8 ABC Affiliates Told Not to Air "NIGHTLINE"
04-30-04, 03:20 PM
#51
DVD Talk God
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Directionally Challenged (for DirecTV)
Posts: 130,377
Received 636 Likes
on
510 Posts
Originally posted by nemein
[1] As I understand the Libertarian party it is about individual choice as long as you are willing to face the consequences of your actions (which is why c-man likes refer to it as the "anarchist party"
). I don't see why you aren't extending this courtesy to Smith/Sinclair? I agree you can disagree w/ the decision and maybe that's all you are doing, but it seems to me you are making more of an argument that because he's in a position of power he somehow must be held to a higher/different standard. Maybe that's a point I missed when reading about the LP but if freedom of action is what it's about, let him do what he will. Nothing is being done in secret, there is no conspiracy here, so I just fundamentally don't see the problem. ABC decided to read the name (which are already publically available in many places) and Smith/Sinclair announced he's going to preempt it. Each is taking an action/position based on their belief of what is the right thing to do. The two parties have planted their flags now it's up to the rest of us to decide how we are going to react (if we choose) to that.
[1] As I understand the Libertarian party it is about individual choice as long as you are willing to face the consequences of your actions (which is why c-man likes refer to it as the "anarchist party"
). I don't see why you aren't extending this courtesy to Smith/Sinclair? I agree you can disagree w/ the decision and maybe that's all you are doing, but it seems to me you are making more of an argument that because he's in a position of power he somehow must be held to a higher/different standard. Maybe that's a point I missed when reading about the LP but if freedom of action is what it's about, let him do what he will. Nothing is being done in secret, there is no conspiracy here, so I just fundamentally don't see the problem. ABC decided to read the name (which are already publically available in many places) and Smith/Sinclair announced he's going to preempt it. Each is taking an action/position based on their belief of what is the right thing to do. The two parties have planted their flags now it's up to the rest of us to decide how we are going to react (if we choose) to that.
Supporting Sinclair's right to take action while decrying the action of stripping the public of choice based on a non-market reason is consistently Libertarian. Censorship and quasi-censorship (what we have here) is my #1 political issue. I take it very seriously. Now if there was a real threat of viewers boycotting Sinclair stations for content aired (say something like ABC airing a gratuitious nude scene on NYPD Blue in Salt Lake City), then you are talking about a market-based decision. If the affiliate blocked it for fear of losing advertisers and viewers for that and other programming, at least that is something I can understand.
I've given my opinion of what Sinclair should have done, which you essentially responded by saying 'get real.' You are right of course, but that is what I truly believe would have been the best way to handle it without sacrificing principles.
Last edited by Red Dog; 04-30-04 at 03:29 PM.
04-30-04, 03:24 PM
#52
DVD Talk God
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Directionally Challenged (for DirecTV)
Posts: 130,377
Received 636 Likes
on
510 Posts
It is no different than me complaining about people who keep saying 'religion of peace' in Islam threads. I support their right to say it, but I certainly think it is an asinine thing to do over and over.
04-30-04, 03:32 PM
#53
Moderator
I've given my opinion of what Sinclair should have done, which you essentially responded by saying 'get real.' You are right of course, but that is what I truly believe would have been the best way to handle it without sacrificing principles.
04-30-04, 03:33 PM
#54
DVD Talk God
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Directionally Challenged (for DirecTV)
Posts: 130,377
Received 636 Likes
on
510 Posts
Originally posted by nemein
W/O sacrificing your principles though, which are probably not the principles Smith adhears to. That's the only point I've been trying to make
W/O sacrificing your principles though, which are probably not the principles Smith adhears to. That's the only point I've been trying to make
The principle of freedom of choice is not a principle shared by all Americans and capitalists?
Last edited by Red Dog; 04-30-04 at 03:36 PM.
04-30-04, 03:34 PM
#55
DVD Talk God
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Directionally Challenged (for DirecTV)
Posts: 130,377
Received 636 Likes
on
510 Posts
With the crawl, Sinclair could have stated their opposition to a perceived poltical play by the network while still giving the public the opportunity to tune in, tune out, or even tune it and think about what may really be going on here besides a recitation of names.
