KRON executive producer responds to my e-mail about Cindy bashing

[senseandsensibility]

I sent a blistering e-mail to KRON (San Francisco) about their biased report on the vigil in Vacaville, Cindy's hometown. My e-mail and the response are below. Please read the producer's response, especially his comments about Cindy's divorce and estrangement from her family. Are these comments true?

XXXXX

Thank you for your email. I apologize if this story, or the reporter offended you.



The divorce is of relevance because it was filed very recently, and is apparently a direct result of her protest and campaign since the death of her son. She hasn't spoken with her family members since the protest started, ending a 28 year relationship.



Regards,



Chris Archer

Executive Producer

KRON 4 News at 9pm




-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2005 9:23 PM
To: 4listens
Subject: Your coverage of Cindy Sheehan was biased against her



I did not appreciate the sneering, negative attitude your "reporter" used against a grieving mother who lost her child in Iraq. He had nothing but snide, subjective comments about Cindy and encouraging, polite words for those that were protesting her. It really could not have been more blatant.



Two things were particularly galling. He made reference to her divorce to discredit her. How low can a so-called reporter go? Not only is such a comment and inference irrelevant, it is extremely insensitive. Cindy has lost her son, and now her marriage. It is common for marriages to break up during times of extreme stress. It is not her fault, and has nothing to do with the issue at hand. Second, the reporter sneered at Cindy's divorce, and then turned to s "good" mother and made it clear that he approved of her because she was was not criticizing the "president."



Hey, KRON! This may fly in Alabama, but this is the Bay Area. We're not buying it. We're educated, we know what the Downing Street Memo is, we know the "president" lied to us, and we're not going to support this "reporting."

A Disgusted Viewer,

XXXXXXXX

[Lars39]

1. Good letter.

By dwelling on her divorce, the media can totally gloss over the fact that her son died because of the Bush administration.

[senseandsensibility]

6. Thanks!

I particularly question his use of calling the divorce an "apparent" result of her political activities. If they don't know, why report it? Also, the part about not speaking with her family members and ending a twenty eight year relationship doesn't sound right.

[Lars39]

15. The divorce was just *recorded* recently.

Seems like I remember that they actually filed a month or so ago.

[bluestateguy]

2. KRON used to be a liberal leaning station

but that was 20 years ago when I was a kid.

[ET Awful]

3. Hasn't spoken with her family members?

How on Earth did she know of her mothers stroke if she didn't speak to family members?

Her husband and she were already separated for quite some time prior to the filing of the divorce.

Mr. Archer doesn't know his asshole from a hole in the ground.

[Mr Rabble]

4. There is no way

that anyone can be that stupid. Her divorce is nobody's business but hers and her family.

However, the MSM will use it to distract us from everything else. Red herring.

They must have run out of Aruba "experts".

[Rebellious Republican]

5. Not true, they were separated in june, not as a result of Crawford!

There have been many postings about the divorce, I do not have the capabilities to do a search for previous posts. Since I have not donated recently to DU, maybe one of our gold star donors can do a search and post more in depth explanations.

[oldtime dfl_er]

7. Her SISTER isn't a family member?

I hope you write the jerk back.

[ThoughtCriminal]

8. Several fibs in their response

"She hasn't spoken with her family members since the protest"

Known to be untrue.

"The divorce is of relevance because it was filed very recently, and is apparently a direct result of her protest and campaign since the death of her son."

Also untrue.

This station has demonstrated a complete inability to handle even the most simple basics of news reporting. Checking facts.

[Diamonique]

10. Even If It Is..

If the divorce is a result of Cindy's activities over the past year or so (we don't know and it's not our business), it still doesn't negate the truth of what she is saying or the questions she is asking.

Cindy's divorce, family issues, etc. have nothing whatsoever to do with the facts that Cindy is speaking out about.

Bush lied. His lies have caused thousands to be killed and maimed. Everybody at Camp Casey could get divorce papers in the mail tomorrow and it wouldn't change those facts!

I hate these nasty rightwingers.

[achtung_circus]

9. Bullshit.

The divorce flows out of the loss of a son, a not uncommon outcome. Cindy has stated that her husband agrees with her philosophically, but her way is not his way.

The "family" with which she has not spoken is her husband's side, youy know, the ones who declined to sign a letter alleging yet more bullshit.

Cindy's sister was in Crawford with her.

Weasel words on the part of Mr. Archer.

[senseandsensibility]

11. I missed the story about the family

members refusing to sign a letter. Could you explain. I would like to have my facts straight before I respond to Mr. Archer. Thanks.:)

[achtung_circus]

12. I don't have a link, but I'll go find one.

Basically, memebrs of Cindy's "family" slagged her and her actions. They, however, didn't feel it worth their while to actually identify themselves.

