Updated: MSNBC anchor calls Bush protesters unpatriotic

I turned on MSNBC this morning (around 10:15AM EST) and caught the tail end of a speech Bush gave in West Virginia. At the end of the speech, the news anchor (Amy Robach), pointed out that there were probably a few thousand people there to watch the speech. She also mentioned that (I don't have the exact quote) there were a few protesters, but most people there were patriotic.

Did anyone else catch it and get the exact quote?
Let them know how you feel about this:

[e-mail]
MSNBC
40 Hartz Way # 1, Secaucus, NJ 07094
[phone]
Update [2005-7-4 10:47:25 by jmelli]: The anchor's name is Amy Robach.

•  I heard it too

  She said that there were a few protesters with signs, and added something to the effect that "most (at the event) were patriotic"

  I wonder if she's paid for making mailicious comments about opposition to Bush and his policies or if she just comes up with those lines on her own.  I comments like hers on cable news that I am not even surprised by it any more.

  I do plan to write a letter to MSNBC, though, because what she said is wrong.

  by Kayakbiker on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 07:43:09 AM PST

  •  She just repeats what is said into her earpiece,

    or written onto her teleprompter, in all likelihood. The wording was probably not spontaneous, but rather scripted by the news show managers.

    by shumard on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:35:05 AM PST

    •  yes..

      as soon as i heard that i turned off the televison for the rest of the day.

      happy whatever.

      by mott street on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:45:29 AM PST

      •  MSNBC needs a reminder

        there is such a thing as a Nuremberg Precedent.

        by Mr Murder on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 11:07:26 PM PST

    •  How's this for scripted?

      Last week on my lunchbreak I was reading some AP wire stories online and CNN Headline News was on in the breakroom as well.  I heard them read 2 AP stories that I had just read myself online....verbatim.   How's that for hard hitting journalism?

      by tlh lib on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:38:03 AM PST

      •  So, let's see...

        These contemporary "journalists," who are paid several times what their intrepid early 20th-century predecessors were, get paid...

        1.  To attend press conferences, where they dutifully scribble down what is handed to them by Bush's mouthpiece, without critical commentary.  Rumsfeld:  "These aren't the droids you're looking for."  Press [stunned, zombielike]: "Yes... these aren't the droids we're looking for..."

        2.  To read verbatim the wire reports, fed directly into the teleprompter, with no critical intervention, no "editing."  AP:  "These aren't the droids we're looking for."  News anchor [stunned, zombielike]: "These aren't the droids we're looking for.  Over to you, Chet!"

        3.  To focus -- in those rare instances where some original, spontaneous comment is called for -- on the trivial, the redundant, the mindless conventional wisdom.  Like Wolf Blitzer (that credulous, overpaid fuck), whose penetrating analysis at the Democratic convention consisted of his observation that the failure of the balloons to fall after Kerry's speech hearkened back to Carter's 1980 convention, where the same thing happened, and which now in retrospect could be seen as an ominous harbinger of doom for the Kerry campaign.

        (I swear, I couldn't make this shit up if I tried!)

        by Dale on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 06:23:09 PM PST

  •  Show the Amy Robachs Your Patriotism TODAY!!!

    
    
    Show the Amy Robachs Your Patriotism here.

    by STOP George on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:31:58 AM PST

    •  She is a former Miss Gestapo afterall

      

      

      by Scarce on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 11:47:59 AM PST

    •  gosh

      it's the bubble-headed bleach-blonde Don Henley sang about!

      by mississippi scott on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 12:06:42 PM PST

      •  Wow!

        That's the first time that's happened.

        Too much bandwidth used for the bubble head!  Ha!
        My thoughts, exactly!

        If you want to view the animated gif, you'll have to visit my thread.

        I've also got a video link & pics link (of the protest) of the West Virginia Bush Speech.

        by STOP George on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 01:26:40 PM PST

  •  I believe...

    ...her direct e-mail would be [e-mail], following the common MSNBC e-mail schema.
    Chris

    by CHFDigital on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 12:02:19 PM PST

    •  You are correct

      I tried arobach@ since Andrea Mitchell and Ron Reagan's addresses use that format, but it bounced, as did [e-mail].

      Here are some in addition to the viewer services address:

      [e-mail]

      [e-mail]

      [e-mail]

      Jeff Zucker is NBC's CEO.

      If you've already sent your email, please forward it to the addresses above.

      by segmentis on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 02:15:38 PM PST

  •  Letters are not enough

    Letters are good... it's important to let them know that the public is no longer buying the marketed Rethuglican line.  Remind them what happened to Newsweek.  Point out their own words in their own article that gives the lie to their vicious attack on half the country:

    Agreeing to disagree, with pride

    The pattern of support remains consistent, even allowing for distinctions along the great divide of politics. The survey found that "only 2 points separate the shares of Democrats from Republicans and liberals from conservatives."

    "What's interesting is how unifying the concept of patriotism is today," Silvers said. "All groups in red states or blue states lay claim to it. We're a country that agrees to disagree, but the overriding theme all groups can claim is that they're doing it out of patriotism."

    Letters to advertisers are better.  Sponsors abhore controversy.  Let them know they're wandering into it.

    Letters to the editor of your local newspapers, condemning Robach's statement, are best of all.  It is important that we challenge all these "You're either with us or against us" memes, as quickly as we can.  Contact competing news agencies; they're all too happy to document their rivals falling on their faces.  Blogging only has us talking to each other, we need to talk to the politically unconnected.

    We must push back and not go gently into their darkness.

    The Music Room.

    by madhaus on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 07:28:08 PM PST

•  She must have conveniently

  forgotten that "Dissent IS patriotic".

  by mnguy on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 07:44:37 AM PST

  •  Yeah, But It's a Good Thing...

    ...those anti-American protestors didn't do something really treasonous, like dump tea into Boston harbor.  This country wasn't founded on dissent after all...

    by Dana Houle on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:25:35 AM PST

  •  Yes

    

    by dinazina on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:05:46 AM PST

•  Perhaps that anchor wasn't aware of this

  quote from Theodore Roosevelt:

  To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.

  or this one by Thomas Jefferson:

  Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.

  or how about this one from Dwight D. Eisenhower:

  Here in America we are descended in blood and in spirit from revolutionist and rebel men and women who dare to disssent from accepted doctrine. As their heirs, may we never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion.

  or this:

  It is small minded men, those who confuse servility for honor, who are the greatest danger to our Republic.

  That one is mine.

  by Steven D on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 07:46:42 AM PST

  •  Please change diary title to...

    MSNBC anchor commits moral treason.
    

    by Caelian on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:49:32 AM PST

  •  hahaha, steve!

    that teddy quote is my sig on another discussion board.  bully!

    : p

    by Cedwyn on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:30:54 AM PST

    •  It's a great quote

      I first read it in Lewis Lapham's book Gag Rule which is a wonderful polemic on our anemic media response to the Bush Tyranny.

      by Steven D on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:49:00 AM PST

      •  Dixie Chick Used It

        I remember how effective it was when Natalie Maines used the quote on TV in the Diane Sawyer interview.  She did not give one inch in that interview!  That was so heartening in a very bleak time.

        by etatauri on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:07:23 AM PST

  •  Just a matter of time

    and references like that will start to quietly disappear from books...they do not want people to think.. or speak out.

    by jigsaw68 on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 11:17:29 AM PST

  •  Jefferson didn't say that.

    Jefferson did not say "Dissent is the highest form of Patriotism".  Howard Zinn said that.  The closest Jefferson ever came to saying something like that was when he said "The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to be always kept alive."  

    by Bodot on Tue Jul 05, 2005 at 05:24:13 AM PST

•  Blond, shoulder length straight-haired anchor or

  dark-haired woman? Just saw two of them between 10:48-50AM.

  by jawbone on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 07:48:15 AM PST

  •  The blonde - Amy Robach

    
    link

    by jmelli on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 07:49:40 AM PST

    •  Damn, you guys are fast. n/t

      by jawbone on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 07:51:05 AM PST

    •  HA!

      Robach's last job was as the helicopter traffic reporter for WTTG, the Fox station in DC!

      What a scholar, eh?

      by David Waldman on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:23:31 AM PST

      •  I've Dealt With Lots of "Journalists"

        Not all, but most print journalists have a clue.

        Not all, but most TV "journalists" wouldn't know what to do with a clue if it was given to them with detailed instructions.

        by Dana Houle on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:28:29 AM PST

        •  Job qualifications

          There are far more job qualifications for a TV "journalist" that have nothing to do with news gathering/understanding than there are for a print journalist.

          You need to speak well with little accent, you need to look good on camera, you need to listen to people in your ear while you talk, you need to have a demeanor that is bright without being silly, and a whole host of other presentation skills.

          And ALL of those are more important to someone choosing an anchor than is something silly and extraneous like actually having a clue about the news or any curiousity to gain one ...

          by BriVT on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:36:11 AM PST

          •  News Readers

            They are called News Readers. that's what they do. Peter Jennings is a news reader like the rest.

            by stu piddy on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:50:02 AM PST

            •  Peter Jennings

              Peter Jennings, news reader, is the senior editor at ABC News and was the bureau chief in the first American tv news outlet in the middle east (Beirut).   He had extensive experience (several years in fact) as a journalist in that part of the world before taking the position that he currently holds.

              I hardly think he deserves to be put on the level of models reading teleprompters.

              by tlh lib on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:47:33 AM PST

              •  Interesting ...

                In the 80s, he was always considered a lightweight in comparison with Brokaw and Rather and all that came before him. He was originally thought to have been chosen to replace Frank Reynolds mostly because of his "pretty face". With the state of television "journalism" being what it is today, he's now considered a heavyweight.

                Go figure ... as the salaries increased the depth and intelligence of the personality decreased.

                by Glinda on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 01:23:04 PM PST

              •  Read Dahr Jamail

                You know what a journalist like Peter Jennings did in Beirut. He hung out in Hotel Lobby  bars and talkied to other journalists. Then he took a cab to American Embassy Parties and private parties of other Americans or Government officials.

                They go from the cab  to the curb to the hotel.

