X Marks the Bias

Wow (via Drudge).  Not terribly surprising, I suppose.  But still, wow.

Bloggers (and other alternative media sources) of the world rejoice.  CNN has just driven a deep nail in the MSM coffin.  Unless there's an excellent explanation for this one, this ought to convince a lot of holdouts that traditional, ostensibly objective media sources are increasingly unreliable and agenda-driven.

I can't wait to hear how this one will be explained away.  A/V malfunction?  Meddlesome intern run amok?  Family Feud rerun accidentally superimposed over footage?   New Sesame Street cross-promotional campaign; today's broadcast brought to us by the letter X?

Can anyone tell what that black text underneath the X says (anyone looking for a Photoshop challenge)?  The last word appears to be "Black", but I can't make the rest of it out.

Anyway, kudos, Drudge.

Update:  CNN chose to go with "technological malfunction".  Priceless.  From TVNewser:

Upon seeing this unfortunate but very brief graphic, CNN senior management immediately investigated. We concluded this was a technological malfunction not an issue of operator error. A portion of the switcher experienced a momentary glitch. We obviously regret that it happened and are working on the equipment to ensure it is not repeated.

Elsewhere:

• NewsBusters reports.
• The Political Teen has the video.
• Stop the ACLU responds with its own subliminal messages.
• Blogs for Bush also wonders about the lower text.
• Wizbang notes a pattern.
• Don Surber has had enough of CNN.

Update:  The Dan Report has managed to bring the muddied text into focus.  It reads, "Transition begins after 5 frames of black".

A number of folks are thus concluding it was a simple technical glitch, no harm intended.  In my mind, the issue is still wide open.  "Technological malfunction" isn't going to cut it.  What exactly happened, how did it happen, and how is it that it happened to happen with such intriguing timing?  Why have we never seen it happen before, when CNN is on air 24/365?  Was the timing purely coincidental?  Perhaps it was.  But a more thorough accounting is surely due.