Good for Lynne Cheney. She didn’t give CNN a pass on their pre-election excuse for reporting.
Lynne Cheney, wife of Vice President Dick Cheney, strongly criticized CNN Friday for its “Broken Government” series of specials in the run-up to the November mid-term elections and for its airing of tapes of snipers shooting American soldiers in Iraq.
In an interview with Situation Room anchor Wolf Blitzer, Cheney said the network’s Vote 2006 specials contained “terrible distortions of the president’s and vice president’s positions on many issues.”
She suggested CNN was working from Democratic talking points, and took issue with the negative tone of the title “Broken Government,” suggesting it betrayed CNN’s bias and countering that the administration had inherited a recession, been through some tough times like 9/11 and Katrina, but that the economy was healthy. “That’s not broken, ” she said, “this government has acted very well… I shouldn’t let media bias surprise me, but I worked for CNN once [with Crossfire, according to Blitzer], and I was troubled.
Blitzer said the series was “probably” meant to be provocative, “to get people to think, to get people to discuss these issues.”
Cheney turned the tables on Blitzer, becoming the questioner: “what is CNN doing running tapes of terrorists shooting Americans,” she asked more than once, repeating a question CNN had been asked: “Do you want us to win?”
“The answer is, of course, we want the United States to win,” said Blitzer. “We are Americans.” Blitzer said airing the footage was not terrorist propaganda but “reporting the news. This is what we do… We make no apologies for showing it.”
I am not surprised. I used to watch Lynne Cheney on Crossfire and she never failed to speak her mind. As for that “Broken Government” series, I didn’t see it, but heard a promo sometime in the past week and was flabbergasted by the extreme and blatant bias — especially in that it was being run just before an election. It is hard to shock me with media bias, but that one did it. I don’t recall the exact wording, but the promo said in so many words that the government is a complete disaster and in the program they were going to look at why it is such a mess.
Blitzer went on in the interview to ask Lynne Cheney about Jim Webb’s comparisons of his novels to scenes in hers. She said that he was “full of baloney.” Watch the video in its entirety. I am really wishing now that in the past election we could have had a debate between the “second ladies.” I know that Dick Cheney isn’t running for President, but might Lynne Cheney consider it?
They did finally get around to discussing Cheney’s new childrens’ book, 50 States, and it will definitely be on my Christmas list.
Update: One reader misunderstood my statement, “As for that “Broken Government” series, I didn’t see it, but heard a promo sometime in the past week and was flabbergasted by the extreme and blatant bias.” I guess I should have said “extreme and blantant bias of it (the promo)” to be more specific. He thought I was referring to the program (or series of programs) which I did not see. That is what was so breathtaking. Usually you have to watch the program to get the bias. CNN went above and beyond by cramming a blatantly biased message into the promo itself.
Hugh Hewitt calls this interview the latest October surprise.
Serious observers of the political scene may not recall Vice President Gore’s wife, Tipper, being cross examined by CNN about the debates of the day. That’s because the press fawned over her and her ilk and would never challenge the assumptions that drove the left’s agenda.
Fast forward to the Blitzer interview and we’re subjected to a rather rigorous and unrelenting interrogation which betrays the left’s stunning selectivity, read bias.
For thoughtful, in-depth analyses on contemporary politics, the election, and foreign affairs, go to:
http://clearcommentary.townhall.com or
http://www.clearcommentary.com
Communist News Network (CNN), the worlds terrorist supporter and enabler. A 99 44/100% democratic network. Is anyone surprised at their actions? You shouldn’t be. The founder decided long ago that he would destroy America and now he has the assistance of Soros and the entire democratic party, bar none. I don’t think they are protected by the constitution as a ‘news’ organization. Shut them down and charge them as traitors.
Typical incurious, culture of ignorance, right wing thought process.
Lorie says – “As for that “Broken Government” series, I didn’t see it, but heard a promo sometime in the past week and was flabbergasted by the extreme and blatant bias.”
So, you didn’t see it, but you have the authority to write an article about it (which ScrapIron will then go on to quote with further great authority)….