Back in a bit.

On edit:

<http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1696221>

for a start.

[senseandsensibility]

18. Great link

It leads back to an Oakland Tribune article, which may carry weight because it's local. It explains that these relatives are in laws who have never agreed with her politically. Thank you, achtung! Now I'm going to try to find out about Cindy's surviving children. I've read references to them here on DU, but nothing definite. If there is evidence that they support Cindy, I'd like to find it. To me, it seems that the producer is implying that her children are not supporting her, not her in-laws. Neveretheless, you have to ask yourself: what difference does it make? Isn't Cindy qualified to speak for herself?

[bobbieinok]

47. isn't there a poem by her daughter ?Carly?

http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0616-07.htm




Carly's Poem
A Nation Rocked to Sleep

by Carly Sheehan

Army Spc. Casey Sheehan was killed in Bagdad on April 4th 2004. His younger sister Carly wrote this poem about her brothers death. Carly's poem has been posted at the Veterans for Peace memorial in Santa Barbara, California and is making quite an impact on those who have read it.

Have you ever heard the sound of a mother screaming for her son?
The torrential rains of a mother's weeping will never be done
They call him a hero, you should be glad that he's one, but
Have you ever heard the sound of a mother screaming for her son?

Have you ever heard the sound of a father holding back his cries?
He must be brave because his boy died for another man's lies
The only grief he allows himself are long, deep sighs
Have you ever heard the sound of a father holding back his cries?

Have you ever heard the sound of taps played at your brother's grave?
They say that he died so that the flag will continue to wave
But I believe he died because they had oil to save
Have you ever heard the sound of taps played at your brother's grave?

Have you ever heard the sound of a nation being rocked to sleep?
The leaders want to keep you numb so the pain won't be so deep
But if we the people let them continue another mother will weep
Have you ever heard the sound of a nation being rocked to sleep?

###

[flordehinojos]

13. if the divoce was filed as a result of her protest ... it speaks volumes

about a husband and a husband's family who cannot allow cindy sheehan to own her own thinking and emotional process--especially a process that involves a reaction to the murdering of her son by an illicit president..... in an illegal war.

Cindy Sheehan is the flower in the family the others ... well, they are a sort of enmeshed mashed potatoe. they are punishing her because she dared to be different... they have the same tactics that the bushes have "either you are with us ... or you will feel our wrath"!

PLUS .... the newspaper seems to also want to punish her for having her own mind, owning her own thoughts, and being the captain of her own emotions....

another enmeshed bastard who will not allow her the freedom to be herself!

[senseandsensibility]

14. You've captured the situation very well

Frankly, i'm surprised that any educated or logical person wouldn't be able to figure out for themselves that the divorce is irrelevant. This story ran on my local news station on the night of the vigils.

[johnaries]

28. Patrick helped her form Gold Star Families. Sounds like he supports

her message to me.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_Star_Families_for_Peace

[senseandsensibility]

32. Thanks for that

Isn't it great to be able to counteract innuendo and distraction with facts?

[johnaries]

40. Yes, it is. Although RW's prefer empty rhetoric to reason or facts. n/t

[SemperEadem]

16. what can you expect from Young Broadcasting Corp?

leading the pack to turn journalism yellow.

[damntexdem]

17. It's a lie, or the producer doesn't know the 'facts' he spouts.

In fact, the divorce papers were filed before the protest -- it all only came out publicly afterwards.

[DesEtoiles]

19. call the station: [phone]

[senseandsensibility]

22. Thanks for the number!

Sometimes calls are more effective, but I was pleased that he responded to my e-mail, at least. Now the substance of his response is another matter.

[caligirl]

38. See my notes posted below onm my phone msg to his voicemail,

I simply called the number and asked to leave Archer a msg. Easy Peazy.

[Dynasty_At_Passes]

20. Everyone needs to write in and correct this station...

And work to get this offensive man who was reporting the story removed. He does not serve any business here if he doesn't check his facts or get any of the story right. I'd write to them about how offensive it was and work on getting the reporter replaced.

[senseandsensibility]

21. Did you read my e-mail above?

Others are welcome to write as well. I want them to think twice before they do their next report on Cindy.

[tx_dem41]

23. You kind of lose a little moral high ground, when you bash the DUers..

in the state of Alabama due to their lack of education. :eyes:

[senseandsensibility]

29. You're right

This e-mail was written in anger, and that's usually not a good idea, unless you're a lot more "together" than I am. :)

[quaoar]

24. Alabama

"Hey, KRON! This may fly in Alabama, but this is the Bay Area."

