Progress Pond

Howard Kurtz and Selective Media Moral Outrage

The hypocritical, whiney, hysterical rightwing has melted down over my
speculative comment that Karl Rove’s poor behavior as human may have inspired
his mother to commit suicide (whoops, I did it again).  Poor taste? 

You bet.  But no worse than Karl Rove spreading rumors that John McCain
fathered a black child out of wedlock, attacking the patriotism of war veterans
like John Murtha and John Kerry, or using the lie of alleged links between Osama
Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein.  No one has died because of my comment, but
Karl Rove’s lies and fabrications played a direct role in the deaths of
thousands of American soldiers in Iraq, not to mention the tens of thousands of
Iraqis who have died.  So, in taking on Karl Rove I apologize for
nothing.

What is truly funny is that I have become the “leftist” version of Ann
Coulter.  She may have a bigger Adam’s Apple than me but I bet I look
better in a dress.  Also, ignore the fact that I am still a registered
Republican and consider myself a traditional conservative (not one of those
religious nuts).  Now, while I would love to have the exposure and reach of
Annie, I am thoroughly puzzled how my one mean spirited comment puts me on par
with the gal who has said, among other things:

About the media:  “My only regret with Timothy McVeigh is he did not go to the
New York Times building.”

About John Murtha: The reason
soldiers invented “fragging.”

About the 9-11 widows:  “These self-obsessed women seem genuinely unaware that 9/11
was an attack on our nation, and acted as if the terrorist attack only
happened to them. . . . These broads are millionaires lionized on TV and in
articles about them, reveling in their status as celebrities. . . . I’ve never
seen people enjoying their husbands’ deaths so much. . .
.<!–
D(["mb","

n

Ann Coulter regrets the New York Times was not blown up like nthe Murrah Building in Oklahoma City, suggests a Congressman be murdered, and nwhacks widows who have the temerity to complain that their government filed them non 9-11. Yet, I’m the bad guy?

n

n

Media npros, like Howard Kurtz, see parity between Coulter and me. Howie ndescribes my comment as "despicable" (but does point folks to my blog, thanks nHowie for the plug. And, lest you forget, remember that his wife is a nRepublican operative.)

n

So what did he say about Adam’s Apple Annie? Didn’t quite have his npanties as much in a bunch. According to Howie (Washington nPost, 12 June 2006):

n

n

Is it time for the media to stop lavishing attention n on Ann Coulter?

n

In her latest book attacking godless liberals, the n conservative author trashes as "witches" some of the women whose husbands were n killed at the World Trade Center — precisely the kind of ugly, over-the-top n invective that she knows will produce a publicity storm that will carry her n onto the bestseller lists.

n

Matt Lauer grilled her last week on "Today," which n prompted the New York Daily News banner "COULTER THE CRUEL," which in turn led n "NBC Nightly News" and ABC’s "World News Tonight" to examine her remarks. The n question, said NBC anchor Brian Williams, was "Have you no shame?"

n

But are news outlets being shameless in giving n Coulter a platform for her inflammatory rhetoric, knowing it will boost n ratings and circulation? “,1]
);

//–>

Ann Coulter regrets the New York Times was not blown up like
the Murrah Building in Oklahoma City, suggests a Congressman be murdered, and
whacks widows who have the temerity to complain that their government filed them
on 9-11.  Yet, I’m the bad guy?

Media
pros, like Howard Kurtz, see parity between Coulter and me
.  Howie
describes my comment as “despicable” (but does point folks to my blog, thanks
Howie for the plug.  And, lest you forget, remember that his wife is a
Republican operative.) 

So what did he say about Adam’s Apple Annie?  Didn’t quite have his
panties as much in a bunch.  According to Howie (Washington
Post, 12 June 2006)
:

Is it time for the media to stop lavishing attention
on Ann Coulter?

In her latest book attacking godless liberals, the
conservative author trashes as “witches” some of the women whose husbands were
killed at the World Trade Center — precisely the kind of ugly, over-the-top
invective that she knows will produce a publicity storm that will carry her
onto the bestseller lists.

Matt Lauer grilled her last week on “Today,” which
prompted the New York Daily News banner “COULTER THE CRUEL,” which in turn led
“NBC Nightly News” and ABC’s “World News Tonight” to examine her remarks. The
question, said NBC anchor Brian Williams, was “Have you no shame?”

