The New York Times reports today that CNN will cancel conservative political commentator Tucker Carlson's Crossfire talk show. This is disputed by Carlson who says he quit to start a program on MSNBC, CNN's rival. Perhaps CNN just did not feel comfortable with a conservative and made him feel less than welcome as part of its stable of talk show hosts. The president of CNN said that they decided to part company because
"He [Carlson] wanted to host a prime—time show in which he would put on live guests and have spirited debate. That is not the kind of show CNN is going to be doing". Instead, Klein continued, "CNN wants to do roll—up—your—sleeves storytelling" and wants to move CNN away from what he called "head—butting debate shows" which have become the staple of much of all—news television in prime—time hours, especially at the top—rated Fox News channel. .
A touch of hubris when he claims, "We report the news. Fox talks about the news" and "wholeheartedly" agrees with comedian Jon Stewart's criticism of Crossfire and other debate shows as "hurting America".
Yep...Fox does not report the news. That is news to me and the millions of others who watch that channel and are deserting CNN and MSNBC. What CNN and others fear is that the debate between conservative and liberal views, which is the surest way to achieve truth and presents viewers with a range of views, is the crack in the dam which will wash away their Orwellian dominance of what is considered the truth. Debate is what brings out the truth; apparently CNN does not want its liberal stances challenged.
Not to fear,"Larry King Live" will remain because King does not do "head—butting debate" but "personality—oriented television". Do not wager that CNN's ratings will be improving anytime soon.
Ed Lasky 1 06 05
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