A night after the CBS Evening News failed to consider newsworthy -- unlike the ABC and NBC evening newscasts -- the passing of conservative icon Henry Hyde, Katie Couric found time to report the passing of daredevil Evel Knievel:
His name is synonymous with daredevil. Evel Knievel died today. He was an icon of the 1970s, known for his star spangled suit, his heart-stopping motorcycle jumps and spectacular crashes. His obituary was nearly written in 1974, but he survived a failed attempt to jump Idaho's Snake River canyon on a rocket-powered sky cycle. But his injuries eventually took their toll and he had been in failing health for years. Evel Knievel was 69.
My November 29 NewsBusters posting, “ABC and NBC, But Not CBS, Note Passing of Conservative Icon Hyde,” recounted:
Long-time conservative Republican Congressman Henry Hyde of Illinois, a hero to conservatives for his ideological consistency and efforts to limit abortions, passed away Thursday morning at a Chicago hospital. While ABC and NBC noted his death, at age 83, on their Thursday evening newscasts, and even managed to avoid any pejorative ideological labeling, the CBS Evening News ignored Hyde. But Katie Couric made time to highlight how, in a Time magazine interview, Barack Obama said if he wins he'd give Al Gore a job “in a minute” and a position to Bill Clinton “in a second.” Couric added on Clinton: “Obama said 'there are few more talented people out there.'”...
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
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Who was the newscaster who
November 30, 2007 - 21:17 ET by motherbeltWho was the newscaster who was quoted here, not long ago, saying that no one had ever found bias in his newscast? I commented at the time that bias is not only in what's covered, but in what's ignored.
How does one decide that the death of a 30-year Congressman deserves not a word on the evening news? And covering the death of Evel Knievel instead added insult to injury.
CBS and Katie Couric should be ashamed of themselves.
Brokaw
November 30, 2007 - 21:38 ET by JerBrokaw
Probably because everybody
November 30, 2007 - 21:20 ET by mrsimeleProbably because everybody knows the wonderful Evel Knievel. Henry Hyde, on the other hand, was only a hero to the right-wing-evangelical crowd. Other than his failed attempt to limit abortion or impeach Bill Clinton, what did Henry Hyde do that was so special?
Since when do they have to
November 30, 2007 - 22:17 ET by motherbeltSince when do they have to be popular heroes to be mentioned? Every time a Congressman or Senator dies, it gets a bit of a mention on the news, even if no one ever heard of him/her, it's at least mentioned in passing, in the "in other news" segment. Ignoring it completely was, as I said, a deliberate slap.
Other than his failed attempt to limit abortion or impeach Bill Clinton, what did Henry Hyde do that was so special? mrsimele
I agree with you that those two things were special, and I think they were sufficient. Many Congressmen serve longer and do less.
There's also the ever
November 30, 2007 - 21:33 ET by HumanEventsThere's also the ever prevalent anti-Christian bias of the news media here. In all their coverage of the death of Evel Knievel they leave out the fact that he became a born again Christian in April of this year. I mean, what a great story this is: He had near death accidents from his dangerous stunts in the 70's, one of which left him in a coma for a month. He's been in failing health for years. Then he receives Jesus Christ as his Savior this April. And dies in November. So God kept him alive through his foolish daredevil stunts and through his chronic illnesses. Allowing him to eventually realize he needed Christ and that no fame or fortune could satisfy like Christ. And now that he has Christ, God is ready to take him home to be with Him forever.
Yes, this story as well as his April 2007 testimony is most wonderful, inspiring, and amazing. But since the msm can't stand Christianity, they totally ignore it and only refer to Evel Knievel's motorcycle escapades.
It was 2007, however, that Evel Knievel took the biggest jump of all time, over the abyss of hell into the arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ!
Human
November 30, 2007 - 21:45 ET bygot links?
