Kerry Supporters Need to Contact CNN

[DemBones DemBones]

The woman filling in for Paula Zahn tonight made a comment she should not have made.

She said that "the president" may have to run against "what some would call a war hero," and she was talking about John Kerry.

Now, I think far too many people are called heroes these days. It seems everyone serving in Iraq is called a hero, which is absurd. ( I hope I don't have to explain why it's absurd to anyone here but in case Rush and the dittoheads are reading this, I will. It's very simple: you cannot be a hero unless you commit some acts of heroism. )

However, if you have been decorated for heroism during a war, as John Kerry was, I think you're entitled to be called a war hero by everyone.

At the very least, she should not have phrased her comment as if it were questionable whether Kerry was a war hero or not. What's questionable is whether Bush completed his Guard service, which was the topic under discussion.

Again, this wasn't a guest who said this, this was said by the woman sitting in for Paula Zahn tonight.

[JI7]

1. it was a pretty disgusting segment

the worst part was where the democratic woman's sattelite connection was cut off and she was unable to answer questions so the host just asked the right wing woman to answer and she gave the typical right wing crappy answers. but i'm not surprised at this. it's to be expected.

[Killarney]

2. I agree

I just sent a message here:
http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form5.html?11

No matter who you support, I think everyone would agree that Kerry is a war hero and to word it the way she did shows her bias and partisanship.

[sandnsea]

3. War record - service record

Just emailed. Thank you. I would appreciate if everybody would make the distinction between war record and service record from here on out and hammer it home on every board you go to if Kerry wins the nomination.

Here's my email:

Excuse me? What "some" would call a war hero???

Let's get something clear here. Senator Kerry has a war record. Bush has a service record, with gaps and disciplinary action. Not even in the same category.

And if you aren't sure whether to call him a war hero, better ask James Rassmann. He'll clear it up.

[jmaier]

4. If I'm not mistaken

The United States of America calls him a war hero -- isn't that what Silver Star winner means?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

5. Why? They probably got their talking points right off of DU

which sounds very close to CNN and the right fucking wing where Kerry's record is concerned. The supporters of a doctor who had a bad back and couldn't serve but could still ski said so.

[DemBones DemBones]

6. People making snide remarks on an online forum aren't

taking money for being journalists. (I started to say "aren't getting paid to post here," but some may be!)

Of course journalism seems to be dead, replaced by "communications."

But CNN purports to be a news provider, not an arm of the RNC, so they need to be called on the carpet over this sort of thing.

[RetroLounge]

10. Well, it got dished out at Dean for 3 months

and I didn't see any Kerry supporters complain, so they should probably get used to it...

p.s. Kerry IS a war hero, no question.

[DemBones DemBones]

14. But this is like referring to Dean as

''the so-called 'Doctor' Dean" or "the man some say was governor of Vermont."

Some things are debatable, some aren't. Someone who is experienced enough to fill in for a news host ought to know the difference.

[BootinUp]

7. Its going to be one of those elections

Where the RW'ers are going to fight as dirty as it takes. I predict the nastiest Presidential election of the last 100 years.

[cindyw]

8. Here is my response.

"I am writing to express my anger with the characterization of John Kerry as someone who "some" would call a war hero. I would say that any person who gets three purple hearts, a bronze star and a Silver Star. Next time you refer to Kerry the word is "war hero". Is this how you will refer to the returning heros from Iraq? Will they be what "some" might call heroes?"

I understand that it does not make grammatical sense, but I was distracted by my screaming children. I think they will get the message anyway.

[krkaufman]

9. Do me a favor, if you could....

When you're calling/emailing CNN on this issue, I'd really appreciate it if you could do me a favor and also let the reporter and CNN know that you felt they showed undue bias for these two candidates by isolating the comparison of military records to just Senator Kerry and Bush. To be fair, they should have discussed and contrasted the military experience of all the candidates running for this Fall's election.

You might also mention that CNN appears to be unaware that there are 2 war heroes running for the Democratic Presidential nomination. And, heck, if they missed that basic fact, they may also be unaware that one of them continued to serve his country for over 30 more years in the military, eventually rising to the rank of 4-star general and Supreme Commander of NATO's forces.

You might want to mention these facts, ya know, when speaking with CNN about reporting fairly.

Cheers!

[DemBones DemBones]

13. I have a number of complaints about CNN's

campaign coverage, beginning with their marginalization of Dennis Kucinich, but this thread is about a specific incident, a specific slight to a Democrat who is now the front runner for the nomination.

[krkaufman]

16. Yes, perhaps...

... but the cries for fairness will ring truer and be more credible if you are fighting for truth and fairness, and not just for fairness for your own candidate.

(And he's only the frontrunner because BS shows like Zahn's are touting him to the exclusion of all other candidates -- and started doing so with less than 2% of the delegates chosen. It's not frickin' rocket science.)

[mitchum]

11. done

[IowaBiker]

12. These kind of critics like her ..,

Deep down, these people don't love America.

To trash a war hero and side with President AWOL is a refection of the real traitorous nature of the far right fringe that Mr. Bush has brought to Washington, and to the press.

Very shameful. I would hope that if there is ever a flag desecration amendment to the constitution, then it would be a Felony for this woman to own a flag.

Very shameful this veteran bashing of the right.

--Brian

[bigtree]

15. Sent to

"what some would call a reporter."

[D G]

17. LOL - but the sad thing is

whether CNN hires "journalists" to appear onscreen is certainly up for debate!

[Seldona]

18. My message to CNN.

What "some" would call a war hero???

I am not even a Kerry supporter, but that was comment was blatantly partisan and completely inacurate.

The issue is Bush's record and avoidance of war and service, not John Kerry's well known record of sacrifice.

If this is what passes for journalism at CNN these days, perhaps I will rethink watching CNN at all in the future.

In fact, I have.

Thank you for your time.

Over the top a bit, but since I no longer watch that hack fest anyway, I figured I would let them know it. :)