I call assure you that if I were to see a negative, sneering report on Cindy Sheehan on a local Birmingham-area TV station, I would fire off an e-mail just as scathing as the one you sent.

Shit stinks in Alabama just as much as it stinks in the Bay Area.

[senseandsensibility]

30. You're right to point that out

I was very angry, but that's not an excuse. Sorry ! There are many great people there, but I wasn't thinking clearly. Slowly taking foot out of mouth.:blush:

[gulfbreeze]

25. I think Cassey was Cindy's only child

You really should read Frank Rich's piece in the NYT today. He hits the nail on the head. Also, the statistics regarding divorce among bereaved parents is unbelievable. I didn't know that until I lost a child. My husband and I had been married for 25 years and were extremely happy together. We ended up in counseling and learned what was happening to us and were able to come back together. Ithink the divorce rate is somewhere around 87%.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/21/opinion/21rich.html

[Catrina]

26. Actually I think she has several

children, I'm not sure, but I thought I read that she had four.

What difference does it make what her family or her husband's family thinks? Is she not entitled to her own opinion as to how, as the mother of a dead child, she ought to react to the news that the president who sent him to his death, lied to her and to the country?

It's a good thing to call these people on their yellow journalism quickly before it becomes 'news', as it has for so long in this country. Good for you for writing to him.

Did he have anything to say about the lies told to get this war started? That is the issue, is it not? What is the noble cause for which soldiers in Iraq, as well as untold numbers of Iraqi citizens continue to die? Did he answer that question anywhere in his diatribe? If not, he should stfu and stay out of the debate.

[oda]

27. if i wrote that "reporters" article

and didn't back up my facts I would have gotten an F in freshmen composition class, how can "reporters" get away with this horseshit?

[NightOwwl]

35. Ain't that the truth...

Welcome to DU oda:hi:

[salin]

31. hey producer...

perhaps there is a story in the divorce and the estrangement - not in snideness - but in terms of how many marriages disintegrate in face of the stress that accompanies the death of a child. Perhaps in the sense of how deeply the emotions must run on this issue - to lead to such an estrangement. Think about that for a moment, rather than a snide comment - really think about what level of torment and pain must be present to create such a rift. Perhaps that is a human interest story worth pursuing.

Oh, unless just being derogatory and superficial (and perhaps one-sided) is the point of TV news?

[DCal]

33. The part about ending a 28 year relationship is unfair

KRON: "She hasn't spoken with her family members since the protest started, ending a 28 year relationship"

Posters have indicated that she actually has spoken to family members. But, even if she hadn't spoken to them in a few weeks -- or if they hadn't spoken to her -- how can that be characterized as ENDING a 28 year relationship? That is simply ridiculous.

[senseandsensibility]

34. Ah, yes

But you are using logic. Is logic part of "journalism" these days?:) Good point.

[caligirl]

36. I got Archers voicemail and left a detailed response to the inaccuracies

in the story. Pointing out that after reading his response( ie your letter is posted you jackass) I wanted to address the lack of involvement in Casey's life by the in-laws. That it was inappropriate for the sister in law to choose this time to go against bereaved parents but that thanks to Bush's politics this is happening in families across America. I asked him if he was aware of the high divorce rates among grieving parents, that it is very high and he might want to look at a story on that. I told him Cindy's husband has said he supports what she is doing, but that they have grieved differently and that they separated in June and the divorce was "RECORDED" recently and filed many weeks ago. It had nothing to do with Crawford. finally I said it was amazing how low KRON was sinking since looseing their network affiliation in a dispute over money years ago. Station owner got greedy and the network went elswhere.
Channel 11 I think.

[senseandsensibility]

37. Thanks caligirl

Now they can't say they don't know the facts. They mystery is why they went on the air in the first place without knowing the facts.

[caligirl]

39. Could it be the 'reporter' is from the GOP/USA school?

Not long ago I went looking through their postings of tv stations looking for reporters and found channel 2 was posting there for one. Wonder if the site is still up?


Anyone know the reporters name?

[caligirl]

41. Archer and Sparrer is there another connection to Texas?

Christopher Curtis Sparrer, '98, This is the producer at KRON 4 he answers to Chris Archer.
CSparrer looks to be a graduate of UT Plan II program. The KRON team went to Texas to cover another story.A UT award ceremony.

Sparrer is a grad of this school, admission requires you be in the top 5% of your class and SAT well above 1400(old SAT exam).
What Educators and the Media Say About Plan II

A Renaissance Education Designed for the 21st Century...

