russert: Newsday, Mike Barnicle, Tom Shales, The New Republic, Arizona Republic, New Yorker, Politico, Leibovich, American Thinker, Michael Calderone.
Meet the Press: ICN lays odds, Brian Stelter handicaps, HuffPo speculates.
Inordinate navel-gazing? Was Matthews disrespectful?
Russert wears Wilson's wardrobe.
The Weather word.
Use our valuable bandwidth to post your comments on any and all cable news topics in this weekend's open thread. Standard rules apply. fox news cable news
HaggisFarmer
My deepest condolences go out to Mr Russert's family and friends...A very sad day.
Meet the Press was the one political programme I watched every Sunday via the internet.
June 14, 2008, 2:14:15 AM EDT – Like – Reply
Damian G.
http://conservathink.blogspot.com/2008/06/journalism-and-america-have-been-robbed.html
I wrote this in memory of Mr. Russert. I hope you guys like it.
June 14, 2008, 2:19:38 AM EDT – Like – Reply
On the Mark
A very good piece, Damian. Thank you. I do certainly think Russert, when all else is said, set the modern standard for journalistic integrity. As much as we offer prayers for Tim, in God's nearer presence, and for his family, we also all hope than many rise up to his professional standards.
June 14, 2008, 2:54:27 AM EDT – Like – Reply
SteveMG
Re the loss of Russert.
For me, he always appeared to be trying to be fair. He was, if you will, a "good faith" reporter. And really, that's all we can ask for.
While some of the "gotcha" questions with the tapes (sometimes unfairly edited) created more heat than light, he at least would employ that tactic against all of his guests.
From what I've read, he was the classic "larger than life" person. Terrible loss for his family, friends and for the public.
June 14, 2008, 11:26:16 AM EDT – Like – Reply
Mike C.
Regarding NBC Universal buying The Weather Channel: I guess it's going to happen. This probably means Jim Cantore or any other TWC meteorologist appearing on "Countdown." I know it's coming. Also, Heidi "Global Warming" Cullen, the Keith Olbermann of The Weather Channel.
June 14, 2008, 1:42:22 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Missy
Damian, your tribute was beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us.
June 14, 2008, 1:44:14 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Mike C.
I've said all I can say about Tim Russert. I posted about his passing and my reflections on my blog. Click "Homepage" next to my name to see.
June 14, 2008, 1:50:24 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Kirk G
HotAir.com has a video of Mathews giving tribute to Russet but turns into Mathews anti Iraq stance. The guy just bring himself to be nice to someone without taking a dig at someone else
June 14, 2008, 2:29:11 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Mike C.
Sorry the networks went overboard with the Russert coverage, Mr. TV Guy, Hal Boedeker.
Having said that, I can understand where he's coming from. When a young woman is missing or murdered, the cable news channels spend inordinate time on that woman and/or their abductor/killer. And when that happens, I wish they'd cover it less. And don't get me started on Anna Nicole Smith.
June 14, 2008, 2:31:19 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Mike C.
>HotAir.com has a video of Matthews giving tribute to Russert but turns into Matthews' anti-Iraq stance.<
That's what the "Was Matthews disrespectful?" link talks about. And that's all that's left at NBC/MSNBC: Matthews, Olbermann, Robinson, Maddow, Alter, Fineman, Wolffe, other names I can't think of. Yet, Olbermann's damn ratings will keep going up and NBC won't get rid of his butt. It ticks me off.
June 14, 2008, 2:35:04 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Mike C.
I had no idea that Steve Doocy, Brian Kilmeade, and Alisyn Camerota hosted "F&F" this morning. I learned that when I went to the the "F&F" folder on the FOXNews.com video page.
June 14, 2008, 2:44:07 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
I've got to agree that as untimely and tragic as the loss of Tim Russert is, the cover of his death IS now going overboard.
It's to the point that it's the media celebrating themselves a bit...telling themselves that they are as important and as irreplaceable as Abe Lincoln or Winston Churchill.
June 14, 2008, 2:56:25 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Mike C.
There are a couple of posts on the New York Radio Message Board talking about how Mike Francesa broke and handled Russert's death on "Mike and the Mad Dog," which he hosted solo yesterday, on WFAN/YES Network.
http://www.musicradio77.com/wwwboard//messages/340269.html
Apparently, Mike and Chris Russo turned against Tim in the wake of the Imus firing, essentially feeling he threw Imus under the bus [ding!] after being such a frequent "Imus in the Morning" guest.
Now, hopefully, this isn't off topic and I'm not violating the rules. In the wake of the trolls' constant off-topic/redundant linking, I've become paranoid.
June 14, 2008, 2:58:34 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Mike C.
Considering Tim's death, is "Fox News Watch" going to be live tonight? I know the show is usually taped on Fridays.
