By the right, Fox in step with brass

Sydney Morning Herald ^ | April 8, 2003 | Tom Allard, Herald Correspondent in Kuwait City

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Not for the first time, the most spectacular images of the United States armoured advance to Baghdad have come from Rupert Murdoch's Fox Network.

After scooping its cable news rivals CNN and MSNBC with footage of troops entering Baghdad and then later storming Saddam International Airport, a Fox reporter, Greg Kelly, and his cameraman had the dress circle view yesterday as a column of US 3rd Infantry division tanks took a tour of Baghdad landmarks.

Starting at Saddam Hussein's main presidential palace, viewers were afforded footage of gold-plated wash basins and waterfalls, and a US soldier hoisting a Georgia University pennant.

Then onto Baghdad's parade grounds and their giant crossed sabres commemorating the Iraq-Iran war. US soldiers mugged for the camera and held up the stars and stripes while Kelly did live crosses with Fox anchors in Washington.

Then came the coup de grace: the destruction of the iconic statue of Saddam astride a steed to cheers from the US soldiers.

Meanwhile, Fox's rivals were shut out of town. CNN had to make do with distant shots of smoke-filled Baghdad and retold wire service stories from reporters with troops.

A US military spokesman, Max Blumenfeld, denied that Fox - with its racy but unashamedly patriotic and unquestioning coverage of the war - was being openly favoured. However, he did say enigmatically that public affairs officers such as him were paid to "know your enemy".

"Fox may well have more access. They have good contacts and they asked the right questions in the pre-planning."

Fox is now the most watched cable news network, introducing a right-wing tabloid ethos to the staid 24-hour news industry.

[tm22721]

liberal control over ABCNBCCBSCNNPBS

You forgot NPR and Reuters.

BUMP

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Bumps!

[ArneFufkin]

Kelly is a Marine veteran. As is Ollie North. Rick Leventhal and Geraldo Rivera are guys the grunts immediately calculated as a real men they wouldn't have to babysit when the sheyatt hit the fan. In Doha, Fox has a reporter whose neck is bigger than Mike Alstott's. Warzones are a man's world, and the trusted guys get the access.

Over in Kuwait City, Doha and embedded in country, CNN has Wolf Blitzer, Christine Ahyamreallypoor and Daran "Hows my hair" Kagan, NBC has Brian Williams, Bob "Oh Jesus, Oh Jesus that was a Hellfire right in the air ... and let's get these Iraqi kids some water" Arnot and lost their one real human being in superstar Bloom. ABC has Ted Koppel. CBS sent the 60 minutes crew driving Cadillacs with their left blinker always on.

Why would military personnel cut anyone but FOX a break?

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Great post! I liked the reference to the "you're in good hands with" Buc fullback.

The only thing I would amplify is that Bob Arnot is both a medical doctor and speaks Arabic (or whatever they speak in Iraq). His reports have been pretty good if you can get past his breathless speech pattern.

There is no doubt in my mind that the Pentagon put some thought into the embed assignments. It seems the same "journalists" who bit%hed about "the military plan" are now bit%hing about the embed plan. I see a pattern.

[nicmarlo]

Fox is now the most watched cable news network, introducing a right-wing tabloid ethos to the staid 24-hour news industry.

                              (Truth)
                              =VRWC=
<--commie left-------left------center------right-->

 ABC       NBC BBC             FOX
 CBS
 NPR 
 Al Jazeera
 Al Jazeera -
  west (CNN)
 New York Times
 Los Angeles Times

Yep, FOX is right-wing! : )

[FreedomPoster]

Beauty. I need to figure out how to post that on a site I'm on with limited HTML (can't use a fixed pitch font).

[ArneFufkin]

Colonel North and Kelly report the events unfolding in the world they cover faithfully, good or bad. North reported the disturbing and sad events of Fratercide, Friendly Fire and Non-combat accidental deaths and setbacks immediately, factually and without prejudice. Kelly does the same. As does Leventhal and their anchors and military consultants don't have any political agenda but to share their honest perceptions and analysis. Green Beret Major Bob doesn't presume a legitimate comment on infantry movements and supply line dynamics, Colonel Hunt doesn't pretend that he is an expert on Urban guerilla tactics or air ordinance timetables -the Army Major General shares insight on global theater strategies, the Marine Colonel talks river crossings and close air support, the Navy Captain knows his world-class stuff, the SEALS know about Rescue Ops like the POW rescue, thet have a former CIA operations guy to talk Psy Ops and .... they're not working an agenda.

