Don't Go Into The Light

But I honestly don't know what to make of it:

CNN Caught Off-Guard; Recording Proves Damaging 'X' Over Vice President's Face was Intentional Says Team Hollywood

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov. 22 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following statement concerning CNN's airing of an 'X' over live video of Vice President Cheney was released today by Team Hollywood:

Monday morning, Nov. 21, 2005, at 11:00 AM, as CNN aired Vice President Dick Cheney's speech live from the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, the cable network flashed onscreen, repeatedly, a large black 'X' over the Vice President's face, while a headline at the bottom of its screen read, "CHENEY: I DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS WRONG TO CRITICIZE."

Unfortunately for CNN, a large number of their demographics also participate in Internet communities and Blogs, representing a large portion of their viewership and posing a threat to news cable and newspaper subscriber's fees.

Millions from across the country telephoned CNN to alert the network about an accidental "X" over the Vice President's face, only to be told that the "X" was intentional against the present administration. CNN callers flooded the Internet and online communities with calls to boycott the network.

Likewise, the international marketing consulting firm Team Hollywood Inc., responsible for a database of over 11 million Americans, both Democrats and Republicans from across the country, was consumed with the calls. "The volume of calls to our company became an issue that could not be ignored," stated Joan Friedman of Team Hollywood. "We needed a statement on behalf of the Internet community callers and their newsworthy Blogs, so we made the call."

When the founders of the company, Preska Thomas and Kevin Finn, made contact with the network, to their surprise they were bullied and harassed in the same way by the Headline News desk. Callers were repeatedly told by CNN, "Tell the President and Vice-President Dick Cheney to stop lying." Team Hollywood's conversation with the newsdesk was recorded. When the tape is played back, amongst political statements being made by the network were the words that the "X" was intentional, as an act of free speech by CNN.

Kevin Finn said, "The Vice-President is a symbol of the United States, much like the American flag. For CNN to desecrate the image of the Vice President is the same as the Iranians burning the U.S. flag at a rally staged for the whole world via television. It is a slap in the face to all those who serve and have served in the armed forces".

A Democrat caller, Tricia Rosenberg of Beverly Hills, Calif., compared the big "X" across the Vice President's face to the markings of a serial killer's hit list. "I can't believe that CNN resorted to such a tacky object".

Preska Thomas said, "Fair and balanced? I am certain that we have all heard those words before. Not exactly smart as a FOX! News should be non-partisan."

CNN was caught off-guard at the company's headquarters in Atlanta by the recording. The statements that were made through their Headline News desk are not acceptable and there are calls on the Internet for investigation by the FCC, the FBI and the Trilateral Commission.

Trilateral Commission? Is this a joke? Anyone?

Linked with Stop the ACLU

Update: I called and left a message on Team Hollywood's answering machine. Preska Thomas called back a few minutes later. She played me the tape of the conversation - it was fast and I write slow, so I only got parts of it. Unfortunately, I called from a cell phone and could not tape it.

The tape was of Preska's voice inquiring as to why the X was placed over Cheney's head. A male voice at CNN (presumably) said things like "it's just a comment or opinion someone was making..." "showing the X was freedom of speech" "we did it to make a point" "the point is tell them to stop lying" "if you don't like it don't watch" "tell your president to stop lying"

Please remember this is completely unconfirmed. I don't personally know these folks and cannot place any confidence in the story until I know more. I've emailed someone who I feel has the resources to get to the bottom of this. More as it develops. There's still a chance that this is a hoax.

Update 2: From anywho.com:

Unable to return results...

Reason: No listings were found.

We searched on 2892143 in 310 however; we could not find any listings to display.

Update 3: Remember I came in on the side of "unfortunate glitch" on the "X" issue before. I still feel that way, until I see something compelling to get me to believe otherwise. And Team Hollywood's press release isn't that compelling.

However, this "Team Hollywood" aspect is just weird enough to hold my interest. So I'll be keeping an eye out to see what develops - this could be a PR thing to get Team Hollywood's name out in the news. Or just someone's idea of humor.

Update 4: 23 Nov, 6:00 a.m. EST - At the time I posted this, I was pretty much alone with the news. Since then, several others have posted the above press release with their comments. Here's a few:

RealTeen (cross-posted at Stop the ACLU) seems to weigh in on the side of believing "Team Hollywood"

Bill Quick at Daily Pundit had the foresight (foresight that I lacked) to have a tape recorder handy. He's taking a cautious tone, same as I.

All Things Beautiful thinks the tape may not be authentic

Kit at Euphoric Reality appears to believe it

It'll be interesting to see how reaction shapes up as the day goes on...

Final Update: See here for bottom line.