ABC: Let Us Know When Peter Jennings Stops Spinning In His Grave

Please is the letter I faxed to ABC News, ABC World News and ABC Good Morning America.

(If you do try to FAX them, expect their lines to be so overloaded it will take multiple attempts.)

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

ABC News
47 - W. 66 St.
New York, NY 10023

RE: "Debate" Brings ABC "News" Shame, Disgrace, Dishonor & Ignominy

To Whom It May Concern:

Please let the public know when the late, venerable Peter Jennings stops spinning in his grave in embarrassment over Messrs. Stephanopoulos and Gibson’s abysmal performance in tonight’s "debate".

There are real Americans who were hoping to hear the candidates discuss substantive issues that our country faces.  But since your moderators elected to cover none of them, let me help you out with a list of concerns we citizens were hoping to hear discussed tonight:

Mortgage Crisis
Gas Prices
Healthcare Costs
Recession
Bailing Out Wall Street – Letting Main Street Drown
The Iraq War
Afghanistan
Pakistan
Torture
Lack of Funding for Veterans' Care
Spying On Our Citizens
Restoring America's Image
Our Constitution
Energy
The Environment
Education
Trade
Immigration
The Burgeoning World Food Crisis

If you noticed nothing else from even your own latest polls, you should have at least realized that true citizens are longing to hear a dialogue covering real issues.   ABC’s "debate" tonight did nothing – absolutely nothing – to foster such a dialogue.

I should have done the laundry tonight – especially in light of your focus on mudslinging – it would have been time better spent than what you shilled as a "debate".

I’m positive that Mr. Jennings – wherever he may be – is feeling only disgrace, dishonor and ignominy after tonight’s "performance".

Messrs. Stephanopoulos, Gibson and ABC "News" should all hang their heads in shame.

In Hopes ABC "News" Will Heed Fair Criticism,

•  There'll Be Better Ones - But It's a Start [n/t]

  by dmhlt 66 on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 05:00:35 AM PDT

•  The "Top Stories" on ABC today say it all:

  "Teen beaten with a pipe" [watch!]
  "Kim's embarrassing panty pic" [watch!]
  "Celebs gettin' inky Wit it" [photos!]
  "Baby Polar Bear's Zoo Exhibit" [watch!]

  When ABC makes People magazine look like Walter Cronkite, times are bad for mainstream "news."

  by maconblue on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 05:00:36 AM PDT

•  The Death Of Network News

  April 16, 2008 was the all-time low for political coverage and ABC News correspondents Charles Gibson and George Stephanoplous brought it there.  The network of Ted Koppel, Peter Jennings and Sam Donaldson lost all of its journalistic credibility with its People Magazine-like concern for gossip and gotcha questioning.  With an economy tumbling downhill, an unholy war being waged and crises of which this country hasn't experienced in 60+ years, these two men asked about misspeaks and missteps that do nothing to answer queries about the candidate's capabilities.  And, to top it off, both so-called, self-professed newspersons, were unbalanced in their attacks.  If they were going to stoop so low as to question Senator Obama about Reverend Wright and bittergate, why not ask Senator Clinton about Mark Penn and her husband's $800,000 payoff?

  This is the final nail in Network News' coffin.  For at least a decade, they have been entering the fray with one hand tied behind their backs.  It is impossible for media entities that broadcast 22 minutes a day to compete with the 24/7/365 monster.  But, because of the impact MSNBC, CNN and FOX have had, ABC, NBC and CBS have to make precision hits in order to stay in the battle. But, as last night's debate demonstrated, these quick strikes can also backfire.  ABC showed themselves to be more gossipmonger than fact checker.

  The new Big Three now rule the television news landscape.  With cable and satellite access available in over 85% of American homes, their viewers as loyal those who wanted Walter Cronkite to run for President in the 60s and 70s.  The dedicated followers of Olbermann, Matthews and O'Reilly follow the campaigns through the left or right leaning lens as part of insight, commentary, rants and raves.  But, these so-called "fair and balanced" programs provide the population with constant coverage of everything and anything the candidates say and do.  The fast breaking reportage juxtaposes an image of the cable networks as young, fast runners competing against an aged, near-infirmed walker; the mosh pit versus the vienesse waltz.

  We are left to wonder what Gibson and Stephanoplous were thinking.  In their one chance to make a significant impact on a Presidential contest that has been begging for substance, they chose to dumb down the discussion and play to the worst.  In a moment where they could have performed CPR on a mortally ill patient, ABC's representatives decided to make sure the plug was pulled.

  by Scarletflood on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 05:03:45 AM PDT

  •  where is this from?

    by lapis on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 06:01:41 AM PDT

•  I really miss Peter Jennings

  He was a class act.

  by DJShay on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 05:06:32 AM PDT

•  Ted Koppel

  is spinning in his grave and he isn't even dead yet.

  by costello7 on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 06:15:31 AM PDT