Hot Air » Blog Archive » Video: Ted Turner unclear which side he is on in War on Terror, media has no business showing flag

Video: Ted Turner unclear which side he is on in War on Terror, media has no business showing flag

posted at 6:01 pm on October 9, 2006 by Ian
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Speaking at the National Press Club this afternoon, CNN founder Ted Turner said he was “disturbed” by the President’s “either you’re with us or you’re against us” attitude:

TED TURNER: There are a lot of things about this war that disturb me and one of them is the attitude, that you know, that was well expressed by our President. He said it very clearly, he said either you’re with us or you’re against us. And I had a problem with that because I really hadn’t made my mind up yet. You know, what if you haven’t made your mind up? You know, what if you’re thinking about it, doing some studying, doing some reading because it’s an important decision to go to war or whether or not to go to war. I mean, you’re either with us or you’re against us, that’s pretty black and white

Still thinking about it?

Still studying?

You’re either with us or against us in the fight against terror, Ted.

Bonus video: Turner whines about American flag being shown on television.

Turner is also an apologist for the whacko running North Korea.

Update (Allahpundit): I was about to post on this but Ian beat me to it. The header on YouTube is misleading. Turner wasn’t talking about the war on terror generally; the question put to him asked specifically about Iraq, a fact which the person who posted it to YouTube cleverly edited out. See for yourself: the whole speech is posted at C-SPAN. Fast forward to 44:05.

He wasn’t saying he can’t decide whether to support us or the jihadis. He was saying that the considerations as to whether to support an invasion of Iraq were more complex than a simple “us versus them” calculus. I doubt even Bush would disagree with that.

If you really want to induce a headache, fast forward to 24:50 in the C-SPAN clip and listen to Turner explain his crack nonproliferation strategy.

Update (Ian): Sorry, Allah! Drudge running a misleading headline, it wouldn’t be the first time. Turner is undecided if he is either with us on the war on terror or against it.

Blowback

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I blame Fox News.

JammieWearingFool on October 9, 2006 at 6:05 PM

I wonder if we should blame it on Jane Fonda, the former Mrs. Turner.

I find it hard to understand how a shrewd businessman like Turner could end up being so stupid.

georgej on October 9, 2006 at 6:08 PM

It’s obvious he’s chosen sides. Traitor!

SouthernGent on October 9, 2006 at 6:10 PM

Once again, a liberal socialist wacko misrepresents the truth. Bush’s quote was aimed at foreign nations and whether or not they would support us in defeating terrorism. It had nothing to do with Americans who might feel there’s a better way to “handle” that war.

The only way they are brave enough to even state their own opinions in public is to first base them on lies.

Gregor on October 9, 2006 at 6:14 PM

This is the ex-husband of Hanoi Jane. What would one expect? Maybe we can look forward to some footage of Ted playing with the dials at a N.Korean reactor while guards look on and he giggles like a little school girl? Where did I see something like that?

Hening on October 9, 2006 at 6:15 PM

One more reason to hate the Braves.

World B. Free on October 9, 2006 at 6:15 PM

This is the same Ted Turner who made disparaging remarks about Christians and religious people, so what do you expect.

Many years ago, during the Goodwill Games, which Ted is the big supporter, he ordered his on-air commentators to refer to other nations as “international competitors” and not “foreign competitors.” During the a baseball broadcast, Skip Caray, in speaking about a pitcher doctoring the baseball, wondered if an “international substance” had been applied to the ball. The smirk on Skip’s face was wonderful.

Mallard T. Drake on October 9, 2006 at 6:27 PM

No wonder nobody watches CNN anymore.

Iblis on October 9, 2006 at 6:38 PM

Old people should be seen and not heard!

Why is he even being listened to. Ignore the old
fool. Hmmm how many of these “leftists” are in
fact past 55. Might be something there.

sharinlite on October 9, 2006 at 7:03 PM

Hmmm… Ted Turner… the very definition of “Sleeping with the Enemy”?

Romeo13 on October 9, 2006 at 7:04 PM

Ted Turner is an ass.

