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NBC Rewrites its Own Rules to Prevent America from Hearing Kucinich

By Kevin Tillman, AlterNet. Posted January 11, 2008.


This is way out of hand -- join me in boycotting the debate.
todd
This unelected weeny is deciding which candidates' messages you'll hear in Vegas next week. That doesn't make you happy? Let him (them) know!

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As a political writer, I have to follow these endless primary-season debates. But when it comes to NBC's Democratic show-down in Vegas next Tuesday, I'll read the transcript and check out the highlights on YouTube, but I won't tune into NBC's live broadcast.

Here's a press release from the Kucinich campaign explaining why:

Less than 44 hours after NBC sent a congratulatory note and an invitation to Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich to participate in the Jan. 15 Democratic Presidential debate in Las Vegas, the network notified the campaign this morning it was changing its announced criteria, rescinding its invitation, and excluding Kucinich from the debate.

NBC Political Director Chuck Todd notified the Kucinich campaign this morning that, although Kucinich had met the qualification criteria publicly announced on December 28, the network was "re-doing" the criteria, excluding Kucinich, and planning to invite only Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and former senator John Edwards.

The criteria announced last month included a fourth-place or better showing in a national poll. The USA/Gallup poll earlier this month showed Kucinich in fourth place among the Democratic contenders.

In an email to the Kucinich campaign at 2:35 p.m. on Wednesday, January 9, Democratic Party debates consultant Jenny Backus wrote:

"Congratulations on another hard-fought contest. Now that New Hampshire is over, we are on to Nevada and our Presidential Debate on Tuesday January 15. This letter serves as an official invitation for your candidate to participate in the Nevada Presidential Debate at Cashman Theatre in downtown Las Vegas. You have met the criteria set by NBC and the Debate."

Todd notified the Kucinich campaign this morning that the network had decided to change the criteria and limit participation in the debate to only three candidates.

Digg!

See more stories tagged with: chuck todd, debates, nbc, kucinich, election08

Joshua Holland is an editor and senior writer at AlterNet.

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View:
Mr. Kucinich: One Of The Few Democrats With Principles
Posted by: left_libertarian on Jan 11, 2008 2:38 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Mr. Kucinich

I wish you well sir. I just wish more of your fellow party members had the principles you stand for.

All the best...

LL

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Hate Kucinich...
Posted by: profedwards on Jan 11, 2008 2:54 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Love him, hate him, find him annoying, it doesn't matter.
What matters is that the MSM isn't even trying to hide the fact that they are Neo-Machines who will stop at nothing to silence us.
STAND UP and SPEAK OUT. Protest, write letters to local (possibly still independent-owned) papers. Tell your friends.
Because this time it's Kucinich. Who will it be next time?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Mr. Holland, Please Keep Doing What You Are Doing.
Posted by: grumble-bum on Jan 11, 2008 3:00 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I applaud your continued attention to Mr. Kucinch's campaign. As you are an often-featured writer for Alternet, I can only express my deep desire that you keep highlighting his struggle to be heard. As a whole, Alternet is seriously dropping the ball on this issue (with the exception of the recent CS Monitor article reprint, & video editor Adam Howard's occasional featured clip). Many, many regular Alternet readers are deeply invested in, at the very least, fair coverage for Kucinich's platform. Please, please continue to do your part in keeping us informed.

The fact that Kucinich is coming in fourth in at least one major nationwide poll, even after being (for all intents & purposes) blacklisted by the MSM is very heartening news to those of us supporting him for President; hell, it should be for anyone serious about the concept of representative government. That NBC has rescinded his legitimate invitation is (while not exactly surprising) deeply disturbing. I have my fair share of paranoid moments, but this sort of thing really makes one wonder about how much is really being self-censored by our media conglomerates on a typical day.

&, of course, increases our gratitude for such heavily flawed but nevertheless important alternative news sources such as Alternet, Buzzflash, & GNN.

