Maria Luisa blasts CNN over being forced to ask dumb question....
By John Amato Thursday Nov 15, 2007 2:08pmThis doesn't reflect well on CNN's idiot factor.
Maria Luisa, the UNLV student who asked Hillary Clinton whether she preferred "diamonds or pearls" at last night's debate wrote on her MySpace page this morning that CNN forced her to ask the frilly question instead of a pre-approved query about the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository.
"Every single question asked during the debate by the audience had to be approved by CNN," Luisa writes. "I was asked to submit questions including "lighthearted/fun" questions. I submitted more than five questions on issues important to me. I did a policy memo on Yucca Mountain a year ago and was the finalist for the Truman Scholarship. For sure, I thought I would get to ask the Yucca question that was APPROVED by CNN days in advance."
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Did anyone expect the debate to be "real?"
Missed it. I was watching reruns of "The Munsters".
One of the CNN "Barbies" was on this morning talking about the 'debate' and spouted that Kucinich 'didn't belong there'. So I'm guessing they never even prepared any canned questions for him.
I see the Ministry of Information is hard at work making sure we hear about the "real, serious" issues.
I didn't see the debate. Did Hillary wear her flag lapel pin on the right lapel or the left?
Is pearls or diamonds a question loaded with sexual innuendo?
We are living in the twilight zone, funny how every one else in the world knows our elections are rigged, yet we allow the idiot box to dictate how we are suppose to believe.
I didn't bother to watch this one. But I bet I can tell you about it. The 3 frontrunners got most of the questions. Everyone piled on Hillary. Hillary was defensive. Stupid question? Covered by CNN, apparently.
Is the right wing going to explode with clries of "planted question!! how dare they!", somehow i doubt it.
Damned librul media strikes again!
Che's Lounge @ 2:
What channel!?!
Weaseldog @ 5:
Only if you are talking about necklaces, I suppose...
I guarantee the "rules" for the upcoming rethuglican debate will be very different than last night's fiasco.
Come on now people don't seriously believe these things aren't completely scripted do they?
They missed some questions we all need to know the answers to:
What is your favorite color?
What sign are you?
Do you have any make-up no-nos?
Are you wearing Grecian Formula?
And, What aftershave do you prefer?
Otay @ 14:
Did you have long hair when you were in your 20's?
Who's your favorite band?
Do you play computer games?
How much do you surf a week on the net?
Have you seen Amy Winehouse live?
Otay @ 14:
And...
Do you dress to the left or to the right? (Hillary included).
Do you use toner and moisturizer?
What SPF sunscreen do you use?
Boxers or briefs?
On top of that it appears to me they seeded the audience with people to make noise against Obama and Edwards calling Clinton to the carpet for her doublespeak and her obnoxious positions. The right wants her as the candidate.
CNN forced her to ask the question? What? Did they hold a gun to her head?
Jeezus, kid, grow some freaking balls, would ya?
"Oh, CNN tells me what to do! I can't think for myself." B-S.
Ask your freaking question and then watch everyone at CNN piss their pants cuz you didn't do what they told you. Stand up for your goddamned country, you weak-kneed automaton. All you people who are afraid to speak out are the reason the Republicans are just walking away with this country while all of us polite Democrats are "too afraid" to rock the boat.
Give me a F***ing break.
Couldn't she just ask the question anyway? She had the mic on live TV and if CNN cut her off they would look bad. So, say you will ask there pre approved question then ask something out of the norm. And if you want to ask a funny question that means something ..... ask about marijuana legalization or how we are loosing the first amendment in regards to strip clubs. Funny, but serious.
So what's the difference between someone from Hillary's campaign planting a question from the audience, and CNN planting a question from the audience? CNN tried to crucify Hillary because someone from her campaign did exactly the same thing as their staff did in the debate last night.
The Yucca Mountain Nuclear waste "facility" sits in an earthquake zone. It might not quake for 10,000 years, but when it does, nuke waste goes flying.
But let's not ask any questions.
What I wonder is why are the candidates wasting their time like this. Our time and theirs. How much useful information do they actually get to impart?
We gave up on CNN about 4 years ago. A Fox wannabe. Glenn Beck and Nancy Grace pretty much sealed the deal. .
budda @ 19:
They would've tasered her. But at least she'd get a zillion hits on You Tube!
budda @ 19:
You could ask that very same question about the student who claimed that someone from Hillary's campaign made her ask an approved question instead of the question she wanted to ask at a prior event.
Otay @ 14:
You missed; If you were a tree, what kind would it be.
