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...

[roses of sharon]

I have read numerous articles about this since before the war, and have heard numerous soldiers, congressmen and Senators comment on it, as has Rumsfeld in many pressers, and Bush in the debates.

The articles and discussions were on the means, the engineering, logistics, materials, ect.

Of course, Kerry used it to pretend that Bush and Rumsfeld would oddly and deliberately not provide it.

Did you not know about this until now?

You should read up about it.

[prairiebreeze]

Naw, I think he's still trying to figure out if Lincoln was really assassinated or not.

Prairie

[Americanwolf]

Hey, instead of being a smarty pants... why don't you answer his question. Also it does matter if you served in Uniform or not... It goes a lot to understanding the mindset of those soldiers there.

[OldFriend]

When my son was a soldier he said to me......Mom, don't ever ever call your congressman about something going on in this army. It will take about 24 hrs. before they haul me in there to answer for YOU. And it won't be nice!

[darkwing104]

Darn, I was up for a fight and I missed out on a ZOT!

The poor kitty missed another one.

[TheForceOfOne]

I refuse to believe that the Pres. or Rumfeld want our soldiers to die, or that they don't care.

You know what, you hit the nail on the head. This is the implication by the MSM and why I am so mad. Who doesn't want our troops to have everything they need ESPECIALLY the president and Rummy. My God we have the MSM counting the dead one by one just to hammer the president not because they give a damn about any of them. I hope your husband comes home safe and sound and thank him for me for everything he has done, I respect and appreciate his service for all of us.

General Patton: "No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country."

[Americanwolf]

What are you using as proof that they cheered after the question was asked?

[Darksheare]

Oh yeah, you support the troops alright:

"Keep spinning though, those that care about unconstitutionally 'spreading democracy' are still listening...."
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1237523/posts?page=161#161
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1237523/posts?page=167#167

[marty60]

They refuse to recognize that this is giving aid and comfort to the enemy. And the media is so amoral they don't care if the lives of our boys (and girls) might be endangered. Nothing stops the pursuit of a "good" story.

[highlandbreeze]

Funny. =0)

[TexKat]

If they will have armored vehicles, why did he say that they'd not have armour on vehicles to take up north with them?

Because some of the vehicles will not be armored.

[omega4179]

Uparmored Humvees are so grossly overrated by REMfs and the MSM. They are STILL an Suv you cant make them into a tank, and tanks get blown up too.

[Darksheare]

*snicker*

Yeah, I don't think he's gonna answer.

[SierraWasp]

GIVE 'EM HELL, Grampa Dave!!!

We don't need no danged "Engineered" News Junkies, by peace at ANY price flunkies, round here!!!

Goodness knows we have enough Socialist "Engineering" goin on round these parts, as it is!!!

This is Vietnam Media REDUX!!! Plain and simple!!!

[highlandbreeze]

My husband has said the same to me. =0)

[TheForceOfOne]

LOL sorry!

[Williams]

I said years not three years I almost never criticize George Bush and I also deal with reality. Getting better armor and glass is doable, and I want it done even if it's just one unit that needs it. I am willing to put money and action where my mouth is when it comes to supporting the troops. I despise AP.

I also resent having to defend myself as an accused commie because I came down on the side of our TROOPS. I think some people are missing the fact that for all the reporter's prodding an AMERICAN SOLDIER is the one who asked this question of his Secretary of Defense. The soldier is an adult fighting man with free will. He didn't ask to withdraw from Iraq, he asked for some equipment to do his job.

[darkwing104]

They refuse to recognize that this is giving aid and comfort to the enemy. And the media is so amoral they don't care if the lives of our boys (and girls) might be endangered. Nothing stops the pursuit of a "good" story.

Thanks for pointing that out. It the point I've been trying to make

[TexKat]

Were you addressing something to me on your post #548?

[kizzdogg]

ping