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General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: eagl on January 19, 2005, 01:07:45 PM

Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: eagl on January 19, 2005, 01:07:45 PM
Here's a link to some news from someone actually IN Iraq, instead of some armchair quarterback elitist summarizing a report from someone in Iraq who's been told to only go where everything is going wrong.

http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/05/breaking2453389.0680555557.html

The biased reporting is far more disturbing to the military than pretty much anything else.  Soldiers are given orders, and they go in and carry them out regardless of why the orders were given.  When their actions are mis-reported or only the crappiest 10% of their actions are reported, that's when the soldiers get upset.

Free media my butt...  When Al-Jazeera is the only external media agency covering a school opening even though American news sources were invited, it's pretty clear which media agency is providing fair coverage and which one is aiding the enemy.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: Boroda on January 19, 2005, 01:19:06 PM
I love this part:

From where I sit in Iraq, things are not all bad right now. In fact, they are going quite well. We are not under attack by the enemy; on the contrary, we are taking the fight to him daily and have him on the ropes. In the distance, I can hear the repeated impacts of heavy artillery and five-hundred-pound bombs hitting their targets. The occasional tank main gun report and the staccato rhythm of a Marine Corps LAV or Army Bradley Fighting Vehicle's 25-millimeter cannon provide the bass line for a symphony of destruction. As elements from all four services complete the absolute annihilation of the insurgent forces remaining in Fallujah, the area around the former insurgent stronghold is more peaceful than it has been for more than a year.

Looks like things are much, much worse then we are told.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: eagl on January 19, 2005, 01:20:40 PM
Boroda he wrote that during the assault on Falluja.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: Boroda on January 19, 2005, 01:39:49 PM
Sorry, didn't understand it.

BTW, didn't see you for looong time, have you been there?
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: Glas on January 19, 2005, 02:02:07 PM
I might be against the war, but I just LOVE the idea of the media being taken for a ride;

Quote
Recently, when a Coalition spokesman tried to let TV networks in on opening moves in the Fallujah operation, they misconstrued the events for something they were not and then blamed the military for their gullibility. CNN recently aired a "special report" in which the cable network accused the military of lying to it and others about the beginning of the Fallujah operation. The incident referred to took place in October when a Marine public affairs officer called media representatives and told them that an operation was about to begin. Reporters rushed to the outskirts of Fallujah to see what they assumed was going to be the beginning of the main attack on the city. As it turned out, what they saw were tactical "feints" designed to confuse the enemy about the timing of the main attack, then planned to take place weeks later.

Once the network realized that major combat operations wouldn't start for several more weeks, CNN alleged that the Marines had used them as a tool for their deception operation. Now, they say they want answers from the military and the administration on the matter. The reality appears to be that in their zeal to scoop their competition, CNN and others took the information they were given and turned it into what they wanted it to be. Did the military lie to the media: no. It is specifically against regulations to provide misinformation to the press. However, did the military planners anticipate that reporters would take the ball and run with it, adding to the overall deception plan? Possibly. Is that unprecedented or illegal? Of course not.


And to think they are bleating about it :rofl
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: Wolfala on January 19, 2005, 02:41:44 PM
If you read the entire article - it is a pretty terrible indictment against journalism as a whole. If I had to get an bellybutton chewing like that, I think Murrow would roll in his grave.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: GreenCloud on January 19, 2005, 02:49:29 PM
that is sooo great.. CNN really disgusts me


thnx for link eagler..
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: pugg666 on January 19, 2005, 03:25:17 PM
Very good read Eagl, thanks.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: Maverick on January 19, 2005, 04:04:10 PM
Good read. I can't wait for the first poster to claim it's all a lie.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: Sandman on January 19, 2005, 04:19:45 PM
It might not be a lie, but I suspect that it is no more or less biased than anything else.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: GtoRA2 on January 19, 2005, 04:30:40 PM
Good read, thanks Eagle
 
Sandy
 
 He isnt really talking about Bias so much as simple lack of reporting anything positive.



Frankly this is what I meant in another thread when i said we were going to lose, not because we could not do it, but because the news media here is waging its own war of disinformation and it is going to break the will of the people in the country to want to stay and do the right thing.

I hope I am wrong though.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: Crumpp on January 19, 2005, 06:08:20 PM
LTC Ryan is correct.  I have NEVER seen a reporter present at ANY battle I have been in.  They sit in the safe areas and wait to be spoonfed information putting whatever political bias they choose too on it.  Most of them do not like Bush being from  the traditionally left leaning media.  Good news equals a boost for Bush to them.

The Western Media is the best friend the terrorist have in this war.

Crumpp
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: RedTop on January 19, 2005, 07:40:42 PM
I really enjoyed that article. Thanks for posting it.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: Lizking on January 19, 2005, 08:13:19 PM
When your bellybutton is getting shot at and the "friendly" journalists do nothing but assist the enemy, well, I suppose the gentleman might have a TAD of bias.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: eagl on January 20, 2005, 02:12:26 PM
FWIW I haven't been "there" in the last 6 years.  I'm sure my rotation will come sooner or later though.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: Boroda on January 20, 2005, 02:17:56 PM
Quote
Originally posted by eagl
FWIW I haven't been "there" in the last 6 years.  I'm sure my rotation will come sooner or later though.