June 14, 2008, 3:07:56 PM EDT – Like – Reply
johnny dollar
It's a tough show to scramble all the players together for a last-minute live broadcast. However, depending on what time Friday they taped it, they may well deal with Russert's death on the program.
June 14, 2008, 3:10:32 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Missy
Mike C,
I know you mentioned that you record F & F sometimes.
Did you do so this morning? I had to leave right before 10 a.m., and there were three older men on, talking about some type of senior outreach program. They had a website, senior (something or other). If you do have a recording, could you please get me the website name?
I am doing things frequently for older people (my mom, my aunts and neighbors), and just wanted to see if these people had any info. that could be of help. Thank you in advance.
June 14, 2008, 3:17:06 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Mike C.
I only record it on weekdays. I never thought 3/4 of the weekday hosts would be on this morning. I figured it'd be Clayton Morris, Griff Jenkins, and Ainsley Earhardt.
I said this in the "links for 2008-06-14" post on Olby Watch, but I'll repeat it here:
I just realized that with Tim Russert's sudden death yesterday, Keith dodged a huge bullet of criticism following his SEK on Thursday night. How do you think Keithy feels about that?
June 14, 2008, 3:37:24 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Mike C.
But no, Missy, I didn't see that segment. Sorry. I only saw what was on the FOXNews.com video page's "Fox and Friends" folder.
June 14, 2008, 3:38:25 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Mike C.
...which can be found by clicking on "Shows" on that video page.
June 14, 2008, 3:38:53 PM EDT – Like – Reply
johnny dollar
seniorhelpers.com
June 14, 2008, 3:40:49 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Kirk G
Missy,
I just reviewed the F&F from this morning that I tivo'd , you can MORE INFO ON THE PROGRAM AT SENIORHELPERS.COM hope that is some help. I think I may check into it myself, I have an elderly Mother that this program may benifit, Good Luck
June 14, 2008, 4:15:05 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Missy
J$ and Kirk, thank you for that website address.
And Mike, what does SEK mean and what idiotic thing did Keith say on Thursday? I must say I am sickened to hear him gushing over Russert in these tributes while his standards (if any) of journalism are so contrary to those of Russert's.
June 14, 2008, 5:48:09 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Mike C.
SEK are the initials for "Special Education Komment," which is Olbermann Watch's nickname for Keith's Special Comment. His Comment Thursday night was hysteria over what John McCain said on the "Today" show earlier this week. Olby took offense to the line "it's not that important." If you go to Olby Watch, you can see Thursday's SEK (SC) or hear the "OlbyRobot dramatic reading," which is the text of the SEK read in TextAloud by the Crystal voice selection from AT&T Natural Voices.
I find Keith's gushing over Russert sickening, too.
June 14, 2008, 6:22:05 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Mike C.
Okay, "Today's boycott" is a far-right guy. The cancellation of "America's Pulse" had nothing to do with the terrorist fist jab thing! "America's Election HQ" got bumped, too.
June 14, 2008, 8:05:32 PM EDT – Like – Reply
cee
"In lieu of flowers, cancel your cable subscription and use the money to take your Dad to lunch each week for the rest of his, or your, life."
Excellent suggestion from Townhall.com at the end of the analysis of Chris Matthews' silliness.
If anything good can come from the death of such a young man, it could be applying his way of looking at people and events along with emulating his general good nature.
I heard Mr. Russert say it himself in one of the retrospectives last night....HE STRUGGLED WITH BECOMING JADED. But he kept it in check. Well, that's it in a nutshell for me with the clowns at MSNBC.
Regarding Olbermann....How any self described journalist can claim it is difficult to remain neutral should be looking for other work. And Matthews?....any journalist who plays armchair AND Monday morning quarterback is just as poor a character.
Tim Russert never displayed these flaws and it was never about him. It was about the issue at hand and the players affecting that issue.
Please, NBC NEWS, change your ways in his memory!
June 14, 2008, 8:11:57 PM EDT – Like – Reply
On the Mark
Okay, "Today's boycott" is a far-right guy. The cancellation of "America's Pulse" had nothing to do with the terrorist fist jab thing! "America's Election HQ" got bumped, too.
Mike C. | Homepage | 06.14.08 - 8:10 pm | #
---
You may be right, Mike, but how do we know that for certain. There are signs of a tightening up, if not a purge of sorts at FNC. Certainly, the terroris jab and the baby's momma matter would have gone uncommented upon by FNC, and not FNC can't apologize soon enough.
The theory that FNC sees the writing on the wall, and the writing is OBAMA is interesting, and of some validity. FNC probably really prefers the opposition in power. It certainly enjoyed taking cheap shots at (Bill) Clinton. There is apparently no cheap shot at Obama.
June 14, 2008, 8:55:17 PM EDT – Like – Reply
johnny dollar
Well if you had read the links I post every day you'd know that the fist-jab bit was not E.D. Hill's doing. That's one way we know.
