We can all laugh at the stupidity of both the self-styled kidnappers for expecting people to fall for such a crude hoax, and the MSM for actually doing so.
However....
This incident underscores how the MSM's ignorance of basic military matters makes it an easy target for anti-American propagandists.
If they can fall for this, they'll fall for far more sophisticated hoaxes.
And the MSM will have millions believing it.
true.
One thing we can do is use this as a goad to force them to do better.
"Oh, really? Remember John Adam?" could become the ultiumate snappy comeback whenever the LSM makes idiotic claims, asks idiotic questions, etc...
all it'd take would be a few Conservative talkingheads to adopt this tactic...
True, but wouldnt you say it greatly reduces the MSM's future credibility on military matters at the same time?
Not to mention making them investigate more fully before going to print...