Thanks for giving the bravest candidate out there an invaluable few more words.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» GREAT idea! Posted by: Joshua Holland
» RE: GREAT idea! Posted by: Lara
» RE: GREAT idea! Posted by: undrgrndgirl
» RE: GREAT idea! Posted by: blitzmesser
» RE: GREAT idea! Posted by: blitzmesser
» RE: GREAT idea! Posted by: undrgrndgirl
Oh, isn't this interesting
Posted by: buddyedgewood on Jan 11, 2008 3:46 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This is not a post for any one candidate, but for anyone that has the ways, means and stamina to run for President. Unless we the people stand up and be heard by our representatives in government, this election will boil down to candidates that are handpicked by MSM (MainStream Media), not the people. MSM is jockeying their chosen candidates into the view of the American public and the American public doesn’t seem to care, much like the brainwashed Christian Fundamentalists. I’m afraid that this is also setting a nasty precedent for the future of all local, state and national elections.

I would hope that all of you have figured out that it doesn’t matter which candidate from the ‘frontrunners’ list gets elected, whether it is HC, BO, JE, RG, MH, JM, or MR, MSM will be very happy because despite their party affiliation, the status quo will proceed as usual.

In other words: nothing substantial will change during their administration. And this goes for John Edwards (Alternet's favorite shill) We’ll still be in Iraq until, at least 2013. Healthcare will be out of the reach of many people. Illegal immigration will still be a ‘problem’ for many years to come. The gap between the ‘haves” and the “have nots” will widen. And our economy will sink lower and lower into the pit of depression.

How come it seems that RP supporters are ‘kooks’ for demanding their chosen candidates’ right to speak alongside his opponents?

I have a feeling that if DK had ‘kooks’ for supporters, some of folks that frequent Alternet would be foaming at the mouth to support him by spamming Craigslist just as much as the RP’ers.

BTW, am I the only one that remembers something about a law that guarantees or requires equal time in the media for all candidates? And if I’m not mistaken, there’s a law on the books for this because MSM doesn’t own the airwaves, the people own the airwaves.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Oh, isn't this interesting Posted by: Joshua Holland
» RE: Oh, isn't this interesting Posted by: parochial
a suggestion...
Posted by: undrgrndgirl on Jan 11, 2008 4:27 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
nbc is asking for debate questions at

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22574335

i entered the following:

Mr. Todd,
Why have you changed the rules at the last second to keep Dennis Kucinich from the debate just a few hours after inviting him? Why have you disconnected/hidden your email address? What are you so afraid of?

i tried to send but ran into a "runtime error"
thought that since mr. todd is hiding maybe those who think the way nbc is treating kucinich should also ask the same questions to the debate question forum...

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» runtime error... Posted by: undrgrndgirl
» RE: runtime error... Posted by: undrgrndgirl
» Heh. Great Minds, Blahblah. Posted by: grumble-bum
» RE: Heh. Great Minds, Blahblah. Posted by: undrgrndgirl
» RE: Heh. Great Minds, Blahblah. Posted by: blitzmesser
» Keep Trying - it'll work! Posted by: profedwards
» RE: Keep Trying - it'll work! Posted by: undrgrndgirl
» thx for the link Posted by: Jibbguy
My letter
Posted by: Fishbone Soldier on Jan 11, 2008 4:48 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Didn't see the example letter until I'd already scripted mine. I wanted to throw something in there about how they were being "unamerican", but couldn't make it fit:

I am extremely disappointed to learn that NBC has chosen to prevent candidates from participating in the upcoming Nevada debate. I have always held NBC in high regard as a reliable and honest media entity, but I must seriously second guess myself now. The media's job from a news standpoint, as I see it, is to get the public the most complete information and insight possible. By eliminating Dennis Kucinich (seemingly arbitrarily), you are not only filtering the news, but actually becoming a part of the story. All voices in this race deserve to be heard. Your credibility is at stake. If this situation is not rectified, I will have no choice but to find my information elsewhere going forward as your company is clearly not concerned with impartiality or the public's best interest.

Thank you,
my name
hometown

...everyone needs to speak up about this. Regardless of how you feel about Kucinich, our democracy is at stake.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Kucinich is being excluded because of his impeachment push
Posted by: ordaj on Jan 11, 2008 5:08 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There should be an impeachment and there would be if more people were aware of the crimes and the press hounded this administration like they did Clinton's.

