RUMSFELD SET UP; REPORTER PLANTED QUESTIONS WITH SOLDIER (DRUDGE SIREN)

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[Nascardude]

RUMSFELD SET UP; REPORTER PLANTED QUESTIONS WITH SOLIDER
Thu Dec 09 2004 11:49:38 ET

Chattanooga Times Free Press reporter Edward Lee Pitts is embedded with the 278th Regimental Combat Team, now in Kuwait preparing to enter Iraq, and is filing articles for his newspaper. Pitts claims in a purported email that he coached soldiers to ask Defense Secretary Rumsfeld questions!

From: EDWARD LEE PITTS, Chattanooga Times Free Press military reporter
Sent: Wednesday, December 8, 2004 4:44 PM
To: Staffers

Subject: RE: Way to go

I just had one of my best days as a journalist today. As luck would have it, our journey North was delayed just long enough see I could attend a visit today here by Defense Secretary Rumsfeld. I was told yesterday that only soldiers could ask questions so I brought two of them along with me as my escorts. Before hand we worked on questions to ask Rumsfeld about the appalling lack of armor their vehicles going into combat have. While waiting for the VIP, I went and found the Sgt. in charge of the microphone for the question and answer session and made sure he knew to get my guys out of the crowd.

So during the Q&A session, one of my guys was the second person called on. When he asked Rumsfeld why after two years here soldiers are still having to dig through trash bins to find rusted scrap metal and cracked ballistic windows for their Humvees, the place erupted in cheers so loud that Rumsfeld had to ask the guy to repeat his question. Then Rumsfeld answered something about it being "not a lack of desire or money but a logistics/physics problem." He said he recently saw about 8 of the special up-armored Humvees guarding Washington, DC, and he promised that they would no longer be used for that and that he would send them over here. Then he asked a three star general standing behind him, the commander of all ground forces here, to also answer the question. The general said it was a problem he is working on.

The great part was that after the event was over the throng of national media following Rumsfeld- The New York Times, AP, all the major networks -- swarmed to the two soldiers I brought from the unit I am embedded with. Out of the 1,000 or so troops at the event there were only a handful of guys from my unit b/c the rest were too busy prepping for our trip north. The national media asked if they were the guys with the armor problem and then stuck cameras in their faces. The NY Times reporter asked me to email him the stories I had already done on it, but I said he could search for them himself on the Internet and he better not steal any of my lines. I have been trying to get this story out for weeks- as soon as I foud out I would be on an unarmored truck- and my paper published two stories on it. But it felt good to hand it off to the national press. I believe lives are at stake with so many soldiers going across the border riding with scrap metal as protection. It may be to late for the unit I am with, but hopefully not for those who come after.

The press officer in charge of my regiment, the 278th, came up to me afterwords and asked if my story would be positive. I replied that I would write the truth. Then I pointed at the horde of national media pointing cameras and mics at the 278th guys and said he had bigger problems on his hands than the Chattanooga Times Free Press. This is what this job is all about - people need to know. The solider who asked the question said he felt good b/c he took his complaints to the top. When he got back to his unit most of the guys patted him on the back but a few of the officers were upset b/c they thought it would make them look bad. From what I understand this is all over the news back home.

Thanks,

Lee

EDWARD LEE PITTS FILED STORY ABOUT THE TROOPS BEFORE THE POW-WOW WITH RUMSFELD

Developing...

[cyncooper]

Evidently you perceive President Bush rebuking Rumsfeld.

(Just guessing since you seem obsessed with getting someone to comment on what he said there)

He isn't.

[ex 98C MI Dude]

When I was in the 2ID for 2 years in the late 80s early 90s, we were told that our average life expectancy for a 98C was 6 and one half seconds in a POC (platoon operations center). We were a literal antenae farm, transmitting like all get out, had the ballon gone up. We accepted it, because that was the way it was. Did we have armored hummvees? Ah, no. Some of us didn't even have the vinyl doors (inter-company 'resupply' raids. Landed up stringing triple concertina and posting guards to stop them. Thems were the days!) We often were on the DMZ, where the NKs and the minefields were a constant danger. Ever have a nervous 19 year old ROK point a loaded rifle in your face? Border raids were a fact of life. These kids were scared, knowing that the NKs could decide that today was the fortuitous day for reunification, and you would within minutes of the wars start. That was reality. Same as what the kids in Iraq and Afghanistan are facing today. The only diference is that far more bullets are flying on a daily basis.

The troops in uniform today have my respect. They are better than me, for they have seen the elephant up close and personal. When they come into my local VFW post to which I belong, I buy them a drink. It is the very least I can do.

But I do not accept any criticism from any who have not worn the uniform of these United States. You haven't earned that privilege.

