home

News Heroes

By Jeralyn, Section Huricanes Katrina and Rita
Posted on Fri Sep 02, 2005 at 09:12:27 PM EST
Tags: (all tags)
Share This: Digg! StumbleUpon del.icio.us reddit reddit

I've never seen anything as harrowing as Fox News' Geraldo Rivera and Shepard Smith on Hannity and Colmes. While Aaron Brown on CNN said we have "turned the corner", it's clearly not the truth. There are thousands of people trapped in what Geraldo called "this Hell on earth" at the convention center. No one has been bused out. Shepard was on I-10 and just devastating in his description of the "hundreds and hundreds and hundreds" of people being denied exit and still without food, water, medicine or water.

Crooks and Liars has the video, don't miss this one.

When a network like Fox can't prevent its reporters from speaking the truth, you have to know the situation is so much worse than we've been told. Geraldo was crying, Shep Smith looked like he wanted to drive a knife thorough Sean Hannity and Alan Colmes. How frustrating for them to watch reality get trumped by spinned photos of supply-laden ships arriving. The reality is that 12 hours after those ships arrived, nothing has changed for those in lock-down at the convention center or exiled on a highway.

Geraldo, Shep Smith and CNN's Anderson Cooper are heroes. Tell their networks. We need unfiltered news. We need the truth. And they are telling it.

< Refugees Comandeer School Bus, Get to Astrodome | The Airport Triage Center >

  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


    • Display: Sort:
    News Heroes | 22 comments (22 topical)
    Re: News Heroes (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:57 PM EST
    We need unfiltered news. We need the truth. And they are telling it. Who wants to bet that Fox gives them a couple of days off for reprogramming?

    Re: News Heroes (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:57 PM EST
    The situation in N.O. is letting the world in on something that Black people have known for a very long time, the united states government in general and these neo cons in particular despise poor people. They have no way of identifying with less fortunate individuals of any color. This is evidenced by their insistnace on referring to the victims of Katrina as refugees and looters. They are American citizens and should be treated as such. Now all around the world people will see this country for what it has become, an elitist nation that is like a child, selfish and immature in its dealings with its people. Let us do away with political correctness forever and begin to call things as we see them. Contrary to what many believe not talking about something does not make it go away, it only makes it harder to deal with.

    Re: News Heroes (none / 0) (#1)
    by glanton on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:07 PM EST
    Yeah, as someone who has criticized him often, I'll be the first to admit that Shepard Smith has been pretty awesome through this.

    Re: News Heroes (none / 0) (#3)
    by glanton on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:07 PM EST
    edger, well said.

    Re: News Heroes (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:07 PM EST
    I normally won't watch FOX News. Even FOX-haters are going to find this compelling and worthy. Even aside from the resigned and disgusted reporting by Shepard Smith and the crying and pleading reporting by Geraldo Rivera, their interactions with Sean Hannity are amazing. This experience on the front has seriously de-Hannitized Shepard Smith and I'd expect him to resign from FOX as soon as he gets home. I don't know what his politics are, but when faced with the naked, raw truth, he calls it as it is. If, like me, you normally don't download video because of your dial-up connection, make this your once-a-decade exception. Hold onto this footage. It encapsulates everything about this tradegy into just a couple of minutes, including the lack of perspective by newscasters and commentators who aren't "on the ground."

    Re: News Heroes (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:07 PM EST
    edger....you are my hero.

    Re: News Heroes (none / 0) (#8)
    by Edger on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:07 PM EST
    These people(?) running this country and the subhumans in the white house aren't republicans, or democrats, or right wingers, or left wingers, or americans, or even human beings: they are not people, they are sick, depraved, smug, smirking, unfeeling and uncaring, twisted psychotics with no conception of or meaningful concern for anyone: not for you, or me, or yours or my mother, father, brothers, sisters, friends, or neighbors, they do not speak for me, and it also appears that we can't, or won't as a society figure out that we have to go in and get them out of there, too... and fast... I don't belong to or follow any organized religion, and my spiritual beliefs are not threatened at all by what's happening here... Jesus Christ people - I just feel like puking...

    Re: News Heroes (none / 0) (#9)
    by Paralegal on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:07 PM EST
    Well said, hornet85. What kind of BS is this? As we say around my way, let's call a spade a dirty shovel. Race & class have a lot to do with the piss-poor response.I haven't cried this much since 9/11. I don't feel that giving money is enough... I never cared for Smith, Rivera & Cooper prior to their coverage but they have been incredible.

    Re: News Heroes (none / 0) (#10)
    by DonS on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:07 PM EST
    The CNN quick poll shows almost 2-1 perception that things turned a corner Friday. People want to believe things have improved Especially the Bush followers who see it as a slap), though its not so, can't be so given the forces in play. Some improvement for those now in touch with resources and help, but those who remain at the other end of the pipeline, or dead, represent an unconsionable number; just the ones the Times-Picayune predicted in 2002 would be left out of the evacuation scenario to suffer.

    Re: News Heroes (none / 0) (#11)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:07 PM EST
    Sad, sad,sad.

