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.

[GOPJ]

How about getting some anti-homosexual Christian TV evangelist to read the names of gays who die of AIDS. We can even show their pictures, and maybe interview a few crying relatives.

Would the media see this as creepy? Tacky? Sick? Would they see it the way we see Nightline?

[GOPJ]

How about getting some anti-homosexual Christian TV evangelist to read the names of gays who die of AIDS. We can even show their pictures, and maybe interview a few crying relatives.

Would the media see this as creepy? Tacky? Sick? Would they see it the way we see Nightline?

[GOPJ]

How about getting some anti-homosexual Christian TV evangelist to read the names of gays who die of AIDS. We can even show their pictures, and maybe interview a few crying relatives.

Would the media see this as creepy? Tacky? Sick? Would they see it the way we see Nightline?

[Tamzee]

It's very good to see you, too. I stopped posting a bit again... found out on Monday that I lost a cousin in those suicide boat attacks in Iraq last weekend :-( Michael was a heart-and-soul patriot and an incredible father. The whole family is devastated :-(

[onyx]

I am so sorry.
I "knew" there had to be an
important reason for your absence.

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

Ted Koppel's producer, Leroy Sievers, compared it to a 1969 Life magazine feature that is known for its anti-war impact although he denied the implication.

[Burkeman1]

Yep- me just a whimp. Have a good life.

[sarasmom]

My mommy wore combat boots during the Korean War.
She served in a support position overseas, but not in Korea.
I wore combat boots during the Cold War.
Mostly, I wore dress blues and high heels, in several foreign countries, in a combat support capacity, but my combat boots were always shined, and always ready.
I hope my daughter doesnt have to wear combat boots, during WW4, but I would rather she be adequately trained and armed,than see her cower in fear behind the legion of the useless,timid and fearfull socialists who would dishonor the heritage of her grandmother, and her mother.
I dont have any sons.
I have a few nephews.
They have the same heritage as my daughter.
Are they supposed to fight or die for you first? Before my daughter does?
When did or do you ever, fight for your own self?

[Tamzee]

I've been busy lately so my freeping time is feast or famine anyway... hearing that Michael had died just turned the world upside down on us, though :-(

[MJY1288]

You're on the path of recovery, don't be so hard on yourself :-)

[pepsionice]

We don't need to question Ted' patriotism...its his stupidity that we need to examine.

By the way, could we have a list of sponsors for Nightline. I'd like to make sure they know how unhappy I am. Nightline doesn't run for free...unlike what Ted would like to think.

[BigSkyFreeper]

It's very good to see you, too. I stopped posting a bit again... found out on Monday that I lost a cousin in those suicide boat attacks in Iraq last weekend :-( Michael was a heart-and-soul patriot and an incredible father. The whole family is devastated :-(

Oh! :(

I'm very sorry to hear about that. I knew there was a logical reason for your extended absence from the forums as of late. Rest assured my deepest heartfelt sympathies and prayers are with you and your loved ones during these darkest hours. May God give comfort and provide a guiding light as you grieve the loss of your loving cousin.

[Burkeman1]

Maybe so.

[SerpentDove]

"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."

Whatever credibility Krappel had took a MAJOR HIT today. His being called a propagandist and having his show blacked out won't soon be forgotten.

[MJY1288]

OK Burkeman1, Now go get a glass out of your cupboard and fill it half way up with water and repeat over and over that the glass is half full every night for a week. After 3 weeks of that, come back to this thread and see if you see things differently :-)

[Tamzee]

Thanks, BigSky... nobody understands the way Freepers do. His parents Cathy and John and brother John need LOTS of prayers right now :-(

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-usboat0427,0,1644341.story?coll=ny-li-big-pix

http://www.10nbc.com/news.asp?template=item&story_id=11114

[Tamzee]

By the way, could we have a list of sponsors for Nightline

If anyone has a list of Nightline sponsors I would dearly love to see that.

[Burkeman1]

What?

[BigSkyFreeper]

Thanks for those great articles Tamsey. Prayers to Cathy and John on the way as well.

[MJY1288]

Forget it, Go get some sleep Burkeman!