Troops Express Fustration With Media

[red states rule]

Here is a story you will NEVER see on ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, CNN, or Headline News

You will NEVER read about this in the NY Times, LA Times, or the Washington Post


Troops in Iraq Express Frustration with the Media to FNC's Sean Hannity
Posted by Justin McCarthy on December 12, 2006 - 17:00.
The bravest and most patriotic of Americans, those who see first hand what goes on in Iraq, can see the liberal bias in the media. On Monday’s Hannity and Colmes, co-host Sean Hannity recounted from his recent trip to Iraq that many in uniform there feel the media paints a grimmer picture than the reality on the ground. Hannity first offered this comment when talking with Oliver North reporting from Ramadi, Iraq.

Sean Hannity: "You know Colonel, one of the things without fail, wherever the secretary went, he was greeted like a rock star. I mean, the troops love him. And the one theme that kept coming back to me, and they watched TV regularly, they’ve had Fox News on almost everywhere I went, is that the media was not portraying this accurately, and they did mentioned, quite often, the disdain and the disgust at the portrayal of, of their efforts and the politics that’s going on behind here in America. I assume that, this now your eighth trip to Iraq, you’re hearing a lot of the same thing."

Later in the show, Hannity played his taped discussions with U.S. troops in Mosul. There, one soldier spoke up on the media portrayal of the situation in Iraq.

U.S. Soldier: "The bottom line is that from we hear what is being said in the media back home, but we’re here and we see a totally different side of what’s happening."

Hannity: "Explain that. What’s the difference between what people hear at home and what’s happening here?"

U.S. Soldier: "A good example: This past Tuesday we went out to the city to deliver school supplies to children."

Hannity: "And we’re in Mosul just so people know.

U.S. Soldier: "And the Iraqi Army actually provided our security for us. We didn’t have any problems. The locals, they were, you know, they were a little bit shy and nervous but, you know, absolutely -"

Hannity: "So that sort of transition is happening successfully."

Soldier: "Oh yeah, oh yeah."

http://newsbusters.org/node/9620

 

[Gunny]

Here is a story you will NEVER see on ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, CNN, or Headline News

You will NEVER read about this in the NY Times, LA Times, or the Washington Post


Troops in Iraq Express Frustration with the Media to FNC's Sean Hannity
Posted by Justin McCarthy on December 12, 2006 - 17:00.
The bravest and most patriotic of Americans, those who see first hand what goes on in Iraq, can see the liberal bias in the media. On Monday’s Hannity and Colmes, co-host Sean Hannity recounted from his recent trip to Iraq that many in uniform there feel the media paints a grimmer picture than the reality on the ground. Hannity first offered this comment when talking with Oliver North reporting from Ramadi, Iraq.

Sean Hannity: "You know Colonel, one of the things without fail, wherever the secretary went, he was greeted like a rock star. I mean, the troops love him. And the one theme that kept coming back to me, and they watched TV regularly, they’ve had Fox News on almost everywhere I went, is that the media was not portraying this accurately, and they did mentioned, quite often, the disdain and the disgust at the portrayal of, of their efforts and the politics that’s going on behind here in America. I assume that, this now your eighth trip to Iraq, you’re hearing a lot of the same thing."

Later in the show, Hannity played his taped discussions with U.S. troops in Mosul. There, one soldier spoke up on the media portrayal of the situation in Iraq.

U.S. Soldier: "The bottom line is that from we hear what is being said in the media back home, but we’re here and we see a totally different side of what’s happening."

Hannity: "Explain that. What’s the difference between what people hear at home and what’s happening here?"

U.S. Soldier: "A good example: This past Tuesday we went out to the city to deliver school supplies to children."

Hannity: "And we’re in Mosul just so people know.

U.S. Soldier: "And the Iraqi Army actually provided our security for us. We didn’t have any problems. The locals, they were, you know, they were a little bit shy and nervous but, you know, absolutely -"

Hannity: "So that sort of transition is happening successfully."

