Tiller: ABC Cites Anonymous Tweets, Sawyer Gets Choked Up

FinkelBlog ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Has ABC established a new journalistic standard: henceforth, is it OK to cite anonymous internet posts to demonstrate public opinion on an issue?

During its segment on the murder of abortion doctor George Tiller, ABC News reporter cited two inflammatory–and anonymous–Tweets. Later, at the conclusion of her interview of two associates of the late Dr. Tiller, Diane Sawyer seemed to choke up.

ABC News reporter Jeffrey Kofman was on the scene in Wichita, Kansas.

View video here.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Tiller ping to Today show list.

[A_Former_Democrat]

She’s weeping for the 50 million babies

[maggief]

[Aquinasfan]

Later, at the conclusion of her interview of two associates of the late Dr. Tiller, Diane Sawyer seemed to choke up.

"We lost one of the greatest mass-murderers in American history, Charlie. I'm all verklempt. Talk among yourselves."

[FatherofFive]

is it OK to cite anonymous internet posts to demonstrate public opinion on an issue?

At least they are "reporting" something instead of making it up.

[liberty75]

She always has that “just took a BIG bite out of a lemon” expression on her face. Such a hand-wringer.

[silverleaf]

A moment of silence for George Tiller, please. A finer doctor never dismembered a living child...

[reefdiver]

kinda looks like she just smelled a stinky one

[rbmillerjr]

LOL at Sawyer.

The pathetic irony of her discontent for the children and grandchildren is laughable to me. (Not to be confused with sorrow I feel for the family of the victim.)

If there were an irony meter it would break as TKiller accounted himself personally responsible for over 60,000 abortions.

[omni-scientist]

No, it is not an acceptable jounalistic standard to cite an anonymous source, when you have no idea whether that source was sincere. I could post an idiotic or hateful rant on posing as an advocate of an opposing viewpoint just to discredit my opposition.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

From Air America;
“From: newsletter@airamerica.com
Subject: Is Bill O’Reilly To Blame For Murder Of Kansas Doctor? The Morning News
Date: June 1, 2009 6:27:24 AM EDT

One of the only doctors in the nation who performed abortions towards the end of pregnancy was shot dead as he handed out his church bulletin Sunday. An arrest was made. A fair question arises: did the killer watch Bill O’Reilly? (Video): “Now, a guy in Kansas, George Tiller, ok, can kill a baby—kill a baby—a half-hour before the baby’s supposed to be birthed for no reason whatsoever...”

[skinkinthegrass]

that's the perfect picture, to post.
her (sickening) sycophantic behavior / fawning
@ the Zer0Bambi Inauguration.

[LibWhacker]

Poor Diane is so choked up at this lull in baby killing she might take it up herself.

[paulycy]

A fair question arises: did the killer watch Bill O’Reilly?

A fair question arises: did the killer eat twinkies?

[Vaduz]

Murder kills murder but can murder be charged with murder?

[stayathomemom]

I wonder how many see the irony in Sawyer's comment?
As a Lutheran of a conservative synod, I am really troubled by the placement of these two men in front of the church's sign. To those who are unaware of the differences among the synods it really misrepresents the Lutheran doctrine. Unfortunately, ELCA is the largest and most controversial, and therefore gets all the press.

[IFly4Him]

I am fascinated by the double standard here...

When was the last time the President issued an outraged statement when one of our soldiers was killed in the line of duty? When was the last time an anchor got choked up when someone anonymously died in a car accident, for example?

Why is this murder any more tragic than any other in the U.S.? The answer is, they're all tragic, but liberals will politicize anything to gain a perceived advantage.

On a side note, many on this forum buy into the notion that government persecution will occur in earnest in the near future. IMO, this is the kind of catalyzing event that might bring that type of environment; however, I think in the end it will be some kind of 9/11 sized event that will be twisted to scapegoat parts of society.

[paulycy]

To those who are unaware of the differences among the synods it really misrepresents the Lutheran doctrine.

You're right, of course, but this is the media that couldn't tell the difference between sunni and shia for months and seemed to feel no shame in the fact.

My guess is that the Missouri Synod will feel the pressure from the fallout from its liberal cousin.

[freeplancer]

Only Wilt Chamberlain could do 60,000 abortions.