XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX MON NOV 21, 2005 21:25:35 ET XXXXX

CNN MARKS CHENEY: NETWORK FLASHES 'X' OVER VP'S FACE DURING LIVE SPEECH

**Exclusive**

At 11:04:45 AM ET Monday CNN was airing Vice President Dick Cheney's speech live from the American Enterprise Institute in Washington -- when a large black 'X' repeatedly flashed over the vice president's face!

The 'X' over Cheney's face appeared each time less than a second, creating an odd subliminal effect.

As this DRUDGE REPORT screen capture reveals, while one 'X' flashed over Cheney's face CNN ran a headline at the bottom of its screen: "CHENEY: I DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS WRONG TO CRITICIZE."

One top White House source expressed concern about what was aired over CNN.

"Is someone in Atlanta trying to tell us something?"

A CNN spokesman did not return repeated calls late Monday night.

Developing...

more...

XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX TUE NOV 22, 2005 08:25:48 ET XXXXX

**Exclusive**

CNN SENIOR MANAGEMENT LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION OF CHENEY 'X'; CONTROL ROOM STAFFER 'LAUGHED' WHEN X FLASHED

CNN management has launched an internal investigation into how a giant black 'X' mark appeared over Vice President Dick Cheney's face -- as he delivered a speech from Washington on Monday!

"We are taking this matter very, very seriously, and I can assure you no one at this network would ever deliberately place an 'X' over the vice president's face," a top CNN source, who asked not to be named at this time, said from New York.

A well-placed CNN insider claims a control room staffer "laughed" when the image appeared shortly after 11 am.

A careful review of the tape now shows a white colored 'X' was also transposed over Cheney's face during the speech, it appeared for less than 1/15 of a second, creating a startling flash effect.

CNN spokeswoman Laurie Goldberg emails: "We concluded this was a technological malfunction not an issue of operator error. A portion of the switcher experienced a momentary glitch. We obviously regret that it happened and are working on the equipment to ensure it is not repeated."

A rival network news director asks: "When has an 'X' ever aired on CNN before? Who had the graphic sitting in the key signal? Who generated the 'X'?"

The vice president himself is said to have brushed off the incident, a White House source said early Tuesday morning.

Developing...

But there's no media bias, right? Strictly a computer graphic error.......

Tomorrow on CNN see W's nose grow...

How typical of the sh*t that comes from you "compassionate" liberals. You're an a$$ and an idiot.

Yeah, put a smiley there and it's all okay, right?

I can think of a head that would fit well on you, and it ain't a chicken...

I watched that broadcast and saw the infamous X. I though it was my eyes or my TV

Guess I'll cancel my eye appointment

I know that threatening the President is a crime. Not so when it comes to the Veep? This comes awfully close to solicitation for murder.

Nah. I mean, look at his past. It's not like Idiot has ever committed any federal crimes...whoops, scratch that...

ROFLMAO!

As I was reading Greedy's post, I kept looking forward to a punchline! I can't believe this happened during a VP's speech

Typical liberal BS, and they wonder why they can't win an election.

I was referring to CNN, and they're obviously quite worried. They've been falling all over themselves since it happened, explaining that it was a computer glitch.

They should have just said that it's similar to what happens with optical voting machines sometimes. I'm sure that Republicans would underestand how that could happen.

That puts things in a different light so yeh, sh!t happens no big deal.

I knew you could relate Ud.

You are juch a joke, Idiot.

I had a very strong dislike for Clinton and Gore and celebrated their ouster and Gore's loss. But I never hoped or suggested someone should kill them. Isn't it interesting who has the HATE out there?

But if you wanna talk poll numbers, you can say Bush and Cheney have low poll numbers now. But you know what, your beloved liberals/Democrats by and large also have as low, or even lower poll numbers! Hmmmm...wonder why nobody in the media is reporting that?

And leave it to a lib to flaunt federal immigration law and say so what, lots of people are worse than me. I'm sure that would wash well with you if someone stole like $100 worth of your property and said, well, some people steal lots more, and the cops are so busy with them that they don't have time to come after me. Yep, a real lib mentality. Congratulations.

How many times are you gonna throw out that tired old "I served my country and you didn't" card, Idiot? Did you serve so that only servicemembers could vote or comment on politics? I call BS.

There are people who served this country in the military and yet did very dishonorable and damaging things who are a net loss to the country, there are many who serve their country without being in the military service (someone has to design and make those planes, and radars, and bombs and guns and stuff that helps make our military the best on the planet) and there are those who serve quietly by just being good, honest, hardworking people who are the backbone of the country.

So get off your high horse. I respect most all people who have been in the military, but I have little respect for those that constantly tout it and try to lord it over others to try to make them feel somehow inferior or less worthy to comment -- that is not what most military folks' attitude is. But we all know you're different, don't we?

It was a cheap shot, I admit it. I debated wheter or not to delete it before I posted.

I decided to leave it because I figured you wouldn't respond to any other point of the post and I look forward to your responses so much.

Easy Idiot, easy, dropping a lot of F bombs here lately. I can see why you don't discuss politics with friends.

Thanks Ud, I'll watch my tongue... or in this case my fingers.

You have such a calming influence on me, maybe you should put up a shingle.

********UPDATE********

XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX SUN NOV 27 2005 17:05:23 ET XXXXX

CNN OPERATOR FIRED AFTER SUGGESTING 'X' OVER CHENEY WAS 'FREE SPEECH'

A CNN switchboard operator was fired over the holiday -- after the operator claimed the 'X' placed over Vice President's Dick Cheney's face was "free speech!"

"We did it just to make a point. Tell them to stop lying, Bush and Cheney," the CNN operator said to a caller. "Bring our soldiers home."

The caller initially phoned the network to complain about the all-news channel flashing an "X' over Cheney as he gave an address live from Washington.

"Was it not freedom of speech? Yes or No?" the CNN operator explained.

"If you don't like it, don't watch."

Laurie Goldberg, Senior Vice President for Public Relations with CNN, said in a release:

"A Turner switchboard operator was fired today after we were alerted to a conversation the operator had with a caller in which the operator lost his temper and expressed his personal views -- behavior that was totally inappropriate. His comments did not reflect the views of CNN. We are reaching out to the caller and expressing our deep regret to her and apologizing that she did not get the courtesy entitled to her. "

Developing...