On Thursday, members of the House and Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees viewed video of the U.S. military's controversial "second strike" on a boat which was allegedly transporting drugs in the Caribbean back in September. This story has become an obsession of Democrats, and their friends in the leftist media, many of whom have called this action a "war crime."
During Thursday's edition of CNN's The Arena, host Kasie Hunt led her show with the story, and was not close to being fair and impartial, while hiding the military credentials of Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) who said the strike was justified.
Hunt began her opening segment, by referring to the video of the strike which was shown to Congress, by cringing, as she led into a clip from Congressman Jim Himes (D-Conn.), who was reacting to what he saw.
Hunt's intro was, "Right now -- (facial cringe) -- there's a tape." Himes claimed "What I saw in that room was one of the most troubling things I've seen in my time in public service."
Hunt underlined the statement and the Himes resume:
HUNT: That was Congressman Jim Himes there. He is, of course, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. He's served in Congress for nearly two decades. And he says that video that shows a follow up strike on survivors of an initial hit, was one of the most troubling things he's seen during his time in Washington... This was a classified briefing, and the only thing that everyone could agree on is the deep respect and admiration for U.S. Service members.
Hunt then introduced a clip of Republican Tom Cotton, the Chairman of The Senate Intelligence Committee giving his take on the video, speaking in support of the strike and more.
COTTON: First strike, the second strike, and the third and the fourth strike on September 2nd were entirely lawful and needful, and they were exactly what we would expect our Military Commanders to do. I didn't see anything disturbing about it. What's disturbing to me is that millions of Americans have died from drugs being run to America by these cartels.
Here comes the difference. Following the Himes clip, Hunt repeated what he said, and pointed out that he's served in Congress for nearly two decades (starting in 2009) She said NOTHING about Cotton following his clip (who joined Congress in 2013). Here's some of what she left out, according to his official bio:
"Tom served in Iraq with the 101st Airborne and in Afghanistan with a Provincial Reconstruction Team. Between his two combat tours, Tom served with The Old Guard at Arlington National Cemetery. Tom’s military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Ranger Tab."
Do you think that's relevant, considering we are discussing a military issue? Maybe she didn't want to give his opinion any gravitas. Hunt then played a clip of President Trump from Wednesday, being asked if he'd be releasing the second strike video.
REPORTER: You released video of that first strike on September 2nd, but not the second video. Will you release video of that strike so that the American people can see for themselves?
TRUMP: I don't know what they have, but whatever they have we'd certainly release, no problem."
Hunt responded by shrugging, shaking her head, holding out her hands, and mimicking Trump with, "No problem...let's see it!
She then introduced her panel, which included CNN's Senior Military Analyst Admiral James Stavridis (Ret.), who hasn't seen the video. Stavridis was vetted as a potential vice president by Hillary Clinton's campaign in 2016.
STAVRIDIS:... I'll close with this. You showed us Jim Hines and Tom Cotton. I know them both. I respect them both. I'm really looking to hear from the head of the Senate Armed Services Committee... The ranking member, of course, is (Democrat) Jack Reed, a West Point graduate, the Chairman of the SASC (Senate Armed Services Committee) is Roger Wicker, a former Air Force JAG Officer, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired.) Those are two voices I'm waiting to hear from.
Hunt responded with, "A really good point on that score." Hello, that would have been a perfect time to recite Cotton's military credentials to Stavridis and the viewers, especially after hiding them after his clip played earlier, but nope, not a word.
Making faces, shaking your head, making it clear which side of the issue you are on is bad enough if you call yourself a "journalist." Not informing your viewers of the military credentials of the one voice that you presented to that point, that had an opposing point of view on this military issue, demonstrates a bias toward the Democrats....which is another afternoon on CNN.
