CNN shuts down Space and Tech coverage; fires Miles O'Brien

[ManaByte]

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/cnn/miles_obrien_to_leave_cnn_network_shutters_science_space_and_tech_unit_102312.asp

Breaking: TVNewser has learned 16-year veteran CNN correspondent and anchor Miles O'Brien will soon be leaving CNN.

O'Brien's departure comes as the network dismantles its science, space, environment and technology unit in Atlanta. That includes O'Brien as well as six producers. O'Brien has been CNN's chief technology and environment correspondent since being replaced as anchor of American Morning in April 2007.

Before, during and after anchoring, O'Brien worked the NASA beat for CNN. He covered John Glenn's return to space in 1998. In 1999 he led CNN's coverage of the failed Mars Orbiter and Polar Lander missions. And in February 2003, O'Brien led coverage of the shuttle Columbia tragedy.

CNN spokesperson Christa Robinson tells TVNewser the unit is being shuttered as the network integrates science, environment and technology reporting into the general editorial structure. "Now that the bulk of our environmental coverage is offered through the Planet in Peril franchise, which is part of the AC360 program, there is no need for a separate unit," Robinson says.

O'Brien joined CNN in April 1992. His departure date is not yet set.

I guess this is what he gets for doing a special on something NASA wanted to keep quiet. On Tuesday, he did a special on the Mars fossil that the rovers took pictures of (and NASA wants to keep hush hush). On Wednesday, he's fired.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2008/12/02/obrien.mars.worm.cnn

[TakingBackSunday]

Why would they want to keep that hush hush?  If I was NASA I'd've drafted up a fucking press release the second one of those images came back.

[jiji]

Poor guy. Can't get a break.

[ManaByte]

Why would they want to keep that hush hush?  If I was NASA I'd've drafted up a fucking press release the second one of those images came back.

Scientific religion and Religion religion problems with finding something like that on Mars.

For one, evolution says that the process is so random that you won't find the same result on any other planet in the same way. What happens then if NASA comes out with pictures of shell fossils on Mars that are nearly identical to creatures we have here on Earth?

[TakingBackSunday]

NASA is a scientific organization.  It's their DUTY to report these findings.  And this is coming from a guy who comes from a pretty Christian family.

[ManaByte]

NASA is a scientific organization.  It's their DUTY to report these findings.  And this is coming from a guy who comes from a pretty Christian family.

Exactly, but they refuse to. Fuck, the rovers took pictures of a shell that looks almost exactly like a Earth whelk shell. NASA won't even acknowledge them.

[Brehvolution]

WHAT THE FUCK!!!!!

[Eric P]

i don't keep up with space news that much so i went googling for mars fossil and found a bunch of crazy

"THIS ROCK LOOKS LIKE THIS SKULL!  THIS IS NOT A ROCK IT IS A FOSSIL"

i'd like to remind you that NASA found Kermit too

[MrAngryFace]

finding a fossil somewhere else would have a huge impact on a lot of things, its important to be sure

[Cheebs]

For one, evolution says that the process is so random that you won't find the same result on any other planet in the same way. What happens then if NASA comes out with pictures of shell fossils on Mars that are nearly identical to creatures we have here on Earth?

That doesn't disprove evolution.

[Brehvolution]

Meh, you can't just go invalidating religion. Think what that would do to the war economy.

[MrAngryFace]

There are a lot of people in the religions communities that are finding ways to adapt various faiths to modern science- but again, i can understand not just rushing out with this. Being wrong would make NASA look so bad, and being right will definitely have some effects on religious types

[ManaByte]

There are a lot of people in the religions communities that are finding ways to adapt various faiths to modern science- but again, i can understand not just rushing out with this. Being wrong would make NASA look so bad, and being right will definitely have some effects on religious types

The Vatican currently has MORE observatories and a more open position on the subject than NASA does. What does that tell you?

[Cheebs]

I dunno about the current Pope but I know the last one basically said evolution was acceptable.

