Katie Couric: Free Speech is a "privilege"

[krkaufman]

Well, one show in and Katie already has one fairly serious error chalked-up, considering her paycheck is dependent on getting this one right. (no pun intended)

I was startled to hear Couric, leading in to their "freeSpeech" segment (tonight w/ Morgan Spurlock, but apparently w/ Limbaugh coming on Thursday), say that Free Speech is a "privilege."

"Bill of Privileges" ... just doesn't have the same ring. In oh-so-many more ways than one.


edit: (Ya think Dan or Walter would have gotten it right? sigh...)

[eShirl]

1. did she have her "free speech" priveleges suspended? n/t

[nicknameless]

47. Wow

What a gorgeous cat!

[eShirl]

49. :D that's exactly what we tell him!

[nicknameless]

100. He looks to be part tabby.

Do you know what the other breed(s) was(were)?
Very beautiful boy! :)

[tblue37]

112. He looks to be at least part Maine Coon--

Is he unusually large? (13-22 pounds for a full-grown male, though they take 3 years to reach full physical maturity). Does he have the full plume tail, ear tufts, and "snow shoes," too? If so, he is definitely Maine Coon.

And absolutely beautiful, indeed!

[nicknameless]

113. You're asking the kitty's fan. You'll have to ask the kitty's parent.

:)

Which breed has long brown and white fur?
I was thinking of oriental breeds like ragdoll, but I think their lighter fur is cream colored rather than white.

[originalpckelly]

59. No, but how about her...

privileges to look like the Hulk, what the hell is wrong with her neck anyway?

I watched it all over again, and yep she did say privileges. In the context, "free speech is one of the many privileges of living in this country." It might have been better put as, "free speech is on of the many rights guaranteed in this country."

[eccles12]

104. Last time I looked it was a "right" guaranteed by the Consititution.

But, that's just my take.

[bdamomma]

105. free speech is a "right "not a privilege

what is wrong with Katie Couric?

[thepurpose]

2. WTF. Free speech is a privilege? Did she misspeak? I don't like her

because she is to cutesy for my taste, but she can't be that dense.

[zreosumgame]

8. just anticipating dumbaya's next signing statement...

[krkaufman]

13. Oh, I expect she *can* be

She ain't no Walter Cronkite. (and certainly no Murrow)

[Deja Q]

3. Well, I'm speechless.

Actually, I'm not. What a cow. The BILL OF RIGHTS guarantees us the RIGHT to FREE SPEECH.

What country is she from, anyway? China?

And will she run over people with her tank if she disagrees with them?

[AlinPA]

4. Calling it a privilege sounds like a Rove-Bush** line. Ugly stuff.

[gatorboy]

5. She should say the "privilege to bear arms" when Limbaugh's on.

He'll LOVE that!

[KittyWampus]

76. OMG! that is actually pretty damned funny.

:D

ya know that won't happen

[antonialee839]

6. She forgot to add "in Bushamerica".

[WindRavenX]

7. oh my

:scared:

[CJCRANE]

9. Next it will be

"free speech is for the privileged".

[Protagoras]

63. not next...now

I think we crossed the Rubicon on that a while ago with the FCC.

[magellan]

10. Aw, come on, she's just being honest

Free speech used to be a right -- until BushCo came along. Now it's a privilege enjoyed only by the Right.

[BrotherBuzz]

11. I guess I'm the idiot because I thought, say, driving was a privilege...

but Free Speech was a right. Thanks for clearing that up for this dunderhead, Katie. :shrug:

[lonestarnot]

98. Ice cream on Saturday is a privilege.

Maybe she needs a list of privileges.

[snappyturtle]

12. Dangerous tone in my book. nt

[krkaufman]

18. Yep, it pretty clearly shows her journalistic credentials, in my opinion

Very neatly, very cleanly.

[gademocrat7]

14. partisan hack.

Hope her "news' show tanks.

[C_U_L8R]

15. a privilege granted by whom ??

but since you're handing out licenses for free speech,
here's one use of your little bequest... "fuck you kkkatie fuck you very much"

[Bluebear]

40. "W" most likely.

[JuniperLea]

16. I prefer intelligent news anchors and cannot abide a ditz

A precious commodity to be sure. Having a ditz report the news is grueling and just plain wrong. This is a perfect example. There is no way that mistake should have ever happened. More than a few network people should be embarrassed about this. It's unacceptable.

[krkaufman]

22. Exactly. Murrow is likely hacking in his grave.

And I'd love to hear from Cronkite and Rather on this. Yet another sign of the deterioration of our news media -- as if further signs of the apocalypse were necessary.

[PresidentWar]

17. Jesus H. Christ.

*bangs head on desk*

[wellst0nev0ter]

19. Well, She Did Have "Free Speech Zones" During Her National Tour

promoting herself. No cameras, no notetaking, handpicked audiences only.

