CNN Scrubs Palin from NewsBusters Covered Criminal Politicians Story

CNN Scrubs Palin from NewsBusters Covered Criminal Politicians Story

By Warner Todd Huston (Bio | Archive)
January 6, 2009 - 02:23 ET

As most of you know, I originally posted this story on Sunday under the headline CNN Places Sarah Palin With 2008's Criminals, Sex Addicts, and the Corrupt here at NewsBusters. It raged all day Sunday in the Blogosphere and into the night among Palin fans and center right bloggers. Greta Van Susteren even posted about it on her FoxNews blog (It garnered 4 pages of comments there, too). A quick Google of the title of my NewsBusters piece gives several pages of hits all across the web. FreeRepublic, Lucianne.com, dozens of blogs and message boards took CNN to task for their outrageous inclusion of Sarah Palin's name among the year's worst criminal politicians.

Well by the time Monday morning arrived, CNN quietly and without explanation or apology erased Sarah Palin from the article I describe earlier.

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So, it appears that CNN has thought better of including Governor Sarah Palin's name among the other criminal politicians of 2008. They quietly and without explanation removed her from their slide show. We have a small victory for holding the Old Media accountable here, I suppose, but it is awfully interesting that CNN just rewrote history without explanation. Don't you think?

Josh Painter of RedState also wrote of this scrubbing:

An outcry immediately went up from the Sarah Palin blogging community, and other conservative bloggers quickly followed suit... Now, without posting an apology, retraction or even a single word of explanation, Sarah Palin’s name has been completely removed from the piece as it now appears on CNN’s website. Such “scrubbing” is a familiar tactic employed by the left, as they take their cue from the Communist Party style book. The damage has already been done, so a retraction wouldn’t mean much, except to demonstrate that CNN has at least a modicum of journalistic integrity left... Apparently it does not.

I can't say I disagree with a word Josh wrote there!

Not liking, even hating Palin -- like a choice few here at NB do -- is one thing. But it is simply illegitimate to place her among the criminals that CNN grouped her with. It is just beyond that pale plain and simple. Even CNN finally came to realize that.

So, what say you NewsBusters readers? A victory, or even more proof of bias and underhandedness from CNN?

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All comments are owned by whoever posted them and are subject to our terms of use. They should not be assumed to represent the views of NewsBusters.

Palin needs this guy...

January 6, 2009 - 03:17 ET by Coldsnap

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETOy4hbSGB4

Now that's an overachiever. Palin could have used him on her campaign to win over the audience a bit more.

I love religion. It keeps most people from killing me and stealing my stuff.

Sarah Palin

January 6, 2009 - 03:44 ET by sargex1

Now I know how these so called journalists that tell lies about Sarah Palin came into existance. Their mothers were impregnated by space aliens. It's true, I just heard it on CNN.

I heard the same thing

January 6, 2009 - 04:30 ET by USA4freedom

I heard the same thing Sargex1, and then it was confirmed on South Park, something about space aliens and anal probes....

So there you go proof that CNN journalist parents are into kinky sex and “aliens”.

Umm... we will only take this story down if you yell really loud... in a few days..

Pictures at 9:00...

Of.... an artist view of what might have happened..

Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.

Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.

Later a 12:00..... Why

January 6, 2009 - 04:43 ET by USA4freedom

Later a 12:00.....

Why CNN women Journalist, Bi sexual CNN men reporters, (and two from MSMBC..) love.. aliens.. who.. abuse.. them.. from renown Psychologist: Dr Shrink..

Author of the book: Lying freaks, Dam lying freaks, and CNN....

Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.

Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.

Managing the News

January 6, 2009 - 04:35 ET by Mencken-Lite

Limousine liberals publish vile stories about conservative politicians and accuse conservatives of being haters. Dimwitted citizens make these tactics extremely effective. The homosexual lobby intimidates supporters of CA's Proposition 8. Responsible journalists should replace the sloppy propagandists.

Mencken-Lite

enoughroomvideo.blogspot.com

Both

January 6, 2009 - 04:51 ET by Vivaldi5

WTH: "So, what say you NewsBusters readers? A victory, or even more proof of bias and underhandedness from CNN?"

I'd say both, Mr. Huston, as well as an attempt to mystify and confuse those users/readers who are not savvy in the ways of the internet."Look, NewsBusters said Sarah Palin was mentioned in our article, and even linked to it, but she isn't there. Just like our pal Comrade Olby on the other network said, they're 'hilariously inept'!"

Of course the sophisticated will know that the article was sanitized by CNN's equivalent of a Winston Smith low-level functionary, but apparently if it can get some people not to realize that part of its article has disappeared down the "memory hole," that's good enough. So I'm glad you are pointing out what happened.

That is what I fear with

January 6, 2009 - 05:06 ET by Warner Todd Huston

That is what I fear with this sort of thing. That someone will point to our original story and call US the liars because the link no longer says what we claimed it said!

