RSS FeedDaly Show: O’Reilly-Obermann Fued = $
This is the latest Daly Show video posting on the recurring battle between O’Reilly versus Olbermann that has grown into a wider media war.
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Golf Blog
This is a posting announcing my new golf blog on lasvegasgolf.com.
LAS VEGAS, NV (June 22, 2008) — In addition to the blogs you see here, I have started blogging on golf. Here’s where you find the blog.
Bryan Cranston: Opines on True Patriotism
This is a guest posting from my good friend Bryan Cranston. You know Bryan as Hal, the father on the sit-com Malcom in the Middle. He is currently starring in the AMC series Breaking Bad, which is fabulous, dark, and quirky. More than just an actor, Bryan is a thinker with strong ideas about what is happening in the world — in this case the Iraq War.
The following was sent to me in a mass e-mailÉ
If the Red shirt thing is new to you, read below…
Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a
Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and
two together.
After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who’d been
invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was
heading home.
No, he responded.
Heading out I asked?
No. I’m escorting a soldier home.
Going to pick him up?
No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq , I’m taking him
home to his family.
The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch
to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn’t
know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier’s
family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so
few days .
I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank
you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.
Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and
made the following announcement over the intercom.
”Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the
honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join
us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his
family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the
forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow
soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign.”
Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant
saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made
me realize that I am proud to be an American.
So here’s a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what
you do so we can live the way we do.
Red Fridays.
Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every
Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called
the “silent majority.” We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love
for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not
organized, boisterous or overbearing.
Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to
recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our
idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and
respect
starts this Friday — and continues each and every Friday until the
troops all come home, sending a deafening message that .. every
red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear
something red.
By word of mouth, press, TV — let’s make the United States on
every Friday a sea of red much like a home coming football game in the
bleachers.
If every one of us who loves this country will share this with
acquaintances, coworker s, friends, and family, it will not be long
before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the
once “silent” majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more
than the media lets on.
The first thing a soldier says whe n aske d “What can we do to make
things better for you?” is. ”We need your support and your prayers.”
Let’s get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and
wear
something red every Friday.
IF YOU AGREE — THEN SEND THIS ON.
IF YOU COULDN’T CARE LESS — THEN HIT THE DELETE
This is my response:
I too will wear red.
The story of the Marine escorting the body of a fallen soldier should touch the soul of everyone, as it did with me. Perhaps the selection of the color red was a coincidence. Perhaps it was chosen as the boldest color representing our nation’s flag. I, personally, cannot disassociate it with the color of blood.
In the absolute highest form of expression in support of our troops. I want them home. I want them out of harms way.
To those who fail to see the link between patriotism and peace, I can only say I’m sorry you’re not able to fully realize that supporting our troops and bringing an end to this unjust war, are not mutually exclusive.
We went into this war under the pretense that the regime had weapons of mass destruction and were imminently prepared to use them against us. Both turned out to be false. And, please, no more weak attempts to suggest that Iraq had anything at all to do with the attacks of 9-11. Even the Bush administration admitted that there was no correlation between the two, and they had every reason to hope that there was. The fear mongerers would have you believe that regardless of the reasons to start a war, the end justifies the means. Don’t believe it. War is a harsh reality of the human condition, and, at times, a necessary measure to bring about justice. But a country should not, and must not ever pursue war before exhausting EVERY other possible diplomatic solution. Unfortunately this was not the case in Iraq, and the image of America has not only been severely damaged in the eyes of the world, but more importantly, in the hearts of many Americans.
The most egregious fear mongerer now seems to be Vice President Cheney, spewing bile-like sound bites to news hungry citizens such as during the 2004 election. Mr. Cheney had the audacity to say that if you were to vote for a Democratic President, there will be another attack on American soil. Not “may be”, or even “probably be”, but will be. The fact that the statement cannot be even remotely substantiated didn’t seem to bother the messenger. His goal was to scare the American people into thinking that it was a choice between re-electing George Bush or face airplanes going into other US landmarks. Unfortunately, it worked. Creating and maintaining power is what men like him seek above all else. Justice and honesty often take a backseat, or don’t even figure into the equation. Shame on you Mr. Cheney.
