Comments on: Week in the News http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/04/week-in-the-news-21 On Point is a live, two-hour morning news-analysis program, produced by WBUR 90.9 and NPR. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:11:42 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Rich http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/04/week-in-the-news-21/comment-page-2#comment-15890 Rich Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:09:01 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=14174#comment-15890 What more can I add than what I've already read in the posted comments... Andrea and David, you've sold your souls. I wish these two could listen to themselves in this episode. Callers say "torture is immoral", "torture is illegal", "we should prosecute torturers" and all we hear from Andrea and David are "yes, but...". This blows my mind. To have illegal criminal acts (and we're not talking about something "trivial" like lying under oath, quid pro quo, blackmail... we're talking freakin' TORTURE) be defended and dismissed with a "not in this case" or a "do you really want all those convictions"... boggles my mind. And speaking of quid pro quo, David came out as a hack big time when he said he's long time friends with Jane Harman and they couldn't POSSIBLY do anything wrong. Way to go, they scratch your back, you scratch theirs. Makes me sick. Andrea and David: A pair of but heads. And Tom, please come back! Jane is fine for fluff pieces (when I want to hear more of what the guest is saying), but when a guest says something controversial, and needs to be confronted, she doesn't follow up and has the tendency to just ask what's written on her cue cards and no processing of guest's answers. What more can I add than what I’ve already read in the posted comments…

Andrea and David, you’ve sold your souls. I wish these two could listen to themselves in this episode. Callers say “torture is immoral”, “torture is illegal”, “we should prosecute torturers” and all we hear from Andrea and David are “yes, but…”.

This blows my mind. To have illegal criminal acts (and we’re not talking about something “trivial” like lying under oath, quid pro quo, blackmail… we’re talking freakin’ TORTURE) be defended and dismissed with a “not in this case” or a “do you really want all those convictions”… boggles my mind.

And speaking of quid pro quo, David came out as a hack big time when he said he’s long time friends with Jane Harman and they couldn’t POSSIBLY do anything wrong. Way to go, they scratch your back, you scratch theirs. Makes me sick.

Andrea and David: A pair of but heads.

And Tom, please come back! Jane is fine for fluff pieces (when I want to hear more of what the guest is saying), but when a guest says something controversial, and needs to be confronted, she doesn’t follow up and has the tendency to just ask what’s written on her cue cards and no processing of guest’s answers.

]]> By: gina http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/04/week-in-the-news-21/comment-page-2#comment-15866 gina Tue, 28 Apr 2009 22:47:45 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=14174#comment-15866 livia, i'm with you on the need for a host to "think critically, moderate fairly" but "moral purpose"? i'm not so sure. i do think a point of view is a good thing, if it's not completely cast in concrete. even more important is challenging the guests with questions someone with opposing views would pose, especially if those views are not represented by another guest on the program - even if those views are not the host's own (ie devil's advocacy). of course, research is required to know both (or more) sides of a topic, and mental agility to present them. tom does this well. jane often sounds as if she only received the assignment as she walked into the studio, and is remaining mum to avoid disclosing that fact. i also don't think she is just being "weirdly impartial" or using "journalistic objectivity", since she usually comes across the same way on topics of no particular moral import as well. livia, i’m with you on the need for a host to “think critically, moderate fairly” but “moral purpose”? i’m not so sure. i do think a point of view is a good thing, if it’s not completely cast in concrete. even more important is challenging the guests with questions someone with opposing views would pose, especially if those views are not represented by another guest on the program – even if those views are not the host’s own (ie devil’s advocacy). of course, research is required to know both (or more) sides of a topic, and mental agility to present them. tom does this well. jane often sounds as if she only received the assignment as she walked into the studio, and is remaining mum to avoid disclosing that fact. i also don’t think she is just being “weirdly impartial” or using “journalistic objectivity”, since she usually comes across the same way on topics of no particular moral import as well.

]]> By: Expanded Consciousness http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/04/week-in-the-news-21/comment-page-2#comment-15836 Expanded Consciousness Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:17:45 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=14174#comment-15836 A lot of guests react negatively to Jane's tone of voice. You can hear it especially upon the hellos and goodbyes. A lot of guests react negatively to Jane’s tone of voice. You can hear it especially upon the hellos and goodbyes.