Face it, another revolution is needed. Letter writing and silent fuming will never cut it.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» my exact conclusion, too Posted by: Ripcord
Too early
Posted by: lamar on Jan 11, 2008 5:28 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It's still too early to exclude.....Both parties have those candidates that don't represent the majority, but speak to the traditions of the party and remind us all that the respective party lines can change quicker than the populous. Excluding Mr. Kucinich serves to exclude those who believe in actually carrying out a progressive platform. Sure, Kucinich followers will ultimately hold their noses and vote for the best available candidate.

They should keep Kucinich in the debates based on his contribution to the range of ideas he keeps alive by being there. It really is more about the ideas than the man because Kucinich has no chance to win. They should keep Kucinich because he reminds the candidates of their base, and forces them to answer to that base in a very public way. Having the mainstream candidates respond to those areas of groundswell support is important to the debate and ABC is missing that.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Kucinich is the best candidate... Posted by: undrgrndgirl
To Whom It SHOULD Concern: Another Potential Rabble-Rousing Option!
Posted by: grumble-bum on Jan 11, 2008 5:42 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The Kucinich campaign has passed out the following number to reach the NBC/MSNBC comment line:

212 664 4444

When the operator (I know, whhaaat?!?) picks up, just ask for the comment line.

Regardless of your chosen candidate, please let NBC & (by extension) GE know that we'll choose our President, thank you very much!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Maybe Dennis is getting what he deserves.
Posted by: WhatNow? on Jan 11, 2008 6:31 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I watched or listened to the first debate that Mike Gravel was excluded. I listened just to see if any of the demopublicans would mention Gravel being censored. I thought if any would mention it, Dennis would. Nobody, not even Dennis would stand up for Mike or decry the censorship being practiced.

I heard a clittin' speech the other day mentioning she would listen to everybody even the "invisible" people of this country. Then she went on to thank all the other candidates for their service, each by name. But that disgusting skank of a politico left Gravel off the list of all "the democratic candidates." So much for her listening to or acknowledging the "invisible" people she had mentioned only seconds earlier.

I hope this whole lot of scum choke to death on the blood money which with they line their pockets.

I ain't got any faith in kucinich either after he failed to publicly mention Gravel's exclusion.

Damn! The republicrats exhibit more decency and equity by tolerating Ron Paul than the democrats do with the contempt they show for a decent man like Mike Gravel.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

What we need...
Posted by: rogus on Jan 11, 2008 7:05 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
...if people can't get themselves to vote for DK is a good "none of the Above" write in vote!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» hear hear Posted by: schnoggi
» And NOT... Posted by: JoshuaLudd
Debate Exclusion Debacle
Posted by: sjamaanka on Jan 11, 2008 7:05 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Here's what I sent, not that it will help change anything:

Who gives you, or any other media outlet, the right to "select" who we as citizens may consider for president?
It's clear from your actions and your colleagues' that you've already decided who we "may consider." Outrageous.
How dare you, with your comfy jobs and big salaries, sizable retirements and excellent healthcare packages. You don't give a HOOT about the average American, do you? Rubbing your filthy, greedy paws together while the Corporate Shill and the Great Pontificator promise you the world, right?
You people ran off Richardson, Biden and Dodd, worthy public representatives.
Obviously Kucinich, who takes no corporate funds, is next on your hit list, to be followed shortly by John Edwards.
STOP IT.
Kucinich has met your initial criteria for participating in the upcoming debate. He represents the most humanitarian platform of all.
LET HIM BACK IN.

Alexandra Bonifield


"Art is the means of keeping alive the sense of purposes that outrun evidence and of meanings that transcend indurate habit." John Dewey

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Debate Exclusion Debacle Posted by: johngary66
What Mr. Kucinich believes
Posted by: revcarln on Jan 11, 2008 7:24 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I received an email the other day with a quiz asking for my beliefs in a series of multiple choice pieces. Then, my answers were compared to the beliefs of all the candidates, blindly. I was surprised to find that Dennis Kucinich was the candidate who shared more of my views than any of the others. Of course, in diminishing order, the Republicans were last. If for no other reason, Kucinich should be included as long as he is still running just for what he adds to the debate, and for making folks think.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

it would be great if the dropouts would direct their campaign fund to Kucinich
Posted by: common intelligence on Jan 11, 2008 8:21 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
You all know Senators Dodd, Biden, and Richardson have all bailed now.

