printI was just on Russian TV (RT) to discuss the healthcare repeal vote and China. I like RT America a lot because, unlike American TV, they seem to value contrarian opinions, and mine certainly don’t fall within the permissible, Demopublican range. The interview was with the lovely Kristine Frazao. Should you locate the clip, please be charitable to me. I was on Skype and am sure I stared in the wrong direction. Besides, I am no circus performer, but, rather, the quintessential writer, always most comfortable at her PC screen typing.
http://www.youtube.com/rtamerica
UPDATED I: As promised, here’s the RT YouTube clip.
UPDATE II (Jan. 20): Thanks for the encouragement, however, I would hope that Robert is being unduly negative (and dark) about the prospects of future RT invitations. Just what I need! RT is not really mainstream. Our friend Nebojsa Malic appears on RT often; he is thoughtful and unorthodox.
Besides, unless I am autistic to American reaction (this is indeed possible), I thought the anchor was pleasant to me, even smiling and reacting positively. I liked her a lot. All in all, I found the RT folks professional and pleasant.
http://rt.com/usa/news/usa-congress-healthcare-repeal/
Nice to see you! Hope they have you again.
I was disappointed that Ms. Bellantoni wanted to dwell on the theatrical aspects of the political process. It seemed despite the apparent desire of “the guest” and the host to delve into the underlying issues, she was either unable or unwilling to do so. Nonetheless, I liked the segment and I added the RT America YouTube bookmark to my mobile.
Ilana,
Here is a link to the clip: http://rt.com/usa/news/usa-congress-healthcare-repeal/
Most writers are not good public speakers. Maybe this is why we are writers instead of speakers; however, you did well and I think that in a 3-way conversation made it a two way conversation with the host, leaving the third party to have to play a lone hand. Good job.
You looked fine on the clip and said a lot of sensible things, albeit with the very strange accent (they don’t talk that way where I grew up!).
Most political coverage is of the Ms. Roll Call type – gestures, theater, winners/losers – and “principles” are as relevant to political coverage as baboon social relations are relevant to a Shubert Quartet.
The US and China would be beyond crazy to ever get into a major war considering they are funding our government and we are their # 1 customer. But then, who thought that Europe would go completely nutso over a dead Archduke in 1914!
Jim Webb (my Senator – up in 2012) has been emphasizing how he was voting with Republicans on various amendments with health care but voted FOR the overall package (otherwise, he would be challenged) – he, like all of us, are stuck with the Frankenstein Obamacare that arose out of the politcal morass.
Ilana, you did great! And looked good, to boot. I’m on RT every so often, and I always fret about it; I reckon myself better at writing than at speaking on TV. Plus I never manage to look at the camera, even in the studio…
[Thanks, my friend]
Ilana you’re 10x more articulate than any of the bobble heads we’re forced to watch on any network news show. Of course, I realize this virtually guarantees we won’t be seeing you on any of them anytime real soon as they only have people on who speak in bumper stick slogans.
Dan
Ilana,
You were very good. I fear they will never invite you again as your normal demeanor with quiet recitation of principle and fact made the roll call dullered look quite shallow and uninformed. It also seemed to make your host a little uncomfortable that she had invited an articulate guest who could answer real questions, along side a poor fool who was showing real wear and tear –probably from traveling with the Washington D.C. circus for too long.
Count your blessings Ilana, you are a contemplative first. Which makes your conversation all the more interesting.
Ilana,
Yes, please don’t pay too much attention to my cynical outlook. You were quite good and I of course would wlisten in each evening if you were a guest. I wish they would invite you on the MSNBC or Fox news debates such as Hardball and Hannity as you really are a breath of fresh air and would do wonders for the narrow parameters of today’s debate.
I too thought the anchor was impressed with you and do hope she will have you back. The problem is not with you, and I did not intend my comments to be taken as such, the problem is finding a worthy opponent for you so the discusion does not look fixed.
I thought the discussion went rather well considering the skype connection disadvantage that Ilana had. The commentators weren’t in a shouting match and the host was asking fair questions. Ron Paul is a frequent guest on the network and they seem to invite everyone from Alex Jones to Ralph Nader.
Enjoyed your comments on RT. I thought you looked and sounded fine. I have a special place in my heart for different dialects (sp?) of the English language. I used to try amd immitate different accents I heard when I in my late teens and 20’s.
I still do it from time to time. It drives my wife nuts!
Re: Update # 2 – I remember reading China News in my hotel in China in 1997 and while expecting some dreadfully written propagandist hooey, it was not badly written – certainly better than most “company newsletters” and not much different than stuff like the New York Times. But Americans have been spoon fed on American Exceptionalism so we believe that we have the GREATEST press and media in the world (instead of a pack of mindless fad followers and leftist polemicists) and that every other country has some 5th rate hack media…..