CNBC reporter apologizes for insensitive remark on Japan disaster

 

It's one thing to be a bottom-line kind of guy like CNBC markets reporter Larry Kudlow, but it's quite another to be "grateful" that the human toll is worse than the financial one in disaster-plagued Japan.

Kudlow, speaking during a live segment about the global economy on Friday, said, "The human toll here looks to be much worse than the economic toll, and we can be grateful for that."

He backed up slightly a moment later, noting that, "the human toll is a tragedy; we all know that." But the damage had already been done, especially since a ticker on screen was giving estimates of the fatalities quickly mounting from the massive earthquake and devastating tsunami. (That number is expected to top 10,000).

Criticism poured in, and Kudlow sent out a contrite Tweet: "I did not mean to say human toll in Japan less important than economic toll. Talking about markets I flubbed the line. Sincere apology."

Is it enough, readers?

-- T.L. Stanley 

Comments

[Bobby]

Kudlow did NOT 'flub a line.' He spoke from his heart (assuming he even has one).

[Susan2]

Well, not really.

He didn't actually 'flub' the line. If you listen to the clip, he immediately restates what he said, in different words, and reconfirms his statement about the human toll being less important than the economic toll.

I guess the potential for a dropping stock market fried his wittle business brain.

[anne groden]

You are complete idiots. I heard this was a narrow-minded liberal rag, but I had no idea how slanted you really can be. I heard the broadcast, did you?

[anne groden]

I bet you won't post that, will you? You have to moderate the comment? Oh, did I speak the truth about this useless rag?

[Mel]

No, that apology was not enough...is there one from his sidekicks?
Trick is to turn them off.

[pcarlson]

It will do to start. But what it HAS done is to demonstrate where Kudlow's interests are, and we should never forget that. If you find yourself thinking, some day in the future, that he's a humanitarian, or that he even cares about you, remember what his bottom line is: are you worth more alive or dead?

[Danielle]

He needs a bigger & better apology, "Flubbed a line" my butt.

[Rose]

"Is it enough, readers?"

My husband suggested ritual seppuku or 10 years in a monastery on bread and water (and mucking out the stables).

At the very least, a very large space on the CNBC home page given over to an unequivocal apology for the comment.

And how about CNBC making a very large donation to earthquake/tsunami disaster relief?

[william Henely]

No...what an idiot

[PJF]

I've always liked Larry Kudlow. I think he's honest.

[chrisaz314]

i have no respect for kudlow whatsoever. he is a guy who was the leader of the sds while at grad school at princeton & received numerous draft deferrments (ive been told i need both of my hands to count the # w/ my fingers). no he is a guy who promotes war bc it will make the stock mkt go up. hes a leech. people like this are this country's downfall. we cannot tolerant this intolerance/greed anymore from these leeches. hes a penis dressed up in a pinstripe suit w/ a receding hairline, dorky glasses & snarly voice on top. i think if people heard that sob there might be a revolution in this country

[jbl]

Kudlow has a history of remarks like this. At the end of one of his shows back in 2002-2004 (can't remember exactly when it was), he closed with anti-Muslim remarks to the effect of "Let's take it to the Muslims!" referring to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. At the time, there was no reaction in the media.
Can you imagine what would have happened if he had said: "Let's take it to the Jews!" or "Let's take it to the African-Americans!" He would have been off the air in no time!

[Greg]

Others have been fired from their jobs/endorsements for similar statements why not Kudlow?

[2centsworth]

It is not unusual these days to hear commentators, announcers or pundits make stupid mistakes in an attempt to get attention. What I marvel at is where this stupidity comes from. Is there a class that teaches it or do you have to be born with so little humanity? Time to clean house.

[willowbe]

A tweet is not enough. how gutless.

[hadityno?]

This statement just shows his insensitivity toward the huddled masses. This fellow defends corporate mongers that have paid lobbyists to support subsidies for US companies to outsource jobs. While our ecomomy is failing, he continues to yell at the TV cameras and annoy his co-reporters with that nasty voice. He says coroporations shouldn't be taxed and we should bow to them. Taxpayers are being bled dry. Mr.Kudlow sells the idea our economy is recovering. Teachers and state workers have the kind of pay-scale we should all enjoy, not tear apart. Divide and conquer people. Keep up that 80 hour work ethic, 7 days a week to make ends meet while the charts show little gain for the masses and the rich go off the chart exponentially. Fleece the American people and treat them like leeches, what a philosophy. Your time is comig Larry. I hope by the end of this week CNBC sees you as the loosing liability that you are. Maybe Charlie Sheen can help you out @ his next group session.