Posted on 08/23/2005 1:42:23 AM PDT by GiovannaNicoletta
WHAT was the big "Iraq" story in August? Which vital issue got the most air-time and ink? The camp-out of a sad, tormented woman who had lost her son, her marriage and her judgment.
The media pounced on poor Cindy Sheehan in an anti-Bush, anti-war frenzy. The disappointment was obvious when she decided to go home.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
"What should have made headlines? .... my nomination for the "Greatest Story Never Told" is a quieter one: Locked in a difficult war, the U.S. Army is exceeding its re-enlistment and first-time enlistment goals. Has anybody mentioned that to you?
Remember last spring, when the Army's recruitment efforts fell short for a few months? The media's glee would have made you confuse the New York Times and Air America.
When the Army attempted to explain that enlistments are cyclical and numbers dip at certain times of the year, the media ignored it.
* Every one of the Army's 10 divisions — its key combat organizations — has exceeded its re-enlistment goal for the year to date. Those with the most intense experience in Iraq have the best rates. The 1st Cavalry Division is at 136 percent of its target, the 3rd Infantry Division at 117 percent.
Among separate combat brigades, the figures are even more startling, with the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Infantry Division at 178 percent of its goal and the 3rd Brigade of the 4th Mech right behind at 174 percent of its re-enlistment target.
This is unprecedented in wartime. Even in World War II, we needed the draft. Where are the headlines?
* What about first-time enlistment rates, since that was the issue last spring? The Army is running at 108 percent of its needs. Guess not every young American despises his or her country and our president.
The ugly truth is that much of the media only cares about our soldiers when they're dead or crippled. That's a story.
As you read this, 500,000 soldiers are on active duty because they chose to serve their country"
No media bias? LOL
Really? That is the first time I've ever heard that! What positive news. Instead of hearing such things, I'm listening to stupid E.D.Hill on Fox & Friends doing the "I support the troops, BUT" crap. I'm about to email her to tell her how much I DON'T appreciate what she's doing. God bless our troops!
It's nice to read an article like this on a morning where I have to listen to the same depressing warmed-over MSM crap from the idiots on the morning "news" program on my local Charlotte radio station (WBT).
I am usually not up this early to hear E.D. harping, in fact, I make a point to avoid it anymore. It was nice to see the other guy put her in her place by saying the war stategy has to come from the pentagon, period.
Actually, I just turned it off and probably will never put it on again. It's just so upsetting. I, too, am glad she was put in her place - but in a nicer way than I would have done it. E.D. Hill is like nails on a chalkboard!
Ralph Peters bump!
Well said!
BTTT
Rush is bringing up the points you make right now.
Correction: My article in yesterday’s paper (“The Real Iraq News”) contained a substantial error: The new-enlistment rates I cited were wrong. The Army is still falling short on new enlistments. I deeply regret the mistake. But the numbers on the inspiring re-enlistment rates of our combat soldiers — the central issue of the column — were correct. I stand behind every word I wrote about the patriotism, commitment and valor of our troops. — RALPH PETERS
Yep, that's the real story here, and that's why these folks will be standing in the unemployment line before long. Can you imagine trying to get a job with some media company as the reference for your former employer? That would cut your chances of getting a new job to, what?, maybe 25%.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.