GoHunter08
Thanks for that, botg. That
November 30, 2007 - 22:00 ET by HumanEventsThanks for that, botg. That is his wonderful testimony clearly from his heart.
HERE is a link to an article from April 2007 about that testimony in that church he gave.
That was a very moving
November 30, 2007 - 22:13 ET by motherbeltThat was a very moving testimony. I never knew that about him.
Just proves that Katie
November 30, 2007 - 22:00 ET by JerryJust proves that Katie can't Hyde her Evel bias.
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
"Just proves that Katie
November 30, 2007 - 22:07 ET by HumanEvents"Just proves that Katie can't Hyde her Evel bias."
Very good!
And your signature was a funny reminder of yet another moronic statement made by The Great Stainmaker! (Note also how he says I don’t think any serious person would believe that ANY President would do such a thing." That's right! We wouldn't believe that ANY president would do such a thing. Just the abomination who was our 42nd president!
Ah, yes, "The Great
November 30, 2007 - 22:12 ET by motherbeltAh, yes, "The Great Equivocator." He probably said it that way on purpose. LOL
Thanks HE! I like to use
November 30, 2007 - 22:42 ET by JerryThanks HE! I like to use that sig because it is a constant reminder that:
1. Clinton waged a non UN sanctioned war against Iraq (most liberals seem to be unaware of this fact).
2. Clinton obviously did it to stall the Congressional vote on articles of impeachment, not to fight terror or keep America safe.
3. Clinton NEVER answers a question. YES or NO please. That statement was NOT an answer.
4. Clinton spoke in twisted, parsable, lawyer speak, to keep from being held accountable for anything.
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
Evel: Well-known public
November 30, 2007 - 22:16 ET by balboaEvel: Well-known public figure/cult hero.
Hyde: Not so much.
That's all, Brent.
No, bal, that's not "all"
November 30, 2007 - 22:27 ET by RJBrent's story juxtaposed the complete ignoring of Hyde's death against spending a good chunk of air time on Knievel.
RJ... don't you see? EK
November 30, 2007 - 22:30 ET by MrShyRJ... don't you see? EK drove motorcylces over buses.... and canyons.
"MY end justifies THAT mean." - Shakespeare (not really)
I know what he did. I just
November 30, 2007 - 22:35 ET by balboaI know what he did. I just don't think it's all that important. Or noteworthy.
Typically, you try to skirt the main point, bal
November 30, 2007 - 22:55 ET by RJIt's not whether or not you think he was important or noteworthy. The man's passing deserved a mention, which both of the other major nets understood.
Sure it deserved a mention.
November 30, 2007 - 23:00 ET by balboaSure it deserved a mention. They didn't do it. That's how it goes.
Hey bal, how about for a change you pretend you're a grownup
November 30, 2007 - 23:03 ET by RJ....?
Just because you don't like
November 30, 2007 - 23:06 ET by balboaJust because you don't like my POV doesn't mean you have to get all huffy. You want to be outraged about this. I don't. That has nothing to do with being a "grownup."
No bal, I just get tired of your wise-ass teenager impersonation
November 30, 2007 - 23:14 ET by RJFrankly, I never paid much attention to Hyde, and I don't care whether or not you liked him. But your postings, as on this thread are frequently smarmy and insincere....just like a wise-ass teenager.
Like I said, how about if you pretend you're a grown up for a change?
That's completely your
November 30, 2007 - 23:22 ET by balboaThat's completely your interpretation of my comments on this thread. I made perfectly reasonable comments about this issue, but you don't like them, so you project attitudes into them.
Does Hyde deserve to get mentioned? Yes. But I don't think it's the end of the world, a clandestine conspiracy, that he wasn't. If you think that's immature, you're trying too hard to get mad at me, as you always do.
bal, much as you'd like to believe it, I don't get "mad" at you
November 30, 2007 - 23:37 ET by RJThe only emotion I have in reaction to your posts is impatience....the same kind of impatience I would have toward a deliberately disruptive teenager.
