Red News/Blue News: is the threat posed by ISIS to America being overblown?
In the above video, Josh Rogin and Naomi Wolf discuss whether politicians and TV talking heads are exaggerating the danger ISIS poses to the United States.
"Let's go ahead and stipulate, right at the start, that the extremist group known as ISIS is a force to be reckoned with, and its actions are atrocious and its beliefs are backwards," host Brian Stelter said in his Red News/Blue News introduction. "But let's consider whether there is a direct threat to America that is being overstated, and whether the press is doing what it should be doing - which is challenging people in power and demanding evidence for their assertions."
Stelter added, "I think the tone of a lot of the news coverage about ISIS has been reflecting the government position."
He played some examples of politicians and TV talking heads warning about the threat of terrorist infiltrations from Mexico and Canada.
"The evidence is not there," Stelter said. "And yet the people who say this stuff don't seem to be held accountable."
The government said Friday that "the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are unaware of any specific, credible threat to the U.S. homeland from ISIL."
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About the host
Brian Stelter is the host of "Reliable Sources" and the senior media correspondent for CNN Worldwide. Before he joined CNN in November 2013, Stelter was a media reporter for The New York Times. He is the author of the New York Times best-seller "Top of the Morning."
Here's his biography. You can read his stories on this blog and at CNNMoney.com/Media/.
@cnnreliable on Twitter
Dear Brian Stelton,
I am concerned that no one has discussed how ISIS is getting their financial backing. They are not a country, they do not have a GDP, how do they afford their weapons? The military equipment that they are using is not cheap. There seems to be a financial motivating factor behind many wars in history. Is there a group that is encouraging these radicals to wake up the American war machine again? Is there money to be made behind the scenes that is driving this?
These are the real issues that at least need to be asked. How this plays into the complicated world political scene needs to be outlined instead of just repeating that these are radicals that are acting alone. It is impossible for them to do this without help. Who is helping them?
Could you imagine the healthcare system if Paul leads with Carson after debates! man!
Fox's greatest weakness is its contributors. They are all bought by lobbyists, organizations and politicians. The real question is how will our votes go? Like: A. Pakistan B. The Recount C. Paul(P)/Carson (R)... I choose C!
Okay, so all our enemies are killing eachother. How is that a problem?
I have an idea! Send Oscar the Grouch over to fight them all.