Friday, July 20, 2012

Colorado Movie Massacre Gets Scant Coverage in Bay Area Media; TV gets it better than radio; Friday Start


People gather outside the Century 16 movie theatre in Aurora, Colo., at the scene of a mass shooting early Friday morning, July 20, 2012.  Police Chief Dan Oates says 14 people are dead following the shooting at the suburban Denver movie theater. He says 50 others were injured when gunfire erupted early Friday at the Aurora theater.  Oates says a gunman appeared at the front of one of the Century 16 theaters. Photo: The Denver Post, Karl Gehring / AP

The images and cell phone footage from the Colorado movie massacre are all too familiar; tragic and quite disturbing. But we've been down this road before many times. That's another matter.

The coverage here was amazingly scant; given the severity and national scope of the tragedy, one would have thought otherwise.

Most local TV news accounts, relying heavily on local Denver-area TV and the cable outlets, mostly got it right and provided the necessary eyewitness accounts. What we saw was pretty evident.

Radio, unfortunately but not too un- predictably, was all the way from deplorable to merely acceptable.

KGO had multiple interviews with a Denver radio reporter who gave reliable and up-to-the-minute reports. Solid if not spectacular.

KCBS was disappointing. Other than speaking with KPIX-TV's Michelle Griego, (who happened to be in the area visiting family), the all -news station merely stuck with CBS network updates.

KSFO's Morning Show with Brian Sussman and Melanie Morgan went wall-to-wall with the Aurora tragedy, all well and good, but couldn't help themselves with immediate diggs at some media pundits who speculated that the shooter may have been a tea-party member. The term, "lefties" was integrated into the show minutes after air-time. Poor taste. And by the way, who cares? We're talking about a monumental horrible situation and already the wretched excess of Brian Sussman emerges.

And then we have the old reliable doofus factory known as the KNBR "Morning Show", broadcasting live from a Tahoe golf tournament. Fine. You'd think the morons would have merely acknowledged about what had taken place in Colorado. The fact that even non-news outlets were talking about Colorado speaks volumes. The morning midgets didn't say a word. Not one word. Clueless? Yes.



63 comments:

  1. I listen to a few minutes of Brian and Melanie, was not surprised at their speculation, that is how the operate. I can't listen to them, too much speculation, and as written here before I just can't stand Sussman. You very accurately summed up what is wrong with him. I switched (in between dosing off) to Bill Press and at 6 am to Armstrong and Getty. How much longer is Brian going to last. Are there really enough people in the Bay Area who like him to justify him being on the air? I assume that most conservatives, no matter how misguided their view, are intelligent. Especially in the Bay Area

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    1. So the weather guesser Sussman is already working on a way to politicize this tragedy? I don't doubt he will find some angle to blame Obama and the ”dems”. He is so worried about Islamofascists and immigrants from Mexico that he probably gets confused when a white guy is the terrorist

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    2. Yeah, you're right. It doesn't need to be politicized. However, it should be publicized on these facts:

      1) What parent(s) take a 3-month old baby to a midnight movie?

      2) Why?

      3) Why a 6-year-old girl who was killed? What was she doing in a theatre at midnight?

      4) Why a 12-year-old also caught in the blaze of bullets, including one that ended up injuring on in the Theatre 8 next door?

      5) OK, I get why the Navy and Air Force guys were there. They, too, were injuried. A sad shame.

      6) And, finally, the link to website "Rotten Tomatoes" had to for the first time ever, stop taking offensive reviews of the new Batman movie because it has been so badly panned. Why'd they cut off comments? Because the studio told them to.

      7) And this genius is/was a Ph.D candidate? I hate to think what he was thinking. And the pols will, as they did, just say, "Look, it's an isolated incident, just like Columbine, the shooting of the congresswoman in Arizona, the shooting in Ohio just a couple of months ago and as bizarre as "Kite Boy" in Colorado a couple of years ago. Nothing will be done about this, so, don't going firing up the neighborhool smelt ovens. Isolated, indeed.

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    3. @3:40 is an incredibly stupid post with no discernible point but a series of idiotic random stupid comments.

      What conceivable difference does the victims' ages make? And who cares whether the victims were members of the armed services?

      Here's a clue when you right something; make a point and try not to seem crazy!

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  2. "KGO had multiple interviews with a Denver radio reporter who gave reliable and up-to-the-minute reports. Solid if not spectacular."

    Usually I agree with your KGO comments, but not on this one. KGO spoke with Steffan Tubbs, a former national ABC News correspondent who now works full-time in Denver. I think it was a coup that KGO spoke several times with such a solid experienced reporter. Ronnnnnnn used the first hour of his show to talk about it, as well as in his cut-in with entertainment correspondent David Blaustein.

    I am neither a KGO shill, nor anyone's relative. I just think KGO was solid on their coverage this morning. Credit where credit is due.

