Friday, October 22, 2004
Chicago Tribune | Will draft cards make a comeback?
Chicago Tribune | Will draft cards make a comeback?
Just about every talking head in Congress and the Bush administration denies it, including President Bush. But rumors of a looming military draft, fed by the Internet, mischievous Democrats and anxious draft-age youths, have become a persistent annoyance in these tense political times.
Monday, October 11, 2004
MySA.com: Editorials
MySA.com: Editorials
Sig Christenson
Express-News Military Writer
CAMP AS SALIYAH, Qatar — A familiar Iraqi street scene plays out on a flat-screen TV in the office of the U.S. Central Command's No. 2 man here. Shot from an RQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle, the image captures Iraqis in traditional Arab dress walking onto a street in Mosul near a set of earthtone homes.
"You're looking at a city that didn't look very much different than any community in the United States," said Lt. Gen. Lance Smith, deputy chief of the U.S. Central Command. "Traffic all over the place, people all over the streets, commerce going on, and they don't have mortars going off and IEDs (improvised explosive devices) blowing up and all that stuff all the time."
That's the Iraq he thinks many Americans never see or read about. It's an argument as old as the U.S.-led occupation and tends to be made by some in the military and supporters of President Bush. Once a whisper, the claim is now a roar. "You're not telling the good news stories," they say.
Sig Christenson
Express-News Military Writer
CAMP AS SALIYAH, Qatar — A familiar Iraqi street scene plays out on a flat-screen TV in the office of the U.S. Central Command's No. 2 man here. Shot from an RQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle, the image captures Iraqis in traditional Arab dress walking onto a street in Mosul near a set of earthtone homes.
"You're looking at a city that didn't look very much different than any community in the United States," said Lt. Gen. Lance Smith, deputy chief of the U.S. Central Command. "Traffic all over the place, people all over the streets, commerce going on, and they don't have mortars going off and IEDs (improvised explosive devices) blowing up and all that stuff all the time."
That's the Iraq he thinks many Americans never see or read about. It's an argument as old as the U.S.-led occupation and tends to be made by some in the military and supporters of President Bush. Once a whisper, the claim is now a roar. "You're not telling the good news stories," they say.
Major Assaults on Hold Until After U.S. Vote
LINK: Major Assaults on Hold Until After U.S. Vote
By Mark Mazzetti, Times Staff Writer
WASHINGTON — The Bush administration plans to delay major assaults on rebel-held cities in Iraq until after U.S. elections in November, say administration officials, mindful that large-scale military offensives could affect the U.S. presidential race.
By Mark Mazzetti, Times Staff Writer
WASHINGTON — The Bush administration plans to delay major assaults on rebel-held cities in Iraq until after U.S. elections in November, say administration officials, mindful that large-scale military offensives could affect the U.S. presidential race.
Thursday, October 07, 2004
Interview with Danny Schechter about "WMD: Weapons of Mass Deception" about the American media, 09/04
LINK: Interview with Danny Schechter about "WMD: Weapons of Mass Deception" about the American media, 09/04
It seems practical, even reasonable, to rely on news organizations to broadcast accurately. Such informational institutions exist to dig up the facts, right? Maybe not. In the aftermath of President Bush's crusade to eliminate the seemingly omnipotent threat of 'weapons of mass destruction,' it has become pretty obvious that what initially appeared to be a deed of heroism and liberation was actually a vicious act of messy retribution. The burning question is, how much did the embedded American media uncover while reporting from the Middle East? Were American audiences actually getting the facts as they unfolded, or were we shielded from the truth?
It seems practical, even reasonable, to rely on news organizations to broadcast accurately. Such informational institutions exist to dig up the facts, right? Maybe not. In the aftermath of President Bush's crusade to eliminate the seemingly omnipotent threat of 'weapons of mass destruction,' it has become pretty obvious that what initially appeared to be a deed of heroism and liberation was actually a vicious act of messy retribution. The burning question is, how much did the embedded American media uncover while reporting from the Middle East? Were American audiences actually getting the facts as they unfolded, or were we shielded from the truth?
Under Threat
Under Threat
New York, May 17, 2004—Since the U.S. invasion of Iraq began in March 2003, twenty-seven journalists have been killed covering the war and its aftermath. Nearly all of those killed in 2003 were foreign correspondents, from the United Kingdom, Spain, Australia, Germany, the United States, and elsewhere. In 2004, however, 12 of the 14 killed to date were Iraqis. Six Iraqi media workers have also been killed.