                If you want to read a real journalist read Dahr Jamail.

                He is certainly a pretty face and nothing else.

                by stu piddy on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:57:28 PM PST

                •  Not the point

                  The point isn't that Peter Jennings is one of the top journalists out there.   The point is that your reference to him being synonymous with what this diary is about was completely and entirely wrong.

                  Beyond that, something tells me you don't know the first thing about what Peter Jennings did or did not do in Beirut.

                  by tlh lib on Tue Jul 05, 2005 at 04:32:36 AM PST

                  •  Peter Jennings

                    Ok You like Peter Jennings. And it sounds like you know him.

                    He worked in Beiruit for 7 years, he dated Ahwari a palestinan spokeswoman. His dad was in Broadcasting. He hung out with the wealthy classes at Parties, Hotel Bars etc. He is uppercrust, ambitious, doesn't take a position on anything but indicates alot. He indicates a very conservative position for someone who dated Aswari 25 years ago.

                    I have seen him interviewed on TV and he says nothing. He's careful. He wants to maintain his position.

                    I think he's an awful man and I saw him once in an airport and had I had more time I would have told him myself as I have told others who I feel that way about.

                    by stu piddy on Tue Jul 05, 2005 at 08:19:55 AM PST

          •  Yeah, They're Peformers

            But the producers are often quite bad as well.  And I'm not a big snob when it comes to writing--I know there are gramatical and stylistic things I do that probably make people grind their teeth--but jeeze, the writing on local news has to be the most hackneyed prose anywhere.  

            by Dana Houle on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:16:42 AM PST

          •  I take it...

            ...that you don't actually at least click through fox?  Because there is nothing about those people that is close to "good looking".  Half the reason I stay away from it is the content, the other half is that they have this strange freaky feel about them.

            by Jeffersonian on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 11:36:16 AM PST

        •  I once met a young tv journalists at Club Med

          She was a cute friendly bouncy young thing, very proud of her job as a traffic and weather announcer.  What she knew about the outside world you could stuff in an ant's asshole.  Product of a course of study that essentially focuses on how to to smile, how to talk while listening to the ear-piece, and how to do the TV announcer's speech cadence.  There isn't much more to it than that anymore.  They are readers, with just enough 'sparkling personality' to keep the viewer from dozing off.

          Some day someone is going to save the networks some money by having the whole thing performed by a robot.  It wouldn't have any effect on how the news is actually reported, and is probably now technically feasible.

          by Knut Wicksell on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:48:15 AM PST

          •  Or Morbo

            I would prefer Morbo the News Reader from Futurama.  More menace than a robot, and "Morbo Demands Attention!"

            by Dana Houle on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:20:36 AM PST

          •  Max Headrooom

            anyone? BLipvertz and spontaneous combustion come pretty close to my reaction to seeing GWB on TV. First the Violent Gag Response, followed by an unquenchable thirst for anything alcoholic.

            by demnomore on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:57:08 AM PST

          •  bad knut! bad!

            LOL!  you interrupted my ratings spree!  

            i gave you a four and just had to make a post about how !@#$%& funny your comment was.  

            "what she knew about the outside world you could stuff in an ant's asshole" is the best. description of ignorance. ever.

            by Cedwyn on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:51:51 AM PST

        •  Print journalists have some sense

          Well most of us do. The hundreds of newspaper reporters who toil in the hinterlands and who are not part of the D.C. press corps have scratched our heads at the spin that gets cast as truth. What makes this more appalling is that television journos follow the script as if on cue.

          This is not the profession that I busted my butt off for more than two decades to ferret out honesty and truth. Maybe those are old-fashioned qualities, but I pray that what was old becomes new again.

          Sigh.

          Something I have held my tongue for the last 5 and a half years hoping and praying that truth will come to light about Dubya and his evil cabal that has inflicted the nation. Maybe that day is coming soon.

          by CocoaLove on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:57:25 AM PST

          •  5 and a half years? More like 25 years...

            ...or perhaps even longer.

            I first started noticing the corruption of journalism in 1981, when the SCLM suddenly became lapdogs for the Reagan administration. All the excuses I heard -- e.g., respect for the office more so than the man; too soon after Watergate to go after a president again; etc., etc. -- didn't ring true. But I couldn't prove my suspicions about the SCLM till another Dem prez was inaugurated.

            So, right on schedule, at noon on January 20, 1993, the SCLM declared war on President Clinton and his administration -- and didn't stop lobbing phony-baloney charges against him even after he left office.

            But right at noon on January 20, 2001, even as they continued to tar President Clinton with BS smear after BS smear, the SCLM went into lapdog mode for the Bush regime. And they're still there.

            So, if the truth about the damage that Shrub and his evil minions have done to our country does come to light, it ain't gonna be the SCLM that powers it.

            Looks like it's our job, people.

            by monchie b monchum on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 05:56:08 PM PST

      •  re

        Good lord. Let me guess... her stepford looks had nothing to do with her getting the job...

        by cookiesandmilk on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:34:58 AM PST

      •  Ease up, eberyone

        Amy is a very hard working, honest and nice person.  My sister worked with her in Charleston, SC and at WTTG in DC.  Yes, she started at WTTG as a traffic person but eventually ended up anchoring mornings and mid-day.  She is extremely intelligent and, according to my sister who has been in the broadcast news business a while, a very good journalist.  She is the oldest of a large family and worked her way through college (University of Georgia, I think.)  I have actually met her a few times and I was impressed with her lack of pretense.  
        People screw up, ok?  

        by bulldog on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 12:23:58 PM PST

        •  In an increasingly hostile America...

          those screw-ups could get someone badly injured or killed.

          I think you have noticed the latest round of right wing desperation coming in the form of eliminationist stickers and the horrible outing of an unpopular "John Doe" by an Omaha newspaper while whimpering for press confidentiality in the Rove Scandal, has resulted in death threats and a beaten child by  bullies, and in general a feeling that a family has a "contract" out on it.

          THESE SCREW-UPS ARE GOING TO GET SOME PERSON KILLED FOR EXPRESSING THEIR OPINION!

          Maybe she's sweet, but from what I've seen of TV news locally, it's a cut-throat world of intrigue and duplicity, and the meanest often get the biggest prizes.

          by boilerman10 on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 12:31:55 PM PST

        •  no, she is not.

          She is extremely intelligent and...a very good journalist.

          an intelligent person would understand how and why dissent is patriotic.  a good journalist would know better than to editorialize so recklessly on national television.

          ms. patriot police is neither.

          if she apoligizes, easing up might be in order.  maybe.

          but you do raise the interesting point of what if she was just repeating what the voice in her earpiece said?  who is that voice?  the show's producer?

          by Cedwyn on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 01:48:14 PM PST

          •  A difference between live TV and print

            is that you can write a lot of stuff and then rewrite it after you realise you've screwed up or put emphasis in the wrong place.

            That doesn't stop us from screwing up, but at least there is more of a chance to get it out the way you meant to.

            Even then, others can read something else into it.
            

            by newsblaze on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:09:25 PM PST

            •  C'mon, tv news scripts are written

              ahead of time.  So there's no out there.

              And if she wasn't reading from a script, then she is  solely responsible for saying what she did.

              Either way, no abdication of responsibility on this one (in Herbert Gans' term for journalistic objectivity).

              The emphasis is on responsibility -- on the part of all involved in media production.  That's the price of the First Amendment freedom: responsibility.

              Sure, good people -- writers or readers -- screw up.  

              But then good people admit their error and apologize.

              by Cream City on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 11:28:25 PM PST

        •  OK

          It does happen. People do screw up. Especially when they're scrambling to fill what would otherwise be dead air.

          Maybe you could get word to your sister, who could get word to her, that she needs to be more careful with her construction when she's dealing with political subjects.

          by David Waldman on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 02:06:19 PM PST

        •  Good point, bulldog

          Sometimes people have biases they aren't aware of and things like this pop out, although I wouldn't expect to see this in someone in her position. Probably won't happen again! On the other hand, maybe it is most revealing about the people she works with at MSNBC. If that kind of characterization is accepted in professional conversations in the newsroom, it shouldn't be a surprise to see it surface on the air.

          by indybend on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 02:14:10 PM PST

        •  The problem is

          A lot of people on this blog imitate the horrible people they rail against.

          If you say a single thing they disagree with, then you are a troll or a traitor or in Amy's case, a dumb blonde.

          Since when was trashing others an effective way to make a case for change?

          No wonder the country's going to hell in a handbasket and no wonder waffling has been going on for years and progress is zero.

          What about doing something constructive?

          But then again, its fun to trash other people and you can blame lack of progress on "the other side".

          by newsblaze on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:03:12 PM PST

    •  Now I understand.

      They have a plastic mannequin read their news for them.  Probably works for less than a real person.

      MSNBC hires nonhuman scabs.

      by AdmiralNaismith on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:25:41 AM PST

      •  all CGI

        Much less work and far cheaper than a mobile robot, plus no risk of sticky gears at an inpportune moment. They just drop them in during post-production...

        by bellatrys on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:01:51 AM PST

    •  Maybe she could be the next runaway blonde?

      by Spud1 on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:32:23 AM PST

  •  Ah, just saw name. Amy R. Oops and thanks.

    by jawbone on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 07:50:27 AM PST

•  my email to MSNBC

   Her comments alluding to the fact that Presidential  protestors aren't patriotic are reprehensible.
  On the 4th of July ,no less!
   One wonders what the founding fathers would think of a mediaconglomerate owned by a huge defense contractor (General Electric/NBC),criticizing/questioning the patriotism of average Americans for expressing their views.
  Not everyone in this great country is a cheeleader for this war.

  by Lakedem on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 07:56:40 AM PST

  •  very nice letter

    I wish I had the exact quote so people could cite it.

    by jmelli on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 07:59:28 AM PST

  •  Where is the link to email them

    I can't ever find that stuff on MSNBC - they are good at hiding it.

