A short note to Gwen Ifill, after watching
Washington Week -- below the fold:
Gwen,
Thank you for the good work you do hosting "Washington Week." I am happy that you became the host after Paul Duke left, and almost always appreciate the way you direct each week's panel.
I understand that the show focuses on politics, sometimes more than the "substance" behind the machinations. I thought the discussion, this week, of the UAE port controversy showed a good balance. I also understand that it's hard to deal with the time constraints of the show and come up with summary statements and wrap-ups as the show ends.
However, I was jarred at the end of this week's program by the way you framed the issue of the South Dakota and partial birth abortion laws heading for the Supreme Court. As you finished talking to Linda Greenhouse, you joked (here's my best memory of your words), "well, abortion this week. How about school prayer next week?" Linda went with you -- "...or flag burning?" Chuckles all around.
Abortion is a political debate and certainly many politicians use the debate as a tool -- but women and girls throughout our country will be profoundly affected if these laws hold. Regardless of your position on the issue, you must recognize that heartbreak, physical trauma and, in some cases, women's deaths will be the result of abortion bans. From the perspective of those supporting the bans, this is about nothing less than the murder of children.
For me, that makes the issue quite different than a political "hot button" debate over school prayer or flag burning. I will be very disappointed if you don't see that -- and have some regret over your handling of the subject at the close of tonight's show.
I usually recommend a calm, reasoned tone when trying to get news folks to consider a change. Of course, if others decided to write rants, I wouldn't blame 'em a bit. This DC media bubble is deceptive and destructive.