04-30-04, 03:44 PM
#56
DVD Talk Legend
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 12,008
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sinclair's response to criticism from John McCain:
http://www.sbgi.net/
According to Drudge:
Sorry for the caps. Good ol' Matt in action.
The ABC Television Network announced on Tuesday that the Friday, April 30 edition of "Nightline" will consist entirely of Ted Koppel reading aloud the names of U.S. servicemen and women killed in action in Iraq. Despite the denials by a spokeswoman for the show, the action appears to be motivated by a political agenda designed to undermine the efforts of the United States in Iraq.
There is no organization that holds the members of our military and those soldiers who have sacrificed their lives in service of our country in higher regard than Sinclair Broadcast Group. While Sinclair would support an honest effort to honor the memory of these brave soldiers, we do not believe that is what "Nightline" is doing. Rather, Mr. Koppel and "Nightline" are hiding behind this so-called tribute in an effort to highlight only one aspect of the war effort and in doing so to influence public opinion against the military action in Iraq. Based on published reports, we are aware of the spouse of one soldier who died in Iraq who opposes the reading of her husband's name to oppose our military action. We suspect she is not alone in this viewpoint. As a result, we have decided to preempt the broadcast of "Nightline' this Friday on each of our stations which air ABC programming.
We understand that our decision in this matter may be questioned by some. Before you judge our decision, however, we would ask that you first question Mr. Koppel as to why he chose to read the names of 523 troops killed in combat in Iraq, rather than the names of the thousands of private citizens killed in terrorist attacks since and including the events of September 11, 2001. In his answer, we believe you will find the real motivation behind his action scheduled for this Friday. Unfortunately, we may never know for sure because Mr. Koppel has refused repeated requests from Sinclair's News Central news organization to comment on this Friday's program.
There is no organization that holds the members of our military and those soldiers who have sacrificed their lives in service of our country in higher regard than Sinclair Broadcast Group. While Sinclair would support an honest effort to honor the memory of these brave soldiers, we do not believe that is what "Nightline" is doing. Rather, Mr. Koppel and "Nightline" are hiding behind this so-called tribute in an effort to highlight only one aspect of the war effort and in doing so to influence public opinion against the military action in Iraq. Based on published reports, we are aware of the spouse of one soldier who died in Iraq who opposes the reading of her husband's name to oppose our military action. We suspect she is not alone in this viewpoint. As a result, we have decided to preempt the broadcast of "Nightline' this Friday on each of our stations which air ABC programming.
We understand that our decision in this matter may be questioned by some. Before you judge our decision, however, we would ask that you first question Mr. Koppel as to why he chose to read the names of 523 troops killed in combat in Iraq, rather than the names of the thousands of private citizens killed in terrorist attacks since and including the events of September 11, 2001. In his answer, we believe you will find the real motivation behind his action scheduled for this Friday. Unfortunately, we may never know for sure because Mr. Koppel has refused repeated requests from Sinclair's News Central news organization to comment on this Friday's program.
According to Drudge:
FLASH: SWITCHBOARD CHAOS AT SINCLAIR HEADQUARTERS' AS THOUSANDS CALL TO PROTEST DECISION TO CENSOR NIGHTLINE. FOX AFFILIATE WHNS IN GREENVILLE SOUTH CAROLINA TO AIR NIGHTLINE BROADCAST THIS EVENING IN LOCAL MARKET AFFECTED BY SINCLAIR PRE-EMPTION. ABC RADIO MAKES FEED AVAILABLE TO LOCAL RADIO IN AFFECTED MARKETS. ST LOUIS RADIO KTRS WILL CLEAR TO AIR SIMULCAST... DEVELOPING...
04-30-04, 03:47 PM
#57
Moderator
Originally posted by Red Dog
The principle of freedom of choice is not a principle shared by all Americans and capitalists?
The principle of freedom of choice is not a principle shared by all Americans and capitalists?
