ABC anchor Charles Gibson and NBC anchor Brian Williams let the Iraq Study Group's conclusion, that “the situation in Iraq is grave and deteriorating,” speak for itself as they refrained from additional editorializing in opening their Wednesday night newscasts. But CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric inserted her personal views into the top of her newscast as she framed the day's news: “With each death, with every passing day, so many of us ask, 'Is there any way out of this nightmare?'” She proceeded to explain how “today we got an answer from a bipartisan commission headed by former Secretary of State James Baker and former Congressman Lee Hamilton.” All three December 6 broadcast network evening shows were anchored from Washington, DC.
Couric's lead in full, following her opening teases of upcoming stories:
“Hi, everyone. The U.S. military confirms that ten more American soldiers were killed in Iraq today, some in combat, others by roadside bombs. With each death, with every passing day, so many of us ask, 'Is there any way out of this nightmare?' Today we got an answer from a bipartisan commission headed by former Secretary of State James Baker and former Congressman Lee Hamilton. The so-called Iraq Study Group has 79 recommendation it says will not guarantee success in Iraq, but will at least improve the chances.”
ABC's Charles Gibson began World News:
“Good evening. The Iraq Study Group, working for nine months now to find a new approach to the war in Iraq, issued its report today. There were 79 recommendations for a change in course. But the report also read a bit like a report card on the Bush administration's conduct of the war. And the marks were not good. We will cover all aspects of the report tonight, but we start with the very blunt assessment of the war and the conditions in Iraq right now, as presented by the group's Co-Chairmen, former Secretary of State James Baker and former Congressman Lee Hamilton.”Lee Hamilton: “The situation in Iraq is grave and deteriorating...”
Brian Williams opened the NBC Nightly News:
“Good evening. Behind us here in Washington today ten prominent Americans appeared before reporters after working for nine months on a plan for the U.S. in Iraq. Between them they have hundreds of years of government experience, Republicans and Democrats who today delivered a blunt, bipartisan and grim assessment. Tonight from Washington our coverage of the report. Also the reaction to it here and in the Arab world. Tonight we will have my interview with the Chairmen of the Iraq Study Group, a conversation that took place just minutes after we learned that ten more Americans were killed in Iraq just today. That means the death toll so far in December is now 28. While the work of the commission is done and the report is now in bookstores, all eyes are focused now across town from here: The White House and the President who has steadfastly defended this increasingly unpopular war. We have this day covered here tonight, beginning with our chief White House correspondent David Gregory.”
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
And the Emmy, for lead actres
December 6, 2006 - 20:47 ET by balboaAnd the Emmy, for lead actress in a news drama goes to...
I know the perfect way out of
December 6, 2006 - 20:55 ET by jerziegrlI know the perfect way out of this nightmare........change the channel.
Loved it
December 7, 2006 - 00:04 ET by terrigEven if you have to get off the couch, change that channel.
I'm the kind of guy that woul
December 7, 2006 - 07:27 ET by fosstenI'm the kind of guy that would search for hours for the remote, oblivious to the fact that I can manually change the channel by taking three steps toward the TV.
But I would make an exception in Katie's case.
But seriously - how do we get
December 7, 2006 - 11:34 ET by TruthMongerBut seriously - how do we get out of this nightmare OF THE SCUM MSM?!
Terrorists are not Muslims, Nazi's were not Christians, etc, etc...
only on your knees either bow
December 7, 2006 - 15:17 ET by cupera1only on your knees either bowing to Mecca or stretch out your neck
So, we're all shocked and sur
December 6, 2006 - 20:56 ET by VT Con ManSo, we're all shocked and surprised at the ISG's "findings"??? Huh? Sounds like re-cylced lib talking points to me. Of course, the esteemed "reporting" is telling us just how insept and WRONG Bush has been all along. Nice.
Aren't all of their righteous ideas already happening, except, of course, going to Iran and Syria for help. That idea should stay where it has been,,,on the HuffHead Post.
Katie Cupcake inquires: &qu
December 6, 2006 - 21:42 ET by John in CAKatie Cupcake inquires: "Is there way out of this nighmare?"
John answers: Yes, CBS can fire Katie; or just change the channel.
Give a Democrat Party free America a chance!
Well, the three news echoes a
December 6, 2006 - 22:06 ET by pocomocoWell, the three news echoes are at it gain, marching to the same drummer beating out paradidles to the Three Stooges tune Three Blind Mice.
The fastest way out of this
December 6, 2006 - 22:22 ET by james789The fastest way out of this nightmare would be to load up 8 or 10 B-2 bombers with roughly 40,000 pounds each of smart bombs and go after the people at the top of the terrorist pyramid, the Supreme leader of Iran and the members of Iran's guardian council who have been spending hundreds of millions of dollars supporting terrorists around the globe instead of providing the basic needs of the Iranian people.
But hey I'm just someone who rode the short bus to school and graduated in the top 95 percent of my high shcool class, what do I know.
The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price,
peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of
soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life. ~ Theodore Roosevelt
I vote for this being "I
December 6, 2006 - 22:24 ET by SemperrightI vote for this being "Iraq recommendation # 80"
No Soup For You
Ironically, the best recomm
December 6, 2006 - 22:59 ET by ckc1227Ironically, the best recommendation I've heard recently, but that has gotten little play, came from an Iraqi. He said if we help them crush the militias, things will improve. I tend to agree. It should have been done from the very beginning, especially that punk al sadr. Not doing so then is biting us in the ass now.
The reason to go after the
December 6, 2006 - 23:23 ET by james789The reason to go after the Iranians is to stop the flow of money. You stop the money and disrupt their safe havens, terrorists can not operate.
The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price,
peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of
soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life. Theodore Roosevelt
James789 -Sound reasoning
December 7, 2006 - 00:17 ET by misterbill"The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price,
peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of
soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life."
