Charlie Rose Science Series
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10/08/2007
John F. Burns
A discussion about Iraq and journalism with John F. Burns
Keywords:
A discussion about Iraq and journalism with John F. Burns of The New York Times.
DVD
Charlie Rose DVDs on Amazon.
Charlie Rose DVDs on Amazon.
Audio
Audio available through Audible.com.
Audio available through Audible.com.
Transcripts
Transcripts available through Voxant.
Transcripts available through Voxant.
A balanced journalist and these days that's the highest compliment you can gave to one. Thanks, great insight
These past couple of weeks have included a host of over the top interviews, in what is always fascinating, engaging, deeply informative. This John Burns "retrospective" was very special. Having the space of an hour to reflect and spin out was a welcome big picture overview, contrasted with what was necessarilty focused reporting/analysis on the News Hour over the years.
Charlie, great job with Mr. Burns over the years. These interviews truly helped sort out difficult issues and free the situation from political spin. John Burns clearly shows that the situation in Iraq is far more complex than our elected officals would have us believe. I wish the main stream media could have good conversations such as these, our nation would be better off for it and probably the Iraq war would be also. By far your best guest over the years. Thank You
John Burns was the best as the security situation got worse and western reporters were mostly restricted to Baghdad. However as the security situation improved the Times could resume more "normal" coverage from Baghdad with reporters like Sabrina Tavernise. I'm not sure if Charlie has interviewed her yet but with anti-American sentiment rising in the Middle East, including Turkey, now would be an excellent time. Tavernise's knowledge of Russia is very important right now, as the US tries to gauge Putin's statement that he's seen no evidence Iran is seeking nuclear weapons. Putin's statement exactly echoes his statements prior to the invasion of Iraq that he had no evidence Iraq had WMD's, so there's a good reason to believe he's telling the truth on Iran. However what I remember Tavernise most for was her reporting from Lebanon during the Israeli invasion and air raids in the summer of 2006. The US Air Force just came out with a report critical of Israel's air war against Lebanon in 2006, but discussing that would obviously be counter to Charlie's ideology.
Whenever Charlie has John F. Burns engaging in a conversation about Iraq or any other topic, we stop what we are doing to listen, and to watch. In this case, the visual experience is as useful as the audio. I would find it exceptionally useful to have a compilation of these (video)conversations over the course of Mr. Burn's reporting from Baghdad concerning the military operations of the Coalition Forces. Any possibility?
Burns sounds like Anthony Hopkins. I wonder what the connection is. I think Burns is quite aware of the anger about the start of the war. But I also think he is wrong that you can't use that anger to resolve Iraq. Here's how. I said from the beginning that we were only going to be exchanging dictators. I knew from the beginning that Iraq had no WMD and that the war was just payback for Saddam trying to kill GHB. So from the start I knew that the only way out of Iraq was to replace Saddam with a new dictator. I still see that as the only answer. The question is, who is going to be the new boss? Certainly, only a new dictator can tame the tribal leaders. So let's get on with it and appoint and arm a new boss. ...Someone that is willing to cut some throats and roll some heads to regain order in Iraq. All of this other blather, however eloquent, is just a waste of time.
BUSH LIED! PEOPLE DIED! You can not SET THAT ASIDE Mr. Burns. History has a SOURNOTE for Tyrrants, Mr. Burns. Bush's policy has killed over 750,000 thousand of Iraqi Citizens and completley ruined the economy of Iraq!! Sadam was a dictator but atleast the people had security! atleast they had water, electricety, security, and control of their own land! now they have NONE of that instead they are being OCCUPIED by another nation, even if they had close to 500,000 come out to vote for the first time in their lives it doesnt matter because we are still there and are still stealing their OIL!
charlie, you need to be tough with these guest. Talk to them about the suffering and the human tragedy that the Iraq war has caused. Patreaus talks like the war just like a football game. We change the srategy and it will all come out right. That guy Kiliburn, the Australian soldier. You did not keep talking about the human side of this war. Never forget it.
Extreemely helpful to have John Burn's insight. I hope we have not heard the last from him
I met John Burns through your show and thank you for this wonderful introduction. My husband works with an NGO and has set up offices in Basra and Tikrit. These were closed due to the tragic death of their colleague. My understanding of Iraq has been enhanced and taken to heart by John Burns and recently David Kilcullen, people with big hearts and great minds. This also includes you for helping us gain so much valuable knowledge and information. God bless you.
Please interview independent journalist Rick Rowley of Big Noise Films for an alternative view of events on the ground in Iraq. He has interviewed insurgents.
dear charlie, i enjoy seeing the obvious friendship between you and JB. give him my regards, rose
dear charlie, i enjoy seeing the obvious friendship between you and JB. give him my regards, rose
The John Burns episodes over the years have been invaluable. Any way there can be a John Burns / Charlie Rose collection offered?
I watched the re-broadcast of your interview with John Burns this afternoon on WQED. I want to send part of the transcript to my son, who served a year in Iraq and is now in the Phillipines. I worry that being a soldier will de-humanize him, but Burns reassured me today, at least a little! Thank you both!
John Burns, with his birds nest hair, is an amazing intellect. I always looked up from whatever I was doing to stop and listen when I heard his name and voice. I will miss his intellegent coverage of the Iraq war. The London Bureau of the Times has gained a courageous and humble man. Charlie, sometimes you are too ponderous as when Burns spoke of a wounded human heart. It moved me too. Mary from Boston
I think your website is just great. I miss the show often since it is on at 11:30 pm in Houston and I am pretty much asleep by then. I have a problem. Your website signal is being disrupted and the video stops and goes and the conservation becomes lost. Can you fix it? I have tried different computers so I am not sure what the problems is or lies. Regards, Peter Wolfhagen
I think your website is just great. I miss the show often since it is on at 11:30 pm in Houston and I am pretty much asleep by then. I have a problem. Your website signal is being disrupted and the video stops and goes and the conservation becomes lost. Can you fix it? I have tried different computers so I am not sure what the problems is or lies. Regards, Peter Wolfhagen
John Burns is not only a highly credible and readable journalist, he is also a truly eloquent and spellbinding conversationalist. Here's hoping he will appear often from London.
John Burns emphasized the point that we should not dwell on the "mistakes" leading up to the Iraq War and during it.... If we do so, we are likely to overlook the leading up to the next war(s), particularly that with Iran.
John Burns symbolizes journalism at its best. I want to thank Charlie Rose for interviewing John Burns, so it could help educate the rest of us out there. I have learned alot from John Burns about Iraq, the Middle east, and the world. Thanks Charlie, and thank you John Burns.
Charlie has the most interesting and informative coverage of Iraq on TV and John Burns has been a big part of that for almost five years now. Not to take anything away from other journalists who have covered this war, but there is simply no one as fascinating or who has the grasp of history, that Burns has. While I'm happy that he will be going on to a new and exiting era in his career, he will be sorely missed.