Montel Williams Loses Job after Defending Troops on Fox News

[donsu]

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/1/31/23326/1083/699/446791


For just over three minutes on Saturday morning, TV talk show host Montel Williams owned the hosts of Fox and Friends. A former Marine and Naval officer, Montel lectured the stunned hosts on the stupidity of spending air time on the death of Heath Ledger, rather than covering the war in Iraq. It was a spectacle rarely seen on live cable television, as Montel exposed and condemned both tabloid "news" shows and much of American culture for what they have each become: shallow and greedy.

Three minutes into this awkward segment on Fox, one host cut off Montel in order to go to a commercial. Montel did not return after the break. Four days later, after 17 years as a television host, Montel lost his job. Variety reported on Wednesday that the Fate of "The Montel Williams Show" was sealed when key Fox-owned stations opted not to renew it for the 2008-09 season.
------------


guess Rove will replace him?

[Subdivisions]

1. I have never had more respect for Mr. Williams than I do at

this very moment.

Thank you, Mr. Williams. And best of luck to you as you deal with MS.

[Sugar Smack]

68. I second that.

[yardwork]

87. I third that.

[file83]

133. I'll fourth that, but I gotta ask, how could FOX cancel a CBS show?

I don't get that part of this story. Anyone know?

[California Griz]

135. Just because you show CBS programming

doesn't mean you are owned by CBS. Stations often change their affiliation.

[factanonverba]

187. here is why

The show is syndicated carried on various stations across the country. What happen seems to be that Fox canceled its commitment to carry the program and that changed the economics of the program leading to its cancellation.

[Girlieman]

206. Here is Fox's finger in the pie:

Variety reports:

"Fate of "The Montel Williams Show" was sealed when key Fox-owned stations opted not to renew it for the 2008-09 season."

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117979859.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

Even so, I find it more likely that Montel knew that he was not being renewed, and that loosened his tongue. I can't make the guy a hero, after milking the "dumbing down America" gravytrain for 17 years he suddenly finds his conscience?

Give me a break.

[LeftyMom]

2. And he's retired military too. Faux sure loves the troops.

:sarcasm:

[Supersedeas]

50. yeah, but the luv those advertising and marketing $$$$ even more--no Iraq news today, more Britney

[malaise]

3. I was surprised at Dan Abrams' coverage of this last night

but then GEMSNBC does not cover the war either. I am no Montel fan, but he was 100% correct.

[OneGrassRoot]

36. Did Dan show this clip or something? Did he defend Montel?

I'm not surprised that this happened to Montel (or anyone else who speaks the truth), but I continue to be OUTRAGED!

:grr:

Can we come up with a good guy/gal "hit list," so to speak, of those in the public eye who do (or may be willing to) speak the TRUTH, and not just about one issue but about politics and media in general?


Keith O

Montel

Dan Abrams seems on the fence


My mind draws a blank beyond that....

[malaise]

86. On the contrary

He was attacking Montel for not knowing the names of the dead soldiers. It was gross.

[soleft]

98. Are you serious? That's disturbing

[krkaufman]

113. Yeah, I just emailed [e-mail], after seeing the whole segment.

Abrams did a hit piece, selectively filtering the video to edit-out Montel's detailing that he'd looked for the name of a soldier killed, but couldn't find it anywhere in the media.

[malaise]

226. Good for you n/t

[NikolaC]

216. I'm Probably Gonna Get Flamed For This

I was very upset when Olberman, who is usually right on the money about the media sleaze machine, said nothing about what happened to Kucinich after he lost his GE case and was eliminated from the MSNBC debate. At least Montel spoke up knowing what it would cost him. Keith's silence on what his corporate bosses did was a shame, to put it mildly.

[comtec]

240. Don;t be too harsh on KO

Consider his choices - Sophie's - he can not mention it, and live to fight many more days, or mention it and face repercussions. You have to consider the lesser of two evils.

What montel did, was wise, but really nothing more than finally let his conciense* speak. KO does that on a nightly basis. Hes can be forgiven lapses for accepting reality. He is honest enough, and he doesn't lie. and he informs.

* = could not find the proper spelling or get spell check to bring one up.

[krkaufman]

107. Yeah, Abrams framed the issue as "Montel scolds Fox News" ...

... and makes Montel look bad.

Abrams said Montel was invited on to talk about the death of Heath Ledger, but chose to lecture the interviewers for covering Ledger instead of the war -- commenting that one of the interviewers was a former soldier and has "covered the war extensively from Iraq."

Abrams then played two video clips, one of Montel decrying that 28 military personnel have died in January, and then a subsequent clip where Montel was unable to name or tell the story of any of those killed.

Abrams ended the segment with references to past Montel shows, 'Bringing Sexy Back' and 'Mom's Gone Wild'; and a closing jab, "Stay classy, Montel." (which I assume is mocking some Montel catchphrase)

p.s. Looking at the full video clip from the YouTube link, Abrams seems to have done a real hit-job on Montel, because Montel explicitly said that he *TRIED TO FIND THE NAME* of the soldier killed in an incident, but couldn't get the name. Abrams seemed to be experiencing schadenfreude, taking some joy in the Fox hosts' "gotcha" victory over Montel, rather than covering what actually happened. Abrams should be ashamed.

[Andrea]

132. that's a shame

Dan usually does much better than that. And I'm surprised he missed a chance to slam Faux News. He doesn't hate them to Olbermann's degree, but he seems to hate them. Maybe someone has been bugging him to be more "fair and balanced". Yuck.

[krkaufman]

193. It seemed like Abrams had some underlying dislike for Montel.

And, I agree, I thought it odd that he chose to go after him, over Fox News. Of course, it's possible that Abrams saw only the filtered video and not the whole segment. I wonder. (But I doubt I'll ever hear back on the email I sent.)

[malaise]

227. Don't forget that GEMSNBC does not

cover the war either. Britney, Heath and OJ are way more important and Dan Abrams is a part of the decision making.

[Barb in Atl]

235. Remember when Jon Stewart took out Crossfire?

He came on the show and ...I don't even remember the premise, but he basically told them that they were poisoning the atmosphere and please shut up. He got slammed for that.

I think the reasoning is similar - if you agree with Montel about Faux Entertainment posing as news, you have to look really hard at yourself as a part of the media. I don't know WHAT Dan Abrams is presenting. Is it news? Social commentary? I got nothing against him, but it seems to me his show consists of maybe one actual news story and the rest entertainment, head shaking and finger wagging.

MSM sticks together and defends itself. Even on Keith Olbermann, mention was made in a post above about his non-comment on the Kucinich freeze out of the debate. But there were also some very dismissive comments about Media Matters when they were objecting to Chris Mathews.

By the way, shortly after Jon Stewarts' appearance, Crossfire was cancelled. Maybe Montel needs more clout.

But best wishes to him and his. I'm sure he'll land on his feet.

[DefenseLawyer]

244. The "Stay Classy" line

is from the Will Ferrell comedy "Anchorman", where he ended his local news broadcasts with the sign off "Stay classy, San Diego". Boy, nothing funnier than being snarky about the subject of dead soldiers. Har har har. Gotcha indeed. Of course like most of the chattering class, I doubt Dan actually knows anyone who is serving in combat.

[w8liftinglady]

4. the youtube link to the interview

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co3Spcq6Uzs

[w8liftinglady]

6. wow...this was intense.Montel DID a great job..I hope someone better picks him up

[malaise]

10. He tore them a new one

Bravo Montel.

[earth mom]

63. I'll second that! Bravo Montel!

:applause:

[JuniperLea]

17. That man is brilliant!

I'm chills head to toe while watching that. Thanks for posting.

[badgerpup]

38. This is the sorta thing that Profiles In Courage was written about...

Person does the right thing, the moral thing...:patriot:
even if the PTB don't approve and proceed to fuck them over for it. :nuke:

Somebody page Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg...think we have a candidate for an award here.

