OZ,
There is a fairly large cache of retiree's who have contacts in the news media. All senior officers know that as they go up in rank and achieve positions of significant authority them come under news scrutiny. This makes their position political almost as much as military in nature. Through thjis process the "newsies" become familiar with them and cultivate a "working relationship". In this case it continues past the retirement date as the active Pentagon members will not talk to the press about an ongoing action to avoid giving any accurate intel to the enemy. As was already pointed out in 1991 saddumb DOES watch cnn and other news broadcasts to kee abreast of what is going on around the world and in particular strategically in his own back yard.
I am somewhat dismayed at the depth of "analysis" of the tactical information that is being broadcast to include units, location, readiness status, casualties and intentions that are being spoon fed to saddumb by the news media. I think the news should be after the fact not before and during the action so as to deny saddumb knowledge or intel of what is going on behind OUR OWN fediddleing lines.
Sorry but the public does NOT have the "right to know" until after the small term actions are over. This stuff does nothing to assist the local commanders in the prosecution of the conflict. It just aids the enemy in setting up their defenses to better delay the coalition and inflict casualties. This does not shorten the war, it makes it longer.
