peter jennings criticizing President Bush

[Anonymous Poster]

The Rush Limbaugh site has the following statement:

"This is clearly an attempt by Peter Jennings to cast negative aspersions on the courage of George Bush and, further, cast aspersions on the ability of George W. Bush to provide leadership during a crisis like this. The irresponsibility on his behalf is evident in such comments as, "Some presidents are just good in these situations at calming and reassuring the American people and some just aren't." That's just a paraphrase of something Mr. Jennings said Tuesday night. Clearly he's heard the complaints because he's been on the defensive ever since."

According to Rush, peter jennings accussed President Bush of taking too long to come out in the open and address the nation. My wife doesn't believe peter jennings really said those things. Does anyone know where I can get proof? I don't really trust Rush Limbaugh totally either, although I'll believe him before I'll believe any of those network news people.

 

[TerryinMD]

Rush will stretch things somewhat, but with all that is going on, I think that he would careful with what he says.

But, in general, the media has been "average" in the way they are handling the situation. I've probably watched about 12-16 or so hours of CNN and MSNBC and have been truely amazed at some of the stupid statements being said and some of the stupid and ignorant questions being asked. If I had a brick, I would have to be buying a new TV.

Our media must begin to think about what they are saying and how they ask questions. There is too much analysis before they understand the situation. Maybe they will learn from this just as they learned from the last Presidential election.

 

[Molerj]

I have been watching mainly Tom Brokaw & the other NBC reporters. It seems when we
have these great tragedies that there is so much air time that the reporters run out of
questions & valid stories to report. The more you make idle chatter the more chance your
going to say something wrong. I think Brokaw does a real good job. Reporting on all this
has to be mentally exhausting to say the least. Watching it about does me in. As for
Rush Limbaugh, there is a real waste of air time. I can' t stand the music before his program
starts.

 

[pdxman]

My feeling is that the media has an objective to get 'the scoop' and be the first one to break the news. Right or wrong. Case and point...Yesterday word was out about 5 firemen rescued from the initial collapse turned out to be untrue and were part of the rescue effort. Then, before bedtime last night, word had it that two new highjack efforts were thwarted. Also wrong. Media will also push the limits to over dramatize...Another example was an emergency room physician was being interviewed and asked questions like... Where did all the people in those buildings go? What happenned to them? Why did the buildings fall? You could tell this doctor was aggitated as to why he was being asked these questions. Can imagine what Doctor McCoy from Start Trek would have said.

 

[PitbullMidwest]

I can't provide proof but I did hear him say that.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Some of the things that reporters are asking are WAY out of line! Asking what it looks like in there to an obviously upset firefighter etc. Sickening, Disrespectful etc. They don't know when to stop. I'm surprised that some firefighter hasn't punched them out and told them to "Get lost".

 

[Jugger]

Clearly, Rush Limbaugh is a negative beacon of right wing preservationist dialogue. Whether you are liberal democrat or conservative republican (as am I), you have to realize that Rush will say anything that promotes his fanatical view of politics and society.

George Bush may or may not emanate reassurance to the American people, and Peter Jennings was simply making his observation known, but remember, this is no different than the commentary made by Rush.

Quite frankly, I'd prefer to have papa Bush running this show, but with Rumsfeld, Cheney, and Powell at his side, how can "W" go wrong.

Jugger

 

[JATO_RaT]

I can only provide the proof that he said it when I heard it with my own ears. He might as well as have said he was a coward for not coming directly to Washinton DC. Fact was, Secret Service will provide all the necessary decissions to ensure not only that the President is safe, but ensure communications between the President, whether in Air Force One or on the ground are not compromised. Air Force One, more then anything else, is a flying communications center. The following day, Katie Couric asked Mrs Bush the same basic question. The media is not, nor should they be privy to all that transpires between the Intelligence agencies and our elected officials. I was appaled at both Peter Jennings and NBC's Katie Couric, but then, I rarely watch either, for the best coverage and opinions, I listen to Bill O'Reilly and Brit Hume and of course, Rush. Rat...

 

[PitbullMidwest]

After repeatedly asking this stupid question about Bush's wareabouts, Jennings ask the ABC reporter who was on AF1 with the President, he got both barrels from her (I actually cheered at the TV). After that he started to apologize.

The dumbest question I heard was" After the plane hit did it make a loud sound?" No it was a silent explosion.

 

[fishman]

Yep, Peter Jennings might as well have called G.W. a coward. We were watching him here at my office 'cause it was the channel we could get the best. I honestly couldn't believe my ears. I was so mad that I won't ever watch his news program again. The fact that he made comments like that during such a horrible event is repulsive to the extreme.

Hey, I think I'll email him and tell him so.