My 'responsible journalism' complaint letters to TV talking heads this political season

Why would I even waste my time and breath with such letters? Because on principle I can't let statements like these fly on TV without speaking up just as I couldn't if the so-called 'expert' were standing right in front of me speaking so loose and unchecked. So I check -- mouths, eyes, gestures, and even TV politicos. They can be sooo irresponsible, way out on live national television, and I just hope that these letters reach them. Here are my responses to MSNBC's Tucker Carlson (today) and CNN's Jeffrey Toobin (Feb. 9):

Hello Tucker,

I'm watching your show, I know you're a fairly smart guy, but I have to say that I think your perspective on John Lewis' superdelegate switch is unfair, as evidenced by your word choices.

Your question for the segment was, 'Will other African American superdelegates make the same move?'

Well it's pretty obvious that you're assuming that Lewis made his choice somehow because he is African American himself, or perhaps because he believes that because his constituency is largely African American he has to somehow vote 'African American' now (if that's even a technically possible thing to do). Well Mr. Carlson that is biased and unfair. African American-ism doesn't have anything to do with this and your interjecting that notion is journalistically irresponsible and politically divisive.

Lewis has clearly stated that he is basing his decision based on the voting results of his bloc, the districts that he represents -- which is a philosophical approach to his superdelegate responsibility. And even if his districts are largely African American, you, Tucker, are hardly in position to make the giant leap that presumes that those voters in Georgia voted for Barack Obama simply because they too are African American. Who are you? Voters vote on issues. Again. Voters vote on issues! Sure some other factors play small parts but none are as great as the serious political issues they face and here's why:

Democrats are energized and all certainly deserve a jolly pat on the back for pushing these historically significant candidates this far, but take a deep breath and be serious, at the end of the day real people's lives are affected by real life -- the economy, education, healthcare, the war, the environment, taxes, their freedoms -- not nearly as much by their candidate's ethnicity or gender. If that were so then far more African Americans would've voted for Al Sharpton, but they didn't. These primaries are about unified Democrats, not divided demographics. Catch up to 2008.

Have a little more faith in voters, African American voters especially if you assume that they'd treat their vote so cheap. That's a very serious distinction to keep in mind so please post this up on your fridge or something. Otherwise, keep up the work and stay on issue.


Malik Singleton
Brooklyn, NY

And my email letter to Jeffrey Toobin written while watching CNN's coverage on the night of the Lousiana, Nebraska, Washington State primary and caucuses:

CNN,

While watching tonight I took extreme exception to analyst Jeffrey Toobin saying "I don't mean to ghettoize Obama's success in these states," talking about the senator's wins in largely black South Carolina and Louisiana. I know that he was in fact speaking in favor of Obama's success in the primaries but what a backhanded compliment. Even if his offense was unintentional it was still a completely ignorant and insensitive remark for a 2008 journalist speaking for such a widereaching news network.

How could he so easily let something roll off his tongue that equates African Americans with the ghetto without considering the images that brings to mind? Deep down does Toobin think that most African Americans reside in ghettos? Even if he did believe that, has he given a thought to the fact that in an election night discussion about how people vote, we're not talking about all people, we're only talking about actual voting people, active registered voters, and in this case African American voters, not the general population of people (who he clearly told on himself over).

If Toobin were to equate the ghetto with poverty that wouldn't be more responsible but it might've been a little easier to let slide. But he clearly equated ghetto with the African American voters who are enthusiastically participating in the political process, supporting multiple candidates, and trying to watch your so called 'best political team' for analysis, only to be slapped in the face in a huge moment of bad commentary from a very uninformed professional, Jeffrey Toobin.

I also wasn't too happy with corresponent John King co-signing Toonin's take in their back-and-forth. Please rewind the DVR and send your commentators to sensitivity training sessions.


Malik Singleton
Brooklyn, NY