What are you kidding? This is a step towards seriousness at CNN...earlier the top story was Michael Jackson. As for the good news from the Middle East, the producers at CNN probably have their heads under the pillow, wishing it would all just go away.

Don't forget, we have Amber Frey's new book, and the Jackson trail, where are your priorities, man?

Personally, I'd rather go to Lebanon for election security, more surf, less sand, the possibility of beer (albeit French).

I have a concern about the turn events have taken in Beirut. The Syrian track record with Hama is a reliable indicator of what that government is capable of if it feels threatened. Granted, the optometrist son running the country today isn't the tyrant his dad was (some talents take time to develop). However, let's not forget that the Syrians were lavishly praised when they first rolled into Lebanon, because they stopped the civil war that had claimed almost 200,000 lives. This suggests they might consider reigniting the civil war in order to present us with the prospect of renewed bloodshed, posing the dilemma for the US of having to choose whether or not to intervene, or tolerate continued Syrian presence to maintain the peace. The ultimate question is whether or not the same groups that were happily massacring one another before the Syrians stopped them can avoid going for one anothers' throats when the Syrians leave. The Syrians must realize that once they're out of Lebanon, they have everything to gain from a renewal of the civil war. US intentions toward Syria are pretty obvious, so they have every reason to want Lebanon in turmoil--it'll complicate our planning and possibly buy them time.

You should see the lefty paper in my city (Mpls Star Tribune) there wasn't even mention. They had demonstration of teachers and school kids at the capital on the front page. Pathetic.

Considering the deal that CNN had made with Saddam's regime, I wouldn't be surprised if they have a similar deal with Assad's - nothing gets out unless the government censors say it gets out. Do I know this for sure? No, of course not. But if one tyranny can force CNN to bend like that, it is not a leap of the imagination to suppose that other tyrannies have done the same thing.

Forget about CNN. Their ratings are in the toilet.

February: Comparing '04 & '05 Ratings
The following lists compare the ratings (in total viewers) for cable news programs between Feb. 2004 and Feb. 2005. Do you see a trend?

4 to 5pm:

FNC, Your World, +3%

CNN, Inside Politics/Crossfire, -19%

MSNBC, Lester Holt Live, -39%

Headline News, +21%

CNBC, Closing Bell, -11%

5 to 6pm:

FNC, The Big Story, +12%

CNN, Wolf Blitzer Reports, -17%

MSNBC, Connected Coast to Coast, -19%

Headline News, +15%

CNBC, Kudlow & Cramer, -13%

6 to 7pm:

FNC, Special Report, +20%

CNN, Lou Dobbs Tonight, -17%

MSNBC, Abrams Report, -28%

Headline News, -4%

CNBC, Bullseye, -18%

7 to 8pm:

FNC, The Fox Report, +2%

CNN, Anderson Cooper 360, 2%

MSNBC, Hardball, -20%

Headline News, -25%

CNBC, Late Night w/Conan, -14%

8 to 9pm:

FNC, The O'Reilly Factor, +9%

CNN, Paula Zahn Now, -17%

MSNBC, Countdown, -22%

Headline News, +7%

CNBC, Apprentice/Cover to Cover, -16%

9 to 10pm:

FNC, Hannity & Colmes, +19%

CNN, Larry King Live, -23%

MSNBC, Investigates/Reports, +6%

Headline News, 0%

CNBC, Dennis Miller, -63%

10 to 11pm:

FNC, On the Record, +37%

CNN, NewsNight, -26%

MSNBC, Scarborough Country, -17%

Headline News, -17%

CNBC, Big Idea, -60%

http://mediabistro.com/tvnewser