NBC answers WP's sniveling critic Howard Kurtz on climate change "debate"

[DeepModem Mom]

7/9/07: WP "media critic" Howard Kurtz
NBC's New Climate

NBC and its cable networks devoted a total of 35 hours of air time Saturday to the Live Earth concerts, organized by Al Gore to call attention to what he calls a global warming "crisis."

The worldwide series of concerts, featuring 150 artists from Madonna to Red Hot Chili Peppers, was also designed to raise money for the Alliance for Climate Protection, a nonprofit group chaired by the former vice president. Commercials aired at a reduced rate.

Doesn't this strike a discordant note? Wasn't NBC, whose news division covers the debate over climate change, providing a huge platform for advocates on one side of a contentious issue? And isn't the network helping a prominent Democrat -- who granted "Today" an interview last week in which he was asked again about his presidential ambitions -- raise money?

Dan Harrison, an NBC senior vice president, does not back away from the message. He calls the Gore effort "an initiative we believe in," including parent company General Electric. "I really don't think climate change is a political issue," Harrison says.

Really?

"Everyone agrees it's happening. If it's a political issue, it's whether the political will exists to address that change. We know we need to do something, and this is a way to heighten awareness."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/08/AR2007070801213_2.html (Scroll down.)

[aquart]

1. Go, NBC!

And I never thought I'd say that.

[underpants]

2. Really?

Yeah really Kurtz you useless douchebag

[Captain Hilts]

3. Why 'douchebag'? nt

[tularetom]

6. Well, ya know what Imus called him?

A "boner nosed, beanie wearing jewboy".

"douchebag" seems kinda tame by comparison.

[Marnieworld]

20. And yet he prospered after that comment

Why the hell did it take so long to silence him? Oh wait it's because there are still too many assholes who would find this funny. I'm curious. How long ago did he call Kurtz this? How any Jewish person or person of conscience for that matter talked to him again is beyond me.

[tularetom]

21. Dunno when he said it but

I read about it during the nappy headed ho's flap. Got the impression it was fairly recent. What amazed me is that kurtz more or less laughed it off which demonstrated to me that he is something less than a vertebrate.

[tularetom]

4. There really IS only one side to this argument "Mistah" Kurtz

kurtz has once again demonstrated how far he and the WP in general are detached from reality. There is no longer any debate on global warming.

[terisan]

5. Howard Kurtz still married to Sheri Annis, Republican consultant? Doesn't want to bite the hand

that feeds them. WP should require full disclosure on family income sources.

[DeepModem Mom]

7. I haven't read any reports otherwise. nt

[Captain Hilts]

8. She was an RNC fundraiser and worked in the Bush 2000 transition team.

I wrote "Little Debbie" about that. She's the omsbudsman for the WP.

She didn't think it was important.

[terisan]

10. Incredible.The WP ombudsman doesn't understand full disclosure. nt

[Captain Hilts]

11. She said because it was a couple of years ago, it doesn't matter. nt

[Big Blue Marble]

9. What a snot. n/t

[SidDithers]

12. What do the repugs want? A return to the Fairness Doctrine?...nt

:rofl:

Sid

[JNelson6563]

13. Kurtz makes me sick, truly

I never refer to him as anything but Howie the Whore. I apologize for the slight to prostitutes.

Julie

[spanone]

14. Howie the Twit.....spot the looney

[northzax]

15. sorry, but the man does have a point

one that should be asked ANYTIME a news station (which MSNBC certainly is) basically donates times to a political figure or to raise money for a cause.

before everyone jumps on me (which I know will happen) imagine the rage from here is FoxNews donated 35 hours of programming to a 'support the troops' concert with Toby Keith, Charlie Daniels, et al, hosted by, say, Fred Thompson. hm? would anyone think that was OK? seriously? Bravo was one thing, NBC another, but it shouldn't have been on MSNBC, sorry.

flame on, I am wearing my kevlar underwear.

[spanone]

16. i'm sure it had more to do with tax breaks from donating time than politics

[northzax]

18. oh probably

and as a marketing association vehicle (GE is trying to portray themselves as 'green' these days). I just don't think it belongs on the news channel, that's all. if the shoe was on the other foot, I wouldn't like it (which is usually my test for fairness in most things)

[Marnieworld]

19. I think that we'd make fun of it

But I doubt there would be "rage". Supporting the troops is about as apolitical as saving the environment is if you take both issues at face value for their intent. I wouldn't want to watch a Country concert even if Gore hosted it cause it's not my cup of tea but it wouldn't bother me at all anymore than Live 8 did or FarmAid. If they took the time during the concert to call all dissenters traitors and insult us and lie (you know, Fox News with Music)that would piss us off of course. Though there was an occasional independent political thought (RFK, Etheridge) for the most part, if any artist mentioned the climate crisis it was emphasizing what we can do to change not who's fault it all is. I think striving for a healthy planet is as politically neutral as a healthy body would be.

Luckily there is not a chance in hell that a concert like that would happen though. Not enough performers, or audience to fill one concert let alone 9, and I doubt Fred Thompson could organize a backyard barbecue let alone collaborate on such a global scale as Mr. Gore. There is no GOP equivalent of such a leader. Also MSNBC did not have 35 hours of programming. That is a combined total of the broadcasts, with Bravo and HDUniversal taking up the bulk of the entertainment. I remember it on CNBC when I was flipping- I don't even know if it was on MSNBC.

[Marnieworld]

17. waaaa. I want the fairness doctrine only when my views are excluded. waaaaa

give it up toady. The debate is over.