June 14, 2008, 8:57:18 PM EDT – Like – Reply
olby sucks
"Then it really got scary when even the SNL skits mocking the media bias in favor of Obama, which were very popular on YouTube, began to be pulled by ABC and YouTube from the Internet"
Let me get this straight......They pull snl comedy videos from youtube, but, they LEAVE videos of terrorists killing OUR troops up? Pathetic is a very over used word. SICKENING works for this.
June 14, 2008, 9:00:29 PM EDT – Like – Reply
On the Mark
[message deleted for rules violation: off-topic]
Edited By Siteowner
June 14, 2008, 9:00:42 PM EDT – Like – Reply
On the Mark
First off, Johnny, I do read the links, and I even make comments on the link sites from time-to-time. I appreciate those links.
Secondly, did I indicate E.D. Hill originated this outrage? I don't think I did. She merely exploited what was already said, which, in some ways, is even worse.
June 14, 2008, 9:02:50 PM EDT – Like – Reply
puck30
Got to my Motel room around 1 a.m. last night. Turn on the t.v., Got halfway to the shower when Campbell Brown (CNN) started talking about Tim Russert, but in a past tense. Huh?
Just sat there in front of the t.v. Huh? BTW Campbell did a nice tribute.
NBC might just as well bronze and encase his shoes in glass. No one will ever be able to fill Tim's shoes.
What else can one say that has not been already said here.
Except, Thanks, to the kid from Buffalo.
All in all, not a bad job. Not a bad job at all. And you did it with class.
June 14, 2008, 9:07:38 PM EDT – Like – Reply
johnny dollar
> She merely exploited what was already said, which, in some ways, is even worse.
You have no idea whatsoever what you are talking out. I get the feeling the only links you read were Jimmy Dean Smoky.
June 14, 2008, 10:02:24 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Mike C.
I can no longer give OTM the benefit of the doubt. I've been as nice as I can be, but I can't take it anymore.
Anyway, I think I said this before, but I wonder if we'll start hearing E.D. on "The Radio Factor" again.
June 14, 2008, 10:08:23 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
Speaking of navel-gazing... after watching all the commemoratives on tv about Tim Russert, it's apparent that this man was endlessly focused on creating his own biography/story.
All the letters to co-workers, including a letter to journalist Campbell Brown's infant son upon his birth (an extraordinary gesture and something he had to know she would save.) There was also the endless stories, especially about his childhood and the father who was to become a cultural icon.
Here was a good hearted man, but one who was ambitious as well. I read that one his first acts as new host of MTP was to hang a large picture of himself along side the other pictures of NBC stars at the NBC Washington news bureau.
Russert had worked for prominent and legendary men--- Mario Cuomo and particularly Danel Patrick Moynihan. There is one picture of Russert standing beside and looking at Sen. Cuomo while on a lectern and the expression on Russert's face is of the sort of loving and admiring excitement that you usually see towards rock stars. He wasn't seduced by power at all, he admired the scale of these men, their accomplishments, and their place in history.
I think Russert was always working on his own place in that equation. Leaving quite a paper trail of letters and writings, as well as anecdotes, etc.
He used a great deal of his immense zest in pitching himself. He pitched a legacy. He wasn't a phony, it was the man he wanted to be and so he made it the man he was.
The man's grace was that he others...saw the entire world.. as being just as big and just as interesting.
June 14, 2008, 10:18:23 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
Mike, pushing the buttons of the sheeple for the greater good of Marxism is the focus of OTM's life....
June 14, 2008, 10:20:04 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
Oh, my lord! The LA Times sees Joe Scarborough as a candidate for replacing Tim Russert on MTP.
Which one of their editors does Joe have something on?... :D
June 14, 2008, 10:33:24 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Fox Fan
Scarborough? Mountains to molehills!
June 14, 2008, 10:40:43 PM EDT – Like – Reply
ImNotBlue
No way Joe gets it.
Personally, I think that Lester Holt is the best replacement for someone similar to Russert... but maybe that's just me.
June 14, 2008, 10:42:54 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
I don't know, mNotBlue. Lester has Russert's likability but does he have his political and professional acumen?
June 14, 2008, 10:45:29 PM EDT – Like – Reply
olby sucks
I've heard or read nothing to indicate Tim Russert was a selfish man.
June 14, 2008, 10:48:23 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
Oh, I wasn't suggest that at all, Olby Sucks. Quite the opposite.
June 14, 2008, 10:49:23 PM EDT – Like – Reply
olby sucks
Nor, was I accusing. Your 10:23 post left me scratching my head, though. Nothing wrong with that.
June 14, 2008, 10:53:33 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Fox Fan
Sometimes you just don't get what would be tonal inflections in comments. I understood what you were saying though, Cece.