    I wanna write too!!!

    by inclusiveheart on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:43:43 AM PST

    •  the email address up top in the diary

      by jmelli on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:44:46 AM PST

  •  Don't forget the MIcrosoft connection

    the MSN part of MSNBC is for Microsoft, the convicted monopolist.

    by thinkdouble on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:54:55 AM PST

•  Can we get the exact quote, please?

  I want to send an email off to MSNBC, but I want to be specific.

  by asdfasdf on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 07:59:15 AM PST

  •  Sorry, I don't have it.

    There might be people who record these channels all the time in order to get good clips off them. I'm thinking dembloggers or crooks and liars might have it. I'll try to contact them.

    by jmelli on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:01:04 AM PST

    •  You probably won't have it either

      their trancripts are never published in full - but if it was a presidential address - you might find that someone at some place like crooks and liars might have caught it...

      I am going to write them anyway because the notion that someone speaking out in this country might not be counted among the patriotic is completely offensive!!!

      by inclusiveheart on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:45:55 AM PST

      •  that's okay

        While it would be nice to have a published transcript, I believe we have two confirmations in this thread that her deplorable comments did indeed equate support for Bush as "patriotic".

        Sometimes we have to trust our ears.  
        

        by Dem Beans on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:05:41 AM PST

        •  agreed

          by inclusiveheart on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:53:53 AM PST

        •  Remember Newsweek

          when you go without confirmation, if you're going to put your reputation on the line.

          by newsblaze on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:12:35 PM PST

•  re

  I'm fracken furious. Just sent that twit and email.

  by cookiesandmilk on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:02:15 AM PST

•  Nauseating

  This nitwit certainly has an imperfect understanding of the word "patriotic".

  Please send this tip along to mediamatters.org.  It's the kind of stuff he jumps on, and it'll ensure MSNBC gets a load of angry emails about this.

  by Dem Beans on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:06:37 AM PST

  •  Will do.

    by jmelli on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:11:02 AM PST

•  is this appropo?

  "Well, I coulda been an actor, but I wound up here
  I just have to look good, I don't have to be clear
  Come and whisper in my ear
  Give us dirty laundry

  "We got the bubble-headed-bleach-blonde who
  Comes on at five
  She can tell you 'bout the plane crash with a gleam In her eye
  It's interesting when people die-
  Give us dirty laundry"
                    Don Henley

  by Lakedem on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:09:36 AM PST

  •  That song

    Ran through my head while reading the diary.  

    by fabooj on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:36:23 AM PST

•  My letter:

  (It is kind of over the top but her statement really pissed me off.)

  "Amy Robach implicitly labeled protestors at a George W. Bush speech as unpatriotic. This anchor should apologize ON THE AIR for such an insulting and unworthy statement, unless the meaning of the word "patriotic" has changed.

  Questioning George Bush's criminal policies is extremely patriotic. There is NOTHING PATRIOTIC about blindly supporting a president who would LIE US INTO WAR (and lies about everything else he proposes, as well)."
  

  by lecsmith on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:19:41 AM PST

  •  Not over the top at all n/t

    by indybend on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:24:41 AM PST

    •  lecsmith is right

      the letter's a wee bit over the top.  i don't think it serves the purpose here to carry on about "bush's criminal behavior."  whoever is reading it probably tuned right out the minute they saw that.

      no offense, lecsmith - it's a good letter.  i just honestly think introducing bush weakens the point.

      : /

      by Cedwyn on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:35:03 AM PST

      •  in the aggregate,

        this letter provides a nice sharp spike.

        All letters don't have to be under the top.  How else will the recipient get a feel for the range of emotion that exists out there?  

        by MetaProphet on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 02:10:52 PM PST

  •  OTT ? email to MSNBC

    Subject: Amy Robach and patriotism  Body:"Fuck you people"

    by sooner on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 04:18:41 PM PST

•  Waitaminnit

  So, Amy...were most of the people there indeed patriots who had turned out to speak and heckle and stand against King George's tyranny? Or were there "only a few" such patriots? Huh, Amy? WHICH IS IT?

  Flip-flopper.

  by AdmiralNaismith on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:23:50 AM PST

  •  The way-back machine

    Here's Amy reporting on the Declaration of Independence:

    "A few men signed a letter of protest, but the vast majority of colonists were patriotic."

    by BriVT on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:39:23 AM PST

    •  Well you know

      All them Tories you guys tarred and feathered and ran out of town on a rail who came to Canada were known as United Empire Loyalists.

      Ther are many here in Canada who proudly put UEL after their names to note their heritage.

      We are all living in interesting times.

      by Bionic on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:44:16 AM PST

•  My e-mail

  We just saw the report by Amy Robach regarding the President's speech in West Virginia.  At the end she questioned the patriotism of the protesters attending the event. Since when is protesting unpatriotic?  Let's see...shall we start with the Boston Tea Party?  

  Are you hiring journalists to cover the news or political hacks?  We would like to know before, or if we ever, tune into your news programs again.  It might be a good idea to go over your staff journalists' resumes to find out if they ever attended journalism classes.  Please...let's attempt to attain the "fair and balanced" news reporting that other networks only present as a façade.
  

  by whyvee on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:24:57 AM PST

  •  This Dizzy Blonde Has a Journalism Degree

    Not to be a buzzkill, but she did actually go to University of Georgia and graduated from their journalism dept with honors.  It's a good program.  Charlene Hunter Gault's there, et al.

    She still made a blunder that seems hard to believe was just a fluke and I still wrote to MSNBC.

    by etatauri on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:19:07 AM PST

    •  thank you!

      more ammunition...having an actual journalism degree means she should bloody well know better!

      by Cedwyn on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:40:05 AM PST

    •  degrees mean jack.

      Some of the dumbest people I know have degrees.  Sure they know a lot about a little but they sure know jack shit about contextual dynamics.

      by MetaProphet on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 02:12:33 PM PST

•  Is She Having Sex

  With Rush Limbaugh too?

  by vetman on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:26:39 AM PST

  •  re

    So much for my breakfast.. Your posted instantly flashed a mental image of darryn and rush all nudie on a beach in Afghanistan...

    Ewwwww....

    PS: Everyone write an email to this News Model!

    by cookiesandmilk on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:33:49 AM PST

    •  yes, excuse me... but

      am i the only one who cannot watch darryn k anymore?

      i just can't get past it. i try to convince myself its not true when i watch her, that its all a mistake.. its weird, i can't forget about it.. every few seconds it pops into my head when she is talking.. her love affair with rush is so distracting.

      by mott street on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:50:45 AM PST

      •  Darryn K

        Darryn and Rush having sex would look like a praying mantis eating a toad.  A very, very fat toad.

        by The Bartender on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:00:35 AM PST

      •  DK

        I haven't really watched CNN in over a year. I did see a tidbit at my folks' house when I was visiting and there was the DK. I mean, her reporting hasn't been the best, but it has gone down hill and I really can't respect ANYONE who would think, let alone really do it, of sleeping with Rush. ICK.

        by melthewriter on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:05:06 AM PST

        •  I can't stand her. However-

          I would take her 24/7 over Bill "Don't these glasses make me look more intelligent?" Hemmer... I've gotten smarter things out of crackerjack boxes.

          by Arken on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 11:05:59 PM PST

      •  I now can't bear to look at her

        because of where my thoughts then lead me.

        Also, what can she possibly be thinking? He is so deeply nasty and he's a liar.

        by lecsmith on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 01:17:47 PM PST

  •  Like Michael Jackson

    Rush Limbaugh is asexual.  He is incapable of an erection.  He and Kagan's relationship revolved strictly around the use of Oxy-Contins and listening to Anita Bryant records.

    by the ratprick on Tue Jul 05, 2005 at 04:52:39 AM PST

•  outrageous

  Just wrote a email alos asking for an on air apology.  This shit has got to stop.

  by threecents on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:31:15 AM PST

  •  to hell with apologies

    i'ma demand they fire her.

    by Cedwyn on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:37:10 AM PST

    •  Cedwyn, you say I am over the

      top. Do you think that demanding that they fire her is going to work? That's just as over the top. No offence, mind you.

      by lecsmith on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:54:25 AM PST

      •  au contraire, msr. lecsmith...

        * you * said it was over the top.  i merely agreed.

        : p

        her comments were extremely unprofessional and violated all kinds of journalistic standards - reporting news is reporting news, not writing an editorial/opinion column.  she needs to keep the two separate.

        i also think that demanding they fire her is a good yardstick for them to understand just how offended some of us are.  they probably won't do it, but they need to grasp how seriously some members of their audience will react to such flippant asshattery by a news commentator.

        by Cedwyn on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:29:54 AM PST

        •  p.s.

          it's not like i was on the phone all "if you don't fire her...blahblahblahblahbalbha!!!!"

          it was more of a "such commentary is entirely inappropriate and patently offensive.  if she cannot report the news with professionalism, she should not be on the air...blahblahblahblabh."

          by Cedwyn on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:43:59 AM PST

        •  Cedwyn, even though my kos name

          is boring, I am female. I am going to change it to something more interesting once the year is up. I already gave Kos a lifetime subscription.

          by lecsmith on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 01:09:29 PM PST

          •  mea culpa!

            please forgive my gaffe - i have an equally ambiguous name and don't appreciate being called a man any more than you do.  

            i haven't the faintest why i thought you were a guy; i just did.  apologies.

            aren't you a fellow portlander?

            by Cedwyn on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 01:18:49 PM PST

            •  p.s.

              there's no such thing as a boring name.

              :p

              by Cedwyn on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 01:19:52 PM PST

            •  No, but I would like to be. My husband and

              I are seriously considering retiring to Portland but that won't be for ten or so years. (I mean Portland, Oregon--not that there is anything wrong with Portland, ME, a lovely city in its own right!) We live outside of Boston.

              by lecsmith on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 01:38:05 PM PST

            •  Everyone thinks lecsmith is male,

              so don't worry about it.

              by lecsmith on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 01:39:55 PM PST

•  republichik wannabe

  she's probably just auditioning for a job at Fox Political Entertainment Channel.

  by TrueBlueMajority on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:31:18 AM PST

  •  Yep, Laurie Dhue probably called...

