Charlie Rose

Nick A.  07/20/2007 11:29 AM Report

I saw him a few months ago on this video for something called OneVoice. They seem to be doing some good things in Israel AND Palestine ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34bVcLMrcRs

stephanie j  07/20/2007 11:25 AM Report

I wonder what this guy does other than writing books about the conflict. Is he involved in anything productive?

Dan B.  07/18/2007 03:00 PM Report

Oh and, Dennis Ross is a wonderful guest, and a man with clear-sighted, interesting views on the Israeli-Arab conflict.

He also is dead right in saying that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has *nothing* to do with Iraq, and getting past this conflict would be wonderful, but would not magically fix what many others problems the Middle East has, and certainly would not make Iraq somehow easier to deal with, except perhaps as an overall morale booster for the region.

Dan B.  07/18/2007 02:55 PM Report

Who the heck are you people with your complaints about Charlie's interview style!? Are you serious?? He's been interviewing this way forever, just let him be.

Charlie--keep interrupting. Do whatever you want. It is *not* difficult to follow your guests trains of thought. It is *not* difficult to understand what's being said. It is *not* distracting, having you in the conversation along with your guests. If some viewers get confused, its their fault, not yours.

Carol  07/18/2007 01:32 AM Report

In today's world of info-tainment I am grateful for Charlie Rose, HOWEVER, it is difficult to follow the conversations with Charlie's interruptions. It is very frustrating and disappointing when I'm listening to an interesting guest and Charlie inadvertantly talks over the guest and I'm left wondering what either one were saying. I miss lots of dialogue when Charlie jumps in to answer his own questions.

Rob Dewar  07/17/2007 10:17 PM Report

What a depressing thought that this man is anywhere near the levers of power and diplomacy. The Israeli lobby spreads its tentacles deep into the American psyche via these kind of people. I was aghast at his warped view of the region, his disdain for elections, and how Charlie failed to call him on any of it. Charlie is getting old and lacks the brio he used to bring to an interview. His health is probably an issue and I commiserate with him on that. But I think he coasts way too much. Its important that outright lies and distortions are challenged and if Charlie can't do it he should bring someone with him who can. I would love to have seen even someone like Brent Scowcroft tear into that smug little man Ross last night.

Michael Lang  07/17/2007 10:07 PM Report

I was astonished at the arrogance of this man. It showed in his facial expression and in his body language and in his complete disregard for the problems and aspirations of the Palestinian people. He knows exactly what Hamas wants but he admits he never bothered to talk to Hamas. He said he spoke to over 40 Palestinians on the West Bank to understand their point of view. What language did he use. Can this so called Middle East Peace expert, who spent 12 years failing to negotiate peace between the Israelis and Palestinians, even ask for a cup of coffee in Arabic.

He doesn't have to listen to the Saudis to the Egyptians, the Jordanians or any other Arab country to bring peace to the Middle East. Why would an American Jew who is the Chairman of a Jerusalem based think tank and has an honorary doctorate fromm a Jewish theological seminary have to listen to an Arab. Why would any one think that the Arabs in Palestine would accept this man as an honest broker.

Remarkably! This week Charlie is actually going to interview Chinese to understand how Chinese

citizens think about the world , America and themselves. He might want to try applying this unique approach to understanding Palestinians. You know, talk to some leaders of Hamas, Palestinian school teachers, Doctors, Palestinians living on the West Bank, Palestinians waiting in line at a check point. Try to find out about how they feel about living under an Israeli occupation. We all might learn a lot more listening to Palestinians talking about their own lives than listening to some failed bureaucrat with an obvious bias, trying to angle for a job in the next Clinton administration Hey you might even spend a whole week doing the interviews

Liz Kassan  07/17/2007 10:05 PM Report

I am sympathetic to the Palestinians and absolutely view with outrage the

criminal usurpation of Palestinian land, mindless destruction of property, ignorant disregard of personal need that the Israeli's broadcast to the world they jealously provide their own citizens and, of course the mindless, inhuman disregard for human life. Saying all this, I think Dennis Ross would be more compelling, his outcomes more believable if he divorced his remedies from the Israeli perspective and concentrated his strengths on elevating the discussion by developing strategies that provided for a life of quality for all Palestinians, access to usurped land, opportunity to return to chosen professions and most of all to force a total withdrawal of Israel military and diminish the cruel biased and racist influence of the Israeli right. Not speaking to Hamas was, is a glaring and unfortunately, a telling mistake. It seems obvious to me that in order for change to take place, ALL parties MUST be present at the table.

