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Lauer Challenges Uncle's Call for $100 Million Ransom for Kidnapped Soldiers
Today Show/NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

Posted on 06/20/2006 4:59:26 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest

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To: governsleastgovernsbest

I watched the interview, and I agree, Lauer did a credible job politely reminding the uncle we don't pay ransoms, and Lauer even explained how doing so would encourage the insurgents to go after even more US soldiers and civilians.

But I do NOT applaud NBC for having the uncle, or any grieving family member on at a time like this. The family hasn't been notified, the US military hasn't even identified the bodies. Lauer was given the chance to look good, but only because NBC ill-used a family member. I'm thinking NBC had this particular family member on because he had something controversial to say, creating an interesting segment in which Lauer could excel.


61 posted on 06/20/2006 5:55:40 AM PDT by YaYa123
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
Even Lauer had to be shocked at the idiocy of this man's suggestion to pay that huge ransom.

And for the man to then say that he didnt' care what use the money was put to as long as he got his family member returned safely.

Perhaps idiocy is the wrong word but the man's comments were beyond rational.

62 posted on 06/20/2006 5:57:17 AM PDT by OldFriend (I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag.....and My Heart to the Soldier Who Protects It.)
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To: starfish923

Did you bother to read the post?


63 posted on 06/20/2006 5:58:27 AM PDT by OldFriend (I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag.....and My Heart to the Soldier Who Protects It.)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
Hard to understand your support of the family member.

He clearly stated that he didn't care what happened to other troops as long as he got his family member back.

Our troops care immensely about each other. Many going back to battle before they are medically cleared to do so.

That this man would jeopardize all their lives to assauge his own grief is despicable, not admirable.

64 posted on 06/20/2006 6:00:35 AM PDT by OldFriend (I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag.....and My Heart to the Soldier Who Protects It.)
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To: OldFriend

Agreed. Yet while the substance of his suggestion was outlandish, his tone and demeanor were much more rational than, say, a Cindy Sheehan. I'd like to know more about this person, whether he's been a war critic for some time, whether the anti-war folks somehow 'got' to him, etc.


65 posted on 06/20/2006 6:00:46 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest (Watching the Today Show Since 2002 So You Don't Have To.)
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To: OldFriend

My 'support' of the family member??? I was praising Lauer for challenging him!!!


66 posted on 06/20/2006 6:01:38 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest (Watching the Today Show Since 2002 So You Don't Have To.)
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To: OldFriend

My goodness, you challenged starfish for failing to read my post, but it seems you didn't read it carefully yourself!!


67 posted on 06/20/2006 6:02:31 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest (Watching the Today Show Since 2002 So You Don't Have To.)
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To: McGruff
Tucker's relatives declined interviews but released the text of a phone message Monday that Tucker recently left on an answering machine, telling his mother to be proud of him.

"I'm defending my country," Tucker says on the recording. "Tell sis and my nephews hello for me, I'm OK, I'm on my way."

The family said in a statement that their son had joined the military because he wanted to "do something positive." They also sent their sympathy to the family of Spc. David J. Babineau, 25, of Springfield, Mass., who was killed in the attack.

68 posted on 06/20/2006 6:03:02 AM PDT by mware (Americans in armchairs doing the job of the media.)
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To: mariabush; Jedi Master Pikachu; governsleastgovernsbest
We are a military family and I DO NOT understand the uncle's response.

It's because he's a political activist/advocate/fanatic first, and an uncle second. He may have been "well-spoken, well-informed", but the arguments he tried to advance with those talents were logically invalid, contradictory, dishonest and morally reprehensible.

69 posted on 06/20/2006 6:04:42 AM PDT by tarheelswamprat
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

the uncle is on again, on MSNBC, and the first thing he said even without being asked was he had hoped we could do better in rescuing them, we should have had a plan.

I don't like this guy.


70 posted on 06/20/2006 6:08:48 AM PDT by YaYa123
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To: OldFriend

This guy on again on MSNBC, said he's not sure his nephew's mother even knows the latest news yet, but there he is.

The anchor is trying to steer the uncle to speak of his nephew, but the uncle just can't quit proving how much he thinks he knows.


71 posted on 06/20/2006 6:11:54 AM PDT by YaYa123
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To: YaYa123

Very interesting, thanks for your report.


72 posted on 06/20/2006 6:13:11 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest (Watching the Today Show Since 2002 So You Don't Have To.)
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To: YaYa123

There can be no doubt now that this uncle has an axe to grind against the army. If NBC and other networks continue to have him on, it will prove how little they care about the dead soldier, and his immediate family.

This uncle is disgusting!


73 posted on 06/20/2006 6:13:55 AM PDT by YaYa123
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

>>Thanks for the confirmation. So I'm not hallucinating! ;-)<<

Sorry I'm late. I agree with you too.
Maybe Lauer is growing a set since the Perky one has gone.


74 posted on 06/20/2006 6:20:32 AM PDT by netmilsmom (To attack one section of Christianity in this day and age, is to waste time.)
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To: YaYa123
Pathetic.

The official US government announcement is that they will not confirm the deaths before the family has been notified.

This low life wants his five minutes in the spotlight at the expense of the immediate families.

Glad I'm not watching TV this morning.

75 posted on 06/20/2006 6:21:23 AM PDT by OldFriend (I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag.....and My Heart to the Soldier Who Protects It.)
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To: OldFriend

His rush to the microphone disgusts me...he's after his 15mins imho


76 posted on 06/20/2006 6:22:46 AM PDT by mystery-ak (Army Wife and Army Mother.....toughest job in the military)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
Just about every post you are complimenting this man. Articulate, well informed?????????????????

Suggesting that there is no plan to rescue hostages?

To suggest paying an exhorbitant ransom and who cares what happens to the rest of the troops as long as his family member is rescued???????????????

There is nothing to praise about this man.

I agree that Lauer did a good job. He must have been aware of the man's comments but asked all the right questions, IMO.

77 posted on 06/20/2006 6:26:12 AM PDT by OldFriend (I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag.....and My Heart to the Soldier Who Protects It.)
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To: tarheelswamprat
Your post #69 spoke my mind so perfectly. Thank you for saying it so well.

The man's suggestions are horrifying.

78 posted on 06/20/2006 6:27:29 AM PDT by OldFriend (I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag.....and My Heart to the Soldier Who Protects It.)
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To: OldFriend

It is simply a fact that the man was well-informed, composed and articulate. I mentioned that to rebut those suggesting he was some distraught family member being exploited for a show of grief.

At the same time, my original post went out of its way to praise Lauer for challenging the uncle. Excerpts:

"Give Matt Lauer credit for having had the courage to challenge him."

"We're obliged to applaud Lauer for his courage in sensitive circumstances in standing up, politely but firmly, for a U.S. policy designed to prevent the taking of even more hostages."

As a regular reader of these threads, I am disappointed that you would be so quick to criticize.


79 posted on 06/20/2006 6:32:38 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest (Watching the Today Show Since 2002 So You Don't Have To.)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

"...we're obliged to applaud Lauer for his courage in sensitive circumstances in standing up, politely but firmly, for a U.S. policy designed to prevent the taking of even more hostages."

Is Matt out from under the influence of that She-Devil Couric and sees the writing on the wall that balanced news garners ratings? He's probably just getting some footage together so he can apply at FOX. ;)


80 posted on 06/20/2006 6:33:04 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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