It is also a real shame to now have this war as part of our country’s legacy. As we now accept the infamous legacy of slavery. Wrong is wrong, and no amount of flag waving will make it right. As it is true with people dealing with our own human frailties, the sign of maturity in a country is to admit to wrongdoing when it happens and make an earnest attempt to make amends. Now, stuck in this quagmire, the question must be asked. Is there a chance of success in Iraq? An opportunity to right the ship and bring some kind of stability to this country in distress? I truly hope so. But history will more likely remember it like Viet Nam, where the fear mongerers of that era spewed their venom to scare the populace into absolutely believing that if Viet Nam fell to communism, all of South East Asia would crumble to the same influence. Well, here we are some 35 years after leaving that war-torn country and the doom and gloom prognosticators where wrong.
We left Viet Nam only after what Richard Nixon described as, “Peace with Honor”. Of course everyone knew that this was a verbal smoke screen. An attempt to have America try not to lose face to the world, and admit to a lost cause. But, I will say this, at least President Nixon saw that his country was involved in an untenable war and had the courage to get us out of it. This last statement illustrates that the current condition we find ourselves in goes beyond party affiliation. America’s involvement in Viet Nam was started by President Johnson, a Democrat, and ended by a Republican, President Nixon. In Iraq, it looks as though the reverse order is going to be necessary to end this war.
Perhaps it’s this country’s preoccupation with the notion that we must always be seen as tough and victorious. America is firmly invested in the battle cry “Were Number One”. A mentality that is arrogant. A position that is immeasurable. As if all of our country’s efforts can be reduced to a win or a loss of an athletic competition. Who is to say what country is better than another, and more importantly, why would you even ask it? You’re just exposing yourself to ridicule and contempt.
The best way for America to regain the respect of the world is to lead by example. A nation that lives by a set of principals and follows those principals, even when it may be easier or financially better to do otherwise. That is the America I continue to hope for. Pride in a country should be no different than pride in oneself. I hope by now that I have learned to do the best I can, and when I make a mistake, to accept responsibility and make amends. I want my country to do the same. I love my country. I have confidence in the greatness of what we can accomplish.
We are now faced with an election that illustrates how wonderful our political structure is. The peaceful transition of government power. America can be proud of this system. Soon we will have a new President. Whether it’s a former prisoner of war hero, or an African American energizer, we are on the cusp of something, not just unprecedented, but truly great. Let the world watch as we select our new leader from these two diverse, and talented legislators. This is America at its best.
In my opinion, this war has and continues to take America down the wrong path. It’s not who we are. It’s an abboration of our principals. It is not leading by example, and thousands and thousands of innocent people and brave service personal are paying the price with their blood. So, I too will wear red on Fridays, in support of our troops, and wishing them home.
May peace prevail on earth.
Sincerely,
Bryan Cranston
John Dancy Remembers Tim Russert
This is a posting about Tim Russert from my good friend John Dancy. John was a correspondent for NBC News who worked for Tim Russert. It’s a fabulous eulogy. But it’s even more poignant since John wrote this for his family blog. He was kind enough to allow me to post it here.
(Family blog, June 13, 2008)
As most of you know, Tim Russert was my friend, and my boss. I was a fan.
He did the ultimate television news trick… he took a moribund show, “Meet the Press,” and made it a success. More: he made it important, the highest accolade one can win in Washington. He did it the way all rainmakers do it in Washington; by mastering the material, knowing the game, and knowing everyone who counted. And he worked. He knew his success was a product of the hours and the hundreds of phone calls he made every week, that hard work was a given, and so he did it, week after week, month after month.
What’s more, he ran a top-notch news bureau, staffed with pros. For all the television news bureaus, Washington is a different animal. The work of the bureau is information, not pictures. Information is currency. The bureau with the most information, and the best, wins. NBC News Washington won it’s share, and more.