David R.  07/17/2007 07:59 PM Report

Clearly, people, who criticize Charlie for interrupting Mr. Ross are not well informed or acquainted with this spinmaster. I commend Charlie for cutting his BS (which if any viewer whishes to step into, can get in his book). Charlie, with probing and masterful questions, knocked him off balance, leading to shinging light on his biases and agendas, for those who can see. And it became pretty clear that American interests for peace and stability in the region are ill served by Mr. Ross. If you want peace, you demand end to violence from both sides: Palestinians and the Israelies. Also, both sides should abide by international laws and agreements, but Mr. Ross tells us that only Palestinians should first "Meet the terms of the International community" and illegal settlements on the occupies territories go on unimpeded and unfortunately are paid for by unsuspecting American taxpayers. It is clear that negotiators like Mr. Ross do not represent interests of regular Americans and Israelis (who spend blood and treasue) and of regular Palestinians (who loose their life and property to brutal attacks and confiscations), but he represents very small but very powerful religious right of the Israely society dreaming of capturing more and more land. This religious right by their policies over decades have radicalized historically unorganised and apathetic muslim population to the extent that Fatah (willified for decades) now is a darling of Israeli radicals. Unfortunately this old divide and rule policy will radicalize desperate Palestinians even further, to the extend that even more extreme and murderous fanatical movements and groups will form, comparing to which Hamas will look like a docile dog.

DL  07/17/2007 04:36 PM Report

For more balanced views on the World, Hamas, Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Iran, at least go back to an hour with Kissinger, Brzezinski and Scowcroft. For years, Palestinians complained about negotiators sent by US being Jewish-Americans of AIPAC veneer. I hope your guest didnâ??t include in his book the blunt push to replace Tony Blair in Middle East negotiations, as a solution to restore America's standing in the world. A lot of Americans call Iraqi War an illegitimate occupation, so maybe is just the code word for change. Those complaining about interruptions might find plenty of other programs where statements like that are unchallenged and cheered.

Les Bowers  07/17/2007 04:30 PM Report

The punishment for Charlie Rose would be to force him to watch the replay of the Dennis Ross interview. Its not just bad manners. It was grossly impolite. The problem is that this behavior will discourage good people from coming on his show, and that will be a loss for all of us.

Y117  07/17/2007 03:22 PM Report

Charlie,

Get this guy for a full hour.

Talk 15 mins on Israel

15 on Saudi and son on on Iraq and Iran.

Interruptions and abbreviations will result if one tries to encompass that whole region in 22 minutes.

James  07/17/2007 02:40 PM Report

How can Dennis Ross claim he knows what Hamas wants when he refused to meet with them? Despite all the terrible things Hamas has done, it was never and is not part a regional plan to bring back the caliphate! It is a religious-based national liberation movement. Hamas has never supported the al-Qaeda style caliphate idea. It has never attacked any country other than Israel. Hamas does not equal al-Qaeda. Thinking that will only lad to failure.

Don  07/17/2007 02:27 PM Report

Dennis Ross is a very well spoken man. Mr. Ross, keep up the good work.

morpheus  07/17/2007 11:47 AM Report

Jeremy and TWG, I've tried all that over the years. It's one thing to direct a conversation by asking pointed questions and help shape the answers, it's quite another to ask a question and interrupt the answer in progress with another question, even another topic!, before the answer is even given. In the He Ya-fei interview (on the same night), Charlie asked him directly what Ya-fei thought the US was doing to cause any bad relations with China, and before Ya-fei even answered the question, Charlie changed the subject. It was a crucial answer, given the very revealing nature of the interview, and it's lost. That is what prompted me to finally post something here.

I've always been bothered by the interruptions, and even when comments were added to this website, I waited a long time before speaking out (I'm not out to hurt anyone's feelings), but I just can't stand it any longer, and obviously, I'm not the only one. Watching CR is sometimes no better than watching some fat mouth cable show where a rude host interrogates a rude guest just for sport. I aways thought CR was way above that. I wouldn't be bothered by interruptions on those cable shows because they are crap, and it's a whole different game.

Charlie Rose is a great show and a great man, and because of that, it's even more annoying that some (but not all) guests have to basically arm wrestle Charlie to get a point across without it being re-hashed as "a" and "two" as Charlie tries to preempt the very answer he's asked for. If you notice, he doesn't do this with guests he really respects or wants to hear from, so that tells you a lot - if he would treat all guests as he does the ones he highly respects/listens to, this wouldn't be an issue.

Alpha O  07/17/2007 08:40 AM Report

After listening to the conversation of Mr. Ross and the constant interruptions of Mr Rose, I couldn't help but be think that anyone who could hold-on to his thoughts as well as Mr. Ross did , MUST know what he's talking about.

And, what really got my attention is that he is saying ( as we all know and see happening everyday in the news if you are paying attention), is that we have LOST any credibility in the WORLD. Mr. Ross tells of the statement made by the Prince in Saudie Arabia that concerns our being in Iraq. And he, the Prince, knew full well that in that statement, he used words that meant, ( or as Mr. Ross said), was a code word for, " it's o.k. to kill Americans", and didn't feel the needed to appologize. It was pointed out that a few years ago, he NEVER would have made that statement because of our standing in the world. That sent a chill down my spine. Am I the only one that heard that?...

TWG  07/17/2007 04:20 AM Report

For those bothered by the interruptions - an idea. Just ignore the interruptions and stay with the guest. If he or she is smart (and knows CR), they'll wait him out and continue on with their train of thought. Dennis Ross did this in expert fashion this evening.