[MrAngryFace]

There are a lot of people in the religions communities that are finding ways to adapt various faiths to modern science- but again, i can understand not just rushing out with this. Being wrong would make NASA look so bad, and being right will definitely have some effects on religious types

The Vatican currently has MORE observatories and a more open position on the subject than NASA does. What does that tell you?

That tells me that they're ready to make a statement when it happens, but just cause the vatican says stuff is so, doesnt mean people follow it.

[ManaByte]

There are a lot of people in the religions communities that are finding ways to adapt various faiths to modern science- but again, i can understand not just rushing out with this. Being wrong would make NASA look so bad, and being right will definitely have some effects on religious types

The Vatican currently has MORE observatories and a more open position on the subject than NASA does. What does that tell you?

That tells me that they're ready to make a statement when it happens, but just cause the vatican says stuff is so, doesnt mean people follow it.

No, I just think it's hilarious that the Vatican has these super expensive observatories all around the world looking for signs of life out there and their chief astronomer comes out and says "Yea, Aliens are out there and their our space brothers" while NASA takes a few pictures of sea shells on Mars, a CNN reporter talks about it, and NASA is like "FIRE HIM! We can't let people see Martian sea shells! WHAT WILL THAT DO TO OUR SOCIETY!!!!!"

[Cheebs]

Nasa's inability to hide these shell things very well should prove to all those out there who think the govt. is hiding secret alien info that the govt. could never keep it hidden for long.

[Phoenix Dark]

what, mars fossils? how did i not hear about this

[Brehvolution]

what, mars fossils? how did i not hear about this

Because the information is being withheld.

[jiji]

I'll play devil's advocate here. Isn't it most likely that his departure really is just a result of the staff reduction that came as a result of the closure of the science/space/environment/tech unit? News organizations all over are cutting back right now, so this makes sense.

[Cheebs]

Where is the original report on these fossils?

[AdmiralViscen]

Yea, gimme more fossil infos

[Eric P]

he's busy proving gays hate blacks

i'm certain he'll be along shortly

[Cheebs]

I just clicked the video in his post. It isn't anything to get excited about. It's just a guy speculating that a rock formation on mars looks like a fossil but there is no way to check since its just a long distance picture. No secret fossils.

[ManaByte]

http://xenotechresearch.com/Anomaly1.htm
http://xenotechresearch.com/SpirCor1.htm
http://xenotechresearch.com/marsgal2.htm

[Van Cruncheon]

oh jesus i can't believe people believe the "mars fossil" crap

please have all religious wackos excommunicated from science post-haste

[border]

*picture of round rock*

"It's a martian trilobite!"

*picture of identical round rock*

"Oh look, a martian sea urchin!"

[Brehvolution]

It was fun while it lasted.

[Eric P]

leper manabyte

[GilloD]

Wait what.

Are you guys trolling?

[Olivia Wilde Homo]

Purge Manabyte and all of his supporters.

[Phoenix Dark]

wtf seriously, that's it? pics like that are officially released by NASA all the time

leper manabyte

[ToxicAdam]

This O'Brien guy was a butt buddy to Hansen. Fuck him.

[Hitler Stole My Potato]

lol @ the fossils

But seriously, if NASA ever came upon some fossilized space fish they'd be the first to be trumpeting the find.  They're desperate for funding and things are only going to get worse with the economy going into the tank.  Space exploration is always going to be one of the first things on the governmental chopping block.

[Barry Egan]

*picture of round rock*

"It's a martian trilobite!"

*picture of identical round rock*

"Oh look, a martian sea urchin!"

 

oh manabyte. 

[siamesedreamer]

This O'Brien guy was a butt buddy to Hansen. Fuck him.

Word...

Also, CNN is just being a bit proactive here. When people are talking about $1 trillion deficits in the coming years, that means there are going to be a ton of programs they get shelved and/or shut down. I imagine NASA will be at the top of the list.

[Bloodwake]

OMG, Miles O'Brien?

Jesus, I can't fucking believe that CNN would fire everyone's favorite transporter chief.