She's right, free speech is for the priviledged :eyes:

[krkaufman]

30. Youj *are* kidding, right?

[wellst0nev0ter]

37. Nope.

Here's a sample of her Gestapo-like tactics during her "listening tour" in Minneapolis. I didn't know you weren't allowed to even bring a pen.

[krkaufman]

95. thanks n/t

[orpupilofnature57]

20. Katie's been Privileged too long , Elitist.

[rocktivity]

21. I can see where this is going

Alternating righties like Rush vs. non-political types like Spurlock--"yeah, we're fair and balanced!" Let's see how soon Randi Rhodes, Al Franken, or Thom Hartmann gets an invite...or maybe they could call CBS and invite themselves...

:evilgrin:
rocknation

[krkaufman]

26. Or maybe we need to start blasting them ....

... with emails, phone calls, and letters, asking for our side to be represented.

(Though after tonight's "we're all best of friends; it's just pols and pundits tearing us apart" bit by Spurlock, I look forward to Rush coming on and spewing his typical hate speeach -- confirming Spurlock's point.)

[HereSince1628]

23. Yeah and Bush derives the authority to rule from God...

Neither one of them understand the Constitution or the crisis that they are making.

[Cha]

32. You mean

corporate fascistwhores, don't ya?

[Stu DeBeouf]

24. Katie=Satan

Stay away...Kill your television....free your mind.

[Orangepeel]

25. afterward, she DID say "exercise your right to free speech"

I wasn't listening in the beginning.

[krkaufman]

27. Yeah,, I did catch that ...

.... but she'd already made me drag my laptop out of my briefcase, connect to the hotel Internet cnnxn, and start booting.

It was still a shameful and clueless gaff.

[Orangepeel]

31. maybe she noticed gasps from the camera operators

while the Spurlock clip was playing

[krkaufman]

33. It just dawned on me ....

.... that her producers, or someone else at the other end of her earpiece, did the same doubletake I did, and made sure she slipped in a "right to free speech" before she went off-air.

[Rex]

28. Another know-nothing person; worthless to humanity.

She should team up with Condi. They don't know shit about history.

[rpannier]

29. Free speech is for the wealthy and politically powerful.

I guess is "Marie Couricenette's" new motto.

[Disturbed]

34. "she can't be that dense."

Yeah, she can be and she is. I will never tune in to her faux news show.

[Xenotime]

35. Free Speach is a RIGHT!!!! AND YOU ARE GOING TO REPORT NEWS...

GEEZ these people piss me off.

[Sparkly]

36. LOL -- "Bill of Privileges"

"Civil Privileges."
"Women's Privileges."
"Voters' Privileges."
"Workers' Privileges."

What next?!? :crazy:

[jackstraw45]

38. "Americans... need to watch what they say, watch what they do."

"Americans... need to watch what they say, watch what they do." - Ari Fleischer, 9/26/01


Katie's favorite paper?

[zanne]

39. That's what Henry Hyde said about voting...

During the 2000 recount.

[Nutmegger]

41. The Quakers being spied on by our great Department of War may disagree.

Thanks Katie! :hi:

[ComerPerro]

42. and it will be taken away

[nealmhughes]

43. how odd, Katie: I thought that almost everywhere the Atlantic Ocean

touched in the Northern Hemisphere had a RIGHT to free speech, the few exceptions being too obvious to our Miami friends to mention...namely Cuba and Haiti.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

44. Oh?

THE BILL OF RIGHTS
Amendments 1-10 of the Constitution

The Conventions of a number of the States having, at the time of adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added, and as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government will best insure the beneficent ends of its institution;

Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two-thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States; all or any of which articles, when ratified by three-fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the said Constitution, namely:


Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.......

http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/funddocs/billeng.htm

[quiet.american]

45. Excellent, excellent point... but, what was the pun that wasn't intended?

I've read and re-read the sentence --

Well, one show in and Katie already has one fairly serious error chalked-up, considering her paycheck is dependent on getting this one right. (no pun intended)

-- and for the life of me, can't figure out what was the pun that wasn't intended?

[petronius]

51. I took it to be the word "right"

On one hand, meaning 'correct', but on the other hand meaning that Couric better toe the RW line if she wants to keep her job.

[quiet.american]

69. Ah, thanks for clearing that up, petronius. :) n/t

[Cleita]

46. She sure has learned her Nazi doctrine very well.n/t

[Canuckistanian]

48. Maybe she's got a point there

Maybe free speech should be licensed.

And the one exam that you have to pass is, are you telling the truth or are you just making shit up half the time.

You could give demerits for saying things like, oh, Clinton was solely responsible for 9/11 or that Chimpolini only invaded Iraq "because Saddam wouldn't let the inspectors in" or other equally disprovable statements.