[Lasher]

30. Williams got fired for stating the obvious.

I don't know anything else about him but good on him for taking this stand.

[mwb970]

188. This is the usual practice for right-wingers.

Shoot the messenger, ignore the substance. They'll do it every time.

[Yael]

59. Thanks for the link -- watching again now

I thought this was fantastic!!

[underpants]

81. I actually watched it live

I was laughing my ass off. Good for him.

[NoodleyAppendage]

5. And, thus we see the power of fascism.

We can thank our beloved former President Clinton for relaxing the media ownership rules, which resulted in the ascendency of Murdock and his fascist media empire. The FCC just upped the ante so now the same type of intimidation can be employed in local media markets and in print.

Own the media and you own the world.

J

[NavyDavy]

23. come on get over it, this had nothing to do with President Clinton

you clinton haters are crazy

[Winterblues]

41. I agree, this right wing hatred of everything Clinton is quite old

They should take their hatred to Freeperville where hatred flourishes..

[NoodleyAppendage]

72. Continue to live in la-la DINO/DLC Clintonland. Google 1996 Telecommunications Act and get educated

I'm FAR from right wing...I'm liberal, but NOT STUPID or blinded by what our leaders serve up to us. Critical thinking...try it sometime.

J

[guruoo]

228. Experienced activist failing to see the bigger picture IS stupid, IMO.

[earth mom]

62. Wake up and smell the corruption. It didn't start with *. nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

64. 1996 Telecommunications Act... who was President then?

And yes, you can trace current media conditions to THAT ACT!

(Hmm I have to check perhaps George was president then... :sarcasm:)

[davekriss]

70. You have to go back a little further...

...and acknowledge the Reagan/GHWB assault on the Fairness Doctrine, Rule of Sevens, and Editorial Attack FCC regulations (all of which enabled the emergence of a Fox Spews and its evil spawn). However, I agree that the 1996 Telecommunications Act -- signed by Bill Clinton, the best "Republican" President we ever had -- was a major nail in the coffin of the free flow of information required to maintain a Jeffersonian democracy, as it further enabled consolidation of media in the hands of a powerful few.

[nadinbrzezinski]

94. I did not say that Bush| Reagan had nothing to do with this

but I was responding to the contention that Bill had nothing at all to do with this. And you are right, in another era Bill would have been considered a good moderate republican president

[Leopolds Ghost]

191. Clinton is well to the right of Eisenhower. Would Eisenhower have ended the New Deal?

Deregulated banking, energy, not just telecommunications, condemned public services, and eliminated the national commitment to welfare and public housing.

[ikojo]

25. Remember Mr Murdoch hosted a

fund raiser for Mrs Cinton

[creeksneakers2]

143. What does that have to do with Montel Williams

and Fox News?

[skater314159]

32. Yeah, unfortunately...

Clinton didn't forsee what would happen... and the very person his relaxation of the rules helped to rise to power is the very person who persecuted him the whole time he was in office.

I sometimes wonder WHY Clinton was so nice to the right-wing assholes. WHY?!?!?! They aren't like us, and they will destroy everyone and everything that isn't just like them.

[madmom]

40. I heard that the head of the FCC is Colin Powell's son, True?

[nadinbrzezinski]

65. Was, he stepped down a year or so ago, after he was unable

to further consolidate this mess

[davekriss]

71. Was

He resigned a while back.

[davekriss]

69. Yes, and thus we see the power of fascism

And anyone who thinks we are not a neo-fascist state isn't paying attention. It's authoritarian rul by chill. Open your mouth and lose your livlihood.

A saw a ghost from the past on an MSNBC segment the other day. Ashliegh Banfield. Many will recall her star rise out of th dust of 9-11. She ended up host of her own big time slot on MSNBC, "On Location". Then in 2003 she gave a speech highly critical of media coverage of the Iraq invasion. See here. This from an article covering that speech (here):

War's sobering realities never reached American TV screens during the recent U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, according to NBC News correspondent Ashleigh Banfield.

"We didn't see what happened when Marines fired M-16s," Banfield said during a Landon lecture appearance today at Kansas State University. "We didn't see what happened after mortars landed, only the puff of smoke. There were horrors that were completely left out of this war. So was this journalism? Or was this coverage?"

On the other hand, she said, many U.S. television viewers were treated to a non-stop flow of images presented by "cable news operators who wrap themselves in the American flag and go after a certain target demographic."

"It was a grand and glorious picture that had a lot of people watching," Banfield said, "and a lot of advertisers excited about cable TV news. But it wasn't journalism..."

..."As a journalist, I have been ostracized just from going on television and saying, 'Here's what the leaders of Hezbollah, a radical Moslem group, are telling me about what is needed to bring peace to Israel,'" she said. "And, 'Here's what the Lebanese are saying.' Like it or lump it, don't shoot the messenger, but that's what they do."

So what happened to Ashliegh? She was quickly fired from NBC and ended up co-hosting some boring weekly show on Court TV.

Rule by chill, an integral weapon of the fascist state. Even Christiane Amanpour had to apologize to executives at CNN when she strayed so slighly from the permitted agenda. Be certain that other TV hosts and newsreaders are acutely aware when one of their own is spanked by the near-monopoly owners of the major media.

[RuleOfNah]

229. Donahue, Rather, Williams is lucky, it could have been worse.

Tanks fired on reporters in Iraq.

[davekriss]

234. Very good point

In fact, I believe we've witnessed a record number of journalists killed while covering the war.

[yardwork]

88. This just in - the Clenis assassinated Lincoln!

[NoodleyAppendage]

109. Google the 1996 Telecommunications Act and educate yourself.

Clinton set the ball in motion...it is a HARD FACT. Get over your blind partisanship and look behind the curtain some time.

j

[TheWatcher]

137. I can almost guarantee you those with the snarky, childish one liners will not do so.

They do not want to know about history, they do not want to know about what is going on.

What matters is believing in the status quo, feeling good, ignoring any facts to the contrary which could damage their precious paradigm, and supporting their "football team", right or wrong, for lack of a better term.

I do not know what it is going to take to wake people up to where we really are. Or perhaps deep down I do know, and I myself live in terrified denial, unable to face what medicine will be needed.

What you stated is hard fact. Those who do not wish to engage in critical thinking and form an understanding about what is really going on, who has done what, and are not willing to rip the blinders off and establish an understanding of what is exactly what, REGARDLESS of the party affiliation of whatever or whoever is responsible for what, are no different than that or those which they decry.

Things are going to have to get much worse before they get better.

2008 is not a Magic Pill, nor a Quick Cure.

The reality will be very difficult for most here to handle.

[yardwork]

175. Did you notice the election of 1994? Do you know how an Act becomes an Act?

Republican Congress.

[Leopolds Ghost]

192. Clinton pushed the elimination of public housing.

And Clinton's allies in Louisiana Democratic office are fulfilling it, tearing down the homes of Katrina survivors with their belongings still in them under the terms of a Clinton program which Clinton and the urban Dems are proud of.

Since in your support of him Clinton supporters actually DEMEAN public housing and other programs and hold it up as a good thing, you're in no position to blame Congress.

[dansolo]

221. It's called a veto

Bush seems to get away with the veto threat, no matter how empty. Clinton still had the final say, and yet he signed it into law anyway.

[devilgrrl]

7. To bad that he didn't call the troops "nappy headed ho's" - he'd be back in a few months.

:sarcasm:

[Blue_Tires]

12. +1

[rosetta627]

134. Great comment devilgrrl

Top notch

[StrongBad]

8. Why didn't Sylvia Browne warn him about this???

Hehe cheap shot I know. Montel seems like a decent dude I feel bad about this :(

[PassingFair]

79. LOL nt

[JeanGrey]

218. Don't go there. I just mentioned she was the main

reason I never bothered to see his show, she was on practically every day.