June 14, 2008, 10:57:27 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
Well, I'm just shooting the bull, FF. :D
I just think that brilliant Russert was fully aware of his potential to be a legend and actively built one.
June 14, 2008, 11:02:02 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Fox Fan
As are many journalists. It is natural for one who is so ingrained in the news to have an exceptionally well documented history.
June 14, 2008, 11:11:45 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
That's a good point, FF.
June 14, 2008, 11:19:01 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Fox Fan
As cee would say, "SNOBamassiah" is trying to do the same thing.
June 14, 2008, 11:22:38 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Mike C.
Chuck Scarborough has about a better shot than Joe. :D
June 14, 2008, 11:41:51 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Missy
But it's good to read about the character of famous people when they are especially kind to others in their personal lives. We've all heard of stories where these "Hollywood" types treat their staffs and others with disdain, so when we hear of someone treating others with kindness, we can learn something.
I remember reading that whenever Pres. George H.W. Bush was a guest of anyone's at dinner, at their home, etc. he would always immediately send them a "thank you" note. What a nice gesture, esp. for someone as high ranking and busy, as he was! Anyway, I began doing that myself because I thought it really showed gratitude for the hospitality extended.
There are not a lot of polite and/or decent people around these days, so it's good to hear stories of when people act in such an upright manner.
And speaking of that, it would be nice if MSNBC honored Russert by ridding itself of two certain prime time hosts, who share NONE of Russert's positive attributes.
June 15, 2008, 12:10:28 AM EDT – Like – Reply
Missy
Extraneous comma after "busy" in my second paragraph, above.
Anyway, I see where Brian Wilson lent Russert his jacket a few years back, and that got me to thinking...
What about Brian as Russert's replacement? I think Brian is a true "Washington insider", having been there quite a while, I believe. I'm sure he leans conservative, but he sure doesn't seem to be overtly partisan. From the little I know of him, I think he'd be an excellent replacement for Russert!!!
June 15, 2008, 12:15:21 AM EDT – Like – Reply
Fox Fan
Missy, you are so sweet with your thank you notes.
You are unfortunately right about the lack of decent people around nowadays. How about that hit and run with the car on street cam lately, it's one of infinite examples...
June 15, 2008, 12:29:24 AM EDT – Like – Reply
Mike C.
I think Brian is doing fine as Fox News' VP and Washington Bureau Chief. I think NBC will stay in-house and go with David Gregory. I don't want to think of any Fox people jumping to the evil NBC, no matter what the circumstances.
June 15, 2008, 12:30:26 AM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
Missy, Brian Wilson is a very interesting idea for that job. He's shown himself to be tough and he's got that same everyman quality that Russert had.
June 15, 2008, 7:39:36 AM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
Wow! Great "behind the scenes" clip from Fox News Watch, Johnny!
That was fascinating!
June 15, 2008, 7:50:16 AM EDT – Like – Reply
notveryhow
Concerning "todays boycott.
"Fox News, the only place where one used to "hear it as it is," and not the radical socialist propaganda spewed by the Marxist, terrorist-loving, secularist, "Liberal Mainstream Media."
Is this a parody site,like the Onion?
June 15, 2008, 8:07:58 AM EDT – Like – Reply
notveryhow
"you'd know that the fist-jab bit was not E.D. Hill's doing. That's one way we know."
Now I've read some truly egregious smears against Sen McCain,including some rather insulting nicknames.Can I then repeat them and,if anyone calls me on making bizarre and insulting statements about a man who is a war hero,I can claim "But I didn't say it first",and be absolved of responsibility for my statements?
June 15, 2008, 8:29:51 AM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
Is this a parody site,like the Onion?
notveryhow | 06.15.08 - 8:12 am |
Depends on how much you're posting today. ;D
June 15, 2008, 8:36:30 AM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
Well, unless you can claim to be on camera reading a teleprompter, the answer would be "no"...
June 15, 2008, 8:38:48 AM EDT – Like – Reply
notveryhow
Cecelia | 06.15.08 - 8:43 am |
Well,I'm not in the business,and I don't know how these things work.Are you saying that ED Hill and the other Fox news anchors have little to no input or editorial control over their on-air statements.
That would get the anchor off the hook (somewhat) and lay the responsibility on the newswriters,producers and,in a broad sense,the political leanings of the corporation at large.
I understand that KO writes much of his own material.So at least with him we know who to blame.
OK,gotta go turn the sausages.
June 15, 2008, 8:56:15 AM EDT – Like – Reply
Vince P
KO gets his script from MM
June 15, 2008, 9:07:10 AM EDT – Like – Reply
notveryhow
O/T,but my son got me Scott McClellan's book for Fathers Day.And my wife got me a "Born to Raise Wheat" temporary tattoo.
Happy Fathers Day all.
