CNN's John King apologizes ... for the use of "in the crosshairs" on air

Sigh.

The video is here. The transcript below is from the same link (hat tip).

CNN’s John King: “Before we go to break, I want to make a quick point. We were having a discussion about the Chicago mayoral race. My friend Andy Shaw used the term ‘in the crosshairs’ in talking about the candidates. We’re trying, we’re trying to get away from that language. Andy is a good friend, he’s covered politics for a long time, but we’re trying to get away from that kind of language.”

Taking absurdity to a whole new level: That’s the CNN way.

Lemme see. What other words will soon be banned (or bleeped) from use on “mainstream” media news outlets in the name of “sensitivity” and “civility”?

“Battleground” states?

“War” on drugs, etc?

The Senator’s got the presidency “in his sights”?

“Job-killer”? (Boehner’s already modified his use of that term)

“Partisan gunslinger”?

“Showdown”?

“Assault” on free speech?

Help me out, please.

Phineas says:

January 19, 2011 at 10:22 am

It takes “craven” to a whole new level.

Trochilus says:

January 19, 2011 at 12:36 pm

I’ve been trying to get away from John King’s language — all of it — for a few years now. So it’s good to hear he’s trying to get away from at least a small portion of it as well.

Iva Biggin says:

January 19, 2011 at 12:38 pm

Sheriff Droopdick calls all radio conservatives “Flamethrowers”. You know that kind of language might make some nut case lefty want to burn down an orphanage.

PE says:

January 19, 2011 at 12:46 pm

Pull the pin, trigger, time bombs, land mines, blow up, explosive, light up, wipe out, castrate, strangulate, hand-to-hand combat, knee cap, stomp that sucker flat,dynamite, nuke. I supect that any effective strategy for eliminating “violent” metaphors from public discourse will need to use the principle of inter locking lanes of fire.

thomas mc donnell says:

January 19, 2011 at 1:35 pm

and this is the land of free speech.

January 19, 2011 at 1:36 pm

Whatever tactics the larboard-leaners may seek to employ in confronting those who employ rich action metaphors in their political discourse will ultimately fail.

This King comment was an example of just one of those tactics, a “polite remonstrance” aimed at his own colleague. Gee, that should sit real well with Andy, who no doubt is now lying in wait for the next John King boo boo, so he can jump on it!

A pertinent query via Ann Coulter last week.

(Do liberals know where we got the word “campaign”?)

You see, they already are encountering “interlocking bands of grazing fire” which is actually a protective measure to stop enemy assaults dead in their tracks.

And this is an attempted broadside assault on free speech . . . the most ambitious one to date.

Lorica says:

January 19, 2011 at 1:38 pm

I will give you all money that in 5 months all this chatter is in full swing mode as soon as the presidential campaigns begin. This new sensitivity will all be forgotten.

I go back to my default belief with all of this new pc talk. They started it, they need to stop it. Had anyone told Sheriff Dipstick to shut the he** up?? I don’t think so. – Lorica

January 19, 2011 at 9:43 pm

Here’s more proof . . . from Piers Morgan, who just took over for Larry King at CNN . . . that they are earnestly trying to get away “from that kind of language.”

Piers has apparently put out a “list” of people who he refuses to interview.

From that story:

. . .
The other banned television host is Keith Olbermann. Why? “Just because it would really annoy him. I think he’s a great broadcaster, but I know he gets wound up very easily. It’s not a lifetime ban, it’s a temporary ban, designed to confuse and bemuse him, and hopefully engender a violent reaction,” Morgan said, the story notes.

(my emphasis added)