Oh, and Oxycontin and Cocaine addicts should be banned unless they passed a rigorous rehab and recovery program.

[Jcrowley]

50. A highly paid

untalented and undeservedly privilgeged propaganda siren discussing free speech? Not much veracity in that testimony. Just gettin' paid to say what's in front of her. The only opinion cheerleadin' KC developed upon her frontal lobe was "Go Team" and even that has gotten a bit skewed these days.

[sweetheart]

75. airhead

come on, she's blonde, and obviously the stereotype is based on pure hogwash. ;-)

[Quixote1818]

52. She is right, free speech is a unique American privilege

Here is the definition of privilege:

a. A special right, advantage, immunity, permission, or benefit granted to or enjoyed by an individual, class, or caste. See Synonyms at right.

Because free speech is not allowed in all countries, it is then an American privilege. It basically means 'right'.

She used the exact perfect words to describe 'free speech' because it's something allowed in America and not necessarily in other countries. It means "right" but in a special kind of way.

[blonndee]

53. I disagree. It's a right that some other countries do not acknowledge.

Including ours, increasingly.

[Quixote1818]

55. Privilege means "right"

When you have a privilege you also have a right.

privilege - a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all.


It is a right everyone has or should have but not all countries allow, making it a privilege in our circumstance.

Americans are 'privileged' for this reason.

[L A Woman]

56. you are correct

but they need another person to hate today. Steve Irwin was yesterday.

[Binka]

61. Bullshit

[Quixote1818]

64. So is this guy full of shit?

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3613/is_200105/ai_n8946583

[blonndee]

58. I see what you're getting at, but an American reporter using it

in conjunction with the concept of "free speech" makes it sound oddly contingent in a way that makes me uncomfortable. But I didn't hear the broadcast, so maybe it's not so bad in context.

[Quixote1818]

62. I have herd reporters use it before

I think I even herd Al Franken use it once. I will look on google for some examples of other reporters using it.


Here is at least one other example: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_go2794/is_200212/ai_n7417417

[stepnw1f]

60. heh... WTF!?

1: a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all 2: a right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group (especially a hereditary or official right); "suffrage was the prerogative of white adult males" 3: (law) the right to refuse to divulge information obtained in a confidential relationship v : bestow a privilege upon

[Quixote1818]

65. Here is another example of a journalist using the term

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3613/is_200105/ai_n8946583

[stepnw1f]

72. whatever... you chose your definition

and we are all set.

[Quixote1818]

79. Here is another example from a Newspaper Editor

http://www.sonomanews.com/articles/2006/07/20/opinion/editorial_and_letters/letters08.txt

Letters 07.21.06



Thursday, July 20, 2006 6:08 PM PDT



Free speech is our privilege

Editor, Index-Tribune:

In response to Mr. Loar's objection to the "biased" display of some people over the July Fourth holiday, I feel compelled to remind him of several important things he may not have considered. First of all, this country was founded by people who desired freedom from tyranny and unfair politics. Second, the only way to achieve that freedom was to ensure freedom of speech so that we, as a people, can hold the administration which governs us accountable for its actions. Third, by exercising these rights on the anniversary of our country's birth, these opinionated people who often gather on our public square, are paying more tribute to those fallen forefathers than any spectator in the crowd. Hopefully, Northern California is not the only venue for public protest. Hopefully, people across the country feel free to express their thoughts and opinions. It is our privilege as citizens of the United States of America.

Erica Chretien

[tuvor]

86. You have the right to drive, then, is that what you're saying?

[datasuspect]

89. not exactly correct, "privilege" is something entirely different

the framers were children of the enlightenment. a "right" for them was something natural. the bill of rights is not a grant of power to the people, something given by the government, it is a protection against the encroachment of federal power. notice the wording:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

this doesn't mean the federal government "grants" us anything (according to the definition of "privilege" you proposed, that someone or something grants a right is key). they don't have that power. it's something we already have. our laws protect that. the 1st amendment protects us from the government. at least it used to.

that's why congressmen don't serve at the president's pleasure like they would a monarch. they are supposed to serve the people.

[Flubadubya]

106. Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding....

We have a winner in this debate and you are IT! Congratulations. I believe you have the Framer's mindset exactly right.

These rights that they refer to are natural and inherent in the human condition, and it is governments that curtail them. Thus, they are prohibiting the government from encroaching upon these rights as they are wont to do.

Free speech is thus, not a "privilege", but indeed a right... not to be taken away by the government according to our founding fathers! :thumbsup:

[stepnw1f]

108. WE HAVE a WINNER!

Notice how the word, "right" is being used interchangeably with the word, "priviledge"? Tell me this is not revisionism.

[datasuspect]

110. yeah revisionism

i like the mentality current in conservative circles that tries to paint the framers as fundamentalist christians.

