PENTAGON: NEW YORKER STORY FALSE, NO SERIOUS INJURIES DURING DELTA RAID

Drudge ^ | 4 November 2001 | Chairman of the Joint Chiefs

[Kenyon]

The following comments of the General make me wonder:

I don't think that report is accurate in the context that it was written.

My guess is and my belief is that every soldier that came back from that particular raid is back on duty today.

[Diogenesis]

This was discussed yesterday.

It is difficult to believe Hirsch in the light of the information freely released by Pentagon previously.

For example, this 18 MEG mpg video of the inclusion.

From the DoD News Briefing - the actual incursion at night (MUST SEE for FREEPERS with adequate bandwidth)

IMO, the DOD has been more open, frank, and detailed -- in contrast to Hersch in this matter.

--------------

G d bless the United States and its troops in Enduring Freedom.

[Kenyon]

But was the video from the: (1) Ranger operation or (2) from the DELTA force operation?

I would be very surprised if the Pentagon released video from a DELTA force operation. That's the point, really, with respect to the General's comments. It seems as if he is talking about the Ranger operation, whereas Hersh is talking about the DELTA force operation.

[KellyAdmirer]

There was no resistance.

then

The Taliban probably did return fire.

I am perfectly willing to take the General at his word. A man of his position and rank, though, might want to string his words together with a little more precision while on national TV.

[lelio]

but this helicopter landing in a dust storm, rolled over on landing...
I thought that was their original story and then it was changed to say that it encountered some fire. Maybe I'm mistaken.

[Lazamataz]

Hah.

[Ditto]

Hersh is not known for his accuracy. He's a journalistic showboat and if we had 12 guys with sprained ankles from the jump, will gladly turn that 'tid-bit' into a big story.

Buyer beware when Hersh is involved.

[jwalsh07]

It was one op with two elements and the General is well aware of both.

[Kenyon]

I thought his book on Kennedy was on the mark. None of the info. in it was ever truly rebutted by anyone.

[sourcery]

That other operations have been conducted inside Afghanistan by US forces has already been officially admitted. For whatever reason, there is almost no official information regarding these other operations. If casualties occurred during some of these other operations, would that really be so surprising? Given the reluctance of officials to discuss these other operations at all, why should we expect any information with respect to casualties or levels of resistance?

[Kenyon]

The General is talking about "one particular raid" - not one operation. Was it one operation with multiple raids?

[RLK]

In recent years the government has shown so little integrity and has lied so many times, I can't trust any statements from it.

[Nick Danger]

The following comments of the General make me wonder: ...

I couldn't agree more. As soon as I saw that bit about "in the context in which it was written," I thought, "uh-oh, weasel-wording." The bit about "every soldier that came back" being on duty was worse.

Whether true or not, the General leaves the impression that (a) Hersh got good info, but it was about a mission that was never announced, and (b) some of the people who went never came back.

I don't know what to think now. I think Hersh is a weasel, but a weasel-worded denial was worse than no denial at all.

My memo to Rumsfeld: Keep this guy off the tube. He learned how to talk from Clinton.

[LetsRok]

I have information that the Taliban has taken some US military prisoners. I know a Russian man who is currently being interviewed by the CIA about that very fact. He was a Russian soldier held as a prisioner of war during the Soviet-Afghanistan War of the 1980's. He was held in an underground prision in Afhganistan and the CIA wants to know about his ordeal.

[Kenyon]

Your points are well taken.

That's why the General should have responded with a: "I'm not talking about secret operations" - rather than the Clinton-like double-speak that appears to have been uttered.

[RLK]

I thought his book on Kennedy was on the mark. None of the info. in it was ever truly rebutted by anyone.

-----------------

It was true. It was corroborated independently.

[Ben Hecks]

I don't put a lot of trust in articles written by guys named "Seymour".

[jwalsh07]

Two elements, one airborne company delivered by C130 and Air Cav support.

[Kenyon]

The General appears to be talking about one element, whereas Hersh seems to be talking about the other.

[cgbg]

Can you imagine the New Yorker publishing a blatantly false and biased article?

D__n right!

After the Vince Foster murder they wrote a lengthy article with dozens of factual errors and misrepresentations in a clear effort to cover for the criminal Clintons.

This magazine is not fit for puppy training!