On the Thursday edition of "Good Morning America," co-host Diane Sawyer responded to critics of her recent visits to Syria and Iran. After reading some viewer e-mails about the interviews she conducted with leaders of those countries, including a question on why ABC allowed Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad so much time to spew his propaganda, Sawyer informed her audience, "People all over the world, whatever their governments are doing, people all over the world really do have a yearning to live at peace on this planet, I believe."
Perhaps the GMA host was taking the words of the Iranian President to heart. During one interview, he told her that mass rallies containing "death to America" chants shouldn’t be taken personally by U.S. citizens.
Earlier in the segment, which aired at 7:48am on February 15, Sawyer defended the necessity of such trips by citing the need for greater understanding:
Story Continues Below Ad ↓Robin Roberts: "We have a lot to chat about, because Diane is back from one of her trips again. She was in Iran, as you know, and had a chance to talk with the President, Ahmadinejad. And it's wonderful when the viewers respond, Diane, and their questions often times are better than our questions that we have for you. And overwhelmingly positive, what people were asking and wanting to know. But there also people that thought-- And I'll get to the question, let me let her ask the question: 'Why are you giving the Iranian president air time to vent his propaganda?' Anita wanted to know this."
Diane Sawyer: "Right. It's a question that comes in a lot. 'Why do you let,’ some people just said 'our enemies, do this?' And I want to show you how he challenged me about why I was there as a journalist or politician again." [Clip of Sawyer’s interview begins]
Ahmadinejad: "But you have come here in disguise of a politician, I guess."
Sawyer: "No. I am a journalist. Solely a journalist. Excuse me.' [End clip] I had trouble with my scarf there. You now, again, I understand that it is confusing sometimes, what we do, and why we're there. But even, even your adversaries have their own point of view, and how can you tackle this part of the world if you don't understand why they say they are doing what they are doing? Even your enemies can teach you something about why they are doing what they are doing. And we were trying to bring back real information in this critical time for these people that live in that part of the world. It is so complicated. What Iran is doing, basically, is trying to have a relationship with all sides. Got a 700-mile border with Iraq and there is no question, whether you believe a word this man says or not, that you've got to listen carefully in this part of the world."
Sawyer statement could be interpreted to mean that America should know and understand its enemy. (Although the GMA anchor seemed to be advocating for a "Can’t-we-all-just-get-along?" style dialogue.) The only problem is, the morning anchor’s interviews were mostly syrupy and superficial. She asked Ahmadinejad, a leader who denies the Holocaust occurred and had called for the destruction of Israel, how often he cries.
Ms. Sawyer also wondered whether Syrian President Bashar Assad, a man who dramatically restricts civil liberties, plays video games or uses an iPod. On another occasion, she portayed Syria as pro-family and a welfare paradise. Is this the definition of "bringing back real information?"
A few minutes later, at 7:51, co-host Chris Cuomo read another question. This one wondered what the Iranian people asked Sawyer:
Chris Cuomo: "Another question that we heard very commonly asked is what did the Iranian people ask of you when you were there?"
Roberts: "That's a good question."
Sawyer: "Well, that's part of it, you know, so many of them said why does your country hate us? Why do you hate us? And why aren't you giving us nuclear energy when so many other countries of the world have nuclear energy? So they see it, of course, from their perspective. And then, so many of them said, 'Do you like us?'"
Roberts: "They asked you that?"
Sawyer: "They did. Yeah. Are-- Do you feel welcome here? Do you like us? So there is this great yearning on the part of so many of the people there to bridge this gap. People all over the world, whatever their governments are doing, people all over the world really do have a yearning to live at peace on this planet, I believe."
The one point that she apparently didn't consider is that in the "people" in Syria and Iran have vast restrictions on their freedoms. At no time did the ABC anchor seem to wonder if these citizens were coerced or self censoring themselves. But then, this is the same woman who traveled to North Korea and marveled unquestioningly at young students who called themselves "the happiest children in the world."
—Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center.
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Well, assuming Sawyer is a journalist is my first barrier.
February 15, 2007 - 15:56 ET by acaiguanaWell, assuming Sawyer is a journalist is my first barrier.
The second is that she is the only one that I break all my personal rules about and call a 'twit'.
But, going further and giving her the benefit of the doubt and thinking, OK, she want's me to learn something from her forays into the Dictator's backyard and her interviews. I haven't learned anything from her work.
I already knew that Syria was run by a brutal dictator - didn't need to see him protrayed as an 'enlightened' man; and I knew that Iran was run by a complete lunitic; didn't need to see him protrayed as a 'humane' man.
So, now what?
ACA
...
Hillary Clinton says: "I want to take those profits."
Sawyer
February 15, 2007 - 15:58 ET by Mulligan22She's blonde everywhere isn't she.
Wellesley
February 15, 2007 - 20:30 ET by BBallleaperThis what you become after your lesbian days at Wellesley!
If Sawyer were doing a story
February 15, 2007 - 15:58 ET by motherbeltIf Sawyer were doing a story or "analysis" piece on civil rights in the US, do you think she would feel obligated to respectfully interview members of the KKK, inorder to get "their own point of view"?