June 15, 2008, 9:19:33 AM EDT – Like – Reply
Vince P
nvh: let us know if Scotty has any details in that book.
In all his interviews he never made specific allegations.
June 15, 2008, 9:43:36 AM EDT – Like – Reply
Kirk G
I think Wilson is being groomed to take over for Hume when he retires.
June 15, 2008, 9:52:28 AM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
nvh, no, I'm not saying that anchors have no control over their show or that there isn't the possibility that Hill wrote what she stated -- AND the possibility that she did not.
I'm saying that the analogy you used in trying to argue Hill's culpability was a poor one that does not reflect Hill's situation.
June 15, 2008, 10:49:12 AM EDT – Like – Reply
Missy
Kirk, that could be. I wrote on another site (ICN) that I hoped Wilson would be considered for Russert's job. although I guess it's not likely that NBC would take ANYONE from FNC.
But Wilson knows politics, and has the right demeanor, I believe. And he certainly doesn't seem partisan.
June 15, 2008, 11:16:01 AM EDT – Like – Reply
The Factor
For all those Hannity haters out there who took Hal Turner's word as gospel when he said he was friends with Hannity, do you now take his word when he says he was friends with Tim Russert?
June 15, 2008, 12:02:58 PM EDT – Like – Reply
notveryhow
Cecelia | 06.15.08 - 10:54 am
I was responding to a 9:02 post from JD,and even included part of it.You replied to my analogy with
"Well, unless you can claim to be on camera reading a teleprompter, the answer would be "no"..."I thus assumed that you were implying that Ms Hill was reading off a teleprompter and bore no responsibility.
I apologize if I misunderstood.What do you think is an apt analogy?What is your take.
It's not a big deal,and I certainly don't think Ms Hill should lose her job over it,but Fox has got to start minding their Ps and Qs.People are starting to pay attnetion.My local small town paper(by no means liberal media) put the "Baby Mama"controversy on the back page top left.Doesn't look good.
June 15, 2008, 12:11:46 PM EDT – Like – Reply
johnny dollar
I'll bet your paper didn't put up an MSNBC broadcaster calling Obama "uppity". Welcome to the world of double standards.
June 15, 2008, 12:19:52 PM EDT – Like – Reply
olby sucks
My local small town paper(by no means liberal media)
What's the name of your local paper where the article is? I would like to see it.
June 15, 2008, 12:25:31 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
nvh, I don't have to come up with an accurate analogy for your argument. That's your job.
I wonder if people have started to notice that the lady apologized?
You say you don't think she should lose her job, well then, the best thing is an apology -- which is what she did.
Unfortunately, many of the "people who are noticing" think that the best she could do, I suppose, would be to commit ritual suicide.
MSNBC has its own share of people criticizing them. If all the reporters at all news divisions stopped short of ritual suicide and just daily flogged themselves over any offenses to the public, I don't think there would be many of them who could last until this Nov...
June 15, 2008, 12:56:56 PM EDT – Like – Reply
johnny dollar
Reports that I linked to indicate that ED was simply doing her job: reading a teleprompter. The dopey phrasing therein was the fault of some staff writer whose job it is to make interesting teases that will hold viewers over a commercial break.
Even so, there's a flurry of online articles about how she was "fired" (1) for "calling" (2) the action a terrorist jab. Two falsehoods that neatly fit within the desired mythology. Three if you count the fact that nobody seems to care that she was reading someone else's words.
June 15, 2008, 1:05:50 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
The Factor, I'd bet that Hicktown Press site is parody.
June 15, 2008, 1:13:30 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
Oh, my gosh! I went to Hal Turner's website and this creep is claiming to be friends with Russert!
He needs the hell sued out of him!
June 15, 2008, 1:26:02 PM EDT – Like – Reply
On The Mark
So, the explanation is that Hill did what she did, said what she said, because she read it off a teleprompter? And, that's an excuse? And, I am the one who doesn't know what he's talking about? Since when did anchors in the US become UK newsreaders? Is that the job description now at FNC and elsewhere?
For what it's worth, I think Hill is reasonably good at her job, and I am not interested in her exacting some toll. If she is, and I don't think anyone has the full story, the reports from outside of FNC probably being half true, and the reports from FNC probably being half true, it is FNC exacting the toll.
First, Hill ought not have read the teleprompter material, as I suspect whe would have enjoyed widespread support, internally and externally. Secondly, Hill ought to have once explained. This would have been over at once.
The rush to defend Hill is admirable, in a way, but let's not go overboard with it. Let's try to be a bit objective.
June 15, 2008, 1:26:59 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
That she was merely reading a teleprompter and therefore not culpable wasn't my defense of her. It is however, an aspect of Hill's situation that made nvh's analogy simplistic.
Whether anchors write the words they read or not, they are ultimately responsible for them.
Hill did what she should have done and apologized.