Che's Lounge @ 2:
Good choice I think.
maria, you're young and you now have had experience with how the right can manipulate. you're not so young though or naive to just say no. when your original question was discounted and they cited the question regarding preference for diamonds or pearls, that would have been the time to say adamantly, get someone else. each of has decisions, hard decisions, that we must make. sometimes when we make those decisions we do not realize the far reaching consequences of those decisions.
in this case it's done and gone. just learn the lesson. the right will manipulate those whom they feel to be vulnerable.
budda @ 19:
That is what I was thinking. Or did they "advise" those who were picked to ask questions that they better not "disrupt" the event with unscripted questions?
Regardless, she should have asked the tough question, quickly before they could turn off my mike. Something like:
"Nuclear waste" (in one breath). And then asked the question about Yucca Mountain.
Piren @ 7:
Actually I thought it was a very good debate. The CNN questions were stupid of course, but the audience questions concerning Iran, the Patriot Act, and Supreme Court justices were intelligent and pointed.
All you people talking about the debate but didn't watch it should shut up.
Missed it, I was watching a Beavis & Butthead video.
Think CNN wil cover this planted question like they did Hillary's?
The funny thing is in the movie On Her Majesty's Secret Service, George Lazenby played scenes of James Bond undercover in a medical clinic filled with women. His cover was Sir Hillary, or Sir Hilly they called him, the geneologist.
Couldn't findy any scenes of that online, so here's the ending instead.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoMJt8Kyvlo
It was clear that the debates were crap when Ralph Nader was denied admission even as a spectator so long ago.
If we had real debates it would require much more time since there would certainly be some frivolous and useless questions and real answers take more than 30 seconds. I think it would be worth the time if we could ask real questions and sweat real answers out of these bastards.
As far as CNN as a "quality" news source, well, it sux but there's worse. I call it FOX.
Tell the people what they want to hear, then do what you want to do.
Nothings changed.
Well firstly, there was a definite script CNN wanted to go buy - pretty crappy for even CNN standards. But something happens to people when they are in a CNN audience. Their brains just turn off and act like a bunch of sheep. But again, Wolf Blitzer didn't want anything of substance to come out of these debates.
LibertyLover @ 11:
No that's cuffs and collars not matching.
So instead of refusing to ask the dumb question, or asking the important question that she wanted to ask, it was more important for her to be on television, and if that meant doing what she was told, she decided to obey because she didn't want to ruin her moment. How sad that our youth places exposure above integrity or accountability.
first: i haven't seen it. my question is, upon reading a few blogs: was it not possible for her to just go ahead and ask the yucca question? if she was upset about being relegated to "frilly" questions, was she not upset enough to risk being cut off by the network? i'd rather go down clawing at a cnn anchor than ask a presidential candidate some pitiful crap like that. i think people forget that cnn isn't here to be your objective news source. if she wanted to ask the question, she should have asked it. cnn doesn't control her voice, only the sound boards. i'd be upset too if i asked a throw-away question and looked like cnn's monkey. please, people, don't be afraid to tell wolf blitzer where he can stick it. he's just a man, with an animal name.
OneFish @ 31:
Exactly that was the end of it right there. Thats the night the fascist spooks took over America and sent out the message.
It's our way or the highway. Your either with us or against us.
L.A. Confidential @ 15:
Maryann or Ginger?
Maria Luisa should have asked her Yucca Mountain question anyway. What would CNN have done? Sent goons to tackle her and drag her out of the room?
God forbid that we remain forever ignorant on the vital jewelry question.
Why not just play the CNN game?
Pretend...until you get the microphone. Then ask what you want to ask.
Isn't it really that simple, or am I missing something?
Dr. Matt @ 10:
The losers channel,
George Bush, great President or greatest President?
Can God make a rock so large that even he/she can't lift it?
Have you accepted Jesus as your personal lord and savior?
Wolf's beard, dashing or just plain sexy?
What's the strangest place you and Bill have ever made whoopie?
Dr. Acula @ 16:
I guess It's ok to ask planted questions if you're CNN or Fox.
This story won't get as much airing as Hillary's.
Maria Luisa apparently wants her face on TV more than she'd like to be known for having integrity. TP has a similar post regarding Maria Luisa, in which, she chastises one of her classmates for taking her to task for asking such a moronic question. In that exchange, Maria Luisa responds that it's not her place to educate her peer(s) as to how politics work. I'll bet she'd have blown Blitzer for the chance to be on TV (and that would be okay with the Republicans, 'cause Blitzer ain't the President).
Dr. Acula @ 16:
Depends....
mo_dems @ 29:
Touchy. From watching the clips and reading the comments I pretty much nailed it.
and (I do not want to provoke a riot, but I have to ask the hard-hitting questions that CNN will not ask),
"which is cuter, puppies or kittens?"
if you answered "kittens", then the terrorist win.