[Bluenorthwest]

9. Montel is a great American

In my opinion, and a very brave man. For many reasons.

[JuniperLea]

11. Oprah! Where are you?

Don't you have a new network starting up? Montel is an awesome host and he has great interview skills. I've been a huge fan for a long time and I really hate to see him leave the airwaves. I always knew he was a stand up guy... this clearly shows he is exactly that.

[dysfunctional press]

15. oprah should have montel on her current show...

and do an episode tearing faux news/rupert murdoch a new one. a BIG new one. i'm willing to bet that a big share of her audience are also faux news viewers. they NEED to be told.

[JuniperLea]

18. That would be a ratings magnet!

Such a great idea. She'd probably lose a few audience members... but she would gain even more.

[GreenTea]

96. Not a fucking chance! Oprah isn't political...she certainly doesn't want to offend the silly, white

consumers, the bubbleheaded stay at home little housewives....as she did when she endorsed Obama....This would be too much for the hot little housewives to think about..... and not only that....the president said all is going well with his illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq these days...So shut up liberals and support our president and the troops and life will be GRAND!!

I mean Oprah has never said a word when fellow talk show host Phil Donahue, who was on MSNBC (General Electric) and whom NBC fired, even though Donahue had MSNBC highest rated show.

This of course was right before the illegal Iraq Invasion....BushCo wanted no major television media opposed to the war, none, zero, zilch...and the republican owned media again did their job...they fired the liberal!

No, they'd never forgive Oprah for putting Montel and that hot political republican owned media story out there on her show...endorsing a black democrat for prez was way out of line for too many!

[cornermouse]

189. As I understand it,

Oprah has bought Discover-Health (which I liked) and probably plans to turn it into something quite different which I won't. I think that pretty much covers it. I don't see a black cloud of doom on the smilie lookup table so I guess this is the best I can do.
:(

[Snarkturian Clone]

13. That's fucked up.

I've always enjoyed his show(except for the Silvia Browne crap), even when it was really trashy in the early microphone-flipping days.

He starred in a drama series about a science teacher that was cancelled pretty quickly, I remember liking it.

[earth mom]

14. And people think it's tinfoil that Edwards was silenced?

Or that we are being silenced too?

If they can do this to Montel, they will do this to EVERYONE.

Freedom of speech IS DEAD!

Wake Up People!

[devilgrrl]

16. Yep! And it is only going to get worse.

It's frightening.

[saracat]

19. Amen.Stop drinking Koolaid for god's sake.

[malaise]

20. They've been doing this for ages

We all know this is going on.

[Wednesdays]

84. WE know...

but the vast majority of 'muricans are zombies, hypnotized by American Idol and Britney.

[donsu]

21. yes and the neo con Mormon will be selected as prez.

watch, they can't let Obama or Hill win.

[skater314159]

35. I'm scared...

... that if either Obama or Hillary are elected, that the Repukes/Right-Wing nuts will injure (or Gods forbid!) kill them. I think they FEAR having either of them in office because the corruption and dictatorship-like behaviours will be put to an end.

I am afraid that we aren't that different from the sixties when strong men and women were silenced because they dared to speak out.
:scared:
I hope that we are all wrong, because if we aren't, then America is REALLY in trouble.

:(

[Wednesdays]

89. They probably won't try to kill Hillary or Obama...

they'll do everything they can to put them into lame-duck status from the get-go, just like in Bill Clinton's presidency, with "scandal" after "scandal." If you recall, it was 24/7 Whitewater, Jennifer Flowers, Monica, Paula Jones, Monica, Kathleen Willey, Monica, Whitewater, Travelgate, Monica... :puke:

[libbygurl]

237. I hope you're right about their fear, but hope you're wrong about their actions. That will really...

...go over big with the populace - martyrdom of the Dem president!

Except that I will not put ANYTHING - not even murder - past this bunch of thugs called the GOP.

[earth mom]

61. Yup. McCain or Romney are a done deal. You can bank on that. nt

[screembloodymurder]

22. Right on.

Fox should be silenced. If the government won't do it, the people will have to exercise wallet power.

[redqueen]

110. No shit...

*sigh*

[Zorra]

205. Worse than that, some people don't really care that he was silenced.

It's what happens in an American Idol videocracy.

[lutefisk]

24. This is how so many feel, yet it is so rarely expressed in the MSM!

This and Jon Stewart's appearance on CNN are the only times I can remember since 2000 that something like this has slipped through. At least Stewart still has his job.
Way to go, Montel!:thumbsup: :kick: :patriot:

Stewart:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcHcChfKIDw

[skater314159]

37. Well, if you want to make effective propaganda,

You CANNOT allow the alternate view or especially the TRUTH to get out. In order to have effective propaganda, you need to make sure you control the media and information the people imbibe.

Also, the BAND WAGON EFFECT is really effective at getting a large majortiy of people to follow whatever the government or media wants them to - I mean, how many times on Fox News or in Conservative swill like Michelle Malkin's and Anne Coulter's writings/crap do they make use of the "oh, NOBODY feels that way" or "that's just what liberals say" or "only fags think that!".

David Cross was right - even though he is a comedian - we HAVE become a nation of six-year-olds. And not nice, cool six-year-olds, but rather the kind that suck, are bullies, and eat their Big Chief tablets.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

215. To your list I must add Colbert's appearance at the WH correspondent's dinner

My husband and I watched live and I still get chills thinking about it.

[w8liftinglady]

26. Does Montel have a show today?

http://www.montelshow.com/

[skater314159]

27. Yeah, he spoke the truth...

and we ALL know Fox can't stand that! Especially if the person speaking the truth is ex-military and can't be smeared by being called "lefty", "fag" or whatever else immature taunts they use over there... I don't really know, as all I see of FoxNews is on TPM or some media watch sites!

Thanks Montel!

:peace:

[MGKrebs]

28. We need someone just like him to lead the opposition.

Veteran, charismatic, smart, wealthy (I hope), and needs a job!

LEAD US MONTEL!
You have ALREADY paid for your leadership, you might as well get something in return! Get your personal affairs in order and hit the road! We want to fight but we need a leader! The People against the Corporations! The time is NOW!

[MGKrebs]

43. Jesus, he has MS.

I didn't know that. He's already sacrificing more and giving more to the community than anyone could ask. That guy's a hero.

"Mr. Williams began his professional career in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1974 when he enlisted in his hometown of Baltimore after graduating high school. After six months, he was meritoriously promoted twice, and in 1975, became the first black Marine selected to the Naval Academy Prep School who then went on to graduate from the Naval Academy.

"Upon graduation from Prep School, Mr. Williams received a presidential appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., where he studied Mandarin Chinese, and graduated with a degree in General Engineering and a minor in International Security Affairs. He was then selected as special duty intelligence officer, specializing in cryptology."

"Honorably decorated, Mr. Williams has received numerous awards and distinctions throughout his naval career, including the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, two Navy Expeditionary Medals, two Humanitarian Service Medals, a Navy Achievement Medal, two Navy Commendation Medals and two Meritorious Service Awards - the latter of which is rarely awarded twice."

http://blacknews.com/pr/montel_williams_show_ends101.html

[wake.up.america]

123. Montel Williams - go to the head of line! Speak out !

[gratuitous]

29. "We're the ones who defend this democracy"?

I don't know about that, but the rest of Williams' diatribe clearly had the interviewers' shorts full of bricks.

[CGowen]

31. I read a couple articles and none mentioned his FOX NEWS appearance n/t

[Juan_de_la_Dem]

33. He respectfully pointed out the truth.

[Gormy Cuss]

34. Holy Cow. Williams was great in that segment.

FAUXers don't know what to do with calm, focused dissent.

[northzax]

39. so let me get this straight

Montel Williams, the guy who dedicates an hour of his talk show every month to a psychic is complaining to Fox and Friends, another talk show, that they are not covering serious enough issues?

for the love of Heath.