[cyncooper]

But this is not the real story. The real story is the troops - the entire crowd of troops errupted in applause at the question

No, they didn't.

I can't get over how many have posted "they ALL" or "the whole place erupted", etc.

To be sure, there was some applause, but watching the video MOST did not react.

By misreporting the facts you undermine any valid point you wish to make.

[cyncooper]

I have not criticized the question, just the way the media has mischaracterized the exchange, but you are wrong if you are saying that unless this question hadn't been posed publicly as it was that Rumsfeld would have been oblivious. As you can see in the transcript, the first thing Rumsfeld said was he had just been discussing the issue before coming out to speak with the troops.

[to_zion]

No I haven't seen combat, but most of the males in my family have, so I respect those who have. BTW, What is a 98C?

My comments still stand however. If I ever have to fight for this country I want to be as heavily protected as possible. The preservation of life is high up there on my list. I wonder if Volvo Trucks would ever get into making battle vehicles :P

Safe and Strong!

[cyncooper]

Lou Dobbs has been a complete disgrace.

He ignores the entirety of Rumsfeld's actual answer or the actual state of the record on what is being done on the issue and takes the Pentagon response to the revelation of this reporter's misconduct as indicative of the Pentagon's concern (or lack, as Lou archly hints) for the troops' welfare?

That is outrageous and Dobbs continues his downward spiral into a sea of darkness.

[cyncooper]

Dobbs hasn't been listening if he is going to claim the Pentagon is just now taking it seriously and now is going to take action because the question was raised as it was.

[Eagle Eye]

After reading many responses it seems that many Freepers are more interested in protecting Rumsfeld than the troops.

[faithincowboys]

Let's be real, there was a big response from the troops. We need to deal with that.

[Lunatic Fringe]

Regardless of whether it was planted or not, it was a valid question. Those guys should have been fully armored.

[ex 98C MI Dude]

A 98C is an Electronic Warfare Signals Intelligence Analyst. Fancy name for someone who locates the enemy so the real soldiers can kill them. Our motto was "Battle for Knowledge". Or "in God we trust... All others we DF", depending on how long the soldier had been in.

In our quest for the best POC, we gave up the chance for an M577 armored (kinda) vehicle, and instead chose to put a plywood hut on the back of an Humvee. Why? Because then we could actually continue operating when on the move. We knew we were dead if the enemy came, but the concept of getting the info to the shooters took precedence. Armor would have slowed us down, and kept us from the appointed mission. That was not acceptable. And during that time frame, war with the NKs was most likely. Saddam suprised the heck out of everyone.

[MikefromOhio]

We need to realize just how many HUM-Vs there are over here right now.

There are thousands. It takes time to armor them.

Should they have been sent up here without the armor? no. But they have. Now the job it to get them armored. It takes some time.

[daybreakcoming]

I have seen the clip several times and I wouldn't call it a "big response" from the troops. I've heard "big responses" from the troops and this was not one.

[to_zion]

Thanks for the info!

[Ruth A.]

I caught the same self-interest from the reporter that you did. Now i want to know if this reporter gave anything to the two soldiers in exchange for trying to ask his questions. Would not be surprised.

[rlmorel]

Eagle Eye,
With all due respect, the real issue here is not protecting Rumsfeld or sticking up for the troops.

The real issue is an embedded leftist reporter with an agenda and desire for money and fame slinking around, whispering in guys ears and manipulating a situation detrimental to the cohesiveness and well being of an active duty unit in a war zone.

That's what has people pissed off, including me. If the soldier is a patsy, we can forgive him for that, but by his ex-wife's account, the guy is a loudmouth and probably needs extra attention by his superiors to make sure he is contained and on a leash. There are people like that in every unit, it is a fact of life. What we don't need is a stinking reporter egging him on.

[rlmorel]

Yeah. A big response is how they greeted President Bush!

[endthematrix]

I agree that it wasn't a big response. On the tape, you can see that there are plenty of guys just sitting there.

[Inge_CAV]

***Not all troops have elephants to ride!!!***

Also assault swords in short supply.......

Chattanooga Times Free Press reporter Edward Lee Pitts is embedded with Hannibal's Army as it marches towards Rome.

Get a life Pitts, you dumb sumb@tch!

[maica]

The real issue is an embedded leftist reporter with an agenda and desire for money and fame slinking around, whispering in guys ears and manipulating a situation detrimental to the cohesiveness and well being of an active duty unit in a war zone.

%%%%%%

Needs repeating!
Since this reporter brought 2 soldiers from a unit that was busy preparing to move into Iraq, he most likely shopped around to find the 2 with the best "ability" to speak up to the Secretary of Defense.

Also, being in an armored vehicle was a priority for this reporter - not necessarily for the mission of the actual unit. (I have not read what their mission was.)