 An Open Letter To: Anne Sweeney, ABC Television / To: Leslie Moonves, CBS Television / The following is one man’s opinion …… mine! Dear Ms. Sweeney and Mr.’s Moonves and Zucker, Our nation is an on-going experiment in an individual’s right to self-government, driven by a Democratic-Republic that is the envy of the civilized world. But in order for our system of government to survive and prosper, it’s essential that our electorate be adequately informed on those policies and issues that are destined to directly impact our lifestyles today, as well as our hopes for an even better tomorrow! It is on this one key issue that all three of you have failed! As the heads of America’s three largest television networks, you have stood idly by while your News Departments have embarrassed themselves and diminished their credibility through the blatantly bias reporting of some stories, while choosing to virtually ignore others. Do you not fully recognize the wide spectrum of responsibility over which you preside? Do you not recognize that what your networks choose to report on … and how they choose to report it, not only directly impacts each of our lives today,… but also writes America’s history for tomorrow? It’s obvious to me that your News executives need direction and since you’re failing to provide it, I for one, am willing to offer it! I suggest you direct your award-winning, investigative news teams to focus their attention on uncovering all the facts concerning the following issues, each of which has a direct impact on the daily lives of every American. GLOBAL WARMING Man made catastrophe, or man made hoax? When challenged about this, Al Gore answers, “The debate is over!” Says who, Al Gore and others who stand to benefit financially, personally or politically from the perpetuation of this scare? What about the over 35,000 distinguished scientists, worldwide, who have stated climate change is “a naturally occurring phenomenon” and “… that there is no scientific basis for statements that carbon dioxide is behind global warming”. In the name of honesty and accuracy, shouldn’t you be giving them the same degree of coverage you’ve been giving Mr. Gore and his followers? Or, how about this story? Did you know British Courts have officially ruled that “AN"INCONVENIENT TRUTH” is a propaganda film and instructed teachers that if they fail to disclose to their students the film’s nine areas of scientific inaccuracies prior to its showing, they can be charged with “political indoctrination”? If you are aware of this action, then why haven’t you informed the rest of America as to the Court’s ruling? If you’re not aware of this exposé, shouldn’t you be asking yourselves why? CONGRESSIONAL MISCONDUCT I want to congratulate you and your news people on the following reporting: In 2005, Congressman Randall Cunningham, a Republican, was investigated and convicted of bribery charges and subsequently sentenced to eight years in prison. Your News Bureaus did a great job on covering that story from its beginning rumors, through his conviction and eventual incarceration. I firmly believe our elected officials need to be held to the highest standards of ethics whatever their backgrounds and/or political affiliations. You did exactly that and I applaud you for it! My question is, “Why haven’t you done the same with Congressman William Jefferson, a Democrat?” Allow me to refresh your memory. In August of 2005, the FBI confiscated $90,000 in marked money from Congressman Jefferson’s freezer! The money was identified as part of an alleged $100,000 bribe for arranging African business deals. That’s a story in itself, but to me, the real story is how the leadership of the Democrat Party reacted to those disclosures. Instead of condemning Congressman Jefferson and demanding his resignation, they rallied around him to ensure his re-election in 2006, and then, now Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, rewarded him with an appointment to The Homeland Security Committee! Don’t you think that is worth a segment or two on one of your news magazines such as 60"Minutes, Dateline, 20/20 or others? Because, I believe, not to do so may lead some of your viewers to believe your news departments may have given him a pass because he’s a Democrat! PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS Our nation is facing difficult times. We are in the midst of a war which many of us believe, threatens our very way of life; and our economy, although still vibrant, continues to experience numerous challenges. In addition, we as a people are preparing to not only elect our next President, but to also to elect the next leader of the free world. But in order to do that as informed voters, we need your news departments to research and report, in a fair and balanced way, on those events and issues which will help determine the outcome of that election. Consequently, I ask that you assign your very best investigative teams to ask both candidates their plans for taxes; the economy and defense! Then, please provide the American electorate, an investigative analysis of John McCain’s military achievements and failures during his 23 years of service as a Naval Officer, followed by an analysis of his legislative