I guess expecting them to redirect their campaign fund to Kucinich would be to much to expect.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

mhregor
Posted by: mhregor on Jan 11, 2008 8:45 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Here's what I sent:

Dennis Kucinich’s being banned from the Vegas debate is a travesty and a dirty, dirty trick played—not just on Mr. K.—but on all of us who want to see and hear learn more—not less—as 2008 wears on…. Lordy, please don’t tell me that Keith O had anything to do with such a dastardly deed!... Wish I could sign with “Sincerely, Roger”—but I can’t and I won’t.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Major Corporate Media
Posted by: setterwoman on Jan 11, 2008 8:56 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I'm waiting for my email to bounce back. An important part of this response has to be to refuse to watch anything on a network, not just the news, until they show a willingness to act in the best interests of all people in this country...and to let them know that. I phrase my refusal in terms of waiting to hear that a network is broadcasting real news and making ethical choices that favor true democracy.And then follow through.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Major Corporate Media Posted by: SallyD
joshua holland blog
Posted by: dreamer5748 on Jan 11, 2008 9:14 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
mr. holland,
nicely done. can't imagine how you kept your cool toward nbc. i am in the process of sending an email to the edwards, clinton and obama campaigns asking them to consider boycotting the debate. i know that it is a long shot. but if they purport to represent democratic values and the american people, what better way to gain points from the electorate than by boycotting the debate. i really believe, if done correctly, 'change' as they say, would most definitely occur. thanks much for the blog and continue to give space to those just outside the 'status quo' box. peace.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Joshua, watch the Nader movie (its on PBS now)
Posted by: johnclark on Jan 11, 2008 9:19 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The best part is when the kid gives him a ticket to attend the debate. It becomes a CD situation with the cops. Ralph, running for president in 2000, cannot even get into the debate with a ticket! Even after Fox offers him a seat in their booth --- and a chance for a rebuttal to Gore/Bush.

Every since the League of Women Voters stopped being the host, these Chicago-school "debates" have been the norm. I would also like to have Gravel in these debates, too. After all, when I took the candidate test, he was my top pick, above Kucinich and Obama. After seeing what Gail Collins reported about his stand on alcohol & pot, the debates could be more fun than the reality shows they're airing. They could call it "Who Wants to be the President".

Good work with General Electric. The media wing is starting to see some leftward movement; MSNBC is better than Fox/CNN, if that's saying something. Keith has ratings, and that is money to the bean counters. They are also looking to pick up Rosie in a trade with Disney. Read John Hockenberry for the insider track on the company, if you haven't already.

You're doing great election reporting here, as well as advocating to keep the debates open. I've worked with NBC in the past. It is a very large company (and part of an even HUGH company). Find the weak points and exploit them. If all fails, make sure the "minor candidates" get on Keith's show. But that is the "fallback" position. Let's have a REAL Democratic debate, with all the candidates.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I will only vote Kucinich
Posted by: Susan Kipping on Jan 11, 2008 9:25 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This is what I sent:

"Enough corruption. Let's keep the illusion that this is a free society and
let Dennis Kucinich debate.

It is obvious who the New World Order elite will elect. I do not expect a
legal election, but do not rub this sham in our faces.

Let Kucinich debate."


This has not been a democracy for a long time.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: I will only vote Kucinich Posted by: Susan Kipping
Any network that excludes a valid candidate should lose its license!
Posted by: Morgaine Swann on Jan 11, 2008 9:26 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I am thoroughly sick of the corporate media trying to decide this election before the people get a chance to speak. Dennis is the only actual Democrat running, and I for one was looking forward to seeing him in the debate. Without him, it's nothing but an infomercial!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Kucinich Excluded From Numerous Debates
Posted by: Betsy L. Angert on Jan 11, 2008 9:26 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Dear Joshua Holland . . .

Oh, how I love you. I too am distressed. I think the only reason Dennis Kucinich does not have a chance is the public's willingness to believe the media mantra; "Kucinich is not electable." Then, we the people repeat this silly statement.

For close to a year I have heard, "I love Kucinich . . he speaks for me, but . . . " Imagine, if each of the people that express this notion voted for Dennis Kucinich. The Presidential hopeful would be . . .
Elected and Electable; Dennis Kucinich

Just as you have, I expressed my concern for our lack of choice. I penned many a missive and sent numerous letters. I received defensive dogmatic replies. Retorts stated, "We are not biased"; regardless of the evidence.