[Feron]

56. There's a big difference between an entertainment talkshow..

and a supposed news network running tabloid stories ad nauseum. And it isn't just about Heath. It's Britney, Anna Nicole, missing person or the court case du jour, etc..

When you tune into Maury, Oprah, Montel, Jerry Springer, etc., you're not looking to be informed or to get the day's important news even if such a show features serious topics now and then.

Heath's death, while newsworthy, isn't worthy of the constant coverage he is given on the networks that supposedly deliver "hard" news. Keep that shit on channels like E! where it belongs.

And good on Montel for speaking up. Deceased soldiers should not be forgotten simply because they aren't famous. I know a soldier that died in Iraq and he has a young child that will not remember him. And there are a lot more children out there missing a parent because of the war.

It's sad when someone young dies and additionally leaves a young child behind, but the orgy around celebrities and their lives needs to stop. Let Heath's family and loved ones mourn in private for their loss.

[northzax]

60. um, it's Fox and Friends

why exactly, was Montel on the show? to dicuss his groundbreaking work finding a cure for cancer? oh, right, to promote his "entertainment talkshow..." on a morning show. It's Fox's answer to Today, or Good Morning America. some hard news, lots of fluff, because it's what people want at 9am.

[earth mom]

76. Um, it's Faux & Friends. AS IN TOTALLY FAKE. nt

[davekriss]

78. He was there to promote his new book

Which he didn't get to do because he was yanked for speaking truth to power. He gave up the $$$ to speak from his heart about matters that should press on all of our hearts. Amen to him and I wish him well.

[JeanGrey]

220. The orgy around celebrities WILL NEVER STOP.

It is what sells, this is America, after all. Sad but true.

[earth mom]

66. Montel has done some excellent shows. He is a HERO for speaking out. nt

[northzax]

67. that's all it takes to be a hero for you?

easily impressed, aren't we? you'd think the psychic he has on his show all the time would have warned him about this, wouldn't you?

[earth mom]

74. How many others are speaking out? Very few.

So yeah, that makes Montel a hero to me because he's not afraid of the powers that be.

Of course when anyone does speak out they are ridiculed up one side and down another like Rosie O'Donnell and Michael Moore were.


People like you get their jollies making fun of them and the people who support them like me...ya know just like they do over on Faux news and freeperville.

But you already knew that.

[Wednesdays]

90. Yeah! Defend FOX Noise!

Yeah...that's it...way to go!

Down with Montel. Praise to FOX!

:applause:

[northzax]

241. ok, I am going to type this very slowly

fox and friends is an infotainment show. It is no more a news show than access Hollywood or Montel. Why lecture then for not covering more news? It's NOT A NEWS SHOW! Unless you get your news from People or US Weekly, you can't call it a news show. They don't even pretend to be a news show, that's why they break every hour to tell you the news headlines. If you went on national television and went into a lecture about how badly another division of your employer was doing their job, how long would you be employed? Montel, as I understand it, had his own show, why not do an episode about how badly the media was doing? Then I would have much more sympathy.

[redqueen]

111. Yes I fucking well am.

And for good fucking reason.

Jesus.

[AgadorSparticus]

243. that's ALL it takes?? He put himself out there and risked his career to make a statement.

WOW!!! You gotta give the man his props...even if you think Sandra Brown is loopy.

[progdonkey]

145. exactly... Pot, meet Kettle.

Fox and Friends spends time that could be focused on the troops talking about the untimely death of a very well-respected and beloved actor.

Montel spends time that could be focused on the troops giving a platform to a vile woman who wallows in inflicting horrible emotional pain on people. Whether she does it because it's lucrative feeding on people's desperation or because she just wants to hurt people is irrelevant--Montel routinely gives this... thing... a national platform and defends her at every turn.

And he has the nerve to criticize Fox for airing non-consequential stories? Stories about Heath Ledger are just routine celebrity gossip (it's sick but not restricted in the slightest to Fox, unfortunately), whereas Montel aids a woman in victimizing people who've lost loved ones--or may have lost loved ones, as in the case of the parents of Shawn Hornbeck.

Just because what he said about Fox was true doesn't mean he's not guilty of it himself and worse.

[Leopolds Ghost]

194. "Stories about Heath Ledger are just routine celebrity gossip" = "I am inured to the evil around me"

"Three years ago, it was just another snake cult."

--Conan the Barbarian

[Javaman]

42. I guess faux news has their own version of the soviet article 58. nt

[Uncle Joe]

44. He had an excellent program on recently covering

the dysfunctional "prison nation" of approximately 2.2 million, we've created, I thought he was pushing the envelope then.

Good luck to you Montel, I wish you the best and Semper Fi.:patriot:

[Contrary1]

45. Montel will land on his feet...

Here in Indianapolis, he is on an NBC affiliate. I am not surprised that he is disgusted with the media circus performers. He served honorably as a naval intelligence office.

I was watching his program one October several years ago. His guests were breast cancer survivors. He became so emotional at hearing their stories, that they had to go to a commercial break. When they returned, he shared that he had been incorrectly diagnosed as having breast cancer while in the service, and underwent a mastectomy.

Since being diagnosed with MS, he has raised millions of dollars through the foundation he created.

I have a great deal of respect for the man.

[focusfan]

46. this is so wrong

what ever happend to the freedom of speech.if I was Montel I
would demand my job back and go to another network.

[me b zola]

141. What ever happened to the freedom of speech?

The "free market" has decided that we don't want it. Faux news and the networks will let you know when you have something to say. Until then, tune into American Idol and Dancing with the Stars.

[beezlebum]

222. what happened...

it still exists, contrary to popular belief- it has simply been reduced and quartered off into what we call "zones," and television and radio (and the intrenets are next!) are not included in said zones, as they are an extension of the president's "safe zone," where he is free to say what he wants and spread his message via "mass media" without coherent, plausible questioning.

the old zone:


the new zone:


thank you for you cooperation, now you will be arrested for your inquiry, please don't expect the application of habeas corpus, and have a fascist day.

[focusfan]

47. this is so wrong

what ever happend to the freedom of speech.if I was Montel I
would demand my job back and go to another network.

[aikoaiko]

48. the fox news thing was just one instance of anger and reliability problem with Montel.

I don't care one way or the other about him or his job.

[Zodiak]

52. I thought I put your ass on ignore.

Oh well, at least I get the pleasure of doing it twice.

[aikoaiko]

54. Since you screwed that up the first time, I bet you did it again.

Montel has been having some anger problems lately. You can like it or not.


http://savannahnow.com/node/407736

Montel Williams, the bully
Monday, December 3, 2007 at 12:30 am

Montel Williams was a decorated Navy officer, but he was no gentlemen when he threatened a 17-year-old high school student and Savannah Morning News intern.

TELEVISION PERSONALITY Montel Williams apologized Saturday, and rightly so, for threatening a 17-year-old high school student who had asked him a fair question Friday while she was covering an assignment as a Savannah Morning News intern.

Of course, if Mr. Williams was genuinely contrite about his shameful behavior, he wouldn't have issued an apology Saturday through a spokeswoman for his TV talk show. Instead, he would have apologized personally.

Or sent flowers and a card. That's what a real gentleman would have done.

[MetaTrope]

120. That's quite a pathetic story

Since it doesn't offer a clue regarding exactly what that "fair question" was, and thus leaves the reader with no context at all.

[aikoaiko]

129. Montel: "Don't look at me like that. Do you know who I am? I'm a big star, and I can look you up...

...find where you live and blow you up"

The reporters weren't even at the hotel to talk to Montel -- he came to them.

The question that "provoked" him at the earlier interview-- "Do you think pharmaceutical companies would be discouraged from research and development if their profits were restricted?"

http://savannahnow.com/node/407706

It is a pathetic story because montel is a pathetic participant in it.

