INSULTING MESSAGE FROM AARON BROWN

[volosong]

I must be naive despite my years. I though Aaron Brown was a gentleman.

When I replied to his sarcastic message about my "profound" questions for Bush, he messaged me back saying that my questions were silly, almost ridiculous, and that I was basically wasting his time.

That got me a little angry, so I told him that when I was younger the news media had both brains and balls. I was sorry to learn that he was nothing but a Bush Palace Eunuch.

[TrustingDog]

1. what where your questions?

[volosong]

4. I THINK THE MEDIA SHOULD ASK THE BUSH CAMP THE FOLLOWING...

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW MR. BUSH...

1. Why is it that you claim to be a friend of veterans and yet have proposed so many cuts to programs benefitting veterans including the closure of some V.A. hospitals?
2. If you believe Sen. Kerry's military service was "honorable" and something "about which he should be proud," then why do you refuse to specifically condemn the Swift Boat Veterans? Aren't values more than something to which one gives lip service?
3. Former Sen. Max Cleland left half of his body in Vietnam. Yet when he came to your ranch with a letter signed by 9 other Congressional war heroes, neither you nor any of your immediate aides had the courtesy to accept the letter. Why?
4. The almost 3,000 victims of the WTC attacks did not die for politicians or political parties. How do you justify using images and emotions related to that tragedy for political gain?
5. You are quoted as having said, "One of the great things about books is sometimes there are some fantastic pictures." Is that why you continued to read "My Pet Goat" for almost 17 minutes after Andrew Card informed you that the US was under attack? Why wasn't the security of America more important than reading a kiddy book?
6. Since you say Sen. Kerry's Vietnam service was honorable and something of which to be proud, do your comments also apply to Kerry's medals? Do you endorse members of the RNC mocking military medals by wearing "purple heart bandaids" at the convention?
7. Is it not true that you Mr. President have flip flopped on more issues than Senator Kerry such as the 9/11 Commission; on calling for a UN vote on Iraq; on creation of the Dept. of Homeland Security; on a Constitutional amendment on gay marriage; on use of the military for "nation building;" on the issue of tax credits for hybrid automobiles; on extending the assault weapons ban; on steel tariffs; on spending the Social Security surplus; on the patient's right to sue; on the Federal Government's position on tobacco buyout; on disarmament incentives to North Korea; on lobbying OPEC; on the Condoleeza Rice testimony; on your pledge to issue regulation based on science; on the presence of WMD in Iraq; on restricting Free Trade; on the importance of capturing Osama Bin Laden; on mandatory caps on carbon dioxide emissions; on an investigation into intelligence failures in Iraq; summits in the Palestinian crisis; campaign finance; on providing financial support for the First Responders; on military benefits; on who was responsible for the "Mission Accomplished" sign; on the fingerprinting and photographing of Mexicans entering the US; on refusing to pass budget deficits; your positions on stem cells and human embryos; about your support of the Low Income Energy Support Program; your position on abortion; on racial profiling; on describing success of US objectives in Iraq.
8. Which of your recent comments about the war in Iraq and terrorism is really your belief: Mission accomplished, mission miscalculated, mission impossible, or most recently, mission possible?
9. Can you explain why $50 million allocated to investigate the Columbia Shuttle disaster, yet only $3 million was allocated to investigate 9-11?
10. Your tax cuts have been described as "WealthCare." Why did the top 1% income bracket receive a 32.4% tax cut while the lower 60% received only a 8.5% tax cut?
11. How do you justify the budget cuts for veterans benefits at precisely the time you are ramping up the military for permanent war?
12. Where are the WMD? Would you still go to war knowing that there were no WMD?
