We did it just to make a point

Warning Drudge Report

http://www.drudgereport.com/flashcf.htm
from JoeUser Forums

It seems CNN does not like its employees to tell the truth!  The "X Marks the Spot" on Cheney on CNN was apparently intentional, not a computer glitch.  Since it was so quick, CNN was hoping that a subliminal message would be sent, but no one would notice it.

Silly CNN!  They forgot about Tivo!  Where you can actually dissect a video stream frame by frame.

The Switchboard operator allegedly told a caller:

"We did it just to make a point. Tell them to stop lying, Bush and Cheney," the CNN operator said to a caller. "Bring our soldiers home."

Which is kind of a refreshing breath of air.  And for their trouble, and honesty, CNN had to fire them (did not even take a Rather Inquisition to do it either!).

Chalk another one up for the 'unbiased' Mainstream Media!

politics
10,766 views 24 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
Ouch. I saw the piece on FOX News this morning with the sound turned down, so thank you for filling in the details. I knew someone got fired, and they admitted it was a blatant act. But to openly admit it was a political statement... wow. That's ballsy.

Chalk another one up for the 'unbiased' Mainstream Media!


For what? Hiring people who have that kind of activist agenda? Or just doing the right thing and sending that video switcher packing?
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top

For what? Hiring people who have that kind of activist agenda? Or just doing the right thing and sending that video switcher packing?

The person fired was not the video switcher.  She was a switchboard operator (Lilly Tomlin?).  The person or persons who did it are still employed at CNN.  The person that got fired was justhonest enough to state the truth.

Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
DG, nowhere in the linked article, though, does it say the the X was intentionally done by CNN or any of its employees. Essentially CNN is maintaining that it was an honest mistake, and that the operator is the one with the agenda, and was therefore fired.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
DG, nowhere in the linked article, though, does it say the the X was intentionally done by CNN or any of its employees. Essentially CNN is maintaining that it was an honest mistake, and that the operator is the one with the agenda, and was therefore fired.


You just contradicted yourself. First you say CNN or any of its employees did it then you say it was an operator with an agenda. Make up your mind.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
You just contradicted yourself. First you say CNN or any of its employees did it then you say it was an operator with an agenda. Make up your mind.


You don't read so well, do you?

DG, nowhere in the linked article, though, does it say the the X was intentionally done by CNN or any of its employees. Essentially CNN is maintaining that it was an honest mistake, and that the operator is the one with the agenda, and was therefore fired.


He never said the operator is the one who did the X.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
DG, nowhere in the linked article, though, does it say the the X was intentionally done by CNN or any of its employees. Essentially CNN is maintaining that it was an honest mistake, and that the operator is the one with the agenda, and was therefore fired.


Very True. It is my interpretation, and I will simply say it fits the facts. That does not make it a done deal, but it is highly suspect.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
You just contradicted yourself. First you say CNN or any of its employees did it then you say it was an operator with an agenda. Make up your mind.


I think the operator in this case was the phone operator, not the camera one.
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
He never said the operator is the one who did the X.


Ok, you beat me to the correction.
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
We should make the second Tuesday of every week, "Spit on a CNN hack" day. ;~D
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
Speaking as one who has worked at a TV station in his past (Channel 7 in Prescott AZ, to be exact... I filmed the weather in high school!), let me share my two cents...

An X (or any other screen graphic, including pictures) can be generated by a person at a computer. It's the video switcher's job to put that graphic onto the screen or just put it up in a "preview" window. That way they can, well, preview the way the screen will look before actually putting it up on air.

I, of course, was not there in CNN's studio in Atlanta during the press conference. What I am about to say is sheer conjecture, but plausible...

It is my considered opinion that some graphic operator was trying to be funny and put a big X over Cheney's face during the live feed. He thought the X was only on the preview screen (which would be in full view of most of the room, and a pretty dangerous place to be screwing around), but someone screwed up and accidentally put it out on the air.

When Dr. Guy said that someone was canned from CNN, I automatically assumed it was this hypothetical video graphics guy, not some inane switchboard operator voicing her opinion on why it happened.