I have to go with the "more

January 6, 2009 - 06:59 ET by motherbelt

I have to go with the "more evidence of bias."

That's a typical tactic of the MSM: get the dirty little story out there, everyone sees it, and even if they do correct or retract it later (on Page A17 in the print media) 95% of those who saw the original story won't see the retraction.

Mission accomplished.

I couldn't agree more

January 6, 2009 - 08:38 ET by Kunisachi

I read this just after posting my comment, and just have to agree with you here. This works similar to the tactic played when Palin was accused of a scandal in Alaska during the campaign. You hit the readers with the accusation, then bury the fact that she was cleared of all charges or don't report the follow up at all leaving readers with a black cloud over the accused.

A great example of the effectiveness of this tactic was the recent rebirth of "Kill him" being said at a McCain rally even after it was debunked.

That was my first thought,

January 6, 2009 - 07:41 ET by Seashell

That was my first thought, that NB will be accused of pushing a "made up" CNN/Palin bashing story. Thanks for setting the record straight!

Warner

January 6, 2009 - 08:29 ET by Free Stinker

You did make a screen cap of the original CNN story, yes ?? ;-)

"Gov. Palin has been subjected to one of the most massive and dishonest pile-on smear attacks in the history of liberal media." -- Lowell Ponte

Unfortunately

January 6, 2009 - 08:37 ET by Warner Todd Huston

Unfortunately, I did not make a screen shot of the offending CNN story before they "fixed" it. However, the same sudden change was noticed by about 20 other websites, so it isn't JUST me saying this!

WTH

That is almost as good!

January 6, 2009 - 08:44 ET by Free Stinker

That is almost as good! ;-)

"Gov. Palin has been subjected to one of the most massive and dishonest pile-on smear attacks in the history of liberal media." -- Lowell Ponte

Probably a lot of libtards

January 6, 2009 - 06:35 ET by 10ksnooker

Would like to erase Caroline Kennedy from their site as well. She is one dumb cluck if there ever was one.

but!

January 6, 2009 - 07:22 ET by AJB

But she's RICH and she's PHOTOGENIC. What other attributes could the liberal left possibly consider relevant for Sentate? What were Hillary's qualifications? Baking cookies, burying receipts, keeping her mouth shut about rape, killing Vince Foster. She's lucky to have gotten in with only those qualifications. But, since then, she's become very rich. I hear the communist Chinese paid her and Bill a bundle.

I say let her talk

January 6, 2009 - 07:49 ET by 10ksnooker

She is very entertaining -- ya Know

I say let her talk

January 6, 2009 - 07:52 ET by 10ksnooker

Hey what is wrong with the site? The comments seem to have a form of luce goosey. It was a quad ...

Photogenic?

January 6, 2009 - 07:49 ET by Red Jeep

Photogenic?

And she floats along like an

January 6, 2009 - 07:55 ET by SickofLibs

And she floats along like an elegant angel.

Photogenic? I always

January 6, 2009 - 08:55 ET by Newsbusterbrown

Photogenic?

I always thought she was cute when she was younger, but she could afford a few more pounds on her frame. Better posture wouldn't hurt either.

“There are no easy answers' but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.” - Ronald Reagan (1964 Republican Convention)

In her latest picture it

January 6, 2009 - 09:19 ET by Free Stinker

In her latest picture it looks like she may have been working out.

Her arms don't seem as slender as they used to be.

I beg to differ

January 6, 2009 - 09:31 ET by anodynepres

She is NOT photogenic. All I see when I see a photo of her is a thin Ted Kennedy in a wig.

well...

January 6, 2009 - 13:59 ET by AJB

eeeeeewwwwwwwwwwww....

The new Photoshop CS4 now

January 6, 2009 - 07:10 ET by SickofLibs

The new Photoshop CS4 now also includes word processing.

Warner: 1, CNN: 0

January 6, 2009 - 08:06 ET by Free Stinker

Warner,

This is a victory!

Great work ! ;-)

"Gov. Palin has been subjected to one of the most massive and dishonest pile-on smear attacks in the history of liberal media." -- Lowell Ponte

This is hilarious

January 6, 2009 - 08:08 ET by choselife3x

As I read this, I kid you not, the theme to Mission Impossible started playing in my head.

In order to be pro-choice, one must first be born. Ah, the irony.

It's the journalistic equivilent of shredding the evidence

January 6, 2009 - 08:11 ET by c5then

CNN has just shown that they have even less integrity and morality than Gov. Blagojevich. They are being run using the same 'principles' of the DailyKOS and the Huffington Post - anything goes to forward the liberal cause.

Hey, I got the wrong "CHANGE"!

Alan Keyes / Sarah Palin - 2012

Win, Lose.