Gregg @ 43:
Can God microwave a burrito so hot, that even he can't eat it?
Marcus Aurelius @ 46:
Marcus Aurelius @ 46:
No, that's Fred Thompson, the other party.
Couldn’t she just ask the question anyway?
Yeah, as long as it's prefaced by Don't tase me, Bro!
Here's what she should have said:
"CNN wanted me to ask a dumb question about jewelry. Instead, I'd like to know what you think about the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository. I'd also like to know your opinion about the media trying to make these presidential debates focus on stupid, frivolous issues."
Did they hold a gun to her head? Forced to ask the question my ass.
Shut up and vote for one of the two candidates the media chooses for you!
Dr. Matt @ 10:
You probably got a higher livel of intellectual stimulation. Does it not speak volumes about the...ahem, kinds of people...that make up the media?
Yellow Elephant Safari @ 50:
Teleken @ 1:
Obviously, Wolf need help skew
ering the debate.L.A. Confidential @ 37:
I'm surprised no one really caught that.
Gregg @ 48:
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.crazyphotos.com/thumbs...
I'm getting a bit sick of hearing stories about how people are being "forced" to ask questions. Did CNN hold a gun to her head? NO? Well, golly gee, once you get up to the podium, why not just ask any question you please? Because CNN didn't approve? What exactly are they going to do to you as a result? Hell, what CAN they do to you as a result. Pathetic. I'm just as disgusted as people who shy away from asking real questions as news networks or candidate handlers that shun them in favor of pre-approved crap.
my2cents @ 54:
not worth 2 cents
Faux news is going to have a field day with this! I can see it now - they can smear CNN and Hillary all in one swoop - for weeks and weeks....
Sorry about the link, the one I was trying to get is labelled drunk kitten.
Roger Bixley @ 35:
Yes, she had her moment. And now the entire country thinks she's an idiot
Eris23 @ 61:
the real point is that CNN staged the asking of trite, pointless questions.
Scott in Chicago @ 55:
Spoken like a true Kang supporter.
Kodos 2008!
This was a sham event from beginning to end. Hillary's the annointed of the corporatist media an you can bet that censored questions was only the tip of the Iceburg!
The audience was stuffed full of her supporters and O'Bama and Edwards got boos even when they asked pointed questions about her statements and voting records.
The pundits all swooned about how "Hillary is back" even though a substantial number of commentators say she scored no knockouts during the debate. If you go over the debate threads on this site and others you will find plenty of posters who asked "what debate were they watching?"
It is no accident that the you tube video on crooks and Liars story below of Hillary's NAFTA debate answer has suddenly disappeared and is no longer available:
David Sirota on Hillary’s Response To NAFTA At The Democratic Debate
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/11/16/david-sirota-on-hillarys-respon...
Never under estimate the power of a Corporatist Democrat!
The most telling comment of the debate was when Jonathan Edwards recalled that in 1993, with a Democratically controlled House, Senate, and White House... universal health care was killed and NAFTA was passed.
"So what happened? Universal Health Care which was desperately need by the American people was killed by the lobbyist and corporations and NAFTA, which cost Americans million of jobs and the American people didn't need was passed!
Nothing is going to change in Washington if you replace a corporate Republican crowd with a crowd of corporate Democrats!"
----Jonathan Edwards
Whether you like Edwards or not... that is the real fundamental truth of the situation. O'Bama and Edwards both took the pledge not to accept any money from the lobbyist or PACs during this campaign. They have honored that pledge, but Hillary has accepted more lobbyist and PAC dollars than any candidate in either party and that is the real bottom line.
Why! Why! Why!!! . .Why the fuck did CNN pull this shit with that girl dammit!!! This is exactly why CNN's credibility is in the toilet and in the broader sense why media in general is more and more being viewed as either a bad joke or instrument of propaganda used by politicians of either side who don't want to face 'real questions'...That Yucca Mountain B.S. is an example of exactly the right kinds of questions needing straight answers...
But these cowards running for president and these cowards managing the media would rather jerk us all off, themselves included, then face the real issues and talk about it!!!!
This is BULLSHIT!!! Might as well be the fucking national enquirer or some other scandal rag doing these phony assed events.. It's just about the same pablum now! BULLSHIT DAMMIT! FUCKING BULLSHIT!!! She probably should have asked her question anyway, but this situation is NOT on that kid or if, why, or how she was coorced... CNN is solely responsible along with whatever Clinton flunky staffer is involved... Fuck me to tears, why indeed, do we even bother anymore......GODDAMMIT I hope Kucinich is for real... I've had just about enough of this stage managed crap about 'Ohh Clinton is the new black'. She just lost whatever little bit of sympathy I had for her as a female running for president. Hope that makes you happy Hillary!!!!
