CNN stops just short of calling Belafonte Thought Criminal

[Raydawg1234]

In his interview with Harry Belafonte, Wolf Blitzer delivered a biased atack, urging Belafonte to "Back Down" and declaring that he has "gone too far." Blitzer stopped just short of calling Belafonte a thought criminal. I want to know what gives CNN the right to decide when somone has "gone too far?" It appears that CNN is now towing the Bush party line, and since they can not beat fox, they have decided to join them. Whatever happened to the days when CNN was fair and balanced? What happened to the days when CNN did not tell people how to think? Blitzer resorted to using pathetic bait-and-switch tactics by suggesting that Belafonte said that the Jews were responsible for their fate in world war two. Blitzers comments cannot be described as journalism, but rather a pathetic attemp to attack a person who is standing up for what they believe in. Belafonte's truth backed Blitzer into a corner, and Blitzer crawled out of it like a rat.

[BootinUp]

1. Where have you been...

the last 10 years or so? Sounds like standard CNN "news" coverage to me. :puke:

[AX10]

2. It's called Fascism! The MSM is smearing us non stop now.

:argh:

Someday, we will be back in power and the media conglomerates will suffer the
CARTHEGIAN DEATH!

[sasha031]

3. Belafonte said the jews were responsible for their fate in WWII

that doesn't sound like him at all.
I caught the end of it,Belafonte didn't back down. Blitzer and the entire MSM is a tool for the neocons.

[Solo_in_MD]

11. I saw that too

Interviews like his do a quite a bit more harm than good. His irrational statements make all the rest of the people who hate the repukes and what they are doing look out to lunch. Not a good thing.

[robbedvoter]

17. What irrational statements? Did you listen to what he said?

You know, Jews were only a minority in Germany. It was the German citizens responsibility to guard their democracy - just like it's ours now here. HE MADEVERY RATIONAL STATEMENT.
But then again, you're new to Du. Enjoy your stay. That was a nice try.

[oasis]

23. Harry was illustrating what could happen if people don't speak up NOW.

Wolf knew what he meant but tried to distort what he said into a slam on Jews.

[robbedvoter]

13. NO< HE DIDN'T. Wolf tried to put these words in his mouth, but failed

belafonte said if people in Germany would have stood up, things might not have gotten that far.
"Are you blaming the Jews?" Blitzer tried. "NO" belafinte said quite clearly - but is the citizens would have spoken out they might have altered the outcome.
Let's not have fascism spin right here on DU, OK?

[sasha031]

20. thank you for clearing that up

[OldLeftieLawyer]

26. Oh, man, thank you!

I don't think I'd have survived the other scenario (Belafonte said it).

Blitzer's a perfect putz. I just wanna slap him silly every time I see that friggin' mug of his.

Actually, my dream is to have him and Ralph Reed together, my hands on the back of each of their heads, and I play the cymbals with their faces.

I'm sorry.

These violent musical fantasies have GOT to stop.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

15. Belafonte said WHAT?

Are you serious?

Then he's fucking nuts, even if he appears to be on our side.

With friends like that ............

Really?

He said that about Jews in WWII?

Oh, man ................

[sasha031]

19. NO!, Blitzer said it

[robbedvoter]

21. See #13. Nice try from Blitzer.

[Bluebear]

4. "gone too far" . . .always the mantra. nt

[Warren DeMontague]

5. How come no one says Ann Coulter has "gone too far"

when she yuk-yuks about putting liberals into death camps and beating democrats with baseball bats?

[depakid]

6. ....days when CNN was fair and balanced????

And when were those? Back in the 80's maybe?

You're right- Blitzer's dishonest and pathetic- the whole network is- that's why they'll continue to hemorrhage viewers and lose their ratings.

[NMDemDist2]

10. before Ted Turner sold the network n/t

[Solo_in_MD]

12. but where are the going to? FAUX?

[depakid]

18. Might as well

At least you know for certain that Fox is full of shit- No persuasive power there... just the opposite.

[Raydawg1234]

22. no, more like American Idol, and Desperate Housewives

[Fenris]

7. What I don't get....

Tim Russert, that shining example of journalistic excellence, asked Barack Obama on MTP Sunday what he thought about Belafonte's comments. Now, other than the fact that both of them are black, I don't know why Russert felt it necessary to seek Obama's praise or condemnation of the comments of Harry Belafonte. I mean, he's Harry Belafonte. He's not an elected official, he really has no sway in U.S. government, and no politician in his right mind would say, "Why yes, Harry Belafonte is right on!" They might think it to themselves, but unless they have a political death wish they're not going to give the thumbs up to that sort of inflammatory speech. Why should anyone have to answer for Harry Belafonte? He can say whatever he wants - why do liberals and, in this case, an Democrat who happens to be black have to praise or condemn him?

The way the media has spun this you'd think Belafonte had brandished a gun and sworn to gun the President down.

[bullimiami]

14. i keep remembering how russert sucked up to bush

in that pitiful excuse for an interview.


CNN is done. Useless. Turn it off.

[VOX]

25. Right on the money, Fenris. n/t

[Catrina]

8. thank you for the report

I don't have CNN anymore! I wish that people, like Harry Belafonte and all Democrats and anyone who disagrees with Bush's policies, celebrities etc. would now simply refuse to appear on any Bush controlled television show .... which is just about all of them.

[yorkiemommie1]

9. No more CNN for me

and I told them so this morning.

Stephanie Miller has been playing Glen Beck's ( CNN's newest talking head to start in April ) stuff and he is VILE.

so ... CNN? WHADDAT??

[Deja Q]

16. by, of, and for the corporation

[rumpel]

24. Criminals include those that aid and abet.

I hope a whole bunch of them will end up having to do a mea culpa.