04-30-04, 03:51 PM
#58
Moderator
We understand that our decision in this matter may be questioned by some. Before you judge our decision, however, we would ask that you first question Mr. Koppel as to why he chose to read the names of 523 troops killed in combat in Iraq, rather than the names of the thousands of private citizens killed in terrorist attacks since and including the events of September 11, 2001.
04-30-04, 03:52 PM
#59
Moderator
SWITCHBOARD CHAOS AT SINCLAIR HEADQUARTERS' AS THOUSANDS CALL TO PROTEST DECISION TO CENSOR NIGHTLINE.
04-30-04, 03:52 PM
#60
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: I was here but I disappear
Posts: 8,407
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I totally agree with this decision. I don't want to have to hear the names of those lazy sons of bitches that got killed just because they voluntarily signed up for a service with the intention of protecting my homeland! How dare Koppel and his scumbag friends try to force-feed me the names of the anonymous slobs who sacrificed their lives for me! They don't deserve one second of my TV watching time! 
These broadcasters need to grow some... Their behavior is offensive. I almost never watch Nightline but perhaps I'll watch it tonight, if only to give my respects to these folks.
These broadcasters need to grow some... Their behavior is offensive. I almost never watch Nightline but perhaps I'll watch it tonight, if only to give my respects to these folks.
04-30-04, 03:54 PM
#61
Moderator
If reading/listening to name equals respect to you I'll save you the trouble of having to listen... here's the current list as best as we can tell http://dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread....hreadid=361468
04-30-04, 05:07 PM
#62
DVD Talk Hero
There is no organization that holds the members of our military and those soldiers who have sacrificed their lives in service of our country in higher regard than Sinclair Broadcast Group.
04-30-04, 05:38 PM
#63
DVD Talk Hero
Senator John McCain weighs in: http://www.drudgereport.com/flash6.htm
[More in link]
I write to strongly protest your decision to instruct Sinclair's ABC affiliates to preempt this evening's Nightline program. I find deeply offensive Sinclair's objection to Nightline's intention to broadcast the names and photographs of Americans who gave their lives in service to our country in Iraq.
04-30-04, 07:16 PM
#65
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: I was here but I disappear
Posts: 8,407
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by nemein
If reading/listening to name equals respect to you I'll save you the trouble of having to listen... here's the current list as best as we can tell http://dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread....hreadid=361468
If reading/listening to name equals respect to you I'll save you the trouble of having to listen... here's the current list as best as we can tell http://dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread....hreadid=361468
05-01-04, 06:40 AM
#67
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by silentbob007
I think the point is ... why are they choosing to read the names now?
I think the point is ... why are they choosing to read the names now?
BTW, how many people enlist in the army because they see it as a way to a better life-- serve 4 years then get a free college education. It is a shame they had to go to Iraq to die.
Plus, we owed it to those dead. They were willing to fight for our freedom. But this war in Iraq is not making us any more free.
And since nobody else is saying it, I will. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11. Even Rumsfield is now admitting it.
05-01-04, 06:44 AM
#68
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by Red Dog
With the crawl, Sinclair could have stated their opposition to a perceived poltical play by the network while still giving the public the opportunity to tune in, tune out, or even tune it and think about what may really be going on here besides a recitation of names.
With the crawl, Sinclair could have stated their opposition to a perceived poltical play by the network while still giving the public the opportunity to tune in, tune out, or even tune it and think about what may really be going on here besides a recitation of names.
05-01-04, 06:46 AM
#69
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by Josh-da-man
Senator John McCain weighs in: http://www.drudgereport.com/flash6.htm
[More in link]
Senator John McCain weighs in: http://www.drudgereport.com/flash6.htm
[More in link]
05-01-04, 07:59 AM
#70
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"BTW, how many people enlist in the army because they see it as a way to a better life-- serve 4 years then get a free college education. It is a shame they had to go to Iraq to die. "
Its a shame that they may die, but thats a chance they were willing to take. Otherwise they wouldnt have signed up. You can scrap together enough money working for 4 years to then go to college.
Its a shame that they may die, but thats a chance they were willing to take. Otherwise they wouldnt have signed up. You can scrap together enough money working for 4 years to then go to college.
