[Miss Marple]

I detect a new tactic by the press. The questions from the American media and even Al Jazeera (!) were fairly reasonable, discounting the "when do we arrive in Baghdad" question.

BUT, free lancers and independents are obviously now asking the proaganda questions that the networks know we will be PO'd about. My reason for thinking this is the applause after the NY magazine guy's question.

Now, let's see if the same trick is pulled at the Pentagon briefing.

I must conclude there were a lot of calls made to networks and affiliates yesterday.

Interesting that Steffie went home.

[A Citizen Reporter]

"BUT, free lancers and independents are obviously now asking the proaganda questions that the networks know we will be PO'd about."

I was thinking the same thing. The amount of applause within the room to Michael Wolfe's question was revealing.

[Mo1]

My sister just emailed this to me about the press breifing a bit ago

---

I'm watching fox and friends and they are having the morning press conference at Centcom.

Reporter: No disrespect intended but why are we not briefed by people of higher rank and the briefing they are getting isn't much different than that at the pentagon why should we continue to show up for the press conferences. (applause from the reporters).

Brd. Gen Vincent Brooks: Well first it's your choice to come here. Second, the the Generals are too busy fighting the war that's why they sent him.

Other stupid question..."how come it takes so long for us to get the names of the missing or killed soldiers?" Brooks: The family gets notified first.

Reporters get dumber as the war goes on

[Peach]

Just back - definitely a different tone set today. Phone calls, complaints of Anti-Americanism work. Also, wouldn't be surprised if their own embedded journalists told them to knock it off.

Will be interesting to see if George Stepphie answers any questions at home re why he came home.

Press conf. at 11:00 with Bush and Blair. PS - called my affiliates yesterday - said they been getting complaints since the weekend.