Brian Williams...our Hero

[phgreek]

No




Walter Cronkite!

yes but in his waning years even he admitted to some bias, and tried to justify it with shit about rooting for the underdog...At least he tried to reign it in, and was aware it was a FLAW.

As for Brian Williams...I admittedly laughed my ass off AT Brian Williams...and his McNews Anchor career flaming out! Then I realized...those who consume Brian Williams shit work like this: He's our guy so his lies are "explainable" ... Whatever! You know if your helicopter took a fucking rocket...not sure whats more embarrassing, his story, or those rallying to make excuses for it...

 

[dshans]

Is SNL Brian Williams' next stop?

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pkYNBwCEeH4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[IRISHDODGER]

I was listening to the Dan Lebatard Show and he cited a poll or study that showed Jon Stewart as the most trustworthy news anchor in America. When a comedian has that title, American news has jumped the shark.

 

[Rhode Irish]

You could, literally, write a book on the BS coming outta the Katrina coverage.....

The media blew that up WAAAAAAYYYY worse than it was.

I mean....it was pretty freaking bad. I had two very close friends living in/around New Orleans at the time. I don't know what you think was exaggerated, but nobody I have spoken with on my many trips to New Orleans since Katrina has ever indicated that things were anything other than worse than they were portrayed on TV.

 

[ND NYC]

I was listening to the Dan Lebatard Show and he cited a poll or study that showed Jon Stewart as the most trustworthy news anchor in America. When a comedian has that title, American news has jumped the shark.

so true.

all the major news outlets (nbc, cbs, fox ,cnn) are now is opinion based reporting disguised as news and not fact based.
been that way for well over a decade ever since roger ailes proved that news shows ratings explode when you tell people what they want to hear not what they need to hear.

hate to say it but I think the bbc, and pbs news hour are closest thing to "just the facts" tv reporting we have left...and even they have their bias.

 

[dshans]

... hate to say it but I think the bbc, and pbs news hour are closest thing to "just the facts" tv reporting we have left...and even they have their bias.

I'm with ya. I appreciate that their respective biases are less xenophobic and not aimed at entertainment and advertisement over substance.

 

[IrishinTN]

I'm with ya. I appreciate that their respective biases are less xenophobic and not aimed at entertainment and advertisement over substance.

And THEY gots good English!

 

[ACamp1900]

I was listening to the Dan Lebatard Show and he cited a poll or study that showed Jon Stewart as the most trustworthy news anchor in America. When a comedian has that title, American news has jumped the shark.

Especially one that is unapologetic about his bias, honestly, Williams would have be outed a long time ago if not for his sharing said bias,... just my two cents

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Information from the pilot of his helicopter. They were hit with enemy fire.

Helicopter Pilot: Actually, Yes, Brian Williams' Chopper Did Take Fire In 2003

The pilot of a helicopter on which NBC News anchor Brian Williams flew in Iraq said on Thursday that the aircraft did take some fire in 2003, adding another twist to a story that the newsman was forced to recant and apologize for this week.

Pilot Rich Krell told CNN's Brian Stelter that Williams had some of the facts right, but did make some mistakes in telling the story.

Williams issued multiple apologies on Wednesday night for saying that he was in a helicopter that was hit by a rocket propelled grenade while covering the Iraq War in 2003. He admitted he was in a different helicopter and blamed the errors on "the fog of memory."

But Krell appeared to back up at least some of what Williams has said during repeated tellings of the story over the past decade, even if the anchor did get some things wrong. The most striking thing that Krell said was that the military helicopter Williams was riding in did in fact come under enemy fire, though it was not from an RPG.

"Some of things he's said are not true. But some of the things they're saying against him are not true either," Krell told CNN.

Their helicopter was second in a formation of three aircraft carrying bridge parts, according to Krell. The first helicopter was hit with the RPG attack, which Williams likely did not witness from his seat in the back of the chopper.

