hollowdweller said:
Because that's how it is in a free country. Critical self examination is healthy to keep you honest.
It is interesting to me that during the invasion of Afghanistan, the action in Bosnia, and the first Gulf War there was never a lot of people saying "Where are all the bad stories?? Why is all the news coverage good??"
Yet Iraq, and Somalia both poorly done and executed the results HAVE been bad and there really isn't any good news other than the elections. As many people in Iraq are dying now as in the beginning. It's the new Afghanistan training the next generation of Jihadi fighters. Now as you alluded not all of the country is in total chaos but the situation is not good and being "fair and balanced" doesn't mean not reporting the news or making up stuff to make it look good.
We absolutely need a vital, critical, honest media -- intellectually honest -- to watch the politicians. I feel we don't get what we need in that regard. We mostly have special-pleaders for two sides who struggle over power to rule this nation. Or maybe it's three sides now: D's, R's, and ME's (Media Empire). Who should run the Country?
I hope these are not quibbles:
Afghanistan. The Afghan War began with predictions all over the "main stream" media that we were were entering another Vietnam. Stories ran in the NYT, et al. recounting the failures of the UK in Afghanistan - the failures of the USSR in Afghanistan. Predictions of massive casualties were all over the news.
After a pause to collect breath, Afghanistan has been "reinterpreted." Stories are NOW running in the "main stream" media - and have for months - emphasizing how bad things are in Afghanistan - how nothing is really getting better - how we missed the "big prize," OBL. "Taliban offensive building."
Gulf I. The First Gulf War was predicted to result in massive casualities. Iraq had a very large, battle-hardened army. Irag had better artillery than we did (from S. Africa - longer range and higher rate of fire) and more of it. Iraq had mine fiields. TOW missles might not work on T-72 tanks. "Trenches of fire." Poison gas. The M-1's would run out of gas. The sand would ruin the vehicles. The heat would kill our troops in their CBW suits.
I wondered at the time why anyone tought the Iraqi army would stand a chance given our air supremacy given that their armor was deployed far to the rear. I mean, if Rommel couldn't move the panzers by day in Normandy, how was Saddam going to move his tanks by day - or night - in the open desert? Sure enough. Pretty hard to portray that as a failure, but it's been tried" "Bush Stopped Too Soon, Says Retired General [who wants to be President]."
Somalia: little good press - and then no good press. There was a national consensus that our young men were too good to die for the population there. The troops were put in that position by a political decision to deny tham available equipment. Hard to spin that into a success.
Gulf II/Iragi Freedom. My first words when I heard we had invaded Iraq were, "How do we get out of there?" I still do not see a way out except to declare victory pdq and leave hoping for the best with no real assurancce of long-term stability. Not exactly a hothouse for "western democracy." I'd settle for a government elected by universal sufferage. They are split about 50/50 now and can't decide on who fills what post in the new gov't.
Remember how the attack had bogged down and we we're going to be slaughtered in the "slug-fest" for Badgad." House-to-house "urban warfare." "Cut Off From Supplies." I have the Time somewhere. (Time-Warner: second only to to AFL-CIO in what category but still totally objective?)
"Worth it"? Not to many parents of the dead. Trade your son or daughter for stranger's good? Who would advocate that? (It's a test.)
Historically? Ask me in fifty years. At the time, our participation in WW I seemed like a good idea. Now? Very debatable, unlike WW II. Without WW I "victory," there might not have been WW II.
I do know there is "OK" slaughter and "Not OK" slaughter in our society. Alcohol and tobacco kill 600,000+ a year, and that's "OK," I guess. Surely we'd stop it if it was "Not OK."
I agree the debate detracts from considering other issues - energy, the movement of our working class towards Third-World SOL, health care.
One good thing. It scared the nuncs out of Lybia. They are now in Oakridge, Tenn. Show of hands: how many knew that fact?
BBC says the locals in Iraq caught and hanged four bombers. Any truth to that rumor?.
Anyone watch CBS on Sunday - 60 Minutes. I almost died of shock.
(I would die of shock if anyone in the MMM admitted that Saddam openly supported terrorists.)
My Grandfather Lyman: "Trust policiticians about as much as you'd trust car salesmen. They both have only a passing acquaintance with honesty and want your money."
REQUIRED HODDIE CONTENT: He seems like a pretty cool guy.
Nobody sawed your head off on camera.