05-01-04, 08:23 AM
#71
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by Stu 17
"BTW, how many people enlist in the army because they see it as a way to a better life-- serve 4 years then get a free college education. It is a shame they had to go to Iraq to die. "
Its a shame that they may die, but thats a chance they were willing to take. Otherwise they wouldnt have signed up. You can scrap together enough money working for 4 years to then go to college.
"BTW, how many people enlist in the army because they see it as a way to a better life-- serve 4 years then get a free college education. It is a shame they had to go to Iraq to die. "
Its a shame that they may die, but thats a chance they were willing to take. Otherwise they wouldnt have signed up. You can scrap together enough money working for 4 years to then go to college.
Getting back to the original post. I knew people in high school who decided to join the military because it was the best job they could find. Rather than working in a McDonalds for minimum wage, they thought not only was the military a good job, but they would be gaurenteed money for college. No chance of not saving enough or anything else. Plus, if you ever talked to a recruiter, they would tell you that you would learn a skill while in the military too, and they made it sound like that skill would pay well in civilian life.
So I believe many of the soilders in Iraq are patriotic and they got a raw deal they can't back out of. It is a shame, because I doubt, even if we win and transform Iraq into a democoracy, that we will be any safer. The USA is not benifiting from this war. I can't understand why we are there.
05-01-04, 08:35 AM
#72
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think the world benefits everytime a tyrrany turns into a democracy.
And I agree that the soldiers got a bad deal, but its part of the job. But the same goes for cops and firefighters who put their neck out every day.
Just this past week there was a chase for a suspect that wound up having a police officer pinned against a garage by the suspects car. The cop opened fire, shot the guy and he eventually died. Now the cop is going through a big investigation, there have been candlelight vigil protests at the local precinct saying the cop acted wrongly. This cop is getting a bad deal too, but he signed up to be a cop. Just like these people signed up for the military. It comes with the uniform.
And I agree that the soldiers got a bad deal, but its part of the job. But the same goes for cops and firefighters who put their neck out every day.
Just this past week there was a chase for a suspect that wound up having a police officer pinned against a garage by the suspects car. The cop opened fire, shot the guy and he eventually died. Now the cop is going through a big investigation, there have been candlelight vigil protests at the local precinct saying the cop acted wrongly. This cop is getting a bad deal too, but he signed up to be a cop. Just like these people signed up for the military. It comes with the uniform.
05-01-04, 08:44 AM
#73
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by Stu 17
I think the world benefits everytime a tyrrany turns into a democracy.
And I agree that the soldiers got a bad deal, but its part of the job. But the same goes for cops and firefighters who put their neck out every day.
Just this past week there was a chase for a suspect that wound up having a police officer pinned against a garage by the suspects car. The cop opened fire, shot the guy and he eventually died. Now the cop is going through a big investigation, there have been candlelight vigil protests at the local precinct saying the cop acted wrongly. This cop is getting a bad deal too, but he signed up to be a cop. Just like these people signed up for the military. It comes with the uniform.
I think the world benefits everytime a tyrrany turns into a democracy.
And I agree that the soldiers got a bad deal, but its part of the job. But the same goes for cops and firefighters who put their neck out every day.
Just this past week there was a chase for a suspect that wound up having a police officer pinned against a garage by the suspects car. The cop opened fire, shot the guy and he eventually died. Now the cop is going through a big investigation, there have been candlelight vigil protests at the local precinct saying the cop acted wrongly. This cop is getting a bad deal too, but he signed up to be a cop. Just like these people signed up for the military. It comes with the uniform.
I dunno. I think I am done posting about politics. It is all so sad. Maybe one of these days I will turn on the TV and see a news alert: World Peace achieved, no more war or hunger.
05-01-04, 09:53 AM
#74
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by Stu 17
I think the world benefits everytime a tyrrany turns into a democracy.
I think the world benefits everytime a tyrrany turns into a democracy.
05-01-04, 10:05 AM
#75
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by Stu 17
Are they including the dead soldiers from Afghanistan? Same sacrifice isnt it?
Are they including the dead soldiers from Afghanistan? Same sacrifice isnt it?