Good luck then! I hope you'll come back OK.

BTW, I still remember you from WB 1.11 ;)
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: Elfie on January 20, 2005, 07:40:35 PM
Thanks for the link Eagl :)

Amazing that none of the nay sayers and Amerihaters have any comments on this.

I guess its just not *cool* to talk about any positive progress in Iraq or to talk about anything bad being done by the insurgents.

This article gives me hope that my own son may yet come home alive and in one piece.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: hawker238 on January 20, 2005, 07:44:49 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Elfie
I guess its just not *cool* to talk about any positive progress in Iraq or to talk about anything bad being done by the insurgents.


Whatever news source floats your boat.  They're all biased just the same.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: Elfie on January 20, 2005, 07:49:56 PM
Quote
Originally posted by hawker238
Whatever news source floats your boat.  They're all biased just the same.


That article wasnt written by a journalist. It was written by a soldier who was there. I find that far more credible than the crap CBS, NBC, ABC and CNN try to feed me. With those 4 networks, I know I will never, ever, get the whole picture on any story. All you will ever get is what they want to tell you according to their own personal opinions.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: RedTop on January 20, 2005, 07:51:36 PM
Quote
Originally posted by hawker238
Whatever news source floats your boat.  They're all biased just the same.


That soldier wrote that isnt that right?
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: Elfie on January 20, 2005, 08:01:55 PM
Quote
Originally posted by RedTop
That soldier wrote that isnt that right?


Yes.

I guess another anti-war person is ignoring facts as told by an active participant.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: RedTop on January 20, 2005, 08:11:37 PM
He's from Rhode Island ............lol I married a woman from there...GOSH I'm glad I got rid of her. God AWFUL woman. Maybe he knows her?:rofl


county I live in could kick that whole states tail in a war.

We could call it Texas Purifacation.










J/K  don't get your clams in a wad.:rofl
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: hawker238 on January 20, 2005, 08:38:07 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Elfie
All you will ever get is what they want to tell you according to their own personal opinions.


;)
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: hawker238 on January 20, 2005, 08:39:38 PM
Quote
Originally posted by RedTop
He's from Rhode Island ............lol I married a woman from there...GOSH I'm glad I got rid of her. God AWFUL woman. Maybe he knows her?:rofl


county I live in could kick that whole states tail in a war.

We could call it Texas Purifacation.



J/K  don't get your clams in a wad.:rofl


:D

We'll just have to take the carriers out of mothballs at the newport war college and sack the Quonset Air Museum for some fighters and you've got your war!
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: RedTop on January 20, 2005, 08:43:12 PM
Does Newport still have a base?  I was stationed there in the early 80's.

And BTW........................Wh en the Battleship Texas comes steaming into Narraganset Bay...Just GIVE UP:lol
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: hawker238 on January 20, 2005, 09:06:45 PM
Quote
Originally posted by RedTop
Does Newport still have a base?  I was stationed there in the early 80's.

And BTW........................Wh en the Battleship Texas comes steaming into Narraganset Bay...Just GIVE UP:lol


Yep, Naval War College is still going strong (though it might have a different name... pretty sure it does).  And please, we've got the Battleship Mammie right next door!  She can fire her guns halfway across the state, so no fears.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: Cobra412 on January 20, 2005, 10:15:30 PM
Elfie they all ignore the facts because it's easier to listen to what they want to hear and not what is really happening.  They are just another person who sits comfortably at home reading a news paper or watching television passing judgement but has yet to set foot on the battle field and see what is really happening.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: Suave on January 21, 2005, 02:44:43 AM
Anybody not seen "Voices of Iraq" yet ?
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: Elfie on January 21, 2005, 12:52:48 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Cobra412
Elfie they all ignore the facts because it's easier to listen to what they want to hear and not what is really happening.  They are just another person who sits comfortably at home reading a news paper or watching television passing judgement but has yet to set foot on the battle field and see what is really happening.


I know Cobra :)  If this thread had been about something bad an American soldier had done in Iraq, this thread would be 5 pages long already. GScholz and rpm would be leading the pack about how terrible America is.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: hawker238 on January 21, 2005, 01:16:14 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Cobra412
Elfie they all ignore the facts because it's easier to listen to what they want to hear and not what is really happening.  They are just another person who sits comfortably at home reading a news paper or watching television passing judgement but has yet to set foot on the battle field and see what is really happening.


Quote
Originally posted by Elfie
I know Cobra :)  If this thread had been about something bad an American soldier had done in Iraq, this thread would be 5 pages long already. GScholz and rpm would be leading the pack about how terrible America is.


;)
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: Drifter1234 on January 21, 2005, 02:25:52 PM
Another article on the under-reported side of Iraq.

http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110006166

2 weeks of good news.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: Sandman on January 21, 2005, 02:44:22 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Elfie
I know Cobra :)  If this thread had been about something bad an American soldier had done in Iraq, this thread would be 5 pages long already. GScholz and rpm would be leading the pack about how terrible America is.