13. You used the term "catastrophic success.” What exactly does that mean?
14. Forty (40) per cent of homeless men are veterans. What are you doing about that situation? Isn't this inconsistent with your statement that, "Home is important. It's important to have a home." (Feb. 18, 2001).
15. 45 million people lack health coverage. Do you think basic health care is an American right? Health care costs have gone ballistic during your Administration. Why haven't you made health care more affordable?
16. "As you know, these are open forums, you're able to come and listen to what I have to say." (Oct. 28, 2003). When will the American people be able to ask you questions?
17. "I'm also not very analytical. You know I don't spend a lot of time thinking about myself, about why I do things." (June 4, 2003). Recently, you admitted to making mistakes in Iraq. Don't you think being more analytical, deliberate, and "sensitive" to the intricacies of international politics might promote US success and national security?
18. You are quoted as saying, "When I take action, I'm not going to fire a $2 million missile at a $10 empty tent and hit a camel in the butt. It's going to be decisive." (Sept. 19, 2001). Then why are Americans still dying in Iraq almost one year after you declared "Mission Accomplished?"
19. Regarding the patient's bill of rights, you are quoted as having said on June 13, 2001: "I haven't had a chance to talk, but I'm confident we'll get a bill that I can live with if we don't." What did you exactly mean by that?
20. At the DNC Sen. Kerry challenged you to run a positive campaign on current issues. In 2001 you said, "It is time to set aside the old partisan bickering and finger-pointing and name-calling." Do you think your current campaign is consistent with those statements?
21. On Jan. 14, 2001 you said, "The California crunch really is the result of not enough power-generating plants and then not enough power to power the power of generating plants." Other than reciting the obvious. What does your Administration intend to do to make the US energy independent with renewable fuels that protect our ecosystem & pocketbook?
22. "I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully." (Sept. 29, 2000). Then why are millions of fish now dying in our lakes and streams? Why are there warnings in many states advising people not to ingest fish because of the dangers of mercury poisoning from industrial pollution?
23. When was the last time that you spoke before a crowd other than exclusively "invited guests?" Why do you feel attendance must be by invitation only?
24. "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." (Aug. 5, 2004). Do you really believe that a counterproductive national policy is beneficial to the United States?
25. "The war on terror involves Saddam Hussein because of the nature of Saddam Hussein, the history of Saddam Hussein, and his willingness to terrorize himself." ( Jan. 29, 2003). If that were true, why did we have to invade Iraq in the first place?
26. On Aug 22, 2002 you proposed deforestation as a means to combat forest fires. ("We need to understand if you let kindling build up and there's a lightning strike, you're going get yourself a big fire.") Isn't your support for deforestation actually pandering to logging and timber financial interests? If not, do you think that we should test your theory by setting experimental fires in certain areas of Texas?
27. "There's no cave deep enough for America, or dark enough to hide." ( Aug. 29, 2002). Is that really how you envision America and her future?
28. "This foreign policy stuff is a little frustrating." (April 23, 2002). Is that really why you decided to invade Iraq?
29. "We're concerned about AIDS inside our White House--make no mistake about it." ( Feb. 7, 2001). How many cases of AIDS did you find in the White House? What are you doing for AIDS research?
30. "Natural gas is hemispheric. I like to call it hemispheric in nature because it is a product that we can find in our neighborhoods." (Dec. 20, 2000). Natural gas is not found naturally in most US neighborhoods. Does that make them non-hemispheric, and what are your proposals to solve the current energy crisis?