    ...and said, "Hey, the water's fine for blond ex-MSNBCers over here. Plus, you know you guys are ALWAYS gonna be in third place among the cable news nets -- at least, until NBC has finally had enough of shoving money down that hole."
     
    Or, words to that effect.

    by bwintx on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:18:31 AM PST

•  What's even better than writing MSNBC

  Is contacting the companies running ads during Amy R's show.  Ask if this is really the perspective their company is supporting, and if so, refuse to buy their products.   </lessons from Sinclair>

  by bribri on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:31:48 AM PST

  •  what is the name

    of "her show"?  

    (i don't have cable; if not for streaming internets, i don't know what i'd do.)

    by Cedwyn on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:38:14 AM PST

    •  i must plead ingernit

      i haven't had cable for years now.
      i'll still be happy to call / write the sponsors!

      by bribri on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 11:10:59 AM PST

  •  yes!

    during the sinclair thing, i made a lot of headway with companies by saying that i just wanted to make sure they knew they were unwittingly placed in the center of a gigantic kerfuffle by sinclair.  

    i felt they ought to know that the stations were being boycotted and that their ads would not be seen by much of anybody, so their advertising dollars would be much better spent elsewhere.

    etc.  

    in a nutshell, i guess i was framing it in their self-interest, rather than as an abstract political argument.  from there, a lot of people agreed with the politics of it anyway, some didn't; but they can't argue with the impact on their revenues, whatever their thoughts.

    i also seemed to have a lot more success with the local businesses advertising on the station affiliates, fwiw.

    by Cedwyn on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:38:22 AM PST

•  Please just cancel the cable

  Your life will be so much better, you won't believe it.

  It wouldn't hurt to inform your cable company that you're cancelling because you're sick of paying to be insulted by nitwits like Robach.

  It is amazing how many more productive, enjoyable and enriching activities you'll discover when a huge chunk of the time you have to spend on this earth is not sucked up by that sinkhole that is a television.

  The internets, for example.

  by elmo on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:32:06 AM PST

  •  We loves

    our precious TV. The elmoses won't take you from us, will they, precious?

    by paraphrase on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:02:46 AM PST

  •  patience, elmo,-- and persistence

    people love the chronophage.

    by half on Tue Jul 05, 2005 at 04:22:32 AM PST

  •  Don't cancel cable

    Without cable, there's no Daily Show.  There's no Sundance Channel and IFC.

    Now, if you're stuck in front of the TV for "huge chunks" of time, yeah, stop doing that :)  But don't act as if there's nothin' worthwhile on the tube.

    by dmauer on Tue Jul 05, 2005 at 06:24:12 AM PST

•  sent an e-mail n/t

  by Noisy Democrat on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:33:48 AM PST

•  I shudder...

  and am revulsed by that image.  No time like the present to shoot off some fireworks.

  by stumpy on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:35:58 AM PST

•  send your emails to

  [e-mail]

  by TrueBlueMajority on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:36:16 AM PST

•  Patriotism on MSNBC.COM

  Here's an MSNBC page that cites the Roper poll on patriotism (most Americans say they are) alongside a link labled "Most Americans say Iraq war not worth it." Nice juxtaposition.

  by indybend on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:37:26 AM PST

  •  Agree to Disagree?

    From the article:

    Agreeing to disagree, with pride
    The pattern of support remains consistent, even allowing for distinctions along the great divide of politics. The survey found that "only 2 points separate the shares of Democrats from Republicans and liberals from conservatives."

    "What's interesting is how unifying the concept of patriotism is today," Silvers said. "All groups in red states or blue states lay claim to it. We're a country that agrees to disagree, but the overriding theme all groups can claim is that they're doing it out of patriotism."

    What he forgets to notice is that, in addition to both sides claiming patriotic intent, both sides insist that the other doesn't have it. "Agree to disagree" might be somewhat of a Pollyanna way of looking at it.

    by jabbausaf on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:22:30 AM PST

•  I don't suppose...

  ...she bothered to mention when that tour of duty in Iraq she signed up for is starting?  Huh?

  by grunmann on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:39:25 AM PST

•  If true, it's really bad...

  
  ...and the letters should pour forth to MSNBC.  But it doesn't appear that anyone has concrete confirmation of this comment yet...the exact words by the exact anchor.  It's often unwise to go lunging at someone without cold hard proof.  I hope a video clip or transcript shows up soon.

  If and when proof is in hand, Media Matters should be contacted...as well as the Center for American progress's "Think Progress" crew.

  by Bill in Portland Maine on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:42:23 AM PST

  •  lurking over at free republic

    It is funny because they are attacking Tom Brokaw right now for saying, "Are we any closer to winning the wrong war". And, they are saying he is trying to say the war in Iraq is the wrong war.

    When what Brokaw meant and said was the "long" war meaning the War on Terror.

    by ECH on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:46:52 AM PST

    •  Long, wrong

      What's the difference? as GW would say...

      by Margot on Tue Jul 05, 2005 at 01:23:54 AM PST

  •  Yep

    I contacted Dembloggers, Crooks and Liars and Media Matters to see if any of them have the video/transcript of it.

    by jmelli on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:48:22 AM PST

    •  I contacted them as well.

      by Eternal Hope on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:00:42 AM PST

•  Why are you giving MSGOP attention

  No one watches them anyway. More people hang out a Dkos at any given time of the day then watches their station.

  by ECH on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:43:02 AM PST

  •  Yes, but....

    Countdown with Keith Olbermann is well worth watching. We've got to support his show, his is one of the few that will report on important issues that no one else will (or they finally get around to it a week later).

    by BCO gal on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:55:47 AM PST

    •  Yes, and set your Tivo's and DVR's to record

      Keith's show (if you have one), that increases ratings data.  Might not affect ratings directly, but...

      by Bob on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:05:20 AM PST

•  My email

  to MSGOP demanded an apology and stated that I will only watch them in order to know who their sponsors are so that I might contact THEM and let said sponsors know that I will not buy from companies that advertise on a right-wing propaganda outlet.

  Why is it that when Dems speak the truth (eg Durbin) they can't cave quickly enough but this little bimbo will in all likelyhood go scot-free along with Limbaugh, Coulter, et all?

  by drewfromct on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:44:21 AM PST

  •  ADVERTISERS

    Hit them where it hurts.  Nice job.  I did the same.

    by aschupanitz on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:35:36 AM PST

    •  yeah...

      I just wrote to Boeing and told them to cancel my order for a 767.

      Seriously, this is why CNN and MSNBC (I don't know about FOX, I refuse to watch even a second of their dreck) have so much feel-good advertising for Boeing, Tyco, and other corporate behemoths who don't rely on direct marketing to consumers.  You can't really boycott them.

      They own these stations - they've paid for them and it's their message that's broadcast.

      by Dem Beans on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:45:13 AM PST

•  letter written

  thx for the tip.

  by hfiend on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:45:56 AM PST

•  My letter:

  Around 10:15 AM EST, your news anchor, Amy Robach, made a statement that there were a few protestors at a Bush speech, but that "most people there were patriotic." As a viewer, I am offended that a mainstream news organization, which is supposed to be objective, would question the patriotism of people who would peacefully protest the President's visit to West Virginia.

  As today is independence day, we should reflect that our country was founded on protest and that protest has always been a part of American history. If MS-NBC had been around during the Boston Tea Party and had been based in London, would you have questioned the patriotism of the Americans who threw the tea into Boston Harbor?

  This conduct by your anchor and organization is unprofessional and does not reflect American values.

  by Eternal Hope on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:50:50 AM PST

  •  Eternal Hope

    that is a very, very nice letter.  Well done.

    by pasadena beggar on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:27:43 AM PST

•  In my email to MSNBC

  I told them Ms. Robach wouldn't even have a job if it wasn't for the dissent of the brave women and men who advocated for equal rights of her gender.

  by BCO gal on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:01:48 AM PST

•  My Letter to MSNBC

  This morning, I read a DailyKos post concerning a speech President Bush made this morning in West Virginia.  At the end, MSNBC news anchor Amy Robach allegedly reported:

  there were probably a few thousand people there to watch the speech [... snip ...] there were a few protesters, but most people there were patriotic.

  Is this true?  Did News Anchor Amy Robach really intend to state that anyone protesting President Bush, who in the 2004 election only captured 51% of the popular vote, is unpatriotic?  Since when is exercising our God-Given rights of free speech unpatriotic?  Perhaps you should review the document "Declaration of Independence, signed by Disloyal English Protestors, on July 4th 1776.  A Related document is the "Bill of Rights" signed a few years later.  I realize both are bit outdated in Bush's America, but some of us still like to think it applies.

  I do not and never will support President Bush's policies, starting with his war of choice in Iraq.  

  I ask you:  Am I unpatriotic?  

  This is not a rhetorical question.  I expect an answer.  I also expect that if Ms Robach really did mean to say that anyone protesting President Bush is unpatriotic, she at least publicly apologize or even better resign.  As opposed to being fired, which if MSNBC applied the same standards Republicans pushed on former Anchorman Dan Rather, would be automatic.

  *****

  Thanks for the catch.  And to every Kossack, a Happy 4th of July!

  by redtravelmaster on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:03:44 AM PST

  •  why include dailykos

    in your letter?  the message is stronger if you act like you're an actual viewer about to walk away from msnbc.  

    by Cedwyn on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:41:42 AM PST

  •  Don't Bring Up DailyKos, It Muddies The Issue n/t

    by etatauri on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:41:23 AM PST

    •  Thanks for the Feedback

      My thought was by mentioning DailyKos, it would let MSNBC, and every other MSM watching, the power of blogs for monitoring their content.

      by redtravelmaster on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:51:36 AM PST

      •  it's still a great letter

        don't get me wrong...

        by Cedwyn on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 01:56:23 PM PST

•  Complaint

  To whom it may concern,

  During coverage of President Bush today, I heard one of your commentators take note of protesters at the event, and she said something along the lines of "apart from the protesters, most people there were patriotic."

  How dare MSNBC equate dissent with lack of patriotism on the Fourth of July! What's wrong with you?