That was from Teddy Roosevelt??? Good find. I completely agree with it.
Also, your comment about the money? Right on. No money, no place to train or hide.
Here is his full statement
December 7, 2006 - 09:50 ET by james789Here is his full statement that I used part off as my first tag line, I think that now, 100+ years after first making this statement, it still holds true. Although it is a little long for a tag line.
In the first place we should insist that if the immigrant who comes
here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us,
he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is
an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or
birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the man's becoming
in very fact an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no
divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but is
something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one
flag, the American flag, and this excludes the red flag, which
symbolizes all wars against liberty and civilization, just as much as
it excludes any foreign flag of a nation to which we are hostile...We
have room for but one language here, and that is the English
language...and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a
loyalty to the American people.
~ Theodore Roosevelt 1907
The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price,
peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of
soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life. Theodore Roosevelt
ckc, agree that moqturda al
December 6, 2006 - 23:26 ET by John in CAckc, agree that moqturda al sadirist should have been eliminated a long time ago. And he still should be eliminated. I think it's just a real hot potatoe in Iraqi politics. If he gets crushed then it will seem like the government is getting rid of an opposing view point.
Remember, a couple of months ago, we were trying to lock down Baghdad in an attempt to shut down the attacks on civilians. The Iraqi government told us to knock it off. I'm sure because it was seen as an effort to stifle dissent rather than to stop the violence.
The terrorists in Iraq use the same tactics there as our liberals and activists use here.
Give a Democrat Party free America a chance!
The fastest way out of th
December 7, 2006 - 07:44 ET by Jack BauerThe fastest way out of this nightmare would be to load up 8 or 10 B-2 bombers with roughly 40,000 pounds each of smart bombs and go after the people at the top of the terrorist pyramid.
Ah... but how would that help win hearts and minds? Except to rip out their hearts and splash their minds all over the wall?
The US hasn't been prepared to win a war the time-tested and historically only correct way since WW2.
That is: don't get into any conflict unless you are prepared to inflict maximum unrelenting damage on your enemy; until, not only are they incapable of resisting your overwhelming force, but they kow tow and RECOGNIZE that fact.
Remember Monte Casino? How about this: Tora Bora should have been cleared of all allied troops and the area carpet bombed for a month.
And here's a suggestion, next time the US plans military operations try not giving the intended target over a year to prepare, as in Iraq.
Wait until 9/11 times 10. Then something might happen. What a diabolical pity that tens of thousands of Americans are going to have to die horribly on US soil.
Can you imagine someone like James Bakerlain during WW2. He's the "Germany Study Group" guy who wants to "flip" Hitler.
What's wrong James? Didn't your outrageous blackmailing of Israel to accept the Oslo Accord kill enough Jews?
God help us all.
Proud member of the all-powerful and vast
militarist/industrialist/capitalist/zionist-bagelist complex
"So Many of Us Ask, 'Is There Any Way Out of This Nightmare?'"
December 7, 2006 - 00:09 ET by misterbill"So Many of Us Ask, 'Is There Any Way Out of This Nightmare?'"
Yes, simply change from your channel, katie!!!
I don't get the advocates w
December 7, 2006 - 00:26 ET by John in CAI don't get the advocates who want us to talk to Iran and Syria. The only talks we should have with either one of them is with Ahmadinnerjacket and the chinless Ass-ad cowering under thier desks, phone in hand, asking Dubya what they have to do to make the bombs and cruise missiles stop coming.
Give a Democrat Party free America a chance!
Who is this "Us" sh
December 7, 2006 - 01:43 ET by mattmWho is this "Us" she's referring to, her media elitist clique who basically told us the answer was to elect Democrats?
The Left has always been more concerned with damaging Bush politically than with offerring constructive suggestions (which Bush has always been open to). Now they've done their damage and got their Speaker of the House, and they can't see a way out of this so-called "nightmare"?
Het Katie: Want out of your nightmare? WAKE UP!
Sinking Faster...Couric Remain Clueless
December 7, 2006 - 07:13 ET by Guy Arthur ThomasAh yes, The Clueless Wonder Katie Couric, always last and falling further behind each day but dependably clueless as to why. I see Gibson and Williams both used the word "BLUNT" in their opening...ahem fellas...try not to be so OBVIOUS. But at least we know one thing from these three, we might finally have a replacement for "The Three Stooges".
If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal.
Click here for KD Couric's mo
December 7, 2006 - 08:35 ET by AlgerHissClick here for KD Couric's moment of anal glory.
Rochester, Minnesota: A Fem_Leftist City!
Katie Couric: "So Many
December 7, 2006 - 08:45 ET by Jack BauerKatie Couric: "So Many of Us Ask, 'Is There Any Way Out of This Nightmare?'"
Well she has a 5 year, $15 million per annum contract with CBS.
So I guess the nightmare continues till 2011.
Proud member of the all-powerful and vast
militarist/industrialist/capitalist/zionist-bagelist complex
only on your knees either bow
December 7, 2006 - 15:21 ET by cupera1only on your knees either bowing to Mecca or stretch out your neck
Good grief! What is that t
December 8, 2006 - 00:42 ET by bulletproofGood grief! What is that thing hanging around her neck? Is that one of those collars that explode-your-head-off-your-neck? Could it be that Katie is actually some helpless (albeit fugly) Damsell forced upon the rack of Liberal Slavedrivers (!!??), who, should she bat one eye amiss, or insinuate a single truth *BOOM!!!!!* off goes her head in a small ironic mushroom cloud (gulp!). Poor Katie : (
Oh wait...that's just some Barbie fashion jewelry, nevermind.
Never use your gun to pistol-wip a Liberal. That could mar the finish.