If you want something beyond that, like a public blood letting by the firing of someone, you need to be more specific and say so.
Otherwise, if you don't wish to do that, perhaps you can satisfy yourself with the rumor that Hill lost her show because of this incident.
June 15, 2008, 1:33:32 PM EDT – Like – Reply
danny
I expect Ellen Brodsky and her gang, being the bastions of integrity they are, to demand answers for why NBC gave such a prominent role to Hal's "soul mate in hate" Tim Russert. The fact that Russert is dead and that his relationship with Hal is terminated is no mitigating circumstance. NBC is guilty for giving a microphone for so long to White Supremacist Sympathizer Tim Russert, a man who shared Hal's views. We know that Russert shared Hal's views the same way that we know that Hannity shared Hal's views. Hal said so. We all know (certainly the folks at NH know) that a man like Hal would never ever lie about something like that.
June 15, 2008, 2:14:04 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
To heck with trying to figure out the NewsHounds, Danny. They're too far out and we don't have a warp drive.
Try helping me figure out this thing with E.D. Hill. If FNC did fire her for the fist jab thing, it's significant and shows a sea change at FNC that's 'bad for the sheeple' reason or another.
If you state that complete schedule changes don't happen overnight and that the programming decision was in the works well before the incident.. then you come right back to the start-- FNC is so shamelessly anti-Obama that people (at nvh's local paper....) are noticing...
I don't know what the point is. Do they want to discuss some inherent racism at FNC? Some Murdochian purely mercenary-based overturning of the inherent racism at FNC?
Would someone spell out the latest conspiracy or complaint?
June 15, 2008, 2:35:30 PM EDT – Like – Reply
johnny dollar
It would be tricky if it were Murdochian since Murdoch has praised Obama, his daughter is raising money for him, etc.
The primary motivation for the schedule change occured two weeks ago: the latest monthly ratings. Ms Hill's hour has consistently been the weakest daytime part on the FNC schedule for some time now. There's your answer.
She certainly wasn't fired for reading what she was told to read. And she hasn't been fired, at least not yet.
Man, I remember when they were talking about her as a possible host of the CBS Morning show! The irony is that Hill's a Democrat, probably more of the Scoop Jackson/Lieberman school than say the Kucinich wing.
June 15, 2008, 2:43:34 PM EDT – Like – Reply
danny
Cecelia,
Here is a video which might throw a little light on the E.D. Hill situation and the power of a teleprompter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FuoVVvmv6Y
If Hill's problem was that she read uncritically from a teleprompter, I don't think she should be faulted for that. It can happen to anybody.
I would love to go to the NH site and confront them with their boy's (Hal Turner) new revelations about his other "soul mate in hate." But, I would be called all kinds of names, and I would be lucky if the post remained for two seconds. So, I am compelled to voice my criticisms of NH over here.
June 15, 2008, 3:22:36 PM EDT – Like – Reply
notveryhow
johnny dollar | Homepage | 06.15.08 - 12:24 pm |
Uppity? Must of missed that one.
Don't know if they did or not,don't read it every day.But they did cover the Clinton campaign's complaints about sexism in the media,which to my ear ring loud and true.
June 15, 2008, 3:25:17 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
The Murdochian thing is the theory that Murdoch is going pro-Obama for various self-serving reasons.
If you wish to believe the rumor that Hill was fired for her remarks-- you must also embrace the rationale that it could only be because evil Murdoch sees the handwriting on the wall and is going pro-Obama... rather than his doing it out of a sense of decency.
If you believe that indeed Hill did get by with the crime and that the whole thing was swept under the FNC carpet, then it's because the evil Murdoch channel is inveterately anti-Obama...
Merely saying the rumor is baseless because the schedule change was in the works before the remark was made, oh by the way, Hill apologized-- just ain't going to cut it, Johnny...
June 15, 2008, 3:25:49 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
Danny,
I can't agree with the argument that Hill is wholly unaccountable for what's written and read on her show.
June 15, 2008, 3:26:53 PM EDT – Like – Reply
johnny dollar
> Uppity? Must of missed that one.
I'm shocked, shocked, that you happened to miss it. But that's probably my fault because I misremembered it. It was an MSNBC anchor calling Spike Lee uppity. Still kind of amusing how much play she got for saying words of her own vs ED Hill for reading the prompter.
June 15, 2008, 3:31:16 PM EDT – Like – Reply
notveryhow
Well aren't you going to fill me in?
June 15, 2008, 3:33:02 PM EDT – Like – Reply
danny
Cecelia,
If the remark was obviously outrageous, I would agree with you. But anchors read tons of stuff from teleprompters, and they don't have time to critically analyze every word. They have to place some trust in their writers.
That is why BOR (in a famous clip) felt angry and betrayed when a writer surprised him by putting something on his teleprompter that (to him) made no sense.