I knew Tim as both a boss and a friend. As a boss, he was fair and impartial. He rewarded talent and hard work with time on the air, and regular, generous salary increases. He could be imperious and cold with employees he thought failed to measure up. But, do well, and he lit up. Once, Tim went on vacation, and asked me to host “Meet the Press” the next Sunday, when Secretary of State Warren Christopher would be the guest. The program was a good one… good questions from all the reporters on the program ( at that time, it still featured a panel of reporters.) Christopher was sharp and focused in his answers, which made news in all the Monday newspapers… one of the measures of success for MTP. When he returned from vacation, Tim sent me a gift box with a bottle of champagne, and two glasses. A few months later, mom and I used the champagne to toast the groundbreaking of the Lockwood Folly house.
As a friend, he loved to tell the stories of politics. That art showed through in his reporting, every Sunday, and every election night. He was just a great guy to sit and talk with.
Tim loved his son, Luke. When Luke was a young pre-schooler, Tim would take an afternoon off most weeks, to go home and do something with Luke… play a game, go for a walk. He always carried his cell phone, of course… a bureau chief can’t just disappear… but the afternoon belonged to Luke.
That Tim loved his work became obvious a few years ago when the post of President of NBC News was open. Tim was courted, and pressured, to take the job. In the end, he turned it down. In a conversation later, he told me, “Why would I do that? I already have the perfect job, in a city I love.”
It said a lot about Tim. He knew who he was, and where he belonged.
Dad
Remembering Tim Russert
This is a posting about what we lose with the passing of Tim Russert.
LAS VEGAS, NV (June 14, 2008) – I first heard about Tim Russert’s death from ESPN News. It was a crawl on their ticker at the bottom of the screen.
How ironic that the passing of the consummate journalist was noted on the top sports network. Granted, Tim Russert was a huge sports fan. Although he lived in the media’s ivory tower, he proudly waved his blue-collar credentials. After discussing the economy, foreign trade, or political polls, he might end a show by touting his Buffalo Bills or his son’s Boston College Eagles. It was done in pure fun, too, so most of us, fans of other teams, were never offended.
And that’s what Russert brought to us. He never offended. Sure, he might have annoyed a few politicians. His job was to get under the skin of our elected officials. He did it with dignity – while getting the job done.
I never met Russert. But as my wife said last night, “It feels like a member of the family died.” Meet the Press is a Sunday ritual in our house. Here’s how I wrote about Russert in my book:
I will record NBC’s Meet the Press. This show is a must for me. I believe Tim Russert is our best television journalist today. (For more, read the chapter on Russert in Bernard Goldberg’s book Arrogance.) He is fair and tough, but at the same time, he’s a gentleman. He also assumes his audience is well-informed. When a guest fails to answer a question, Russert will simply ask the question again. If the guest still dances around the question, Russert moves on. A cable talk show host will usually confront the guest by saying, “You didn’t answer my question.” That approach wastes time and only serves to put the spotlight on the interviewer. It also assumes the viewer is stupid. Russert seems to use the ROIL System. He is always using quotes from newspapers, magazines, and books to shed more light on a topic.
Not to take anything away from the other Sunday talk shows, but Meet the Press with Russert was different. It was more probing. At the end of the show, you learned something you hadn’t known before. It could have been an obscure quote from a politician who had to explain him or herself or try to back-track under Russert’s interrogation. I got the feeling Russert was working for us; he and his staff would gladly go over the hundreds of publications and journals that we couldn’t.
You also got the feeling that Russert liked and disliked Republicans and Democrats equally. I would imagine he was a Democrat by nature since he worked for the late Daniel Patrick Moynihan and Mario Cuomo. However, I never recall him coming across as partisan except to take the opposite side of guest.
I even caught Russert one time allowing an opposing view of his own industry. I also mention this in my book. In the first chapter where I break down the different forms of media bias, I discuss the lobbying efforts by broadcasters that, I think, have put our nation’s security in peril.
For example, broadcast stations are supposed to switch from analog to digital signals that will give viewers better picture quality. But broadcasters have forced Congress to push back the switch date three years until 2009 because some people who cannot afford newer, more expensive, digital television sets might be left without television service. Caring for the little guy out in the hinterlands, you think? Yes, but here’s what the 9/11 Commission says. Those analog signals, the ones the broadcasters hang onto, should be used by local governments so first-responders in emergencies like a terrorist attack or a hurricane can talk directly to each other. 9/11 Co-Chairman Lee Hamilton said on NBC’s Meet the Press in December 2005 that New York City police, firefighters, and paramedics did not have that capability on September 11, 2001. As a result, many died because they could not be told to escape the crumbling Twin Towers.
