I am not the CNN guy!
Despite sharing a name with the seemingly-ubiquitous CNN anchor Aaron Brown, I unfortunately do not host an internationally-televised news program in my spare time. This fact seems lost on some of CNN's viewers, who turn to the Internet to express vitriol or admiration and end up misdirecting their e-mails into my mailbox. I've collected some of the more...interesting mail I've received, here.
Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 23:37:14 -0500 From: <removed> To: "Aaron B. Brown." <abrown@cs.berkeley.edu> Subject: About letters to CNN and MSNBC
Aaron Brown, I will miss you. I am an 83 year old woman, and I hate to learn that you will no longer be a part of CNN. I what written CNN and objected, and to MSNBC and O saod that I hope that they will add you to their news staff. Catherine -------------------------------------------------------- Name: <removed> <email elided> ------------------------------------ Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -- WOW--What a Ride!!!
[Now we're getting into politics, I see... --Ed.]
Date: Thu, 3 Jun 2004 13:46:48 -0700 From: <removed> To: <abrown@cs.berkeley.edu> Subject: CNN Memorial Day
You should be ashamed of yourself for using Memorial Day to promote John Kerry on CNN Monday night. You didn't once address the questions raised about whether Kerry had really earned the 1st of 3 Purple Hearts (which is highly unlikely, and which allowed him to hightail-it outta Vietnam after only 4 months of duty), or how his Swift boat commanders and colleagues have questioned his fitness to lead this great country, or his motivations while in Vietnam or after his return home. Instead, you delivered a panegyrical, event-by-event tribute to Kerry's heroic Vietnam service. You are pathetic! You should have also addressed his attitude and conduct toward others, i.e., his calling one of his secret service men a son-of-a-bitch and blaming him for a fall on the slopes, or flipping off a vet in the presence of others including children this past weekend at the WWII Memorial, or his lame, ridiculing remarks about our present Commander-In-Chief. As viewers, we already know everything about Kerry that you promoted on CNN. All one has to do is watch one of Kerry's commercials. What we, as the viewing audience would have appreciated, is getting to the truth about Kerry. You failed to do that. There are so many other qualified 'heros' of wars, from the present war going back into history and visiting all of the wars in which the US has been involved, which you could have used on Memorial Day to celebrate our freedom and the sacrifices that have secured it. You fill the liberal media's shoes nicely - never addressing the critical issues, but going for the sensationalism. Again, shame on you. <name removed>
Date: Wed, 27 Mar 2002 18:20:40 -0800 To: abrown@cs.berkeley.edu From: <removed> Subject: NewsNight Please tell me that Connie Chung is no more than a very casual happening on NewsNight. She does not inspire the trust that I feel for your reporting. She has always appeared phoney to me. Perhaps I am assuming guilt by association. Not you; Maury! CNN has created a fine program, entertaining and newsworthy, the attributes necessary to today's competitive market. I can endure the accordion man, but, please don't foist Connie upon me. Best regards, George Van Buren ( a descendent)
Date: Thu, 24 Oct 2002 05:52:20 -0700 From: <removed> To: <abrown@cs.berkeley.edu> Subject: berk Hi,Aaron, I was actually looking for the other Aaron Brown,but as long as I have you I thought I'd be polite and boof ya .It's funny in that I wish to tell cnn that the reason most people have an educated objection to the current media coverage is that it simply plays up the "beltway sniper", much like a "hack " reporter labels a scumbag "The Night Stalker",etc...I was going to refer to this type of journalism as "berkeley freshman philosophy".Ha , Ha.Telling the truth may not get you lots of money ,but if you wish to do good,this is the way to go my man.What I mean by that is that the worst form of "racism",since it seems to be such a hot topic,is to say that any particular race cannot be held to the same form of law.For instance,I live in Canada , and the indians here wish to say that they must have a seperate set of laws in keeping with their traditional ways.Well, write them down please ,so that us mortals may know them,okay?Ha,Ha.You seem like a good guy,with an honest pursuit of the truth,just be careful about working for a propaganda ministry,and don't be fond of calling white people "racists",for there is nothing more racist in this world than saying GOD,..yes..GOD no less has chosen my race and not yours...,before you call me "anti-semite" ,I should inform you that the woman I love is Jewish ,and she wins most of our discussions on the middle east situation.Anyhow , I'm getting too longwinded,good luck my friend , <name removed>.
Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2003 21:29:07 -0800 From: <removed> Subject: To: abrown@cs.berkeley.edu I was watching your ongoing news cast about the war and heard the General you had on comment about how good the troops looked compared to the shirtless, ragged looking Vietnam Vet. Where has this idiot been? Vietnam was a different war in a different climate, our clothes rotted in just a few weeks, we were there for 12 months not weeks, and believe me the way you look doesn't determine how you fight. Let's see how pretty they look after they fight for days at a time for 6 to 12 months. By the way fighting in the jungle is a lot different then fighting in the desert. Thank god our young troops don't think like this idiot General. <name removed>
Sent: Monday, March 24, 2003 8:07 AM From: <removed> To: abrown@cs.berkeley Subject: Mr. Aaron Brown Dear Mr. Brown: I am home recovering from breast cancer and watch the coverage of the war everyday. My husband was in the Viet Nam War and for what ever reason he has struggled with problems from that war, which created problems in our lives the past 15 years. I, for the first time have realized why with the difficulties and problems my husband has lived with has never complained about the war. I am proud of my husband, as I am proud of our valient American troops during the Viet Nam War. My husband and I were watching TV when the correction to the Viet Nam War was made. Although, in our opinion, a correction or explanation was not necessary, we commend you and the General for the manner in which you did this in. You demonstrated professionalism with respect to our valient Americans. I was proud of our President and our valient American troops during the Viet Nam War, I am proud of our President today and the decisions he has made, as I am proud of the valient men who represent our country and fighting as proud Americans for a cause. I can stand up proud and say I am "Proud to be an American! I have enjoyed the footage that has been presented by CNN. Once again, I commend you for the great job and manner in which you have shown. You have demonstrate professionalism, fairness, diplomacy and sincerity. Your tone of voice when you read the letter from a mother who was able to watch her son on the line. Your expression of compasion was shown. At that very moment, I cried and prayed for this mother and the many millions who have husbands and sons in the war. My sympathy goes out to these woman. Mr. Brown, please pass on to the millions of anchor men/woman, reporters, etc. who have dedicated their time to assist America in this time of need "A BigThank You". Please do not mention my name, because in all sincerity what I have said comes from the bottom of my heart. I salute you and every proud American!
Date: Tue, 01 Apr 2003 19:50:00 -0800 (PST) From: <removed> Subject: Concern To: abrown@cs.berkeley.edu Hello Aaron, First let me say that Ray and I have greatly admired your reporting on Newsnight. Compliments to you on the good job you do each evening. I write you not in criticism, but concern: Since the night the Iraqi War began, I have noticed that Jamie McIntyre has had a very persistent and omnious cough. If he has no pre-existing illness, I would strongly suggest he get a chest x-ray and or a bronchoscopy. His cough is not severe by any means, but sounds as though it could signal a serious pulmonary problem. I knew as a friend, you might be able to persuade him to have a check-up, without any of his superiors at CNN knowing about it. Hoping for the best in his health. <name removed> Oklahoma ===== Custom quilts with any squares you have!!! contact: <removed>
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2003 22:19:00 -0400
From: <removed>
Subject: Iraq
To: Aaron Brown <abrown@cs.berkeley.edu>
Dr. Mr. Brown,
I have been a fan of yours since you came to CNN and, since all of
the U.N. resolutions last year and throughout the Iraq war. I have
been glued to the TV screen whenever you were on camera.
In the late last evening (tax day) the 15th of April, on camera,
your were speaking with General Wesley Clark discussing whether the
new Iraq would become an Islamic country with an Islamic government
and laws. Possible but not likely, because under the Saddam regime
and up to today's Iraq is somewhat a secular nation (unless things
change for the worse). You rarely see women wearing veils; most
just don a scarf even if that. Shiates make up to 60-65 percent of
the population; now they will probably be able to properly practice
their religion (hopefully they will not be radicalized by their
mullahs). Hopefully the Sunnis, which are 31-36 percent of the
populace and were mostly in the Baathist Party, can get along with
the Shiates and not get themselves into an internicean war.
Christians make up three percent of the populace. Well, we will
have to wait and see what happens.
I hope that you don't thing I am a pedant because you have probably
studied this much more than I have. I only sent this E-mail when
you and General Clark seemed not to have an answer as to religion
versus secularism, the latter meaning democracy.
Kindest regards,
<name removed>
[NB: in response to a New York Times article suggesting that Aaron Brown would be appearing in paid advertising spots designed to look like legitimate unbiased news reports]
Date: Wed, 07 May 2003 12:43:58 -0400
From: <removed>
Subject: Disappointed
To: abrown@cs.berkeley.edu
Refer: NY Times, May 7,2003, Business Sec.
"Is It News Or An Advertisement?"
By Melody Brown
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Please - Say it isn't so!!
<name removed>
and shortly thereafter, from the same sender:
Date: Thu, 08 May 2003 13:55:20 -0400 From: <removed> Subject: Hurrah!! To: abrown@cs.berkeley.edu Today's NY Times story [by Melody Peterson, CNN Anchor Backs Out of Deal] Now you're back on my top ten 'broadcast journalists' list!! I know this comment is not going to make your day but your decision has made mine. Have a good one. <name removed>
Last updated: 31-Oct-2005