Media

‘Journalist of the Year’ and ESPN Writer: People Killed by Fast and Furious Just ‘Collateral Damage’

ESPN Writer and CNN Contributor LZ Granderson Argues Americans Cant Handle the Truth of Fast and Furious

"Journalist of the Year" and CNN Contributor LZ Granderson (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images for Sports Spectacular)

The American people need to stop being so darn “nosy” and demanding to know why our federal government recklessly armed murderous drug cartels with thousands of guns and then let them walk across the U.S.-Mexico border — at least according to CNN contributor and “Journalist of the Year”* LZ Granderson. He is also a senior writer and columnist at ESPN.

In an Op-ed posted on CNN.com on Tuesday, Granderson argues “times have changed” and “not everything is our business,” so we need to just butt out already. And as for those killed because of the operation? “Collateral damage.”

Granderson even invokes former President Ronald Reagan in a bid to prove to Republicans that it’s OK that the government keeps secrets, it’s for our own good.

“We still don’t have access to all of the messy facts surrounding the Iran-Contra scandal that erupted during the Reagan administration,” he wrote.

Lt. Oliver North took the fall in that mess and Holder will probably “take one for the team” in Fast and Furious, he explained. Not for a partisan team, but on behalf of all Americans so they don’t have to be unsettled by the big, bad, scary truth. How heroic of Holder.

Here is an excerpt from his CNN column:

We are a nosy country.

Though to be fair, it’s not entirely our fault. Between the 24/7 news cycle, social media and reality TV, we have been spoon fed other people‘s private business for so long we now assume it’s a given to know everything. And if there are people who choose not to disclose, they must be hiding something. Being told that something’s “none of your business” is slowly being characterized as rude, and if such a statement is coming from the government, it seems incriminating.

Times have changed. Yet, not everything is our business. And in the political arena, there are things that should be and need to be kept quiet.

Heads should roll because of the Fast and Furious debacle. We don’t need every detail of that operation to be made public in order for that to happen.

If it were an isolated sting, maybe. But it is at least the third incarnation of a gun-running scheme stretching across two administrations, which means we could be pressing to open Pandora’s Box. We do not want to open Pandora’s Box, not about this and certainly not about a bunch of other potentially scandalous things the federal government has been involved with.

Fast and Furious? Please [Emphasis added]

But Granderson understands that we are used to living “in a society where pregnancies and marriages of D-list celebrities make the cover of People Magazine.” Unfortunately, for Congress and concerned American citizens there comes a point where the public’s right to know needs to “take a back seat” when it comes to national security and diplomacy. On the other hand, it leaves everyone more time to catch up with the latest developments in the potential baby names the Kardashians are considering.

Further, Fast and Furious, along with previous gunrunning operations like “Wide Receiver” and “Project Road Runner,” were done with good intentions, so give the guys a break, he says.

Granderson continues:

Much in the same way, Project Wide Receiver and Project Road Runner — the earlier versions of Fast and Furious under President Bush — were executed with the hope that they will do more good than harm. Hardly anyone in the public knows the finer points of these programs.

Were they legal?

Hell no.

Were they effective?

Who knows?

Were they done as a way to keep America safe?

Yes.

ESPN Writer and CNN Contributor LZ Granderson Argues Americans Cant Handle the Truth of Fast and Furious

Border Agent Brian Terry (File)

And what did he call the innocent people who lost their lives as a result of the operation, including Border Agent Brian Terry and ICE officer Jaime Zapata? “Collateral damage.”

He correctly points out that there are probably gunrunning operations from administration’s past that the public has absolutely no knowledge of. Without knowing it, Granderson correctly points out one of the biggest problems in Washington: a lack of transparency.

The “Journalist of the Year” concludes with this: “And maybe it’s better for us not to be so nosy, not to know everything because, to paraphrase the famous line from the movie ‘A Few Good Men,‘ many of us won’t be able to handle the truth.”

(H/T: Reason)

*Granderson was named journalist of the year by the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association. 

 

Comments (160)

  • jakartaman
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:47am

    Folks,
    I am asking for a boycott of all Liberal media on Americas Birthday – July 4th

    Please support and pass along
    Thanks

    Report Post »  
    • Weiners Wiener
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:56am

      Question — how is a boycott going to make a difference? No liberal w olikes liberal media will participate, and conservatives who sahre your sentiments don’t watch the liberal media anyway.

      Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:10pm

      I thought the Ratings show… people are not watch them!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • Snickelz
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:40pm

      I stopped watching them after the 08 election. There was no longer any reason to after they failed so miserably in vetting the now President Obama.

      Report Post »  
    • Docrow
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:42pm

      been doing it for a few years now

      Report Post » Docrow  
    • johnjamison
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:54pm

      **** That! boycott ESPN what kind of industry would give a voive to someone who veiws American and mexican deaths at the hands of a corrupt government as just colateral damage the cost of doing business.Not to mention you think that blackman would say the same thing if holder was a white man and Tery was a black border agent. boycott all sports until that ******* is fired.

      Report Post »  
    • Bum thrower
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 1:37pm

      Why just on the 4th? How ’bout EVERY day……I hope the Romney administration appoints a special prosicutor for ‘Fast and Furious’; Holder, BHO, and a bunch of ATF guys are accessories to murder…………Got Rope??

      Report Post »  
    • The_Jerk
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 1:45pm

      ESPN, the Ebony Sports Promoting Network, is the prototypical home of the dumb jocks. Banana republics are the result of black and Hispanic culture, law enforcement is arbitrary. America has no chance as these groups grow in number. You can not stop natural laws.

      Report Post »  
    • rickc34
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:11pm

      Boycott the sponsers of liberal media and let them know why. I have already stopped walmart..jc pennys ..target ..kraft..and as the list grows.

      Report Post »  
    • I.Heart.America
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:12pm

      I support Issa

      http://action.freedomworks.org/6851/tell-congress-to-investigate-eric-holder/?source=AWEHT2&gclid=CPr8i_zmzbACFcVk7AodlRQ0Wg

      Report Post » I.Heart.America  
    • poorrichard09
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:18pm

      OK dude, then Trayvon was just collateral damage too. Stuff happens.

      Report Post »  
    • I.Heart.America
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:23pm

      Patriots stopped watching ESPN because of the way THEY treated Hank Williams Jr. MONTHS ago.

      Report Post » I.Heart.America  
    • michael from Ga.
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:38pm

      I am in.

      Report Post »  
    • rickc34
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:49pm

      Hey Mexico your people well they were just collateral damage according to Obama and Holder. Heck those Mexicans they were not going to vote for Obama anyway so why should he care, just another dead mexican he does not have to worry about. oh and texas , new mexico and arizona same thing goes for your states along the southern border, just collateral damage thats all Obama thinks . We Need To Get These Idiots Out Of Office and throw they’re butts in prison for life. and just so you all know I was being sarcastic .

      Report Post »  
    • thestorm
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 4:21pm

      Who watches that bs other than liberals,progressives marxist,communist?

      Report Post »  
    • mils
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 4:31pm

      we need beck back on tv…
      BOR only has the rating that he does because of his time slot…PUT BECK BACK ON WHERE WE CAN ALL LOOK/LISTEN!!!
      and……………..LATINOS WAKE UP!!!!
      IT WAS YOUR PEOPLE, NOT MINE, YOURS THAT WERE KILLED IN THIS FAST AND FURIOUS CRAP!!!!
      MY PRESIDENT AND DOJ LIED, NOT A PHYSICAL DEATH
      ****.MERELY A MORAL ONE…

      Report Post »  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 4:56pm

      Who gave this sorry excuse for a human being “journalist of the year”? MAD Magazine?
      No really…letting 2000 weapons go into Mexico with no means to track them and without the cooperation of the Mexican government and as a result 2 American agents and 200 Mexican nationals are killed…and that’s collateral damage to this dreadlocked pair of clownshoes?
      Someone tell the idiot his brain has become collateral damage to liberalism.

      Report Post »  
    • SocialistSlayer
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 5:40pm

      Maybe this guy will one day be “Collateral Damage”

      Report Post » SocialistSlayer  
    • ilovejiggys
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 7:08pm

      Just typical TBB

      Report Post » ilovejiggys  
    • deloclem
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 8:18pm

      I boycott them everyday!

      Report Post »  
    • Thatsitivehadenough
      Posted on June 28, 2012 at 4:37am

      I boycott them 24/7/365 already.

      Report Post » Thatsitivehadenough  
  • PRESENTSOFMIND
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:44am

    i’ll bet he reports the sports scores wrong too.

    Report Post » PRESENTSOFMIND  
    • ICEDRAGON
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:23pm

      This is a total sell out. If the left believes this crap, then they are around the bend and are looking for the line behind STUPID.

