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I never thought it would happen, but Ashleigh Banfield is coming back.
Ashleigh Banfield, who made a name for herself earlier in the decade as an anchor/war correspondent on MSNBC, will be joining ABC News, TVNewser has learned.
Banfield, who has been an anchor at CourtTV/truTV since 2005, is expected to join ABC News next year. Without confirming the move, an ABC News spokesperson tells TVNewser, “We like Ashleigh Banfield and admire her work.”
For those of you who may not remember, about a week before Mission Accomplished Ashleigh Banfield unexpectedly and magnificently went off on the media’s coverage of Iraq and the Middle East: the “embedded” reporting that turned war into a glamorous videogame, the willful ignorance of Islamic culture, the love of missing-white-woman stories over substance, and the nonstop cheerleading of Fox News.
And what was her reward for this courageous truth-telling? She was banished to a closet:
“I was office-less for ten months,” she says. “No phone, no computer. For ten months I had to report to work every day and ask where I could sit. If somebody was away I could use their desk. Eventually, after ten months of this, I was given an office that was a tape closet. They cleared the tapes out and put a desk and a TV in there, and a computer and phone. It was pretty blatant. The message was crystal clear.
“Yet they wouldn’t let me leave. I begged for seventeen months to be let out of my contract. If they had no use for me, let’s just part ways amicably — no need for payouts, just a clean break. And [NBC News President] Neal [Shapiro] wouldn’t allow it…. I will never forgive him for his cruelty and the manner in which he decided to dispose of me.”
But now she’s back, after four years on CourtTV – and on the “Path To 9/11″ network, no less. Between Banfield’s rehabilitation and Lou Dobbs’ fall from grace, and before that the pushback against the birthers and deathers, I could almost believe that the non-Fox media are slowly fumbling their way back to reality. If they start describing the Stupak Amendment as a sneak attack on Roe v. Wade, maybe then I’ll let myself hope.
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she’s cute. that’s all i know.
if she’s not o court TV that means she won’t be commin’ down here for the Casey Anthony trial. But ya know who IS commin’ to The City Beautiful jusy a short distance from where I work? You got it. At Barnes & Nobles it’s…… ‘Cuda!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can’t wait.
So that was the liberal MSNBC? Is that guy still running it?
I walked right by Tom Ridge signing books at a local B&N without even realizing it. I didn’t know it was him until I passed the sign a little later…
I think Shapiro is at PBS now.
Dude, are ya gonna hit on her?
She is cute, and also did excellent reporting from Afghanistan and Pakistan back in the day.
It’s good she’s back, hopefully her ethos will rub off on others at ABC.
Banfield’s shabby treatment by MSNBC is no surprise. Remember, the network the Cons now love to depict as “liberal” had axed Phil Donahue for the same reason — even though his show had the highest ratings of any MSNBC show at the time. I’m still astonished that their execs actually woke up enough to allow Keith and Rachel on for two hours a day.
Nah, all the young Republican boys will be doin’ that. I might heckle her. What should I say? I’m not very creative. I’m more the “Hey! Asshole!!” type.
I always had immense respect for Banfield, she did the right thing and paid the price for it unflinchingly. More like her please.
That’s only fair. Tom Ridge probably didn’t realize that was you, either.
Becuz Florida isn’t filled with all them hateful libruls doncha know (but of course, Bible Spice probably has no clue where to find Florida on a map. Maybe someone should tell her who y’alls representative is.)
i really didn’t know her until 9/11 and in the days after. she was great. i’m glad she’s back (and that Dobbs is gone)
As any Con will tell you, MSNBC actually has SIX hours of liberal programming, because Tweety is a former Democratic Hill staffer, and all three commie shows re-run.
it’s ALMOST Grayson. But alas, I’m a few miles away in FL-24 and represented by a dipshit 1st term Dem who voted against the healthcare bill.
Ask her if Levi is comin’ for Thanksgiving.
Yup
and just what is it that msnbc does on weekends? makes me miss the test patterns of old.
Probably more like 12, because each of them counts as *two* liberals, as per the Phil Donahue Rule.
Have you organized an office visit this week, while your ‘critter is home for Veterans Day? This would be a really good time to go talk to them, or a staffer.