"I know what he did. I just don't think it's all that important. Or noteworthy." (Yet, now you say he does deserve mention.)
....so your last post doesn't give the same sarcastically dismissive attitude as you've been giving throughout the thread, does it? But even in your last post you can't avoid the dumb, sarcastic "clandestine conspiracy" comment, can you?
When I said I knew what "he"
November 30, 2007 - 23:46 ET by balboaWhen I said I knew what "he" did, I was talking about what Brent did, the juxtaposition, not what Hyde did.
Perhaps "clandestine conspiracy" was unneeded to make my point. But that's what some people believe; they think there's a secret cabal that tells CBS to do a story on Knievel and not Hyde.
Now you sound like Katie, bal
December 1, 2007 - 00:03 ET by RJ...."some say" there's a secret cabal....(I don't watch broadcast news, so I don't know if she's still using that) ;^)
In any event, we now agree that Hyde deserved a mention, even if only in the sense that CBS should have been professional enough to do it.
Let's let it go at that. Goodnight.
I'm sorry, do you really
December 1, 2007 - 08:58 ET by bretzysdudeI'm sorry, do you really WANT a list of your "reasonable" comments? Because we'd be more than to present them to you.
To bretzysdude
December 1, 2007 - 13:37 ET by balboaBring it.
oh my, Bal
December 1, 2007 - 13:44 ET byhow dubya like
you know what they say about imitation
GoHunter08
Look who's talking! You
December 1, 2007 - 08:56 ET by bretzysdudeLook who's talking! You and your ilk get huffy all the time! Quit your whining!
That's weak bal, really
December 1, 2007 - 09:03 ET by Jack BauerThat's weak bal, really weak.
It would be noteworthy if only for the part he played in passing the articles of impeachment against Clinton.
Tell you what, if the relatively insignifcant Larry Craig died today, I bet that would lead the news.
I sometimes wonder why you bother to be contrary just for the sake of it.
He's attention-deprived,
December 1, 2007 - 09:22 ET by bretzysdudeHe's attention-deprived, that's why. He wouldn't get as many responses if this wasn't the only thing that he lives for.
Again, for clarification,
December 1, 2007 - 13:39 ET by balboaAgain, for clarification, Hyde's passing is noteworthy. I don't think this post by Brent is.
why oh why bal did you make
December 1, 2007 - 13:50 ET bywhy oh why bal did you make so many notes about Brent's post??
GoHunter08
Evel: Well-known public
November 30, 2007 - 22:40 ET by motherbeltEvel: Well-known public figure/cult hero.
Hyde: Not so much.
Bal, last month Henry Hyde was awarded the nation's highest civilian honor: the Medal of Freedom. That's worth a little blurb, isn't it? "The latest Congressman to be awarded the Medal of Freedom" or something, no?
Sure. BUT...stop 100 people
November 30, 2007 - 22:44 ET by balboaSure. BUT...stop 100 people on the street and ask them if they know who Henry Hyde and Evel Knievel are. Ask 500.
Hey, even Alec Baldwin
November 30, 2007 - 22:50 ET by JerryHey, even Alec Baldwin knows who Henry Hyde was. He was the person that Alec wanted to stone to death, along with his wife and children.
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
Jeez, bal, most of them
December 1, 2007 - 06:57 ET by motherbeltJeez, bal, most of them don't even know who their own Congressman is. Does that mean none of them deserve a mention?
And it might have been interesting to some who didn't know him, to learn that a Congressman was awarded the Medal of Freedom.
Oh, and by the way, when she heard it on the news, my 19-year-od daughter said "Who's Evel Knievel?" When I explained, she said "Oh."
Sorry, bal, you lose.
December 1, 2007 - 08:59 ET by bretzysdudeSorry, bal, you lose.
This is why...