I invite you to peruse the treatises. Please share your thoughts. Trust that I too will not tune into a televised display of democracy-lost.
Kucinich Excluded From ABC Debate. Free Speech Expelled From Elections

National Public Radio Lowers the Volume [Boom] On Dennis Kucinich

Democratic National Committee Dictates Law; Denies Kucinich Constitutional Rights

Bill Moyers Asks; Is Mainstream Media Counting Kucinich Out

Americans Ask to Hear From Dream Candidate, Dennis Kucinich

The Yellow Brick Road, The Campaign Trail, And Us

Betsy L. Angert
BeThink.org

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Kucinich should join one of the other candidates
Posted by: fdgsr on Jan 11, 2008 9:52 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I received an appeal from Dennis Kucinich's campaign about this situation. I responded with the following reply:

Dennis Kucinich,

Believe me, I appreciate your singular attempt to influence the choice of
candidates for president. You represent the ultimate of the balance of power to
influence by representing a minority issue that can win with a balance of power
by embracing a majority candidate's cause. That is the epitome of American
politics that results in mainly a two party system. Single issue candidates do
not cut it or even get their single issue before the public in a meaningful way.
The most famous single interest issue of our time is the rights of African
Americans who descended from slaves. They did not move their issue by fielding
single issue candidates in general elections. They grew the grass roots issues
by being a part of one of the major political parties. They did that even when a
significant part of that party was conservative racist Southern Democrats. I
always considered the term an oxymoron. Southern Democrats stayed in power by
suppressing a significant part of the southern population
at the polling places. Now it is the conservative Southern Republicans who do that.
Even when the Republican Party boasts about Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, they
suppress the black vote. But with a coalition of other issues, Democrats have
spearheaded the civil rights fight in America, not as a single issue party, but
as a multi-issue party. It did not always represent my own political view. I am
a registered Republican in Florida. I consider myself actually independent as
every American worth his Morton Salt should be.

Dennis, I urge you to support Barack Obama and get behind his anti-war, pro
human rights, Universal Declaration of Human Rights issue with the real issue of
xxxxxxxx. Get behind the other issues weakly represented by Barack Obama and
Hillary Clinton..Withdraw from the race for the presidency, you can't do it. Not
that you are not qualified, but like Bill Richardson, you cannot get to the
general election, much less have a chance to win the office. Ron Paul has as
much chance.

Your constituency exists among the supporters of other candidates. Your issues can be better
addressed by more popular candidates with you aboard than as a distant also ran.
It is time to drop out of the race and focus on the real issues that you
represent, that someone like me cannot get stage time for. You represent me in
Barack Obama's try for the nomination and if Hillary Clinton winds up the
candidate of choice, work with her to move these issues forward with the agenda
of the winner. You can't lick 'em, JOIN 'EM!

To fight for a place on the debate stage is doomed. The other candidates who
wound up on the bottom of the vote count have dropped out. There are three now.
Soon it will be two and then only one. Don't hang on 'til the major candidates
don't need you any more and you wind up in the blind spot of history. Go for the
fight within one of the candidates agenda, and then move on to work with the winner
in November.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Response to NBC
Posted by: Lioness on Jan 11, 2008 10:01 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
FYI
Here is a copy of the email I sent to NBC regarding the exclusion of Dennis Kucinich from the debate next week.

I understand that Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich has been uninvited to the Democratic debate next week on NBC. I am outraged that the candidate who I believe represents the political views of a large segment of our population has been excluded from contributing his views in preparation for a national election. We, the people, deserve to see all of our candidates and hear their views. Otherwise the media is precensoring the debate and predetermining our choices. You make use of public airwaves. Kucinich supporters are members of the public. You have a responsibility to ensure that we have the opportunity to see our candidate's plans compared with those of the other viable candidates.

Did Kucinich not meet the original criteria for participation in the debate? Was he not originally invited to attend and then uninvited? Unless I receive a reasonable and honest explanation from you, I will not view the debate and will inform everyone I know about what has occurred and encourage them to boycott the debate. If we are only presented with the views that your network approves, then it is not a real debate and not worth watching.

