The Brian Williams Debacle

[MachZer0]

More than likely, he was told, either you can take yourself off for a while, or we will (NBC executives).

I would imagine, time will go by and this will die down and he will be back.

That may depend on whether or not he starts telling the truth. He needs to start by coming clean on his Katrina story and his saving puppies from the burning building story.

 

[bhsmte]

That may depend on whether or not he starts telling the truth. He needs to start by coming clean on his Katrina story and his saving puppies from the burning building story.

It will depend on NBC gauging the public perception of him, over time.

If they feel this is dying down and more apologies are not necessary, they will avoid them, because it doesn't look good, if your main anchor keeps bringing up stuff he has to apologize about.

If NBC determines the public is not satisfied, they will have to go further and maybe even can the guy.

 

[MachZer0]

It will depend on NBC gauging the public perception of him, over time.

If they feel this is dying down and more apologies are not necessary, they will avoid them, because it doesn't look good, if your main anchor keeps bringing up stuff he has to apologize about.

If NBC determines the public is not satisfied, they will have to go further and maybe even can the guy.

That tells us about the character in the atmosphere at NBC. Too bad they don't have a policy of just doing the right thing

 

[wing2000]

That tells us about the character in the atmosphere at NBC. Too bad they don't have a policy of just doing the right thing

I think it says more about us as media consumers.

 

[nightflight]

I think it says more about us as media consumers.

Not all of us.

 

[MachZer0]

I think it says more about us as media consumers.

Speak for yourself

 

[Viren]

Speak for yourself

I'm just noticing the plank in my own eye.

 

[Sistrin]

It will depend on NBC gauging the public perception of him, over time.

Yeah, that is certainly part of it. If it starts to cost them viewership, and thus revenue, it won't bode well for Williams either.

 

[AvilaSurfer]

Now I've heard that Williams was a pathological exaggerator, so much so that his staff joked about it regularly.

 

[conamer]

He told the story correctly in the 2003 NBC Dateline report, but incorrectly 10 years later on Letterman. I think his main point was to convey the danger and valor of the soldiers his was with and how they kept him safe.

He could convey that by reporting the news. Instead he was trying to make himself the news. Careful what you wish for, Brian.

 

[wing2000]

Not all of us.

That goes without saying...of course many of us (myself included) don't watch NBC...or any other network "news" show.

 

[abysmul]

Morning Joe (MSNBC this morning)...

My take on what they said:
Most of us do it.
We're held to an impossible standard.
He's a friend and a nice guy.
Take his entire career into account and not just these incidences.


So anyone want to drag up all the times Morning Joe/MSNBC said those same things about politicians or public figures that they disagree with?

 

[AvilaSurfer]

originally Posted by Viren

He told the story correctly in the 2003 NBC Dateline report, but incorrectly 10 years later on Letterman. I think his main point was to convey the danger and valor of the soldiers his was with and how they kept him safe.
​

That's similar to the "apology" he offered. It's hogwash.

 

[abysmul]

He told the story correctly in the 2003 NBC Dateline report, but incorrectly 10 years later on Letterman. I think his main point was to convey the danger and valor of the soldiers his was with and how they kept him safe.

So, is it OK to lie as long as the person stating the lie thinks they are doing it for a good reason?

 

[MachZer0]

So, is it OK to lie as long as the person stating the lie thinks they are doing it for a good reason?

That would be the Saul Alinsky model

 

[Veritas]

When Will Fox News Fire Bill O?Reilly For Lying About Combat Duty?


"servicemembers asked O'Reilly about his own tour of duty in Kuwait during Desert Storm." That might have been an interesting story except for the fact that O'Reilly never did a tour of duty in Kuwait during Desert Storm, or anywhere else since he never served in the military at all.

Daily Kos?

That's what's sad about this thread. It got kicked off those exact tracks in the OP.

The argument appears to be, "when the people I like are being less than honest, it's totes ok."

That's not ok.

Show me where I said any of that. Please quote me.

Sorry but no. Williams is a mouthpiece for the left. He comments on and attempts to promote political issues via the reporting on those issues. It most definitely is a political story.

If he were just an opinionist via Fox or some other outlet, it might be more understandable or at least less injurious. However, we're talking about a supposed NEWS anchor of a one of the 3 major alphabet networks. It's his job to report, not interject his views or personal stories.

 

[bhsmte]

When Will Fox News Fire Bill O?Reilly For Lying About Combat Duty?


"servicemembers asked O'Reilly about his own tour of duty in Kuwait during Desert Storm." That might have been an interesting story except for the fact that O'Reilly never did a tour of duty in Kuwait during Desert Storm, or anywhere else since he never served in the military at all.

I don't think there is much there.

What I found interesting about O'Reilly, was when he was debating an atheist on the air and he claimed the tides went in and out and no one knew how that happened, so it must be God.

That told me, he either knew better and lied, or he isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer. I tend to think the latter.

 

[NightHawkeye]

I don't think there is much there.

What I found interesting about O'Reilly, was when he was debating an atheist on the air and he claimed the tides went in and out and no one knew how that happened, so it must be God.

That told me, he either knew better and lied, or he isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer. I tend to think the latter.

Noting that Rush Limbaugh refers to Bill O'Reilly as "Ted Baxter".

 

[Sistrin]

Noting that Rush Limbaugh refers to Bill O'Reilly as "Ted Baxter".

Yeah, I find that humorous.

 

[Viren]

So, is it OK to lie as long as the person stating the lie thinks they are doing it for a good reason?

No, it's not Ok to lie, but since it was a decade after the event it could have been an honest mistake. I think this a way over blown.