This shit we are in now as a nation is a hell of a lot deeper than 'what's yer fucking sign' or just wanting a woman in the whitehouse just because.......FUCK!!!......JD
gene214 @ 65:
you have no idea how much her situation was controlled.
Although is sounds far-fetched that she had to ask CNN's question, the accusation that they were screening all of them make it sound like a boosh no-brainer.
I give her credit for coming forward with this information, but I take at least half that credit away for her actually following through with that idiocy.
What happened to acting for yourself? CNN didn't actually tap into her central nervous system and control her speech; she could have easily changed the question when she had the mike.
Grow up, people. The mass media can only get away with what we allow them to. Act up and show them who's in charge.
Jack Damage @ 69:
apparently, PRAVDA-USA comes in six tasty flavors, Murdoch Feces, GE Feces, Disney Feces, Clearchannel Urine and two others. Why get outraged over the inevitable - that they own the process and they are flaunting it.
I found a video of her at the debate:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTWTjRiXDEI
for all the very couragous and resourceful people who would ask "any question they damn well please":
You were NOT there.
You have not seen the screening process.
You have no idea what, if any, intimidation may go on.
You would not have known about it if the young woman had not come forth today.
Ease up.
jimi13 @ 72:
Maybe CNN rented Billo's Faux security for the night and she was scared.
CointelPro, yes, it's lame as hell that a supposed "news network" plants questions. But, I expect them to do this. They aren't a public entity. They're a commercial entity that sells advertising time, and seeks to stick in newsbites in between that the public finds just interesting enough to tune in for, but doesn't allow enough time to really go into any detail. It's why I don't bother watching political stuff on any of them. It's politics without soul. However, I don't expect people to ask lame questions on TV, only to whine to the press later about how they were "forced" to ask a question. The fact is, they weren't. They could have asked whatever they wanted to, but chose not to. One is opportunistic, but the other is opportunistic and cowardly.
Weaseldog @ 74:
:lol:
ysbaddaden @ 71:
the sad fact is that boosh has made this SOP.
Marcus Aurelius @ 57:
HDon @ 3:
Meanwhile he gets one of the largest rounds of applause for his Impeach them now comment.
CoIntelPRo @ 70:
For all those piling on Maria, remember the Jessica Lynch saga. It took, what, two years before she got up the courage to speak against the lies told about her capture, and about the staged melodramatic "rescue." Jessica was a woman who had the courage to be in combat, but still submitted to "the script."
Maria probably didn't realize the gravity of the situation until she saw her question played on the screen in comparison to the more substantive questions asked by the audience. Shame on CNN and double shame on the entire debacle of the media's attempt to control this election.
============
As for the questions, though, I just wish someone in the audience had asked the ultimate personality definer question: "If you come back in your next life as an animal, which animal do you want to be?" /snark
Straight Shooter @ 82:
Hehe, I would've asked what object, not animal... :)
CoIntelPRo @ 75:
"Ease up" and drop back on your knees like good sheeple.
Thank you. I call bullshit on her story also.
From that ridiculous debate question, to marginalizing Kucinich, to their right wing spin machine in the afternoons/ prime time people have to realize this is a new CNN not the trusted old one of the 80s and 90s.
I want to say that what do you expect from a network based in Georgia, but they did seem more honest in the past.
I want to ball up in the fetal position and rock
Why didn't they ask Richardson about diamonds or pearls or would that be sexist?
CoIntelPRO@73;
Why??? Why my friend is because 'we the people' are suppose to be the owners of this nation and the process of electing its leaders to represent us, not a bunch of goddamned propagandizing warmongering greed driven elitist fascists dammit! Thats why....And by god I wish everyone here would lay off that kid and direct your focus and anger properly! And goddammit, we should ALL be outraged at this, and tell those who are solely responsible for this carpetbagging snakeoil sideshow exactly where to get off!!...
And that would be the DNC, the RNC, CNN, Fox, and the rest of those feces networks you alluded to, and finally, the Clinton campaign people.. Not some teenager who was invited to submit questions and then manipulated after the fact... Whoever it was that pointed out that we wouldn't know dick about any of this IF that kid hadn't gone ahead and revealed it all on myspace (was that you CoinTel??) was totally on POINT!
I'm really beginning to hate this whole charade and every underhanded bit of scheming of the last 30 plus goddamed years that has led us to this sick result... It started with Reagan and now here we are willingly sandbagging ourselves....THAT'S what I call pathetic.... JD
Thank you Maria Luisa for putting this up on your MySpace page.
Now you know the truth about the Main Stream Media and about politics in America. I only hope more in your generation are also beginning to realize the truth of the situation here. Your understanding is critical to the future of this country.
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