Say it isn't so...The MSM wouldn't do a thing like that would they? /sacasm
Posted on 06/28/2005 8:14:44 AM PDT by GPBurdell
By ESTES THOMPSON, Associated Press Writer 26 minutes ago
In the year since President Bush and U.S. allies returned official sovereignty to Iraq, life in the community dominated by one of the Army's largest installations has changed little.
Soldiers from Fort Bragg have continued to march into Iraq. And they continue to die.
In the past year, 100 North Carolina-based troops have died in the war, trailing only the toll of 180 from California, according to an Associated Press analysis.
As President Bush plans to come here to make a major, nationally televised policy speech Tuesday night, the mounting casualties and insurgent violence have started to test the public patience for the war, even in a place where signs along the streets boast steadfast support of the troops.
On one such street off base in Fayetteville, 26-year-old Carrie Dimmick said it's about time the United States got its soldiers out of Iraq.
"We told them if they established a government we would back off," she said. "They established a government, but we're still there. I feel like the war is doing more harm than good."
Like many people in this area, 40-year-old day-care center operator Tommy Jones said he initially believed the war was a successful response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
"Now, it seems like we've been there too long," said Jones, who was a Marine 20 years ago. "There have been too many casualties."
A new statewide poll released Tuesday shows increasing doubt in military-friendly North Carolina over whether the war is worthwhile.
Forty-two percent of 600 active voters questioned Friday through Sunday agreed the war has been worth it, but 49 percent say it has not, the poll conducted for The News & Observer of Raleigh and WRAL-TV found. The survey by Research 2000 had a sampling error margin of plus and minus 4 percentage points. In January 2004, the survey found 58 percent of North Carolina voters saying the war was worthwhile.
Similarly, the latest AP-Ipsos national poll found public doubts about the war reaching a high point — with more than half saying that invading Iraq was a mistake.
But among those in the military here, it was hard to find anyone who questioned the troops' resolve.
About 52,000 members of the military are stationed at Bragg and adjacent Pope Air Force Base, and some 14,700 are fighting in Iraq, including Lt. Gen. John Vines, the base commander who leads the multinational troops in Iraq.
North Carolina also has sent thousands of Marines from Camp Lejeune and air crews from two Air Force bases.
"I think we're doing the right thing," said 38-year-old Air Force Tech Sgt. Tim Holmes, who has served in Iraq. "From the people I've met in Iraq, they want their freedom. You see the attacks on the news, but what you don't see is people trying to establish their businesses back, shaking your hand, waving."
Civilian truck driver Rickey LeBlanc, 28, echoed the support for Bush's policies: "You can't go over there and say `Saddam's gone. Here's your country. Have a nice day.'"
"You don't have people there who know how to run a government," LeBlanc said as he entered City Hall to pay a tax bill. "You don't want someone like Saddam to get back in power."
Right behind him was John Warren, a 21-year-old carpet factory worker from nearby Raeford, who said too many people had died in a war that he believes has also helped degrade the American economy.
"There's going to be a lot of lonely people here," Warren said.
Pfc. Richard Gunther, 35, of the 82nd Airborne Division, said it's understandable that some civilians feel that way because he believes they get skewed information from a media that focuses too heavily on insurgent attacks.
Bush probably will "tell us we're doing good things over there and that we need to focus on the good things instead of the bad things the media tells us," Gunther said.
___
On the Net:
Fort Bragg: http://www.bragg.army.mil
Mood split in town..........Sun to rise tomorrow, both are Bush's fawlt........
Say it isn't so...The MSM wouldn't do a thing like that would they? /sacasm
A recent poll of military men and women has 75% for Bush to 25% against. The reporter of this piece probably had to search long and hard to find people who dissent on our Iraq policy. I like how they use the term "mounting" casualties. We lost over 5000 on the D-Day invasion alone. If the liberal surrender monkeys in the press had their way we'd all be speaking German and saluting Adolph Hitler II. It's clear as a bell, once again, whos side the left is on.
To rephrase slightly, among those with the best understanding and the most to lose it was hard to find any who did not support the mission and the troops.
The AP is putting out negative stories in advance of the speech. These "journalists" might as well be Democrats working for Democrats.
The media doesn't report anything but insurgent attacks. According to the media, the whole story of Iraq is insurgent attacks.
well said.
This is a news story? The AP is simply not a news organization. It writes puff pieces, propaganda and essays. Now wait, let me get this straight. They go to Ft. Bragg, find one person who thinks the troops should come home and then concludes that the mood is "split." These stories are just so weak that it is silly to even pick them apart.
It reminds me of a joke I heard. Bush is to meet the Pope. The meeting is to take place on a boat. The Pope is already aboard when the President's launch pulls up. The Pope's hat comes flying off of his head and lands in the water. Bush gets out of the launch, walks on the water, retrieves the hat and presents it to the Pope.
AP, twenty minutes ago: "Bush's inability to swim seen clouding meeting with Pope."
You mean some people believe they aren't?
Do you think that Bush might slip in a word about the new SS compromise that will leave the Democrats foaming at the mouth and stuttering?
The 'mood split in town' appears to be the party line at the MSM today.
I heard a piece on NPR this morning where they were interviewing 'citizens' in Fayettevill on Iraq policy.
I'm guessing this is to 'balance' the warm reception W will get from the troops.
The best NPR could find was an old bitter vet at the Waffle House, and a single mom with 3 kids under 3 who thought it was a good idea to enlist.
Didja ever notice how when the Press reports on Bill Clinton that their subject is being adored and lauded?
Didja ever notice how when the Press reports on Bill Clinton that their subject is being magnamous and charitable?
Didja ever notice how when the Press reports on Bill Clinton that their subject is being sincere and forthright?
Didja ever notice how when the Press reports on Bill Clinton that their subject is being noble and humanitarian?
But then...
Didja ever notice how when the Press reports on W that their subject is being scorned and derided?
Didja ever notice how when the Press reports on W that their subject is being greedy and mean?
Didja ever notice how when the Press reports on W that their subject is being stupid an incompetent?
Didja ever notice how when the Press reports on W that their subject is being evil and nasty?
Didja ever notice how when the Press reports on W that their subject is being shortsighted and uncaring?
No?
I didn't think so.............
AP parroting the DNC talking point.
Create division even if there is no division.
(s)Q:Do you like President Bush's necktie?
A: No, I though the one he had yesterday was nicer
AP HEADLINE: Voters give NO to Bush choices.(/s)
Something stinks about this poll.
I did 9.5 years in the 82d, 2.5 in XVIII Abn Corps and the rest of 20 in Korea/Japan. From Nixon, Carter, Reagan, Bush I and Clinton and the Carter-Clinton years were the worst to serve.
and yet advertisers STILL PAY MONEY to hawk their products on CNN, ABC,CBS, and NBC.
In fact they pay MORE money for a time spot.
If I am an investor, I am not so quick to buy a company stupid enough to advertise on CNN.
Methinks there is Something rotten in Denmark...........
Why doesn't the AP simply change its name to TR?
(Tokyo Rose)
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