Posted on 07/19/2006 5:28:21 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
by Mark Finkelstein
July 19, 2006 - 08:08
It's been a tough week for the MSM. You just know they'd like to find a way spin events in Lebanon and Israel for purposes of criticizing the Bush administration. But one senses they have had a tough time getting traction. Even for our liberal media heroes, making common cause with Hezbollah might be a bridge too far.
When the MSM is reduced to fixating on a mild four-letter word that Pres. Bush let fly, and to second-guessing tactics - as opposed to goals - you know the media's Bush-bashing cupboard is alarmingly bare.
The last best hope for the MSM seemed to be the alleged slowness of the evacuation of Americans in Lebanon. There was Tucker Carlson accusing Israel of 'doing nothing' to help stranded Americans. And the MSM widely reported the number of Americans in Lebanon at 25,000, downplaying the fact that the great majority have dual Lebanese citizenship and are not looking to leave. The actual number of those wishing to get out is apparently in the 5-8,000 range.
By the way: when it comes to American and Israeli concern for Americans in Lebanon, does the MSM think it's a coincidence that, as of last report, no American has been killed in the fighting? Isn't this likely the result of careful coordination between the governments as to the location of Americans and the precise targeting of attacks?
Even on their remaining front - the slow evacuation - the MSM suffered a major blow overnight, with news that Americans are being evacuated by the thousands.
But that didn't prevent Harry Smith and the Early Show from giving it the old college try this morning. Here's how Smith opened the story: "Let's get right to our top story this morning, the crisis in the Middle East. Here's the latest. The first major evacuation of Americans is finally under way in Lebanon."
Smith then brought in CBS correspondent Lee Cowan, who reported from Beirut that
"A lot of Americans are expressing frustration as to why this all took so long. Thousands of Americans in Beirut are trying to flee the war zone. But the process is slow, hot and frustrating."
CBS then rolled a clip of a dissatisfied young American fellow:
"Very disorganized. We got on the boat around 4:30 in Beirut and it was a long time. We were sleeping on the deck all night in wet conditions and no food. So could have gone better."
Gee, an evacuation from a war zone that wasn't perfectly organized and catered? But things went so well in Dunkirk in 1940!
Another MSM line of criticism has been to attack the administration for charging Americans for the cost of evacuation. But the media have generally been derelict in reporting that this was not the result of some mean-spirited Bush administration decision, but merely the implementation of a law adopted by Congress in 1956 and re-enacted in 2003 calling for evacuations to be 'reimbursable.'
In any case, whereas CBS' Cowan was still reporting this morning that the evacuations would come 'all at [the Americans'] own expense', an article from yesterday, Government Will Foot the Bill, reported that Sec. of State Rice had decided to waive the charges.
Hat tip to the first NewsBuster reader to spot an MSMer comparing the evacuation to the Bush administration's handling of Katrina!
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/15068775.htm
Early Show/NewsBusters ping to Today show list.
Is it true that Americans over there have to pay to be evacuated.
Please read the posted article and the article linked at #1.
In light of this, the MSM is getting ready some new stories which blast the Bush Admin for panicking and over-reacting, and forcing people to leave their homes by the thousands. [/speculation]
Great analysis as usual, glgb! Bump....
Of course the MSM is there pouncing on the Bush administration, instead of asking the obvious question of the "vacationers", "Why the f*ck are you vacationing in Lebanon, and why do you blame the US Govt. for your lack of knowledge about the region".
The MSM is playing to America's insular Mommy culture.
Any foreign correspondent knows right damned well that U.S. Embassies abroad are not there to babysit individual American citizens. Heck, if they can process a passport replacement for you, it's your lucky day.
So this carping about "the slow evac" is completely cynical and, but the way, a known lie.
Today is Day 7 of the conflict. If the ships make it to Beirut today, I'll consider that warp speed by the U.S. government.
By the way, MSM yo-yos: the U.S. Dept Of State doesn't run its own fleet of helicopters and passenger ferries. It must get those from somewhere and someone else.
"Why the f*ck are you vacationing in Lebanon, and why do you blame the US Govt. for your lack of knowledge about the region".
Exactly.
LOL. I have been watching for this for the last two days.
"gee- the middle of summer and it's hot in the ME- who would've guessed???"
Wow. You mean that on top of the indignity of George Bush not supplying a fleet of free luxury cruise ferries from a known war zone in the Middle East, he also didn't cool down the sun and provide enough spacious lounge chairs for these good American citizens? Huh. That is so negligent.
I'll bet the ferry's buffet lunch also won't include enough lobster, provolone cheese, and tiramsu for dessert.
Disgusting and pathetic crybabies.
He doesn't like to talk about his folly.
On the TODAY Show, did you see the woman scream into the camera, THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE!!!! Maybe MSNBC will replay it
Ugly Americans on display.
I don't think I've seen a one thank the USA. Hellsbells, I haven't one even say, "gee whiz, I wish I'd paid more attention to the travel warning."
that was touched on...the lack of food on a five hour "cruise"...
MSNBC just replayed it. Worse than the first time
LOLOLOL!!!
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