War Coverage

Peter Rukavina

Now that we’re almost 24 hours into The War, here are some thoughts about how it’s being covered on television:
ABC

ABC — The only major network to omit the annoying “crawl” from the bottom of the screen, and thus the only source I can watch with any regularity and not get dizzy. Peter Jennings is smart and well-spoken. Correspondents are the weakest, with the exception of Ted Koppel, who is excellent.
CBS

CBS — Can anyone take the corn-ball Dan Rather seriously? Completely unwatchable. The big green LIVE blob in the top-right of the screen is very annoying, especially when combined with the ever-present “crawl” at the bottom.
NBC

NBC — Best correspondents. I can take or leave Brokaw. Same “crawl” problem. Good alternative is CNBC, which uses the intelligent and insightful Forest Sawyer as host during the evening.

FOX — Like watching an SCTV imitation of real news.
CBC

CBC — Seems like second generation news: I get the impression that people at CBC are watching the pool feeds from afar, and reporting what others are reporting. Correspondents seem remote from the war, and experts seem to neither be expert nor particularly informed. And there’s the usual “Mansbridge as automaton” problem.
CNN

CNN — Very full of themselves, but arguably the best coverage going. Smart, well-informed experts; correspondents all over the place (including Nic Robertson, who’s taking his life in his own hands by staying in Baghdad). Aaron Brown is very annoying — almost as much as Dan Rather — other hosts less so.

PBS — Charlie Rose has the best commentary with the best guests.

Comments

Submitted by Wayne on

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THOUGHTS WHILE WATCHING
&#61692 CNN computer generated graphics are outstanding…
&#61692 I hate the green screens…
&#61692 I hate the banners, too…
&#61692 Reports from the front lines and

Submitted by mark on

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Fox News moment: Ollie “convincted criminal” North on the front lines in full chem suit. Wag that dog!

Another source of converage
http://dear_raed.blogspot.com/

p.s. Thanks Canada for backing George Bush Sr.’s vision of international rule of law via the UN.

Submitted by Steven Garrity on

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As a lazy and unorganized bystander who isn’t up on the protest scene, I wanted to attend any gatherings today in Charlottetown to show my concern about the U.S. invasion of Iraq. I checked the IslandCam around 4pm, assuming any protests would happen outside the province house. I didn’t see anything and I couldn’t find any info anywhere - so I didn’t go. Turns out there were 100 people there. I obviously could have driven down there myself, but the organizers of these events could be missing a whole section of the population (I suspect I’m not alone in my lack of protest history, laziness, and vague interest in participating) by making this information easy to find. Is it out there? When is the next protest?

And Peter - bring back HTML to replies - this post is missing two good links…

Submitted by Ken on

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The next protest should take place live in front of the CBC live-eye while compass is on, so it’s live!
Somebody tell everybody.

Submitted by steve on

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I just wanted to let Wayne and others know that I have a secret crush on BBC’s Mishal Husain as well…

Submitted by Wayne on

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I guess things like this eventually get out, Steve…She is no dumb blonde talking head, either.

Any comments out there about reporting from that other news provider, The Naked News?

Submitted by Kenneth Smith on

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Ken that was a real intelligent comment to make. Maybe if your IQ wasn’t room temperature you could offer some valid aurguments as to why you feel that way. But I know that you liberals always resort to name calling. Its the only thing you have. Maybe thats why the definition of a Biggot is anybody winning an argument with a liberal. All you anti-war protesters aren’t fooling anybody. Your the same old suspects that show up for ANY protest for ANY reason whatsoever. In a town of five million you could only get 1500 protestors!!!! Now thats a whopping number!!! Stripping off their clothes….throwing up in public…now THAT is a way to get people to take you seriously!! But I hope you few whinning crybaby liberals stick around…because America needs to remember who you are and what you stand for….NOTHING!!!

Submitted by madamex on

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Speaking of live eyes. Have you ever wondered why no one in
Bagdhad walks up to one of those CNN live eye cameras and stages a protest or at least smashes its lights out or pretends to be Saddam?
Imagine if Leo Broderick had such an enticing opportunity?

As for the Michel chick. What’s so special about her? She looks like a thousand other news casters out there.

Submitted by Chris on

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Mishal is gorgeous, intelligent and I love that smile, not to mention BBC news is better than anything else I can get here in America. The american networks all went conservative pro-Bush for some reason and cant give a decent two sided debate like they should be doing.

Submitted by Wayne on

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Actually, I see any lopsidedness as to the right, based on that Finnegan guy’s ear. (The guy that seems to make Mishal smile so brilliantly, damm him).

Submitted by Asad Khan on

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I think Mishal Husain is the best anchor on News. I just love listening news from her. I love her cause who she is, but more then that she is from my country Pakistan. She is the best. I love you Mishal Husain. Muah!Muah!Muah!

Submitted by Emperor kirk d… on

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Hi princess mishal, i got that signal very well, keep producing, you have to get your final grade. Emperor, world king, military feds 83146ab6 owner and producer kirk douglas campbell gotti. Monarchy malta. Please don’t be scared to call me at 267-257-3956 and 215-878-3265 any time. May jesus bless.

Submitted by James on

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I can’t help but smile whenever I see Mishal at her desk at 6:00. I say (aloud, I may add) “Hi Mishal!” And then the goofy grin spreads wide on my face. Why? Well, let’s start with her accent. Delightful. Her smile. Adorable.
While I enjoy the depth of the News Hour with Jim Lehrer more than the hurried pace of the BBC, I still tune in at 6:00 on a daily basis. At 6:28 she signs off, and I say (again, aloud) “Bye Mishal!” and again the grin curves from ear to ear.
One of my favorite “Mishal Moments” (I wish I could copywrite that phrase) is when she is doing a long interview and the camera moves away from the subject she is interviewing (despite the fact that the interviewee is speaking earnestly) and instead focuses on Mishal and her variety of “I’m paying attention” faces. High-humor. So serious! And the cameras do it ALL the time, so you get a variety of poses. She’s great.

I teach at a HS in Brownsville, Brooklyn— and being young and male my students are obsessed with my personal life. I told them the other day that I had a crush (uproar and then silence)… I told them her name is Mishal and they should watch her at 6:00 on channel 13. I meant it too.
If you are ever in NYC and want to go out and have fun, Mishal, feel free to drop me a line.

Submitted by shaila on

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Does anyone know if Mishal Husain is married…reading in a mag I hear she got married this summer!!! anyone know who the lucky man is?

Submitted by Shahjehan on

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This website has an ad for Shahnaz Husain herbals—who has
been known for her successful beauty products for years.
The Husain is spelled in exactly the same way as for Mishal.
Are they related,by any chance?

What are the names of her parents/other relatives, and can anyone give some details about their professional backgrounds.

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Photo of Peter RukavinaI am . I am a writer, letterpress printer, and a curious person.

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