Thank you for your consideration.
(My Name)
Voting Citizen

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Media Censorship First Step to Police State - End of the Republic
Posted by: colleenwhalen on Jan 11, 2008 10:36 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
When corporate media decides to censor, expunge and ignore viable Presidential candidates, then I know our Republic is in genuine peril. When Bush ran against Gore, Ralph Nader was ARRESTED just for sitting in the audience at one of the Presidential debates. Keeping Kucinich off some state ballots although he is #4 ranking Democrat candidate is more evidence we are living in a crypto-facist state.

First, corporate media decided for the American public that Hillary Clinton and Rudy Guiliani were going to be a done deal and wind up as their parties nominees for President. Heck, why even bother with primaries and elections, why not just let the media decide for us who should be elected?

Now that Guiliani's campaign has imploded and there is no real clear front runner for Republicans - and the media utterly made a fool of themselves with worthless polls and predictions - the media continues to manipulate the election.

Refusing to allow Kucinich to debate skews the election, since voters are unable to hear a viable candidates views on critical issues. This form of media censorship makes me fear we really do not have honest, democratic elections. I expect this kind of hijinks to go on in a nation like Pakistan or North Korea, but not in an industrialized, Western "Democracy". But do we even HAVE a democracy if your network wants to shut out Dennis Kucinich from the debate?

I quit watching corporate media when the war in Iraq began in 2003. The war coverage is so skewed, sanitized and homogenized it makes me sick to watch it. Instead I watch "Democracy Now" with Amy Goodman and get 98% of my news from online alternative indie media sources.

I took about 10 minutes to contact ALL the four different MSNBC/NBC agencies. The ONLY thing they care about is ratings - so I wrote them that I quit watching their channel because of their Orewellian Byzantine tactics. If we carpet bomb MSNBC/NBC with tons of irate letters, it will have an impact and perhaps get Kucinich on the debate.

I am undecided and don't really know who to vote for. It is so confusing. I wanted initially to vote for Kucinich because I think he is the best candidate insofar as his stand on providing health care, ending the war in Iraq, fixing the economy and education. Then when I saw Kucinich was polling at 2% I thought I'd vote for Edwards. Then when Obama won in Iowa, I thought the "practical" thing o do would be to vote for him. All I know is I can't stand Hillary Clinton, despite I'd love to see a woman elected President.

I don't know if I'd vote for Kucinich, but I am passionate about his voice not being silenced in national televised debates. Evidentially, whatever he is saying is rattlign the cage of the power structure which is why he's being denied the opportunity to participate in TV debates and denied the right to be on the ballot in some states. Heck, that's enough for this Independent Voter to cast a ballot for Kucinich!

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F@@KING BILL OF RIGHTS = 10
Posted by: Turiye on Jan 11, 2008 10:45 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I called the operator answered call in Comment # line : After she cordially informed me it was a voicemail line, "That is perfectly acceptable!", I replied.
Obtuse I might be yet it is very confusing as to why this is not taking Dennis' First away. I know H R 1955/1959, predated by H R 1965, is in Committees and everyone is on vacation until the 14th or 15th, ergo it has not been made law yet, if Congress is not legally permitted to abridge the freedom of speech, why the hell is the MSM and all the corporations, all, I mean 2, that own these channels are permitted to be placed above the law of the House? That was my question, sent my email 15 minutes ago, so far no auto-generated response from the Mediocracy of our Mockerocracy, yet, hmmmmmm, s'pose it's now full???? Keith Olbermann, start answering those darn phones and answering our emails, YOU CAN DO IT, KEITH? KEITH?

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another letter to nbc
Posted by: tranio on Jan 11, 2008 10:52 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Dear Friends at MSNBC:

I enjoyed some of your fine primetime programming tonight. But is it true that you invited a presidential candidate to the upcoming debate, and then backed out?
On the one hand, perhaps you thought that your scramble to change criteria for the debate would appear legitimate, since it's based on the reality of a candidate's chances for victory. Fair enough. But this ignores another reality. There is a long tradition in this country that presidential candidates are not just about the next president. They are about a national discussion. And some candidates serve an important function in democracy as they inject that discussion with issues important to Americans that might not otherwise receive attention. That is good for democracy. Stifling those voices is not.
That is one point. Another is that there may be a reason for a candidate's low polling numbers. That reason may be limited media coverage. And so, perhaps this is just an implicit acknowledgment that it's not about character or issues, it's about money and status. But should we expect more from a corporation that seeks first to court viewers through entertainment, and fits news somewhere into the circus tent.
If NBC ever has a bad quarter, and falls into fourth place behind CBS, ABC, and Fox, I'll look for you to drop out of the sweeps race, since you have no realistic chance to win over the public. Or maybe you'll stay on and continue to compete, and your press release will be that people in America should have many choices, that you bring many fresh, creative ideas to the airwaves, and that all of this is good for democracy.