REAL funny.

[stepnw1f]

111. What's Funnier is How Some Pretend They Didn't Know

and those that just can't swallow the hard truth. And they deem themselves, "patriotic".

[hyphenate]

54. What a fucking tool

I guess I've just added another station's news program to my mediawhore list.

[SammyWinstonJack]

66. It's all about the fame and fortune with Katie "Navy Seals Rock" Couric.

:puke: I wonder, how does she sleep at night and doesn't she care about her daughters' future? I can't stand her and this cements my feelings toward her. What a tool, indeed! :puke:

[stepnw1f]

57. She Just Ended Her Career!

fuck that treasonous bitch.

[Bucky]

68. Technically, no, she just made her career.

That sort of talk makes all the 'right' people happy.

[stepnw1f]

70. You Think the Public Will Just Take It Huh?

The wrong people only have so much money, and these days, money for most is becoming irrelevent. Therefore, power becomes perception and her career is dust. She just said something she never should have. It's worse than a swear.

[madmusic]

78. Yes, they will.

For terror's sake.

[Bucky]

84. Step back, Stepn. I don't even think anyone's gonna notice.

I assume she just said it as an aside, perhaps some flag-wrapped sentimental intro to a news feature, right? She was being trite and thoughtless, not actually disparaging the Bill of Rights. This won't hurt her a bit. Next time she shows some Bush buffoonery, she'll be getting praised on this mercurial discussion board.

[SmokingJacket]

67. Well, that didn't take long.

I'm curious to know what the "privilege" of free speech has to do with Morgan Spurlock. Is he writing another book, or are we supposed to be grateful we live in a country where we're "allowed" to criticize fast food?

Not curious enough to buy a boob-toob, though.

[bridgit]

71. Katie's a bubble-head, she's only there for the demographic...

x(

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

73. Maybe she was just being honest...

...about how things will soon work in the Bizarro BushCo World in which we live.

[samsingh]

74. great - another idiot anchor.

[jazzjunkysue]

82. make that a blonde idiot anchor. (Ducking)

I"M in a silly mood, OK?????!!!!

[samsingh]

85. ok - it's understandable

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

77. "Bill of Privileges"

That says it all.

[Communism_not_USA]

80. Rush Limbaugh

He's going to be on the CBS evening news?
For what purpose? Editorial comment?
Wonder what the topic will be?

[jazzjunkysue]

81. A privilege they'll afford her any day now....n/t.

[Nailzberg]

83. So Katie failed 8th grade social studies. So what?

[driver8]

87. Fuck her.

Spoken like a true rethug mouthpiece.

I don't care if she is the last anchor left on tv -- I will never watch her or her shitty newscast.

Dumb ass.

[Festivito]

88. & shes da .. um librul, sea hows thems hates owr freedums????

I wish there were a link to this. It is too rich.

And, she's touted as being liberal. What a sick joke.

[AngryOldDem]

90. Edward R. Murrow....

...has now reached 1,000 RPMs.

Hope CBS gets what it's paying for.

[peekaloo]

107. He's been renamed Pinwheel Murrow.

harness him for energy!

Sad how she's been touted in the same breath with Murrow and Cronkite(who's doing the damn voice over intro). :-(

[mmonk]

91. It is one of our enumerated rights present in the constitution.

Maybe now we are in a dictatorship, it is considered a privilege.

[lectrobyte]

92. Thanks for posting this. I was sort of doubting my decision not to

watch her, but after hearing this, I'm not missing a thing.

[leesa]

93. That ain't an error folks, that's Bush World. She's getting you adjusted

to it. That's her job.

[depakid]

94. Why watch tabloid "news"

I guess so I don't have to! :-)

[Kurovski]

96. She's a tedious and ignorant shitbag.

A big enough lying, smiling whore to make it to the top of a high-paying heap of heinous horseshit.

[lonestarnot]

97. WTF? She said this? I didn't watch and am relying on you

for accurate information.

[warrens]

99. I foresee a great, smoldering hole where this newscast used to be

Not blaming Couric, but she's hardly a hard-news reporter and she will cave to happy talk and crap like this.

The very idea of putting Pigboy on as a responsible commentator is a major tipoff. If this is what they consider NEWS, imagine what else will happen.

Pretty soon, we're only going to have the Internet and the few responsible dailies left for real news. The Glass Teat is getting worse and worse and worse.

[Beelzebud]

101. She probably thinks we hae a "privelage" of a free press too.

What a stupid fucking idiot....

[tabasco]

102. Didn't take her long to prove that, yes, she's a dumbass.

How can any so-called journalist say that?

She is worse than I thought.

I guess she never even read the Bill of Rights.

[OregonDem]

103. Perky your ignorance is showing, and no you can't photoshop that out

[npincus]

109. so's a $15 million paycheck