CNBC's Erin Burnett on defense after comments about China's lead-based toys, poisonous food

[DeepModem Mom]

TV Newser: Toy Story



CNBC's Erin Burnett is defending comments she made recently on MSNBC's "Hardball," related to China's manufacturing woes: (ie. lead-based Barbie):

"I think people should be careful what they wish for on China. If China were to revalue its currency, or China is to start making, say, toys that don't have lead in them or food that isn't poisonous, their costs of production are going to go up, and that means prices at Wal-Mart here in the United States are going to go up too."

This morning MSNBC's Joe Scarborough said to Burnett "...some people have gotten upset by some things you've said." Burnett responded:

"I'm glad you're giving me this chance to talk about it...I've been trying to explain this throughout the week...If you wanted increased safety and quality from China...that might mean you had to pay a little more for it. Of course we want to have safe toys and safe food but nonetheless, I just wanted to make everyone aware about how cheap China is as a production center."

And Jon Stewart had some fun with the story last night:

"This is Erin Burnett for the 'save the money foundation.' Because every penny you save will help offset the cost of your child's long-term debilitating healthcare needs."

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/

[Cassandra]

1. This is what happens to a brain...

marinated in greed.

[WinkyDink]

3. Simplified: A Republican brain. Oh, wait. Make that simply: A Republican.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

2. "pay a little more" is apparently on par with, or worse, than not having safe toys or safe food.

The explanation from Ms. Burnett is on par with, or worse than the original statement.

And, Joe, instead of saying "some people" you should have shown the clip. But, then, the fragile hot house orchid that is Erin Burnett might have be damaged by the humorous jabs. :eyes: MKJ

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

4. Tweety tried to rehabilitate her last night and she apologized and then pointedly

said, that what she meant was that if people want safety and quality control prices were going to rise.

I almost feel as if she's being paid by China.

[Cooley Hurd]

5. She's had a bad week... first, Tweety the letch comes onto her live on camera...

...then she gives US corporations in China a televised BJ.

She should've just stayed in bed...

[peaches2003]

6. She thinks everything is so funny

I saw her for the first time Thursday on Morning Joe. She somehow thinks she is supposed to 'entertain' giving the financial news. The credit crunch, mortgage foreclosures and downhill slide of the stock market apparently are a laugh riot to her. And the poisons coming in from China.

MSNBC ought to be ashamed. I don't give a damn how attractive and cute they think she is. That seems to be her only purpose to being on these shows. Some things just aren't funny when they involve people dying or losing their life savings. :thumbsdown:

[DeepModem Mom]

7. I read that CNBC is trying for another "money honey" like Maria Bartiromo. nt

[pretzel4gore]

8. even stewart now fukks with simple truth?

erin burnet is a mediawhore, sure she is. But who cares? The entire pigmedia is now whores, arse salesmen with greedy lifestyles, and 2 generations of quiet corruption has made it that way. That's a fact. Yet when this mediaWhore says 'you want quality, you gonna pay more' she's a pusher of cheap over well made? China's laissez faire biz practices over enforced decent standards?
fukk this fukking planet...die sukkers

[AngryOldDem]

9. Thanks, Erin, for opening my eyes!

Sure...just to save some bucks I'll buy toys and food that could eventually poison my kids. Silly me. Putting concern for the health and well-being of my family ahead of the Almighty Dollar. What the hell was I thinking???

:eyes:

[Bitwit1234]

10. Wait a minute...the people making the money are the corporations

that buy the goods for distribution in this country. We don't get much of a break. I'd rather pay more for a product and know it is save than play Russian roulette with mine and my children's lives.

[KittyWampus]

13. I'd rather see CEO's make a smaller salary & investors get less dividends than the consumer pay more

[Ilsa]

11. So if we want safe toys and food and other products, we might

as well make them here? Wow, who would thought that could ever be an issue? :sarcasm: Too bad so much of the hard and soft infrastructure for that isn't here at the moment.

[spanone]

12. cheap and possibly deadly, ms. burnett

[Gold Metal Flake]

14. She is an unabashed predatory capitalist.

She has simply been honest about it. As Randi says, when people show you who they are, believe them.

Of course, we can get on this pony and ride until her career is over. In fact, I urge that we do so.

[leftofthedial]

15. capitalism has metastisized

and we've created a generation largely incapable of rational thought.

[SOS]

16. It's fascinating

to watch the Wall Street media spin for China.
From the neoliberal pages of the New York Times to Ms. Burnett, they all defend the corporate profits generated in China.
The workers and customers can go to hell. The American CEO needs another 50-room mansion.
Buncha miserable hypocrites.