Russert was the only broadcast journalist, according to my research, who has raised this issue on the air. Granted, he didn’t do a whole show on this issue. (Like NBC would allow it.) But he made Lee Hamilton discuss it. And he allowed Hamilton to take a shot – I believe he used the term “criminal” — at the broadcast industry; in effect, Russert’s bosses. That takes guts and honesty.
During my broadcast years, I tried to model myself after Peter Jennings. I was fortunate enough to meet Peter in 1990 and spend some time with him. His death, a few years ago, hit me hard, too.
More recently, as I’ve become more critic and new media journalist, I’ve tried to model myself after Tim Russert. His enthusiasm, work ethic, and determination to find the truth are old-style, yet strangely missing. At a time of partisan news – especially on cable – we need someone like Tim Russert more than ever.
The loss of Big Russ’ kid is a big loss.
Answer This Question Honestly
This is a post that allows you to see where you stand on one of the biggest issues facing Americans today: the Iraq War. I wrote this while playing in the Marine Corp Celebrity Golf Classic.
CAMP LEJEUNE, NC (June 6, 2008) – Would you be willing to pay $5 a gallon for gas if our troops were no longer killed or wounded in Iraq and other parts of the Middle East?
Try to answer it honestly. My answer is yes. Granted, I think we need to increase the price of gas (as much as I hate the idea) to force the creation of new forms of energy.
But my other big reason for saying yes is guys like Joey Bozik. Joey’s got one great golf swing. His left shoulder turns under his chin while his left hand extends the club back to his right before he turns his left side and launches the golf ball.
Notice I only mentioned Joey’s left side. That’s because Joey’s left arm is the only limb he still has. His right arm is missing from above the elbow and both legs are now prosthetics.
Joey is a U.S. Army vet of Iraq. An explosion nearly killed him. Great field work by medics and modern technology saved his life.
When I asked if he was angry, he said no. The blast didn’t damage any vital organs or cause any head injuries. “I can still work and live a good life,” he told me while he sat on a specially made golf cart that allows him to play golf.
After the 18 holes he and I just played in 90-plus Carolina heat and humidity, Joey was itching to go out again – to work on his game. He’s now shooting in the 90s. How good is that? The majority of Americans can’t shoot under 90.
This post is not about Joey. I have a full video interview with him that you will see soon here.
After my round of golf with Joey, and other wounded warriors, I was able to catch up on some reading. One of the articles was from Stratfor – an intelligence and information service. The title was The Geopolitics of $130 Oil written by George Friedman.
In the article, Friedman offers an initial outlook for the world economy as oil prices jump further. Friedman admits this is just a first look, so no one should be held to this. But his theory deserves your consideration.
His main point is this: As oil prices rise, oil-producing countries like Iraq and Iran will be more prone to producing oil rather than causing political and economic unrest. This could, in turn, increase the supply of oil thus reducing the cost of oil.
Insurgents and the lack of political will among Iraqi politicians have kept Iraq oil from flowing.
Iran’s oil revenues are ridiculously low because the regime in Tehran has kept all western drilling and refinery technology out. As a result, Iran’s vast reserves lay nearly dormant while Iran imports more gasoline than it makes and sells it at subsidized prices.
But Friedman surmises, though he admits this is not for certain, that these leaders and most of their followers will be more interested in economic gain rather than civil war either in their country (Iraq) or on their border (Iran). Thus, no need or a reduced need for American soldiers.
What do you think? Would you be willing to pay even more than what you’re paying now – if our troops could come home?
Understand I’m not saying the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were caused strictly by oil. Oil was definitely part of the equation. But clearly, terrorism and the rising threat of Islamic extremism were the main causes.
I also believe the war has helped us gain mounds of intelligence on the underground nefarious network that makes up these shadowy terrorist groups. Clearly, we’ve paid a price for this war. Clearly, many innocent Iraqis have also. We can answer the question of whether the war was worth it in another posting.
As for now, tell me how you feel about higher prices and our troops coming home.
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