Here's what
CNN's web site says:
"Subway threat originated in Iraq"
"NEW YORK (CNN) -- The threat to New York's subway system originated in Iraq and involved the use of explosives hidden in bags or baby strollers, officials familiar with the investigation told CNN."
If freedom of speech doesn't protect someone who shouts "fire" in a crowded theater, should freedom of the press protect CNN when they distort the news to profit from our fear?
I am so f'ing fed up. The very people who train themselves as wordsmiths to protect us from the lies of politicans, now use that skill to subtly betray us. The story above, lists the following names as contributors, none of whom, imo, have the right to call themselves journalists:
"CNN's Jamie McIntyre, Allison Gilbert, Rob Frehse, Jeanne Meserve, David Ensor, Adaora Udoji, Kelli Arena, Carol Cratty, Terry Frieden and Deborah Feyerick."
Editor or no, if any of these reporters had an ounce of intergrity they'd demand their name be removed. But this type of manipulation is like magic: once you see how the trick is done, the illusion fades forever. dKos users tend to be a more savvy audience, but nonetheless I feel the need to break down CNN's irresponsible fear-mongering tactics. Even if only to remind myself.
Get the information up front
"The threat to New York's subway system originated in Iraq and involved the use of explosives hidden in bags or baby strollers..."
That's what CNN wants to slap you across the face with. Get your attention. "Threat." "Iraq." "Explosives." "Baby strollers."
But here's what they intentionally buried, the most important part revealed while you're still processing exploding baby carriages:
"...officials familiar with the investigation told CNN."
No names. Not even a title or a department.
Officials. Familiar.
NFL officials who read the New York Times? Or perhaps administration officials who have documented histories of disseminating propaganda? Does CNN even care anymore why sources want to remain anonymous?
"A previously reliable source tipped authorities to a terror plot involving 15 to 20 people, one official said."
Ah! Now that's news. A "source" tipped an "authority," says an "official."
But it was a "reliable" source...
"The source...passed parts of a polygraph test, the official said."
Or, stated another way, the source failed parts of a polygraph test. But I guess the glass is half full if you're shooting for a headline with "threat" and "Iraq" in it.
The tipster in Iraq failed some sections of the polygraph test, but passed the section pertaining to the information about the New York threat, the official said.
"Tipster." Sounds like a character in a kid's show. "Noodles, Beanie, and Tipster are going to visit the zoo today, children! Won't you come along?"
"Tipster" is a great set-up for "failed some sections" (boo!). But it's ok, because Tipster "passed" the exploding baby stroller part (yea!).
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
...even when the words don't fit the picture. Right at the top, next to the words "threat" and "Iraq" and "explosives hidden in bags" is a picture of "security personnel in protective suits" working inside Pennsylvania Station in New York.
Both are wearing hazmat suits, their faces covered by shields and rebreathers. They wear gloves. One holds open a plastic bag, the other gingerly prepares to lower an unseen object to safety. It is a still photograph, the danger of the moment frozen for all time.
Five hundred and sixteen words below the picture -- after using "threat" 3 times, "explosives" and "terror/terrorist" twice each, "attack" 6 times, and citing 52 dead, 700 wounded, and 300,000 people who could end up dead or wounded -- CNN slips in what the picture at the top really shows:
Two guys in hazmat suits removing a soda bottle with some Drano in it. A prank.
The powers that be at CNN are despicable. And far too many of the so-called journalists who work there have sold out the American people and themselves.
All over the country, ordinary citizens are beginning to cry foul, to shout "enough!" But not the cowardly folks at CNN, "where America get it's news." They're too afraid of this adminstration, too fat and happy to do their jobs.
They need to be held accountable.