An Open Letter to Tim Russert

[Presstitutes]

http://openlettertotimrussert.blogspot.com/

To Tim Russert: Why Did You Ask Senator Obama About Harry Belafonte?

Tim Russert,

This Sunday, you asked Senator Barack Obama to respond to Harry Belafonte's remarks about George W. Bush being a "terrorist." Why?

Why did you ask this question?

Harry Belafonte isn't an elected official, he doesn't speak for Democrats, he doesn't represent Senator Obama, he doesn't represent the Democratic Party, and he is entitled to his own opinion.

And why did you direct this question to Senator Barack Obama in particular? And did you raise the issue of Harry Belafonte's recent comments with any previous guests? And is it true that Colin Powell is the only other person you've ever asked about Harry Belafonte?

We'd appreciate an explanation.

[HamdenRice]

1. Didn't you get the memo? All Negroes are responsible for the comments ...

of all other Negroes. Trust me, I'm one, and I get asked in the most bizarre circumstances to comment on the comments of others.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

10. LOL

My black friend fusses at me when I ask her if she knows so-and-so (and they are black) because she tells me that contrary to popular belief, not all black folks know each other! Then I fuss at HER because I tell her that in THIS town, they seem to!

[obreaslan]

13. Yes, I'm sure Mr. Russert was only asking because...

He knows that "those people" always talk to each other. "They" coordinate their statements, and Harry is a spokesman for "their people". I wouldn't have been surprised if he is also asked about O.J. Simpson, Kobe Bryant and Kanye West.


:sarcasm:

[jaysunb]

2. It was just one of many

little daggers Timmy tried to lay on him.
:evilfrown:

[mattclearing]

3. I can think of several reasons.

1. Because they are both black, and Russert is racist, and thinks that all black people agree that Bush is the world's greatest terrorist.

2. Because Russert wanted to waste the Senator's time with a trap question designed to equate him with someone who asserted that Bush is the world's greatest terrorist.

3. Because Russert was told by the right-wingers at GE that sign his paychecks to ambush Obama with a question about Belafonte.

[EST]

17. Correct on all counts!

Since you probably haven't seen the memo, here's the one not everyone saw:

4. Remember Karl's lecture on "Look Ahead" politics--
"Make sure, as part of staying on message, that you include in your interviews a link between the interviewee and one of the obvious, visible nut bags.
No doubt, you recall the slam we took when that bunch of unthankful, godless ingrates was allowed, by the leftist, subversive media, to pretend that we were somehow in bed with Reverend Pat... (mumble, mumble...bless his soul)

"Pre-emption is key; attack any of their spokesmen who might posses a hint of credibility and show the audience their strength is actually a weakness."

[mattclearing]

18. It amazes me, the ignorance of some people.

A lot of people think these interviews aren't carefully skewn to fit an ideological agenda. When Dems go on MTP, they know that they are going to be harassed and humiliated.

[wisteria]

4. Russet's question was predicable,but non the less disgusting. n/t

[KG]

5. Tim Russert replies:

Because I'm a fat, white, clueless, racist Republican pig. Duh!

But thanks for asking, anyway.

Regards

[FightinNewDem]

7. Russert ain't a Republican, KG

Disagree with Russert all you want, but don't call him a Republican.

He openly talks of his Democratic roots in blue collar Buffalo. In addition, he worked as an top aide to Mario Cuomo, a career choice not often seen am,ong "fat, white, clueless Republican pigs".

The real issue is that Russert comes from a blue-collar, Catholic form of Democratic politics, not from the post-Watergate New Politics liberalism that motivates many of the DU denizens.

[cybildisobedience]

8. oh please....

those Democratic roots mean nothing to someone who has sold his soul to the GE war machine.

[CatWoman]

11. yeah

exhibit A:

[EST]

19. When some disgusting creep is guilty

of lying, cheating, racism (thinly disguised, of course,) ugliness of soul, right winginess, absolutism, corporate whoredom, voter insensitivity, holier than thou ism, self loathing, freedom loathing, privacy loathing, slavery loving, logic hating, power lusting, dignity destroying, home wrecking, senior citizen killing, incompetence empowering, money grubbing, penny pinching-nickel grabbing, budget busting, environment ripping, wal-mart sucking, bid welshing, voter defrauding, hate mongering, country dividing, whining, bitching, puking, puling, and all around brain dead booshie piglet wankerism, no matter what he claims to be and how much false flagging he does---He's a Liar! And he is NOT a democrat.

Those characteristics are good ol' republican values and morals and I calls 'em as I see 'em!

(Now, if I could find a simpering, smarmy, apologetic way of saying this, I could be a guest on the Timmy Wanker show)

[KG]

12. so, nobody that came from those roots ever changed loyalties?

please.

[devilgrrl]

20. No, he's just toady for corporate America...

aiding and abetting the fascist take over of the country. BIG bucks trumps any democratic beliefs he once held. He is as democratic as Pat Robertson is sane.

[thebigidea]

21. I suppose his wearing a Bush pin under his lapel in 2000 was a mistake

[dchill]

22. Maybe not...

but he is a whore - close enough. If he's not with us, he's against us.
;)

[bunkerbuster1]

6. five more questions Timmeh should've asked

per the incomparably wonderful James Wolcott:

http://jameswolcott.com/archives/2006/01/when_white_amer.php

1) Senator Obamarama, the nation still mourns the loss of our first black president, David Palmer, tragically gunned down in the season premiere of 24. What does his death say about the state of race relations today, and what can we learn from his presidency?

2) Bobby Brown. Whitney Houston. A marriage in turmoil. Any thoughts?

3) If you were down to your last Oreo cookie would you eat it as snack, or throw it at Michael Steele?

4) What's your favorite UPN show?

5) There are those who say the comic strip Boondocks goes too far, and presents a distorted picture of the African-American community. Have you spoken to Aaron McGruder about toning it down, and if not, why not?

[MsUnderstood]

9. man that made me spit out my breakfast bar

So damn funny about the questions that should have been asked. . .

But I think all minorities get that--any time one gay person speaks up the world thinks that speech represents all the gay people.

Funny how Russert didn't sit down with white people and ask them if the Irael PM is being punished by god. . .

[bunkerbuster1]

14. #4 did it for me.

When Wolcott's good he is very, very good.

And he's almost always good.

[Presstitutes]

16. classic Wolcott

:)

[Coexist]

23. This deserves its own thread

It is hysterical.

[splat@14]

15. "did you ask me that question because I was black?"......

...Because as I understand it, Mr. Belafonte is entitled to his opinion, and is alone accountable for it. When was the last time you asked a white Senator to account for the ravings of Pat Robertson, who unlike Mr. Belafonte, has the ear of the President and the national media."



http://stevegilliard.blogspot.com/2006/01/senator-pimpin-style.html