      Report Post » ICEDRAGON  
    • happ77
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:56pm

      We don’t need to know the scores, in fact, they shouldn’t even
      tell us that the games were played.

      Report Post »  
    • Xyskalla
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:02pm

      So, Granderson, if it’s not our concern, why are you sticking your nose into it? Listen to your own advice and butt out. You’re not even following your own advice, so why should we?

      Report Post »  
    • moomaw10
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 4:45pm

      That “sorry” BLACK POS needs to be collateral damage also…America would be better off with all that think his way BE GONE forever.. Now I guess I’m gonna be called a racist…OH WELL !!

      Report Post »  
    • adeleeeee
      Posted on June 28, 2012 at 2:02am

      He doesn’t look smart to me. Screw him.

      Report Post » adeleeeee  
  • CougarNick78
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:42am

    Had the slain Agent Terry been Agent Terrence Jackson, this journal-**** creature would be singing a Trayvon-esque lament or ballad.

    Sickening. I gave on ESPN a while back, when their coverage was always East and West Coast, and everywhere else was regarded as “Collateral.” Screw ESPN.

    Report Post » CougarNick78  
  • Dde13
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:36am

    Not everyone is as DUMB as Granderson…what an idiot…doesn’t know facts and declares 2. Americans and 100′s if not in the thousands of Mexicans that have died due to F&F JUSTIFIED!!!!
    Files that have been given over have been mostly blacked out. Holder has lied more than once…no answers after 18 months. Holder is more concern that illegals have more rights than AMERICAN CITIZENS…

    Report Post »  
    • johnjamison
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 1:00pm

      During the last two Democratic president’s term ATF played it hard and lose under a Democratic DOJ. It resulted in deaths in Waco,Ruby Ridge,Arizona,and Mexico THOSE ARE THE ONLY ONES WE KNOW ABOUT….HOW MANY HAVE BEEN COVERED UP BY THE GOV ERNMENT AND MAIN STREAM PROPAGANDA

      Report Post »  
    • urrybr
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 4:30pm

      Why is it that the journalists are so stupid? I have never seen a bigger bunch of morons in my life! Especially sportscasters . . . what a group of numbnuts~

      Report Post » urrybr  
  • bmpaz
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:35am

    I wonder if the drug cartels had slaughtered hundreds of people in harlem or a predominantly black neighborhood in Philly instead of Mexico, if Granderson would consider the results of Holder and Obama‘s actions just ’collateral damage’? Hmmm

    Report Post »  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:56pm

      Thanks! This was the first thing that came to my mind. Are they collateral damage as well?
      And he really thinks Americans should keep their noses out of things? What an idiot.

      Report Post »  
  • SREGN
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:31am

    Funny, I don’t remember him saying that Rodney King was just collateral damage from the police operation in LA.

    Report Post »  
    • D-Fence
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:59pm

      That’s because he was just an itch in daddies pants.

      Report Post » D-Fence  
  • JesusWasBlack
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:31am

    @Jama Personal attacks achieve nothing. WHY do you think that?

    Report Post »  
    • qpwillie
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:49am

      Yahshua was a Jew, born in the Middle East, not a black man.
      …And “fool” is too charitable a term when describing such maniacal ravings.

      Report Post » qpwillie  
    • Steelheadisadouche
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:58am

      Wasblack
      You are sounding like collateral hatred. Peddle your poo elsewhere por favor. CBC is looking for yes men as long as you aren’t curious about what they do and for who.

      Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 1:42pm

      I think Jama was correct.

      It wasn’t an ad hominem attack. It was a sound judgment based on prima facie evidence.

      The journalist has a poor argument in comparing Holder to Oliver North. I trust Holder to engage in vicious office politics. I trust Oliver North to his best to get me thru combat if I were in a war zone & he was the commanding officer. The Demoncats would have thrown North in jail for 20 years if public support hadn’t been behind him. the public support was there because they believed in him & believed him. The Demoncats were the one that cut off aid to south Vietnam & refused to fight the communists in Nicaragua.

      Check out how all the top communists are doing now in Nicaragua. They own ranches, They have big bank accounts. the Demoncats support these people. They support Daniel Ortega, Mr $200 Ray ban sunglasses. He bought them in New York City back in the early 1980s when $200 was a lot of money. His tastes have grown more champagne & less beer like with every passing year. But Demoncats still love them all.

