Posted on 12/16/2006 6:54:26 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest
A bloody civil conflict between distinct Muslim factions that has left thousands dead and many more displaced. Should America be involved? For the MSM, obviously not if you're talking about Iraq. None of our business. A quagmire. We can't referee a civil war. Get out now.
But Darfur, another bloody conflict between warring Muslim groups? Well, that's different. Not only can and should we be involved, but, we're blithely informed, "this is one we can fix."
What's the difference? As more than one commentator has observed, liberals are all in favor of American intervention - so long as we have no national security interest at stake.
Today's Good Morning America offered a perfect case in point. In theory, Kate Snow was conducting a news interview of George Clooney and others who are urging intervention in Darfur. In reality, Snow served as a cheerleader for the cause, a virtual "Darfur-Aid" host.
Have a look at the video clip I've edited together of some of Snow's comments, beginning with the first one in which she dramatically interprets Clooney's notion that "this, this is one we can fix." Note the starry-eyed look she gives Clooney and the way she earnestly asks actor Don Cheadle "what can people do?" to help.
Now try to compare and contrast with a hypothetical panel discussion Snow might host on that other civil conflict between Muslim factions - Iraq. See what I mean?
Bonus Coverage: At the end of the interview, Snow urges people to go to the ABC News web site to find out more, including Clooney's views on Barack Obama. I went there and couldn't find it, but this and other outlets have reported Clooney's statement: "I'll tell you who should run, Barack, Barack Obama, that's who we want, that's the guy. I am becoming the biggest fan of Barack Obama. We need to convince him to run next presidential election."
Finkelstein recently returned from Iraq. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net
Iraq-Darfur MSM double-standard ping to Today show list.
Why doesn't Finkelstein just give El Rushbo credit where it's due??
For the record, Finkelstein = me, governsleast. I'm happy to give Rush credit, but couldn't find a cite. I Googled all sorts of variations on this statement and couldn't come up with one. I'll look again including Rush in the Google search and will link if I find a good reference.
Actually, the first time I ever heard that quote, it was by Ann Coulter.
Mark
I enjoy reading Finklestein pieces. Thanks I think intervention in Darfur would be a nightmare. Replay those tapes of Andrea Mitchell being picked up and carried out of the room by guards of Sudanese president on Condi visit.
Why don't you just ask him? ;^)
Ummm, isn't Darfur in a CIVIL WAR?
Do the liberals not realize that Sudan does have oil, and that China is trying to secure all of the oil in Sudan, and indeed it would be in our national interests? You know, "war for oil!"
Do they still want Bush to do something given these facts?
Darfur is a quagmire, a quagmire I say!
And how do they propose that we "fix this" short of sending in the military, which is what it will require to bead the badguys into submission. Force is all they understand. The day after troops are deployed these liberals will be declaring the effort "lost" and demanding a withdrawal!
Me too. Then again, I'm Finkelstein ;-)
GLGB, I do enjoy your columns and posts, just wanted to point this out.
Nope .. no can do .. they demanded to bring the troops home now!
The problem is they (the combatants) don't stay in one spot.
You could say that there is a global civil war going on inside Islam and that 9-11 was collateral damage.
Also remember after the Soviets pulled out of Afghanistan there was a civil war for power there also. That worked out real good.
I guess my point is the world has become too small & interconnected place to allow this kind of thing to go on in these dark disconnected places any more.
Pardon the interruption, but what is a Kate Snow??
Let me guess.. one of those empty-headed, leftist, blonde-bimbo, dinosaur-media info-babes, right?
Am I close?
I know for certain Ann Coulter has made that statement also. I first came across it in SLANDER.
Just like the "War Is Never The Answer" Libs cheered Klinton's bombing of the Serbs.
I'm not surprised Clooney would be a supporter of Barack Hussein Obama. After they all, they have a lot in common: they are wildly popular, handsome, men in their 40s with absolutely no common sense.
As for Kate Snow cheerleading Clooney on Darfur, I guess I don't mind that one bit. Let the big empty headed pretty boy waste his time and money trying to fix a civil war in Africa. It means less time for him to spend on making overrated movies and pontificating on American politics.
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