  I'll have you know that I have no intention of watching your channel anymore, not while you allow stupid commentary like that on your airwaves. MSNBC should issue an official apology and fire the person responsible for that comment. If they don't know the basis of America itself is dissent, then they have no business commenting on the Fourth of July for millions of viewers. Send them out of your newsroom and back to US History 101.

  signed,
  [edverb]

  by edverb on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:05:07 AM PST

•  My email msnbsleaze

  As a Disabled Vietnam Veteran who has a son who served fourteen months in Iraq, I am as patriotic an American as you will find. I am totally against bush and his war for profit in Iraq, as are a rapidly growing number of Veterans and active duty soldiers. Many of them protest. Your newsperson, Amy Robach, has insinuated that disagreeing with bush is unpatriotic. It is uninformed, to hell with the country give me my money talking heads like her that has led me to forego many years of  allowing NBC and MSNBC  to be my favorite source of television news. As of today you have lost another viewer.

  by Gary173 on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:06:53 AM PST

•  I could be mistaken

  but a couple of weeks ago, I think I heard Amy Robach say to a "military expert" who was commenting on media coverage of the war that, "they would look to the military for guidance" in how to cover the situation in Iraq.

  I think she just has diarrhea of the mouth and probably hasn't got a clue what she's saying.  She doesn't seem to know how to transition out of a story.  But maybe I'm letting her off easy.

  by Susan S on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:14:42 AM PST

  •  What is she doing on a national broadcast

    if "she doesn't seem to know how to transition out of story"? I think you ARE letting her off easy, and the people that hired her too.

    by indybend on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:31:41 AM PST

    •  Just trying to identify the problem

      She obviously has the job because she fits the image that MSNBC is going for, and not because she's a superior intellect with an understanding of what she's conveying to the public.

      by Susan S on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:37:55 AM PST

•  Wrote a little letter.

  
  AMY ROBACH just called me "unpatriotic."

  In noting the presence of protestors at Bush's W. Virginia speech, Amy Robach remarked that while there were a FEW protestors, "Most of the people there were patriotic."

  WHAT????

  As an American who believes in political dissent as emblematic of what the drafters of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution meant by "FREEDOM OF SPEECH."

  I am simply APPALLED at Ms. Robach's ignorant, UNPATRIOTIC turn of phrase. Shameful and execrable.

  Fire that anchor.

  Maryscott O'Connor
  Sherman Oaks, CA

  by Maryscott OConnor on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:19:28 AM PST

  •  MSNBC is fucked

    MSOC is angry. duck

    by jmelli on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:22:05 AM PST

  •  Once again...

    in my haste and anger, I have managed to send a letter with an incomplete sentence in it.

    As an American who believes in political dissent as emblematic of what the drafters of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution meant by "FREEDOM OF SPEECH," I am simply APPALLED at Ms. Robach's ignorant, UNPATRIOTIC turn of phrase. Shameful and execrable.

    Sigh.

    by Maryscott OConnor on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:23:41 AM PST

    •  Who cares...

      ...it's effective. Grammar be damned!

      by MichaelPH on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:38:28 AM PST

    •  A lack of polish...

      ...is excusable in any sentence containing "excreable," cuz after all, you can't polish a turd. :)

      by sagesource on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:44:48 AM PST

    •  Oh so now you see how misteaks are maid (sic)

      Thats what happens when haste enters the picture.

      I wonder what its like trying to do a live TV show. Is it possible the wrong words might come out or possibly an error could be made while you have but a split second to work out what you will say?

      Of course, all you after the fact quarterbacks know it was a right wing plot to discredit loyal protesters (who may be democrats or republicans).

      Ease up before you burst a bloodvessel.

      My guess is that she meant nothing like what you surmise.

      I bet she meant the "patriotic" ones were supporting independence day and the others were not celebrating the day.

      But only time will tell.

      In the meantime, several kossacks will have died of burst bloodvessels, strokes or heart failure.
      

      by newsblaze on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:01:28 PM PST

      •  I saw no plot.

        Just an incredibly ignorant woman.

        by Maryscott OConnor on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:28:10 PM PST

      •  Who gives a shit how difficult it is

        she is getting paid a lot of money to do what she does and there is no excuse for her ignorant partisan statement.

        by TeresaInPa on Tue Jul 05, 2005 at 12:29:57 AM PST

      •  No one here is having

        heart failure. We're doing what concerned citizens should--addressing the problem (and it is a problem, mistake or not--it still went out over the public airwaves) rather than sitting back and letting the damage be done or, more absurdly, believing in our hearts that MSNBC will voluntarily do the right thing.

        It's nice that you want to give Ms. Robach the benefit of the doubt ("guessing" that she didn't mean what she said, as if your guess alone should be the end of any concern we might have), but I would argue that there isn't any. And even if it was a slip of the tongue, it was a dangerous one and should be called out and, more important, corrected publicly. Or do you think "protest is unpatriotic" should be allowed to "slip" unchallenged into the public discourse because it might have been a mistake?

        "Time" will only "tell" if a good number of us speak up and ask the question. What, I have to wonder, are you motives in trying to stop us?

        by segmentis on Tue Jul 05, 2005 at 11:24:07 AM PST

  •  I love anyone

    who who knows how to properly use the word execrable these days.

    by Steven D on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 06:03:33 PM PST

•  My email

  Is it my imagination, or did I just hear anchor Amy Robach refer to Bush supporters as "patriotic," with the clear implication that those who do not march in lockstep with the President are unpatriotic?

  Considering that polls show an ever-increasing proportion of the public wising up to the criminal scams littering every aspect of this Administration's activities, would it not be in the better interests of your advertising income to keep up to date with the mood of the nation?

  And since your writers don't seem to know the smart angles to pursue for viewership numbers, perhaps look at it from this perspective:  MSNBC purports to be a NEWS station.  Please, therefore, require your newsreaders to read out NEWS rather than taint the airwaves with their opinions, especially where those opinions are so unsophisticated, ill-informed and politically partisan that they make a supposedly serious organization like MSNBC look like a feeble imitation of the FOX propaganda channel.

  by Loquatrix on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:24:02 AM PST

•  There are some good newsreaders out there

  For those people disparaging the talent of newsreaders out there - I've got a lineup of some damn good talent:

  
  Peter Mansbridge (CBC)

  
  Lloyd Robertson (CTV)

  
  Jeremy Paxman (BBC)

  
  Jon Snow (Channel 4 - sign up for Snowmail)

  
  Mishal Husain (BBC World)

  
  Lyse Doucet (BBC World)

  
  Bridgid Nzekwu (Channel 4)

  
  Adrienne Arsenault (okay she's a reporter (and a damn good one) - and is CBC's Mideast correspondent)

  ...now can anyone help me find some Americans who belong in the rotation

  by Thor Heyerdahl on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:27:15 AM PST

  •  I know she works for Fox, but

    Jennifer Griffith who covers Israel is a really good reporter.  There used to be a woman in South Florida named Ann Bishop who was great at reading the news.  She was absolutely a no-nonsense kind of person.

    by Susan S on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:35:55 AM PST

  •  CNN International, which we can't

    see anymore, has some excellent reporters who are real journalists in my view. (Interestingly, many are Canadian.) As far as I am concerned, CNN could raise their ratings by substituting CNN-I for CNN.

    by lecsmith on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:50:21 AM PST

    •  CNN Internation

      CNN is now carrying CNN International's World Report weekdays at noon.

      The largely European audience that CNN-I caters would never tolerate what passes for reportage in this country.

      by jpol on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:54:04 AM PST

  •  I heart

    Mishal Husain.

    by mraker on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:23:29 AM PST

    •  So do I

      I couldn't remember her name when first getting the pictures, but kept thinking, "Where's an image of that smart, hard hitting and good looking BBC World announcer?"  When I was in Europe and it was her shift, I wouldn't change the channel for hours at a time :P

      by Thor Heyerdahl on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:50:07 AM PST

  •  American talent

    Keith Olbermann and Jon Stewart (and I am not being facetious with the second name.  His "pretend" news is far more honest than anything you'll ever see from a network anchor.

    by jpol on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:24:36 AM PST

  •  ashleigh banfield

    was dreamy................

    by beagleandtabby on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:48:31 AM PST

  •  Don't Forget Jon Leiberman

    How quickly we forget!

    by JackAshe on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 12:03:56 PM PST

  •  Ed Bradley

    by sooner on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 04:30:29 PM PST

•  my letter just sent

  How dare your employee, Amy Robach, call the protesters at a recent Bush event "unpatriotic"!
  Since when is wanting your country to be better "unpatriotic"?
  Since when is protesting against a war based on false premises, that has killed over 1,700 Americans and thousands of other people "unpatriotic"?
  MSNBC, shame on you.
  And double shame on Amy Robach.

  Brian Staihr
  Kansas City, Missouri

  by bstaihr on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:33:36 AM PST

•  This is rich....check this out.

  So I'm google-bombing this Robach lady to find out what her story is, and I stumble across this link to an interview with...of all things...the Pageant News Bureau.

  It seems little Ms. Patriot Police here cut her teeth in the world where swimsuits, tapdancing, and lofty ambitions for world peace intermingle. Go figure.

  She was once nicknamed the "Goddess of Love", her talent was singing, and surprise - she hates stereotypes. She should take a cue from...well, herself, the next time she stereotypes speaking out against Bush as unpatriotic to a nationwide audience.

  by big dave on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:45:43 AM PST

  •  re

    I just threw up what was left of my breakfast I still had in me after reading the rush heart darryn post above...

    by cookiesandmilk on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:50:03 AM PST

  •  Great catch...

    little Ms. Patriot Police...love it.

    by Dem Beans on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:52:16 AM PST

  •  take a helicopter traffic reporter

    with a background in beauty pageants...
    bleach her hair..lots of makeup..=ratings
    ..cue Don Henley

    by Lakedem on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:23:27 AM PST

•  For the Record

  Here is what I wrote:

  Dear Sir or Madame,

  Today in an on-air a report on President Bush's speech in West Virginia, your MSNBC anchor Amy Robach suggested that protesters present at the event were "unpatriotic".  Well, she really said that everyone, but the protestors was patriotic.  Why?  Why did she say that?

