I asked this a couple days ago, but in light of what we've seen it bears repeating: does McCaffrey's financial interests intersecting with his 'analysis' for NBC qualify as "war profiteering"?

If so, what legal sanctions might result?

@Cabdriver, I agree. Unfortunately, TV isn't up to the job of doing entertainment either, in my opinion, but that doesn't stop the rest of the country from eating it up. I don't have a TV, and get all my news online. But the mainstream news online can be just as vapid as mainstream news on TV. Wading down to the bottom of things, I'd say the really ultimate solution is to educate the population properly. We're not exactly doing a bangup job of that in the U.S.A., as everyone is aware.

@WillBFair, while you seem to have missed Glenn's point, the following statement you made is spot on, IMO:

The commercial media's number one task is creating selfish and ignorant consumers. They do it by promoting low culture on a planetary scale and excluding educated values from the public square. It works like a charm because Americans are too lazy to open a book, like the Universe white washed and sugar coated, and enjoy having their emotions played like a three dollar banjo.

Absolutely goddamn right. I don't think many people around here would disagree, either.

The disturbing tactics NBC has chosen here are probably the most disheartening aspect of the NYT's disclosures about McCaffrey. Taking a page from the crooked playbook of both Nixon and Rove, we have a supposed NEWS organization attacking its critics' patriotism, covering itself in faux "Americanism," dragging out irrelevant and stale honors of the culprit, avoiding the real issue, and utterly stonewalling any inquiry into the matter.

This is the exact behavior a nominally free press ought to deplore as a matter of principle, but obviously the network sees itself as an infallible, untouchable, and superior entity, just as far above reproach by the rabble as the political, military, and economic elites it "covers."

Honestly, Brian Williams might as well go on the air tonight and tell his audience to, as Dick Cheney might, "Go fuck yourselves."

They not only don't see anything wrong with what they are doing, and see the far greater crime in anyone having the temerity to criticize them for it, but just like a crooked politician or scofflaw CEO, consider having mendacious PR flacks spout ridiculous talking points a standard way of fooling and distracting the rubes watching until the whole thing blows over. And to top it off, they hold their audience in such contempt, or are so stupid themselves, that they don't even bother to have someone educated beyond eighth grade proofread the garbage they put out.

Tenant, indeed... And in a schoolmarmish lecture about journalism.

Tina Brown's pipe dreams aside, no one like Glenn would ever qualify for the "talent" they're seeking for "Meet the Press." They're holding out for Sarah Palin. Also.

~

Powerful questions lead thoughts in diverse directions.

I say:`Try and No chew a garden worm in a crisp apple.

... "sanctions might result?" Let's hope not. Why Knows?

Questions make people half-goofy. You may know this?

The wedding ring use be slipped on the third middle finger.

[no vulgar meaning] A middle finger was believed special nerve senses.

The nerve went directly to the heart? A notion:`Heart's communication.

So, thee left finger use to have a gold wed ring. A anatomist said a mid-finger tender sinew.

So, thee middle finger sends 'healthy' emotions, and non-verbal communications to a heart?

The human heart was believed to contain all the potential loves, and hold deepest affections.

The herbalist use to mingle the healing mendicants with herb-packs so to not poison a heart.

You differ?

O diversity.

Wild times.

there was a time when You looked into someone's eyes and knew they were telling the truth, now, what kind of an idiot would watch any of them big ones and take their word for it?

you shit your bed; you F#$&ing sleep in it.

now quit moaning.

No, no, no...

Legal sanctions are so looking-backwards-- and the stupendous magic of the Erection is all about looking forwards.

And embracing the Prodigal Sons... and gathering the stray rabid sheep into the heart of the flock.

Oh, ye of little faith! Dontcha see?

You've been reading him for nearly 3 years now and can't be unaware that he would be just as happy to savage an establishment Dem over this.

I'm sorry but I don't think so. We on the right notice such things as high level Clinton advisors (Stephanopolous) anchoring the ABC news. How about the proposal that Karl Rove do the same at CBS? Naturally the former is business as usual for Glenn, while the latter would produce apoplexy.

Moreover, I introduced the idea of screening affiliations with interviews a la CNBC on a previous post when Glenn became upset that a lobbyist guest was a lobbyist. It's easy, it's tested, it's self-regulating, and produces the transparency Glenn demands from McCaffery. So why doesn't Glenn advocate it for all news interviews?

I'd say for the same reason Nancy Pelosi protects the chair of the tax writing committee in Congress from repercussions of tax evasion. It's embarrassing.

What will my savings be worth in five years, shooter242, after this "bipartisan" reign of idiots?

Well actually, if you're in cash you're sitting pretty. If you want to know where we'll be in five years, join the crowd. But you'll be much better off learning how to invest on your own. One can make money in any sort of environment. Relying on politicians for your future is not a good plan.

What about the turkey shoot? The bombing after the Saudi excursion?

The lie about babies tossed from hospital incubators. Lies. The 'tricks'...

The go-ahead green light from the Miss G.? Then the family reservist,

and all the military vehicles were pounded with aerial jets? McCaffrey?

Remember a CNN reporter? He wore a tie (?) and covered the carnage?

I can't remember his name. He said it was the reason he became drunk.

He amounted to a total wreck. He lived, post a Gulf One, in DC gutters.

He was traumatized from eye-witnessing the bloody road back to Iraq.

Remember. The Iraqi reservist were just wish extra cash to feed family.

The tons of bombs on a clogged road? Human's returning home? Who?

Wasn't General McCaffrey star-military?

A former war journalist? Is he alive/dead?

I recall a powerful Washington Post piece.

The former civilized reporter: Hits bottom.

Colleagues who spoke to him said: No war.

He self-medicated himself until near death.