“Founded in 1935, Plan II is the jewel of UT ’s undergraduate education, attracting students comparable in ability to those found at the nation’s elite private institutions.” The Plan II Honors Program's goal is to prepare students to be ideal citizens by setting their minds on lifelong learning. Dean Parlin, who founded the program, believed that students should study broadly, without narrowing themselves to the requirements of a specialized major. The contemporary Plan II core curriculum perpetuates this ideal, but its flexibility makes it possible for students to complete additional majors, even multiple degrees.

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:qQHRJSpWB3QJ:www.utexas.edu/cola/plan2/alumni/goto/alumni/highlights/+Chris+Archer+kron+evening+news&hl=en&client=firefox


Another alumni of UT plan II and an alumni member has also lost a son to Bush's war.
Special Memorial Announcement

"Brian T. Hart, a 1982 Plan II alumni, wishes it known that his son, PFC. John D. Hart, was killed in action by small arms and RPG fire in Taza, Iraq near Kirkuk on 18 October. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on Nov. 4, 2003. John Hart received the Bronze Star for his actions as well as the Purple Heart. He was with the 1-508th Infantry Regiment of the 173rd Airborne Brigade.

A Bedford High School memorial award has been set up in his name called the John D. Hart Memorial Award and contributions can be made in that name and sent care of the Sovereign Bank, 94 Great Rd., Bedford, MA 01730."

[caligirl]

42. KRON 4 Producer and UT grad Cris Sparrer , under Chris Archer writes

Christopher Curtis Sparrer, Class of 1998, writes:

SAN FRANCISCO—Wow. I’m now producing the 9PM news in the country’s 6th largest media market. After working the graveyard shift in Houston, and doing nearly every shift in Toledo, Ohio, I’m now a prime time producer with an Emmy nomination.

AND... I won an Emmy!
I produce the 9PM show in San Francisco and as of Saturday, the local board of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences awarded me and my team an Emmy for: “Outstanding Achievement: Evening Newscast – Large Market.” See: http://emmysf.tv/em31/em31.html

I’ve also been writing steadily for gay.com and am about to embark upon restaurant reviews. Two book projects are also gaining steam; the only obstacle to their completion is my soaring, if not bizarre social life.

My only complaint is that I’m not a celebrity. The aforementioned social life would be great content for the tabloids.

If you’d like the details, and are willing to sign various non-disclosure forms, I welcome emails. You can reach me [e-mail].

April, 2005

[caligirl]

43. Lynne Cheney wrote this about UT Plan II

50 Hours: A core Curriculum for College Students

by Lynne V. Cheney, Chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities, 1989

The University of Texas at Austin's "Plan II," begun in 1936, is perhaps the most famous of these programs. It presents the some 150 students enrolled in it each year with a demanding schedule--and many opportunities. They undertake work required of all undergraduates in special, usually smaller classes taught by some of the university's distinguished faculty. In tutorials, they complete extra course work that particularly stresses the humanities and social sciences.

http://www.utexas.edu/cola/plan2/general_info/media_reports/

[caligirl]

44. KRON Producer Sparrer goes by Curtis in Houston, he was a local boy.

THE OUT OF TOWNERS. Former local boy Curtis Sparrer, who moved to San Francisco earlier this year to take a producer post at KRON, e-mailed to report that he received a Emmy in May for outstanding news coverage. When he lived here, Sparrer was a producer at KHOU and National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association-Houston president.

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:DNYZT6CZA-4J:outsmartmagazine.com/cms-this_issue/200508--Notes%2Bfrom%2BAll%2BOver.html+Curtis+Sparrer+University+of+Texas&hl=en&client=firefox



Just lert me take a moment to tell you where I am going withn this. Sparrer is a texas local who is reponsible for the evening nnews which included the Sheehan hatchet job. I am looking for motive in this. Why is Archer covering for the guy. the story is obviously full of falsehoods and Archer stood up for him. His private life is not the subject here.

[zulchzulu]

45. Another LAZY News exec who would rather suck Murdoch's member

You can bet the dork has Fox New on in his office...if only to fantasize about the News Chicks,,,

KRON lost all credibility when I lived there...the news shows were unwatchable unless you were on crack.

It's no surprise KRON would use a Repug talking point as well as sneer at Vacaville from "the most beautiful city on Earth".

Friggin' yawnsville.

[hayu_lol]

46. This is nothing more than...

Swiftboat talking points...started at Faux.

Casey Sheehan is Cindy's oldest child. As she explained it at Camp Casey, she and her husband planned for the divorce some time back...so it is nothing new. Both Cindy and her husband were surprised that the divorce became 'newsworthy.'

Swiftboating...something we need to scuttle and sink.

[caligirl]

48. I sent another email addressed to Archer and the other producer

from Texas just wondering if his Texas roots played a role in a factually empty story.

Kron isn't worth weatching, but its been that way for years now. still I'm not letting this slide.