Soldier: "Oh yeah, oh yeah."

http://newsbusters.org/node/9620

Spent about an hour and a half Sat nite talking to an Army LtCol who had just returned from Iraq. Among other things he said the media was irresponsible, jaded, lying, and a BIG part of the problem in Iraq and no part of a solution.

 

[red states rule]

Spent about an hour and a half Sat nite talking to an Army LtCol who had just returned from Iraq. Among other things he said the media was irresponsible, jaded, lying, and a BIG part of the problem in Iraq and no part of a solution.

I heard about one Officer who ordered his troops NOT to speak with CNN

He explained CNN will always distort what they say and will cast the US military in a bad light

How true

 

[Gunny]

I heard about one Officer who ordered his troops NOT to speak with CNN

He explained CNN will always distort what they say and will cast the US military in a bad light

How true

Legally, he could not single out CNN. He could order them to not speak to the media.

He could however suggest a preference to one over the other and give his reason why.

 

[red states rule]

Perhaps I was wrong when I used the word "order"

I know one thing for sure. Most of the troops think about the liberal media alot

Especially during target practice

 

[Gunny]

Perhaps I was wrong when I used the word "order"

I know one thing for sure. Most of the troops think about the liberal media alot

Especially during target practice

That is also part of the problem. We only hear one side. Most troops play it safe and just don't speak to any media for any reason. In the Marines, we had a standing order that if the media contacts you, you contact the Public Affairs Officer, period.

 

[red states rule]

The troops have every right to dislike and distrust the media. They go out of their way to smear, insult, and publish false stories (which paint the troops in a bad light)

 

[Gunny]

The troops have every right to dislike and distrust the media. They go out of their way to smear, insult, and publish false stories (which paint the troops in a bad light)

I didn't say they did not have the tight to dislike and distrust the media. I was a troop at one point in time, and I felt I had that right. If it didn't say "PAO" on it, I wasn't talking.

 

[red states rule]

I didn't say they did not have the tight to dislike and distrust the media. I was a troop at one point in time, and I felt I had that right. If it didn't say "PAO" on it, I wasn't talking.

Thank you for your service. It is because of you, and all who serve, we are the greatest nation on Earth

Without your service, we could not have this open discussion as well

 

[Gunny]

Thank you for your service. It is because of you, and all who serve, we are the greatest nation on Earth

Without your service, we could not have this open discussion as well

While I appreciate the sentiment, no thanks are necessary. I did what I thought was right. The people back here who supported us deserve as much thanks as we get because without them, there is no "us."

 

[red states rule]

That is one thing nearly every vet has in common. You do not want praise. you do not want publicity.

You do not consider what you did anything great

But you are a cut above - like every member of the military

However, with only about 10% of the entire population willing to go into the military, you (and fellow vets) keep this country safe

It pisses me off to here bastards like Kerry, Durbin, Kennedy, and Dean smear the military.

 

[SpidermanTuba]

Here is a story you will NEVER see on ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, CNN, or Headline News

You will NEVER read about this in the NY Times, LA Times, or the Washington Post


Troops in Iraq Express Frustration with the Media to FNC's Sean Hannity
Posted by Justin McCarthy on December 12, 2006 - 17:00.
The bravest and most patriotic of Americans, those who see first hand what goes on in Iraq, can see the liberal bias in the media. On Monday’s Hannity and Colmes, co-host Sean Hannity recounted from his recent trip to Iraq that many in uniform there feel the media paints a grimmer picture than the reality on the ground. Hannity first offered this comment when talking with Oliver North reporting from Ramadi, Iraq.

Sean Hannity: "You know Colonel, one of the things without fail, wherever the secretary went, he was greeted like a rock star. I mean, the troops love him. And the one theme that kept coming back to me, and they watched TV regularly, they’ve had Fox News on almost everywhere I went, is that the media was not portraying this accurately, and they did mentioned, quite often, the disdain and the disgust at the portrayal of, of their efforts and the politics that’s going on behind here in America. I assume that, this now your eighth trip to Iraq, you’re hearing a lot of the same thing."

Later in the show, Hannity played his taped discussions with U.S. troops in Mosul. There, one soldier spoke up on the media portrayal of the situation in Iraq.