    My heart goes out to the people of Colorado.

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  3. Fernando and Greg had good coverage

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  4. Rich's self important indignation about this horrible event typically creates the sense that this tragedy is about him. He alone understands how terrible this tragedy is.

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    1. Uh, no.

      Rich is simply commenting on the way this story was reported in the 415 area.

      Unbelievable tragedy and my tears and prayers go out to the Colorado family and friends who have had their world turned upside down today. Horrible horrible.

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    2. I've got to agree with 11:31.

      It's just another case of Rich scolding the local media and in particular criticizing KNBR, which is after all a sports talk network.

      If I want national news, I go to one of the national broadcast or cable networks, I wouldn't tune in to ESPN unless there was some sports connection.

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  5. "...KPIX-TV's Michelle Griego, (who happened to be in the area visiting family)..."

    Ah, that explains it. I was wondering a) why KPIX would've gone to the trouble and expense of sending one of their reporters out there, and b) how the hell she would've gotten there so fast!

    KGO had a few miscues jumping between network/Colorado affiliate footage and Amy Hollyfield standing in front of the Metreon.

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  6. Colorado doesn't seem to get upset enough to ever use gun control..from the long forgotten Liberal Jewish DJ Alan Berg killed in the 70's by neo nazi's to Columbine and now this.
    Until every neighborhood has a smelter and feeds it the billion gun America this will only get worse.

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  7. I don't know about Michelle Griego. According to that annoying Frank Mallicoat, on the morning broadcast, he actually said that Michelle Griego got an early wakeup call this morning, insinuating that the honchos at KPIX woke her up early, and threw her on a jet to her home state and area near Aurora. I personally noted that it was a great organization of logistics to get her there in time for her to do a live standup this morning from Aurora. Now, I don't know if Frank was right, or if he was just making it look like it was great logistical reporting...

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  8. Hey bozzo KNBR is all sports radio station. Why should they shift away from regular programming to cover something that happened in CO. Now if it was something in CA, then it would be a different story. If people want to hear about news they will tune to KCBS and KGO. Just like I don't care for traffic updates from KNBR. If I want traffic updates I will listen on the 5's and 8's at KGO and KCBS.

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    1. KNBR owns 1050..a sports station. And Damon Bruce has been all over the story and talking with people in Colorado.
      Maybe he cares?

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    2. Almost every sports show during the day had at least an adknowledgement of the events and a blessing/sympathy for those involved. Those two morons with the boondoogle golf trip couldn't be bothered. If they were around during 9/11, they probably would have been pissed the sports events were cancelled.

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  9. Tell those folks at KSFO they should take to task Neil Boortz who mocked the President's comments regarding the shooting...yea right wing media always seeking out the prejudice against them, but are blind to the ignorance their camp spews and how they always try to tie it to politics and "freedom".

    What ABC's Brian Ross did with his information was unprofessional...yet he is a reporter. Louie Ghomert essentially stating the tired old trope "if someone in the theater would have been packin, they could have taken out that guy" won't get any coverage on Fox, unless to praise him as some sort of visionary.
    We all should have an AR-15, that would make us safer, and saner!

    Those same folks sure hate the ACA but love the NRA...must have a right to a gun, but no way should we have a right to accessible affordable mental health care.

    Sad day for the folks of Aurora and those families devastated by this.

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  10. Rich, come on, I would not want the boyz on KNBR mornings to give me Breaking News. Breaking News to them is a splinter, sprain......

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  11. I guess I was one of the handful of people who tuned into Ronn's first hour. Thought he might be interesting. Turned out to be very flat superficial treatment. Boring callers. Gun control, ho hum. Maybe next week?

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  12. People have been taking their kids to movies at night for decades. Remember drive-ins? I am old enough to remember when some movie theaters had quiet rooms in the back of the theater so mothers could take their babies there to view the movie and not disturb other movie goers. We used to go to movies on Saturday nights in a group, most of us around 11 years of age, and watch back to back horror movies until midnight or later. Occasionally we would walk home. There used to be a time when being a kid was fun. How sick I am of scolding helicopter parents lecturing others over nothing. How about getting your panties in a bunch over the fact that assault weapons are legal?

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  13. Brian Cesspool and Melanie Nobrain are whats wrong with this country. They would rater blame the Left for this and harp that theory than report the few scant facts that were available. How long until KSFO burns to the ground and take these clowns with them?

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  14. So Sussman is a jerk for reacting to ABC News' desperate attempt to link ANY tragedy to the Tea Party? OK, so what does that make ABC News for trying to politicize things in the first place? Don't have anything to say about that, do you, Rich?

    Good idea on gun control 12:29. I'm sure all the criminals and psychopaths will line up to turn in their guns as soon as the law is passed. But if guns are outlawed, nobody will ever be able to buy them, right? That thinking has really worked on the drug problem.