I don't Montel is a bad guy, but he is no saint. He behavior at Fox news, while fun for us because it caused the a-holes at Fox problems, was just more angry unprofessional Montel.

[Leopolds Ghost]

197. Montel was "unprofessional" on F&F -- again let me guess you work in media.

[Leopolds Ghost]

196. Note how aikoaiko was immediately able to produce this information

Almost as if he had researched the info beforehand.

[Leopolds Ghost]

195. Aikoaiko feels that Montel has a "reliability problem". Let me guess you work in media.

This incident proves that in his estimation Montel is "unreliable". Telling.

The moles are out in force since Edwards is out of the race. The remaining political season will be stage-managed as the politics of the Democratic Party drift to the right, led by agent provocateurs and double agents within the organization. Don't forget the CIA head daid "we own every media figure of importance" and that means CIA tactics, just as it does in domestic counterinsurgency trolling.

[aikoaiko]

232. Maybe you need to loosen the tinfoil cap a little.

I'm not in the media (if it matters). I'm just someone who pays attention. Actually, there were a few threads in GD about Montel's unstable behavior when it happened.

You too could find this information if you use Google.

My point is that Montel is simply becoming unstable in his contacts with news media. Sometimes its fun to watch when it involves Fox, and sometimes its loathsome when its a high school intern. Maybe it has to do with his illness or treatment of it, or maybe it's just Montel.

But then again, maybe you think the way he acted in Savannah at his interview and later in the hotel lobby is professional. I wouldn't be surprised if you did.

[Contrary1]

49. Update: His show is going out of production at the end of this season.

Basically, Fox is dropping one year of repeats.

Talk show host ending his long-running talk show after this season; "best-of" package to run for a year on some affiliates

"One of the talk show circuit's warhorses is calling it a career.

Montel Williams, the host of The Montel Williams Show, is stepping down from his job after this season. The Montel Williams Show has been on the air for 17 years.

The announcement was made at the National Association of Television Program Executives convention being held in Las Vegas, according to TVWeek.com. It is unclear whether the decision was Williams' or if the station decided to pull the plug. It's likely a combination of both, as Williams has alluded to pursuing another career path in the past.

Even though Williams is hanging up the microphone after this season, he will still be seen on several affiliates. Stations that had planned on airing The Montel Williams Show next year will be able to do so in a "best-of" Montel Williams package--basically a year's worth of reruns of his best shows.

Williams won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show Host in 1996 for his work on The Montel Williams Show, and was nominated two other times (2001, 2002)."

http://www.tv.com/story/10782.html

[flashl]

51. Well wishes to Montel. nt

[Timmy5835]

53. I hate to pour water on your parade but.............

Montel was NOT fired because of his performance on FOX but because he had poor ratings. He lives or dies by his ratings. His ratings have been down so local stations were unwilling to re-up his show and he was cancelled. This is a process that does not happen overnight since contracts are signed by each local station that airs his show. This kinda thing happens all the time in TV.

[CGowen]

101. Then Fox should be off-the-air n/t

[MGKrebs]

117. Is this your opinion or do you have some data to back up the statement?

"His ratings are down"... Compared to what?

[woo me with science]

55. Sigh. Mention two things as though one has to do with the other

and everyone falls for it.

Bad, bad journalism.

[Yael]

57. This is just WRONG!! I saw that segment on YouTube and he ROCKED

He wasn't disrespectful -- just honest.

Damn.

I didn't even know he had a show anymore -- but this is just wrong, wrong, wrong.

[HamdenRice]

58. I think they are connected but you have cause and effect backwards

My impression is that Montel decided to kill his show due to poor ratings. Freed from having to kiss ass, he went on Fox and handed those idiots their asses.

In other words, his knowledge that his show was going off the air gave him the freedom to tell the truth, rather than his telling the truth caused his show to go off the air.

[davekriss]

73. Chomsky's Propoganda Model still holds true

This is an example of the slap-down quickly effected when the rules laid down by owning elites are not adhered to.

[AspenRose]

75. Once a Marine, always a Marine

Unlike those chickenhawks that run Faux Nuze.

"Support the Troops," indeed.....

WTG Montel! :patriot:

[moggie]

183. An exceptionally slow Marine, in this case

Why did it take until 2008 for him to find his voice?

[Catherine Vincent]

77. This should be on DU's front page.

That was awesome of Montel to stomp those Faux News zombies back to reality. I don't really care much for Montel, but he deserves to get his show back on the air, preferably from another network.

[Contrary1]

80. He is already on more than one network. His show is ceasing production.

I doubt that this was decided on his Faux network appearance, it has been talked about for months.

"After months of rumors, CBS Television Distribution confirmed Wednesday that The Montel Williams Show will go out of production at the end of this season..."

http://dtv.broadcastnewsroom.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=293975

[KitchenWitch]

82. Musn't ruffle the feathers of the overlords.

x(

[ecstatic]

83. They wanted him to smile and dance... I guess he's just too uppity

for Fox. :puke:

[marshall]

85. Is he still on the air?

I thought Montel had been cancelled long ago. Was his show on FNC?

[blondeatlast]

91. A little courage in a sea of vapidity. Thank you, Mr. Williams.

:patriot:

[alphafemale]

92. He started great. But when asked about the troops who had been killed he couldn't name ONE.

That was a bad moment. As even a quasi-journalist he should have been better prepared. He could have gone in there with a few facts instead of being left stammering.

[soleft]

99. I think his point was he couldn't name them because their names

had not been reported.

[alphafemale]

104. They're names are nearly always reported within a few days.

If not their name, the base they are from certainly is.

And if nothing else the manner of their death is known.

Montel had nothing.

He said people should be talking about soldiers who had given their lives instead of Hollywood celebrities. He really missed a golden opportunity.

[Warren Stupidity]

115. Somebody stands up, speaks the truth, gets fired

and somebody in the endless DU peanut gallery splains us why he was all wrong. Nice job.

[alphafemale]

121. I really doubt he was "fired" for that reason.

He more or less lost whatever relevance he may once have had.

His show was pretty damn boring. Did you watch it?

I certainly haven't seen anyone on DU mentioning Montel as a champion of Liberal causes to this point, have you?

And Keith O or Jon or Colbert certainly aren't in any danger of losing their jobs. Even though they rip at the Faux world view nightly.

Why? They pull in the ratings....Oh, and they can make a point and have their facts straight.

[Leopolds Ghost]

198. Another person strangely angered by Montel's "unprofessional and unexpected" behavior

Despite telling us that we should not care about what he thinks, they care deeply, because it is almost like your profession to convince us that Montel was an isolated instance of craziness, not to be emulated.

You guys reveal everything.

[JeanGrey]

217. I'll don my flamesuit and agree with you. I never watched his

show, it WAS boring, and everytime I put it on it was Sylvia Browne preying on people who'd lost loved ones by claiming to see them or know them and it was for me disturbing so I stopped altogether a long time ago.

I think Montel was right for trying to say we place too much on celebrity's and what they do, but he was ASKED on to comment about Ledger, therefore, to not have more info than he did about the dead soldiers made him look pretty stupid I've got to admit. It was a golden opportunity that could have gone a lot better.

I think they just canceled him because his show is over. I was amazed it lasted this long.

But then, we still have Maury and Springer, don't we? They will probably go on forever.............

[alphafemale]

149. They are constantly updated. Here

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/iraq_casualties_jan08.htm

Montel dropped the ball. Period.

[Leopolds Ghost]

200. If this is not why Montel was cancelled, why do you feel the need to stick the knife in?

Like many other activists on the blogosphere, you feel you have something to gain by convincing us that Montel was wrong. FUD.

[happydreams]

108. Oh for shit's sake!! You missed the forest for minutiae.

:eyes:

Maybe he was a little off knowing he was out of a job.

[redqueen]

112. Unbelievable...

he's supposed to remember names...

talk about not seeing the forest for the trees.