GT on October 9, 2006 at 7:07 PM

He wasn’t saying he can’t decide whether to support us or the jihadis. He was saying that the considerations as to whether to support an invasion of Iraq were more complex than a simple “us versus them” calculus. I doubt even Bush would disagree with that.

Indeed. In fact, I don’t believe Bush ever said “you’re either with us or against us” in Iraq. He was speaking of the war on terror generally, so Turner is addressing a strawman there.

In any case, I have no need to question Turner’s patriotism. I’m almost positive he doesn’t have any.

Farmer_Joe on October 9, 2006 at 7:30 PM

Ted Turner was born, existed, and still exists as a very lucky idiot! The man should be exiled to anywhere but here. He is a rot on our society!

NEMETI IN SYRACUSE on October 9, 2006 at 8:06 PM

The speech during which President Bush used the phrase in question was an address to a join session of Congress and the American public on 20 September 2001. The key text is…

Our response involves far more than instant retaliation and isolated strikes. Americans should not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign, unlike any other we have ever seen. It may include dramatic strikes, visible on TV, and covert operations, secret even in success. We will starve terrorists of funding, turn them one against another, drive them from place to place, until there is no refuge or no rest. And we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists. (Applause.) From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime.

Ted Turner, the king of cable news, misleading and obfuscating as always, twists words and mangles facts to support the greater MSM agenda. Oh, and Ted, if you really meant to say that you were undecided given the accurate reading of the President’s words, then you are a traitor in more than just name, but in action, and deserve to be in a Gitmo cell alongside your heroes.

Freelancer on October 9, 2006 at 8:12 PM

Ted Turner is an ass.

GT on October 9, 2006 at 7:07 PM

Has been for decades. Now he’s just an older, more wrinkled, stinkier ass.

infidel4life on October 9, 2006 at 8:19 PM

Freelancer, thank you.

It may include dramatic strikes, visible on TV, and covert operations, secret even in success.

I remember this speech, as if it was this past September. I will never forget it.

Thank you Ian for featuring. No one cares what he’s for or against anyway, or if he’s not-yet-decided, be it the WoT or Iraq, or whatever…

Entelechy on October 9, 2006 at 10:02 PM

Blitzer: “I’ve got to tell you, Ted, given the record of North Korea, especially the fact that, in the Clinton administration in ‘93-’94, they made a similar pledge, which they violated and they backed out of, I’m not exactly sure that I accept all your optimism.”

Turner: “Well, you know, I was optimistic about the Cold War when I got to Russia, too. But I looked them right in the eyes. And they looked like they meant the truth. I mean, you know, just because somebody’s done something wrong in the past doesn’t mean they can’t do right in the future or in the present. That happens all the, all the time.”

That says it all - a true member of the Jackass nation.

I remember watching that interview on CNN and thinking that the moron had truly gone senile.

Rick on October 9, 2006 at 10:37 PM

That says it all - a true member of the Jackass nation.
Rick on October 9, 2006 at 10:37 PM

If only, Rick. I would definitely pay to see this guy in Jackass 3.

theholyhermit on October 10, 2006 at 4:01 AM

Elitism perhaps, I think so.

Kini on October 10, 2006 at 4:39 AM

Besides the cheesy mustache

Kini on October 10, 2006 at 4:42 AM

And beady eyes….

Kini on October 10, 2006 at 4:43 AM

Blitzer: “I’ve got to tell you, Ted, given the record of North Korea, especially the fact that, in the Clinton administration in ‘93-’94, they made a similar pledge, which they violated and they backed out of, I’m not exactly sure that I accept all your optimism.”

Turner: “Well, you know, I was optimistic about the Cold War when I got to Russia, too. But I looked them right in the eyes. And they looked like they meant the truth. I mean, you know, just because somebody’s done something wrong in the past doesn’t mean they can’t do right in the future or in the present. That happens all the, all the time.”
That says it all - a true member of the Jackass nation.

I remember watching that interview on CNN and thinking that the moron had truly gone senile.

Rick on October 9, 2006 at 10:37 PM

Kinda puts you in mind of Bush’s comment re Putin, doesn’t it? “I looked into his soul…” Oh boy.

honora on October 10, 2006 at 2:55 PM

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