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...
Anyone serving the RATmedia, even unknowingly, is not worthy of my respect. Ignorance is no excuse and obviously this soldier was ignorant of both the RATmedia's agenda (or he shares it) and the situation on the ground in Iraq. When 75% of these vehicles are armoured even though they were not designed for armour and the soldiers are not aware of it then the army is doing a poor job of informing them of the FACTS.
Even fools know that the best way of defeating an army is to defeat its leadership. This is why our enemies are attacking Rummy and hate him so much, almost as much as W and Cheney. It is sad to see so many here joining those attacks AND foolishly believing they are helping the troops when the exact opposite is the case.
THIS is a spinoff of the "No Body Armor" election theme, nothing more.
There's nothing wrong with up armoring our own vehicles, we've been doing that since WWII
Churchy, churchy, churchy..
ANYTHING to bash the war, right?
War is inherently dangerous.
My old unit was light towed artillery.
We would have been going into battle with unarmored M1097 Humvees.
Did my unit complain abuot taht prospect?
NO.
We weren't infantry or armored cav.
It was accepted as part of the job.
Someone wants armor on their utility truck?
Get an ASV or a Stryker.
The Humvee is merely a very cross country utility truck.
It was not intiially designed for armor.
And teh industrial base that USED to produce armor is not there.
There is ONE factory left that produces steel of the grade used in armor.
If either of you think you can tool up a factory to produce armor quickly, go right ahead.
Damn, you caught me.
The MSM is NOT your fwend, they are NOT out to improve life for soldiers and they are NOT interested in saving lives.
Remember how gleefully the press reported every death or injury in Iraq ad infinitum?
Then, the newbe Quinton, who probably hates all veterans made this comment:
"I used to walk 20 mile through snow in the dead of winter to get to school wheh I was in 1st grade. We didn't need no stinking shoes back then. Kids now days are a bunch of wimp's."
Nice going Quinton, you veteran hating troll, .
you have to be careful how you word you statements when it comes to the military here... There are many veterans here including myself.....
Was it UnAmerican of the soldier that aplauded after the question was asked... No I don't think so... the reporters actions and the actions of the MSM... that on the other hand i question with all seriousness... look back through the past 30 years of media reporting and the military and military activity... there has been a distinct pattern of anti military, and in general anti american reporting when it comes to forigen affairs and security... And if it is true that this soldier was working in conjuction with the reporter... He has a lot of questions to answer not to us, but to his fellow soldiers.. that is my view.
No one said there isn't a supply issue problem and yes it needs to be addressed .. and Rummy did .. they are being made as fast as they can
Maybe we need more factories that can handle the supply and demand .. but we also have to remember this isn't WWII when factories were shut down and converted
But you forget that Gen. Halfass and crew don't give a crap about realities they are on a mission.
If you think relaying the truth about war and reporting the death and injuries suffered is somehow "gleeful", then there's something wrong.
This coming from someone that has probably never serve anyone but himself for his entire life...
Grandpa dave made a comment that was exemplfying that difficulties that the soldier face now are no different that any other soldiers had faced in the past...
So your response... a smary smart ass remark that has no bearing... bet you feel like a big boy now....
Reporter: check the LAYOFFS AT REUTERS, the 15% cut at BBC and the recent "retiring" of Rather and Brokaw as your cue to stop manufacturing news.
I understand that. I wasn't attacking soldiers, I wouldn't.
The big war was over until May and then the current situation began.
The problem is when we make months into years, it gets on liberal blogs and into liberal media that even the Freepers are tired of the long war.
There is a supply issue in any way because unpredictables happen. Then we have to respond to them.
This was a set up by a left wing mediot maggot, and it galls me when good Freepers fall into this trap with the long time trolls, which you are not, who hate GW and use everything to harm him.
What truth about this war has the MSM given to us? I recall none.
What is on your card? "Have Gun Will Run"?
Ok... I was just intrested in clarification on that... I would appologize for the sensitivity of veterans here, but out of all the people in this world that have a right to be sensative about anything... Veterans have earned that right. They have paid for it in blood.
Not quite slick. did my time in the good ol USAF 74 through 81. We need more amour for our troops period.
Worshiping a political person or party is fine but don't let it blind you to reality.
Support the men and women who are at risk right now.
BTW I see ya pinged yer buddies to have a gang bang. Do you need them to pump yer gonads up or what?
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