MER - Washington - 20 February, 1998:

    Now that CNN has shown its true colors, maybe a little journalistic atonement is in order?

    So CNN, how about another "Town Meeting"?  And this time how about some independent scholars and experts recognized around the world for their erudition and insights... as well as for their independence and courage?

    For instance, how about a forum with Noam Chomsky, Edward Said and Christopher Hitchens, CNN?

    And since you're real big on government, CNN, how about a few moments for former Attorney General of the United States Ramsey Clark?

    And if you need a few more choices CNN, please take a look at the experts associated with the Committee On the Middle East.  Now the web site at WWW.MIDDLEEAST.ORG may not be as jam-
packed and colorful as yours; but you should find the insights and hard-hitting no-nonsense information pretty refreshing!

    Better yet CNN, if you're really interested in honest, insightful journalism -- and good TV too -- how about a little debate between Madeleine Albright and any of the above?

    Time is short, CNN.  Let's do it right now while it still might matter.  We're holding on breathes this time waiting for you!

P.S.  And while we're at it, the following further information about what happened on Wednesday at Ohio State University shows just how controlled and manipulative and deceptive CNN and the U.S. Government have become.  Consider the following that's just come to light:

    On Pacifica's radio network program Thursday, Democracy Now, was one of the Ohio State questioners, John Strange.  Here are some interesting new facts that were brought out about the "Town Meeting".

    The whole Ohio State "show" was choreographed by CNN as an "exclusive" at the urging of the State Department and the Pentagon eager to get their propaganda out bigtime to a worldwide audience.

    Only people with red tickets, down in the lower tier, had access to the microphones to ask questions.  These tickets were passed out to faculty, ROTC cadets, and other select VIPs.

    What turned out to be the heckling section was way up in the upper section, with no microphones.  And these people had to resort to a little deception to even get in to the arena.

    The only reason John Strange, who asked the best question by far, was able to ask his question was that the CNN producers came up to the upper section to try to quiet down the hecklers.  At that point the CNN producers were forced to agree to let one of the protesters come down to one of the microphones. John Strange was selected.

    Madeleine Albright said during the meeting that she would meet with the protesters afterword to answer their questions.   But, John Strange says that he was down on the floor at the conclusion awaiting Ms.
Albright so she could keep her word, but instead she rushed out the back door poste haste!

    So much for Ms. Albright's repeated comments about democracy in action! Indeed, one can only imagine what the reception might have been had there been real democracy in action -- a real "Town Meeting" at Ohio State.