  There are leagues of people in this country who do not agree with this President's policies.  Perhaps you are not familiar with the latest poll numbers that he is showing.  Well over 50% of the American public is unhappy with President Bush's performance as not only the Commander-in-Chief, but also on domestic policy.  Can we say because these Americans disagree with the President that more than 50% of the population is unpatriotic?  A group of the people who disagree with this President's policies took the time on this Fourth of July holiday to express their disappointment with his performance.  How is that rightful expression of their views unpatriotic?

  Those people - those citizens of the United States of America - were actively participating in a long-standing tradition of democratic debate.  That anyone could suggest that non-voilent participation in citizenship and democratic debate could some how be unpatriotic is in my humble opinion wholly unAmerican.  

  I believe that these Americans deserve a public apology from Ms. Robach and MSNBC for your organization's insinuation that they are unpatriotic.  

  They are Patriots who have enough love for their country to stand up and speak out about the problems we face under this President.  Which is more than I can say about your pandering news channel.  They also happen to represent the views of more than half the American public and that is no small consideration.  Even if they only represented 1% of the population exercising their right to free speech would not automatically classify them as unpatriotic.

  In this era, the members of the Fourth Estate have proved themselves to be no more than propaganda outlets serving as attack dogs for the GOP ideologues. You claim politicians are dividing the nation.  We know it is you who are responsible for the divisive political atmosphere.  Comments like this one are exemplary of that pathetic tactic of baiting people into hateful discourse.  

  If it were not for citizens like these, who in 2005 would stand up and speak for the majority of the nation?  Who would ask valid questions that might well save soldiers lives?  Your news organization certainly has not.  Ms. Robach and your entire organization should be ashamed of yourselves for these kinds of slanderous and unfounded characterizations of your fellow Americans.  

  An on-air and printed apology is respectfully requested.

  Thank you, me

   

  by inclusiveheart on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:48:54 AM PST

•  i can't get it to launch,

  but this msnbc page

  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032525/

  has a video of today's headlines?  maybe her comments are caught there?

  by Cedwyn on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:49:20 AM PST

  •  Hah! Look at this story on MSNBC

    It's about patriotism and how it is more supported after 9/11.

    The money quote:

    Agreeing to disagree, with pride

    The pattern of support remains consistent, even allowing for distinctions along the great divide of politics. The survey found that "only 2 points separate the shares of Democrats from Republicans and liberals from conservatives."

    "What's interesting is how unifying the concept of patriotism is today," Silvers said. "All groups in red states or blue states lay claim to it. We're a country that agrees to disagree, but the overriding theme all groups can claim is that they're doing it out of patriotism."

    So looks like our would-be beauty queen isn't even on-message.

    The Music Room.

    by madhaus on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 04:05:25 PM PST

•  E-Mail to MSNBC

  Thanks for posting this because I did not see it myself.  I rarely watch MSNBC any more (except for Olbermann) because they are trying to out-FOX FOX.  In any event, I sent the following e-mail to MSNBC, copying Media Matters ( '[e-mail]'), and FAIR ([e-mail]):

  To whom it may concern;

  This morning your anchor person, Amy Robach, while covering a speech being given by George W. Bush, commented that there were some protestors in the crowd, but that most of the crowd was "patriotic."

  I oppose George W. Bush because I am a patriot and I believe he is wrecking our country.  If I could have been there to demonstrate my opposition to Bush I would have been.  How dare Amy Robach suggest that there were two kinds of people in attendance:  "protestors" and "patriots."

  Amy and MSNBC owe your viewers a major apology.  That comment was an affront to deeply patriotic Americans who love their country but oppose the current resident of the Oval Office.

  For shame!

  Sincerely

  Jerry Policoff
  

  by jpol on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 09:51:55 AM PST

•  My e-mail

  It may be a little long-winded and meandering, but this really pissed me off.

   

  To whom it may concern,

  As I sat down with my family to enjoy this glorious holiday, I tuned into your network to see how you were covering the commeration of our nation's independence.

  What I saw sickened my family and me.

  Your anchor, Amy Robach, made the insinuation that those who do not whole-heartedly support president Bush are somehow unpatriotic.

  What about those who partook in the Boston Tea Party.  Would your idiotic "reporter" consider these protesters to be unpatriotic?

  This is outrageous, and the only way for you to redeem yourselves is to immediately dismiss this obviously biased "reporter," and issue an
  apology.

  I now see that this outrageous conduct has caught the eye of other viewers, and they -- like my family and me -- will never again watch a network that calls a large portion of its viewership unpatriotic-- on Independence Day, no less.

  This ridiculous accusation will not stand.  In lieu of the immediate dismissal of Ms. Robach and a genuine and repeated apology, I will never again watch your "news" channel.

  You should be ashamed.

  Sincerely,

  by mraker on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:02:44 AM PST

•  my email

  Just to let you know that after this morning's Amy Robach comment, which backhandedly said that those who oppose the Bush administration by protesting against it's policies, are unpatriotic, i changed the channel, and will not return anytime in the near future (unless you refrain from referring to the MOST patriotic of our citizens' as unpatriotic. THe *UNPATRIOTIC ones are those that cut benefits for veterans and the poor. Lie to it's citizens DAILY. Refuse to Protect our Environment. Refuse to volunteer their OWN Family members for Military Service. Shame on MSNBC.

  Please refer to True Patriots Below:
  quote from Theodore Roosevelt:

  To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.

  or this one by Thomas Jefferson:

  Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.

  or how about this one from Dwight D. Eisenhower:

  Here in America we are descended in blood and in spirit from revolutionist and rebel men and women who dare to disssent from accepted doctrine. As their heirs, may we never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion.

  Sincerely
  

  by demnomore on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:04:30 AM PST

•  we really need

  the names of the show and its producer.  if we have a first and last name, you can call and ask to speak to that person:

  Msnbc
  40 Hartz Way # 1, Secaucus, NJ 07094
  [phone]

  caveat:  i was just on the phone and asked to be transferred to amy robach, but ended up at the viewer feedback voicemail box.  but we are stubborn!  

  by Cedwyn on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:08:03 AM PST

  •  jmelli

    do you feel like putting the phone number 'n stuff in the main entry?  

    i am rather bemused with the prospect of full MSNBC voicemail boxes throughout the building!  hmmmm...how do we fax the show's producer?

    by Cedwyn on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 11:10:08 AM PST

•  She needs an education

  Here is what a True U.S. Patriot stands for. 

  by SaraBeth on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:08:33 AM PST

•  The Right uses the word . . .

  "Patriotic" like most people use the word "fan". The Mariners suck this year, but I still buy my ticket and cheer like a loon even if we are losing 11-2 in the ninth. I love my team right or wrong. And I hate the Yankees and their fans. That's the way it's supposed to be.

  And that's how the Right views Patriotism. Bush could nuke the White House and they would still love him and hate us - 'cause he's quarterback of their team.

  The helmet hairs on cable news are color commentators for the home team, they're not even sports writers.

  by WalterNeff on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:09:26 AM PST

•  I'm slow to anger

  but I'm putting together my email.   One of my favorite political/historical quotes is:

  " the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country.Hermann Goering at Nuremberg on 18th April, 1946

  I want to include that in the email so badly, but will it just cause the gut reaction that comes with every mention of that whole part of history?   At this point I could just flip a coin.   Advice?

  I'm too mad right now to be rational about it.
  

  by maybeeso in michigan on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:10:43 AM PST

  •  IMHO

    The Nazi reference doesn't help.

    Granted, you're not calling them Nazis, but it seems like the Nazi card has been overplayed of late in politics.

    I'd quote an American patriot.  There are examples throughout the thread.

    But with or without the quote they will know the reason you are outraged, which is what's important.

    by mraker on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:41:17 AM PST

•  I'd tell you

  what I wrote but I was too pissed and sent it on. Hmmm. It got to the point though. Didn't mince the words. Ah well, I participated in Democracy, fireworks and all.

  by nicky on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:22:45 AM PST

•  Thanks for the link

  I wrote already.  I hope they get inundated.

  by hairspray on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:30:43 AM PST

•  Oh, is Bushie in West Virginia?

  I was wondering why ABC news was talking like
  they were talking last night, too.

  They were in WV and interviewing some people in a town close to the PA border,I think it was Morgantown.  But most of the people were saying stuff like the Bush years were the best in my memory and on and on.  Then they were interviewing someone going off to war for a year swinging on front porch swing with his son,(how all american 4th of July and stuff) saying that he was happy to fight it over there now, so that our sons and daughters don't have to fight them again in the future later.

  I thought maybe we had slipped back into the past and it was 2002 all over again or something.  Figures with over 50 percent of the public now against Bush, the war, etc.  they are still interviewing all the Bush and war supporters instead of everyone else.  

  After awhile you just get numb to it and grow to expect it.  

  What I find amazing is that even though the press, television and print news, and the govt. continue to push the war and bush as the wonderful things that they aren't , somehow the truth is still slowly getting through and people are coming around anyway.  How is that happening?

  by hopscotch1997 on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:32:29 AM PST

  •  It's called

    dailykos.  
         That's one of the ways it's happening.
         Thankfully.
         

    by Blueiz on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 03:37:50 PM PST

  •  asdf

    somehow the truth is still slowly getting through and people are coming around anyway. How is that happening?

    Too many communities are beginning to see their friends and loved ones come home in flag-draped coffins. Lest this administration forget, the young men and women who are fighting this unnecessary war are from middle America...towns with Main streets, a local 5 & 10, etc. There is no real mystery as to why they have tried to prevent the documentation of the return of casualties but, as the saying goes, "you can fool some of the people some of the time but you can't fool all the people all the time." I think we have reached a level of critical mass in this conflict...I would venture to guess that most people would be hard pressed to find someone who does not know anyone serving. At almost 1800 kia and thousands severely wounded, people are beginning to understand that this conflict was, indeed, the wrong war at the wrong time.

    by green917 on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 03:49:49 PM PST

•  Here's my letter

  To whom it may concern:

  This morning as I was watching MSNBC, did I really hear anchor Amy Robach question the patriotism of a group of Americans? Did I really hear her state that at Bush's speech, there were a few protesters, but "most were patriotic?" Did I really hear a woman paid to read news question the patriotism of the people who watch her news? Did I really hear this woman, on the FOURTH OF JULY, no less, opine that political dissent was unnecessary, and that to question the judgment of our leaders was contrary to the principles under which this great nation was founded? Did I really, on the 4th of July, the birthday of our country, hear a former-pageant-queen-turned-"news"-anchor get up in front of millions (well, dozens, since it is MSNBC) of people and express a political opinion under the guise of reporting the news?

