These people never want to debate these issues with those with critical thinking skills. They chose to go onto the shows that give their views unimpeeded red carpet treatment like the morning shows, Larry King, and the like, or rather fit their lies into short 1-2 minute segments where they cannot be properly rebuffed. Never do their opinions get long form scrutiny – which is why they will never go on The Daily Show or Rachel Maddow or similar shows – because when they do they get their ass handed to them and made to look like the fools they are.
Ahh CNN, the network that fills its newscasts with shout outs from Twitter, the network that hired Rick Sanchez to get stun gunned and interview his mom. The network that gave Glenn Beck a platform and now allows Lou Dobbs to try to chase him into crazyland.And now this from PBE: Smoke & Passion – The Ad CNN & Insurance Giants Don’t Want You To See
What on earth is going on at CNN?
The network — already taking criticism for declining to run an ad criticizing Lou Dobbs — is now refusing to run an ad nationally criticizing the insurance industry, the group that tried to place the ad tells me.
CNN’s reason: The ad “unnecessarily” singles out a top insurance industry executive by name for criticism.
The labor-backed Americans United for Change, a top White House ally in the health care wars, tried to book time on CNN and MSNBC for the ad, which hits the insurance industry for wanting to preserve the status quo and levels harsh criticism at insurance giant Cigna’s CEO, Ed Hanway.
“Why do insurance companies and Republicans want to kill health insurance reform? Because they like things the way they are now,” the ad says, and then slams Hanway’s annual salary of over $12 million and golden parachute retirement package of over $70 million.
Americans United for Change’s spokesman, Jeremy Funk, tells me that CNN refused to run the ad nationally. He says CNN emailed the following reason for rejection:
“This ad does not comply with our clearance guidelines because it unnecessarily singles out an individual company and person.”
That very well may be CNN’s policy. But AUC maintains that the mention of Cigna’s CEO was necessary to dramatize the enormous stake the insurance industry has in the health care wars. What’s more, AUC argues, the industry is made up of companies that are run by individuals deciding how to spend huge money to impact the health care debate — so why are they off limits?
“The bottom line question is: Would CNN run ads from Cigna that are positive about the company?” Funk asks. “If yes, why would they turn down an ad critical of the company for their role in trying to kill health insurance reform?”
By contrast, the ad will air nationally on MSNBC tomorrow. Here’s the spot:
Seems like the corporate whore-out on healthcare is getting deeper and deeper by the hour.
August 5, 2009. Rachel Maddow exposes the Republican-funded and staffed PR firms behind the movement that’s trying to disrupt town hall meetings and slow down/shout down health care reform in the U.S.
WTF? They’ll go to no ends. Threatening bureaucrats coming between you and your doctors, threatening not being able to make choices, not being able to keep your current doctor/insurance, and now … FORCED EUTHANASIA!! Yes – they’re claiming that the big bad government will knock on old people’s doors and force them to fill out a living will a.k.a. a death appointment! They’re all getting money from the Healthcare Lobby and want to oppose everything that their party opposition proposes no matter it’s merit.
Pass this link along – it’s all you need to know about healthcare reform – the questions, the facts, and the GOP lies: http://bit.ly/HealthCareFAQ
On her MSNBC show, Rachel Maddow gives an overview of the Employee Free Choice Act and fact-checks the opposition’s main argument against the legislation
