A buoyant air of excitement swept the newsrooms with "reports" -- ostensibly from 'credible' 'sources' -- of a U.S. Helicopter crash in Pakistan, allegedly killing four American military personnel.Amid the pea soup muddle and haze (the 'Fog of War), reporters at times can be excused for the occasional -- but inexorable -- flubs and stumbles, but not this time.
Despite the holes and flaws, CNN ran with the story, posting it prominently on their website during the wee hours of Tuesday morning.
Not to be scooped -- or out-maneuvered in the pro-Taliban propaganda department -- United Press International did likewise, embellishing the narrative with embroidered tales -- straight from the orifices of Taliban "officials" -- of Afghan "fighters" walloping the chopper before it made its way back into Pakistani territory.
And when did this skirmish allegedly occur?
Not Tuesday, nor Monday, mind you, but on Sunday!
The fact that these enemy claims of 'heroic' success suddenly surfaced against the backdrop of palpable advancement on the battlefront by U.S. forces and the Northern Alliance should have raised skeptical eyebrows, but the pallbearers in the press were too busy attending a *funeral* to notice.
What 'funeral'? Why, that of Operation Enduring Freedom, of course! You see, the all-knowing, all-wise, all-seeing media elite have already declared our military operation a fizzling flop. News dispatches for weeks have read more like obituaries -- buzzwords such as quagmire, fiasco, debacle, etc., sprinkled ghoulishly throughout.
Memo to the Pallbearers: Check the Casket -- it's empty.
I'm reminded of that Mark Twain classic: "The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated".
And speaking of fizzling flops, ultimately that's what became of the Helicopter crash tale.
By midmorning, the newsiews stupid enough to have swallowed the Talibani ruse were backtracking -- if ever so gingerly.
Yesterday's Pentagon news briefing was priceless.
One of the reporters, broaching the subject, asked U.S. Defense chief Donald Rumsfeld if he could clarify the claims that four U.S. servicemen were killed in the crash.
In his unique, inimitable way, the Secretary wondered aloud what the heck the buffoon was talking about.
"Four service members were killed?", he asked.
"Could it have been another Taliban report?", he laughed.
"They [the Taliban] are very busy, those folks", he quipped.
In an obvious jab at the press, he said "they [the Taliban] must have a hot line right into the media all across the globe".
Take that, CNN!
Secretary Rumsfeld is not one to mince any words, and he certainly wasn't mincing any at that briefing.
Looking the assembled throng squarely in the eye, he reiterated that "when we have a Helicopter that goes down, no matter for what purpose, WE TELL YOU".
Rumsfeld memo to the press hacks: Next time, before trafficking in rumors and ending up with egg on your mug, check with me first.
My two cents..
"JohnHuang2"
interesting since Limbaugh wasn't on the radio on Sept 11.... that outcry was prompted long before Limbaugh mentioned it.
Could it possibly be that the networks switched and not "these outlets"?
Incredibly, getting facts straight from the Taliban seems to be their mission. And they wonder why Fox news has become so popular.
Has he noticed how hard it is to walk with his foot so firmly crammed down his throat?
The fact that these enemy claims of 'heroic' success suddenly surfaced against the backdrop of palpable advancement on the battlefront by U.S. forces and the Northern Alliance should have raised skeptical eyebrows, but the pallbearers in the press were too busy attending a *funeral* to notice.
Well said.
Some day these "reporters" are going to figure out that Rumsfeld isn't a lying clinton clone.
Though Mr. Limbaugh reported that Mr. Jennings had said, "Maybe it's wise that certain presidents just not try to address the people of the country," Mr. Jennings had actually made a general statement about presidents. "The country looks to the president on occasions like this to be reassuring to the nation," Mr. Jennings had said. "Some presidents do it well, some presidents don't."A distinction without a difference.
But before nodding off, she asked another of her anti-Israeli questions, complete with her standard interruptions as Ari attempted to respond. "Did the Israelis ask Bush not to meet with Arafat, is that why he's only meeting with Israelis?" [read that as her typical 'Israel runs America's foreign policy' rant].
I often wish Ari would insult her, or ignore her, or put her in her place some way, but of course if he did, the rest of the media would brand him a rude bully, or worse. Ari does a great job of handling her.
LOL. Great line my friend. Your two-cents is right on.
Jennings is banned from my IB controller and while Rather has been somewhat fair and balanced since the events of 9-11, I don't believe that will last long. I don't watch Brokow. Can't understand his mumblings.
Think I'll stick with Fox News.
I would prefer that Rummy was a little more forceful. Something along the lines of: "Frankly you clym..er, journalists are really starting to make me doubt your honesty. You have been reporting the enemies' pap as gospel and give nary a care to the truth and this country's interests. If this bullsh*t doesn't stop, I'll just issue press releases and give interviews to those of you who display journalistic integrity--all two of you. I've got better things to do than respond to the lying Taliban. See you tomorrow after you've had a chance to consider what you have been doing. Good day."
I think conservatives should be proud of the effect they are having on the news media, forcing them to stand by their country instead of their mother socialism.