News Junkie - Live Wire

FOX/CNN/MSNBC DISSECTED

Some great analysis of the current cable media landscape from CJR today. I disagree with a few points (especially the bit about MSNBC offering a rainbow of opinons) but this quote is interesting:

From personal experience covering news around the world, you almost always run into a CNN crew or stringer. You almost never run into a Fox reporter, and never one from MSNBC.

Read the whole thing at CJR’s website.

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ROY ASHBURN: “I’M GAY”

California State Senator Roy Ashburn admits to being a homosexual in an interview today on KERN. You can listen to the interview in this post and read the details here. Ashburn vows to carry on.

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BETTY WHITE TO SNL

After a massive online movement to draft her into the hosting duties at Saturday Night Live, Betty White confirms she will appear on the show.

But will she host?

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PETA TARGETS SEAWORLD

PETA sees a wounded opponent in SeaWorld after last month’s killer whale attack. Their latest mantra: “Let whales and dolphins ‘out of prison.’

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ADAM GADAHN CAPTURED

HUGE news out of Pakistan: American-born al-Qaeda leader Adam Gadahn has been arrested.

Update: It’s not him?

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NYT ON SCIENTOLOGY

‘Breaking With Scientology’ won’t hit print until tomorrow but you can read the New York Times assault on Scientology online right now.

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PHOTOS: TOYOTA HEARINGS

Executives from Toyota Motor Corp made the journey to Washington D.C. this morning to face down angry customers seething over their company’s recall follies. Take a look at these pictures from today’s event.

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THE BLOOM BOX

I can’t decide if the Bloom Box is the greatest invention ever or if I’m a bit like an old lady being conned by a slimy auto mechanic. Regardless, you have to watch this video. [Video]

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SCOTTY LAGO PHOTOS

Snowboarder Scotty Lago leaves the Olympic village in Vancouver after sexually suggestive photos of the bronze medalist and his trophy surfaced online. Lago says he’s in a ‘blackout’ and can’t talk about the event until next month. [View The Photos]

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RAY GOSLING ARRESTED

What happens when you admit to a murder on British public television? Well, you get arrested, of course. BBC presenter Ray Gosling arrested on suspicion of murder. [Details]

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TIGER WOODS PRESSER

Tiger Woods will finally reemerge from the shadows this Friday. The golf pro and reported sex addict is planning on holding a press conference at the PGA headquarters at 11AM Eastern. [Details]

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JOE BIDEN’S FOREHEAD

As I was watching President Obama’s stimulus update presser today, several readers emailed to ask ‘What’s that spot on Joe Biden’s forehead?’ Joe Biden is the first Catholic Vice President the U.S. has seen so each Ash Wednesday these questions float in like crazy. It’s Ash Wednesday, folks.

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Obama Fans Need More Than Change

Juan Bonilla, who has managed the parking lot outside Ponce Furniture for more than three decades, set a record Thursday.

Bonilla, wearing a reflective vest with a Barack Obama pin, persuaded several ticket-holders to pay $80 to park in a prime spot near Invesco Field at Mile High.

By 2 p.m., several hours before Obama would deliver his historic speech, Bonilla had collected that exorbitant fee from five people heading to the


Barack Obama’s Big DNC Speech

DENVER – Barack Obama’s speech accepting the Democratic presidential nomination Thursday night was what many nervous Democrats were hoping for: a forceful challenge to John McCain and the Republicans, and a restatement of the message to change Washington and the nation that propelled him to the nomination.

Speaking to a nation fighting two wars, struggling with a weakened economy and growing doubtful about the future, Obama said he would make the fall


DNC Coverage: The Big Night

Obama aides concerned about long security lines; worried about empty seats during primetime.

Programming Note: Al Gore will take the stage at 8:30PM EDT, Obama around 10PM.

More on that McCain VP Pick, check out this tidbit

In a strong sign that John McCain has not selected Joe Lieberman to be his running mate, Republican members of Congress were told today by McCain’s campaign that the Arizona senator would tap


Embargo Breaker: Obama’s Big Speech

‘Eight Is Enough’ will be the theme of the speech…

Excerpts from Barack Obama’s nomination acceptance speech follow…


The Stage Is Set At Invesco Field

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., looks at the venue at Invesco Field at Mile High where he will accept the Democratic nomination for President in Denver, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008.

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)


Joe Biden’s Speech To The DNC

“Our country is less secure and more isolated than it has been at any time in recent history,” said Joe Biden, the U.S. senator from Delaware who a week ago became Barack Obama’s running mate and was presented as the vice presidential nominee Wednesday night.

I think Barack Obama has fallen into a bit of a trap here. The convention so far has been about the Clinton camp and nothing more. Night…


Delegates Ready For DNC Roll Call

Delegates at the Democratic National Convention are filling out their tally sheets Wednesday to be turned in quickly so the roll call for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton can begin promptly at 5 p.m. ET.

Obama aide Jenny Backus said one nominating speech and two seconding speeches for Clinton will be offered followed by four speeches — one nominating and three seconding speeches — for Obama. The event will take about 30


Denver Police Slam CODEPINK Protester

You know, far be it from me to defend the loons in CODEPINK but these cops were being more than just a little too aggressive. The officer who knocked the first protester to the ground was clearly frustrated and he overreacted. You can also here one of the other officers call a protester ‘bitch’ in the melee. I was just thinking that, other than a few arrested abortion protesters, the police action…


Live Coverage: DNC Day Two

Full schedule of Day 2 events at the DNC in Denver after the cut…


Ted Kennedy Addresses The DNC

Quite possibly one of his last speeches ever… Ted Kennedy knocks it out of the park.

Update: Here’s the other major speech of night one at the DNC – Michelle Obama.


Live Coverage: DNC Kickoff Begins

Continuous coverage of the Democratic National Convention via MSNBC… Press Play.

Update: Here’s is tonight’s full schedule of events…

MONDAY, AUG. 25

5:00PM EDT

Rules, Credentials and Platform to be finished by 7PM EDT

7:00PM EDT
Biographical Messages on Senator Barack Obama

8:00PM EDT
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Journey for Change)
President Jimmy Carter
Senator Claire McCaskill
Mayor John Hickenlooper, Denver
Maya Soetoro-Ng Mya (Obama’s sister)


Video: Behind The Scenes At The DNC


Suspicious Package Found In Denver

A suspicious package found early this morning near Civic Center was “rendered safe” by authorities.

Denver police officers, firefighters and the Denver Bomb Squad was called to Civic Center Plaza, 1560 Broadway, after the item was found at about 3 a.m., said a spokesman with the city’s Joint Information Center.

The JIC is open during the Democratic National Convention to respond to media calls about public safety and security.

The package was


Ted Kennedy To Address The DNC

In a development that is sure to bring the house down, US Senator Edward M. Kennedy is expected to attend the Democratic National Convention, most likely to deliver a speech tomorrow night.

Kennedy is battling brain cancer, and his doctors are said to be worried that his treatment has compromised his immune system and that attending the convention could put him at further risk. Still, the senator has recently told people that