]]> By: livia signorini http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/04/week-in-the-news-21/comment-page-2#comment-15817 livia signorini Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:24:22 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=14174#comment-15817 I wrote a tough comment above about this show, but would like to distinguish my remarks from others that take issue with Jane Clayson per se, her "vocal style," her diction, etc. She's good at what she does when she does what she's presumably supposed to do: think critically, moderate fairly, bring some moral purpose to bear-- especially given the topic -- beyond the absurd notion of journalistic objectivity. Torture is a crime of the worst sort. That the assertion has to be made itself a cause for despair. If she didn't want to sully her weirdly impartial stance on the matter, she might at least have given Jack Beatty equal time. You wouldn't guess it from most of the comments on this page, but there were certainly people who came away from the conversation thinking, "Well if David Gergen says it's ok..." And that's no good thing. I wrote a tough comment above about this show, but would like to distinguish my remarks from others that take issue with Jane Clayson per se, her “vocal style,” her diction, etc. She’s good at what she does when she does what she’s presumably supposed to do: think critically, moderate fairly, bring some moral purpose to bear– especially given the topic — beyond the absurd notion of journalistic objectivity. Torture is a crime of the worst sort. That the assertion has to be made itself a cause for despair. If she didn’t want to sully her weirdly impartial stance on the matter, she might at least have given Jack Beatty equal time. You wouldn’t guess it from most of the comments on this page, but there were certainly people who came away from the conversation thinking, “Well if David Gergen says it’s ok…” And that’s no good thing.

]]> By: gina http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/04/week-in-the-news-21/comment-page-2#comment-15806 gina Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:55:18 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=14174#comment-15806 i can't say i'm a big fan of jane's vocal style, but it doesn't bother me. i DO object that she acts like an uninvolved bystander on her own show. several months ago, after she let one pompous blowhard (on to flog his book) bloviate virtually uninterrupted for the entire hour, i decided i would give her no more than 10 minutes to take charge of the program. as a result, i've been listening to a lot of classical music between 9:10 and noon ... i can’t say i’m a big fan of jane’s vocal style, but it doesn’t bother me. i DO object that she acts like an uninvolved bystander on her own show. several months ago, after she let one pompous blowhard (on to flog his book) bloviate virtually uninterrupted for the entire hour, i decided i would give her no more than 10 minutes to take charge of the program. as a result, i’ve been listening to a lot of classical music between 9:10 and noon …

]]> By: Expanded Consciousness http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/04/week-in-the-news-21/comment-page-2#comment-15773 Expanded Consciousness Mon, 27 Apr 2009 18:19:20 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=14174#comment-15773 It's more her tone of voice and over-annunciating. She seems angry-from-Hello. But she has improved over time. It’s more her tone of voice and over-annunciating. She seems angry-from-Hello. But she has improved over time.

]]> By: gina http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/04/week-in-the-news-21/comment-page-2#comment-15769 gina Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:01:22 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=14174#comment-15769 tom ashbrook, come back! come back!! or - jane clayson, grow a spine! as others have noted, jane's management of the program leaves much to be desired. the few callers that are allowed in never get feedback (no! "thank you for your call" doesn't count!!) - or the opportunity to interact w/ the guest. but the worst is a) the softballs she lobs at the guests, and b) the uninterrupted monologue platform she provides them, no matter how absurd and illogical their thesis. i just can't listen anymore when she's hosting. tom ashbrook, come back! come back!!

or – jane clayson, grow a spine!

as others have noted, jane’s management of the program leaves much to be desired. the few callers that are allowed in never get feedback (no! “thank you for your call” doesn’t count!!) – or the opportunity to interact w/ the guest. but the worst is a) the softballs she lobs at the guests, and b) the uninterrupted monologue platform she provides them, no matter how absurd and illogical their thesis.

i just can’t listen anymore when she’s hosting.

]]> By: Jon http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/04/week-in-the-news-21/comment-page-2#comment-15722 Jon Sun, 26 Apr 2009 20:28:52 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=14174#comment-15722 I think Jack Beatty's commentary was powerful, clear and on point. Torture is a crime. It is not just immoral, but also illegal and violates U.S. and international law. I think Jack Beatty’s commentary was powerful, clear and on point. Torture is a crime. It is not just immoral, but also illegal and violates U.S. and international law.