    Re: News Heroes (none / 0) (#13)
    by Che's Lounge on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:08 PM EST
    The media is finally doing their job. See how good they get when they have to have their noses rubbed int it? Though Geraldo was particularly whiney. He's unable to convey the seriousness without sounding like it's happening to him personally. His ride was waiting.

    Re: News Heroes (none / 0) (#14)
    by Edger on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:08 PM EST
    unable to convey the seriousness without sounding like it's happening to him personally.
    It's happenining to us all personally.

    Re: News Heroes (none / 0) (#15)
    by Che's Lounge on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:08 PM EST
    No edger, we slept in beds last night. I'm very upset emotionally. But it's not happening to me personally. We need to keep the distinctions and remain focused on helping however we can because we still have that ability.

    Re: News Heroes (none / 0) (#16)
    by Edger on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:08 PM EST
    ...we slept in beds last night...
    You're right there, of course... And if, as a society, we can't, or won't, help them, will we help you in your town, or me in mine, or anyone else, in their city, the next time? BTW - the hurricane season is not over, and China managed to successfully evacuate 790,000 in the path of a typhoon a couple of days ago. I haven't slept too comfortably the past few days, I'll admit...

    Re: News Heroes (none / 0) (#17)
    by Kitt on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:08 PM EST
    Edger: The first two days after the hurricane, it was beautiful where I am. I felt 'guilty' driving around in the sun with the temps in the 70's, windows down - enjoying it.

    Re: News Heroes (none / 0) (#18)
    by Edger on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:09 PM EST
    I know how you feel, Kitt... I've been "enjoying" the same kind of beautiful, nice, peaceful, warm days... sort of... sigh

    Re: News Heroes (none / 0) (#19)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:09 PM EST
    Through the week I've been trying to understand how can this actually happen not only in the US, but anywhere in the world. It is pathetic that it has to happen in the US for all of us to realize that human suffering is something we all live with every single day. We all enjoy beautiful days out while in most of the rest of the world there are billions of people living on a daily basis with hunger, without a roof, without any basic sense of security, in what we have all called unhuman conditions. For those of you who are believers in organized faith/religion, I would consider this horrible natural disaster as a direct message from god, kind of an IM saying: "The dictatorship of capital doesn't work!! You guys, the leaders of the empire, need to find better ways of leading the world into a more human, considerate, compassionate, collaborative, inclusive way of civilization." I've felt a knot in my chest the whole week, and can't find good enough ways of reaching out to people and find ways out of the actual state of consent.

    Re: News Heroes (none / 0) (#20)
    by Edger on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:09 PM EST
    I knew a man Bojangles and he'd dance for you In worn out shoes With silver hair, a ragged shirt, and baggy pants The old soft shoe He jumped so high, jumped so high Then he lightly touched down I met him in a cell in New Orleans I was down and out He looked to me to be the eyes of age as he spoke right out He talked of life, talked of life, he laughed clicked his heels and stepped He said his name "Bojangles" and he danced a lick across the cell He grabbed his pants and spread his stance, Oh he jumped so high and then he clicked his heels He let go a laugh, let go a laugh and shook back his clothes all around Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles Mr. Bojangles, dance He danced for those at minstrel shows and county fairs throughout the south He spoke through tears of 15 years how his dog and him traveled about The dog up and died, he up and died And after 20 years he still grieves He said I dance now at every chance in honky tonks for drinks and tips But most the time I spend behind these county bars 'cause I drinks a bit He shook his head, and as he shook his head I heard someone ask him please Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles Mr. Bojangles, dance..


    Re: News Heroes (none / 0) (#21)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:10 PM EST
    A few observations. While agree with the email thread that Shep and Geraldo conveyed the truth of the situation in NOLA, I found that Geraldo was essentially an opportunist using this disaster as a marketing tool for him. I noticed that most the kids in the Convention Hall appeared ok--with food and driks. That is, until Geraldo picked them up and shined the birght TV lights in there faces. He's a joke! As is O'Reilly with his Rambo like attitude of sending his "people" to save th folks. Why dones't he get off his butte and head to NOLA?

    Re: News Heroes (none / 0) (#22)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:14 PM EST
    Enough already!!! Impeachment proceedings to remove Dubya should begin immediately.Incompetence leads to firing in any private sector job and incompetent is the kindest description of Dubya's handling of the tragedy called Katrina.Add misleading congress and the nation in his state of the union address concerning Iraq's WMD's and nuclear material and there's no excuse why this man should not only be fired but also imprisoned (in a cell next to Hussein).

    Re: News Heroes (none / 0) (#23)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:14 PM EST
    What happened to Shepard Smith? I have only seen him one time the morning after his exchange with H&C and O'Reily.

    Re: News Heroes (none / 0) (#24)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:27 PM EST
    Is it just me, or does Hannity come across as a heartless Nazi? Absolutely no compassion/empathy on his face whatsoever. I love the way Sheppard keeps accidently calling Colmes "Sean". Hannity seems like the real power and the real evil.

    News Heroes | 22 comments (22 topical)