I am not sure that there was anything wrong with what Hill said. But, if there was, the writer was more at fault than Hill.
Hill did take some responsibility by apologizing. But, I cannot see how she committed a firing offense. I doubt that Murdoch thinks so either.
Now . . . low ratings . . . that would be a firing offense, but not reading a poorly written phrase from a teleprompter.
June 15, 2008, 3:43:04 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
Well, I agree in a sense, Danny. There is a distinction to be made between culpability and accountability.
June 15, 2008, 3:56:43 PM EDT – Like – Reply
olby sucks
My local small town paper(by no means liberal media)
by 'nvh'
What's the name of your local paper where the article is? I would like to see it.
2nd try....
June 15, 2008, 4:00:14 PM EDT – Like – Reply
olby sucks
I'm guessing that not so liberal paper won't get mentioned......in other words, crickeys.....
June 15, 2008, 4:16:52 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Cecelia
Bob C. and The Cable Gamer have terrific blogs up at OW on the New Yorker piece about the Olbermann Effect...
June 15, 2008, 4:20:41 PM EDT – Like – Reply
johnny dollar
Linked here of course!
June 15, 2008, 4:30:38 PM EDT – Like – Reply
notveryhow
Oh,you meant Spike Lee.I heard about that,though I do my best to avoid celebrity news.So my 3:38 post was irrelevant.My bad.I sometimes stop reading posts when they insult me in the first sentnce.But why would you be shocked that I hadn't heard about something that didn't happen.
June 15, 2008, 4:45:06 PM EDT – Like – Reply
SteveMG
From the New Yorker (Peter Boyer) piece on Olbermann.
Olbermann chose his office, a corner office on the fourth floor of NBCs Rockefeller Plaza headquarters, for its view. From his desk, he can look out the window and see, directly across Sixth Avenue, the studios of Fox News, the broadcast home of his rival Bill OReilly. Sometimes I imagine that I hear a howl coming from there, Olbermann told me during a visit one afternoon. I have been accused of having an obsession with him. I am a minor-leaguer compared to his obsession with me.
He imagines hearing a "howl"? Was he joking?
If not, contemplate what he said.
Scary, very scary.
June 15, 2008, 4:51:41 PM EDT – Like – Reply
olby sucks
nvh, I'll assume you are lying, again.
June 15, 2008, 5:04:35 PM EDT – Like – Reply
notveryhow
From the same "New Yorker piece:
Bill OReilly made Keith Olbermann, Phil Griffin says. Olbermann concurs, saying, I really do owe him a percentage of my salary.
What an ironic turn of events!
June 15, 2008, 5:09:01 PM EDT – Like – Reply
sharm
I always wondered about the beginnings of Olby's obsession with O'Reilly. Is this an accurate summary? Apparently, Olby made O'Reilly Worst Person in the World employing the annoying Baxter voice. This was after he got office space where he could look out the window and view O'Reilly's work place, the place where he built up a respectable level of success. O'Reilly fires back with a behind the scenes campaign to get rid of Olby. And they're off. Except Olbermann goes off the deep end.
June 15, 2008, 5:41:24 PM EDT – Like – Reply
SteveMG
I always wondered about the beginnings of Olby's obsession with O'Reilly.
You need to add Olbermann's hatred of FNC in general as well.
My guess is that if O'Reilly never existed, Olbermann's bizarre behavior towards FNC would still be as intense. It would just be directed at someone else.
I think O'Reilly represents FNC to Olbermann. He personifies everything that KO dislikes about the network. KO failed at Fox; and he's seeking revenge by blaming the network for his failings.
June 15, 2008, 6:07:36 PM EDT – Like – Reply
olby sucks
Gina McCauley must be nvh's source. So much for the 'not so liberal' paper.
June 15, 2008, 6:51:09 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Kirk G
JD,
Was ED Hill fired or just bumped and will show up on some other progam?
June 15, 2008, 7:50:51 PM EDT – Like – Reply
johnny dollar
The word from FNC is she has not been fired. She will be reassigned.
June 15, 2008, 7:53:23 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Missy
E. D. does fine on Fox News Watch, although Jon Scott does as well, and SEEMS to be the permanent replacement.
She would also be great on any opinion show. I think she just got into trouble at the 2 p.m. slot because she was just supposed to act as hostess/report the news. But if they clearly give her permission to speak her mind, I think she would excel!
June 15, 2008, 8:16:33 PM EDT – Like – Reply
olby sucks
Guess 'otm' was wrong about Texas. McCain....+7 is what The Strategy Room is reporting. The headline was "Texas Leaning Toward McCain."
June 15, 2008, 8:21:24 PM EDT – Like – Reply
cee
Oh, and OS....OTM's view that we do not need to hold the general election because SNOBamessiah has already won is being disputed by gallup today....a virtual tie with SNOBamessiah slipping back down to 44% while McCain holds at 42%...the bounce post HRC is gone. Iwondeer why?
