Posted on 07/12/2005 9:53:51 AM PDT by Impeach98
'Voices of Soldiers Tour' Breaking Anti-U.S. Media Bias
In the face of increasing criticism from the Left, a contingent of radio talk show hosts and filmmakers from across the country have arrived in a U.S. military camp outside of Baghdad carrying the banner of the "Voices of Soldiers Tour 2005.”
In an effort to break through the curtain of anti-war and anti-military media bias, the ten-day itinerary includes visits to U.S. Armed Forces Central Command (CENTCOM) headquarters, the military command overseeing the war, Kuwait and Iraq.
The concept of conservative hosts bypassing corporate media and connecting directly with the soldiers is seemingly too much for the Left. With news of the tour, liberal pundits launched a campaign based on falsehoods and character assaults intended to denigrate the reputations of the travelers and assign responsibility to the Bush White House. The common theme: the announced goal of the hosts to seek truth is "propaganda.”
Among the radio hosts traveling are: Melanie Morgan (KSFO - San Francisco); Michael Graham (WMAL 630 AM - Washington, D.C.); Mark Williams (KFBK 1530 AM -Sacramento); Martha Zoller (WDUN 550 AM and Rightalk Radio Network -Atlanta/Gainesville, Ga.); Brad Maaske (providing live reports to the Ray Appleton Show on KMJ 580 AM - Fresno, Calif.), and Buzz Patterson, RightTalk Radio Network.
The delegation of hosts broadcasted live from CENTCOM headquarters on Friday, July 8 and then hit the road. Flying commercially at their own expense, they arrived in Kuwait on Sunday, July 10 and boarded a U.S. Air Force C-130J for the flight into Iraq. Flying a tactical approach designed to avoid the terror threat potential, the group arrived in Iraq on the morning of July 11.
Immediately after touchdown in Iraq, the ‘Voices of Soldiers’ entourage went to lunch with soldiers and launched radio shows that afternoon. Soldiers of all ranks and all services were interviewed on six radio networks. Despite liberal accusations to the contrary, senior military leaders did not attend the interviews and no "Karl Rove talking points" were used.
Organized by the Rightalk Radio Network and Move America Forward, a conservative non-profit organization that supports the military in their efforts, the trip came together largely because of the negative big media anti-war campaign and the toll it’s taking on American resolve.
"It's time we provide an outlet for our brave troops to tell us about some of their accomplishments and the good news coming out of their valiant efforts in Iraq,” said Howard Kaloogian, co-chairman of Move America Forward.
"The mainstream media is imposing a Vietnam template on this war" added Melanie Morgan, co-chairman of Move America Forward. "This is not Vietnam as badly as liberals want it to be. Don’t believe me but believe the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. They know what’s going on.”
"It's already obvious that, in talking to scores of troops, the U.S. had done a tremendous job in Iraq. The terror network has to be beaten on our terms. If American resolve fails, it will be a tragedy not only for us but for an entire region. Our troops deserve so much better" said Patterson.
The tour has attracted the attention of the new Iraqi government as well. On Tuesday, July 12, Lieutenant General Abdul Qader Jassim, Commander of the Iraqi Army, asked to meet with the hosts.
The hosts will continue to broadcast from various locations in Iraq July 12 and 13 and then from Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Friday, July 14.
*bump*
Finally, someone is smart enough and has enough spine to do an end run on the MSM.
Way to go, ag. Good job.
"This is not Vietnam as badly as liberals want it to be.---VERY VERY pathetic, when a segment of our GREAT counrty will do ANYTHING to gain power. Even if it means bringing down its President and the military that secures the VERY country they're trying to sabotage. LIBERALS truly are worse than terrorists!
I hear you! I get great satisfaction out of the fact that certain left-leaning journalists are having yet another previously held monopololy busted open. The territory that they can claim dominance over with their "you only hear what we want you to hear" approach is rapidly dwindling! AMEN for Radio Free America :) aka the "Voices of Soldiers" Truth Tour!
I hear you! I get great satisfaction out of the fact that certain left-leaning journalists are having yet another previously held monopololy busted open. The territory that they can claim dominance over with their "you only hear what we want you to hear" approach is rapidly dwindling! AMEN for Radio Free America :) aka the "Voices of Soldiers" Truth Tour!
This is fantastic -- I've been so excited about this I've filled out a bunch of Google Alerts. Imagine that: no "hotel journalism"! I hope they get to interview some non-soldiers too. I'd like to know the thoughts of some Iraqis too, especially those living in Baghdad.
That lead-in alone is enough for me. The left hates the war and the warriors!
I heard that Err America was asked to do but they declined.
to the top
To the top again.
What people don't know is that despite the lefty media claiming this was a DOD funded event and that the hosts were getting the red carpet treatment, they're sleeping in army tents on army cots in 125 degree weather, they get 2 hours of sleep a night because of noise and mortars, the air is smelly dusty, the latrine is 100 yards away, and in short, they're getting the same treatment the troops are getting. The fact that they get on the air at all is testament to their fortitude in making the trip and they're not walking around wearing full combat gear like the troops.
bump!
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