U.S. Soldier: "The bottom line is that from we hear what is being said in the media back home, but we’re here and we see a totally different side of what’s happening."

Hannity: "Explain that. What’s the difference between what people hear at home and what’s happening here?"

U.S. Soldier: "A good example: This past Tuesday we went out to the city to deliver school supplies to children."

Hannity: "And we’re in Mosul just so people know.

U.S. Soldier: "And the Iraqi Army actually provided our security for us. We didn’t have any problems. The locals, they were, you know, they were a little bit shy and nervous but, you know, absolutely -"

Hannity: "So that sort of transition is happening successfully."

Soldier: "Oh yeah, oh yeah."

http://newsbusters.org/node/9620

You lost me on the word "Hannity".

 

[shepherdboy]

Spent about an hour and a half Sat nite talking to an Army LtCol who had just returned from Iraq. Among other things he said the media was irresponsible, jaded, lying, and a BIG part of the problem in Iraq and no part of a solution.

Much of the U.S. news media is enemy.

 

[red states rule]

You lost me on the word "Hannity".

Your way of ignoring what the troops have to say?

 

[red states rule]

Much of the U.S. news media is enemy.

Another example of how the liberal media NEVER slants the news and tells people what to think




ABC's Barbara Walters: Frank Rich Book that Rips Bush White House 'Fascinating'
Posted by Megan McCormack on December 13, 2006 - 17:07.
Liberal New York Times columnist Frank Rich was among friends during his appearance on Wednesday’s edition of The View. While co-hosts Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Rosie O’Donnell were nowhere to be found during the segment, Joy Behar and Barbara Walters allowed Rich to promote his book, which Walters herself said "tears the Bush White House apart." While Walters did pose one challenge to the writer’s assertion that the Iraq war cannot be won, most of the questions directed to the columnist would not be considered so tough.

Walters began the interview with the Times columnist with this glowing introduction:

Barbara Walters: "Every Sunday, millions of people turn to New York Times columnist Frank Rich to hear his views on everything from politics to pop culture. That's how important his opinions are. Not everybody loves his opinions, and in his new book, The Greatest Story Ever Sold, he absolutely tears the Bush White House apart. This is a book that is such fascinating reading."

Walters first asked Rich about his most recent column, in which he argued that the war in Iraq was already lost:

Walters: "So last week, in your column, you said it's not about winning this war, we've already lost it and we should get out, right?"


Rich: "Yeah. I think that, you know, we have a situation where it's getting worse by the day, in terms of the violence, the dangers for American troops that are bravely fighting over there. And we might as well figure out how we're going to cut our losses and get out in the best possible way, cause it's not going to get better. It’s sort of a fantasy to think it will."

Walters followed up with the one "tough" question Rich would face for the remainder of the interview:

Walters: "But there are people, including the President, you know, that still talk about winning and that say that if we get out now, it will be such chaos in the Middle East and we will never be respected again and the worst thing we can do is get out."

Rich: "We have no good choices. I think it’s going to be chaos whether we stay or go. I think the reason to think about some sort of timetable for getting out now is we can still be in control of it and manage it. It's getting worse by the day and at a certain point, the events on the ground in Iraq could take it away from us, the right to make decisions."

Joy Behar then chimed in and asked Rich why the administration went into Iraq in the first place.

Joy Behar: "Why do you think we went in there in the first place?...What is your read on why they did that?"

Rich: "I think, you know, the war against the Taliban, against the people who attacked us like al-Qaeda on 9/11, was winding down. We knocked out the Taliban in Afghanistan in the fall of, of ‘01. And I think the feeling was this was an easy add on, be a cake walk. We could take out this thug, which Saddam Hussein is, and be home by Christmas, and that was the plan."

Behar then wanted to know if the administration had been "lying" when it argued that there had been a connection between Iraq and the terrorist attacks of September 11th. Rich responded by comparing the "selling" of the Iraq war to the way makeup and cereal are sold:

Behar: "We know now know that he didn't really have anything to do with 9/11, so were they misinformed or were they lying?"

