The Twitter War on Karen Finney

Fans of the lovely and lively Ms. Finney were overjoyed to  see her finally have a go at guest-hosting on Thursday and Friday of  last week when she filled in for Martin Bashir.  We hoped she would make a big splash and capture the attention of execs at MSNBC who might consider giving her a show of her own.  I doubt that any of us ever dreamed that we would see her attacked unfairly, misquoted, and abused the way we have for the past few days on Twitter.

Like some warped version of The Telephone Game,  Hate-Tweeters have twisted her words and worse claimed she said things that she did not. People whose attention spans do not exceed 140 characters retweet without checking to see what she really said.  The videos and transcripts are all available at  the Bashir Live homepage, but let us not waste valuable retweeting time looking for the truth!

Ms. Finney organized and presented some compelling programming.  Of  course she covered the story of the week, the Trayvon Martin case.  The language used by the accused perpetrator, George Zimmerman on 911 record,  not Ms. Finney, is what brought race into the discussion.   She along with her panel presented the facts as they found them.  So what did Karen do to precipitate this hailstorm of hate on Twitter?

There is a “B” word that I have yet to hear in connection with the Trayvon Martin case.  With all of the attention being paid in this country to bullying, I have not heard the suggestion that as a self-identified authority figure, George Zimmerman may have bullied Trayvon Martin.  We do not like thinking about that kind of bullying.  We do not want kids bullying other kids, but I notice a resistance to suggestions that authority figures also bully.  Some teachers do, coaches do, and yes, security and police personnel also do.   Karen did not raise this issue, but if the latest Zimmerman information, that he is injured, is true, it could be consistent with Trayvon fighting back – against a bully.

Having raised that “B” word, I find what is happening to Karen on the Twitter feed also a form of bullying.  The attacks are merciless,and the “quotes”  have no basis in fact.  It is hate talk and very dangerous.  I still cannot fathom why it is Karen who receives this treatment.  I hope it is not rooted  in sexism, racism or both,  and I certainly hope it is not because she is beautiful and brilliant.  We have seen enough of that!  Thanks to Ryan Olsen for the picture.

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Karen Finney, Anchor: A Review

As you know, our homegirl Karen has spent the past two afternoons filling in as host on Bashir Live at MSNBC.  Fans hailed the choice.  Some live-tweeted which was helpful to folks like me who were stuck at work.  It provided a chance to take an occasional peek.  Fortunately, I long ago set my DVR to record this show (and others) in case Karen might be on a panel.  So I have spent two evenings watching my favorite commentator running two shows on her own and found her impressive.  More than impressive.  By mid-way through today’s show the word “expert” kept leaping into my mind.

Tweets during and after the first show on Thursday were largely encouraging.   The “Finney Fans”  were high-fiving her in all of their genius 140 or < character ways.  When I came home from an extra-long day today to look at the Twitter feed, I saw something quite different.  It looked like someone had taken a rake and knocked a wasp’s nest off of a tree branch.  Negativity rained down like someone had opened a faucet.  It may be that this Politico article had something to do with the gathering of the haters.

Democratic strategists as MSNBC anchors

By DYLAN BYERS|

3/22/12 3:55 PM EDT

MSNBC has no problem letting viewers know where its political ideologies lie, but I think it’s worth noting that Karen Finney, Democratic strategist and network contributor, is currently filling in as anchor on the Martin Bashir program.

Read more >>>>

Since I am not the resident “wingnut site snoop” (Jen holds that post), I do not know if there were other, similar articles or whether Byers simply shot around the interwebs like buckshot.   Whatever it was,  that swarm on her Twitter feed today came as a shock to me as well as to the many homegirls and homeboys who regularly visit there and encourage her efforts.

Somewhere along the line I saw the term “race-baiter” used.   Really?  Are they talking about this Karen Finney?   Race-baiter?    I can think of no term less appropriate.

I watched yesterday’s Bashir Live twice.  I have watched today’s show only once,  but is this the Karen Finney who has so angered so many?  Seriously?

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Stand Your Ground Laws, posted with vodpod

As is her wont, she gave Rick Santorum credit for something well done.  She is not a Santorum supporter, but she always gives credit where it is due.   She asked an honest question on every decent person’s mind: “Where is Zimmerman?”  It is a fair question.  I just wonder what, in this segment, angered so many and where was the race-baiting?

In my book, Karen has done an extraordinary job over these two days and well deserves her own show.  Her research is deep and broad, her views are circumspect, and her presentation is clear.  She has a lot of charisma.

In the end what does an anchor do?  It holds fast while the currents swirl around it.  Karen held strong for two days while the tides built around her.  She was genial,  courteous, artful, and fair.  I say. “Give her a forum of her own!”  Five Stars, Karen.  Wonderful!   (Oh!  Wait! the code won’t give stars.  Well then I think you deserve diamonds!)  ♦♦♦♦♦

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Karen Finney Fans: Take Note!

For those who are fans of this  awesome researcher, analyst, and commentator, I have a treat for you.

Karen Finney

Fans have been clamoring on Twitter for awhile for Karen to have her own show at MSNBC, but  of course, first things must come first.  As a popular guest commentator,  she has demonstrated the talents and gifts that are indispensable to success on current events talk TV.  She is animated, quick-thinking, well-informed, and circumspect.  Not to be shallow, but she is also very easy on the eyes.  She is the whole package, but that is not a direct route to a show.  What CAN be is filling in for hosts of current shows.

Karen is a regular panelist on Bashir Live at MSNBC  3 p.m. ET.  Tomorrow and Friday, Karen will be filling in for Martin Bashir in his absence.  Her fans could not be happier to see have this opportunity to showcase her her appreciable skills as a host and moderator.

So tune in to MSNBC at 3  EDT (or check your local listings)  tomorrow and Friday and catch Karen!  We wish her the best.  She’s our homegirl, and we hope this is a step to a Karen Finney show to  be aired regularly.

Here’s lookin’ at YOU Karen!

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Video: Karen Finney, Julian Epstein, and Krystal Ball on the Limbaugh Apologia

Karen shared this on Twitter in case you missed Martin Bashir today.  What Limbaugh offered was a Greek “apologia” not an apology, but an explanation.  It was not even a good one.  Socrates would have given him an”F.”  Here’s what Martin’s outstanding panel had to say.

Vodpod videos no longer available.Karen Finney, Julian Epstein, and Krystal Ball …, posted with vodpod

Here is the link to the website Krystal started: BoycottRush.org.  Share!  Spread the word!

P.S.    This is NOT the kind of posting I was expecting to be doing here during Women’s History Month!

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