This country is lost...

[alphafemale]

127. Yes. If he brings up a point like that he should have been able to name some names.

Do you think a professional with a good show and great ratings like say, Jon Stewart would have been caught that off guard?

There's no way in hell I can imagine that happening.

Do you think Mike Malloy would have been unable to name a few names?

Montel is a decent guy, but his mouth wrote a check his ass couldn't cash...period.

And I still don't think this is why he lost his job. No way.

As far as his TV show goes he's been phoning it in for awhile. And it shows. The psychic in a muumuu EVERY Wednesday? Please.

He has that low-cost prescription bus tour going now. I think that's where his passion really lies these days.

[TheWatcher]

138. Superior Indifference.

Ladies And Gentleman, I give you Exhibit A.

[alphafemale]

142. Show me where Montel has been lauded on these fora prior to this.

Montel made a point and couldn't back it up.

He looked like an idiot.

He didn't help anything on our side by being so ill-prepared and he may have hurt.

Period.

[TheWatcher]

144. Ah, the tired old meme. We must not look bad to theother side.

You completely missed the point. he was expressing that the REASON he could not NAME them, was because he could find no RECORD of the REPORTING of their names.

He was conveying how all of it is being covered up, shielded from the public.

That we are not being allowed to know.

That the information is being KEPT from us.

You are WRONG here.

Wake up.

But then again, you won't. Because it's all about what makes the "football team" look good isn't it.

[alphafemale]

146. That's bullshit. There names are reported within a couple of days.

I see them in my paper every few days.

Here's one for ya

The latest identifications reported by the military:

• Army Staff Sgt. Robert J. Wilson, Boynton Beach, Fla.; died Saturday of wounds suffered from an explosive in Baghdad; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

To say that the information is hidden is absolute bullshit.

It is readily available.

[TheWatcher]

148. Really? it isn't. How many Americans do you know that readily read the newspaper?

Honestly. How many?

The Corporate controlled Media DOES NOT report the names.

You may not like to hear this, but most Americans get their information in 15 second sound bytes. The TV is their source of information. Outside of DU, it's a VERY different world.

And that is what Montel was trying to illustrate.

The Media is not interested in reporting the names of the soldiers who have died. They are not interested in telling the truth about what is really happening over there. And they purposefully suppress it.

They would rather show you pictures of Britney being taken to the hospital.

So as a matter of fact, it IS hidden. They do everything they can to bury it, distract you from it, and keep you from seeking it out.

As for your argument he wasn't silenced, again you are not paying attention. you may not care for Montel, and hey, neither do I, but it is no secret that an effort by those in power to silence those who speak out.

The fact you choose not to wake up to it, I hate to break it to you, does not make it ANY less real.

This isn't about Montel. And you know that. Or at least you should.

[alphafemale]

152. Nice way to change your story.

Hidden in plain sight now...huh?

Gotcha!

And Montel wasn't enough of a journalist (as a supposed professional) to make such accusation and not be able to back it up?

[TheWatcher]

155. Again, you miss the point.

See frogcycle's post below.

I am tired of wading through the muck that is your denial.

You know, you're right. Nothing exists, nothing's real, everything is just a conspiracy theory, and everything works and functions EXACTLY as you believe it does.

Everything is just fine.

Now let's make up and find out the latest Britney Gossip.

[alphafemale]

157. How is it that Keith O and Jon and Colbert are soaring then?

Hint.

They are professionals.

They have great ratings.

There is no conspiracy here.

[TheWatcher]

159. No, you are right.

It's OK he lost his job for speaking up. We shouldn't be concerned about such irrelevant precedents. It could never happen to anyone like Olberman and Stewart. We should all just move on and feel good.

Really, I get it.

Thank You for correcting me.

I don't know what I could have been thinking.

[alphafemale]

164. The show was already canceled. He'd quit. Fox had nothing to do with it. nt

[TheWatcher]

170. So what you are saying is the above headline and story are completely untrue

and un factual, and in fact, a lie.

Got it.

[Leopolds Ghost]

208. If he was on the way out, why do you care so deeply about his "lack of professionalism" here?

[Leopolds Ghost]

207. Again you reveal yor professional stake in the subject matter. You care deeply about professionalism

Of comedians and daytime talk-show hosts who you feel are PAID to
represent and sell to the "liberal niche" in your employer's markets.

Wake up and realize: either you are a paid shill or you are
defending your employer / favored media outlet out of brand loyalty.

[Leopolds Ghost]

204. Hes expected to say names are not being reported on TV by pointing to where they ARE being reported?

Again, nice twisted logic. Get those liberal Dems tied up in pretzels.

[alphafemale]

147. Here's an even better link. You still want to say that this info is hidden?

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/iraq_casualties_jan08.htm

Or maybe...just maybe was Montel a lazy journalist?

[TheWatcher]

150. And maybe you are purpsefully missing the point so you can feel good about being "right."

Go Team.

Perhaps Montel being silenced doesn't bother you. Fair Enough.

But as Alan Rickman said in Die Hard, "sooner or later I might get to someone you DO care about."

They Thought They Were Free indeed.

[frogcycle]

151. what arrogance

of course the names are out there and of course one could have memorized some. His point was not to illustrate how all-knowing he was, but to illustrate how indifferent the media is.

And don't give me this crap about lazy journalist. Look at the Zeitlangers website link below. I update it daily. I find names, and I find pictures, and I find newspaper stories. But if asked to come up with one name off the top of my head, I probably could not. I could tell you there was nineteen year-old kid that died in the hospital in Texas a couple of days ago, after being blown all to hell a few weeks ago. He was burned, had multiple amputations... and I can picture his face - but I cannot come up with his name. His story made the local paper, but fox didn't see fit to talk about in last Saturday morning - the actor was a much bigger "story" to them.

You are so far off base in trying to belittle William's comments, trying to paint him as somehow seeking attention and being lazy in the process, that it sickens me to realize you share the same planet as actual sensitive, feeling human beings.

[TheWatcher]

153. It isn't arrogance as much as it is Superior Indifference

And this person has the disease so many do.

They do not want to see what is really happening.

"And Then They Came For Me. And There Was No One Left To Speak For Me."

[alphafemale]

154. Is it really too much to ask...that going on to make such an accusation...

He couldn't have had a couple of names committed to memory?

A couple of stories?

Even having sought out permission ahead of time from some families to show some pictures?

I think that's what a professional would do.

Sorry if that offends you.

But, I expect better of people that are supposedly professional.

[TheWatcher]

156. So it doesn't bother you that he was silenced.

That he lost his job for speaking up.

Got it.

[alphafemale]

158. He did not lose his job because of this incident.

He had already quit.

[TheWatcher]

160. Hmmmm. So I guess the headline, and the entire story above

is a lie and completely full of shit then.

Source?

Oh never mind, there I go getting overly concerned again.

Is American Idol on?

[Leopolds Ghost]

211. If he had already quit, why do you care so deeply about this "outburst"?

[frogcycle]

162. you would not recognize the fucking point if it was stuck up your ass n/t

[alphafemale]

165. nice

[Leopolds Ghost]

210. You wanted him to have "a couple of stories" and "some pictures" to show on Fox & Friends?

I suppose you wanted to see a stage-managed piece entitled "Why am I not allowed to discuss this on Network TV? Why won't the sound booth editor allow me to interrupt a show on Heath Ledger to cover the REAL story of these pictures and interview footage I've assembled? Why won't my producer let me cover a serious piece like this on my show, instead of what sells? Why don't my audience realize that talk show hosts and anchormen don't control content?"

[Enthusiast]

233. alphafemale, you appear

Alphafemale, you seem to be overly passionate in your effort to vilify Montel. Curious. Are you are stealth Republican? There are a lot of stealth Republicans on DU.

Just sayin'...................

