June 14, 2008
10 Comments »
RSS feed for comments on this post · TrackBack URI
Leave a comment
Line and paragraph breaks automatic, e-mail address never displayed, HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>
Is anyone else surprised there hasn’t been more coverage of all the flooding? Maybe I am “spoiled” from the extensive Katrina coverage. However, this seems to be a pretty big deal.. considering the property damage and people displaced. For instance, here’s a couple headlines from Drudge.
Floodwaters swamp Iowa town; drinking water all but gone…
Des Moines levee breach threatens neighborhood…
IOWA DAMAGE ‘INDESCRIBABLE’
Comment by Terance — June 14, 2008 @ 12:08 pm
I wonder if it is being quashed by the coverage of Tim Russert? I would imagine it would be all the talk of the news networks if Tim hadn’t passed away. JMO
Comment by jerziegrl — June 14, 2008 @ 12:54 pm
Well, that would only explain the last day and a half. This flooding has been going on for what, at least a week?
Comment by Terance — June 14, 2008 @ 1:04 pm
True, but it wasn’t until late last night or early this morning that they started reporting the levy break, which to me says coverage should be stepped up consdierably. Maybe not on the same scale as Katrina coverage, but stepped up none-the-less.
I haven’t been glued to the news, but each time I have turned it on (before Tim Russert) it was about the flooding.
Comment by jerziegrl — June 14, 2008 @ 2:04 pm
As someone who has lived in both Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, I can tell you the state of Iowa is devastated. There’s been some national coverage, but I think you’re right Terance, this is a bigger story than they’re letting on.
Cedar Rapids is the second biggest city in the state, and it is under water. The loss will reach billions of dollars. More than 20% of the state’s crops are destroyed, and that will affect the entire nation.
Fortunately, there has not been much loss of life, and perhaps that’s why there hasn’t been an overflux of national coverage.
But I can’t help thinking that if this were in New York State or elsewhere on the East Coast, the coverage would be almost non-stop, except on MSNBC, where they’re understandably in full-scale Russert memorials.
Comment by bigred — June 14, 2008 @ 2:05 pm
Yes, Terance, agreed. There has been flood coverge, but nothing like we saw w/Katrina.
Comment by Missy — June 14, 2008 @ 3:03 pm
Just another thing. Of course, I have not seen every single second of the Russert coverage on MSNBC, but I have seen them bring in people from the competition (ABC and CBS) to comment on Mr. Russert’s death. But I’ve seen no Fox personalities brought in to pay tribute.
Watching Fox yesterday, however, Chris Wallace was on quite a bit lauding Mr. Russert’s life and how he performed at his job, and Hannity seemed to know Mr. Russert fairly well and had a lot to say, as did Newt Gingrich. Russert was all over FNC a few years ago when his book came out, and seemed to have an amicable relationship with many at Fox. I’m just wondering if NBC is holding O’Reilly’s comments against the network, and shunning any FNC personalities from the tributes as a result. I’m not sure this is the case, but wouldn’t be surprised.
Comment by Missy — June 14, 2008 @ 3:09 pm
From my understanding, the flooding with Katrina was somewhat confined by the “soup bowl” effect. However, one look at the live stream on CNN tells me this water is going to ruin everything in sight. I mean, where on earth will it end up?
http://www.cnn.com/video/
(Click on live video and change the feed on the right hand side.)
Comment by Terance — June 15, 2008 @ 10:52 am
Mr. Russert fairly well and had a lot to say, as did Newt Gingrich.
Missy: When he first became Speaker, Gingrich appeared on Meet The Press and was savaged by Russert who kept asking him “where are your (budget) cuts?” Newt was evasive and was basically destroyed by Russert.
So either Newt has a faulty memory or more likely he was very respectful of how an accomplished interviewer such Russert tore him to shreads.
Comment by ttc — June 15, 2008 @ 12:44 pm
Missy - I’m just wondering if NBC is holding O’Reilly’s comments against the network, and shunning any FNC personalities from the tributes as a result.
Wondering this too. It could be though. I can’t imagine that too many people over there cared for O’Reilly saying something about Russert not being a noble man and Doocy (or was it Kilmeade?) calling Russert Olbermann’s poodle. Those were harsh things to say about a decent, talented newsman like Russert. It was nice hearing the kind words from Wallace and Hannity though.
Comment by joeyb — June 16, 2008 @ 9:40 am