Embedded, and taking flak

The Washington Post ^ | March 31, 2003 | Howard Kurtz

[arasina]

By Howard Kurtz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, March 31, 2003; Page C01

John Roberts, the CBS newsman traveling with the 1st Marine Division, is fed up with "all this armchair quarterbacking from people who aren't here."

In an interview from Iraq, where he whispered because members of his unit were sleeping nearby, Roberts sounds exasperated with those who are ripping the Pentagon's embedding program for journalists.

"Let them try not showering for a week, sleeping out in the desert, living through sandstorms, being under fire -- I don't see these people out there. All they do is criticize."

[arasina]

An interesting and surprisingly honest column.

One paragraph further into the article states:
"One reason the media have created the impression that the war is not going all that well -- drawing fire from President Bush and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld -- is the great expectations that journalists, embedded and otherwise, had a role in creating."

[Illbay]

"Torrie Clarke is a flippin' genius" BUMP!

[joesnuffy]

Not showering for a week...how often did you think most combat vets get to "shower"?

[cavtrooper21]

I thought this might happen. The imbedded journalists are starting to bond with the troops that they are working with, seeing what its like at the "sharp end". They are starting to realize that these few are more important to them than the views and opinions express by the talking heads at home that have no clue what war is really all about. The spirit of Ernie Pyle is smiling down from heaven on these men, they are finally learning what he always knew, being a combat reporter is about the soldiers, not the war.

[expatpat]

Yes, Howard is basically a good guy, even if somewhat steeped in liberal PC culture. This is based on a number of e-mail 'conversations' I had with him during the Clinton impeachment era.

[oyez]

combat reporter is about the soldiers, not the war.

And with out soldiers there is no war. So that's why a lot of people ain't happy. Nice ain't it?

[pierrem15]

I have noticed that the print media here at home is dripping with resentment at the embedded reports, especially the TV guys, some of whom, IMHO, are doing a great job.

When you see the reporter slightly peppered with shrapnel, you're seeing somebody doing a job most of the armchair quarterbacks in the intellectual "quagmire" of editorial board could not do, and they know it and hate it.

[cyncooper]

I love the embedded reporter reports. I had no idea there are 600 embeds!

How idiotic to talk about a "narrow" view. Of course! These media types from a distance are lying to themselves if they think they have a bigger picture since they choose to ignore so much of the information being written of what is really going on.

I mean, this business about the war not going well is downright surreal. Tonight Bret Baier on Fox is reporting that we have 3 key Iraqi generals in custody. How many of OUR generals do the Iraqis have? Sheesh!

These embeds will have stories to tell. Clearly many in the "mainstream" media think if you aren't criticizing and harping on this particular administration you have sold out. A pox on them and bless the embedded reporters for the story they can tell.

The mainstreams are sulking because try as they might to portray the military as heartless killing machines, the embeds are providing proof positive that nothing could be further from the truth. Of course, in addition to other evidence against this premise. (See Centcom briefings with their visuals that have bored so many of the elites.)

[Diver Dave]

After seeing first hand some of these prima-dona "journalists" do standups through the summer of '01 in our town, I came to the conclusion that a lot of them were totally full of themselves. 'Course there were exceptions. Bob Franken was great to talk to off camera.

That being said, hopefully this humbling experience "in the trenches" will carry over to the time when they return to the studio lights and make-up and they can report as human beings and not put on an act.

[cpdiii]

Until today I had not seen Ollie North for a couple of days.
I thought he might have said to hell with it and thrown down his microphone and picked up an M-16. He is a good man.

[Diver Dave]

He is a good man

Yep! He sure is.

[gcruse]

A yup bump!

[Rose in RoseBear]

I fully expect a wealth of "I-was-an-embed" books, documentaries, and articles at the end of the war. It will be fascinating!

[cavtrooper21]

It will, but some will return to the old habits. Others will never forget what they have seen, heard and felt and will be better people and journalists for it. The Fox reporter that took some glass in the face today is one that I think will be the latter. 'Course he has a head start, he is a former Marine and I belive he's also a GW vet.

[SkyPilot]

The "Embeds" are being accused of "going native."

[chasio649]

The fact is that the media whines if they don't have access and some whine that they have too much access.

[EllaMinnow]

A big morning BUMP.

Just now watching Ollie interview a Marine.

OLLIE: Got enough ammo?
MARINE: We can always use more, Sir!

Gotta love it!