Well now, the KKK are a bunch
February 15, 2007 - 16:06 ET by sunandsteelWell now, the KKK are a bunch of dumb rednecks who support Bush. And we all know that Bush hates black people cause Kanye told us so. So, by using simple liberal logic, Bush=Hitler. Amenawankoff is ok, never mind that part about wiping Israel off the planet because Israel is the source of all terrorism according to Jimmuh Cartuh.
Or how about the situation in
February 15, 2007 - 16:29 ET by Dave in TexasOr how about the situation in Darfur? Can you imagine Diane going over there and interviewing the Janjaweed with the intent of getting "their own point of view" and to "understand why they say they are doing what they are doing". I wonder how she would feel about that or what reaction GMA viewers would have to a series of reports like that?
...hey Diane, come on out to
February 15, 2007 - 16:02 ET by TruthMonger...hey Diane, come on out to "Jesusland" and interview one of us conservative Christians - we will also make you wear a head scarf - but I'm sure you will still portray us as sympathetically as the Iranian's and their dear leader...
I mean after all...why does the "United States of Canada" hate us so much, Dianne...?
"...so many of them said why
February 15, 2007 - 16:12 ET by rimsky"...so many of them said why does your country hate us?"
So many? How many? And did she conduct a survey or something? Are we to believe that she just had carte blanche such that she could roam around and ask anybody ANYthing? I have a hard time believing this.
Also, I've always understood that there are large numbers of democracy loving young Iranians that yearn to overthrow the current government. Being the savvy journalist that she is, there's no doubt that DS has at least heard the same thing, so did she investigate that segment of the Iranian society? What did she ask them?
I'm sorry, this trip was a boondoggle.
[During one interview, he tol
February 15, 2007 - 16:35 ET by Dave R[During one interview, he told her that mass rallies containing "death to America" chants shouldn’t be taken personally by U.S. citizens.]
Gee, Diane, exactly just how are we supposed to take it when these 7th century illiterate barbarians fly airliners into buildings and kill several thousand Americans. Are we supposed to take it as a sick cry for help?
Diane, you should have done us all a favor stayed in Iran, as you clearly have all the intellectual depth of a fly-swatter. Each and every time you leave this country (which you clearly despise) the mean IQ of the entire US population rises by at least five points.
I hate newspapermen.....I regard them as spies.....If I killed them all there would be news from Hell before breakfast. -Gen. William T. Sherman
We both posted around the sam
February 15, 2007 - 16:41 ET by Scout FinchWe both posted around the same time (I didn't have a chance to read your post first) and yet we both referred to them as living in the 7th century. Backwards and cavelike is as backwards and cavelike does.
Instead of relaying loaded st
February 15, 2007 - 16:37 ET by Scout FinchInstead of relaying loaded statements from 'the people' like "Why do Americans hate us?" why didn't she ask them how they feel about their lack of civil liberties and being doomed to live life like it was the 7th century? Why do they live in filth while sitting on top of vast oil reserves? Why must their women live like second class citizens behind burkas, like the one Diane has donned like a submissive grunt.
My God... what happened to he
February 15, 2007 - 16:41 ET by Jack BauerMy God... what happened to her burqua!
What's funny is Sawyer thinks
February 15, 2007 - 16:42 ET by mastersofdeceitWhat's funny is Sawyer thinks she interviewed the "president" and leader of The ISLAMIC Republic of Iran.
She needs to interview the real leader.
http://www.leader.ir...
I am so tired of Sawyer. She
February 15, 2007 - 16:44 ET by bigtimerShe will never get over her empty-headed over-blown egotistical leftist self.
That simple.
She is one of the enemy within...well known for all to see, just hope she may realize it someday.
Did she have a minder? Most
February 15, 2007 - 16:44 ET by Iron LadyDid she have a minder? Most of them do in this type of country. Did she ever wonder if people felt free to ask what they wanted? Did it ever occur to her that she saw the people they wanted her to see? That most of the people do not have access to real news so only know what the government wants them to know? Or is this a case like all those journalists spending time in Iraq before the war: only afterwards do they bother to tell us that they knew all sorts of things they never report.
I have no patience for Diane Sawyer. I haven't since her "interview" with Kenneth Star, as mild-mannered a man as I had ever seen. When she jeeringly asked him if he really sang hymns while jogging!? Her clear implication that only a religious zealot would ever do such a thing stunned me, especially from a journalist I once thought had some ethics and inteliigence. Of course, I had no idea just how rampant the anti-Christian bias would become in later years. I thought her just a typical liberal pawn of the Clintonistas, who tried to blame all their problems on a "religious bigot obsessed with sex". Truly either a despicable woman, an idiot, or both.
So she claims they all have their sides. Yep, so did the Nazis. That some of them really just want peace. Yep, so did some Nazis. Just trying to get along with their neighbors. Yep, that's what Adolf said just before he took Poland.
Compare the Caveman's phrase
February 15, 2007 - 17:03 ET by AvatarCompare the Caveman's phrase below (parentheses are my addition) with a popular democrat phrase below that:
"I don't hate the American people" (but I hate america)
"I don't support the war, I support the troops."