All three of the helicopters were hit by small arms fire, however, according to Krell.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

I mean....it was pretty freaking bad. I had two very close friends living in/around New Orleans at the time. I don't know what you think was exaggerated, but nobody I have spoken with on my many trips to New Orleans since Katrina has ever indicated that things were anything other than worse than they were portrayed on TV.

I have close friends that were there, too. It was bad b/c that city was run by idiots & is inhabited by idiots. It's like the Johnstown, PA flood of the late 1800s. They had been warned time & time again to evacuate the city but since none of the earlier warnings came true, they figured this was another overeaction. The Mississippi Gulf Coast got hammered, too; but they were better prepared, more united & less entitled than New Orleans.

 

[dshans]

And THEY gots good English!

Hey! I'm only Hew-man!

(Refer to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine for context. Also see "Mark Twain/Samuel Clemens" for contextual nuance.)

 

[Rhode Irish]

I have close friends that were there, too. It was bad b/c that city was run by idiots & is inhabited by idiots. It's like the Johnstown, PA flood of the late 1800s. They had been warned time & time again to evacuate the city but since none of the earlier warnings came true, they figured this was another overeaction. The Mississippi Gulf Coast got hammered, too; but they were better prepared, more united & less entitled than New Orleans.

I get that, but I think the news is supposed to cover the destruction and devastation that ensued, not say "oh, well, they should have evacuated and didn't, so therefore this is not a story that we are going to cover." So I just didn't understand the statement that the story was overblown in the media. Whether the city and the people in it could have done more to protect themselves from the devastation is a separate discussion, at least to me.

 

[phork]

I disagree. I think it is a big deal when a mainstream news anchor embellishes stories to this degree. He is getting called out for it and rightly so. It is a trust issue. The "initial report" he told was his helicopter was hit by an RPG. That was not true. The other helicopter got hit by fire and they landed due to an oncoming sand storm.

Then again, I supposed I shouldn't trust any of these folks in the first place.

The initial report was correct. He did not say his helicopter was hit in the initial story.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

The initial report was correct. He did not say his helicopter was hit in the initial story.

See my post a few above. His helicopter was hit by enemy fire, but it wasn't an RPG. If that's the case, and it seems that they were right by the other helicopter, research would suggest that he might have easily put himself in the other helicopter as time went on.

 

[Irish YJ]

 

[Saint Shamrock]

Waiting for the SNL skits on Williams this weekend .

 

[IrishJayhawk]

So no one cares about the science of memory?

 

[Irish YJ]

So no one cares about the science of memory?

I hear they are running daily/nightly tests on memory over in the "what are you drinking" thread.

 

[dshans]

So no one cares about the science of memory?

Is this important "Ask Mr. Science" stuff?

I don't remember.

Is that memory as in megabits, gigabits or terabits.



I get so confused.

The old gray matter ain't what it used to be ...

 

[IrishinTN]

So no one cares about the science of memory?

I think the problem is this is another hit or miss science. Not everyone conveniently misremembers things, but some do. I think the science is very deep on it but hard to target reality.

 

[Fbolt]

No sympathy from me. Mainstream news media has blatantly placed themselves front and center as a source of entertainment. In many instances-the media person is the news. WTF? "Misremembering" is a convenient excuse, nothing more. he lied-get him off the air.

I agree with the BBC/PBS comments.

I do not agree with giving Hillary a pass.

 

[Corry]

Looks like he's taking some time off.

In the midst of a career spent covering and consuming news, it has become painfully apparent to me that I am presently too much a part of the news, due to my actions.
As Managing Editor of NBC Nightly News, I have decided to take myself off of my daily broadcast for the next several days, and Lester Holt has kindly agreed to sit in for me to allow us to adequately deal with this issue. Upon my return, I will continue my career-long effort to be worthy of the trust of those who place their trust in us.

Brian Williams Announces Brief Hiatus from NBC Nightly News | Mediaite

 

[Fbolt]

bye

 

[ginman]

So no one cares about the science of memory?