I can ask if Levi had any dressing.
I am really excited about Banfield coming back to news. I thought she was great and I may have to start watching again.
No. Thanks for that. You know who DID organize visits couple weeks ago- my church. (Lady voted against Stupak and the bill itself.)
What about Ed? Don’t forget Ed!!!
plus an asterisk, of course, for Rachel’s lesbianism.
Ask her if Tripp is her and Levi’s baby.
That’s alright. I have the ‘joys’ of Adam Putnam who doesn’t vote for anything that I would like.
She might have to be counted three or four times.
Baracougar ?
hee hee
Yeah but the Moanin’ Joe show with Mika et al seems like 12 hours itself.
But he’s not running for re-election, right? He’s running for Ag Commish, right? So who is running for his seat?
Always fun when your own representation turns over, it’s so rare nowadays. *sob*
Eli this is a great story can we get her to come to the Lake and talk to us?
I’d rather.
true. At least because I hear she’s not just a lesbian but a practicing lesbian. and i guess practice makes perfect
I’m glad she is busting out of Purgatory but make no mistake, if she has the temerity to critique pinhead editorial decisions ABC will scourge her just as severely as MSNBC.
What? Am I gonna hafta break my rule and watch something on ABC?
I like Ed. He’s…….. well, he used to play football. I like Ed.
I confess I’m not a Banfield fan; but credit where credit is due, she stood up and spoke out on the true effects of war. May she do well in her new news-posting post.
I dunno. I think I’ve read at Down with Tyranny that Doug Tudor is running again but not positive. Of course as we all know, Rahm et al will do their very best to make sure someone like Tudor can’t get the Dem nomination and they’ll search high and lo (and in the subscription lists for Forbes or Barrons) for someone who can self finance and act just like a Republican.
i thought you were just here in the mornings. I was lurking earlier. i hear you’re getting ready for jury duty in a big trial.
OT
Maddow backs up Attackerman.
What, you haven’t been casting votes for contestants on Dancing With The Stars?
Oh, the humanity!
Putnum….. Putnum……………. sounds familiar but I’m not placing the name…………….
Yeah. I haven’t switched my official residence to the country, so I’m still on the Manhattan jury pool rolls.
What’s Dancing with the Stars? Was that the program Delay was on?
KSM? Man, being sequestered for months would be the berries. If that trial was in California you’d probably be holed up for five years.
Pshaw, like you weren’t secretly texting in votes for the Hammer (toes). :-)
I’ve always liked Ashley Banfield and I think what she said that got her banned was very brave at the time. The dismissive frat-boy treatment she detailed says so much about network “news” programming, doesn’t it? Imagine coming to work every day not knowing where you were supposed to sit, with nothing to do, hoping against hope for assignment to a tape closet as an upgrade.
What a bunch of maroons control our national discourse.
Putnam….. do you live in Osceola?
I’m retired and I like to read books. It’s history in the making. I’d do it in a heartbeat.
Leaving office to run for Florida Agriculture Commissioner. Looks like Howdy Doody.
Just moved to Brandon a few months ago.
Next thing you know you’ll have me watching Sunday pm college football, on the slippery slope to watching HS football, followed by pee wee football.
You said it to me yesterday; I am dangerous for our National Discourse, and therefore, I natually approve of Ms. Banfield. :) QED.
Would love to see Asleigh do an interview with Amity Shlaes. AARP just allowed Shlaes to push her fact-free New Deal revisionisim in an opinion column. The first and so far only commenter B-slapped her good.
http://bulletin.aarp.org/opinions/othervoices/articles/opinion_from_history_a_forgotten_lesson_.html
I’ve met the illustrious eCAHN, and I must say this is truly a devastating revelation ;)
He’s guilty,why have a trial, that’s what i always say. If those guys didn’t do it they wouldn’t be on trial, right? That’s what I say. I mean, half of ‘em have lawyers who get ‘em off on a technicality anyway so you know the ones who get tried are really, really guilty.
My understanding is that literacy tends to disqualify potential jurors. Lawyers prefer those with minds unsullied by the pernicious prejudicial influence of book learnin’ or news readin’. I think it might be permissible to watch The View.
Sarah Cuda is “Going Bitchy” from what has been reported thus far about the “book.”