I think saddam hussein once said something similar to that, and he took a short fall off of a long drop.
That said, Caveman has obviously been watching our media and our politicians in order to learn how to manipulate the dry sponge that is Diane Sawyer.
The Avatar
Traitors!
February 15, 2007 - 17:33 ET by saurusMedia or not, anyone who goes to the country of a sworn enemy of the US and gives them "aid or comfort" is a traitor (read Jane Fonda)and should be either immediately arrested on their return to this country or better yet DENIED re-entry to the US.
Sawyer: "Well, that's part of
February 15, 2007 - 17:39 ET by Chicago RepublicanSawyer: "Well, that's part of it, you know, so many of them said why does your country hate us? Why do you hate us? And why aren't you giving us nuclear energy when so many other countries of the world have nuclear energy? So they see it, of course, from their perspective. And then, so many of them said, 'Do you like us?'"
***************
I do believe that many people did in fact ask her this. However, she wouldn’t have the right answer if her life depended on it.
The correct answer is, yes, the American People like the average Iranian citizen. Our issue is with the government that oppresses them. The average American citizen is happy that the Iraqi people are free, we’d love to see the same for Iranians. But since they live is a society that brainwashes them from cradle to grave, they have no way of understanding this. These people are crying out for an open society simply by asking this question.
And why aren't you giving us
February 15, 2007 - 17:50 ET by JDWAnd why aren't you giving us nuclear energy when so many other countries of the world have nuclear energy? So they see it, of course, from their perspective. And then, so many of them said, 'Do you like us?'"
Al-Qaida in Iraq leader wounded - AP
Why not send a med team over? We do it for other countries. Let's be friends!
JDW
Wounded skier. Corrections have been causing time-outs so mistakes will be made.
New pro-adoption dems, what about replacing abortions?
What a SLOB exposing her hai
February 15, 2007 - 17:59 ET by upcountrywaterWhat a SLOB exposing her hair like that, more offensive to moslems than Britney Spears slipping out a car without panties. What a perfect example of a blonde hair blue eyed devil.
Such a wonderful example of bridging the gap. Thank you very much.NOT
Diane can you demonstrate the
February 15, 2007 - 18:30 ET by CrimsonfistedDiane can you demonstrate the proper to wear the burka? Do you have any clue what a fool you are Diane?
We DO understand. It is YOU who does not.
WhatAMaroon
No matter how wrong they are,
February 15, 2007 - 19:02 ET by awffp1890No matter how wrong they are, a journalist will always justify what they do.
"Not for fame or reward, not for place or rank, not lured by ambition or goaded by necessity. But in simple obedience to duty." - From the barracks at Ft. Benning
Sawyer
February 15, 2007 - 19:19 ET by pocomocoNo where in her ‘report’ did she say she interviewed the dissidents of each country she visited. Either she didn’t try, or wasn’t allowed to.
Therefore, the "bringing back real information”, as she puts it, is meaningless.
She also states, "People all over the world, whatever their governments are doing, people all over the world really do have a yearning to live at peace on this planet, I believe."
Well, the Russian people lived in peace under various dictators for 70 years in which time over 25 million died from 'purposeful' starvation and murder. Is this the kind of peace she’s talking about?
As for America “understanding its enemy”, I don’t recall America identifying any of the middle eastern countries as our enemy. Sawyer, then, is basing her trips on a false premise.
She gives Ahmadinejad a hel
February 15, 2007 - 19:48 ET by mlongShe gives Ahmadinejad a hell of a lot more respect than she dose Bush.
Ahmadinejad and Liberals
February 15, 2007 - 23:36 ET by exLibWell, there's allot to admire isn't there:
1 they'd both like to see Bush either out of office or dead
2 She can get a sworn enemy of the US to act like it's all Bush's fault just like they did and have been doing with Saddam Hussein and Iraq.
"I understand that it is conf
February 16, 2007 - 00:22 ET by i was just thinking"I understand that it is confusing sometimes, what we do, and why we're there. But even, even your adversaries have their own point of view, and how can you tackle this part of the world if you don't understand why they say they are doing what they are doing? Even your enemies can teach you something about why they are doing what they are doing. And we were trying to bring back real information in this critical time for these people that live in that part of the world. It is so complicated."
It's a shame she wasn't around to interview Adolf Hitler. It might have given us a better understanding of his true feelings. We could have understood the deep-seated reasons that caused him to lash out at his neighbors. We could have counseled him on other ways to deal with his inner rage. We could have found ways to get along with him. Surely his aggression was a cry - a cry for help that we chose to ignore when we waged aggressive war against him and his people. And then there was Tojo... if only we had tried to get along. The history is laid out before us. Why can't we ever seem to learn from our past mistakes? Diane is trying to show us a better way. When will we listen?!?
Whew... what's enough sarcasm for one day.
new information
February 17, 2007 - 18:46 ET by CAPT. INK"New information in a critical time" You have got to be kidding, if she had actually asked some hard questions and not let him get away with nonanswers, we may have some new information. Clue to Diane, he wants to kill us.
Power to the consumer, hit them where it hurts.