Open Letter to CNN

Dear Sirs,
It has always been my choice to look to CNN for accurate and responsible and non-biased news reporting. I love the sophisticated reporting of Candy Crowley, the great Christiane Amapour, Michael Chance and many others. I have always enjoyed and appreciate responsible opposing opinions offered by your guests however, as a Vietnam Veteran I am insulted that you have chosen to give Liz Cheney a voice on your broadcasts. Indeed I am hurt that you have diminished all the great reporters and opinion people by giving equal voice to her tirades.

I am not sure what her credentials are other than having been the daughter of a powerful Republican and Vice President, having a law degree and thus being the recipient of favors in the past administration. Her assignment to the State Department I am sure was nothing more than nepotism, which is ok, because that happens all the time in all disciplines. That does not, however, make her an expert in anything as she has so willfully proven in her appearances on CNN. Her opinions carry no more weight and possibly a lot less weight than my grand nephews and nieces.

While it has not yet been totally established that the Bush Administration was irresponsible, delinquent and cavalier regarding the events of September 11, 2001, I would like to remind you that the evidence is substantial that similar to the war in Vietnam the war in Iraq was a “war of choice”. While America has lost four thousand plus soldiers and many thousands of life changing wounded, the Iraqi people have lost tens of thousands and tens of thousands more suffered life changing wounds. I know Iraqi lives are not so important to what we have come to understand as “Flag Waving Americans” but this atrocity was promoted, justified and initiated by the past administration for apparently no reason other than revenge.

Liz Cheney is an embarrassment to the integrity of CNN, if I wanted my home to be invaded by hypocrisy and unchallenged lies I would gladly change the channel to Fox News. What I expect from CNN is a responsible discussion of the issues. I don’t think the daughter of a man who, in a perfect world, would be in jail awaiting trial for war crimes, fits that mold. If it is important for CNN to get Dick Cheney’s point of view than Dick Cheney should be the person who comes onto the shows and questioned. But then I guess it should come as no surprise that Mr. Cheney, who said "I had other priorities in the '60s than military service." when he was before the Senate for confirmation as George Bush 1’s Secretary of Defense would remain the coward that he is and hide behind his daughters skirts.

I have to assume that CNN has chosen to no longer be a truly “fair and balanced” “NEWS” outlet and has decided to sink to the level of the FOX News interpretation of that slogan. It is good that in most circumstances your anchors announce the upcoming interviews. When I hear that Liz Cheney is one of the guests I can turn the channel. I will encourage all the families and friends of those who lost soldiers in Dick Cheney’s war to do the same.

Bart Coyle