I do, and I call his story bullshit! I am a combat veteran and I work with trauma victims on a daily basis. People recall their own traumatic experiences in great detail. Those people who greatly exaggerate their stories, like Brian (stolen valor) do disgrace to those who served and sacrificed without feeling a need to brag to the world.

 

[Irish#1]

Looks like he's taking some time off.



Brian Williams Announces Brief Hiatus from NBC Nightly News | Mediaite

Hey Brian, we've been thinking and we think it would be a good idea for you to take some time off while we figure out what to do.

Translation, he gone.

 

[BGIF]

Suspended 6 months without pay.

Brian Williams suspended for 6 months - Feb. 10, 2015

Brian Williams has been suspended for six months without pay following revelations that he exaggerated tales from an Iraq War mission in 2003.
NBC News president Deborah Turness informed staffers of the network's decision at a meeting shortly after Williams' fill-in, Lester Holt, finished anchoring Tuesday's "NBC Nightly News."

"The suspension will be without pay and is effective immediately," Turness wrote. "We let Brian know of our decision earlier today. Lester Holt will continue to substitute Anchor the NBC Nightly News."
The announcement follows a morning meeting between Williams and the CEO of NBCUniversal, Steve Burke, at Burke's apartment.
Burke said in a statement on Tuesday night, "By his actions, Brian has jeopardized the trust millions of Americans place in NBC News. His actions are inexcusable and this suspension is severe and appropriate."
Burke added, "Brian's life's work is delivering the news. I know Brian loves his country, NBC News and his colleagues. He deserves a second chance and we are rooting for him. Brian has shared his deep remorse with me and he is committed to winning back everyone's trust."

...

----------------------------

The investigation will continue.

 

[Huntr]

6 months will be permaban, bet.

 

[Irish#1]

Suspended 6 months without pay.

Cnn

Brian Williams has been suspended for six months without pay following revelations that he exaggerated tales from an Iraq War mission in 2003.
NBC News president Deborah Turness informed staffers of the network's decision at a meeting shortly after Williams' fill-in, Lester Holt, finished anchoring Tuesday's "NBC Nightly News."

"The suspension will be without pay and is effective immediately," Turness wrote. "We let Brian know of our decision earlier today. Lester Holt will continue to substitute Anchor the NBC Nightly News."
The announcement follows a morning meeting between Williams and the CEO of NBCUniversal, Steve Burke, at Burke's apartment.
Burke said in a statement on Tuesday night, "By his actions, Brian has jeopardized the trust millions of Americans place in NBC News. His actions are inexcusable and this suspension is severe and appropriate."
Burke added, "Brian's life's work is delivering the news. I know Brian loves his country, NBC News and his colleagues. He deserves a second chance and we are rooting for him. Brian has shared his deep remorse with me and he is committed to winning back everyone's trust."

He won't be back.

 

[phork]

So stupid.

 

[ab2cmiller]

Suspended 6 months without pay.

Brian Williams suspended for 6 months - Feb. 10, 2015

Brian Williams has been suspended for six months without pay following revelations that he exaggerated tales from an Iraq War mission in 2003.
NBC News president Deborah Turness informed staffers of the network's decision at a meeting shortly after Williams' fill-in, Lester Holt, finished anchoring Tuesday's "NBC Nightly News."

"The suspension will be without pay and is effective immediately," Turness wrote. "We let Brian know of our decision earlier today. Lester Holt will continue to substitute Anchor the NBC Nightly News."
The announcement follows a morning meeting between Williams and the CEO of NBCUniversal, Steve Burke, at Burke's apartment.
Burke said in a statement on Tuesday night, "By his actions, Brian has jeopardized the trust millions of Americans place in NBC News. His actions are inexcusable and this suspension is severe and appropriate."
Burke added, "Brian's life's work is delivering the news. I know Brian loves his country, NBC News and his colleagues. He deserves a second chance and we are rooting for him. Brian has shared his deep remorse with me and he is committed to winning back everyone's trust."

...

----------------------------

The investigation will continue.

This of course assumes that people trusted NBC News to start with.