Damning, But....

[Annie]

There has been speculation in many quarters that the MSM has been preparing themselves for disaster in Iraq-that the election could actually take place, with far fewer problems than predicted.

They have a plan, so the prognasticators opined, nick named: Damning, BUT...

Seems some of us were onto something. Go to the site, lots of links:

http://www.balloon-juice.com/archives/004697.html

The Damning "But"
The Damning But (aka the "Copperhead Conjunction") is out in full force:

Reuters-

Iraq to Vote Shadowed by Threat of Bloodbath-Sat Jan 29, 2005 04:24 PM ET

Insurgents threatened a bloodbath on Sunday when Iraqis go to the polls in an election intended to unite the country and quell violence but which could instead foment sectarian strife.


Or they could all join hands and sing Kumbaya. Or they could go on without incident. Or there could be some mild violence and nothing more. The possibilities are endless. Why pimp only the worst case?

AP-

Iraq leaders urge calm on election eve, two Americans killed in embassy attack

Iraqi officials have predicted up to eight million of 14 million voters will turn out for Sunday's election to choose a National Assembly and governing councils in the 18 provinces. Voters in the Kurdish-run north also will select a regional legislature.

But turnout is uncertain, especially in the Sunni Muslim areas of central, northern and western Iraq where the insurgency is most deadly. About 300,000 Iraqi and U.S. troops are on the streets and on standby to protect voters.


Of course turnout is uncertain, you pompous gasbags. Turnout is always uncertain before ANY election. Even here in the gold old United States of America.

News.Com.Au -

More blood shed as vote nears

A dusk-to-dawn curfew and a ban on travel between provinces were imposed, and the Government today extended a state of emergency for one month.

But the measures could not prevent the attack on the US embassy compound, housed in one of Saddam's gigantic palaces inside the heavily-fortified Green Zone and a symbol of the American presence in Iraq.


Of course the measures couldn't stop the attack- otherwise you wouldn't be writing it. Note to reporters- in the future, if an attack is successful, we will assume attempts to stop it failed.

The New York Times -

Rocket Strikes U.S. Embassy as Iraqis Prepare to Vote

Iraqi officials predicted that 8 million of the country's 14 million eligible voters would cast ballots on Sunday, a turnout of roughly 57 percent, in the country's first multiparty elections in more than 50 years. But with insurgents threatening to kill Iraqis who vote and to bomb polling places, and with most leaders of the country's Sunni minority calling for a boycott, that statement, by the Independent Election Commission of Iraq, appeared to be as much an expression of hope as it was a prediction.


Groan.

Like I said- the media has their storyline already. Kudos, however, to CNN, whose Damning But was not Damning nor a reflection of the personal opinion of the author, merely a statement of fact:

But to establish democracy in Iraq, the electoral process will have to overcome threats of violence against voters and polling places, a history of dictatorship and repression, and generations of animosity between the country's Shiite and Sunni sects of Islam.
I don't have a problem with the cold, hard facts of the situation. In order for the elections to be successful, the obstacles listed will have to be overcome.

Filed under Media by John Cole at 07:38 PM

 

[Annie]

He does avoid the 'but' though the implication is clear:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4766090,00.html

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said the world must encourage voters in Iraq's elections, calling Sunday's balloting ``the first step'' toward democracy.

``They know they're voting for the future of their country. They're voting for the day when they're going to take their destiny in hand,'' Annan told reporters at an African Union summit in the Nigerian capital, Abuja. ``We must encourage them.''

``It's the first step in a democratic process,'' Annan said of Sunday's vote, which saw insurgent attacks killing over two dozen in Iraq.

``It's a beginning, not an end,'' Annan said in French, replying to a reporter's question.

The elections are seen as a crucial step toward Iraqi democracy after the U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. Officials hope a successful vote can help undermine the insurgency.

 

[Comrade]

Always a BUTT with the mainstream media.

:moon4: