On Wednesday, Twitchy reported that CNN nixed Soledad ‘Special Snowflake’ O’Brien’s show after CNN VP Bart Feder complained her audience was “too ethnic.” A “source close to the show” clarified what Feder meant:
To clarify, Feder’s issue with “Starting Point” was that the audience was too small and happened to be predominately African American. A source close to the show insists that the ethnicity of the audience was never the issue, it was the size. Feder in no way meant to imply that the audience was too ethnic.
Size matters … especially when your unit of measurement is “African American.” Ace sums up the denial as only he can.
Too small, too ethnic. You can see how close those words are to each other. They’re virtually homophones.
Read the whole thing, then enjoy Ace’s earlier tweets pressing CNN contributor Roland Martin to comment on the network’s “too ethnic” cleansing of Soledad.
Or are you just going to keep your head down? Are you afraid to comment? @rolandsmartin
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 30, 2013
@AceofSpadesHQ you assume I haven't
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) January 30, 2013
discretion IS the better part of valor. I don't blame you for rolling over for The Man @rolandsmartin. I understand your fear.
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 30, 2013
@AceofSpadesHQ if only you knew! LOL
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) January 30, 2013
well I'm fine to be wrong, @rolandsmartin — did you make your objection public? Can I actually see it somewhere?
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 30, 2013
@AceofSpadesHQ no need to prove anything to you, son
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) January 30, 2013
it's not really proof, just asking where you made these remarks @rolandsmartin
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 30, 2013
You wouldn’t know those remarks. They’re from Canada.
but either way I do understand if you kept your objections very quiet, respectful, and safe @rolandsmartin
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 30, 2013
Recommended
Anyway @rolandsmartin I completely understand. If I were working for a racist organization I might put myself first too, and take the check.
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 30, 2013
no one can criticize you for taking @cnn's checks, @rolandsmartin. Probably 1/3rd of the country would, too.
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 30, 2013
not everyone can play the hero, @rolandsmartin, and I think it's rather admirable that you're able to concede that so freely.
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
I don't know if *I'd* be able to live with myself, @rolandsmartin. But it's good you know who you are, without all that "courage" baggage
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
does it bother you, @rolandsmartin, that @piersmorgan's ratings are crap and he's an idiot and they kept him? Not *too ethnic* I guess?
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
Progressives of pallor have to stick together!
because that's what bothers me, @rolandsmartin. I won't lie and pretend I care for either of them…
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
…but it's really below the belt that they fired @soledadobrien partly due to her *audience* being "too ethnic." @rolandsmartin
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
and yet @piersmorgan? There he sits, secure as ever. @rolandsmartin
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
well anyway @rolandsmartin the only thing that really matters is if you can live with yourself. I couldn't, but you're stronger than me.
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
Stronger than all of us, Ace, stronger than all of us.
Well… I mean, Jeff Zucker certainly! MT @rolandsmartin I just don't jump when someone says jump.
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
Look @rolandsmartin I know you think of yourself as a man of courage so if Jeff Zucker permitted you to speak, you would. I get it. I do.
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
You keep saying you "say plenty" but you don't actually say anything, except for asserting you "say plenty" @rolandsmartin
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
but again I get it — you don't want to rock the boat, you're going along to get along. I understand your fear. @rolandsmartin
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
The important thing is that you just take the check and keep quiet about it. @rolandsmartin. Gotta look out for No. 1.
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
You know who's got the courage to speak up, @rolandsmartin? I bet @piersmorgan does. He's like the golden boy at @CNNConnect
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
so maybe @piersmorgan will step up to the plate on your behalf and shield you from the heat @rolandsmartin
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
Someone who understands the prudence of walking away from a hero's fight @andylancaster Who is @rolandsmartin?
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
CNN Contributor @rolandsmartin isn't buying @CNN's defense on "ethnic" cleansing http://t.co/ypqbi1X7
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
.@rolandsmartin "poised" to say something about Jeff Zucker at some point
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
I admit I'm not a big enough fish to knuckle under Bart Feder and Jeff Zucker as heroically as you @rolandsmartin
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
@RagCon @rolandsmartin must be weird to answer to a boss who's younger than you are. Sucks, man.