There is no way possible that a switchboard operator could affect the live on-air feed without storming the control room.
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
We should make the second Tuesday of every week, "Spit on a CNN hack" day. ;~D


No, give to your favorite honest CNN employee day!
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
There is no way possible that a switchboard operator could affect the live on-air feed without storming the control room.


having just watched Scrooged, that is a distinct possibility!
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
lol...you wanna call my company? I can tell you that we are giving away free cars for life. Does that mean its true and that is the comanies position? no. You certainly shouldnt take what one switchboard operator (aka....a person who takes your calls) says for the solid truth.

a switcher is a person who pretty much makes what you see on TV look the way it is supposed to. They are the ones putting all the graphics up on the tv...switching angles...etc during a news broadcast or tv program (ie...football). I have a degree in broadcasting and I can tell you that what they were doing it what they said they were doing. Putting an X on there tells the switcher to put in a graphic at that point in time on the tape. The switcher is at the discretion of the director / producer of the broadcast and doesnt do anything until they are told (ie: "ready camera 2...3, 2, 1..now......graphics off screen in 2, 1........now.....they have 7 seconds left in their dialogue....roll tape............now")
Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top

lol...you wanna call my company? I can tell you that we are giving away free cars for life.

Does she?  And was she fired?  The fact that this one was fired is more telling than all the excuses CNN wants to use.

Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top
The person who was fired was the telephone switchboard operator...who knows about as much as it takes to run a phone and not a big ass piece of equipment such as a Television broadcast switcher, nor how to use it, and what can happen when using it.

For example...one who reads can tell this by reading the article. The conversation in mention did not take place on TV, so they werent interviewing the switcher...the actual person in charge of the event. The article is about a conversation a telephone operator had with a caller. As you know....when you call some place...most likely your conversation is being recorded for some purpose or another. This was one of them and the company was alerted (thanks to review of the recording) of the conversation.

What they did is fire someone who had zippo of an idea about what they were talking about and wanted to state their mind.

And if you are going to go off on CNN because of something that happened on your TV while your Hero was on there...and then listen to one of their employees who has no idea what happened give their opinion........well.....that really kinda says something doesnt it?
Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top

The person who was fired was the telephone switchboard operator...

Try rereading the article instead of restating it.  I clearly said

The Switchboard operator allegedly told a caller:

And:

And for their trouble, and honesty, CNN had to fire them

Now, show me where I said switcher?

Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top
He never said the operator is the one who did the X.


And neither did I, maybe it is you who doesn't read so well. I pointed out that he first said it wasn't an employee of CNN, according to the linked article but then he said an operator with an agenda, wouldn't that mean that the operator, who was fired, worked for CNN and therefore a contradiction? The X is not the issue in my post.

But... I admit, after reading Dr Guy's post, that I misunderstood the part of the operator. I didn't catch on at first that the operator mentioned was not someone from CNN, so in the end it was my mistake. My bad.
Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top
I didn't catch on at first that the operator mentioned was not someone from CNN,


Well, it actually was, just not an official spokesperson. Maybe someone that was not trained to lie?
Reply #19 from JoeUser Forums Top
Amusing thread. Of course CNN always reports unbiased and unfabricated news without trying to sway public opinion or promoting a political agenda.

Did I say that? Too many beers.
Reply #20 from JoeUser Forums Top
Now, show me where I said switcher?


You didn't, Doc. I said it (#2), and then I posted that I misunderstood (#10).

I thought it was a video switcher and it was a switchboard operator.

My bad, no one else's. Sorry for the mix-up!

Free cars from my company! Call me at work and I'll arrange it!
Reply #21 from JoeUser Forums Top

Did I say that? Too many beers.

Have one on me!

Reply #22 from JoeUser Forums Top

You didn't, Doc. I said it (#2), and then I posted that I misunderstood (#10).

I know, but then he comes down and repeats the error, without quoting where it came from, so I could only assume he was referring back to the original article.

Now about those free cars.........

Reply #24 from JoeUser Forums Top
any chance they fired her for lying? Nah, that would be too bloody obvious.


Would make for a lousy article as well!