Totenberg - NPR's Hate Monger

Media Research Center ^ | October 20, 2003 | MRC

[Reagan Disciple]

Eight years after NPR’s Nina Totenberg, on Inside Washington, wished death upon Senator Jesse Helms (“If there is retributive justice, he’ll get AIDS from a transfusion, or one of his grandchildren will get it"), on the same show over the weekend she seemingly desired to hasten the death of Army General Jerry Boykin for having supposedly expressed the view that the war on terrorism “is a Christian crusade against Muslims.” Totenberg hatefully advocated: “I hope he’s not long for this world.”

When the other panelists were taken aback by her wish (“You putting a hit out on this guy or what?” and, “What is this, the Sopranos?”), she quickly backtracked: “In his job, in his job, in his job, please, please, in his job.”

The relevant portion of the October 18 Inside Washington, a show produced at Washington, DC’s Gannett-owned WUSA-TV and shown nationally on PBS stations:

Nina Totenberg of National Public Radio: “Now they’ve got this guy who’s head of the intelligence section in the Defense Department who’s being quoted as telling various groups, while he’s in uniform, that this is a Christian crusade against Muslims. I mean this is terrible, this is seriously bad stuff.”

Colbert King, Washington Post editorial writer: “The other thing about Boykin, he got it wrong. He said God put George Bush in the White House. The Supreme Court did it.” Totenberg: “The Supreme Court put George Bush in the White House.” Charles Krauthammer, syndicated columnist, joked: “It was 5,000 yentas in Palm Beach who couldn’t read the ballot. If that was not an act of providence, nothing is.” Gordon Peterson, host: “By the way, he was showing pictures of Somalia, Mogadishu and there’s a black mark in the sky and he said 'these are demons who controlled this thing.’” Totenberg: “Well, I hope he’s not long for this world because you can imagine-” Several voices reacted in unison, drowning her out, including Peterson: “You putting a hit out on this guy or what?” King: “Are you Reverend Pat Robertson?” Totenberg: “No, no, no, no, no, no!” Peterson: “What is this, the Sopranos?” Totenberg: “In his job, in his job, in his job, please, please, in his job.”

This wasn’t the first time Totenberg’s mind jumped immediately to offing someone whom she found offensive. Back on the July 8, 1995 Inside Washington, Totenberg had this reaction to Senator Jesse Helms’ complaint that AIDS research was getting a disproportionate share of federal research money. Inside Washington host Tina Gulland asked: "I don’t think I have any Jesse Helms defenders here. Nina?" Totenberg replied: "Not me, I think he ought to be worried about what’s going on in the Good Lord’s mind, because if there is retributive justice, he’ll get AIDS from a transfusion, or one of his grandchildren will get it."

[gridlock]

[lorrainer]

In other word's, Bush's election was kind of a Divine chastisement or purification for the forces of good, teaching them that next time they need to be tougher and better organized.

And the results were....the mid-terms in 2002! All that psychic energy; all those Republicans....

[Reagan Disciple]

Twelve more days to Halloween, Halloween, Halloween. Twelve more days to Halloween, Silver Shamrock.

[CommerceComet]

I have always respected Krauthammer. Even when I disagreed with his conclusions, I always listened to his reasoning. Unlike almost all his liberal colleagues, Krauthammer thinks before he speaks. His responses are seldom the rote party-line. On the other hand, you cannot find one degree of separation between Totenberg and the DNC position on any issue.

[Pharmboy]

She does, however, have a face for radio...dontcha think?

[theDentist]

Sounds like hate speech to me.

[Consort]

Didn't Nina commit plagiary a few years back like Joe Biden?

[jackbill]

That probably comes from stories in the Independent and other sources about how the Republicans stole Georgia via touch-screen machines built by a major Republican contributor.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3529556&thesection=news&thesubsection=world

[Bigg Red]

OW! OW! My eyes! You had to post her picture! Actually, that's a rather flattering shot of the obnoxious hillary, especially since one can't hear her disgusting comments, grating voice, and stupid laugh.

[Chu Gary]

"In past days, Krauthammer used to be more liberal in his mindset, but I get the impression he's become more conservative with time."

This is the lovely thing about the hatefullness of the VLWC; with all their vituperation, they are bonding more tightly with their core lunatics but driving away their moderates and the large pool of "undecided's," mostly to the benefit of the Pubbie side.

[cwb]

Yeah...John Gibson talked about this last week on his show. Appearantly the manufacturer is a GOP contributor. While there is no proof of any shananigans, it was revealed that with these electronic voting machines, there is no paper trail to confirm things. Personally, I don't trust these computer/electronic voting devices. But hey, democrats..be careful what ya' wish for.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

UN believeable.

[Atlas Sneezed]

I used to be a liberal, and had loyally listened to NPR since a child in the 70s.

I started become conservative, and other things were influencing my change, but still listened to NPR on occasion.

Then, I heard Nina "report" about the Clinton sex abuse litigation. You may recall how there was a big issue with Clinton's lawyer telling a judge during a videotaped testimony with respect to the meaning of "sex" that there was no "way, shape, or form" any sex with Monica. The key issue was Clinton's attention to this false statement being made on his behalf.

Having already seen the video of Clinton with the lawyer's words on the soundtrack, I would have unbiasedly reported that Clinton appeared on tape, showing his head and upper torso. He appeared fully alert, and was engaged in no apparent other activity such as reading or talking. He looked down and toward his left without unusual physical or eye movements.

Nina, on the other hand reported (quoting from my recollection) that he appeared "distracted" during the exchange, and may not have heard what was said.

I never listened to NPR again.

[CPT Clay]

Defund NPR!!!!!!

[newgeezer]

NPR. Your tax dollars at work.

[LisaFab]

On, please. Thanks.

[Wacka]

Wasn't she involved in the smearing of Clarence Thomas at his SCOTUS hearing?

[Skooz]

Believe it or not, Totenburg is a fountain of love compared to the hateful witch, NPR's Margo Adler.

[newgeezer]

Wasn't she involved in the smearing of Clarence Thomas at his SCOTUS hearing?

Yes. Google is your friend.

[Guillermo]

Charles Krauthammer, syndicated columnist, joked: “It was 5,000 yentas in Palm Beach who couldn’t read the ballot. If that was not an act of providence, nothing is.”

LOL Love Krauthammer!