WHEN GOOD NEWS IS BAD NEWS....
I happened to catch the late night ITN news in the UK as it reviewed the Petraeus Report on the Surge in Iraq. It was interesting to note the rampant anti-Bush bias that is being pumped throught our newsrooms dressed up as "news." Obviously the fact that General Petraeus has something positive to say about the military objectives being met was met with complete dismay in the newsrooms. Instantly, we had political correspondents comment that "President Bush will be able to hide behind this report", "It was a good news day even though Iraq is a disaster," etc etc. Let's be clear - the UK media are ONLY interested in US failure and defeat, one reason why I despise them. The fact of the matter is that MANY brave US soldiers are doing a brilliant job in the most horrible circumstances and on this day of all days, we salute them. It's that simple.
As the follow-on item, and in another clear example of anti-Bush anti-US military propagandising, ITN took their cameras off to interview the families of some of those in the US who serve in Iraq. The tone was that it was a terrible strain when their loved ones are away from home and it would be best to get out of Iraq. I can understand this attitude but would suggest that the overwhelming number of military families support the mission in Iraq. ITN couldn't find any. What a disgraceful organisation, full of bias.
David Vance
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Reader Comments (5)
It is a terrible strain to have loved ones over there. I know first hand. Many military families understand the importance of the mission.
I have been blogging the 'surge' news for a few weeks now. A lot of progress is being made and those islamic terrorist bastards are being killed by the thousands. Iraqi forces are doing a huge part of the killing.
Petraeus' report is major heartburn for the 'bring the troops home now' crowd.
The surge can not accomplish what it was originally professed to do, provide Iraqis with time to secure things things politically. Its value has been ambiguous. In my opinion it is two years too late and too few troops.
David,
I don't agree with you on ITN having an anti-US bias but I've found that it has become quite dumbed-down tabloid-esque and populist recently.
Monica,
What do you make of the news that Iraqi forces are doing the same amount of work that they did a year ago? That their independent operations only make up a tiny fraction of all operations? Is this a strategy that will see us out in two years? Five years? Given the rate of increase, I'd say it'll be at least 20 years until they can work on their own.
Have you see the report, CL?