Kring: CBS likened Ukraine’s independence to the flight of children from their homes

Good that age is not good. In the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union, CBS likened newly independent states like Ukraine to the annoying Brat who fled home. Of course, the bizarre 1991 commentary came from the late Andy Rooney.

Dated September 29, 1991 60 minutesRooney began, “Who would have thought a year ago that the Soviet Union would be divided into 15 states?”

He then compared the brutal regime in the old Soviet Union to a functioning republic in the United States, suggesting that it would be like leaving Florida or California:

Older people in Florida may decide that they no longer want to pay for the education of young people. They will vote to leave the union. Texas can be tired of supporting small states like Rhode Island. Look at this. Here is Texas. This is Rhode Island. What does Rhode Island, Texas need? Here’s what the continental United States would look like, with the exception of California, New York, Texas and Florida.

In light of Russia’s war crimes, Rooney concluded:Every kid dreams of running away, but if they do, 99 percent of them decide it was a bad idea and come home. My bet is that within a few years, half of the Soviet state will return home to those who left the Union.

A thug like Vladimir Putin could not have said it better. If Ukraine runs away from home, her parents are a psychotic father who wants to kill her child.

Sadly, Andy Rooney was not unique. See a March 14, 2022 Newsbuster study of how, although the press may now hate the brutal Putin, they jumped on the “strong” Soviet Union in the 80’s and 90’s.

For more examples from our Flashback series, which we call Newsbuster Time Machine, Get here.

A copy of the segment is given below. Click “Extend” to read more.

60 minutes
09/29/1991

Leslie Stahl: We’ve never heard of Andy Rooney’s imitation that never started. Have you ever wondered, ‘Which makes Andy happy because he says he never said it? Okay, Andy, who cares?

Andy Rooney: A year ago, who would have thought that the Soviet Union would be divided into 15 states? Look at this. In one paper after another. What would newspaper headlines look like if it happened in the United States? President Bush made the request, but the isolated states denied it, casting doubt on the fate of the United States. Bush has threatened to step down if countries do not find a way to protect the United States. U.S. leaders are urging rebel Ohio to stay in the union.

You need to consider the possibilities that could happen here. Let’s face it, our 50 states are not so friendly. Florida is jealous of California; Colorado and Arizona fight over water; And as far as Mississippi is concerned, New York could die. Don’t worry about Russia, we have our own problems. There are many reasons why a state wants to get out. Some states feel that their citizens pay more to the federal government than their share of taxes. Here are the top five tax-paying states: Californians pay the most, 127 billion. New Yorkers are next with ৯ 109 billion. These are the states that pay the least: Wyoming, only $ 1,200,000,000 That check they will not pay for the bounce in Congress. I mean, if California says, hey, listen, Wyoming. Go take your own forces. Tired of paying for all these things for you? New York could do the same.

And there is going to be a war between young and old in the United States. Older people in Florida may decide that they no longer want to pay for the education of young people. They will vote to leave the union. Texas may be tired of supporting small states like Rhode Island. Look at this. Here is Texas. This is Rhode Island. What does Rhode Island, Texas need? Here’s what the continental United States would look like, with the exception of California, New York, Texas and Florida. Well, it won’t happen, of course. Every kid dreams of running away, but if they do, 99 percent of them decide it was a bad idea and come home. My bet is that within a few years, half the Soviet states will return to the homes of those who have left the Union.