If you want to be a subject matter expert, you could at least brush up on the material.
You are a great source of information Lorie. Thanks for doing your homework, and passing your learnings down to the rest of us.
John
Because there is no way that the promo could have been blatantly biased.
Well of course the government is broken, democrats aren’t running it!!
Instead of looking at themselves for the problem they say the people who vote republican are stupid, they say that the government is broken, and they also try to say that there is tons of voter fraud going on where republicans win. nevermind the areas that the dead tend to vote straight democrat tickets…
maybe the dems should sit down and have a self examination… Wait, didn’t they determine that it was the “values voters” that they lost to? that tells me 2 things. democrat voters have no values, and that the democrats haven’t appealed to values voters because democrats have no values, just like their voters!
OK, subject matter experts. How about a show of hands.
Lorie
Philip
ScrapIron
Synova
Dave
Who actualy saw the content you are commenting on?
I did.
I have not commented on it.
You guys seem to be experts. So what did you see? How did you feel about it?
Who actualy saw the show that you are talking about? I suspect you’re just speaking and you have no facts to back up your talk.
For everyone else on this thread – consider your sources.
John
“Typical incurious, culture of ignorance, right wing thought process.
Lorie says – “As for that “Broken Government” series, I didn’t see it, but heard a promo sometime in the past week and was flabbergasted by the extreme and blatant bias.”
So, you didn’t see it, but you have the authority to write an article about it (which ScrapIron will then go on to quote with further great authority)….
If you want to be a subject matter expert, you could at least brush up on the material.
You are a great source of information Lorie. Thanks for doing your homework, and passing your learnings down to the rest of us.
John”
Sorry John,
I was not specific enough. I assume a basic level of reading comprehension here. I was referring to the bias in the promo alone. I will revise that sentence to read “the extreme and blatant bias of it (the promo).”
That is what was so breathtaking. Usually you have to watch the program to get the bias. CNN went above and beyond by cramming a blatantly biased message into the promo itself. I wish I had the text, but it was along the lines of saying that everything in America is in crisis because the government is broken and if you watched the program they would tell you just how bad it was.
Sorry I posted that last comment before seeing your last one, John, which was not posted when I started typing mine. Again, in case I still was not clear enough, I was not referring to the show itself, but to the promo. I really wish I had the text of the promo. It sounded like one of the Democrats’ campaign commercials. I did not comment on the content of the show itself, which I did not see, but rather on the promo, of which I really wish I had the text.
C’mon, Lorie!
Your original post was quite clear to anyone with half a functioning brain. You stated very directly that you had only seen the promo, and that was what you were commenting upon.
You may not have encountered John here before. We do cut him some slack, as he was repeatedly dropped on his head as a small child. They say you can smoke his fingernail clippings and get hallucinations. I didn’t partake . . . you hear all this stuff about “bad trips,” ya know . . .
I saw it when it aired.
Like using a machine gun on a watermelon, Lynne Cheney blew Wolf Blitzer away with the truth….
I would be SOOOO embarressed if I were Blitzer.
He sure had a tough time trying to sound sincere when he said, yes, he wanted America to win the war (maybe he was choking on parts of that watermelon)….
ANY DEMOCRAT brainwashed by CNN that saw the interview HAS to be scratching his/her head right now….
Lynne Cheney for President.
I saw one of the segments, and yes, it is quite biased (I don’t remember which segment it was, I believe it had to do with the Iraq war). Maybe it’s all about sensationalism. Maybe it’s about October-mongering. Maybe they have sand in their vaginas. Who knows.
I just love what CNN calls the situation room anyway. It’s almost like they’re telling us it’s political wartime and their situation room is where you can get all your battlefront information. To top it off, when they can get interviews from both sides, they have the Republican guy over the television moniter, and the Democrat in person, and then they lob softballs at the Democrat (if you can even call them that) while they’re accusatory in their questions towards Republicans.
It’s so obvious it’s hilarious.
Please watch the video. Then contrast Lynn Cheneys skillful dismantaling of Wolf (ha,ha) Blitzer and CNN with Bill Clintons handling of Chris Wallace.