[NightOwwl]

9. Those are silly questions? I don't think so.

Aaron Brown tries to put on a kinder, gentler face, but he's no different than the rest of the Bush-whores. I dislike him intensely. Keith Olbermann, on the other hand, Rocks!

[incapsulated]

10. Well...

Aside from a few questions that were sarcastic or extremely hostile, (such as #5) you had some good questions that certainly were of merit. He slammed you on all of them, instead of saying, aside from the questions (like the ones I mentioned) you had many good ones that he would consider.

He can be extremely sarcastic and sometimes nasty in his replies. But he does actually read his emails, which is highly unusual.

[dennis4868]

27. #5 is not hostile....

it is a serious question about a man who is not competant enough to defend this country!

[dennis4868]

26. There was a time not too long ago.....

that these were definitely NOT silly questions....there was a time when the media actually asked a President follow-up questions and demanded answers and accountability!

[volosong]

37. BROWN ALSO SAID I WAS WASTING HIS TIME

and he inferred that I was an idiot for even wanting to question Bush's record.

To Repeat: Here are some of the questions that I suggested the Media should be asking on behalf of the American People:

1. Why is it that you claim to be a friend of veterans and yet have proposed so many cuts to programs benefiting veterans including the closure of some V.A. hospitals?
2. If you believe Sen. Kerry's military service was "honorable" and something "about which he should be proud," then why do you refuse to specifically condemn the Swift Boat Veterans? Aren't values more than something to which one gives lip service?
3. Former Sen. Max Cleland left half of his body in Vietnam. Yet when he came to your ranch with a letter signed by 9 other Congressional war heroes, neither you nor any of your immediate aides had the courtesy to accept the letter. Why?
4. The almost 3,000 victims of the WTC attacks did not die for politicians or political parties. How do you justify using images and emotions related to that tragedy for personal political gain?
5. Do you endorse members of the RNC mocking military medals by wearing "purple heart band aids" at the convention? If not, why have you failed to issue a statement denouncing that mockery?
6. Is it not true that you Mr. President have flip flopped on more issues than Senator Kerry such as the 9/11 Commission; on calling for a UN vote on Iraq; on creation of the Dept. of Homeland Security; on a Constitutional amendment on gay marriage; on use of the military for "nation building;" on the issue of tax credits for hybrid automobiles; on extending the assault weapons ban; on steel tariffs; on spending the Social Security surplus; on the patient's right to sue; on the Federal Government's position on tobacco buyout; on disarmament incentives to North Korea; on lobbying OPEC; on the Condoleeza Rice testimony; on your pledge to issue regulation based on science; on the presence of WMD in Iraq; on restricting Free Trade; on the importance of capturing Osama Bin Laden; on mandatory caps on carbon dioxide emissions; on an investigation into intelligence failures in Iraq; summits in the Palestinian crisis; campaign finance; on providing financial support for the First Responders; on military benefits; on who was responsible for the "Mission Accomplished" sign; on the fingerprinting and photographing of Mexicans entering the US; on refusing to pass budget deficits; your positions on stem cells and human embryos; about your support of the Low Income Energy Support Program; your position on abortion; on racial profiling; on describing success of US objectives in Iraq.
7. Specifically addressing your Flip Flops, which of your recent comments about the war in Iraq and terrorism is really your belief: Mission Accomplished, Mission Miscalculated, Mission Impossible, or the latest, Mission Possible?
8. How do you justify the budget cuts for veterans benefits at precisely the time you are ramping up the military for permanent war?
9. Where are the WMD? Would you still go to war knowing that there were no WMD?
10. 45 million people lack health coverage. Do you think basic health care is an American right? Health care costs have gone ballistic during your Administration. Why haven't you made health care more affordable?
11. "I'm also not very analytical. You know I don't spend a lot of time thinking about myself, about why I do things." (June 4, 2003). Recently, you admitted mistakes in Iraq. Don't you think being more analytical, deliberate, and "sensitive" to the intricacies of international politics might promote US success and national security?
12. You are quoted as saying, "When I take action, I'm not going to fire a $2 million missile at a $10 empty tent and hit a camel in the butt. It's going to be decisive." (Sept. 19, 2001). Then why are Americans still dying in Iraq so long after you declared "Mission Accomplished?"
13. "I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully." (Sept. 29, 2000). Then why are millions of fish now dying in our lakes and streams? Why are there warnings in many states advising people not to ingest fish because of the dangers of mercury poisoning from industrial pollution?
14. "As you know, these are open forums, you're able to come and listen to what I have to say." (Oct. 28, 2003). When was the last time that you spoke before an audience that wasn't exclusively "invited guests?"
15. "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." (Aug. 5, 2004). Do you really believe that policy is really beneficial?
16. On Aug 22, 2002 you proposed deforestation as a means to combat forest fires. ("We need to understand if you let kindling build up and there's a lightning strike, you're going get yourself a big fire.") Isn't your support for deforestation actually pandering to logging and timber financial interests? If not, do you think that we should test your theory by setting experimental fires in certain areas of Texas?
17. Sen. Kerry challenged you to run a positive campaign on current issues. In 2001 you said, "It is time to set aside the old partisan bickering and finger-pointing and name-calling." Do you think the RNC and your current campaign are consistent with your prior statements? Do you specifically endorse and share Zell Miller's hateful and divisive comments?

[HEyHEY]

2. AH yes calling AB on his cowardness to challenge a politician's hypocrosy

Is a very silly thing to do. He was probably looking for questions like.

"Mr. President, how do you think the world is approaching the upcoming election?"

[sandersadu]

5. Volosong

I read your 30 questions. They were brilliant. Try other news outlets - Olberman, Franken, others.

Don't give up, you summed up pretty much the last 4 years on 30 simple, eloquent hard-hitting questions. Keep up the fight. I'm behind you 1,000 %!


DemSmart

[elperromagico]

19. Or "Mr. President, how is your faith in God helping you right now?"

You know, the really probing questions. :eyes:

[incapsulated]

3. Could you post what you wrote? n/t

[Darby]

6. Someone ask about Tx Bar Ethics Complaint on O'Neill

Can't get to my yahoo mail right now and if AB's reading e-mail right now let's strike while iron is hot...

Has AB heard about this? Will he "investigate"?

[hlthe2b]

7. I understand your angry response, but would really like Brown to have

been asked "why he thought those questions were silly, almost ridiculous, and that they were a waste of hs time."

Really, I'd dearly like to know.

[Renew Deal]

8. I'm protesting CNN tonight.

I will remember you. :kick:

[volosong]

11. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Anyone may use any of the questions, all or in part, as you may wish to promote our cause.

They are free to use as anyone wishes.

[PA Democrat]

12. I had a similar exchange with Mr. Brown in the lead-up to the Iraq war

I received a very insulting e-mail from him in response to my feedback on how he failed to ask a number of necessary questions of those who were committing our troops to war. I responded to his response, and he emailed me AGAIN, and while he backed down somewhat from his original remarks, he was still pretty arrogant.