]]> By: Expanded Consciousness http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/04/week-in-the-news-21/comment-page-2#comment-15688 Expanded Consciousness Sun, 26 Apr 2009 05:01:36 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=14174#comment-15688 You're welcome, Christopher. The withdrawal symptoms from being deprived On Point's Week In Review are horrible. Odeo is a great resource. You’re welcome, Christopher. The withdrawal symptoms from being deprived On Point’s Week In Review are horrible. Odeo is a great resource.

]]> By: Christopher http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/04/week-in-the-news-21/comment-page-2#comment-15686 Christopher Sat, 25 Apr 2009 23:41:01 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=14174#comment-15686 Thanks, Expanded. Thanks, Expanded.

]]> By: Expanded Consciousness http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/04/week-in-the-news-21/comment-page-2#comment-15681 Expanded Consciousness Sat, 25 Apr 2009 19:08:14 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=14174#comment-15681 Check it out! "The audio for this program is currently unavailable due to technical reasons. We apologize for the inconvenience." Yet, you can listen to this Friday's show at Odeo. http://odeo.com/episodes/24500518-Week-in-the-News Check it out!

“The audio for this program is currently unavailable due to technical reasons. We apologize for the inconvenience.”

Yet, you can listen to this Friday’s show at Odeo.

http://odeo.com/episodes/24500518-Week-in-the-News

]]> By: jean paul http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/04/week-in-the-news-21/comment-page-1#comment-15676 jean paul Sat, 25 Apr 2009 13:05:58 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=14174#comment-15676 I just discovered this area Did some research on contgess and corruption - Jane Harman. She is a Democrat, but she supports everything that Republicans support. Namely: wire tapping, against civil liberties, favoring torture, tough on terror, hawkish foreign policy, supporting war, etc. These are values that go against Democratic values. This Jane woman also gave dozens of speeches at AIPAC headquarters. There is a strong relationship there. For those of you the members of NPR, wonder if you heard Jane's interview on NPR. Her words were carefully chosen. She was trying not to conflict with the charge and perhaps with actual events. I think it is time for her to switch sides; or resign. I just discovered this area

Did some research on contgess and corruption – Jane Harman.

She is a Democrat, but she supports everything that Republicans support. Namely: wire tapping, against civil liberties, favoring torture, tough on terror, hawkish foreign policy, supporting war, etc. These are values that go against Democratic values.

This Jane woman also gave dozens of speeches at AIPAC headquarters. There is a strong relationship there.

For those of you the members of NPR, wonder if you heard Jane’s interview on NPR. Her words were carefully chosen. She was trying not to conflict with the charge and perhaps with actual events.

I think it is time for her to switch sides; or resign.

]]> By: Mike http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/04/week-in-the-news-21/comment-page-1#comment-15673 Mike Sat, 25 Apr 2009 05:39:26 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=14174#comment-15673 sorry meant to say fyi for non-belivers "that torture is not a crime"the army, marines, airforce and CITF says otherwise http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/24/opinion/24krugman.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&ref=opinion&adxnnlx=1240568050-Ld+YCW17fI5ZNjXIx645Ow paul krugman had the above post today worth checking out. sorry meant to say fyi for non-belivers “that torture is not a crime”the army, marines, airforce and CITF says otherwise

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/24/opinion/24krugman.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&ref=opinion&adxnnlx=1240568050-Ld+YCW17fI5ZNjXIx645Ow

paul krugman had the above post today worth checking out.

]]> By: Mike http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/04/week-in-the-news-21/comment-page-1#comment-15668 Mike Sat, 25 Apr 2009 03:53:11 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=14174#comment-15668 people should check out the joint chiefs memo, from the army, marine, and airforce about waterboarding and torture. Nov 2002. they agreed it looked and is torture. "sen armed service comm.report" marines "several of the category 2 and 3 techniques arguably violate federal law and would expose our our service members to possible prosecution". may subject service members to punitive articles of the ucmj along with CITF personnel who are aware of the use or abuse of certain techniques may be exposed to liability under the UCMJ for failing to interced or report incidents. nov 4 2002 major sam mcmahon memo to CITF commander. fyi for non-belivers that torture is a crime, the army, marines, airforce and CITF says otherwise people should check out the joint chiefs memo, from the army, marine, and airforce about waterboarding and torture. Nov 2002. they agreed it looked and is torture.

