The Enemy on Our Airwaves

OpinionJournal.com ^ | November 4, 2005 | Dorance Smith

[gpapa]

What is the relationship between al-Jazeera, al Qaeda and America's TV networks?

BY DORRANCE SMITH
Friday, November 4, 2005 12:01 a.m. EST

(Editor's note: Sen. Carl Levin is opposing Mr. Smith's confirmation as assistant secretary of defense for public affairs because of the senator's objections to this article, which appeared in The Wall Street Journal, April 25. A related editorial appears here.)

On April 11, Jeffrey Ake, an American, was taken hostage in Iraq. Video of him in captivity was shown on al-Jazeera on April 13. A short time later six American networks--ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, CNN and MSNBC--aired the same video, a vivid example of the ongoing relationship between terrorists, al-Jazeera and the networks. Last week, al-Jazeera showed video of a helicopter being shot, bursting into flames and trailing smoke as it fell to the ground. It also aired video of the lone survivor being forced to walk on a broken leg and then being shot by the terrorists, one of whom said, "We are applying God's law."

[SandRat]

The "Lord Haw-Haws, Tokyo Roses" of today.

[308MBR]

I propose a better question. What is the relaionship between PBS, the Mainstream Media, and the Communist Party?

To heck with the mooselimbs. Their societies can't even feed themselves, and will soon collapse under the weight of their birth rates. This will yeild a good crop of willing suicidal idiots, but they won't be able to afford explosives unless the Chinese step in to help. Think about that the next time you're in Wal Mart looking at a pretty nice shirt at a low price or buy tools from Harbor Freight.

[HAL9000]

Exactly.

Here is a simple guideline: If a terrorist is operating the camera, it's enemy propaganda.

[MissAmericanPie]

Everyone knows their dogma is too closely related not to be connected to some mind set at the least.

[Cindy]

AIM.org - ACCURACY IN MEDIA: "AL-JAZEERA AND AL QAEDA" by Cliff Kincaid (November 2, 2005)

[mtntop3]

The "Lord Haw-Haws, Tokyo Roses" of today.

Yes - but within our own nation.

Sen. Levin is, ironically, on the Senate Armed Forces Committee.

To deny the writer of this article a U. S. government post in the U. S. is tantamount to collaboration with the enemy.

In WWII, a member of our government who effectively enabled enemy propaganda, especially of a demoralizing kind, would have been locked up.

We are in no less of a struggle for survival in the war against Islamfascism today.

[JoeFromSidney]

We are in no less of a struggle for survival in the war against Islamfascism today.

Once again, I protest this misuse of the word "fascism." It doesn't mean simply something we don't like. It means a very specific economic and social system, as described and implemented by Benito Mussolini. If we destroy the word by turning it into an all-purpose cussword, we lost the ability to describe that system.

Let's find another word for our Islamic opponents, instead of destroying a very useful word.

[mtntop3]

The word "fascism" did originate in 1921, from the Latin and French "bundles", "fasces" (the Roman axe-blade on [bundled]rods, and "group." (Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th edition.)

Hence assuredly a general reference to the movement in Italy led by Mussolini.

However, "fascism" has a wider application.

"1. a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascists) that exalts NATION and often RACE (my emphases) above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition. (op cit)

"2. a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control." (op cit)

Most will agree that "fascist" applies without qualification to Islamic terrorists, their inclinations, practices, and goal(s).

There, moreover, is a specific word applying to Mussolini fascists.

"Fascista: a membert of an Italian political organization under Mussolini governimg Italy 1922-1943 according to the principles of fascism." (op cit)

A salute to the Aussies, great allies to all who seek and maintain freedom - throughout the world.