Now try and tell me Clinton is smart.
Stupid is as stupid does.
Republicans are looking like giants next to their small minded opponents (I include the LSM).
Lynn Cheney was spectacular…WeinerDog Blitzer was his normal Dimocrat shill self!
Blitzer’s ham-handed attempt to use the Dimocrat talking-points straight out of the box was stupid…at best!
Seriously, though, would she like to be President? Or a talk show host?
“…does CNN want America to win this thing?”
This was the original question asked of Wolf Blitzer by U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter on Oct. 23. Blitzer had no response.
Lynne Cheney again asked the question last night, Oct. 28. Wolf finally suppressed his anti-Americanism long enough to say CNN wants the U.S. to win.
Lynne asks, “Where did you get that terrorist sniper video?” Again, Blitzer had no response.
Blitzer has trouble answering legitimate questions. Maybe in another five days, he will formulate a response to that question.
Soooo….Lorie you did not see the show but just the promo. Wouldn’t it help it you actually WATCHED the show to see the bias?
Like I watch FAKE NEWS every now and then for a laugh, and I can actually see the bias. Now if I were to just listen to their promo; “fair and balanced”, I would think that they are ACTUALLY fair and balanced, but Stevie Wonder can see that they are not. So by wathcing I learn that. You might want to consider doing the same thing.
Isn’t America great? You wingnuts have FAKE NEWS, and the rest of us have CNN. Know your enemy Lorie, it will help you in the long run.
Lynne Cheney and her “sex, lies and distortion” comment – too funny. Note that she never denied that the Bush administration has used waterboarding torture.
As to her performance, she falls flat on her face. I score this match squarely in Blitzer’s favor. View it yourself – Lorie’s spin is pure BS.
Lee – WHAT were you smoking when you watched Lynn Cheney blow Blitzer away???
The sky is not pink Lee.
With your mentality, you must think that North Korea is a world economic power….
Go back to school – and this time READ….
Let me correct myself. Lorie did not spin this – I read this post yesterday and then watched the CNN video today. My “spin” comment was in regards to another post I read yesterday, which I confused with Lorie’s.
My apologies to Lorie.
Regarding wateroarding, here’s Cheney’s office reponding:
Cheney wasn’t “confirming the use of any specific interrogation techniques”, but then – he didn’t deny it.
Republicans – you just can’t trust them. It’s one of the ways this government truly is “broken”. Lynne Cheney’s deceit becomes even more evident once you realize that no one in the Bush administration had denied that waterboarding has been used.
November 18, 2005 — ABC reports on CIA’s use of waterboarding torture (and other torture methods):
The hype and bluster behind Cheney and CNN is all an attempt by a roken government to hide and direct attention away form the facts and the truth, and replace it instead with attacks on the media that is reporting the truth.
Poor Lynne Cheney. She was no match for Blitzer, and certainly no match for the the sad truth that her husband is indeed guilty of approving the use waterboarding.
Hmmmmmm,
Lee, which one of these would you prefer if you were a terrorist and had to choose one???
I’d choose #7…. Oh, you say there’s no #7? Yes there is….
7) Tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth…
and btw, any one of these 7 is better than getting your head chopped off – wouldn’t you agree???
Experts agree that the use of torture produces poor results. The prisoner will admit to anything to stop the torture.
Broken governments aren’t interested in the truth.
Lee, you put this in your comment: “Khalid Sheik Mohammed, won the admiration of interrogators when he was able to last between two and two-and-a-half minutes before begging to confess.”
and you expect me to then be AGAINST waterboarding??
The mastermind behind the brutal deaths of THREE THOUSAND Americans BEGS TO CONFESS, as a result of an interogation method that leaves ZERO lasting effects (he still has ALL the body parts he STARTED the interogation with)…and you are AGAINST IT?
No missing:
– eyeballs
– appendages
– skin
One of the scummiest and sorriest excuses for a “human being” BEGGED to confess, and Y-O-U think it’s a BAD THING?
What a dope!
Lee: “Experts agree that the use of torture produces poor results.”