achievements, failures and objectives during his 25 years of public service as both a Congressman and United States Senator. Then, please do the same for Barack Obama covering his legislative achievements, failures and objectives during his 7 years as an Illinois State Senator and his 3 years as a United States Senator. I think I speak for the entire country when I say we would find that type of meaningful information very helpful in our decision making. Also, as an American, I am still very troubled about the numerous unanswered questions surrounding Mr. Obama’s long time, personal, political and/or financial associations with questionable individuals such as the anti-American racist, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Jr., as well as the unrepentant, self-confessed, domestic terrorist, Bill Ayers. Doesn’t it seem strange to you, that a man running for the Office of President of The United States could speak with pride about a close and personal 20 year relationship with Reverend Wright, referring to him as a family friend and spiritual advisor and not know of the Reverend’s attempts to repeatedly indoctrinate the men, women and children of his congregation with his militant anti-white, anti-American beliefs? I think millions of my fellow Americans would agree, there’s a story there that still needs to be told! And please don’t forget about Bill Ayers, a self-proclaimed terrorist and co-founder of “The Weathermen”, (one of this country’s most violent domestic terrorist organizations) who openly brags about his participation in the bombings of New York City Police Headquarters in 1970, of the US Capitol building in 1971, and the Pentagon in 1972! Shouldn’t Senator Obama’s private solicitation and acceptance of Mr. Ayer’s friendship, money and political support be at least, called into question? A thorough, investigative effort by your news networks into Mr. Obama’s long time ties and associations with both Reverend Wright and Bill Ayers will go a long way in answering the questions and concerns of all Americans, while putting to rest the rampant rumors that are continuing to plague Mr. Obama and his campaign. It’s not my intent to unfairly focus my questions on Senator Obama, but in comparison, Senator McCain’s life seems an open book, while Barrack Obama’s life seems shrouded in innuendos, unanswered questions and questionable associations and your news organizations are doing very little to correct that! For instance, what is the real story behind Senator Obama’s refusal to wear the American Flag on his lapel for the majority of his Primary Campaign … and then ordering the American Flag removed from the tail wing of The Obama Campaign Plane? And, is it fact or fiction that Mr. Obama refused to participate in any unscripted Town Hall Meetings? The implications are that Senator Obama is incapable of answering questions unless he has those questions in advance and his answers are prepared for him. If it’s false, then your investigative reporting can do him a favor and put those rumors to rest. If it is true, shouldn’t you be asking why? Isn’t that the purpose of the Press, to ask hard, probing questions of those who don’t want them asked? For us to do our jobs as informed voters, you need to help us by doing your jobs as investigative reporters and asking substantive questions and demanding meaningful answers on key issues from both Senator McCain and Senator Obama! RECOMMENDATIONS I have a sincere recommendation which I hope all three of you will take to heart. If you truly want to restore the credibility of your News Bureaus by getting back to reporting the news instead of propagandizing issues, I suggest you require your news chiefs to get more in touch with the true cares, concerns and issues of the average American… and the way to do that, is to listen to Talk Radio! That’s right, people like Rush Limbaugh who, despite the political rhetoric his name evokes, has proven time and time again he not only has the pulse of the American electorate, but also the uncanny ability to separate fact from fiction regarding those events that have ultimately proven most important to all Americans. Or, if you don’t like Rush, there’s the political maverick, Bill O”Reilly, or radio Talk Radio hosts such as Dennis Prager who’s taught me “Clarity of facts, is more important than agreement on issues”; or Hugh Hewitt, whose interview with a British official first enlightened me as to the British Court’s ruling that “AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH” is a propaganda film from which the British population must be protected! There are plenty of well-qualified hosts from which to choose such as Michael Medved, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham or Mark Levin along with a cadre of others, but each of them has their hand on the real pulse of America and their focus on those issues and stories that matter most to every American, whatever their political beliefs or affiliations. By listening to Talk Radio, you’re listening to the voices of America and you’d be wise to follow their lead. Remember, “Clarity of facts over agreement on issues”… and.. “Reporting over propagandizing”… that’s all America asks of you. George J. Esseff, Sr. |