Editorials & Other Articles

eppur_se_muova

(36,269 posts) Sun Jul 8, 2012, 02:30 PM Jul 2012

Jack Abramoff on CNN: Why does US TV book bad guys? (BBC)

By Daniel Nasaw
BBC News Magazine, Washington

Jack Abramoff, a former lobbyist imprisoned for his role in a wide-ranging Washington corruption scandal, has appeared as a pundit on CNN. Why have US television networks turned into comeback springboards for disgraced public figures?

On Thursday, Abramoff joined presenter Soledad O'Brien, New Yorker writer Ryan Lizza and others to analyse the recent US Supreme Court decision ratifying President Barack Obama's healthcare reform law.

Introducing Abramoff, O'Brien acknowledged he had spent more than three years in federal prison - then plugged his new book.

She questioned him about the impact of the healthcare decision on the lobbying profession and how lobbyists would seek to influence Congress on the matter.

"Always nice to have you," she concluded. "We appreciate it. Thank you."

US television networks and media outlets in recent years have been increasingly willing to help rehabilitate disgraced politicians and public figures by offering them air time.
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more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18742919

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Jack Abramoff on CNN: Why does US TV book bad guys? (BBC) (Original Post) eppur_se_muova Jul 2012 OP

stupidly naive question, since they don't ask: Schema Thing Jul 2012 #1

Tongue in cheek? PATRICK Jul 2012 #2

What bugs me is Abramhoff's cronies are still out there, still active. Archae Jul 2012 #3

Schema Thing

(10,283 posts)

1. stupidly naive question, since they don't ask:

Reply to eppur_se_muova (Original post)

Sun Jul 8, 2012, 02:42 PM

Jul 2012

"why does American television allow politicians to lie w/o challenge".

At least Abramoff isn't currently trying excuse his past behavior - he tells you plainly that it was wrong. He's far more credible than any Republican Senator or Congressperson.

PATRICK

(12,228 posts)

2. Tongue in cheek?

Reply to eppur_se_muova (Original post)

Sun Jul 8, 2012, 04:42 PM

Jul 2012

I think it is very useful and honest for networks to recycle loyal corporate hitmen, hacks and tools because it exposes the incestuous payoff system and who the members are. In examining corporate boards and ALL the right wing think tanks and organizations one of their goals is full and lucrative employment with all the perks AND a mike on the stolen national forum to each and all the chosen crooks.

Really, is there one who has been big enough a loser, a divisive hatred force, even a liability who has not been taken care of by the club? The smiling Dems who cynically or naively(does it matter really) get honorary memberships and guaranteed laundered careers in the system hardly balance much less disprove the blatant overlordship of corporate propaganda and GOP rule.

When the ratings go subzero for a long time they will merely get shifted around.

Short answer: they take care of their own. Rehabilitation means recycling.

Archae

(46,335 posts)

3. What bugs me is Abramhoff's cronies are still out there, still active.

Reply to eppur_se_muova (Original post)

Sun Jul 8, 2012, 07:08 PM

Jul 2012

Especially Ralph Reed, "Money Launderer For Jesus."

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