[alphafemale]

236. I'm not trying to vilify anyone. Just mentioning that he didn't do anyone any favors.

And as for my political affiliation, I am certain I am a Democrat.

I'm not so certain Montel is. From what I've seen of him, I'd guess moderate Republican or maybe Libertarian.

And Montel has never been mentioned on DU as a supporter of any Liberal causes before this. It seems there was a secret Montel Fan Club all the while.

[frogcycle]

161. here he is

this is what Williams was talking about. READ this frigging story, THINK about what this family has been going through, until finally deciding to remove life support. This is going on all across the country on a daily basis, and is fucking IGNORED. There are as many cases like this in hospitals and rehab facilities as there are fatalities, for cripes sakes.


Duncan Crookston in 2006 before leaving for basic training. (Photo courtesy Estevan Ruiz)

Denver GI dies after Iraq blast
By Manny Gonzales
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 01/28/2008 09:08:34 AM MST


A Denver West High School graduate — one of two men to survive a deadly roadside blast along one of Baghdad's deadliest roads — has died from complications that resulted from his injuries, the Department of Defense and the soldier's family said Sunday.

Pfc. Duncan Charles Crookston, 19, an airborne infantryman who enlisted after graduating from West High School in 2006, died Friday at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. He had been fighting for his life since an improvised bomb exploded near the humvee he was in Sept. 4. He was severely burned and underwent multiple amputations.

"He was very intelligent, very into science and was able to teach himself things about things, especially electronics," his mother, Leesha Crookston, an animal control officer with the city of Lakewood, said in a phone interview from San Antonio. "He ended up being placed as a radio-tech operator in his unit because he was so good with electronics.

Crookston was riding in the rear of a humvee carrying Sgt. Joel Murray, 26, the truck commander, Spc. David Lane, 20, the driver; Pvt. Randy Shelton, 22, the turret gunner and Pfc. Joseph Mixson, 22, when they were hit by a roadside bomb, according to Stars and Stripes newspaper. All of the men were with the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, based in Fort Riley, Kan.

Three of them — Murray, Lane and Shelton — were killed in the blast or died a short time later.

One of the men in his unit told the newspaper that Crookston was soft-spoken and well liked.

"He was always helping us with our computers cause he knew about everything digital," Staff Sgt. Welby Richardson, 31, from Gonzales, Texas, told the Stars and Stripes.

Crookston was badly burned over 50 percent of his body. Both of his legs were amputated, along with his right arm and left hand, his mother said.

He had slipped in and out of conciousness these past few months at BAMC, but recently developed an infection followed by a fever, his mother said.

His family decided to remove life-support, and he died the day before his 20th birthday.

"Everyone hoped for the best, but he was always just kind in and out and kept getting infections," said Estevan Ruiz, 20, of Denver, a longtime friend of Crookston.

"He was a really great guy, and he helped everyone out whenever they needed him," Ruiz said. "And he knew everything about anything — music, computer games, books. And if he didn't know it, he was sure to learn it because that was just the way he was."

Ruiz said Crookston started dating his wife, Meaghun, their last year in high school.

While serving in Iraq, Crookston had been in frequent touch with family in the Denver area. He was home on leave for a few weeks last summer, his mother said.

"It was kind of hard to tell (how he was adjusting) to being there," Leesha Crookston said. "He kept a lot to himself and didn't talk about a lot of stuff that went on there. If anything, he was more interested in what was going on here."

His unit was scheduled to return from Iraq in April, she said.

Crookston leaves behind a wife, his parents and five brothers.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Feb. 2, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 2710 S. Monaco Pkwy. His mother said that the last surviving member of the explosion, Mixson, who lost both lower legs in the blast, would try to attend the services.

[alphafemale]

163. So you as a blogger can come up with this...and Montel was flat-footed...?

Again...what are you not grasping?

[frogcycle]

166. O'Reilly Alert! O'Reilly Alert! O'Reilly Alert! O'Reilly Alert!

DUers! Bill O'Reilly is masquerading as alphafemale!

[alphafemale]

169. you really maybe should review the DU rules. nt

calling out? hello

[TheWatcher]

172. You really should try waking up and recognize what is happening in this country.

[alphafemale]

176. Actually things are getting a helluva lot better. I've been spit on and nearly run over by an SUV.

I've had things thrown at me from moving cars. This all when * was popular and it meant something to protest physically on the streets.

I've stepped in between a more friction loving friend and a cop at a protest. My friend was being really stupid and egging the cop on and the cop had his hand on his gun.

I was in the front lines when it was actually physically dangerous to protest *.

That is not the case now.

Bottom line.

Montel's was already due to be canceled.

And he really blew a great opportunity.

[Leopolds Ghost]

212. A great opportunity for what?

Heartwarming story about the cop and the SUV, not sure what it has to do with anything.

[TheWatcher]

167. The question is, what in the fuck are YOU not grasping.

Read the headline, read the story.

Now if you need to do it REALLY SLOWLY so you can understand it, don't worry, we'll wait.

.............................................................................................................

He. Was. Fired. For. Speaking. Up.

If. It. Happened. To. Him. It. Could. Happen. To ANYONE.

It already has.

But you seem to be just fine with it.

instead of seeing the threat, you will utilize your superior indifference and denial to find a way to justify it in your mind, so you can feel good, and comfortably ignore the dangerous precedent it sets.

Hey, whatever gets you through the day.

But you can be an Ostrich all you want.

It won't change the reality or the consequences of what happens above the ground.

Run along now. I'm done with you.

[alphafemale]

171. Prove to me that it wasn't already in the works that this was the last season.

Go ahead.

[TheWatcher]

173. Nah. You first. We have a headline, and a story above.

I'm sure you have a link or a source that completely refutes the headline and this story.

It's your show, show us what you have.

[alphafemale]

174. A web blog does not a headline make. nt

[TheWatcher]

185. And your assumtion is not fact.

It is merely your own speculation.

And it isn't the point.

Someone lost their job because they spoke out.

You believe what you want. Try any rationalization you wish.

Continue to feel good and believe nothing is wrong.

[Contrary1]

184. Cudos to Montel for telling it like it is; but...

it is likely that the cancellation was decided long before this. Montel's program was not just on the Faux Notworth. Here in Indianapolis, it was broadcast on an NBC affiliate.

See my post: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2803073&mesg_id=2804542

[Truth2Tell]

180. It wasn't his job to know the names.

FOX are the ones with the NEWS department, not Montel. It would've been nice if he had some, but that really was not the point nor does it mean he failed to "back up" his point. His point wasn't that HE had the names. It was that FOX never does.

[Leopolds Ghost]

209. As Jon Stewart said, it's not his JOB to be a journsalist and report the news FOR them

Nor to open himself up to the obvious retort "Of COURSE we allow the names of the dead to be reported. You're doing so NOW, old chum!!"

(and all laugh.)

[Leopolds Ghost]

202. The fact that Montel has not been lauded here before is a strike AGAINST your twisted logic

As you well know, if Montel were a favorite son of DU you would hold that against him in your current shill.

Nice PR work, bud.

[Leopolds Ghost]

201. "he's been phoning it in for a while. and it shows." Wait, so you actually WATCH daytime talk shows?

And you're lecturing US about seriousness?

Or are you paid to monitor them? You certainly seem to know a lot about
Montel's show for someone who's trying to pass off as a journalism/media
fairness critic. Transparent.

[Warren Stupidity]

114. That is ridiculous.

A typical irrelevant diversion attack.

[Leopolds Ghost]

199. Who paid you to repeat network talking points on DU?

Blogs should have a rule about using their site for commercial solicitation, in this case repetition of talking points, regardless of who paid you to sow FUD.

[Stuart G]

93. K and R. I wonder what kind of play this piece of news will get???

It won't be on Fox that is for sure.

[rosesaylavee]

95. Good! Now a REAL network can offer him a job.

:patriot:

Thank you for speaking up and saying the Truth, Mr. Williams.