Ya know... RPM is a veteran.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: Elfie on January 21, 2005, 02:59:58 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Sandman
Ya know... RPM is a veteran.


Is that supposed to be an excuse for his constant anti-american posts?

I too am a vet.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: Elfie on January 21, 2005, 03:26:29 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Drifter1234
Another article on the under-reported side of Iraq.

http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110006166

2 weeks of good news.


Thanks for that link as well. I know there are ups and downs in any military operation. It gets old hearing just the *bad news*. Really nice to see some good news for a change.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: mechanic on January 21, 2005, 03:43:12 PM
In todays politically correct first world, it is wrong to be biased in reporting. therefore reporters are keen to report stuff that looks bad on thier nation as oppossed to bad on the enemy.

the problem is they not only make the bad stuff look worse, they fail to make the heroic stuff look heroic.


propoganda gone haywire.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: Sandman on January 21, 2005, 07:37:28 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Elfie
Is that supposed to be an excuse for his constant anti-american posts?

I too am a vet.


You're entitled to your opinion of what constitutes an "anti-american" post, but I'll gladly disagree. RPM is both a veteran and a patriot, IMHO.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: GtoRA2 on January 21, 2005, 07:52:53 PM
I am with Sandy, as much as I disagree with RPM on many many things, I am sure he loves this country and is truely concerned with were it is going.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: Elfie on January 22, 2005, 01:02:53 PM
I just find it amazing that guys that rant and rave constantly about all that is wrong with America and the war in Iraq cant acknowledge the good that is being done there as well. That includes rpm and GScholz among MANY others on this board as well.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: rpm on January 22, 2005, 02:10:04 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Elfie
Is that supposed to be an excuse for his constant anti-american posts?

I too am a vet.
I did'nt know you had to be Pro-Bush and pro-republican to be an american. I guess all those people that were screaming bloody murder over Clinton were anti-american. Weren't they mostly republicans? Does that make republicans amerihaters?

Some people here want everyone to fall in line with the great leader and their party. Those that speak out against the leader and the party are to be scorned. I can recall a few "great leaders" and parties like that. Stalin and the USSR, General Franco and Spain, Mussolini and Italy...oh yeah don't forget Hitler and Germany. All led their party and country to ruin.

[cue music: America The Beautiful]Checks and balances, kiddos. That is what makes America great. The founding fathers never intended for one way of thinking to be only way. That is what they were rebelling against in the first place. Freedom of thought, the right to express your opinion, the right to stand up and say "I think this is wrong!" and not be hauled off to prison. That's what America is all about.[/music]

I support the troops 100%, it's not their fault politicians put them there. I'm interested in what the retention rate will be in the Guard once they are allowed to quit. From what I've heard, it ain't gonna be pretty.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: Elfie on January 22, 2005, 05:58:17 PM
Ya still couldnt come in and say....wow, nice to see some *good* news for a change....could ya? heh

And that...is exactly what I was talking about in this thread. People seem to ignore good news and only talk about the bad news......just like the author was saying about journalists......
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: hawker238 on January 22, 2005, 06:11:46 PM
Well, when you see bad news posted, like torture suspicions or something, do you say "wow, that's really bad" or do you rationalize it off and attack the reporting agency?

This is why I don't like politics.  Everything is just so damn polarized into camps that its a waste of time.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: rpm on January 22, 2005, 07:32:44 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Elfie
Ya still couldnt come in and say....wow, nice to see some *good* news for a change....could ya? heh

And that...is exactly what I was talking about in this thread. People seem to ignore good news and only talk about the bad news......just like the author was saying about journalists......
Show me a story where our soldiers are coming home, the suicide bombers have ceased fire and no more casualties. Then I'll give you the "wow" you are waiting for.
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: Crumpp on January 22, 2005, 08:22:51 PM
Quote
Show me a story where our soldiers are coming home, the suicide bombers have ceased fire and no more casualties. Then I'll give you the "wow" you are waiting for.


Geez, come on rpm.

If these guys were so strong, how come they have not hit more coalition bases?

Counter Insurgency Operations and Low Intensity Conflict's can take years to die down.

This is exactly why the United States is so bad at them and exactly why most of our involvments since Vietnam have been done outside the public spotlight.

The American fast food pop culture public just does not have the intestinal fortitude to do anything that is not "quick and easy".  Bin Laden is counting on the US Public to win this thing!!

Crumpp
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: Sandman on January 23, 2005, 10:56:58 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Crumpp

The American fast food pop culture public just does not have the intestinal fortitude to do anything that is not "quick and easy".  Bin Laden is counting on the US Public to win this thing!!

Crumpp


Yeah... but we could beat the snot out of China. :aok
Title: Iraq news - the other side
Post by: Elfie on January 23, 2005, 03:51:34 PM
Quote
Originally posted by rpm
Show me a story where our soldiers are coming home, the suicide bombers have ceased fire and no more casualties. Then I'll give you the "wow" you are waiting for.


I'm afraid we will all be waiting for awhile for that kind of good news. In the mean time, maybe read those links and see some good news for a change :p

Gotta warn ya though...they arent full of the doom and gloom sort of stuff you normally post about :p