The campaign is a resounding success, arguably the most overwhelmingly powerful, lightning quick and coordinated, casualty free yet complex military operation in human history. FOX is reporting the news.

As Dizzy Dean said ... "It ain't braggin' if it's true."

[PGalt]

Great analysis bump.

[nicmarlo]

You have FReepmail. : )

[nicmarlo]

Great analysis = Truth, lol! : ) ty.

[MoJo2001]

BTTT!

[kittymyrib]

And Greg Kelly is the son of Ray Kelley, Rudy's chief of the NYPD, so he has a great pedigree and upbringing for the great job he's done. Fox correspondents definitely ruled the airwaves this go-round.

[Bluntpoint]

Personally, when I want the "real" news I tune into CNN. There I know I can get the best, in depth, info on what Mike Farrell, Ed Asner, Jessica Lange, Michael Moore, etc think about "Cowboy Big Stupid Bush."

Fox might be great concerning troop movements.

CNN has them beat on the bowel movements of the stars.

[ArneFufkin]

Colonel Oliver North has distinguished himself in spectacular fashion. He's teaching American citizens how a Marine Expeditionary Unit operates, the importance of each and every hero to the success of the mission. He's not a Geraldo who just hustles up whoever is in the area for a "Look at me so loved by all these tough guys. Give me a "Hoo ha"' boys" photo op. North is with a Cobra machine gunner, a Communications specialist, the air traffic officer, the bridge and roadway engineering crew, the Korman staff, the Demolitoin and ordinance ninjas ... all of whom ply their trade expertly. Ollie is the most proud Papa on Earth, he's showing us the excellence of America's young Marines, and reminding us of the sadness and valor of War's death and destruction too.

The scumbags of the left will never understand that level of humble respect for the bittersweet sacrifices, costs and righteous outcomes of victory in war.

[Ole Okie]

Colonel Oliver North has distinguished himself in spectacular fashion.

I'll never forget the Democratic vultures in the Senate salivating as they awaited Ollie North's testimony on Iran-Contra. Through him, they thought they were finally going to "get" Ronald Reagan.

And there was a Republican or two also drooling with anticipation.

Oliver North made fools of them in such a spectacular way that there was no doubt who had carried the battle. The Senators who had looked forward with such anticipation to destroying Ollie went into full and complete retreat in full television view.

Col. North is outstanding in my book in almost every way.

[Matchett-PI]

"CNN has a news bureau in Havana. Not much but the commie, Castro line is reported. They've decided, you can turn the channel to Fox."

[bankwalker]

Well, it is down under. Even the Moon looks different from there.

And the toilets swirl in the wrong direction when you flush them, too.

[mewzilla]

Sounds like a whine to me...

[ArneFufkin]

Don't you DARE question the patriotism and military service of these people - artists whose films, television shows and Vanity Fair profiles give us such joy, and whose glamourous lives somehow make our lives worth living too.

Ed Asner played a Korean War veteran as Lou Grant. Martin Sheen played Private Eddy Slovak, Mike Farrell and Alan Alda were Army Captains if Army Captains came without testicles, Eddie Vedder is still operating many years after his obsolescence, Susan Sarandon docked with the Sixth Naval Fleet, Oprah Winfrey wages pitched battle of fierce resistance against that third helping of Pasta and Pork Gristle smothered in Fudge Sauce. Jessica Lange's career is designated MIA. Bill Maher's dream of Delta Force service died with his futile try at two consecutive pushups. John Mellencamp fought authority and authority always won. Jeanene Garafolo wears dog tags issued by the Humane Society. Michael Moore no longer can get his Privates to Stand at Attention. Sheryl Crow watched General Hospital once.

Bill Cohen could, and did, build a military around that level of talent and experience.