Good Old Joe Nails It Again... :)
CNN should rid itself of Eason Jordan (Joe Scarborough)
There is a cancer growing at CNN, and it's time it got cut out. It's time for the real deal.
Last night I told you about the noteworthy news coverage of Christiane Amanpour and Anderson Cooper while reporting on the Iraqi elections last month. Some around here may consider CNN a competitor, but I believe all news outlets should be teammates in pursuit of the truth. That's why I praise media outlets when events warrant, or tell you how they betray consumer's interests when their bias becomes apparent.
We learned this week that one of CNN's most powerful news executives told a group of world leaders overseas that American soldiers had targeted reporters for assassination.
That's right.
One of the top news executives in America spent his time before some of the most influential people on the planet telling them that American men and women deliberately targeted journalists for assassination.
Democratic Congressman Barney Frank told Michelle Malkin that after Jordan made the statements, he was so troubled that he tried to get specific examples from Jordan. But Jordan refused to provide an ounce of proof to support his outrageous charge.
Connecticut Senator Christopher Dodd, a Democratic leader in the upper chamber, confirmed Jordan made the outrageous comments.
CNN supporters suggested that Jordan deserved the benefit of the doubt. But this is after all, the same Eason Jordan who admitted in 2003 that he turned a blind eye to Saddam Hussein's tyranny and torture so CNN could have access to the Stalinist leader's government and keep CNN's Baghdad bureau open.
There's more: Jordan also told an audience in 2004 that American troops had arrested and tortured journalists in Iraq.
But last year's charges, like those leveled this year, were not backed up by a single fact by Mr. Jordan.
But one fact is not in dispute: this CNN leader has defamed the honor and integrity of our brave men and women in uniform by reckless charges presented in the most cowardly way: behind closed doors in conferences packed by international elites.
If Jordan thinks U.S. troops are little more than hired assassins focused on killing journalists, it is time for him to name names. Otherwise his continued attacks constitute slander. I know troops in harms way in Iraq. I have heard their inspiring stories when cameras were turned off and their babies were sleeping in their laps. They believe are exporting liberty - not assassination squads.
Ironically, it is CNN's Eason Jordan who is the assassin. Blowing away the reputations of 150,000 troops who do not know whether they will see another sunrise tomorrow. They deserve better from the press, and CNN deserves better than to have to put up with the likes of Eason Jordan.
CNN's President Jonathan Klein has gotten off to an inspiring start these past few months. He should not allow Jordan to stain his reputation, stain his network's reputation, or stain the proud professional reporters who make CNN their home.
Eason Jordan should be fired.