STORM2K

Reuters
Pfc. Jessica D. Lynch was held captive in Iraq and rescued by United States troops there. The networks are racing to interview her.





To Interview Former P.O.W., CBS Dangles Stardom
By JIM RUTENBERG


he race to land the most sought-after interview of the war in Iraq intensified as soon as Pfc. Jessica D. Lynch arrived at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in mid-April, after her rescue from an Iraqi hospital.

Katie Couric of NBC News sent Private Lynch, now 20, a bundle of patriotic books, including Rudolph W. Giuliani's memoir, "Leadership." Diane Sawyer, of ABC News, sent a locket with a photograph of Private Lynch's family home in Palestine, W. Va.

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But CBS News, in addition to the usual personal touches, exhibited an apparent new gambit in its pursuit of an exclusive interview with the newsmaker of the moment, known in the television business as "the get." In its letter to Private Lynch's family and officials at the medical center, obtained earlier this month by The New York Times, CBS News combined its pitch for a two-hour documentary with many other projects envisioned by the other divisions of its corporate parent, Viacom.

"Attached you will find the outlines of a proposal that includes ideas from CBS News, CBS Entertainment, MTV networks and Simon & Schuster publishers," Betsy West, a CBS News senior vice president, wrote to Private Lynch's military representatives. "From the distinguished reporting of CBS News to the youthful reach of MTV, we believe this is a unique combination of projects that will do justice to Jessica's inspiring story."

CBS Entertainment executives, the proposal said, "tell us this would be the highest priority for the CBS movie division, which specializes in inspirational stories of courage." Simon & Schuster, it said, "is extremely interested in discussing the possibilities for a book based on Jessica's journey from Palestine, West Virginia, to deep inside Iraq."

MTV Networks, the letter went on, was offering a news special, a chance for Private Lynch and her friends to be the co-hosts of an hourlong music video program on MTV2, and even a special edition of its hit program "Total Request Live" in her honor. "This special would include a concert performance in Palestine, West Va., by a current star act such as Ashanti, and perhaps Ja Rule," the proposal said.

Private Lynch was not the only recipient of such a proposal. Recently, the CBS newsmagazine "60 Minutes" fashioned a proposal for Aron Ralston, who was hiking in Utah and was forced to cut off his arm to free himself from a boulder. The CBS proposal asked to film his rehabilitation and offered to help him contact other Viacom divisions.

CBS's dangling of movie, television and book deals in front of potential interview subjects has troubled some media critics who worry that in an age of media conglomerates, where news operations coexist with their entertainment counterparts, journalistic independence can suffer in the race for synergy.

CBS News said that there was nothing untoward in the way that it approached Private Lynch or Mr. Ralston. The Lynch proposal, for example, made clear that CBS News is independent from its corporate siblings, executives said. And there was no promise of a book or movie deal in return for an interview, only the expression of interest in her story from other Viacom divisions, they added. "We stand by this letter — there's no quid pro quo stated or implied," Ms. West said.

"We were led to believe that because of the media barrage of the Lynch family, it would be helpful to consolidate the various Viacom projects, including the CBS News proposal," Ms. West added. "We made it crystal clear that they were separate projects in no way linked."

But a Walter Reed medical center official who helped the Lynches sift through the media approaches did not find the distinctions as clear-cut as CBS news executives might have hoped.

"It looks confusing the way the letters are," said the official, Beverly Chidel, a hospital spokeswoman. "Someone may think, well, you're going to pay me for this, that and the other."

The CBS News proposal presents the latest development in the long, complicated history of "the get."

A good dose of charm has always been an important part of the media courtship and remains so. Typical of a friendly pitch, Jane Clayson, a CBS News correspondent, wrote a letter to Private Lynch in May reminding her that they shared the astrological sign of Taurus. "I hope you have a great day, " said Ms. Clayson, referring to Private Lynch's birthday.

For years such niceties from a big-name anchor or correspondent with the right demeanor were enough to lure the newsmaker in front of a camera. But as larger entertainment conglomerates came to own news operations and declined to treat journalism as a loss leader, some long-observed boundaries have been blurred.

Television news divisions occasionally pay for video and other material like home movies from the subjects of their reporting, technically permitting them to maintain their no-payment-for-interviews policies. And NBC News rebuked a staff member last year for buying clothing for a young kidnap victim in Los Angeles who had agreed to an interview with the "Today" show.

http://www.boortz.com

LET HER BE! She needs this time to re-coop, not to worry about TV interviews, nor shows nor movies!

what i wonder about is if her "amnesia" is just a ruse to keep her story secret till she can sell it to the highest bidder.

That's freaking ridiculious, especially when Lynch is trying to recover. I know if I was Jessica Lynch, the last thing I want was a TV interview.