  Shameful. Absolutely shameful. If MSNBC (along with its parent companies, GE and Microsoft) wants to preserve any of the last throes of credibility it has left, Miss Robach should be summarily fired. Barring that, an on-air apology is certainly warranted.

  Sincerely,
  John W.
  Muskegon, MI
  A former MSNBC viewer and former Microsoft customer (OK, both of these are lies, but we don't have to tell them that.)

  by PerfectStormer on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:39:49 AM PST

•  If you missed billmon today

  He kind of touches on this issue.

  In the end, right-wing complaints about the accuracy or inaccuracy of specific stories coming out of Iraq are all irrelevant. They've already made it clear that in their value system, accurately reporting the news isn't the highest good in war time. Supporting the administration's conduct of the war is -- even if that means ignoring the bad news and accepting official propaganda at face value. Especially it means that.

  
  Some of them are remarkably up front about it:
  

  Mark Williams, talk show host for KFBK in Sacramento and a member of the delegation [to Iraq], said the group will report "what we see and what we are told," but their collective feeling is that there is mostly good.
  

  "We are Americans first and journalists second, as opposed to the crop of 'pinkos' that tell us on the news every night that America is going to hell in a hand basket," he said.

  By "American first," Williams seems to mean "mindless swallower of Pentagon lies first," as opposed to those "pinkos" who believe the American people deserve to know the truth, even if it doesn't make George W. Bush and Dick Cheney look very bright.

  What Williams is really doing is reserving the right to lie, or hide the truth, if he believes it to be in the national interest. This approach to war reporting amounts to not much more than an appeal to the audience to believe in a shared fantasy, in the hope that it someday might be true.

  http://billmon.org/archives/001973.html
  

  by fly on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:40:05 AM PST

•  Dear Amy

  Recent studies by science type people have clearly suggested to be possible if not unrealistic that hydrogen peroxide can leach itself through the epidermis layer number 427 on the scalp right above the brain and make you believe things that probably aren't true.  Like W. is cool or something and that people that think W. is an idiot aren't really punk rock but are into something lame like glam rock.  Please stop making your hair a color it is not and then you will stop spreading these things that are clearly filtered to protect the global corporate interests only.

  Thank You,

  Archie and Veronica

  by beagleandtabby on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:54:27 AM PST

•  My Email to MSNBC re: Amy Robach

  To MSNBC News:

  I am concerned. It appears that one of your anchors, Amy Robach, either misidentified protestors at a speech given by President Bush today in West Virginia as unpatriotic (via her statement that there were a few protestors at the event but that "most(at the event) were patriotic,") or she is poorly educated.

  The word patriotic means feeling, expressing, or inspired by love for one's country.

  I can think of no better way for someone to express love for their country than to protest the policies of a President who is so seriously mishandling our country's business both at home and abroad.

  For Amy Robach to misindentify peaceful protestors as "unpatriotic" by her exclusion of them in her statement is to abet and support a political administration that I believe is misusing its power and jeopardizing the heath and well-being of every American.

  Ms. Robach should be better educated or, better yet, removed from her position as news anchor at MSNBC.  Her display of partisan politics in this matter has no place at any truly American news organization.

  Her current position in MSNBC leads me to question MSNBC's patriotism.

  Sincerely,
  Patricia Taylor
  Westport, CT

  by Patricia Taylor on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 10:58:41 AM PST

•  Health, not heath

  Typo above.

  by Patricia Taylor on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 11:01:54 AM PST

•  MSNBC at 10:15 AM

  Gee, I'll bet at least of third of their approximately 846 listeners were outraged. Another third didn't notice or were wondering if they had enough charcoal or needed to go to the store and the final third agreed, but thought nothing of it, because they generally think nothing.

  As Andy Rooney might say, "Did you ever notice how morons say moronic things?"

  by mjshep on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 11:07:24 AM PST

•  Amy Robach

  thanks for bringing this up
  Sent this to [e-mail] directed to her:
  "Dear Amy Robach:
  Re: your reporting on President Bush's speech this morning: History has proven that dissenters are often the most patriotic Americans. Note Martin Luther King and Muhammad Ali, for example. President Bush continues to insinuate that Saddam Hussein had something to do with September 11, that the war in Iraq is a fight against the terrorists who attacked us. That claim has been disproved by every major agency concerned, but he willfully uses this spurious link to drum up support for a war that is killing Americans and Iraquis and for which no claimed basis has proved true: so Amy Robach, dissenters and anti-war protesters may be the most patriotic Americans today."
  MiraNYC

  by miraschor on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 11:11:08 AM PST

•  According to congress.org

  her email address is [e-mail]  I emailed viewer services and the world address.

  by regis on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 11:31:08 AM PST

  •  That address bounces

    But please forward the email you've already sent to the additional addresses listed in my post above.

    by segmentis on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 02:19:34 PM PST

•  my email

  To Whom It May Concern:

  Watching your anchor Amy Robach this morning, I noticed something odd. I think she may be having trouble with her vision. You see, I love this country and would die for it. But I don't support Bush or the Iraq War. In her eyes that makes me unpatriotic. Perhaps you might ask her to get her eyes checked?

  Sincerely,
  Eric

  by rockmoonwater on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 11:40:12 AM PST

•  I was there

  My email to MSNBC:
  As one of the protestors at the Morgantown, West Virginia, location this morning, I take great exception to being referred to as Unpatriotic by your anchor, Amy Robach.

  On Independence Day of all days, I was exercising my right to Free Speech by commenting that I did not agree with the president's policy which now has my country involved in a war being fought by our citizens on ficticious grounds.

  Being a good American does not mean following blindly whatever the president tells us to do, but to question, debate, and dissent if needed. There is absolutely nothing unpatriotic or unAmerican about dissent!

  Please give Ms. Robach a copy of the Bill of Rights to read for herself.

  What a shameful comment. She should have known better.

  by WV Democrat on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 11:45:01 AM PST

•  Judging by other content on their site

  They do not give two hoots about what the people think... ick,,, I feel dirty just for looking at that site. Easiest way to get through to them is turn the freaking channel... no reason to listen to that.Declining viewership will get to them... advertisers keep track of that.

  by jigsaw68 on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 11:49:35 AM PST

•  And my email

  I am appalled that your reporter, Amy Robach, in the course of reporting on President Bush's appearance in West Virginia this morning, would divide the audience there into "patriotic" and not or less patriotic, based on their political expression.

  Robach needs a refresher course from our founding fathers and other real patriots on the meaning of true patriotism. She could take a lesson from Thomas Jefferson, for example, who said that "dissent is the highest form of patriotism." Theodore Roosevelt could clarify it for her: "To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."

  Those who define patriotism as unquestioning support of the president in time of war would also do well to remember that the loudest supporters of Bush's war in Iraq were once some of the loudest opponents of President Clinton's intervention in Kosovo. What they call "patriotism" is in truth partisanship, and Robach, who presents herself as a neutral observer, has allowed that partisanship to color her reporting.

  Robach's misuse of patriotism is especially insulting today, a day set aside to honor our declaration of independence from that kind of thought control.

  by Dan K on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 12:01:53 PM PST

•  Demand the crawl of shame, today! (Just Do it!!!!)

  It is all fine and well to send off letters of complaint (I did, but it wasnt' very polite so I won't repost here). However, what do we want. Of course, I'd prefer to see the Bush whore fired, but that isn't likely to happen.

  So, I suggest that we join together with a common demand: MSNBC must apologize in writing, on the "news" crawl at the bottom of the screen. And they must do so today.

  That's my idea, but if it is to grow to meme status, the word must be spread.

  Speaking of which, The Huffington Post doesn't mention the story. I sent in a tip, and suggest you do too, there, and to all other progressive sites that may have missed this excellent diary (when will they learn?)

  Make MSNBC do the crawl of shame, today!

  by MakeChessNotWar on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 12:20:02 PM PST

•  ABC News Has a Different Take on WV Visit

  After reading this diary, I spotted this item on the ABC News website:

  MORGANTOWN, W. Va. Jul 4, 2005 -- President Bush, with an Independence Day appeal for patriotism, urged resolve in the war in Iraq on Monday and said that "the proper response is not retreat. It is courage."

  Bush made a quick holiday visit to the West Virginia University campus and spoke outdoors at a grassy circle on a hot, humid day. The audience of a couple thousand people was restricted to ticket-holders who gave him an enthusiastic welcome. The shouts of several hundred protesters who were kept out of sight could be heard faintly during the address. [Emphases added]

  The ratio of adulation to opposition looks to be about 5 to 3 from this report. So maybe when Robach said "most people there were patriotic," she was including some of the protestors, too? </snark>
  

  by Dan K on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 12:41:53 PM PST

•  I hope we identified the right anchor.

  This comment was meant to be ironic.

  by lecsmith on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 01:16:07 PM PST

•  Don't

        you sometimes wonder if the right keeps throwing things like this at us, to shift the focus away from the Downing Street Minutes.
        Having watched this administration [?] for a few years now; it really is somethimg of a shell game, which is completely slapstick in my opinion, but then again the shortest distance  between.............
        And there's always; Keep it simple..........    
  Guess I'm just full of cliches today!

     

  by lyvwyr101 on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 01:20:21 PM PST

  •  do

    if the media wasn't full of biased reporters, maybe it wouldn't be so difficult to get them to pay attention to important issues like DSM.

    by jmelli on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 01:46:59 PM PST

•  I sent my email as well.

