What a bunch of Crap. You sure don't see media saying anything about pali children walking around with bomb belts, grenades, machine guns, etc.
Posted on 07/24/2006 8:53:24 AM PDT by MikeA
In the public relations battle brewing on-line, there is a new eye to the center of the storm surrounding the war with Hizbullah - a series of photos showing Israeli children writing messages on shells meant for targets in Lebanon.
Questions over the photos' authenticity have been put to rest by authorities that were present during the incident, which occurred on July 17 near the northern border. The mostly local children had been brought to see the shells by their parents. Although it remains unclear who encouraged them to write the messages, their colorful scribbles, including a Star of David, hearts, and "From Israel, with Love," have appeared in dozens of blogs, or on-line journals, and on-line photo hosting sites.
Although the IDF has failed to issue a response to the incident, a spokesman from the IDF said it "appeared as though the situation occurred unofficially." Although an officer was present during the incident, the soldiers, and the IDF as a whole, did not condone or condemn the incident.
An official close to Israel's public relations campaign said that there was "no way" to spin the incident in a positive light. "Some people are simply irresponsible," said the official.
On-line, the photos are being called "horrifying," "disgusting" and "despicable." "I still cannot understand why or how anyone would allow their young children to walk up to missiles or other explosives. The militarization of children is always a crime," said one user by the name of "aviv2b" on the Guardian Web site, which ran a lengthy discussion about the photos.
Another reader, by the name barbicanangel posted that "I still say Israel is right in this war, however, the picture of young Jewish girls signing the shells is quite disturbing."
Although the photos were first taken by professional photographers from AFP, Associated Press, and Haaretz, they were circulated on-line through the popular photo-hosting Web site Flickr.com. That site republished the photos, bringing them to the attention of hundreds who later posted them on their own personal sites.
Many users on both the flickr and Guardian Web sites said that the images proved how difficult it was for a country to control their public relations image on-line. "There is no way to tell how, when, where, or why these photos were taken," said one anonymous poster. "We have to rely on the people hosting the Web sites, who have no official accountability hanging over their heads at all."
Over the years, there have been a number of photos that have been popularized by the on-line community such as photos of young Palestinian babies dressed as suicide bombers, or Israeli children in Purim costumes mocking Palestinian political officials.
absolutely that is the case. do you deny that as well?
For real.
What a bunch of Crap. You sure don't see media saying anything about pali children walking around with bomb belts, grenades, machine guns, etc.
So why did George W. Bush (and his policies) get elected if most North Americans weakly refused to vote for him?
Those Rachel "Pancake" Corrie pics are interesting ... she's the only one in the whole scene who seems to be mad about anything. The kids look either mildly amused, or bored.
it was kind of a close election, if you will recall. he won, yes. but his poll #s are down, and anyone with ears to hear [and who lives in a blue state] hears plenty of bush bashing on a daily basis [good grief you hear it continually on FR!]. yes, i would venture to say that a majority of north america [heck you lump leftwing canada in with blue state US and you sure do get a majority of NA] does dislike Geo Bush.
I think this sums it up fairly well. It also cites some of these polls in the UK showing that frankly their thinking isn't far different than on the Continent proper when it comes to the US, the war, etc. This is from a British paper by the way:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,6-2259664,00.html
Then you see it as much as I do. It's sad. FReepers being played like violins by the media.
um, i think the media representation that the prevailing sentiment in Europe is not supportive of the WOT is accurate, based on personal observation.
So if the majority of North America and the majority of Europe is against the War on Terror does that mean we have Ameri-weenies as well as Euro-weenies?
And if so why are you all focusing on Europe?
"do not engage, or make eye contavt with the crazy American"
You mean, like here in the United States?
No, the MAJORITY of American's like Bush, hence his RE_election.
As well as CANADA, the MAJORITY of Canadians are CONSERVATIVE, and also support Bush.
Liberals in Canada have only managed to gain power in Canada with a minority of the vote (around 33%) because of unequal seat distribution in the provences.
let me give you an example to show that i do not lump all europeans together. i was INCREDIBLY impressed with the Austrian PM's statements at the joint press conference with Bush, when the weenified Austrian journalist specifically ASKED bush to address his poor european poll #s. his reply to that was fantastic.
oh ok, the US MSM is never right and therefore, by logical inference, nothing the European MSM says is true either. oh ok, glad that's settled.
And on the YouGov poll itself showing a deep disrespect for America among Brits:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/07/03/nyank03.xml
You speak of logic? Here's what went over your head, then. The NYT comes out with a poll that states the American people do not support the War in Iraq. The FR reaction? Biased Poll! The BBC comes out with a poll that states Europeans do not support the War in Iraq. The FR reaction? Euroweenies! I'm not speaking of you specifically, but my original point was that it's annoying to see FReepers played for suckers.
U.S. MSM is for the most part, left biased, as is Euro-wienie media. Just look at the constant bush bashing in the Guardian, BBS, AFP, AP.
but i am saying that in my experience [granted i live in suburban VA, DC suburbs] the bush bashing is not just leftwing bias in the media. i hear it from the people i meet. europeans and americans.
I'm not disputing your account. I know my share of Bush-bashing Euros. But I also know an equal number of the opposite.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.