Bottom line, I'd say forget it!!!!!!!!!!!

Jim

This is outrageous! Note that CBS is not the only offending (dare I say "offensive"?) party; NBC also pitched for an "exclusive" to fill in the missing pieces in thier proposed "made-for-TV" movie.

Wisely, PFC Lynch's father has refused any such overtures; the staff at Walter Reed Military Medical Center seems to be following suit in scrutinizing these unwanted and MOST unwelcome "offers", which in fact offer nothing more than exploitation.

Does anyone know the E-mail address for the "Dear Sir, You Cur" complaints office of CBS, ABC and NBC?

And, Helen, God bless you, cut it out...I have already given you chapter-and-verse on the "why" of PFC Lynch's seclusion, and more than once. Or, don't you read responses to your own threads?

I bet it's easily reachable off the Internet... .

Here's some info from a couple friends of mine that met with Jessica's family last week....

As of last week, Jessica is unable to use her right hand...cannot grip a fork, a tennis ball. She suffered severe nerve damage, and may never have full use of her right arm/ hand again...Jessi is being taught to write and feed herself with her left hand (which seems nearly impossible to me...also right handed).

As of last week, Jessica still wore a cast on both legs; still has pins and screws in her right ankle. There is still serious questions as whether she'll EVER walk again; at least without a walker. There is a reason the family home in West Virginia has been remodeled to include full handicapped facilities...a reason it's now WHEELCHAIR accessible

Her mom and dad have been told Jessi will LIKELY remain at Walter Reed hospital for several more months; possibly until Thanksgiving or LATER.

This brave girl was hurt a lot worse than anyone on the news has told you...and I got the story from people that have seen her; and who met and prayed with her family.

My friend said she cried ALL the way from DC back to West Virginia...and was so humbled by all those brave young heroes she and her husband visited in that hospital....many so grievously injured.

I've been telling you for weeks that information I was recieving via emails from family and friends kept telling me Jessi Lynch was injured far worse that most of us were led to believe. Words in emails from her friends such as "horrid things were done to Jessica", "worse than anyone's worst nightmares" (I didn't ask any details...because it's none of my business).

I'm certain the LAST thing on Jessica Lynch's mind tonight is getting rich from writing her memoirs or interviews on tv. She's "fighting like hell to regain the use of her right hand and her legs...fighting as hard as she can" (words from her own brother's emails!!).

Jessi Lynch is a brave young lady, and she's a stubborn little fighter...just like my Becky is. That doesn't mean she'll ever be well or walk again -- it only tells me she'll never give up...she'll never stop trying!!

God bless Jessi Lynch and her wonderful, humble family.

Perry

streetsoldier wrote:This is outrageous! Note that CBS is not the only offending (dare I say "offensive"?) party; NBC also pitched for an "exclusive" to fill in the missing pieces in thier proposed "made-for-TV" movie.

Wisely, PFC Lynch's father has refused any such overtures; the staff at Walter Reed Military Medical Center seems to be following suit in scrutinizing these unwanted and MOST unwelcome "offers", which in fact offer nothing more than exploitation.

Does anyone know the E-mail address for the "Dear Sir, You Cur" complaints office of CBS, ABC and NBC?

And, Helen, God bless you, cut it out...I have already given you chapter-and-verse on the "why" of PFC Lynch's seclusion, and more than once. Or, don't you read responses to your own threads?

i think she will sell her story eventually. i dont see anything wrong with that. i just hope she doesnt have a "sudden" returm of her memory.

Helen,

We do agree on many basic matters, but you appear to have more than a jaundiced eye towards the motivation of your fellow man/woman.

PFC Lynch is already up to her earlobes in just coming to grips with the fact that she, as a once-healthy 20-year-old woman, may have to live as an invalid for the remainder of her life.

The physical scars are evident; her emotional health will be MUCH more difficult to recover, if ever. What she may know goes to the heart of possibly TWO Army investigations..one for war crimes, and the other for the actions/lack of actions in the field of some of her 507th soldier-comrades during and after the ambush.

Add that she and her family have been threatened with death...not just from Arabs/Iraqis, but so-called "peace activists" here and abroad...which is a VERY good reason she has 24/7 Secret Service protection, and is secluded from outside contact.

And, with all of that, you are still claiming that she's "holding out" for a fatter purse? She has enough on her plate...more than most people could bear, IMHO.

Last, Helen...not everyone is a "mercenary".

According to my friends Eric and Debby Horner (gospel singers that visited Jessica's parents)....Jessi Lynch is being guarded 24/7 by Secret Service; and will receive protection of the same for at least six months after she returns to West Virginia...