[1776Forever]

100. Maybe BET??? I hope someone steps up - He deserves to be heard!

He has served the country in the military and through his TV programs for years. I love him for stepping up for people with MS which he has. I have said a prayer for him. I know good things will come his way. His karma will follow him thorough this journey and make him even stronger!!!:grouphug:

[Barb in Atl]

238. BET?????

I thought you respected Montel!

[1776Forever]

242. Black Entertainment Network - found a link on the BET site says Montel is going to Produce Movies...

http://www.bet.com/entertainment/News/entertainmentnewsshortcuts110107.htm

Posted Nov. 1, 2007 -- Talk show host Montel Williams is moving into movies, executive producing a series of feature films in partnership with production companies this spring.

"There have been so many remarkable scripts and ideas coming to myself, the talk show and our production company, and we felt it was an appropriate time to take action on them," Williams said. "Our team at Letnom has picked a meaningful and exciting slate of films and is collaborating with very established and well-respected producers, writers and directors."

The studio will focus on true-life stories and comedy. A few are in the late stages of development.
************

And I do respect Montel!

[Barb in Atl]

245. I shoulda' done the "sarcasm" thingy...

I got that you respect Montel - that's why I asked why would you want him with BET.

I gots no respect for BET.

:hi:

[poppysgal]

97. I was watching

I applaud Montel for having the courage for standing up to Flunk News.

[cottonseed]

102. Looks like they finally smoked him out.

He was too good for that network anyways.

[MasonJar]

103. I saw that segment on Youtube here on DU; I was very impressed that

Williams would not give an inch. How typical of Fox to fire him..true to form for Faux News. He should be much happier somewhere else.

[happydreams]

105. I never liked the guy...

but this changes my opinion.
Hooray for you Montel! K&R

[redqueen]

106. Well that's refreshing.

:)

[sandyj999]

116. Well isn't that crap! I heard it and all he did was say the truth.

I have found out that the media doesn't like that unless it's their version of the truth. I have had it with all of the cable news shows. I have a feeling he will do just fine.

[peacetalksforall]

118. The truth hurts and the truth can get you fired in the United States of Corporations and Barons..

[varelse]

119. Amazing

that's the first and last Montel Williams show I have ever seen.

It's like sunshine through a break in the clouds to see this - and hopefully it reached some of those still wandering lost in the M$M generated fog of doom.

[alfredo]

122. Tell the truth on Fox, lose your job.

[druidity33]

124. he ain't no Geraldo!

K&R for Montel... he's always been "supportive" of the troops.


:shrug:

[Nevernose]

125. He was calling for socialized medicine on his show

A few weeks ago -- and this is the guy who pimps for the drug companies -- he was calling for UHC. I've also heard him speak out (rant!) about racial profiling and the injustice that poor people receive within the criminal justice system. He's pretty left-wing.

Besides beer on Friday nights, my biggest guilty pleasure is watching Montel and Dr. Phil while I grade papers. I'm kind of afraid of getting my man license revoked :)

[kerstin]

181. Self delete

Sorry! I meant to reply to the original message (which I did below).

[Botany]

126. Wow!

If America could just see and hear the truth about Iraq we would
be out in a flash.

A vet stands tall.

[proud patriot]

128. Really ? That is outrageous !

I told a mother of a soldier who is currently deployed in Iraq
what Montel said and she cheered it ..

Fox is really sick.

[AnneD]

130. Any one that has been in the military...

and seen the way the vets are treated and the way we have 'sacrificed' for this war-walks around with a short fuse. Once a brother or sister in arms always a brother or sister. And when you've had it-you've had it, let the shit fly where it will. Good on ya brother.

[spanone]

131. god bless montel and fuck faux

[rhett o rick]

136. If you have had any doubts about how deep of schit we are in, this is a good example. nm

[caligirl]

139. class of 79 naval academy, he lived by the principles instilled there.

He went out with his head up and standing up for his fellow soldiers.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

140. eventually Fox overplays their hand

i have to admit, I thought they'd done it 1000 times by now. But eventually it will happen, and it will be ugly, and on that day I will drink so much tequila its not even funny.

I think its their "pride" that has me thinking this. All that's left is the fall.

[cboy4]

168. I don't think he should have been fired, but he was over

the top during that interview.

Are you telling me that we can't discuss pop culture because there are troops are in Iraq?

What if it were Barbara Streisand who had died? Or Oprah? Or Rosie?

Wouldn't be able to discuss them because of the troops?

Come on.

[Karenina]

190. As HamdenRice pointed out in his post #58

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2803073&mesg_id=2804214

Everyone seems to have the cause and effect backwards. Makes for entertaining reading. :rofl::eyes::rofl:
Montel already KNEW his show had been cancelled BEFORE his remarks. NOT fearing for his job freed him to speak up.
What could they do? Fire him? :rofl:

[The Backlash Cometh]

177. He'll get a better job because of this.

[stillrockin]

178. That is effed up.

[margotb822]

179. And the fascist movement takes another step to the right

This is sickening. What happenend to freedom of speech? Oh, yea, Bush and Co.

[kerstin]

182. Montel is a mensch.

His show is not on the same level as Maury, Springer, etc. Matters of justice seem to be particularly close to his heart. I know he's done several shows on the wrongly convicted and exonerated death row prisoners in particular. He also advocates on behalf of MS victims, from which he's suffered for several years.

I've been an admirer of Montel for some time now. Now even more so.

(And Dan Abrams framing of the story to make Montel look bad tells me all I need to know about Abrams.)

[Liberal In Texas]

186. Make no mistake, he didn't have his show

canceled because of what he said.

(I have not read every post here, but bear with me.)

His show was canceled for ratings. I know, KNOW, that is the case.

I am a former local FOX O&O employee and I know how they think and act. Montel was an old tired show that had run it's course. It is a coincidence that his being outspoken and the dropping of his show happened at the same time.

That's all it is...take off the tinfoil hats.

[subsuelo]

203. I suddenly have a ton of respect for Montel Williams (n/t)

[JeanGrey]

213. Good for Montel for speaking up! It is about time someone

did. However, I won't miss his show. Show after boring show about Sylvia Browne and her seeing people's loved ones is a bit much.

[NikolaC]

214. Why Am I Not Shocked By This?

He did an honest and brave thing, so no wonder he lost his job. Fox has a history of silencing dissent, no matter how long the employee has worked for them. Montel tried to highlight the truth and was fired for it. Fascist Fox strikes again.

[Orsino]

219. I'm sure the other MSM outlets support the troops, and will run with this story.

Not. Fox is hardly the only villain.

[Pale Blue Dot]

223. This ALMOST makes up for him giving Sylvia Browne a platform.

I'm not ready to canonize Montel over this one incident.

[shenmue]

224. Holy shit

Wow, hats off to Montel. Damn. :patriot:

[JanMichael]

225. One of our own DUers, Guy James, had that happen on AM radio.

The show was doing quite well and had a local and national and international listenership with tons of callers.

BUT the station simply refused payment for airtime and put some canned right-wing show in his place. No more lively callers no more debate just more corpo droning.

This happens all of the time. Montel's case though is a nice public version of it.

Oh and that 1996 Tele"Con" Act certainly should be held accountable as should the elected "representatives" and administration that wrote the bill and signed it into law.

[leftyladyfrommo]

230. Good for Montel. I always wondered why he stayed with Fox. n/t

[Cass]

231. Wow, Montel was awesome!

He made an excellent point and its disgraceful that he lost his job for speaking the truth and voicing his opinion. Faux News is all rah-rah-patriotism-flag wavers until it comes to reporting the ugly realities of this war.

I saw Dan Abrams knock Montel for this last night but Abrams really slanted his coverage to make Montel look bad. Pretty dishonest little trick Abrams pulled.

[Xenotime]

239. Anybody who stands up to the Faux Machine is good in my book.