During his Thursday evening newscast, Brian Williams gave a statement of tribute to a retiring Nightly News producer. He acknowledged her career, voiced his respects, and bid a farewell.
One of Mr. Williams' comments, however, really tripped my hot button. This comment was simply that the retiring producer, Jean Harper, is a distinguished journalist who's "the best there is."
In my view, when characterizing a journalist as "the best there is" part of what's implied is that the individual is noble, fair-minded, and has a conscience. I have to tell you that I'm adequately convinced those qualities are nonexistent among members of the NBC Nightly News crew. I base my conclusion in this regard upon their blood-soaked hands from serving corporate ends at the expense of so many innocent lives.
After Thursday's broadcast, I wrote an email expressing my sentiment to Mr. Williams and copied it to White House correspondent Kelly O'Donnell, as well as some others. Although Williams did not reply -- as he never does -- Ms. O'Donnell in fact did, and I responded.
The exchange appears below. (Read it from the bottom up.)
JB
Quote:
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jason Bell"
To: "ODonnell, Kelly (NBC Universal)"
Sent: Friday, December 21, 2007 8:52 AM
Subject: Re: Jean Harper
Ms. O'Donnell,
It's not a matter of my own political perspectives. It's well beyond that.
It's a matter of a calculated campaign of deception upon the American public by top government officials in order to rally support for the unprovoked and unnecessary decimation of a sovereign state and its people. It's as well about the ensuing disruption, devastation, and slaughter forced upon countless innocent lives by this horrific, unjustified, and avoidable tragedy.
It's a matter of America's corporate-owned media outlets refusing to inform news consumers of factual details pertaining to illegal abuses of power by Bush administration officials in pursuit of their corrupt, self-serving goals.
It's a matter of NBC Nightly News management's policy of omitting coverage of crucial political developments that reveal factual truths about the Bush administration's illegal and destructive acts.
Brian Williams and the production staff of Nightly News well know that if they were to begin reporting the developments I speak of, the sizable public segment who depend upon terrestrial broadcast television news each day would begin to become genuinely informed and impassioned about these issues. Mr. Williams and his team understand that in such a case a significant portion of this *now poorly informed* public segment would feel compelled to convey their newly discovered concerns to their representatives in Washington. The demand for solutions would increase significantly, which is not in the interest of NBC or its defense contractor parent company.
Genius assessment skills are not required to understand that such a scenario would *not* be helpful to General Electric's bottom line. Nor are they needed to deduce that said bottom line is a major factor in this regard.
So, Ms. O'Donnell, it's really a matter of disinformation and mass-deception through the omissions perpetrated by NBC Nightly News and its counterparts. And that's certainly nothing to take pride in by you, Mr.Williams, or Ms. Harper.
Thanks for the reply.
JB
----- Original Message -----
From: "ODonnell, Kelly (NBC Universal)"
To: "Jason Bell"
Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2007 10:36 PM
Subject: Re: Jean Harper
Dear Mr. Bell,
I do not know how your email to Brian Williams reached me (perhaps a mass list) but after I read it I felt a desire to respond this time.
I am saddened that anyone would choose to attack Jean Harper at a moment marking her retirement. I do not know her well but I do know she appeared dedicated and fair minded in her efforts.
Ms. Harper has not been some well known public figure. She has been a hardworking, dignified individual.
The larger views expressed in your email are part of the public discourse that is a vital example of free speech. I take no issue with your right to criticize and give voice to your own political perspectives.
But I sincerely wonder why anyone would choose to personalize comments in a harsh tone and then direct them at one woman being acknowledged on her retirement. Whatever your world view and the merits of your positions, what you wrote came off as unkind and unprovoked.
Again, let me be clear that a vigorous debate is a very good thing. Today so many email messages contain what appear to be intentionally unkind words.
My aim is not to provoke or antagonize but to suggest that the tone of your note certainly appeared to be hurtful by design.
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Device
-----Original Message-----
From: "Jason Bell"
To: "Williams, Brian (NBC Universal)"
Sent: December 20, 2007 9:18 PM
Subject: Jean Harper
Mr. Williams,
You've described Nightly News producer Jean Harper as "the best there is." When one, such as she, condones and facilitates the level of filtering/omission that's engaged in by NBC Nightly News on a daily basis, and when much of what's concealed involves current and highly consequential political developments that journalists of true integrity wouldn't hesitate to cover, I'm left wondering why "the best there is" is so low-grade these days.
It was the corporate-agenda-serving actions of people such as yourself and Ms. Harper 5 years ago that resulted in a disinformed public's support for the Iraq invasion. It's similar conduct on your part today that's keeping us from leaving Iraq. You and your colleagues contribute to so much unnecessary death and suffering in this world with your perpetual fact hiding efforts concerning the Bush/Cheney crimes and all that's stemmed from them. You, and they, are continuing to ruin our once great nation.
Good riddance, Jean Harper!
Jason Bell