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  15. Guns are here to stay, thank god. The real problem is in Hollywood for making these violent bull shit movies and creating a cult like following that get too caught up in this crazy stuff. Our liberal goverment has dumbed down the population to the point that they take this stuff seriously. Lets get real for a change.

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    1. Kudos, you took good notes listening to Michael Savage today. Comeback on Monday and give us the Rushbo talking points when you get a chance...

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    2. Liberal government had nothing to do with this or with the West Virginia shooter, Texas tower shooter, Columbine, or the San Diego Macdonald massacre. It has to do with psychotic reactions to life and sociopathic tendencies. To think otherwise is the mark or pathetic ignorance. These events will always be with us,guns or no guns.

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    3. 7:34, are you trolling or just a fucking idiot?

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    4. I am always amazed at how some people enjoy publishing their ignorance. Yeah, the Left is responsible. Sheesh. Get educated.

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    5. Frank - No, I was trolling FOR fucking idiots and it looks like I found one. Keep pushing for more gun control, though, works like a fucking charm! While you're at it, pass a law against meanies.

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  16. Rich, you are
    Ike an lawyer looking for an accident.

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  17. Radio, like film, is dead. Get over it.

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  18. KCBS indeed reached a low today. The bodies were not even warm and that liberal twit Susan Leigh Taylor was giddy about the prospect of more gun control; in fact, she and Stan Bunger had their "political analyst" on for an interview and that was the first question they asked. To his credit, the analyst didn't play and said while it's a possibility, it was far too soon to talk about it. For any media outlet to use this event to score a political point is shameful and a disgrace to those who died. But in this day of polarization, one should not be surprised.

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    1. Thank you for pointing out: KCBS is not as politically neutral as they would have you believe.

      Also, when I listen to the morning "round-up" that always includes a dumb/humorous story about five minutes after the top of the hour, I ask myself, "Is that really newsworthy?"

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    2. Discussing stricter controls of assault weapons after something like this is obvious. So far it looks like all these weapons and ammunition were purchased legally.

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    3. Good point 9:01pm. KCBS has never been objective.
      They are left wing hacks always have been.
      They do not even disguise there beliefs.

      One thing you will never hear Susan Leigh Taylor discuss are Barrack Obama's falling poll numbers.

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  19. @anon 7:34pm. You are sick. I wish guns were NOT HERE to stay. I hate guns. I mean, anyone can pick up a gun and just shoot someone with it. Is that something we really need? On the local angle to all of this, just a few weeks ago some idiot sprayed bullets and hit 5 people in front of the Jack London Cinema in Oakland. I've never owned a gun and have no reason to. Stricter gun control laws are a must IMHO.

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    1. You're right, let's just wish 'em away! You are so stupid, it's incredible.

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    2. No stupid is for the man in the White House.

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  20. If we have learned a lesson, it is that a white guy can mow down dozens of people with an assault rifle in a movie theatre and the police will arrest him peacefully. However; a black guy who does not pay for a BART ride will get shot in the back for ”reaching in to his waist band”. Officer Mehserly should be hired by Aurora PD for a day in my opinion. The old ”taser vs gun” mistake should be used with the culprit...

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    1. Aside from the obvious fact that you're an idiot, you're comparing apples to oranges.

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    2. 11:44 is right on. African Americans get shot in the back routinely by the police for petty offenses. The lunatic in Aurora is still alive because he is white. Anyone who does not see it that way needs to get their heads out of their asses...

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    3. African Americans get shot in the back routinely by the police for petty offenses Hey 11:44 Also all the people in jail are innocent too!

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  21. KCBS has NEVER been the go-to station for any kind of breaking news. They're far too rigidly committed to their hourly "pie."

    As much as I miss talk on KGO, and hate what Cumulus has done to that station, I will say that they have maintained the news flexibility that they always had. It's a much better choice for following developing stories.

    Why you're dragging a sports station into this, for criticism under the circumstances, is beyond me.

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    1. That statement about KCBS is completely untrue.

      There is not "rigidity"...and don't confuse tight formatics with being rigid.

      Along with the local angle/coverage (with some Bay Area residents at that theater that have talked with KCBS) the CBS National top and bottom hour coverage has been all over this story.

      You are conflating what you perceive as rigid with taught/tight formatics...yea KGO does not have them, and that is in part part of their undoing, not focused, current, and at times relevant in "what does this story mean to me, the listener?"

      Just my opinion, but to say KCBS has never been a "go to" for breaking news is equal to saying Jerry Rice was never a "go to" receiver.

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  22. Rich, apparently Stacy Taylor was on KGOne this morning. That was a short resignation!