Oh yeah, SNOBamessiah is just right of Fidel Castro and McCain is a moderate.....a little problem.
Excellent coverage of the battles at NBC NEWS....The problem is Brokaw is retired and it is up to Brian Williams to set the ship straight. He is the ratings king of the network and if he allows Olbermann to continue to advertise his propaganda hour on MSNBC during NN he is basically endorcing how Olbermann operates.
June 15, 2008, 9:22:14 PM EDT – Like – Reply
olby sucks
How long before obama disowns his half brother, malik, who confirms he's muslim?
June 15, 2008, 9:41:27 PM EDT – Like – Reply
sharm
I don't know that Malik can confirm that since they met in 1985 for the first time.
http://tinyurl.com/4ogrol
I don't think he is a practicing Muslim either. As Cee pointed out, McCain is holding his own in the polls. He doesn't need to force the Muslim angle and cause chaos. People will reflect on Obama's name and decide how much or how little that means.
June 15, 2008, 9:59:00 PM EDT – Like – Reply
danny
It is a mistake to look at just one poll, and draw conclusions from it. That why I like the site RealClearPolitics. They supply most of the major polls, giving you a broad picture of where the candidates stand.
The poll to which I pay the most attention is Rasmussen Tracking. Rasmussen polls every day, and, unlike Gallup tracking, Rasmussen focuses on likely voters (as opposed to registered voters). Rasmussen also seems to have a good track record. Unfortunately, Rasmussen shows McCain about 6 percentage points behind Obama. I suspect that's where the contest is right now. McCain also does not have nearly the amount of money that Obama does.
I agree with Gringrich, and he has made this point on various Fox news shows a number of times: The only way for Republicans to win is to convince voters that they will do what it takes to get us out of the energy crises. McCain would need to reverse course on some issues, but I believe he could do that if he cits the oil crises as being a national emergency. They say that people's primary concern in any election is their pocketbook. The oil crises is the number 1 pocketbook issue for the next election.
If the Republicans can develop a reasonable plan to drive down gas prices within the near future, I believe they could be successful in the next election. If they fail to do this, we are all doomed.
June 15, 2008, 10:14:08 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Fox Fan
What's to stop Obama from agreeing with McCain if a solid gas price solution proposal is introduced?
June 15, 2008, 10:20:13 PM EDT – Like – Reply
Vince P
I never pay attention to the polls in the summer. They always say the Dems will win
June 15, 2008, 10:49:05 PM EDT – Like – Reply
olby sucks
I didn't mean to suggest bho was a practicing muslim. Previously. The only reason it will be further investigated and a campaign topic is because bho has denied ever being muslim. I don't think his half brother has any reason to lie, does he?
I know, maybe Murdoch, Ailes, O'Reilly, Hannity, Bush, Rove, Cheney and Rice put him up to it. The 'vast right wing conspiracy' theory.
June 15, 2008, 11:44:33 PM EDT – Like – Reply
danny
Fox Fan,
I doubt that Obama wants to or can agree with the kind of plan Gingrich has been advocating on the Fox News Channel. His supporters would not let him.
If McCain could swallow his pride enough to say that in the short run that he would do every thing he could do to increase the supply of oil, this might reverse the polarity of the two campaigns.
Then McCain would be saying "yes, we can" and Obama would be saying, "no, we can't"
I am not saying that McCain will avail himself of the one opportunity he has to be more than successful in the nest election. Probably, he is too tied to previous environmental stances to reverse course effectively. However, I am saying that if does not avail himself of the opportunity he has, then he (and a sizable number of other Republicans) will lose. My impression is that Gingrich is in agreement with what I just said.
June 15, 2008, 11:46:05 PM EDT – Like – Reply
olby sucks
I never pay attention to the polls in the summer. They always say the Dems will win
Vince P | Homepage | 06.15.08 - 10:54 pm | #
It's always a kick to use them to prove someone wrong. Polls are nothing more than half time entertainment to me. Have they ever been right?
June 15, 2008, 11:48:03 PM EDT – Like – Reply
danny
I hope the polls scare the bejeezus out of McCain and the Republican party. If they get scared they might do something to win. If they remain complacent, they will probably lose.
June 16, 2008, 12:04:00 AM EDT – Like – Reply
johnny dollar
Let's not get too far off on a purely political tangent.
June 16, 2008, 12:47:18 AM EDT – Like – Reply
On The Mark
The word from FNC is she has not been fired. She will be reassigned.
---
And, while I do think that is the most appropriate response (not having committed what I would consider a firing offense), this is the same avenue FNC took with Gibson. It almost begins to seem like an HR SOP. Can you share your own sense of what is likely to happen?
June 16, 2008, 8:10:34 AM EDT – Like – Reply
