NBC White House 'Reporter' Chuck Todd: Torture Investigation Little More Than Cable 'News Catnip'

[babsbunny]

http://www.bradblog.com/?p=7306

By Brad Friedman on 7/16/2009 1:54PM

Earlier this week I wrote about the ABC "News" chuckleheads, and their laff riot over the floated idea of a torture probe, "on the verge of" being announced by AG Eric Holder. They laughed and pooh-poohed the high-larious suggestion on last Sunday's Stephanopoulous.

And now MSNBC offers another egregious example of corporate media failure --- in this case, again, "inside the beltway" corporate media failure --- in their "coverage" of such a possible investigation/prosecution. Glenn Greenwald is, as usual, a must read here beginning this way on Wednesday.

[Faygo Kid]

1. I despise Todd. He's a smug worm.

So obviously in love with himself, and so obviously devoid of human sympathy, that he is worthless.

Met him once. He's the same in person: If you can't advance Chuck Todd, you are not worth dealing with.

[TahitiNut]

2. If the "news media" weren't self-serving, it wouldn't be serving at all.

:shrug:

[vixengrl]

3. Catnip? The problem is these are "cats" with no news instinct--

"Catnip" would mean "empty coverage".

Would that be in a way that covering Monica Lewinski or the Sanford affair or the disappearance of Chandra Levy were not "catnip"?

In light of the passing of Walter Cronkit, who actually maintained a reporter's instincts even behind the anchor's desk, actually discussing the Tet Offensive or Watergate in good faith with the American people in front of that camera so many of these talking heads now jostle for, it might not be a bad time to revisit what journalism should be about--actual, get this, stories that matter.

It should actually matter that a White House Administration authorized illegal activities. It's what we might call an abuse of power. The transcript linked to indicates that the pursuit of an inquiry into that abuse of power would be a distraction because it would reach back to the previous WHite House.

Huh?

It's not a distraction, because it is a legitimate pursuit into illegal abuse of power (it's just a shame :eyes: these nasty inquiries about abuse of power are so often delivered to the feet of people in power isn't it?)and because the Bush Administration really were the guys who carried it out. An in, yes, it is fingerpointing--but the fingers are pointed at the right people!

The current mainstream media establishment can call it "catnip" because of the coverage it would suck up, taking away valuable oxygen from Pat Buchanan's next racist screed, or some GOP congressman's next adventure with his pants down, or the airing out of health care lobbyist-drafted talking points, but the real problem is--they actually have to work on a real story and run the risk of making people unhappy. In other words, they are lazy and have no balls.

[Jake Stillow]

4. How do I contact Chuck Todd?

Can' find his email.

[Botany]

5. This help?

[e-mail]

[Jake Stillow]

12. thanks

to both.

[GentryDixon]

6. Here it is:

[e-mail]

I emailed him and he responded from this address.

[peekaloo]

7. Chuck Todd: only more "News" Litter Box reporter.

[elehhhhna]

8. Torture Investigation = 'Cable 'News Catnip' ??? GREAT!!!

Catnip is a very powerful attractant. Cats will search it out and keep comng back to it. Don'tcha wish medical rights reform was so catnip-like?

[ThomWV]

9. I just sent the following E-Mail to MSNBC

Every time Chuck Todd comes on the screen I change the channel.

Then I gave my name and city, state.

If you don't care for him, let them know.

[e-mail]

[dgibby]

10. I did the same thing with Pat "Grand Wizard" Buchanan.

Told them the Klan called, looking for him. I also told them it was time to send him home to them, but to at least keep him off of Keith's, Rachael's, and Big Ed's shows, since they're the only thing worth watching on MSNBC now.

[bobthedrummer]

11. "Bush's key men face grilling on torture and death squads" by Paul Harris (7-19-09 Guardian)

"...Several investigations will now cast a spotlight on Bush-era torture policy and a secret assassination programme, examining the role played by big names such as the former vice-president Dick Cheney and the former defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jul/19/george-bush-dick-cheney-torture

Even though our MSM is still captive there are other sources...

[spanone]

13. yea chuck, that pesky constitution is just cable catnip you dumbfuck

[DCKit]

14. A complete tool, along with David Gregory (who got a plum assignment...

for the same exact level of whoring, which is probably pissing Todd off greatly).

Just imagine what it's like for actual journalists - Helen Thomas comes to mind - who aren't as well paid, don't get the same exposure, yet are lumped in with the propagandists, stenographers and talking heads (not to mention actual prostitutes) as their journalistic peers. It's slanderous. At least we can turn off the TV or change the channel.

[inna]

15. exactly. agree with what you said on Gregory, too. nt

[Senator]

16. K&+R

[Wednesdays]

17. K&R

:kick:

[Jennicut]

18. The mainstream "pundits" are a complete waste of space on my tv

And to think a beloved, intelligent man just passed away who devoted his life to accurately covering the news. There are very little like Cronkite left. Maybe Keith O. Very few that care.

[WI_DEM]

19. Chuck Todd will never be mistaken for Walter Cronkite.