In case you missed CNN's "Crossfire" on Friday, here is The Transcript.

My favorite exchange:

CARLSON: I do think you're more fun on your show. Just my opinion.

(CROSSTALK)

CARLSON: OK, up next, Jon Stewart goes one on one with his fans...

(CROSSTALK)

STEWART: You know what's interesting, though? You're as big a dick on your show as you are on any show.

Nice try, Jon, but the Emperors already know they don't have any clothes, and they don't care.

I read about this in today's paper. I like how he told them to "stop hurting America" and when they attacked him for not asking tough questions: "I didn't realize that -- and maybe this explains quite a bit -- is that the news organizations look to Comedy Central for their cues on integrity."

here's my favourite exchange.

The oversimplification of and the "no matter what I'm against whatever the other one says" mindset of the two sides is one of the problems with this show and american political punditry right now.


I know Phillyfan will have a heart attack as I say this. But CNN has failed miserably at reporting relevant truthful information as oppposed to reporting what is simply being fed to them by whoever is the supplier.

The worst case scenario of news orgs not thinking critically and simply reporting what is fed to them are A)the coverage leading up to and during the iraqi invasion
and B)The CBS news W.Bush national guard memo debacle.

What happened to the media? Are we so blinded by trying to get pretty blondes, buff muscley male models, political spin shouters on the air as anchors/reporters that we have not a single soul working in the national media who can really understand and process real events?

Yeah Bill Hemmer is cute to look at but he's a total lightweight. as are the Paula Zahns, Deborah Norvilles, and the entire cast of FoxNews morning news crew. (among many many others)

what happened to critical thinking?

The american public is increasingly distrustful of maerican media coverage. and it's not because they disagree with what's presented.
It's because what's presented is so often just plain wrong.

Try telling that to bobby, who worships CNN, a "network" that's as unbiased and impartial as Rush Limbaugh.

I've seen Tucker Carlson on other programming this political season and not knowing who he is, though he is an idiot. He made the guy who was his counterpoint look like a genius. (I can't remember his name) carlson didn't say the first intelligent opinion, or state any fact that was true. I was wondering where they got this goon. I later found out he was on Crossfire, and I was shocked. That show used to be good with smart and witty hosts. Times change and so do political parties I guess.

Wade you are right about Tucker. His counterpoint was most likely Paul bergala, who is the exrtemely bright articulate Democrat.

Well put. That explains as well as any other source why I watch more CBC and BBC news than the US networks. Thank God for digital cable!

you can watch it here!

It is very funny and entertaining!

actually on that score I disagree with you.

CNN as an organisation tries very very hard... TOO HARD.... to try to be unbiased and always take a neutral stance on things.
what they forget though is that some stories do not have any merit and do not deserve any more publicity. ... or that some stories such as the Valerie Plame name leak, the "Iraq was responsible for 9/11 and has nukes" story as well as the swift boat vets campaigns being so false and so fabricated deserve more scrutiny on the source of the lies and fabrications. without giving equal time to the liars.

Bottom line is... and I have a personal connection with the network.... CNN has its priorities. and those are

1)catching up to FoxNews by trying to emulate it; present both sides of the debate (even if one side is absolutely invalid) and

2)continuing to be profitable. Last fiscal year, CNN alone made a PROFIT (after all the expenses) of $300million. For cable and for a news network, that is a LOT.
This is a figure you will not see in the books and made public because these numbers are not separated out for the public. Rather the numbers are jumbled with the rest of the figures from Time-Warner and Turner Broadcasting.

It's not being cynical. It's the truth to say that profit drives CNN and every other news org out there. surprised? Don't be. and as such, they can ill afford to offend those in office and positions of power. Lest they lose access.

This is just how the world works.

JOhn Stewart is right that the kind of "discourse" seen is hurting america. But CNN and others are not a social service agency. They operate to make money.

[ October 20, 2004, 09:59 AM: Message edited by: ung ]

Please tell me you are Rob Marciano's boyfriend so I will know that he is gay!

Never EVER would i have guessed this Mr. CNN... NEVER... I'm totally stunned.

Couldn't get that one to work on my computer but clicking on WMV at this link did. Love the cut about Tucker's tie. Too funny. Stewart should get a bunch of pub from this - and he's kinda cute too.

Philly.... I know that this question has been asked of you so many times that it's now almost rote. But..... What's your point????
os is it just more of the same sophomoric pointless interjections?


and no. I don't know Rob Marciano. Can't help you there. Besides Rick Sanchez is much more my type.

[ October 20, 2004, 08:31 PM: Message edited by: ung ]

It is pretty damn sad state of affairs when Jon Stewart and Bill Maher are the only ones out there daring to push the line. "Journalists" on television are really now just program hosts and hostesses -- Regis and Kelly with journalism degrees. While I think Stewart came in with an agenda they weren't expecting, I have to agree with him.

HIS NAME IS JON STEWART NOT JOHN. IF YOU ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT HIM AT LEAST HAVE THE COURTESY TO SPELL HIS NAME RIGHT! :mad:

PS-For those who may think I'm serious, please refer to the Christopher Reeve thread. wink

In the interest of fairness, I have to add one thing here.

There ARE programs out there with real journalists doing real journalism. But thet fact of the matter is that we, the public, do not watch those shows.

it's hard enough trying to tear you guys away from "Friends" and "Elimidate" much less get you guys to sitdown and watch a thoughtful insightful discussion of news events. (are your eyes glazing over yet?)

The public wants things in a neat, tidy, compact form full of soundbites and catch phrases. They and frankly, the networks are giving us what we say we want via our remotes. Go figure.

I guarantee you that if FoxNews ratings dropped 80%, they would change their entire format. But they have no incentive to change since they get the healthy ratings.