Lee: “Khalid Sheik Mohammed…begging to confess“
hmmm???
Ya got a little reconciling to do there, boyo.
At the end of the ‘Broken Gov’t’ programs they should have had the voiceover ‘this ad was approved by the DNC’
Justrand – You nailed Lee in his own contradiction…
He won’t admit it though – because liberals are self-centered in pride….
The Lieber Code of 1863 states, “…To save the country is paramount to all other considerations…”
http://www.civilwarhome.com/liebercode.htm
Here’s a few other interesting exerpts:
“82. Men, or squads of men, who commit hostilities, whether by fighting, or inroads for destruction or plunder, or by raids of any kind, without commission, without being part and portion of the organized hostile army, and without sharing continuously in the war, but who do so with intermitting returns to their homes and avocations, or with the occasional assumption of the semblance of peaceful pursuits, divesting themselves of the character or appearance of soldiers–such men, or squads of men, are not public enemies, and therefore, if captured, are not entitled to the privileges of prisoners of war, but shall be treated summarily as highway robbers or pirates.
“83. Scouts or single soldiers, if disguised in the dress of the country, or in the uniform of the army hostile to their own, employed in obtaining information, if found within or lurking about the lines of the captor, are treated as spies, and suffer death.
“84. Armed prowlers, by whatever names they may be called, or persons of the enemy’s territory, who steal within the lines of the hostile army for the purpose of robbing, killing, or of destroying bridges, roads, or canals, or of robbing or destroying the mail, or of cutting the telegraph wires, are not entitled to the privileges of the prisoner of war.
“85. War-rebels are persons within an occupied territory who rise in arms against the occupying or conquering army, or against the authorities established by the same. If captured, they may suffer death, whether they rise singly, in small or large bands, and whether called upon to do so by their own, but expelled, government or not. They are not prisoners of war; nor are they if discovered and secured before their conspiracy has matured to an actual rising or to armed violence.
“27. The law of war can no more wholly dispense with retaliation than can the law of nations, of which it is a branch. Yet civilized nations acknowledge retaliation as the sternest feature of war. A reckless enemy often leaves to his opponent no other means of securing himself against the repetition of barbarous outrage….
“44. All wanton violence committed against persons in the invaded country, all destruction of property not commanded by the authorized officer, all robbery, all pillage or sacking, even after taking a place by main force, all rape, wounding, maiming, or killing of such inhabitants, are prohibited under the penalty of death, or such other severe punishment as may seem adequate for the gravity of the offense.
“A soldier, officer, or private, in the act of committing such violence, and disobeying a superior ordering him to abstain from it, may be lawfully killed on the spot by such superior.”
“Lee: “Khalid Sheik Mohammed…begging to confess”
hmmm???”
Begging to confess what? He sure didn’t tell us where OBL is! Lee might be right, how the f%#&* do you know what he is confessing to?
I haven’t seen a mass Al Qaeda round up; have you?
field negro: “do you know what he is confessing to?”
Well, per the folks that interogated him, he sang like a canary and turned NUMEROUS alQueda types over to us!!
True, he didn’t finger Nancy Pelosi (wow, THAT visual is disturbing!), but maybe it’s only a matter of time!!
What happened there f’ n’? Someone give you a weggie? LOL You and old p’p’ lee lee need to be tortured with a pair of “panties” over your head–he he (would you like a “used” pair are a fresh pair? Hell I say stick a glock up thier ass and give them 10 seconds to talk before they smell thier ass past thier nose. Have all the rest lined up for thier turn-talk will come very fast after 1 or 2 become a LARGE ASSHOLE.
Wow, you’re remarkably stupid and evil, jhow66. I would wage dollars to doughnuts that gunfire and “FUCK YEAH!”s erupt from your trailer when “24” is being broadcast.
Well CNN the past week or so has had specials called ‘Broken Government’, ‘Do nothing Congress’ , ‘Where the right went wrong’, and some continuing special with Lou Dobbs about the Middle class getting screwed over, yep no bias here.
wolf blitzer has sand in his vagina?