But are news outlets being shameless in giving
Coulter a platform for her inflammatory rhetoric, knowing it will boost
ratings and circulation? <!–
D(["mb","

n

"She made news," says "Today" Executive Producer Jim n Bell. "I think our audience is smart enough to figure it out and reach their n own opinions. It’s not our job to censor people." Besides, Bell says, "she’s n good television."

n

Coulter is a savvy constitutional lawyer and onetime n Senate aide who rose to prominence as an advocate of Bill Clinton’s n impeachment. But she became increasingly incendiary in her books and TV n appearances, a shtick that made her sufficiently rich and famous to warrant a n Time cover story last year.

n

For those who missed it, Coulter writes of the n widows: "These self-obsessed women seem genuinely unaware that 9/11 was an n attack on our nation, and acted as if the terrorist attack only happened to n them. . . . These broads are millionaires lionized on TV and in articles about n them, reveling in their status as celebrities. . . . I’ve never seen people n enjoying their husbands’ deaths so much. . . .

n

"And by the way, how do we know their husbands n weren’t planning to divorce these harpies? Now that their shelf life is n dwindling, they’d better hurry up and appear in Playboy."

n

Her one valid point — that once widows turn n themselves into political activists, their personal tragedies should not n shield them from rebuttal — is totally overwhelmed by the nastiness of her n assault.

n

So, Howie refers to her as "ugly", "over the top", and nasty. Why not ndespicable? I find it despicable that Howie excuses Coulter’s inexcusable ncomments.

n

What is truly amazing is media guys like Howie equate my comment, which nattacks Karl Rove using Rove-like tactics, with Ann Coulter, who attacks nAmericans who simply speak up with a different political point of view. To nget a real insight into how delusional the rightwing trolls are, who have nprotested my comment, simply read their remarks, which in many cases argue that nI am somehow a friend of the Main Stream Media.”,1]
);

//–>

“She made news,” says “Today” Executive Producer Jim
Bell. “I think our audience is smart enough to figure it out and reach their
own opinions. It’s not our job to censor people.” Besides, Bell says, “she’s
good television.”

Coulter is a savvy constitutional lawyer and onetime
Senate aide who rose to prominence as an advocate of Bill Clinton’s
impeachment. But she became increasingly incendiary in her books and TV
appearances, a shtick that made her sufficiently rich and famous to warrant a
Time cover story last year.

For those who missed it, Coulter writes of the
widows: “These self-obsessed women seem genuinely unaware that 9/11 was an
attack on our nation, and acted as if the terrorist attack only happened to
them. . . . These broads are millionaires lionized on TV and in articles about
them, reveling in their status as celebrities. . . . I’ve never seen people
enjoying their husbands’ deaths so much. . . .

“And by the way, how do we know their husbands
weren’t planning to divorce these harpies? Now that their shelf life is
dwindling, they’d better hurry up and appear in Playboy.”

Her one valid point — that once widows turn
themselves into political activists, their personal tragedies should not
shield them from rebuttal — is totally overwhelmed by the nastiness of her
assault.

So, Howie refers to her as “ugly”, “over the top”, and nasty.  Why not
despicable?  I find it despicable that Howie excuses Coulter’s inexcusable
comments.

What is truly amazing is media guys like Howie equate my comment, which
attacks Karl Rove using Rove-like tactics, with Ann Coulter, who attacks
Americans who simply speak up with a different political point of view.  To
get a real insight into how delusional the rightwing trolls are, who have
protested my comment, simply read their remarks, which in many cases argue that
I am somehow a friend of the Main Stream Media.<!–
D(["mb","

n

Sorry you bunch of nut jobs, but I rarely go on television anymore or talk nwith reporters. In fact, I have refused to do several programs, most nrecently the Joe Scarborough Show. As I told good old Joe’s booker there nare two ways I would do his show–no way and, no way in nhell.

nn

“,0]
);
D([“ce”]);

//–>

Sorry you bunch of nut jobs, but I rarely go on television anymore or talk
with reporters.  In fact, I have refused to do several programs, most
recently the Joe Scarborough Show.  As I told good old Joe’s booker there
are two ways I would do his show–no way and, no way in
hell.

……………………………………………………..


Larry C. Johnson is CEO and co-founder
of BERG Associates, LLC, an international business-consulting firm
that helps corporations and governments manage threats posed by
terrorism and money laundering. Mr. Johnson, who worked previously
with the Central Intelligence Agency and U.S. State Department’s
Office of Counter Terrorism (as a Deputy Director), is a recognized
expert in the fields of terrorism, aviation security, crisis and risk
management. Mr. Johnson has analyzed terrorist incidents for a variety
of media including the Jim Lehrer News Hour, National Public Radio,
ABC’s Nightline, NBC’s Today Show, the New York Times, CNN, Fox News,
and the BBC. Mr. Johnson has authored several articles for
publications, including Security Management Magazine, the New York
Times, and The Los Angeles Times. He has lectured on terrorism and
aviation security around the world. Further bio
details
.


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