Posted on 12/09/2004 9:22:17 AM PST by Nascardude
Edited on 12/09/2004 10:05:10 AM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
RUMSFELD SET UP; REPORTER PLANTED QUESTIONS WITH SOLIDER
Thu Dec 09 2004 11:49:38 ET
Chattanooga Times Free Press reporter Edward Lee Pitts is embedded with the 278th Regimental Combat Team, now in Kuwait preparing to enter Iraq, and is filing articles for his newspaper. Pitts claims in a purported email that he coached soldiers to ask Defense Secretary Rumsfeld questions!
From: EDWARD LEE PITTS, Chattanooga Times Free Press military reporter
Sent: Wednesday, December 8, 2004 4:44 PM
To: Staffers
Subject: RE: Way to go
I just had one of my best days as a journalist today. As luck would have it, our journey North was delayed just long enough see I could attend a visit today here by Defense Secretary Rumsfeld. I was told yesterday that only soldiers could ask questions so I brought two of them along with me as my escorts. Before hand we worked on questions to ask Rumsfeld about the appalling lack of armor their vehicles going into combat have. While waiting for the VIP, I went and found the Sgt. in charge of the microphone for the question and answer session and made sure he knew to get my guys out of the crowd.
So during the Q&A session, one of my guys was the second person called on. When he asked Rumsfeld why after two years here soldiers are still having to dig through trash bins to find rusted scrap metal and cracked ballistic windows for their Humvees, the place erupted in cheers so loud that Rumsfeld had to ask the guy to repeat his question. Then Rumsfeld answered something about it being "not a lack of desire or money but a logistics/physics problem." He said he recently saw about 8 of the special up-armored Humvees guarding Washington, DC, and he promised that they would no longer be used for that and that he would send them over here. Then he asked a three star general standing behind him, the commander of all ground forces here, to also answer the question. The general said it was a problem he is working on.
The great part was that after the event was over the throng of national media following Rumsfeld- The New York Times, AP, all the major networks -- swarmed to the two soldiers I brought from the unit I am embedded with. Out of the 1,000 or so troops at the event there were only a handful of guys from my unit b/c the rest were too busy prepping for our trip north. The national media asked if they were the guys with the armor problem and then stuck cameras in their faces. The NY Times reporter asked me to email him the stories I had already done on it, but I said he could search for them himself on the Internet and he better not steal any of my lines. I have been trying to get this story out for weeks- as soon as I foud out I would be on an unarmored truck- and my paper published two stories on it. But it felt good to hand it off to the national press. I believe lives are at stake with so many soldiers going across the border riding with scrap metal as protection. It may be to late for the unit I am with, but hopefully not for those who come after.
The press officer in charge of my regiment, the 278th, came up to me afterwords and asked if my story would be positive. I replied that I would write the truth. Then I pointed at the horde of national media pointing cameras and mics at the 278th guys and said he had bigger problems on his hands than the Chattanooga Times Free Press. This is what this job is all about - people need to know. The solider who asked the question said he felt good b/c he took his complaints to the top. When he got back to his unit most of the guys patted him on the back but a few of the officers were upset b/c they thought it would make them look bad. From what I understand this is all over the news back home.
Thanks,
Lee
EDWARD LEE PITTS FILED STORY ABOUT THE TROOPS BEFORE THE POW-WOW WITH RUMSFELD
Developing...
Well said Rutles4Ever.
That tells of a whole different story then what's been reported
Every time I hear one of these stories I wait a day or more before commenting, anymore. The spin is ridiculous and deceitful. Then I see this article that was written by this "credible" reporter that contradicts what this soldier asked and watch as freepers eviscerate Sec. Rumsfeld. As if we should believe this person.
I know that things aren't perfect, they never are nor will they be, but I refuse to believe that the Pres. or Rumfeld want our soldiers to die, or that they don't care.
By the way, it they come up with a way for helicopters to not be shot out the they sky by RPGs I wish they let someone know. Or am I to believe that the Administaration wants my husband to die? Good grief.
Wow.
Snarky.
And inaccurate.
I asked you a question.
You said "Yes" meaning you knew for a fact 100% what or who they were cheering.
And, you have yet to prove to me that you do.
Let's continue.
Have you ever served in uniform?
Either
A) Too many trolls
or
B) Some Conservs on here agree with the libs, that it doen't matter how a story is generated, spun, or manipuated... as long as the 'purpose' is right
(IE "who cares if the reporter created his own story to report on, it brought up a real issue")
I disagree strongly with both.
Bless you guys for bringing this up - We no longer have the industrial base to produce something that would have taken a weeks production in the old America.
I totally agree with your post! If we are going to fight a war then we better supply the troops who put up their own lives and the future of their families with the best weapons and armor that we possibly can.
Don't tell me that we can't afford Kevlar and armored vehicles for the troops with the BILLIONS that are wasted by our government(demoRat AND Republican) year after year!