      Report Post »  
    • HoneyBager7x7
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:47pm

      Thank you for that clarification qpwillie

      Report Post » HoneyBager7x7  
  • Wesley
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:30am

    None of what I would like to say to this putz would be allowed, I do hope to see the whole truth about “Fast and Furious” and that those responsible for it all of them are punished to the full extent of the law. LZ Granderson should ask the citizens of Germany or Japan what happens when you don’t demand accountability from your government, what our government dose or doesn’t do is on our heads, butting out is not an option.

    Report Post »  
  • Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:26am

    “*Granderson was named journalist of the year by the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association.”

    And now an org that *I* care about not putting their ideological foot in their mouth does so. Maybe they can borrow condiments from Creationists.

    Report Post » Lesbian Packing Hollow Points  
  • AJAYW
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:26am

    A racist black man trying to protect two of the most racist people in our goverment- Holder and Obama. You can bet your ass that if the AG and president were white men and the border agent had been a black man the idiots would be playing the race card.

    Report Post »  
  • HKS
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:23am

    Typical cowardly response, as long as he’s not the collateral damage.

    Report Post » HKS  
    • Micmac
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:36am

      My first thought.

      NoBama 2012

      Report Post »  
    • CABERNETQHS
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:42am

      He needs a military haircut and drop his butt on the border. We’ll see what information he finds pertinent.

      Report Post »  
  • MBA
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:23am

    If this was so pathetic and appalling it would be funny! Tell that to Brian Terry’s family. Journalist doesn‘t mean what it used to that’s for sure, all it means now is that any *ss has access to the media to spew ignorance and hate.

    Report Post »  
  • RodT82721
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:22am

    Well isn’t this special?
    Another of Barry’s people, ‘journalist of the year’ even, coming out to inform us that we have no need to know who screwed up to his extent in Barry’s administration.
    We have no need to know, who, what, where or when all this took place. None of our business!

    Those hundreds that paid the ultimate price, their lives, no sweat! Just collateral damage! But no explanation to just what was the goal of F&F?
    It seems no one knows!
    Except Bush did it. And pay no attention that no one under the Bush administration was killed, minor detail. Still all his fault!

    And no one better even bring up any thought or debate that this whole debacle just might have been a back door assault on our 2nd amendment! Just because these bozos promised to get that assault rifle ban passed, it had nothing to do with this fiasco! No sir, and to mention that is racist!
    If you do, the media will turn you into Ken Starr overnight.
    You do remember Ken Starr?
    That milk toast prosecutor that the media turned into Attila the Hun for taking on Bubba.

    Report Post »  
  • needmoinfo
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:19am

    Such activities require a high level of competency. Failure has to be addressed as the results change from for our own good to mass deaths. Without accountability our do gooders turn into madmen. Failures must be identified and weeded out. You lose all your atta boys with one oh ****.

    Report Post »  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:18am

    The whole ‘fast and furious’ is illegal and an attempt to squash 2nd amendment rights in the long run. The only reason this guy is saying what he is saying is because of race and the race of this faux president. Black takes up for black. Whites need to learn this lesson. Obama and holder are criminals. Tell the parents and kin of the border patrol agents and of the Mexicans slaughtered that they are just ‘collateral damage’. What crap?! This guy is helping his fellow black men….obama and holder. Nothing more.

    Report Post »  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:17am

    another one of obama’s sons trying to defend him and uncle holder. pathetic.

    those free free free free government abortions are the #1 murderer of AfricanAmericans in America, and have been for 40 years now, yet you never hear them crying or angry about it. they’re so conditioned like mindless livestock to believe the democrat planation is “taking care of them”. well, try to make them look at the inhuman covert Sanger-program genocide, yeah it sure is “taking care of them”.

    Report Post » BurntHills  
  • Popp40
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:17am

    This guy is an idiot and as for the “Journalist of the Year” award…he just made it a joke…this award no longer holds any credibility.

    I garuantee that if this was a Republican President I bet he would be writing the exact opposite view point on this. This guy is a joke of a journalist and is not doing his job of INVESTIGATING the truth.

    When will common sense and actual sanity come back to people because right now insanity is everywhere and seems to be getting worse. When will real journalists and real americans stand up and take our country back from this insanity?

    Report Post »  
  • HorseCrazy
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:16am

    how is it liberals can twist fast and furious into ronald reagan george bush and a few good men? I don’t get the mind of these lying pieces of garbage. they are base humans I used to believe we just had different points of view and I now believe they have no morals no spine no reasoning abilities and the impulse control of a 2yr old.

    Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:16am

    “Further, Fast and Furious, along with previous gunrunning operations like “Wide Receiver” and “Project Road Runner,” were done with good intentions, so give the guys a break”
    OK Granderson, I know the intentions of the first two operations, to track guns sold in America to see where they surfaced. Since they didn’t bother to track the F&F guns, what exactly were the “good intentions” in that operation? Too many questions? Sorry, I’ll just go back to sleep and let Obama do whetever the hell he wants…not.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Steelheadisadouche
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:29am

      So we just need to pay our taxes, be quiet and bend and spread like JZS, Trollmonger, MBE, of course Steely. Wonders never cease-he is an accidental journ0list, his stories write themselves? Bow to the new masters and be quiet. People really, actually suck.

      Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:14am

    Granderson should be sent to China or North Korea to understand what fate awaits him under the coming dictatorship of Obama. This mans actions and words are a disgrace and offensive to those who have died in Mexico and here in America (and I believe it to be many more than the border agent) due to Fast and Furious.

    This kind of statement shows how out of touch they are.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • tckid17
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:13am

    I will bet you all of the money that ESPN pays for NFL TV rights that this journalist would not view collateral damage the same way if someone he knew was affected by it.

    Report Post »  
  • Baddoggy
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:13am

    Further, Fast and Furious, along with previous gunrunning operations like “Wide Receiver” and “Project Road Runner,” were done with good intentions, so give the guys a break, he says.

    Mr MORON… Fast and Furious unleashed to help usher in more gun control because they KNEW it would cause DEATH. But it backfired on theri soeet a@@es….I hope you never are able to get a gun permit and need one to defend yourself. You will eat that stupid idiotic comment!!

    You can take that stupid award and stick it where the sun dont shine!!!

    Report Post » Baddoggy  
  • bassist237
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:12am

    Wow, of all the hypocritical things I have ever heard, never thought I would hear that.. I guess its just collateral damage when it’s American citizens being killed… but when its innocent terrorist being killed, then its an outrage..

    Report Post » bassist237  
  • Brae
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:11am

    And I suppose this guy would feel the same way if it was his mother, brother or sister etc that was a victim of this type of action too, right? I mean, you gotta be consistent. If you could care less about the hundreds of ‘unknown’ victims (how totally heartless), you should care less when a family member is affected.

    Report Post » Brae  
  • JesusWasBlack
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:10am

    He makes a good point. I’m glad that Brother Granderson brought up the point of how we might trust the government trying to keep us safe. Yes, they probably screwed up, but dammit, at least they’re trying. There’s no one person to blame, but for all we know, the operations have saved thousands of lives. if it were less, Brother Holder wouldn’t have tried to be silent in congress. I believe we should thank Brother Holder and Brother Obama for protecting us to the best of their abilities.

    God Bless America.

    Report Post »  
    • RightUnite
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:17am

      Yeah, and crack apparently doesn’t smoke itself…

      Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:22am

      “at least they’re trying” Trying to do what exactly? They weren’t even trying to track the guns, which was the whole point of the first two operations! No He wasn’t BTW, he was Jewish.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • JesusWasBlack
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:22am

      Was that a racial remark? don’t punish me because of stereotypes born from racial oppression! RACIST

      Report Post »  
    • JAMACAMECRAZYMAN
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:22am

      Fool……….

      Report Post »  
    • dmerwin
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:28am

      They are trying alright. Trying to ruin our constitution and our rights.

      Report Post » dmerwin  
    • BurntHills
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:30am

      like mindless livestock, the democrat American blacks will defend obama and his boy holder to the bitter end. of them. none of them are screaming about the 13 MILLION black babies who have been aborted since 1973 by the democrat communist plantation’s free govt abortions.. that’s more than 3x More what any other races abort at. it’s a well-planned Genocide since the 1920s of only the black race in America. yet not a single democrat mindless black will speak out against it, esp now when obama is pushing for total absolute black abortions.. “not punished with a baby” == no more black babies at all. and like mindless livestock, the blacks on the obama plantation still defend him and his houseboy holder. so pathetic.

      Report Post » BurntHills  
    • T-2
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:34am

      preach on brother preach on. can someone pass me the roach?

      Report Post »  
    • Steelheadisadouche
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:52am

      Brother Failure and Brother liar need to find jobs they can actually perform without screwing the pooch. What is this brother crap to begin with? Dred head is a tool and a fool, and we can now claim that all the brother violence over drugs and territory is just collateral too. Crips and bloods now know too, brotha. Mohammad was a kracker right?

      Report Post »  

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