nite swimming

Ok, this is weird

CNN apologizes for X on Cheney's face

The Associated Press November 23, 2005

NEW YORK (AP) - CNN has apologized for a "technical malfunction" that briefly flashed a black "X" mark over the face of Vice President Dick Cheney during the network's coverage of a speech on Monday.

The "X" flashed twice, on the air for a total of one-seventh of a second, CNN said Wednesday.

The incident caused a brief sensation on the Web among people suspicious that it was a political commentary. But CNN said some of its machinery had a "momentary glitch" and no human operator was involved.

The "X" is something used by a computer to mark a space where one visual element is to segue into another, and is normally not seen by a viewer. The network likened its appearance to a computer that inexplicably freezes.

"We obviously regret that it happened and are working on the equipment to ensure it is not repeated," the network said in a statement.

I thought CNN owed an apology for airing Larry King's interview with Dick "other priorities" Cheney on Memorial Day. I was deeply offended by that and felt both an apology and restitution was in order. Flashing an "X" over Cheney's mug twice during one of his BS speeches is actually laudable.