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NBC's Debate Criteria
Posted by: jr9657 on Jan 11, 2008 10:55 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Thank you Joshua!!! Although Kucinich is not my candidate of choice, and no, it is neither of the other two the media have annointed as the king and queen of this election cycle, I do like Dennis because he thinks outside of the box.

NBC and all of the mainstream media have been trying to dictate to us, the voters, who we need to vote for and I'm sick and tired of it!! Thank you for showing NBC as the cowards they really are. Go Edwards!!!!

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my letter
Posted by: AmeliaIntrepid on Jan 11, 2008 11:27 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Dear Mr. Todd,

I am writing to express my dismay at NBC’s decision to renege on its invitation to Representative Kucinich. Doing so involves a summary judgment to re-write your own previously announced rules to exclude Mr. Kucinich. This is clearly unethical. It is probably also illegal. Though I am not a supporter of Mr. Kucinich, I will be sending money to his campaign to defray the cost of filing suit against NBC. I am, after all, a big fan of both due process and democracy. And I both deplore and resent NBC’s attempt to manipulate this electoral process even more than it has already been manipulated by the press.

The issue is not whether Mr. Kucinich is a front-runner, or even whether he has a robust chance of securing the nomination. NBC is obliged to follow your own stated rules, and it is the holder of the sacred trust of reporting in a way that fosters and preserves democracy, rather than one which thumbs its nose at democracy. Speaking personally, I profoundly resent NBC’s disenfranchisement of me and of almost the entire electorate of the U.S. Allowing Iowa and New Hampshire pride of place in the primaries is one thing. But using the results from those small and highly unrepresentative states to eliminate candidates before the rest of us have even been given the opportunity to cast ballots is both irrational and unjust.

It is disrespectful to the voters in this country, and appallingly disrespectful to Mr. Kucinich, who has been re-elected by his constituents five times for NBC to extend an invitation to him (in accord with its stated rules of qualification) and then rewrite those rules in order to withdraw that invitation.

I will not be watching your debate, though I have watched all the other candidate debates, and though, as a citizen and a professor, I regard it as my obligation to ensure that I am fully informed about our candidates and their positions. NBC, by its peremptory and rule-flouting decision, is communicating the message to its viewers that it is the media that decides the outcome of our elections; the voters are a mere afterthought (if, indeed, we figure in NBC’s thoughts as VOTERS rather than simply as captive viewers).

I will also undertake to make sure that my colleagues, students, friends, neighbors and fellow congregants are apprised of NBC’s behavior, and urge them to join me in boycotting the debate, and in choosing other sources for news, and other manufacturers for the products your controlling corporation and your sponsors manufacture.

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Have already objected and will certainly boycott...
Posted by: fsuthai on Jan 11, 2008 11:40 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I tried to make a polite but firm objection early this morning (Thailand time) to NBC/MSNBC and let them know that I will never consider any GE purchases in the future, will not watch MSNBC again (which we do receive by cable over here), will email a separate objection to the GE brass, will file a citizen's complaint with the FCC, and would "shed a tear" for the loss of any objective & fair mass media outlets in the late, great U.S. of A.---a real tear, unlike Hillary's little ploy up in New Hampshire! The email was received about eight hours ago but there has been no response.

I sure feel sorry for most of my fellow Americans now. I watched a piece on BBC where that Nazi-looking Director of Homeland Security was announcing the creation of "voter ID cards". Next thing you know Blackwater will be "jack-stepping" down Pennsylvania Ave. I'm 70 now, and retired, but will return to help when the necessary revolution begins!!!

I despair for my country...
Paul Hammond in Chiang Mai

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