Posted on 12/09/2004 9:22:17 AM PST by Nascardude
Edited on 12/09/2004 10:05:10 AM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
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...
It is nice to see the ABB crowd display a true act of bi-partisanship.
It's nice to see that the extremists on the Left and the "purist" conservatives can join together to trash our military and Sec. of Defense.
It is lovely to witness their defense of a soldier collaborating with with an enemy (reporter) that seeks to destroy our efforts in the WOT.
Fact: War is never perfect. Troops have a right to expect perfection, but practical reality suggests this is never attainable.
Fact: They have been apprised of the problem and are seeking to correct it. I have no reason to believe otherwise.
Fact: Rumsfeld, our military and the administration do not prefer to sip champagne while troops die needlessly.
ANYONE advancing the theory that they don't give a damn about our troops' lives isn't worthy of the respect of a reply.
I have no problem with the question itself, I have a problem with the troop collaborating with a reporter. I also have a problem with the ABB crowd whose sole goal on FR seems to be to destroy the administration at whatever cost.
Breaking the rules? Yes, but only if this email is not bogus.
We all know how easy it is to fake an email.
So it's all a lie eh? The troops didn't cheer when the questions were asked?
So it's all a lie that there is/has been no armor problem there? There were not 8 up-armored vehicles sitting in DC protecting celebrity politicians while our guys are fighting a freaking war, requesting more armor? ?
Yeah, you all go after this dumb a$$ reporter.
Never mind the fact that our intelligence allowed this all to happen in the first damn place.
Then should they be courts marshalled for giving aid and comfort to the enemy, when the next RPG hits a humvee?
And there you have the main reason I don't post here anymore. You can't tell the GOP from the liberal-(and liberal media)-lovers and trolls on here anymore.
Allot of these people are buying the lies of the media as if it's the truth. They forget who is President. So what the hell are they doing here? If you love the liberal media and believe them then for God's sake, go post with those who are like minded over at DU
Quote: The arrogant scum reporter claims that it erupted in applause. I do'nt recall hearing that reported elsewhere
You did not SEE AND HEAR the cheering???????????? I sure did see and hear it.
You know it has always been one of the best features of the American military: adapt to the situation. Scrounging for armor plate for modifying equipment is not that unusual. Many field mods have been incorporated into production units.
But I guess Rummy is also right: you fight with the equipment you have not what you wish you had.
Imagine WWII Sherman tank crews in WWII. I bet they wished they had better armor when facing German Tiger tanks too.
BUT THEY FOUGHT BRAVELY WITH WHAT THEY HAD!
As for the snot nosed reporter, put him to work full time looking for armor plate!
I watched it. When he asked the question there was much applause and whooops.
If it were such a concern to the troops, why did they need to be coached by a non-combatant?
He was placed, if the email is true. That doesn't mean the soldier didn't want to say it. But the point is, the question wasn't anti-mission. It's very pro mission. They want stuff they could buy here if they had the credit card. Give it to them.
Half of the military believes they need more armor (personal and vehicle).
About 1/5 will 'go as far as' complaining to command constantly to get it.
About 1/200 would 'go as far as' 'dissing' a higher-up in public.
About 1/10000 would 'go as far as' 'dissing' the Sec. of Defense in public in front of National Media (and thus terrorists too)
The reporter just 'sought out' someone he knew within the company would would 'go that far'.
I'm sure many more DO believe they need more armor, but the numbers who would think its worthwhile to announce weakness and give comfort to the enemy (even if it IS a valid and reasonable question) in public is most likely FAR fewer.
Its that 'rare' variable where the reporter comes in, finding and setting up and bringing the soldier, complaint, Q&A session and a face to face with the Sec. of Defense.
Disgusting.
The ends justify the means....to all democrats
Good grief. Like we are telling those guys something they don't know.
That room BURST INTO CHEERS when the question was asked.
Everyone saw it.
Now they all are pointing the finger at this bottom shelf reporter.
Sad.
And Rush is still crying and whining "The reporter did it, it was created by this reporter".
There are some here, along with Rush, that will protect these celebrity politicians at all cost.
placemark
Sounds like your neighbor kid did some heavy lifting as a serving Reservist.
But I doubt if our FRiend will agree...
Atta boy!!!
Bump!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.