Rich: "Well, the whole point of my book is it seems that they basically trumped up two stories. One was, as the President himself has now said this year, that somehow there was a connection between Iraq and 9/11, and there was none. And, and the other was the weapons of mass destruction were poised to send mushroom clouds to American cities."

Behar: "Yes."

Rich: "My point in the book is to show, really, in a very straightforward way, how they rolled this out. They sold it the way they might sell Cheerios, you know, or cosmetics. And just by pounding it over and over again in our heads til we–the country was in a state of hysteria and thought this war was essential."

Walters then asked Rich if there was "still a story that’s being sold" to the American people:

Walters: "Are we still doing that? Is there still a story that’s being sold?"

Rich: "Well, I think that they've lost control of the story, because what’s happened in the past few months is that we see on television what's going on in Iraq, and they can't control it. That's the whole problem. And so now they really seem to be losing control of it. Their memos leaking, you know, Rumsfeld–Rumsfeld memo just before he was fired was leaked, and, and, you know, they don’t really have control anymore."

Behar then asked Rich whether the federal government's response to Hurricane Katrina demonstrated to Americans that President Bush was "out of control" and "incompetent."

Joy Behar: "Don't you think the tipping point was Katrina, when the United States, the American people saw that this, that this President was out of control and incompetent in many ways?"

Rich: "I think when Katrina happened, and that’s why I ended the book there, cause I thought that was sort of the third act, the final curtain of the story. When people saw federal officials saying everything was hunky dory in New Orleans and yet it wasn’t, and people were screaming for help at the Superdome, people understood that was also what happened in Iraq. We kept being told mission was accomplished, everything was great, and it wasn’t. I think people put two and two together and that's when his poll ratings started to collapse."

The focus of the discussion then turned toward Mel Gibson and a comment he made directed at Rich, saying, "I want his intestines on a stick and to kill his dog." Frank explained that Gibson was upset over his criticism of Passion of the Christ, which, as Clay Waters reported here at TimesWatch in March 2004, Frank described as a "joy ride for sadomasochists." Behar and Rich went on to discuss what they see as Gibson’s seeming penchant for violence and poked fun at his July 2006 drunken rant:

Behar: "...I want to read you a quote from Mel Gibson–"

Walters: "About Frank?"

Behar: "About Frank. He said, ‘I want his intestines on a stick and to kill his dog.’ Why doesn't he like you?"


Frank: "And the horrible thing is, I don't even have a dog. I guess–"

Behar: "He'll buy one for you and then kill it."

Frank: "I think that's a new movie, Apocalypto, I think there’s a lot of killing in that. I was very critical of Passion of the Christ. I felt it was not a movie that was fair to basically the Jews of that period. And he took great exception, and I guess in his less than sober period, because it was a year or two ago, right–"

Walters: "Now you see why they all love Frank, right?"

Rich: "He, he made that remark to the New Yorker and–so I can never get a dog."

Behar: "It's part of his, his lexicon, violence, you know. The Apocalypto is, is violent. The Passion of the Christ, poor Jesus, what they did to him in that film. And then I want his intestines on a stick? I mean?"

Rich: "Well, it, it’s a good description of his kind of film making. I mean, if you want to see intestines on a stick, go see a Mel Gibson film..."

The segment then turned into a discussion of the country’s fascination with party girl celebrities like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. Rich argued that such "escapist entertainment" was a good distraction for the nation, because thinking about Iraq too much would cause us to "take a gun to our heads":

Rich: "You know, 9/11 was a huge shock, this war has gone poorly in Iraq, so people want some escapist entertainment and it's much more fun, I guess, to think about Nicole Ritchie and Paris Hilton than to think about the troops that were killed that day."


Behar: "So–yeah, it’s easier to think of crotch shots of Britney than to think about Iraq, frankly. It is. It’s a nice distraction."

Rich: "It is, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. If we were thinking every minute about this war, we’d take a gun to our heads, you know."

http://newsbusters.org/node/9646

 

[theHawk]

You lost me on the word "Hannity".

I couldn't help but envision a cockroach scurrying away when the light its turned on when I read this.