November 30, 2007 - 22:28 ET by celatorThis is why the perky perky perky Mzzz Couric is in last place in network news, and will always be in last place. She could host a nice cooking show, or perhaps a show about remodeling bathrooms. But, as a news anchor? I think not.
You know.... I can just
December 1, 2007 - 06:13 ET by BuxomAnnieMcGreggorYou know.... I can just hear Ms Couric's own epitaph...and almost in her own words...
"Her obituary was nearly written in 2007, but she survived a failed
attempt to anchor the CBS Evening News. But her injuries eventually took their toll as she had been
flailing in the ratings for years. Katie Couric was [insert age here].
Life can be a real b*tch... so why vote for one?
Yes..
December 1, 2007 - 09:33 ET by celator"...but she survived a failed attempt to anchor the CBS Evening News."
Yes. Sorta like surviving a slow-moving train wreck. :+}
No big surprise that
November 30, 2007 - 23:44 ET by msh1973No big surprise that Katie and gang don't mention Congressman Hyde's death, he was a thorn in their side as he was a leader in the pro-life movement. CBS doesn't even attempt to hide their bias anymore.
I almost never watch CBS
December 1, 2007 - 01:28 ET by JerI almost never watch CBS Evening News, but on the CBS website, there are prominent articles about Henry Hyde's death; declining casualties and other signs of progress in Iraq; Obama being dogged with questions about his Muslim past; and, Bill Clinton's credibility attacked over his recent anti-Iraq war claims.
I had to double check to make sure I hadn't logged on to Fox News by mistake.
Jer
lol
December 1, 2007 - 07:08 ET by well99I surprised any of that was mentioned on CBS website.
Bless E Knievel,
December 1, 2007 - 01:47 ET by general companyBless E Knievel, Motor Cycles and my fun racing are because of him.
I will miss him
Thanks Evil
"Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astonish the rest". Mark Twain
The one thing I find great
December 1, 2007 - 05:18 ET by USA4freedomThe one thing I find great is he died of natural causes.
Well fair play to him. It make me think of my Mom when she would say to me: you are going to get killed doing that one day...
These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc. Ronald Reagan- 40th Anniversary of D-Day
Hi USA. Sorry to send you
December 1, 2007 - 08:01 ET by Roger the ShrubberHi USA. Sorry to send you bad news, but Evel had diabetes and pumonary fibrosis (which eventually caused his death, I think), as well as hepatits C he got from a blood transfusion. The guy had alot of health problems, including getting a new liver in 1999 because of the hep C.
That being said, he was an American icon in the 70's, and had a ton of fans. Who over the age of 35 does not remember this guy!?!!
Kinda of a bummer he is gone.
Aren't diabetes and
December 1, 2007 - 08:28 ET by motherbeltAren't diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis "natural causes"? If not, what is that term restricted to?
Sure it is, if you consider
December 1, 2007 - 09:15 ET by Roger the ShrubberSure it is, if you consider dying from cancer or tuberculosis "natural causes", I guess. The term "natural causes" can be expanded to include alot of things? I can see where people would call dying this way that. (Edited after thinking about this, MB. I see your point!)
Pulmonary fibrosis an ugly disease. In the past year I watched a relative die from this "natural cause", where you eventually suffocate because your lungs are full of scar tissue. It is not a pretty way to go.
From the ESPN article I posted above:
"Longtime friend and promoter Billy Rundle said Knievel had trouble breathing at his Clearwater condominium and died before an ambulance could get him to a hospital."
That being said, he was an
December 1, 2007 - 09:13 ET by NewsbusterbrownThat being said, he was an American icon in the 70's, and had a ton of fans. Who over the age of 35 does not remember this guy!?!!
I'm 42 and remember all of his wonderful jumps on Wide World of Sports during the Seventies. I don't remember any kids back then not thinking he was really cool.
Of course, though he was on the conservative side, he wasn't really a great man off the motorcycle.
As for Henry Hyde, of course he should have had a mention. Not even arguable.