CNN Nails Mine Owner Murray... With a Big Wet Kiss

When will the traditional media stop rolling out the red carpet for Utah mine co-owner Bob Murray? CNN anchor Kyra Phillips treated Murray like a hero on Wednesday, the same day the Salt Lake Tribune reported on documents that prove Murray had pushed for risky mining methods at Crandall Canyon. Risky mining methods Murray has strenuously denied employing, but which may have contributed to turning his mine into a death scene for three rescuers and six miners.

Phillips did show some grit at one point in the interview -- but not to take on Murray. Instead she stood strong in support of the job her network has done covering the story: "I can tell you right now as a journalist here at CNN, and our entire news operation, in no way shape or form have we forgotten what each one of those miners has done."

But no one has suggested that CNN has forgotten what the miners have done. The problem is that they have forgotten what Murray has done to the miners.

It took CNN 12 days, as Arianna pointed out here, to get around to questioning the safety of the Crandall Canyon mine, offering the chyron, "Safety of Rescue Operation Debated." Instead, the network has given endless air time to Murray and Richard Stickler, Bush's mine safety czar, who has offered more protection to the mining industry than to coal miners.

Phillips had the chance to ask Murray the kinds of questions that could expose dangerous mining practices -- and possibly save lives in the future. Instead, she let the interview become yet another opportunity for Murray to buff his image as the grieving surrogate father of the miners that were killed under his supervision.

Phillips ended the softball interview not by pressing Murray on the day's million-dollar question -- Did you place the recovery of more coal from your mine above the safety of your miners? -- but by asking Murray "How are you holding up?"

She then offered Murray the CNN stamp of approval, telling him: "I appreciate your time... and your honesty."

Perhaps in Phillips' lexicon, "honesty" means phony chest-beating from a mine owner looking to cover his tracks -- tracks that have contributed to the deaths of nine brave men.

John Amato has the video and the transcript at Crooks and Liars.

Comments

[kkotrba]

Here, here. This blogger is dead on. It's clear that Murray's attorneys told him to get out in front of the story, and the media -- particularly CNN -- fell for it. The real story is mine safety. Not how gd charming this leech can be on camera, on cue. Shame on CNN.

[larry278]

Bob Murray can't be compared to Judas. Bob turned down the dollar bill a bystander at his mine thrust at him. Don't play Bob cheap with a lousy 30 pieces of silver or a lousy dollar. Bob is in it for the millions.

[blackjack]

I say it is time to brake up this CORP:, Main Stream Media. The CORP bosses own every thing we HEAR,See,OR READ, I think some where on the inter-net that NINE PEOPLE CONTROLE every thing we SEE,HEAR,OR READ, so it is time TO BUST UP THIS CORP:, owner ship or that is all we have, REPORTES like KYRA PHILLIPS. Usless.

[riona]

This blowhard Murray, should already be in handcuffs! His horrible safety record has already been made public, his knowledge of the serious safety risks involved in the retreat mining he was conducting with when those six miners has been exposed. Clearly he is hiding something! How dare he raise his voice to those family members after he killed their father!

But, unfortunately, the lack of public outrage does not surprise me. So many outrageously criminal acts have been carried out in this country with no real protest. Why haven't impeachment proceedings begun against Gonzalez and members of the White House? Why are we still in Iraq? Why is New Orleans still a disaster area? Because the American people just sit back and do nothing. They are more interested in how Lindsay Lohan is doing in rehab than whether the bridges in their city are safe. Why in this country, at this pivotal time in history, are so many Americans so complacent? Is it apathy or a feeling of powerlessness? How anyone cannot be directly affected by this horrible Bush regression and not want a real revolution, I don't understand. Perhaps many Americans don't want to face the challenges that would bring. Perhaps they don't want to face the fact that they might be victims or that they are being exploited. Blaming the victim has always been popular in America. Or, at least, blaming the vulnerable for being...vulnerable.

Maybe that's why Bob Murray, with CNN's endorsement, is pointing fingers of blame at the families of trapped miners, whom he blamed for killing the three rescuers. With his back up against the wall, he just starts yelling at people. Well, who can blame him for trying this strategy in a country where Bill O'Reilly has a top rated show. Go with what works.

[WolfLarsen]

I am sick of this idiot talking about a "seismic event" and saying it lasted over 4 minutes! I live in California and have been through several earthquakes and NONE of them last that long. If it were an 4.0 earthquake like this moron claims it would last for seconds not minutes. Why does no one called this fraudulent criminal on these lies? When someone tries he says he misspoke while fighting back crocodile tears and stating over and over that it doesn't matter if it was a natural or man-made disaster. Really. Than why did this jerk go to such lengths to blame it on nature. What a greedy, dishonest and criminal corporate stooge. Another credit to the Bush administration. Bush and his cronies have raised the level of incompetence to historic levels. They should have locked this nut case in the nearest closet and never let him near a microphone. What an arrogant megalomaniac. With this administration every time you think it can't get any worse....it does. What a nightmare!

[MinM]

NEWS YOU WON'T FIND ON CNN..

Iraq, Iran, & the Vanishing Context in American News
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article18217.htm
The prolific comic George Carlin has this insight to share concerning the American media"s commitment to class warfare:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KReZyAZLI0

[kroses98]

Kyra Phillips is an administration hack! Always has been. She spent some time in Iraq, always "spinning" the "positive stories!" She cannot be trusted, as most of the CNN bunch. Actually, Lou Dobbs is good on some issues, but he cannot be trusted to always be there with the truth. He actually praised the mine owner for being an "outspoken guy," in the good sense, a few days ago. I don't know if his feelings have changed since then, because he's been off. CNN, in general, is not to be trusted. That's sad for those of us who would like to believe.

[lisakaz]

Dan Abrams was no better on MSNBC. No follow up, nothing. You'd think it was the first softball interview Murray had gotten.

[footsore]

Hey Kyra, What did those miners do? They died!
footsore

[ArjenBoatsma]

CNN has long ago abandonned objective journalism. So why should we all of a sudden expect decent coverage and relevant questions on this issue?

[LeftLeaner]

CNNs new tag line should be the most trust name in news BY the BUSH Administration.

[Grannysue]

I think it's fairly obvious people like Wolf Blitzer and Chris Matthews of MSNBC are big Bush fans, "the kind of guy you'd like to have a beer with". So, it doesn't surprise me that Kyra would gush over Murray, who knows his companies probably own part of CNN! Of course since the Bush administration slashed all of the safety standards for mining since taking office, there have been more accidents in the past seven years then in the previous ten under Bush, Murray and Strickland are all hand holders. It's all about the money, that's why Kyra gushed, she wants her paycheck.

[tandrmcdonald]

Just caught the "evil mountain" comment. Have I missed something by turning the sound off when Boss Hogg starts his latest spewage? When was that? Anyone?
Gramma Rose

[Gonzalez]

Phillips is just another idiot Bushie desguised as a reporter. She is useless. Just watch her reporting and wonder why CNN employees her.

[tandrmcdonald]

Robert Murray has blood on his hands. CNN let us down again. Where have all the journalists gone?
Gramma Rose