rssGreta Van Susteren Misinforms Her Viewers About ‘Czars’
Thursday, September 17, 2009 at 4:45 pm
- 12 Comments
On her Fox News show last night, Greta Van Susteren treated viewers to some of the least informative “czar” coverage yet seen in this manufactured controversy. She was stunned by a list of “czars” provided by Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), who, as I reported, demanded that czars submit themselves to congressional hearings before he even had a list of them.
I don’t get this. I’m looking at the list — Afghanistan czar. Why isn’t that Department of Defense or State Department? Border czar — why isn’t that Homeland Security? California water czar — why isn’t that Agriculture? Central region czar — why isn’t that State Department? Domestic violence czar — why isn’t that Justice? Drug czar — why isn’t that DEA? Economic — why isn’t that Labor?
Sigh.
The “Afghanistan czar” is actually Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke, who works for the State Department.
The “border czar” is actually Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for International Affairs and Special Representative for Border Affairs Alan Bersin; as his full title suggests, he works for DHS.
The “California water czar” is actually Deputy Interior Secretary David Hayes — why Van Susteren thinks this would be a job for the Department of Agriculture, I have no idea.
The “central region czar” is actually Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for the Central Region Dennis Ross, who reports to the National Security Council.
The “domestic violence czar” is actually White House Adviser on Violence Against Women Lynn Rosenthal. And here, Van Susteren actually gets a point—Rosenthal works directly under the president.
The “drug czar” is actually Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy Gil Kerlikowske, who was confirmed by the Senate.
The “economic czar” is actually Chair of the President’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board Paul Volcker, the former chairman of the Federal Reserve.
This is the quality of research at Fox News.
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12 Comments
Comment posted September 17, 2009 @ 9:37 pm
I'm sorry, but 'research at Fox News'? David, it's really unfair to criticize something that doesn't exist.
Comment posted September 17, 2009 @ 10:12 pm
Fox News? Why isn't that Ministry of Propaganda?
Show Host Van Susteren? Why isn't that Crazy Person Van Susteren or The Idiot Van Susteren?
Comment posted September 17, 2009 @ 10:17 pm
by your description, these are all people with a lot of influence. Is that a definition of a “czar”? What's your point?
Comment posted September 17, 2009 @ 10:33 pm
Van Susteren implies that these are all people who have taken authority from the various agencies and work under the president. And that's not true.
Comment posted September 17, 2009 @ 10:33 pm
This: “And here, Van Susteren actually gets a point—Rosenthal works directly under the president.”
The rest are bureaucrats in the above mentioned agencies who wield no more power than their predecessors in the previous administration.
Comment posted September 18, 2009 @ 2:35 am
Doesn't exist? Sure it does! Haven't you ever heard of World Net Daily, Free Republic, and the Drudge Report?
Comment posted September 18, 2009 @ 5:36 am
Dear Greta,
My name is Sandra Lucchesi. I am 60 years old and live in Frisco, TX.
I watch your program faithfully. Tonight I was watching and heard the numbers in the billions of medicare fraud.
In March of '09 I was fired for a trumped up charge. Since then I have not been approved for either unemployment or medicare. I have become completely destitute since then. I am in need of medical care but I am not irresponsible to run up medical bills with coverage.
Please have contacted my representatives office. No one is helping me!!! I have worked for over 45 years!!!.
I need your help!!! 214-551-3849.
Comment posted September 18, 2009 @ 5:49 pm
Who was the author you had on the program last night (9/17) who wrote about billions of medicare fraud and waste? Also, I can't remember the name of his book.
Thanks for the help.
Christine
Comment posted September 20, 2009 @ 6:36 am
Shouldn't Lynn Rosenthal be the domestic violence czarina?
Comment posted September 21, 2009 @ 6:30 am
Fixed news really IS fixed! Got busted this weekend trumping up it's own news story. Van Susteren's gaff is par for the course for this agency that has lost ALL cred now. You'll be seeing it Monday night, I expect.
Comment posted September 25, 2009 @ 3:35 am
The city of coo-coo-ville has a stone faced clown as Czar her name is Greta Van stupid.
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