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Pastimes : CNBC -- critique. -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: ron insana who wrote (1269)	8/4/1998 10:51:00 PM
From: Gary M. Reed	Respond to of 17683

Hello Ron, A friendly suggestion for you and your producers. Anaren Microwave (ANEN-Nasdaq NMS) reported earnings after the close today. Operating earnings were up 70% for the quarter on a 34% rise in sales. For the fiscal year, their earnings were up 176% on a sales rise of 55%. On the following conference call, ANEN mgt stated they were comfortable with the $ 0.90 analyst estimate for next year. The stock closed today at $ 11 1/8. Me thinks your viewers would be intersted in a high-tech stock selling at 13x current earnings growing at roughly 50% per year going forward. Certainly a more compelling valuation story then the CPQ/DELL/CSCO stories that you will certainly beat to death again tomorrow. Maybe you can have their CEO Larry Sala on Squawk Box instead of the Internet Gas-bags we've seen lately. Earnings speak louder than words. Gary

To: ron insana who wrote (1269)	8/4/1998 10:51:00 PM
From: Sandy	Respond to of 17683

If I recall correctly, the DOW was approximately -150 when the interview began shortly after 3:30. Ralph's good but what I really want to know is: WHERE'S ABBY AND WHAT DOES SHE SAY?

To: ron insana who wrote (1269)	8/4/1998 11:50:00 PM
From: Mary	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 17683

Hello Ron, I agree with you as to not embarrassing Ralph on the air. Your pre-interview comments were enough for the viewers to figure out not only your opinions but the idiotic switch pulled by Ralph within 24 hours. The words that stand out in my mind from the interview are " ...yes, it is a bear call" paraphrased. I guess time will tell. This could be Elain scenario all over again, or, he may get vindicated if the market breaks 8000. And one more thing, while I'm at it. This business of whisper numbers is getting way out of hand. Even CNBC staff is reporting earnings against the whisper numbers. Now, either you provide sources for the whisper numbers, or just shut the hell up and report against the First Call estimates. The credibility gap is starting to get pretty big. Other than that, keep up the good work. MN

To: ron insana who wrote (1269)	8/5/1998 1:53:00 AM
From: capitalistbeatnik	Respond to of 17683

Thanks for responding Ron. It's just that I witnessed the greatest meltdown in a high profile person's credibility on television since Al Campanis and I want him held accountable and fired for charlatanism even though I do not use the Pru. If I did the same in my work I'd be dragged through the civil courts for ten years. BTW if you want to use the above comparison on the air, I would be flattered. Now that Campanis is dead, we bloodthirsty pagans want another human sacrifice!

To: ron insana who wrote (1269)	8/5/1998 3:31:00 AM
From: SteveG	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 17683

Hi Ron and all Longtime viewer, remarking on the obvious. It's probably more of a challenge than ever to keep CNBC and various reporters/"experts" as a medium of news from becoming the news. Sometimes a thin line, but like art, many sense when it gets crossed. With ratings the benchmark, the more scoops and general market volatility, the more advertising dollars. Doubtful it's ever as cynical as Douglas's "Ace in the Hole"/"Big Carnival", but probably daily editorial decisions should not discount the possibility of even this "perception". Cronkite may have helped set the standard, but it would seem the effort required to tow that line (in reporting AND scheduling) is a tremendous daily effort in these market manic times. Which underscores all the more need. As many there, you do an outstanding job, Ron. But I sometimes feel like I'm watching something other than business news. I know you want to appeal to a wide demographic, but sometimes I long for a more somber and less gimmicky business news experience - (vis a vis tractor rides, squirt guns, etc) - like the FNN days? To be truthful, this is a daily concern and I find I tune out of CNBC more and more frequently, Acamporas notwithstanding. Even if it's just the appearance, it DOES set a tone. Just a few thoughts, and thanks for tuning in to US, Ron and all.

To: ron insana who wrote (1269)	8/5/1998 4:23:00 AM
From: mark weston	Respond to of 17683

ron re:"With respect to ralph" indecision is the key to flexibility mw

To: ron insana who wrote (1269)	8/5/1998 11:59:00 AM
From: The Jedi	Respond to of 17683

Ron, I just found out about your post. I think each person is entitled to change their mind. If Ralph flipped over in a day by going upstairs and taking a second look, then ask him what exactly was that he missed seeing the day before that made him change his stance. What specific indicators that flipped over in that time made him go bearish, what was the key that made him see a different light. There are a lot of analysts who would like to learn that wisdom. I would be interested to know was he really looking at some indicator or was it that he just threw in the towel because of sentiment, or was he hoping by going contrarian he could help to start or increase a massive sell off, thus setting up for a rebound the next day to save the bull market. Kiri

To: ron insana who wrote (1269)	8/5/1998 1:52:00 PM
From: jopawa	Respond to of 17683

Ron, Good to hear from you. I've been watching you and the others since 1986 when I was in college! The work you do, and the perspective you offer is without peer in the financial TV business. I think Ed Hart would be proud. Keep up the good and accurate reporting, and encourage the rest of CNBC to bring their accuracy and perspective up to your level. There has, in my opinion, been a steady drop in quality in CNBC for the last several years. Too many reporters who really don't know what they are talking about, and unfortunately they replaced people who DID know what they were talking about! Incidentally, I think you guys did a good job of showing what a fool Acampora is, without being obnoxious about it. Regards John

To: ron insana who wrote (1269)	8/6/1998 12:35:00 PM
From: capitalistbeatnik	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 17683

Ron, here is the problem. Why is the second or third question out of Bill Griffeth's mouth always "Do you see the market going up or down?" As Peter Lynch says, "Don't ask." It's a ridiculous question and shouldn't be asked. Burton Malkiel's academic work completely debunks market timing and it is idiotic for CNBC to keep consciously or unconsciously promoting the guru de jour. (I'm eagerly awaiting the fall of Abbey Cohen.) It's like the science channel doing a serious interview with a professor of phrenology. Not that most FA's beat the market either, but at least a few do. But how come Peter Lynch is never on? A few years ago a Senator in Arizona introduced a bill that required all psychiatrists in the courtroom to wear a conical hat with planets and half moons and stars and wave a wand in a circular manner while testifying. I think CNBC's policy toward market timers ought to be the same. The fact that they wear suits doesn't make them respectable. Acompora is now neck and neck with William Ginsburg for the 1998 Media Idiot award. I commend CNBC for calling him out, but I think he out to be ridiculed out of a job. I understand that promotion of a buy and hold investment strategy would not be the best thing for CNBC's ratings, but I would love to see these timing quacks off the air and a little more information in depth about a company's PE ratios, same store sales, overseas expansion plans instead of the dumb buy-sell-hold formulas by know-nothing FAs and DOW prediction from TA's who obviously haven't studied stocks in depth and just parrot something obvious they heard at the office i.e. "Cisco has emerged as the leader in networking, blah, blah". Anyway, good journalism is asking the right questions and the direction of the DOW is a dumb one. If this makes me venomous then I'll spit my venom in the viper pit with luminaries such as Lynch and Buffett. BTW, you can check prior postings, I've always been pro-Insana.

To: ron insana who wrote (1269)	8/7/1998 1:27:00 PM
From: SIer formerly known as Joe B.	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 17683

All the commercials with closing bell are driving me crazy. I now know how Pavlov's dogs must have felt. I realize you have nothing to do with the advertising but maybe you can tell me who is responsible for letting your sponsors drive me nuts. Thanks for listening and have a great weekend, Joe