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
That's good, you have an admirably modest perspective on your situation @rolandsmartin. That would chafe most men.
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
Why would you fire back at me, @rolandsmartin? I'm not the one at @CNN implementing the "ethnic" cleansing.
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
Do you think you want to punch down at me because you're afraid of Jeff Zucker and Bart Feder? @rolandsmartin
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
actually I retract that. You're not actually the dick here. @rolandsmartin
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
All baiting aside, I think @cnn is total bullshit and firing someone for having an audience that's "too ethic" is scandalous. @rolandsmartin
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
If the media had a dollop of integrity, they'd cover this– but @cnn is part of the guild and so they all cover up for each other.
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
Chirp, chirp, chirp.
The Open Secret about the Media is that they are ALL 96% lily white, whiter than any Tea Party rally, and they don't want this publicized.
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
It’s the unbearable whiteness of being the left-wing media. Shhh.
Hey @piersmorgan, since you're Brave Hero n Shit on TV, will you comment on the firing of @soledadobrien for having a "too ethnic" audience?
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
Are muskets or tanks involved? If not, we’re guessing “no comment” from Piers.
Is anyone in the media going to mention it? Or is this like sex in Cruel Intentions — "We just. Don't. Talk about it."?
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
hey @andersoncooper, since your position at @cnn is safe, given that your ratings are ok and you're white, will you comment?
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
Maybe do a bullying segment on it. No? No interest? That's okay you keep sermonizing, Pale Hero. @andersoncooper
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
and btw I realize that's unfair. I think you're kind of a dick but it's not your fault @cnn has put you in this position @rolandsmartin
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
if you'd stop taking shots at me I'd move on to @piersmorgan and @andersoncooper, who are both extraordinarily white. @rolandsmartin
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
But one question, @rolandsmartin: Do you think @soledad_obrien would still have a job if her name was Vanderbilt O'PrepSchool?
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
.@cnn's trying for a very mixed, "balanced" approach to the news: A liberal on-air message, combined with racist employment decisions.
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
And not another member of The Guild said boo.
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
Several of Ace’s followers got into the mix, but oh-so-shockingly, Roland refused to answer their questions and played the “I have more followers than you” card.
@simon0596 @AceofSpadesHQ Holla at me when you get 22 followers
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) January 31, 2013
.@rolandsmartin I thought that was a fair point however many followers he or she has.
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
you've got almost 200,000 followers and I don't hear you saying anything insightful, Hoss. @rolandsmartin
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
In fact I see you taking a dive in The Big Fight just because it might hurt your paycheck, champ. @rolandsmartin
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
.@rolandsmartin sure has a lot to say about people not named "Jeff Zucker," "Bart Feder," and "Soledad O'Brien"
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
What kind of shots? Zingers like this:
@RexHarrisonsHat @AceofSpadesHQ Your last tweet was the funniest of them all! The influence and audience of Ace? HEE-larious!
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) January 31, 2013
Not everyone can be as influential as courageous warrior Roland Martin.
I guess maybe they have more followers.
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
@derek62780 @rolandsmartin @simon0596 are you talking to me? Of course I'd interview him.
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
do you agree, @rolandsmartin, that @cnn should call itself "MSNBC White"?
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
.@rolandsmartin are you trying to say you've already given an interview to someone and are embargoed from mentioning it?
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
.@rolandsmartin because if you did, I assume you're no longer at @cnn, right? And you could confirm that.
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) January 31, 2013
Er, Roland will get back to you on that, Ace. He’s waaaaaaay too busy fighting the “too ethnic,” er, “too small” cleansing at CNN.
A parting observation from Ace:
At no point did he ever contradict the premise of the question, to wit, that Soledad O’Brien was fired for having an audience that was “too ethnic.”
Join the conversation as a VIP Member