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    1. Checked KGO's website, yes Stacy Taylor was on, and looks like he will be on again tonight. Don't know what it means. I have written them about my disappointment in not having Stacy on, since he is a very good and intersting host. I assume others have expressed the same sentiment. I can't imagine Candace Delong got decent ratings, she couldn't hold my attention (although I always liked her as a guest, but being a guest vs. host is not the same, different skillset) she didn't get very many calls. If you don't get calls, you have to be a Gene Burns, Ronn or some other heavyweight to hold the attention of your listernes. Anyway for what ever reason Stacy is back and I think that is good, let's see what the story is. I will let KGO know when they do something I like, just as I have contiously let them know when their programming displeases me. Perhaps Candace ratings was too low even for the new KGO, or perhaps she just needed a few days off.

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  23. I really like this blog and read it daily. Must correct one thing. KNBR morning show did talk about the shooting- heard it personally myself, early in the show. Murphy very appropriately discussed and moved on. Just a simple correction.

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    1. It seems like Rich automatically criticizes KNBR regardless of the circumstances.

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  24. I don't know what you were watching but KGO sent Ana Dates to Aurora. At least give them some credit...

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  25. What in the world do civilians need AK-47s for? This society has lost its way.

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    1. AK-15s...which in this instance jammed.

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  26. Clueless? no amount of carnage is ever enough for gun nuts. It could have been an orphanage of babies..and the gun nuts will say "if we had armed those baby's"..

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  27. ABC7 reporter Ana Detes flew there and several live reports and used the stations cell phone technology equipment for one live shot that looked like shit!

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  28. The racial aspect is not that Oscar Grant was shot to death for keeping his ass planted on the floor of the Fruitvale Station and following police orders. Or that a convicted pimp who sold a 13-year old on the street and was wanted for murder in Seattle.

    The racial aspect of this story is that a white guy can shoot 70 people and the majority in this country will assume he must be mentally ill. If this guy's name had been Muhammad, it would be an Islamic terrorist conspiracy led by Barack Obama. If he'd been black, we'd have to hear about how all black people are all savage criminals. If he'd been a third genration American Latino, we'd be subjected to endless delusions about his immigration status and the need to seal the border. That's the real difference. A white guy flew a plane into the IRS building in Austin a couple years ago, killed one employee, and it was a story for exactly one day. White people get to be angry, disillusioned, screwed over, crazy, or any combination of the foregoing and brown and black people are just animals. Okay?

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    1. How did this story morph into a Racebater screed?

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    2. Thank you. I could not have said it better. It amuses me that when a white guy goes postal everyone becomes an armchair psychiatrist. Everyone tries to figure out his ”mental illness”, ”why did he snap?”, ”perhaps his PhD program was too stressful”...etc...they talk to his family, friends, neighbors and acquaintances to try to find an ”answer”...very interesting. When Edwin Ramos killed the Bolognas I do not recall a single report touching on his upbringing or his psychological state. We did hear about SF as a sanctuary city which coddles criminals from south of the border. Race is part of the story...

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    3. Don't forget--when a pretty blond white girl disappears,it makes national news,search teams and the FBI are right on it. Its even called "Pretty white girl syndrome",I shit you not.

      If a black girl disappears..even Maury Povich and Jerry Springer don't care.

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    4. or brains. This fellow was a neuroscientist.

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  29. Brent Cannon and Laura Garcia-Cannon (two of the worst people ever to pollute television airwaves) were notorious for feigning concern about serious incidents, in my opinion. They were garbage.

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  30. It's really a shame that this psychopath didn't plan his attack on the "east side" of town. Good chance 10 guns get pulled in the crowd. And for the sake of god and all the blessings he/she conveys, why couldn't there have had an off-duty cop or some military men or women in that crowd? I'm sick to my stomach to think what the taxpers will pay trying and housing someone who should have been executed on the spot.

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  31. Anon 8:09 you are insane. All we needed was some other armed nut job in the theater, where it was dark, smokey from tear gas, and people running every which way, to open fire to save everyone. This is raw, delusional, NRA, stupidity. If someone had pulled a gun and started shooting, more innocent lives would have been lost. And I, for one, would insist the person trying to save lives be tried to the fullest extent of the law.

    Earlier, I meant to say that Oscar Grant did NOT keep his ass planted on the BART station floor. Grant had his life wrongfully taken from him and I'm not shedding any tears over Mehserle's conviction. However, but for Grant's lack of cooperation with the police, he most likely would still be alive.

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  32. This shooting occured because we have an Attorney General who sold automatic rifles to drug lords in Mexico. There is where who you should place your outrage against.
    By the way go back to SFgate.com. That webpage caters to the angry mob of the bay area.

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  33. Didn't you get the memo? A white guy shot up the theater in Colorado, not a Mexican in a drug cartel. He bought his guns online. Never let the facts get in the way of your bigotry.

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