I just checked out his website. I was gonna say he looks like Archie. Miore like Howdy Doody, though. You’re right.
From a rich family? His website mentions “old Florida” which I always take as code for, like, Jim Crow Florida. Don’t like that expression.
LOL, can pro wrestling be far behind?
I’m going to type, just in case I get to voir dire, that I have a completely open mind and would make my decision upon, and only upon, the evidence presented at trial. (I’m sure they’ll be tracking down all the computer posts of all the potential jurors.)
Not on the trial that I was on. Both sides wanted smart people, and they were.
I draw the line at that. My son was a fanatic around age 10, for several years. I even took him and a couple of friends to a “match” for one of his birthdays. Gag. Spit. Shake off the crud. Never again.
I bet you are struck from the jury. Because you’re smart. Lawyers don’t like that in a jury.
so instead of yelling “Hey Asshole!” I should yell “Hey Bitch!!” ???
That could make it worthwhile, if it didn’t last too terribly long. If I’d been on the OJ Simpson jury I think I’d have tried to grab Ito’s gavel and use it to end my suffering.
How ’bout roller derby? I used to love that. dad took me to see that at MSG once. it was great.
what ever happened to judge Ito? what ever happened to al “ac” cowlings?
See my 64. It doesn’t always work out that way.
I liked it when I was ten. The adult fans are scary. Several rungs on the evolutionary ladder below NASCAR fans.
The OJ trial was a farce from beginning to end. It ought to have ended with **** the prosecution for incompetence. Furthermore, it wasn’t history, it was a spectable.
KSM’s trial ought to be on the other hand, highly competent on both sides (if he puts up a defense). And it is history.
*MOD NOTE: Edited to remove suggestion of violence
oooh, John Shadegg getting the Maddow treatment.
I’m just so excited to see he and Maddie support patient choice. Women’s choice, right? Women are patients… And then there’s exchanges and public option, and why Shadegg’s starting to sound downright shhhhhhhocialistic.
I’ve never watched roller derby, but it might be fun once in awhile.
Well, she does luv some Ididarod.
From Wikipedia:
No current info on Cowlings except for this.
I was really disgusted that Marcia Clark signed a $4 million book deal after the trial.
Women aren’t patients. We are just suffering from the vapors.
A Palin forerunner.
Whatever happened to the book? Did it ever get on the best seller list?
Next thing you know, Aaron Brown will be back.
I thought this was very funny! Eli didn’t blink.
omg. I hadn’t heard this story before. And all she did to deserve this treatment was to dare to do journalism? It’s unnerving to hear stories of just how close we came to the edge. I wonder if the WH called up the network and demanded that they punish her.
Sh*t. One of these years I’ve got to get a burka for Halloween.
I missed it. It is funny.
I always liked him.
or Christmas.
People may not realize but the isolation and ostracism she experienced is common in government offices — it is how they punish people. She has a career. Many have lost theirs owing to retribution/bullying.
When you consider how the guy who brought us The Path to 9/11 was warmly received for movie night at FDL, then ABC rehiring Ashleigh Banfield doesn’t seem so out there.
Why Christmas?
It was titled “Without A Doubt.” The deal was reportedly $4.2 million. Not sure how it sold but you can order a used paperback copy at Amazon for one penny.
Your family doesn’t dress up for Christmas? Geez. Maybe it is just mine.
Dude in MN was just sentenced to a day in jail for contempt of court for providing answers that would disqualify him from jury duty. Guy only gets paid when he works and is fearful of losing his livelihood. Judge did not find that acceptable. Be careful out there.
Not worth the price.
Way OT: Moyers has a great show tonight. Southern usually sees it at a late time…check it out.
So we could say, “Hey! Marcia, a penny for your thoughts!”
Hasn’t been put to the test but I’m pretty confident I could get out of it on medical grounds.
No we don’t don costumes for Christmas. I admire families who do stuff like that. My hair dresser’s family, all of whom are artistic (he just published a book of his photography), do skits at family gettogethers.
Here’s the link.
That’s good…No comments allowed…;))
As eCAHN said, not worth the price.
I skimmed some of the readers’ reviews. Sounds like she blames everyone for the acquittal except herself.