New York, May 17, 2004—Since the U.S. invasion of Iraq began in March 2003, twenty-seven journalists have been killed covering the war and its aftermath. Nearly all of those killed in 2003 were foreign correspondents, from the United Kingdom, Spain, Australia, Germany, the United States, and elsewhere. In 2004, however, 12 of the 14 killed to date were Iraqis. Six Iraqi media workers have also been killed.
Letter from Iraq
Letter from Iraq
Security is tenuous for everyone in Iraq, but conditions for journalists have deteriorated to the point that many major news agencies now rely on local stringers and employees for newsgathering. Among nearly every constituency here, hostility toward journalists has increased.
Security is tenuous for everyone in Iraq, but conditions for journalists have deteriorated to the point that many major news agencies now rely on local stringers and employees for newsgathering. Among nearly every constituency here, hostility toward journalists has increased.
WSJ reporter Farnaz Fassihi's letter from Baghdad.
War and Piece:
Being a foreign correspondent in Baghdad these days is like being under virtual house arrest. Forget about the reasons that lured me to this job: a chance to see the world, explore the exotic, meet new people in far away lands, discover their ways and tell stories that could make a difference.
Being a foreign correspondent in Baghdad these days is like being under virtual house arrest. Forget about the reasons that lured me to this job: a chance to see the world, explore the exotic, meet new people in far away lands, discover their ways and tell stories that could make a difference.
Will 'WSJ' Reporter Who Wrote Famous E-mail on Horrid Conditions In Iraq Lose Her Beat?
Will 'WSJ' Reporter Who Wrote Famous E-mail on Horrid Conditions In Iraq Lose Her Beat?
(October 04, 2004) -- Will Wall Street Journal reporter Farnaz Fassihi be taken off her Baghdad beat in response to the notoriety surrounding the world-famous e-mail that she wrote 11 days ago? Her editor, Paul Steiger, says no, she is just taking a well-earned and long-scheduled vacation, out of the country. Fassihi confirmed this in an e-mail to E&P on Monday night.
(October 04, 2004) -- Will Wall Street Journal reporter Farnaz Fassihi be taken off her Baghdad beat in response to the notoriety surrounding the world-famous e-mail that she wrote 11 days ago? Her editor, Paul Steiger, says no, she is just taking a well-earned and long-scheduled vacation, out of the country. Fassihi confirmed this in an e-mail to E&P on Monday night.
Confronting the Horror
American Journalism Review
SIFTING THROUGH GRISLY AUTOPSY reports on abused, murdered children, Arizona Republic reporter Karina Bland was transfixed by a Polaroid photo. It was stapled to a police file labeled ``Ashley Guerard, 8 months,'' and showed a tiny pink coffin. Bland made a mental note to describe it in her copy as ``the size of a dresser drawer.''
SIFTING THROUGH GRISLY AUTOPSY reports on abused, murdered children, Arizona Republic reporter Karina Bland was transfixed by a Polaroid photo. It was stapled to a police file labeled ``Ashley Guerard, 8 months,'' and showed a tiny pink coffin. Bland made a mental note to describe it in her copy as ``the size of a dresser drawer.''
Republicans, Out of Ideas, Ask Prosecutors to Arrest Michael Moore
Republicans, Out of Ideas, Ask Prosecutors to Arrest Michael Moore
By: Michael Moore
Published: Oct 7, 2004
Dear Friends,
You may have heard by now that the Michigan Republican Party has called for my arrest. That's right. They literally want me brought up on charges -- and hope that I'm locked up.
No, I'm not kidding. The Republican Party, yesterday, filed a criminal complaint with the prosecutors in each of the counties where I spoke last week in Michigan.
My crime? Clean underwear for anyone who will vote in the upcoming election.
By: Michael Moore
Published: Oct 7, 2004
Dear Friends,
You may have heard by now that the Michigan Republican Party has called for my arrest. That's right. They literally want me brought up on charges -- and hope that I'm locked up.
No, I'm not kidding. The Republican Party, yesterday, filed a criminal complaint with the prosecutors in each of the counties where I spoke last week in Michigan.
My crime? Clean underwear for anyone who will vote in the upcoming election.
NPR : Analysis of Media Coverage of the War
NPR : Analysis of Media Coverage of the War
American media is split over how to deal with graphic images of American dead and wounded. Some newspapers are running photographs of American POWs, others are not. Even within television networks, there is no agreement over whether to broadcast video of dead or injured American soldiers. Hear Washington Post media critic Howard Kurtz.
American media is split over how to deal with graphic images of American dead and wounded. Some newspapers are running photographs of American POWs, others are not. Even within television networks, there is no agreement over whether to broadcast video of dead or injured American soldiers. Hear Washington Post media critic Howard Kurtz.
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