  I stated that on this day of all days, how can someone who, sits on their ass all day, call out those AMERICANS that represent 56million more AMERICANS as unpatriotic? How insane on this day to celebrate freedoms, and freedom of speech!

  I called for her firing or to be removed as a news reader. These snakes in our mist have not infitrated what was once journalism. I have a degree in Communications but those in the field I left behind years ago, sold their souls to the propaganda and paycheck!!

  Shameful!!! I will never watch anything this woman is on and I let MSNBC know that. Plus, I stated this is why your ratings suck!!!

  by alnc on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 01:23:31 PM PST

•  WHO'S HER BOSS?

  It's not going to do any good to write her an email. She's just a braindead newsmodel.

  Who's her boss? Who gets her demoted or fired? That's the question?

  I give a shit if she just reads what she's told... sometimes they ad lib and that's what this looks like to me.

  Anybody know her boss's email? Boss's don't like getting flooded... and they take it out on the peons they can blame... like this retard barbie doll.

  King Lear

  by Norwell on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 01:45:44 PM PST

•  To MSNBC

  

  by Patriot for Al Gore on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 01:58:27 PM PST

  •  Attached

    This was sent to the station with the picture:

    How DARE your anchor Amy Robach (sp?) refer to protestors in West Virigina today as UNPATRIOTIC. Does she have any clue as to how this country was founded? Is MSNBC also on the propaganda bandwagon in this country? I am appalled, especially on this particular day, that one of your anchors would dare to intimate that AMERICANS exercising their FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT UNDER THE CONSTITUTION are unpatriotic.

    As a viewer of your station, I demand an apology from Ms. Robach and from your station, or your station will no longer be a station I watch. It is bad enough that the FOX FASCIST channel tows the propaganda line in this country. Dissent is what birthed this nation, and I will be damned if any media anchor is going to demean Americans who are exercising a right many in our armed servies DIED TO PRESERVE.

    Also, for your education, take a look at this picture and the quote attached to it. Then remember what country you live in and that those people in West Virgiina and all over this country who exercise their rights under our constitution EARNED that right. How dare you.

    by Patriot for Al Gore on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 02:18:51 PM PST

  •  For Chrissakes

    Jefferson did NOT say that.  You're like the 7th person in this thread to misquote him, and I'm the only one to point it out.  These emails you guys are sending off with made up quotes make you look dumb.

    by Bodot on Tue Jul 05, 2005 at 05:28:02 AM PST

•  My screed

  Dear MSNBC,

  It is my understanding that while covering President Bush's speech today in West Virginia, Amy Robach made the following insulting, jingoistic, fascistic, undemocratic, unpatriotic comment:

  "There were a few protesters, but most people there were patriotic."

  Ms. Robach evidently needs to be educated--and quickly--about the true meaning of patriotism. (Hint: True patriotism does not mean turning a blind eye and maintaining a closed mouth when one perceives that the country's government is leading America astray.) In fact, it means quite the opposite, and it should always be remembered and acknowledged that those who do speak up are courageous and heroic.

  The United States of America would quite simply not exist if the founding fathers had not been dissenters speaking out against government wrongs. The very Declaration of Independence that was signed on this day 229 years ago was nothing so much as an act of defiance and dissent, and today is a day upon which we should be grateful to the legions who have died so that we would have our RIGHT to dissent.

  To imply that Americans exercising the First Amendment rights guaranteed them by our Constitution (another document with which any real patriot should be familiar) are practicing anything but the very highest form of patriotism is offensive, and I expect a very public apology from your network and Ms. Robach. I would also like to know that Ms. Robach will enroll in an elementary civics class before she goes on the air again--it's the least she owes her country, unless, that is, she is under the mistaken impression that her country is pre-war Germany.

  We do not live in a monarchy, nor do we live in a dictatorship. Certain elements of our society had no problem whatever with dissent when William Jefferson Clinton was in office, yet should an American speak out regarding George W. Bush, he or she is unpatriotic? Frankly, a climate such as that resembles far too closely Germany in 1939 or Soviet Russia, and attempts to quash dissent should be viewed as not only unpatriotic, but downright dangerous.

  I look forward to hearing Ms. Robach's and MSNBC's apologies. (Hint: "I was misunderstood" doesn't count.)

  by segmentis on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 02:25:29 PM PST

•  I was on MSNBC this morning

  While I doubt many people were watching on the Fourth of July at 8:15 in the morning, I was on the same show today talking about the Supreme Court.

  Just want you all to know -- I stood up to Amy and said something to the effect that 49 million Americans deserve a justice that is in the mainstream and it would do GWB well to recognize that.  

  Remember -- when we are on MSNBC -- every moment we're talking -- "they" aren't!

  by Susie Turnbull on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 02:39:20 PM PST

•  Hi Susie

  Thanks for representing our party.  

  by Susan S on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 02:46:01 PM PST

  •  I was out of my house at 7:30 a.m.

    Thanks -- I was glad to do it.

    by Susie Turnbull on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 02:48:20 PM PST

    •  7:30?

      Now if anything makes you a patriot, that does.

      Thanks, Susie!

      by rockmoonwater on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 04:49:48 PM PST

      •  Actually, it got my juices going for the day.

        I had a great day and night in Montgomery County, MD at lots of community events and fireworks.

        by Susie Turnbull on Tue Jul 05, 2005 at 07:12:15 PM PST

•  sent a letter to them protesting remark!

  by marysk on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 03:30:54 PM PST

•  "most people ... were patriotic" ?!?

  That's ridiculous.

  A lot of folks have apparently gotten sick of hearing the abuse of the terms "Patriotic", "un-American", etc. Freedom Press and the Winter Patriot's "Whispering Campaign both posted a document that defines "A True US Patriot".  

  ...send Ms. Roback a copy of that.

  (I heard Freedom Press reports roughly 39,000 downloads of the handbill around 5:30 this evening.)
  

  A corrupted government. Patriots branded as renegades. This is how we roll.

  by GreyHawk on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 04:03:56 PM PST

•  What the fuck is wrong with MSGOP?

  What's unpatriotic is not allowing criticism of a President who fucked up so bad. Fuck the un-patriotic America hating MSGOP.

  by jfern on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 04:09:57 PM PST

•  Sent the following

  To Whom It May Concern:

  During MSNBC's coverage of President Bush's speech in West Virginia today, Ms. Amy Roback alluded to protestors but then went on to suggest that, despite the protestors' presence, most people in the crowd seemed "patriotic."  

  Indeed.  

  A vast majority of the American people, as recorded in poll after poll, indicate their disapproval of the President's actions on a broad range of initiatives.  Iraq.  Social Security.  The economy.  On item after item, the President has managed to reduce his approval to historic lows.  But we who disapprove of his actions are unpatriotic.

  It might seem that Ms. Robach does not exhibit the objectivity and judgment to be a reporter, but at the very least, she seems unable to discern who is and who is not a loyal American.

  Best regards,

  by DCDemocrat on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 04:48:50 PM PST

•  Look! She's the "News Goddess"

  http://www.pageant.com/amyrobach/

  A proper beauty queen.

  by enough on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 06:35:05 PM PST

•  Dissent is the highest form of patriotism

  so I Emailed them a little reminder about that. Also questioned who was writing the scripts. Thanks for the heads up!

  by kelaguys on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 07:05:18 PM PST

•  She's carried this pail before.

  At least twice before she's been overt enough to be caught out by Media Matters.

  This was no mistake. It was  a continuing pattern of pro-administration bias.

  by boadicea on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 07:14:37 PM PST

  •  You're right -- this is no mistake.

    There's an agenda here.  But I'm thinking that this poor soul is just a product of her environment -- beauty pageants, soft things, pretty hair and an 'education' at UGA in Athens. Can you say Peter Principle?

    Come on now.  Is a beauty queen like her truly expected to be able to utter a coherent sentence after being pounded for four years straight by a bunch of 200+ pound football players at the University of Georgia?  If her brain wasn't mush to begin with, it surely is now.

    by busternjake on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:44:55 PM PST

•  My letter to MSNBC

  To MSNBC's Staff:

  Whether Amy Robach or her producers wrote the comment about there being a few protesters at a Bush event but "most people were patriotic" doesn't matter to me. I want to impress upon that person or persons that there is nothing MORE patriotic than dissent. To sit meekly while an administration runs roughshod over the constitution is not patriotism, it's just this side of traitorous. Shame on whoever wrote this, and shame on Ms Robach for not editing her scripts better. If I'd written something this skewed for my anchor back in my news days I would have gotten a day-long lecture and a punctured eardrum from all the yelling. Note to Ms Robach: Just because they wrote it doesn't mean you have to say it. Use some judgment. At this rate the only thing left to watch on your network will be Countdown.
  

  by LynnS on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 08:29:03 PM PST

•  Eh.

  I don't think this was a scripted comment at all.  I think it's just engrained in her mind that protest = non-patriotic.  Not necessarily un-patriotic, because there is always the possibility of redemption.  How much worse is it if she says it without thinking?  Quite a bit, I'd say.

  by moltar on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 11:39:06 PM PST

•  Let me state the obvious

  She's a dumbass.  But I'd still fuck her.  Although she's no Liz Marlantes.

  by the ratprick on Tue Jul 05, 2005 at 04:22:57 AM PST

•  I think we can all agree

  That Amy deserves a spanking.  And I'm just the guy to give it to her.

  This is going to hurt me more than it does you, Amy.

  Whack !!!!!

  by the ratprick on Tue Jul 05, 2005 at 04:55:18 AM PST

•  She should do the news like Jim Carrey would

  naked, with her back to the camera, moving her cheeks as she read the copy.

  If she wants to be an ass, why hide it?

  by jackinthebox4 on Tue Jul 05, 2005 at 05:07:24 AM PST

•  "unpatriotic" protest pictures

  here are some protest pictures from Bush's July 4th Morgantown, WV visit:
  http://republicanshateamerica.blogspot.com/2005/07/bush-invades-morgantown-wv.html

  by FrankieWVU on Tue Jul 05, 2005 at 01:09:22 PM PST