January 6, 2009 - 08:26 ET by Kunisachi

I was appauled that CNN had disrespected Palin by associating her with criminals, and I'm not exactly a Palin 2012 cheerleader, but I thought she did a fantastic job on the campaign. I'm glad they removed the reference, but how much good is it without an apology or notice? Most the readers have already gone through this article and will probably never read it again, thus the damage was done.

Not only has fact-checking become questionably optional in journalism, but now you can slander, associate, and report outrageous views so long as you edit them later.

Cowardice...

January 6, 2009 - 10:33 ET by Brad Hinely

Of course it proves bias, but what it also proves is that CNN is a gutless organization run by cowards.

It was owned by Ted Turner, whom, you'll recall, was recently owned by Bill O'Reilly.

This is in no way an enodrsement of O'Reilly... I think he's a pompous ass and think he whitewashed Andrea Makris... In fact, I think he's a POS.

CNN the

January 6, 2009 - 10:37 ET by Pha Pha

CNN the "Communist News Network" strikes again.

They have no guts or morality.

There is no reason to watch them since Beck went to FOX.

CNN

January 6, 2009 - 11:47 ET by chazski

I believe you meant the Certainly Not News station. Nes pas?

LOL-I bet the CNN "alteration" really cheesed off PopTech.

January 6, 2009 - 10:51 ET by R D Helm

:-)

-Dave

“Them that’s going get on the wagon. Them that ain’t get out of the way.” -Because enough is enough.

Shhhhhh.....

January 6, 2009 - 10:56 ET by choselife3x

Good Obama, man! Are you trying wake UNPop up?!

In order to be pro-choice, one must first be born. Ah, the irony.

Gawd

January 6, 2009 - 10:57 ET by Warner Todd Huston

PLEASE don't invite Pop Dreck onto one of my posts!

Warner,

January 6, 2009 - 11:53 ET by R D Helm

Psst, you can delete it if you want, as I hadn't yet had enough coffee for that unpleasent possiblity.

-Sorry.

-Dave

“Them that’s going get on the wagon. Them that ain’t get out of the way.” -Because enough is enough.

Not at all

January 6, 2009 - 13:39 ET by PopularTech

What they said was ridiculous and certainly not "criminal" just like I originally posted (which everyone failed to read - go back and check). I'm happy they removed it.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is Not Pollution

Victory or Lefty Bias?

January 6, 2009 - 12:20 ET by Doc_Navy

Warner,

I'd have to agree with those who say a bit of both. You were right on the money to be shocked at the inclusion of Palin in CNN's little list of criminals. It was PURE unadulterated PDS. Absolutely no reason whatsoever to include her, other than to smear a little more mud in her eye.

The fact that the outcry from the right was so swift and garnered the reaction it did from CNN is proof that the editors over in the CNN offices KNEW exactly what they were doing. So yeah, it was a tiny victory for the right blogosphere.

But... if anybody thought that CNN was going to retract in any other way than the way that they did, well... that would just be naieve. Keep in mind, liberals are NEVER, EVER wrong. At least in their own heads.

I could bring up example after example of liberals who have been smacked about the face and head with the reality fish only to go down in flames screaming at the top of their lungs that they were right, or they actually won, or whatnot.

-Shoot, Al Gore comes to mind on a number of issues, not the least of which was his last political failure of an election and subsiquent third grade tantrum.

-You've got Blago, who still refuses to quit, and is holding on tooth and nail to the Governership even though it is more than likely that he'll do some jail time.

-Then there's Obama on the surge in Iraq... as far as I know he STILL hasn't admitted that it worked.

-Then we've got Clinton (Bill) and his "Definition of the word "IS" thing. (Not to mention the "I didn't inhale" BS)

-There's also Clinton (Hillary) and her "Under sniper fire" LIE, that was ultimately shrugged off as "I misspoke".

-Talk to ANY climate Alarmist for longer than 30 seconds, and you are in a whole new dimension of reality denial. Seriously, all you have to do is mention the undisputable scientific FACT that the Earth has not warmed in 10 years, and has actually cooled since 2002, and they'll go completely foaming-at-the-mouth, batsh*t crazy trying to tell you how wrong you are.

The list could go on and on. That's just an off-the-top-of-my-head, 10 second to think about it list. Suffice it to say that when confronted with the undeniable fact that they have lost or were wrong about something, a liberal will make headlines proclaiming the lie, then either retract later on page 6 in small print, or just scrub the error and not tell anyone. It's less messy that way.

Doc

2008: The year that the great LIE died.

How we know that they know that they are Lying.

Friedrich Zietzsche summed up how I feel about the MSM in this quote:

"I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I can't believe you."

..

January 6, 2009 - 13:29 ET by Tom1969ca

I did a little searching in the HTML of the CNN.com website, and discovered that the removal Gov. Palin from the criminals list was editted by a "Winston Smith"...

=====
Daily Sarah Palin fact:

Sarah Palin and Chuck Norris walk into a bar. The bar instantly explodes because no man-made structure can contain that much awesomeness.