The questions used Wednesday night echoed topics that had been covered relentlessly by conservative talk show hosts, but when ABC visited those subjects some would see it as a manifestation of quality journalists being undeterred in the quest for answers to questions that were crucial to the selection of the next President.Where were he advocates of "tough questions" when candidate George W. Bush cavalierly dismissed questions about his military service and the possibility that he went AWOL?
The use of a lapel pins is essential information that voters must have for an informed decision, but snooping into assertions that the pilot training wasn't completed and/or that George W. Bush went missing (AWOL) for a year is the kind of inconsequential and innocuous story that would only interest amateur journalists who are lunatics. Really?
The conservative talk show hosts are unanimous in their defense of the ABC fiasco. Newspaper writers are outraged by the ineptness of Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos. Gee, do the conservative talk show hosts ever get appointed to the Pulitzer Prize selection committee?There are omnipresent talking points you hear constantly on conservative talk radio. Are they an example of repeated remarkable coincidences (typing monkeys produce a Shakespeare play) or is their ubiquitous use strong circumstantial evidence of premeditated orchestration? If it appears on conservative talk radio by design, does the same material just happen to pop up on the ABC debate or was it planned?
If you listen to conservative talk radio you Will hear an unrelenting torrent of Republican candidates who are lavishly praised while Democrats (most often) are tried in absentia and condemned as reprehensible individuals needing replacement. Recurring Republican talking points were used during the ABC fiasco. Does that leitmotif indicate a lack of unbiased journalism?
Suppose (for the sake of argument) that Joseph Goebbels supplied the questions to be used during the first hour of the debate; would calling it a manifestation of multiculturalism make it that, or would folks see it for what it really was malicious propaganda in disguise?
Questions about Reverend Wright are essential for voters to be well informed, but John McCain's attempt to get an endorsement from Rev. John Hagee is too insignificant an item to merit time on the evening news? Why the disparity?
Comments on the state of mind in small towns are of major importance but, in 2000, details about George W. Bush's financial involvement with Arbusto Energy and Harken Energy were uncalled for? How did they figure that? Which of the two would you let slide?
If newsmen are going to consider outrage and frustration as manifested in small towns, shouldn't they also ask about "key parties" as way to diffuse existential dissatisfaction with the vagaries of life? Could it be that they haven't a clue about life in rural America and intent on smearing Senator Obama?
Senator Obama's loyalty to his pastor means that his judgment must be called into question. The search for WMD's can be explained by the "No body's perfect" argument.
Conservative talk radio presents a parade of partisan pundits who spew divisive drivel and the best the ABC team can do is take dictation and parrot the questions that conservative talk radio hosts spoon fed to them?
Anyone with respect for journalism should take a critical look at Wednesday nights sad performance and ask themselves did Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos live up to the standards of excellence established by Edward R. Murrow?
[Note: ABC could save some money by canning Charlie Gibson and replacing him with Bill O'Reilly or Sean Hannity. It would be an example of the "cut out the middle man" philosophy.]
Seeing the abysmal shoddy performance turned in on ABC was, for those who revere good reporting, similar to the experience a fellow would have if he walked into a house of ill-repute and found his sister working there and owning several "employee of the month" awards.
Edward R. Murrow said: "We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty." TV viewers must never confuse abject pandering by shameless shills for excellent reporting, either.
Now, the disk jockey will play Gil Scott-Heron's song "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" and we will split and abandon our respect for ABC News. Have a "do anything to get high ratings" type week.