We usually just have a lot of drama at our family gatherings.
What kind of stuff did he say? Last I got called for federal jury, I made a royal pest of myself to get out, but no one accused me of contempt, though I was full of it.
I’m not remembering that. Who is it that came to an FDL salon?
Ah, family drama. Sigh.
Ditto. The dinner table blessing is, “Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy night.”
See link at my 99.
Oh, he just said he didn’t want to be there because of financial hardship. I said I thought the system was crooked and I would vote against the party with the most power, regardless of what I heard in court. For some reason, I wasn’t selected.
LOL
Wow. What a powerful speech Ashleigh gave. Amazing.
I kinda glossed over this, didn’t I? Care to say more about this?
My arthritis is severe enough it qualified me for disability insurance. Can’t spend extended periods in one position. Don’t think my doctor would have any problem signing off on it.
Oh, no. Didn’t know that about you. Urgh! Sorry!
We dress up at Christmas. There are many many photos of my mom, and our dog, wearing castoff ribbons from packages. Mom usually wears more the more eggnog gets served.
20/20: A Cat Lady feature….why they hoard cats..
It was Cyrus Nowrasteh- here is a link
http://firedoglake.com/2009/06/22/fdl-movie-night-the-stoning-of-soraya-m/
I am so sorry….I had no idea. Take good care.
And all this time I thought it was “herding” cats!
What?
Sorry to hear that. Jury duty would be an agony under those circumstances.
Thanks to you and Barbara and eCAHN. I’m coping reasonably well. At least now I have Medicare. Still can’t afford the better treatments because of the doughnut hole but at least I’m well supplied with analgesics.
Damn donut hole. I swear, they must have been roaring drunk the night they dreamed up that one! Sorry that affects your life.
Good thing Bob dispenses them with kindness.
Wow, I did not know that and it was not brought up until long after the chat that evening. By dday, by the way, who now writes at the FDL News Desk.
That is (part of) what I said!
Most of the meds for arthritis (at least osteo) are not safe unless you want to risk a heart attack. When that little gem was published I threw mine away. It’s not pleasant but there’s not a lot to do. I hope you are reasonably comfortable. Tell Bob to take good care of you.
I have arthritis but not R.A. It is not terrible but some days I wish I have some heavy drugs just for a vacation. I cannot image having to cope with it like you do.
We need to tell the government- “Doughnut hole, My ass!” oh wait…
OT- Did you ever notice who Marsha Blackburn looks like?
Have you seen “Bride of Chuckie”?
LOL!!!
Thanks. I missed that one . . . wow.
I’ll be right back. I have to go check on my apple pie.
And an occasional nip for good measure. :-)
My brother (adult with mental retardation) has Medicare and also Medical Assistance, and something about that duo exempts him from the donut hole. Which some years is an absolute blessing. I absolutely don’t understand (yeah, yeah, I know) why we continue to sock it to the most vulnerable and least able to pay. If I were going to champion just one part of health insurance reform, this would be it. I absolutely hate what’s happening to ratfood and so many others. And guess what?! This time, it’s not all about me, me, me!!!
How is that analogous to welcoming Ashleigh Banfield back to broadcasting?
Pie!
brandy neat or on the rocks? I’m serving.
So yeah, eCAHN, if you’re selected ACT STUPID! /
Actually, it was brought up prior to his arrival, in the preview thread- by me.
http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/5895
OH, No…..it made perfect sense to pay the drug dudes….Should be a crime.
Just that things change. One minute you can be reviled and and the next, honored.
This statement of Eli’s prompted the thought:
But now she’s back, after four years on CourtTV – and on the “Path To 9/11″ network, no less.
The “mandate” is a highly regressive tax increase, and mandates are terrible economics to boot, as they allow the govt to evade responsibility by shoving it on others.
Try to see tonight’s Moyers….alot about that very point
The road to hell is paved with unfunded mandates, it seems.
What’s become of Aaron? And that woman before him with the long dark hair? Can’t even remember her name…
The one jury I served on, I was selected because I was smart. So were the other 11. So it doesn’t always play out according to the stereotype. I suspect that both parties to the KSM trial will want smart jurors, assuming KSM puts up a defense.