Apparently she witnessed some things that are very incriminating to some of Saddam Hussein's "top Fedayeen guns", and they aren't very happy that she lived (she is alive because two Iraqi doctors risk their own lives and lied to the Fedayeen...told them Pfc Lynch had died. IMO that's why the Fedayeen took a hike -- they knew there would be hell to pay for whoever killed Jessi and Lori (Piestewa).

Jessica Lynch was tortured...her friends told me so...what she's told them on the phone and in emails. I don't care to discuss details, but it was beyond horrible. I'm frankly amazed she is alive....it is a miracle from God that she survived (imagine being nearly killed when an RPG blasts the truck you are in -- only to be viciously tortured by nearly a dozen enemy soldiers as you lie semi-conscious with severely broken legs and a broken back).

That's what I was told was done to Jessi Lynch. She IMO is the bravest young woman in America, because I don't think many 200 lb men could take the torture Jessi's friends tell me those Iraqi sadists did to her (after she wasalready severely injured in the blast) and live....I know I couldn't...no way!

Perry and Helen,

All of this shows that the pressure being undertaken by Viacom, Simon & Schuster, CBS, MTV, etc. to "get it" out of this young woman is premature (at best) and reprehensible (at worst).

The insensitivity of such people never ceases to amaze and infuriate me...she needs to be LEFT ALONE.
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streetsoldier wrote:Perry and Helen,

All of this shows that the pressure being undertaken by Viacom, Simon & Schuster, CBS, MTV, etc. to "get it" out of this young woman is premature (at best) and reprehensible (at worst).

The insensitivity of such people never ceases to amaze and infuriate me...she needs to be LEFT ALONE.
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it was reported on fox today that her dad is close to signing with an agent. i dont blame them, i am just curious at all the conflicting stories.

Bill, I believe one problem is the networks (and to a great extent) the general public aren't aware of just how badly injured Jessica Lynch is.

All the half-truth stories by the BBC about "fake rescue", and Iraqi doctors saying "Jessica was only in a truck wreck...wasn't really hurt that bad" -- those type of false stories have many believing Jessica isn't really hurt...that it's all just a con job being perpetrated on the American people by the White House.

I know Nascar driver Michael Waltrip isn't a liar. He said Jessica looked pitiful....such a tiny girl in so much pain.
He was stunned to learn how badly she was hurt...reportedly visibly shaken. Eric and Debby Horner don't lie...they are just as trustworthy as I am.. They said Jessi's parents were heartbroken...because her right hand is almost useless, even after several weeks of physical therapy. Her legs haven't healed as well as expected...the reason the Lynch family, friends, and neighbors installed a wheelchair ramp on their West Virginia home...because she may never walk again; and IF SHE does...it may be several years from now.

Jessica Lynch in all probability will never be 100% again....the odds are she'll spend the rest of her life either in a wheelchair or on a walker. If you ever see the girl on David Letterman, don't expect to see her walk in as Ron Young Jr and David Williams did....it's probably not realistic. Her legs were shattered; her ankle and right foot mangled.

"War is Hell" isn't just a slogan....it's the truth. My uncle was critically wounded on a WWII European battlefield when he was 21 years old. He died in 1999 at age 88....he was brain damaged until his death (had the intelligence level of a 9 year old....was unable to take care of himself). Before the war, his IQ was around 125; a very intelligent man...afterwords he was never the same

Jessi Lynch nearly died from her injuries, and has suffered more than 99.9% on this and any other weather board on the internet. Anyone dissing her should be totally ashamed of themselves...TOTALLY!!

One more thing...

All this talk on the boards and across America about was Jessica "just" injured in a vehicle wreck?

I have a young friend named Andrea that was injured in a car accident when she was 17. She's been paralyzed below the waist ever since....and it happened six years ago. In all honesty, Andrea is lucky. She's alive....two of her teenage friends from high school died that night

PW

Helen, what you reported from FoxNews...strange, I've had it on all day and have heard nothing of the sort...

Perry, you have to remember that you are in a nearly-unique position...you have access to friends and, sometimes, the Lynch family itself. 99.99% Americans don't have an inkling of what you have been told; and you are wise in refusing to spread that knowledge save in a VERY general manner.

It was given you in full trust, and you have NOT betrayed that trust. For this, you are a rare man indeed (if Helen's perceptions about people and motives are correct), and should be congratulated for your steadfast concern for Jessi's privacy.

BTW, that report of Mr. Lynch fishing around for an agent came, not from FoxNews itself, but was read from an article in the EVER-HONEST AND RESPECTED (?) New York Times...LOL

Even if true, there are many reasons to engage an agent, Helen...one you may have missed is to act as a guard dog against speculative (and potentially libelous) activities engaged in by overzealous press/tabloids/others.

Hollywood personalities hire agents for just such protection every day...to "scare the wolves" away. Mr. Lynch is being more savvy than anyone gave him credit for, and more power to him.