I think that many of these "journalists" are too cozy with the people they are supposed to be objectively covering. Too many cocktail parties and too little investigative reporting.

[volosong]

15. Actually It is Probably a Very good Sign

It means I hit a big nerve

[Ducks In A Row]

13. Are you sure it was him

and not an aide?

[volosong]

14. He was messaging me from his Blackberry

Of course, one can't be 100% certain, but whomever is using his e-mail at turner.

[PA Democrat]

18. His responses to me were from his Blackberry as well.

It was definitely Aaron Brown. He made the statement that when he worked at ABC, he looked into the allegations of Bush's cocaine use, but said there was no proof.

Sad that the same standards don't apply to "reporting" the swift boat veterans unverified claims.

[Ducks In A Row]

22. well that is just rude

I guess I was hoping his email was being screened and that an aide was getting beyond himself (or herself).

[LisaL]

16. Those were great questions.

Media is so obviously afraid to ask him anything.
It's a shame.
You response to them was great, by the way!

[volosong]

17. Media Timidity is more than a shame, it is criminal

Did you ever see any of JFK's press conferences? Now that was the news media in action.

I don't get it. Bush is supposed to be running on his record of the last 4 years. Incumbent presidents always do that.

[elperromagico]

21. It would be fine if Bush had a record worth running on.

You couldn't run a flea on his record.

[mondo joe]

20. Brown has his moments but he is NO gentleman. I remember...

I remember when Brown was a local anchor in Seattle. He covered some story - I wish I could remember the details - about a woman who complained because she was penalized for not wearing make up, which men don't have to do.

I don't recall the specific context of the story but I do recall Brown smirking about it with a sort of "honey just wear your make up and be a good girl" way.

[WilliamPitt]

23. I took him to task in print for his coverage of the WMD issue

Nicely but pointedly:

http://www.truthout.org/docs_02/011803A.wrp.cnn.htm

He called me at my house to scold me. Three times. In my house. Finally hung up on me.

He's a dick.

[jayfish]

38. Thanks For That Link Will.

I referenced that discussion in another thread but couldn't find (see lazy) the text. EDIT: Do you have a link for the actual exchange?

Thanks Again

Jay

[cthrumatrix]

24. the media is a corporate tool.... and brown is a "paid whore" to spout

the propaganda.... don't listen to CNN

Certainly Not News = CNN

[deutsey]

25. Read this interview he did with Democracy Now

http://www.democracynow.org/transcripts/aaronbrown.shtml

[TheDonkey]

28. He talked about the state of the media and his emails yesterday

on his show. It was pretty good, said the enviroment for the media is hostile between to too sides and people are very angry.

[goldstone]

29. What's Aaron Brown's e-mail address? eom

[volosong]

31. [e-mail]

[goldstone]

34. Thanks! eom

[H2O Man]

30. I had liked Aaron Brown

until I read page 185 of Robert Kennedy, Jr's new book, "Crimes Against Nature." Kennedy talks about the media refusing to cover his environmental work that shows the extent of Bush's criminal behaviors. "I was most disappointed by Aaron Brown of CNN, " RFK writes. Brown had scheduled Kennedy, but at the (very) last minute, had an aide call to cancel. "Brown, she said, was aware of my criticism of the president's environmental record and was canceling my appearance because he didn't want any 'Bush bashing' on his show." Brown substituted a segment on the Michael Jackson sex scandal.

It's really hard to respect Aaron Brown, because of that. I hate to say this, but I have more respect for Sean Hannity for at least being a total jackass in his dealings with Robert, than for Aaron's cheap behavior. I have not watched Brown at all since reading what he did.

[PA Democrat]

33. Yes, I think Aaron's biggest fault is his cowardice

I think he would like to be "fair" (otherwise why does he allow our negative feedback to get under his skin) but lacks the courage to inflame his corporate masters.

[Logansquare]

32. Some Buzzflash or Mediawhores readers had a back and forth with Brown

a couple of years ago. On the plus side, he answered their emails, but was every bit as dismissive and snarky as you describe. Roger Ailes of Fox also had an email battle going with a woman who posted it on Mediawhores.

[volosong]

39. I GUESS THE FOX RANKS ARE SPLIT

Because I got one very nice, polite and gracious message (2 actually) several weeks ago from a FOX Vice-President who agreed with our complaints of media bias. She obviously didn't promise improvement, but she was a world different than Aaron Brown.

[drdigi420]

35. What a turdball

[LibDemAlways]

36. In Aaron Brown's media whore bubble,

probing, intelligent questions about the chimp are simply off limits. He's just obeying his corporate masters and collecting his fat paycheck. I'd interpret his response to mean that it's wasting his time to even pose those kinds of questions because as a CNN shill for the repukes, he can't ask them.