Jeremy  07/17/2007 02:42 AM Report

To be fair, it's very difficult to find a balance between directing the shape of an interview, providing context for viewers less familiar with the discussion topic, focusing and condensing responses for both clarity and conciseness, and challenging comments that are unclear or contradictory or that sidestep the question, all the while trying to stay out of the interview and let the guest speak. This is especially true for someone as enthusiastic and passionate (and defensive if you insult the US) as Charlie, which means his comments can sometimes be more annoying than clarifying. It's always been that way and is probably not going to change - reference the June 13, 1993 NY Times article "Charlie Rose Never Runs Out Of Things to Say". I also think that as we age there's a natural tendency to listen less to others and believe that what we have to say is more important ;) In any case, consider the mainstream network alternatives and take the good with the bad while there's still good to be had...

Norm Bell  07/17/2007 02:42 AM Report

I'm sure Dennis Ross's book is a good one. However, the only way as far as I'm concerned "... to Restore America's Standing in the World" is wuth the impeachment of both Bush and Cheney. Seeing the American Research Group recent opinion poll indicating that more than four in ten Americans â?? 45% â?? favor impeachment hearings for President Bush and more than half â?? 54% â?? favored impeachment for Vice President Cheney, I'm waiting for Charlie's long, serious conversation with constitutional scholars such as Bruce Fein on this topic. I hope it's done soon.

morpheus  07/17/2007 02:16 AM Report

Way too many interruptions, Charlie! Why can't you let people finish their thoughts and sentences?? I know you're smart - I've watched your show from the mid 80s - and I know it's a "conversation", but at least let us hear the full answers once in a while as a treat. You've gotten so bad at these endless add-on questions and interrupted answers in these last years, I hate to say, sometimes I just change the channel or turn off the TV. Please be courteous to your guests!

George D.  07/17/2007 01:14 AM Report

I have often shouted "shut up Charlie" at the TV set, but not tonight. I saw Charlie's pointed questions and challenges as necessary with Dennis Ross, who has always been a lobbyist for Israel's interests first and foremost, but presents these interests as American. If there is anyone who can defend Hamas' interests with equal deftness and appeal (which can and should be done), that person should be at the table too...to face questions from Charlie.

Valerie Gamey  07/17/2007 01:10 AM Report

Charlie, whatever go into you tonight with your conversation with Dennis Ross? Never have I seen you interrupt so often. You wouldn't even let him complete a sentence and his thoughts seemed to me to be much more logical and interesting than your comments. You looked frustrated and angry and what could have been a very interesting interview was completely spoiled.

Joseph Dragan  07/17/2007 12:56 AM Report

Dear Charlie Rose,

First let me congratulate you and your staff a wonderful interview with an official of the Chinese government

I do have one observation. Please, please Mr. Rose allow your guests to finish answering your excellent questions without interrupting them. Do not try to "dumb down" or simplify what they're actually saying by reinterpreting their comments with your often used line "What I hear you saying is....". If you must interrupt for the sake of clarity, please try to remember where you interrupted their chain of thoughts, and bring the interview back to that point. I believe we all can often learn more by relaxing and listening carefully, as opposed to interrupting the thought processes of the wonderful guests, that you are so fortunate to have.

Thank you for providing this excellent forum for so many years.

Joe Dragan

Zack Stough  07/16/2007 11:42 PM Report

Charlie - please allow your guests a chance to talk - especially someone like Ross. I tune in to hear what this man has to say about Palestinian/Israeli situation - very knowledgeable - and about 2/3 of interview is Charlie talking and interrupting. Calm down and try to listen to your guests and please allow them to finish their sentences and thoughts.

Rick Cole  07/16/2007 11:32 PM Report

Hi Mr. Rose - Your interview with Mr. D. Ross - first, let me say you are one of the few ( only) mainstream media that somewhat presents 'balanced' view.

D. Ross : Often presented as ' independant mid east expert' - He is a Paid by the Israeli lobby spinner. never mentioned.

He ( Ross) often pushes the ' Clinton plan, it's all Arafat's fault' WELL -- What was the ' Clinton Plan'??? WHO would control the borders of 'Palestine'? Airports ? Seaports , Water ? key Jordan River valley ? Intrusive 'settlements / roads /checkpoints ??

IF the answer to any of these is 'Israel' no self repecting Palestinian could ( should) ever accept such one sided plan. - I'll just mention King /Crane survey of about 1919 - over 70% of existing population did NOT want to be broken up. was done anyway.

Support the ' Saudi Peace Plan' of about 5 years ago. REAL 'fair and balanced'.

End the Crusades. End Euro /American occupation. Get OUT of ARABIA.

Lew Winarsky  07/16/2007 11:27 PM Report

Charlie--Shut up--you talk too much; let the man finish a thought without your unnecessary comments--

John L  07/16/2007 11:15 PM Report

Bad audio... for the Chinese interview where the levels were not set when the interview started and for President Bushes segment, where it was as out of phase as it possibly can be. (Reminded me of the 60s pop songs...)

Why is there so much bad audio on PBS?