Thanks for the Moyers reminder. My non-TV watching mode means I miss the good stuff without really meaning to. P.S. Remind me to tell you sometime about my face-to-face with Moyers, wherein I told him he is one of my heroes, and he said softly, tilting his head the way he does, “Why?”
I’m on large doses of Naproxin and Sulfasalazine all the time. Methotrexate once a week. An occasional 4-day stint of Prednisone for flare-ups. There is an amount of pain I am resigned to live with, anything above and beyond that tends to get on my nerves. I’m grateful to get by as well I do. One never has to look too hard to find someone less fortunate.
You got it.
I liked Aaron. He was so relaxed that nothing sounded especially alarming.
Yep. I think every day how lucky I am. And I’m grateful.
I love your mother!
My aunt is caught in the donut hole too, for oxygen.
Well, you could always go Dutch…
Someone needs to warn his father. *g*
share
Whoa! Had no idea oxygen is part of the RX mix. Judas Priest!
Geez, that’s about as low as a govt could go.
apple pie. two of ‘em. Crust made with vodka to keep it flakey. Apples from up in the foothills. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Wow that totally sucks! My mom hit the donut hole in May the two years she was on Medicare Part D. I figured it was her insulin and a couple other name brand meds that were responsible, it hadn’t occurred to me her supplemental oxygen factored in.
ABC….Sarah Palin all next week….watch out.
Oh my. How big a plate will you accept?
Absolutely…was that in MN?
I never watch ABC. Just Keith, Rachel, really bad reality cop shows and L&O.
Have you tried marijuana? Is it legal in your state?
Okay. As you know, I am rarely here at this hour. WAY past my bed time. Toodles, everyone. Fun to see y’all in the soft evening light of our computer monitors. Don’t forget to stretch, ratfood and Twain and mary mc!
Heard so many people say don’t get involved with part D. Sounds like the worst.
Good night barbara.
What is part D?
No, I met him (full disclosure: briefly) at a conference in DC where he was keynoting. Which is the main reason I went.
Isn’t that incredible? Oxygen.
the RX part of Medicare
(((smooches!!!))) all around
Good for you….Im addicted to the Friday night schedule. Sleep well.
And I don’t know if you can get out of it once you get in it. Do you know?
Gregg Levine is upstairs!
Late Night: Elephants on Parade
Hotel Part D.
I’d be happy to but it isn’t legal in Illinois. Sounds like it’s prohibitively expensive even in the places where it is allowed.
Mary, you have recipe for that Vodka-crust? Sounds interesting…
Sweet dreams, barbara.
Between Nov. 1 and Jan. 1 of each year you can change plans, I assume you could drop it then. Probably some penalty if you decide to opt back in.
thanks for the answer. I don’t have it so didn’t know.
Very true, that last part.
I have some minor osteo. 2 large cups of green tea at night makes it so i don’t have to take ibuprofen anymore. Complete surprise to me, but glad.
I read the post, I have NOT read a single comment.
If this reporter hadn’t suffered what she did, and willfully, I might have some sympathy.
If this reporter had quit, resigned, and started life all over as a different human, I might respect this reporter.
But anyone who suffers the crap she endured, and takes it, and pursues a career in the field?
Please.
Gimme a break.
It’s a break up, you lose to the beast. If you can’t get a huge settlement and make life better for others who might suffer from what you did?
And you just ENDURED it?
Get the fuck out.
Yer killin me, and the post is killin me.
You never took care of yourself.
And NOW you want to make it an issue, as you land a job in another place in the same field?
What makes you think you won’t suffer from the same shit again?
If this is about empowerment, or change, for the betterment of the woman, or reporter, at hand, some one please ‘splain to me how it works.
Cuz I’m missin it.
She was burnt for tellin her truth. And she endured 17 months of crap and more?
For what, a love for serving the 4th Estate that’s been totally crapped up and burnt and owned by corporate media since just AFTER or before, Woodward N Bernstein?
And she STILL wants to work for the corporate feudalists?
Nah, she don’t have a moral compass or needle in her mind or soul.
She’s a media slave.
And I’m disgusted.
The truth is always the first casualty.
Hey there is going to be an opening on court TV. Maybe if LOU Dobbs cross dresses He’s got a chance.