We spend BILLIONS on overseas military bases "protecting" countries like Germany and Japan from non-exsistant enemies while our fighting men and women die in Iraq for lack of body and Humvee armor??
That is obscene! Heads ought to roll because of this crap!
Wow, he's so cool. now he'll have something to tell his grandkids; that his ego and is unethical behavior got him five seconds of fame!
Of course!
Just parroting the left, and their fellow travelers to whom men who have been in public life for decades, suddenly can become sinister, vile, dishonest, and have no regard for their troops.
Thank god we have rational adults in charge.
I think this is a hotbutton issue and people are getting too heated over it.
But what to do about it?
Spray cold water on the thread?
*shrugs*
We've already had a couple trolls and enemy apologists in this thread.
And they did a good job on stirring up the pot.
On certain days, the ideological agenda does trump the monetary rewards agenda.
I replied to you privately. But apparently you seem to be under some illusion that I like the MSM, I don't know who you are reading...but it's NOT me.
Understood, and thanks.
ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL -- (Extensions of Remarks - July 14, 2004)
[Page: E1371] GPO's PDF
---
SPEECH OF
HON. SILVESTRE REYES
OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2004
* Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago, I returned from my fifth trip to Iraq since the President declared an end to major combat operations last May. I was able to visit with our brave men and women in uniform, many of whom still endure daily rocket strikes. Their resolve and ability to maintain good spirits in the harshest of environments is a testament to the caliber of our armed forces and their dedication to their jobs.
* Last week I learned of the death Lance Corporal Michael Torres, a young man from my district who was killed by enemy fire in Fallujah. A high school scholar, athlete, and young Texas State Guardsman, Lance Corporal Torres joined the Marine Corps to serve his country and his fellow Americans. His pride for our Nation and his willingness to serve is an inspiration for El Paso and our country.
* Yesterday, along with my colleagues SOLOMON ORTIZ and GRACE NAPOLITANO, I joined Congressman LANE EVANS in touring the Rock Island Arsenal, located in his district. Congressman EVANS invited us to visit this premier facility of which he is so proud and to which he offers much support. At Rock Island , we were able to see armor kits being made for Humvees, and talk with the employees who have been tirelessly working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to produce armor kits for our Humvees that are in theater in Iraq. Having seen some of these armor kits being installed in Kuwait, and having talked to soldiers both installing the kits and receiving armored vehicles, I wanted to pass on their gratitude to the workers.
[Page: E1372] GPO's PDF
* When our men and women in uniform initially crossed the burm in Iraq, fewer than 40 percent of their vehicles were armored. Today, thanks to the hard work of the men and women like those at Rock Island Arsenal, we are well on our way to having every vehicle armored. Since December 19th of last year, Rock Island has produced more than 2,500 full armor kits for Humvees that were sent to Iraq--many of which were installed in theater by the very men and women who built the armor. Our Nation owes great thanks to the men and women of Rock Island Arsenal. Their hard work and dedication is giving soldiers protection and enabling them to return home to their families.
* While I am pleased that we are on our way to successfully armoring our vehicles, it does not make up for the fact that many, many men and women in uniform died when they could have been protected by properly armored vehicles. I am pleased that the House Armed Services Committee has been able to work in a bipartisan manner to give our soldiers and marines in theater better force protection measures, but this should not have had to happen after our soldiers were already in theater. When we use our forces, we need to ensure that they have adequate equipment, the best information and technology, and the best training possible.
* Our men and women in uniform, like Lance Corporal Torres was, are among the best and the brightest that our Nation has to offer. They are our sons and daughters, our fathers and mothers, our friends and neighbors. As a veteran and as a proud American, I pledge to offer my continued support to ensure that our men and women in uniform have what they need to do their jobs and return home safely.
"Oh, so you were there and knew what was going on?
Please, inform us all of what REALLY went down."
Oh, and that's not snarky? How do you know Lincoln was assassinated? Were you there? And, in regard to whether I served in uniform, what does that have to do with anything?
Interesting that 'distorting reality' can get 1000+ soldiers to cheer isn't it? Must be some truth to that distortion. How would you suggest this complaint be made? Up the chain of command? Lord knows how fast government channels work. Maybe this soldier's grandson will have the armor. Of course by then it will outdated but hey he complained the 'correct' way and that's all that matters isn't it?
BTW, I expected the namecalling to be a little later after you had completely run out of an argument. I guess since you didn't have one in the first place, you just had to default to namecalling huh?
I asked you a question and instead of answering it you went to try and flame from the bio page.
Not a smart move by the way.
Ok I feel better :)
WOW. Are your speaking of the solider who asked Rummy the question about more armor, who might just die tonight serving his country ,in a war zone ,while you sleep in your nice warm bed? If you are shame on you.
That is truly repulsive and it take alot to repulse me....blah
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