US Morning Papers - The Front Pages, 20 March 2003

Sky News ^ | March 20, 2003

[Dont Mention the War]

The American papers went to press a few hours after the attacks on Iraq began, so they were all dominated by the outbreak of war.

The New York Post opted for a plain and powerful front page declaring war. The very minute that war broke out is shown, highlighting the emphasis on precision in this hi-tech conflict.

The Washington Post says explosions ripped through the quiet of morning in Baghdad and George Bush was confident of victory - but Saddam Hussein still remained defiant.

The New York Times says US forces struck Baghdad after officials received fresh intelligence suggesting a gathering of senior Iraqi leaders. The paper claims the missiles missed Saddam Hussein.

Saddam Hussein himself was the target of the preliminary strikes against Iraq, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The Seattle Times leads with George Bush's words and a picture of US troops bowing down in the face of a sand storm. It also tells how the people of north west America watched the clock waiting for war to start.

A huge graphic takes up most of The Detroit Free Press's front page, explaining the strikes on Iraq. It also bulletpointed three of the day's main stories: The US's first strike; George Bush's speech; troops are scouring Afghanistan for al Qaeda operatives.

The Boston Globe uses several Iraq stories on its front page, including reports that troops are prepared for the march to Baghdad.

[Dont Mention the War]

Leftovers from this morning.

[Carolina]

I see the New York Times is undisguised in their glee that we missed Saddam.

[LibertarianLiz]

The Seattle Times leads with George Bush's words and a picture of US troops bowing down in the face of a sand storm.

The morning talk guy here in Seattle, Kirby Wilbur, described this cover as the soldiers kneeling in prayer. I didn't read the story, so I don't know which it is.

[piasa]

Prayer; if it was the sand their hands would be shielding their eyes and noses.

[SengirV]

IT looks like the Detroit Free Press actually wants to convey some infromation to it's readers. Too bad the the Washington Compost and NY Slime don't take Detroit's lead.

[fourdeuce82d]

Maybe it's just the camera angle- but doesn't the explosion visible in some of those shots seem to have occurred *above* (~100+') above the ground? Unlikely to be a MOAB, given that they are carried by C130s, which wouldn't be risked over baghdad (at least not without more aggressive SEAD, but what the hell was it?

Intentional, optical artifact, some HUGE Self-forging warhead, lucky hit by AAA? What?

[Cicero]

I see the New York Times is undisguised in their glee that we missed Saddam.

I usually think of the NY Times and the Washington ComPost as ideological twins, but since Howell Raines took over the NY Times has really gone totally berserk. Not only leftist, but childish.

Aside from their obvious Schadenfreude, they'll certainly look pretty dumb if their full-page headline proves wrong.

Kind of like "Dewey beats Truman."

[knarf]

But .. but .... no atomic Jenny.

sniff.

[Carolina]

...but since Howell Raines took over the NY Times has really gone totally berserk. Not only leftist, but childish.

Howie and MoDowd deserve each other.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

OFFICIAL BUMP(TOPIC)LIST

[CyberAnt]

Yes, I see that - but they get to have a BIG FAT PILE OF EGG ON THEIR FACE when they find out Saddam and both sons were killed.

And ... that is more than a possibility at this point.

[Carolina]

Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall of Howie's office? I'd love to see his meltdown.

[Valin]

Boy! Nothing gets by these guys.

[lawgirl]

Exactly what I was thinking.

[leadpenny]

Very good, but where is the Washington Times? This reminds me of what the Newseum does. They put up the front page of a major newspaper from each state and 20 foreign contries every day. Used to be over in Rosslyn and now they have a place on Pennsylvania Ave., while the new Newseum is being built there. Nice idea, thanks.