“sen armed service comm.report”

marines

“several of the category 2 and 3 techniques arguably violate federal law and would expose our our service members to possible prosecution”.

may subject service members to punitive articles of the ucmj along with CITF personnel who are aware of the use or abuse of certain techniques may be exposed to liability under the UCMJ for failing to interced or report incidents. nov 4 2002 major sam mcmahon memo to CITF commander.

fyi for non-belivers that torture is a crime, the army, marines, airforce and CITF says otherwise

]]> By: Arnold http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/04/week-in-the-news-21/comment-page-1#comment-15667 Arnold Sat, 25 Apr 2009 02:42:43 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=14174#comment-15667 Congress knew and approved of harsh methods. Why would they want to investigate themselves? That won't go anywhere. Talk of prosecution is a waste of time because no crime was committed. You people will have to get your revenge jollies some other way. Has Jack ever made a contribution to any discussion? I think he's losing it. Congress knew and approved of harsh methods. Why would they want to investigate themselves? That won’t go anywhere.

Talk of prosecution is a waste of time because no crime was committed. You people will have to get your revenge jollies some other way.

Has Jack ever made a contribution to any discussion? I think he’s losing it.

]]> By: Lou G http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/04/week-in-the-news-21/comment-page-1#comment-15666 Lou G Sat, 25 Apr 2009 02:37:22 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=14174#comment-15666 This was one of the most one-sided programs I have heard in a long time! WHat did you do, sdecide to fill the room with everyone who agreed? Did you not have anyone there to counter the view of others? You didn't even take many calls, and those you did air,w ere people from the Lefty sif\de of the political landscape. I expect more from WBUR. This was one of the most one-sided programs I have heard in a long time! WHat did you do, sdecide to fill the room with everyone who agreed?

Did you not have anyone there to counter the view of others?

You didn’t even take many calls, and those you did air,w ere people from the Lefty sif\de of the political landscape.

I expect more from WBUR.

]]> By: Mark Stephenson http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/04/week-in-the-news-21/comment-page-1#comment-15662 Mark Stephenson Sat, 25 Apr 2009 01:28:49 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=14174#comment-15662 I always forget the question mark, so here it is... ????????????????????????????????????????????????????? I always forget the question mark, so here it is…

?????????????????????????????????????????????????????

]]> By: Mark Stephenson http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/04/week-in-the-news-21/comment-page-1#comment-15661 Mark Stephenson Sat, 25 Apr 2009 01:28:12 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=14174#comment-15661 YARGHHH!! Where is the freaking "Listen Now" button. You people are such teases... YARGHHH!! Where is the freaking “Listen Now” button. You people are such teases…

]]> By: Brianna http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/04/week-in-the-news-21/comment-page-1#comment-15659 Brianna Sat, 25 Apr 2009 01:11:23 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=14174#comment-15659 Let's have Ramsey Clark as the Special Prosecutor. Let's contact Holder for Ramsey Clark. Can anybody think of a better person than Ramsey Clark? Let’s have Ramsey Clark as the Special Prosecutor.

Let’s contact Holder for Ramsey Clark.

Can anybody think of a better person than Ramsey Clark?

]]> By: Richard Levins http://www.onpointradio.org/2009/04/week-in-the-news-21/comment-page-1#comment-15654 Richard Levins Sat, 25 Apr 2009 00:21:21 +0000 http://www.onpointradio.org/?p=14174#comment-15654 The discussion of the criminal liability of torturers should not be limited to the US: Argentina has been way ahead of us in recognizing that no granting of impunity is valid, even if it takes 30 years. Ex-president Fujimori, police in Uruguay and Argentina, Pinochet in Chile were or are being held responsible for their criminal decisions. Why not invite panelists from the diplomatic missions of those countries to share their experience? The discussion of the criminal liability of torturers should not be limited to the US: Argentina has been way ahead of us in recognizing that no granting of impunity
is valid, even if it takes 30 years. Ex-president Fujimori, police in Uruguay and Argentina, Pinochet in Chile were or are being held responsible for their criminal decisions. Why not invite panelists from the diplomatic missions of those countries to share their experience?

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