Koppel: Afghanistan War Dead Not Included

NewsmMax.com ^ | 4/30/04 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

ABC "Nightline" host Ted Koppel said Friday afternoon that he had no plans the show the faces of soldiers killed in Afghanistan as part of his tribute to U.S. GIs killed in the war on terror.

Asked if the photos of soldiers killed in the first phase of America's response to the 9/11 attacks would be included with those killed in Iraq, Koppel told to radio host Sean Hannity, "You know something, it's a perfectly legitimate question.

"But you know, if you say the kids in Afghanistan, you know, how much further are you going to go, Sean. You know how many guys have died in how many different countries?"

The ABC newsman said also that he had no plans to produce a future tribute to the U.S. heroes and victims who died in the Sept. 11 attacks, insisting that reading 3,000 names on-the-air would simply take too long.

He noted that "ABC News as an organization carried the reading of the names of all of those people [on the attack's first anniversary] live, as an institution."

"Did 'Nightline' do it separately? No," he added.

Asked if he'd gotten permission from the families of the dead GIs to use their images in his tribute, ABC newsman said he hadn't.

"Basically, we got all of the names and photographs from either the Marine Corps, the U.S. Army or the Army Times," he told Hannity.

The "Nightline" host insisted that there was no political agenda behind his decision to focus on the Iraq war dead.

"If the question is, was this intended as an anti-war effort, the answer is a categorical, No. It is neither in support of the war or against the war," he insisted.

But earlier in the day, the unbiased newsman appeared on the official Democratic Party radio network Air America and bashed president Bush's Iraq war policies, WABC radio's Monica Crowley told her audience Friday night.

[dighton]

"If the question is, was this intended as an anti-war effort, the answer is a categorical, No. It is neither in support of the war or against the war," he insisted.

Sorry, no sale.

[Williams]

How far are you going to go??? Well, our soldiers go to the ends of the Earth, Ted. Anyone who saw Nightline last night knows they ARE the DNC agenda. They didn't include Afghanistan because Kerry claims to support THAT war. So that war has no negative consequences, only the "bad" war. How transparent.

[Smartass]

I hope someday to tune in to the reading of a similar
list.....one which includes the names Koppel, Cronkite,
Brown, Couric, Jennings, Rather, Brokaw, Imus, Lauer, et al.

Ted Koppel, Public Enemy #2

[Wacka]

And the networks still wonder why they are losing viewers and Fox is gaining.

Haven't watched that left wing commercial for at least 8-10 years.

[joesnuffy]

"If the question is, was this intended as an anti-war effort, the answer is a categorical, No. It is neither in support of the war or against the war," he insisted.

The usual Clintonesque newspeak of libs....It wasnt 'ntended' but if it has anti war consequences that wont hurt Koppulators feelings any...of course the real 'intention' of the reading is to propagandize the people to change their minds on supporting Pres Bush on election day....

[Anti-Bubba182]

If they did not include those Killed in Afganistan the only reasonable explaination is underlying opposition to the Iraq War. If they want to take that editorial position they should be up front about it.

[sinkspur]

If you can't watch then you are in denial. I will tell you that not one of these great young people is worth Iraq. Iraq had no WMD . Iraq had no alqueda connection . Why are these young heros dead ?

They're fighting for the 29,000 people a month that Saddam had murdered.

[4mer Liberal]

Troll alert...prepare for the Hammer of the Gods.

[TomGuy]

Koppel on Hannity Radio Program earlier today picked up the John Kerry line: 'They are questioning my patriotism.'

[Wacka]

lightening bug- Joined April 24, 2004- troll?

[got_moab?]

Rene? Is that you???

[Da Mav]

You make a good case for Koppel's propaganda -- it seems to work.

[Peach]

Koppel says if you show the soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan, how much farther are you going to go?

Memo to Koppel: We all know why you didn't show the faces of American soldiers who have died in Afghanistan. That war has wide support among the voting public.

Old Media is nearly dead. New Media gets the news faster and more reliably, especially if one considers that research can be done to check on news reports.

[Archangelsk]

I'm watching with tears streaming down my face.

[Williams]

They are dead because they devoted their lives to the United States Armed forces and THEY liberated tens of millions from bondage because THEY believed in something that to you is just a waste of life because you have no respect for what they chose to fight and die for.

A good friend is a decorated hero of the Cold War, the Gulf War, Bosnia, and other missions. One thing I know is that he and those he serves with have none of your weak kneed reaction to their mission. They are dying for you and they need your support. They do not want to be used to undermine the cause.

[Mudboy Slim]

"...the unbiased newsman appeared on the official Democratic Party radio network Air America and bashed president Bush's Iraq war policies"

Whatta big-headed, no-brainer Koppel is...I don't think Ol' Ted would have one clue about how Iraq should be dealt with!! Thank God Koppel's Lefty Buddies don't have control of the Presidency right now...MUD

[patriciamary]

That's wrong Iraq had weapon they used them. They also had plenty of time to hid then with the US waiting for the UN sanction. They died with HONOR to keep us safe. I thank God for them