Journalists embedded with the military: Who made the decision???

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Nope, because things are different this time. First off, most paleocons have been rooted from the armed forces, so there will be a disinclination to hear talk along the lines of "raghead" (the near constant reference to "gooks" or "slopes" in Vietnam was not a good indication to civilians that the conflict was anything but imperialism). Second, these guys seem to be attached to smaller units, and spend all their time with the unit, as opposed to sniffing up a regimental or division commander - they're living with the troops. Inevitably, they'll be a lot more sympathetic.

[dawn53]

I must admit, I've watched MSNBC too. I always listen to Fox, but I wanted to see if the other journalists traveling with the troops were as upbeat as the Fox guys, and gal (there's one woman whose a Fox producer with one of the units) were.

[The Wizard]

what a recruiting program

[Portnoy]

I saw Blloms report this moring also and it was great...

Notice though that where the HEAVY fighting is, the reporters are absent? Like the Port town of Bashra?...

But plenty of reporters travelling a deserted road to Baghdad...

I think the US is using the reporter to their advantage..to spread out specific hoping to make Iraqi soldiers surrender or Saddam go mad...IMHO

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Just so long as you stay away from Kiran Chetry on FOX. She's mine.

[LandOfTheFreeHomeOfTheBrave]

I think I read somewhere that it was Victoria Clarke. Possibly Karen Hughes, but I'm pretty sure it was Clarke.

[af_vet_rr]

Didn't they do this during the Vietnam War? If so, this is a terrible idea as we all know the eventual repercussions of that policy were.

At first, I would have agreed with you, but this is not even close to Vietnam, the two can't even be remotely compared (other than the 7th Cavalry is involved)

I'm trying to figure out reasons why all of the reporters traveling with allied troops are so positive. It's got to be one or more of the following :

The reporters realize they have to rely on the soldiers if something happens and therefore have more of an appreciation for what they are doing.
Because they are living among the soldiers, they see them in a different light than in times past when they demonized the military. It's hard to demonize somebody when you live with them.
Last, and probably most important - they have what they always wanted (except under extreme circumstances) - complete and total access to the events as they are happening. The military is not hiding anything from them, and so there isn't a helluva lot of spin that can be put on those events.

[dawn53]

I just want to know when these military guys are sleeping. They've been traveling for almost 24 hours. They must have to stop and sleep sometime.

[CholeraJoe]

So ya like 'em skinny, huh?

[katana]

Thanks. I think this film has come to mind so much in the past few days because the Marines kit looks so much like the Mobile Infantry gear in the film. There's a display outside a theater at Changi Airport in Singapore with a mannequin dressed in the combat uniform from this film and it looks much like what our troops are now using.

[Leo Carpathian]

He conceded that they needed to maintain some distance, but gleefully praised the Marines he was with.

...or they will stick his head out of the transporter when shooting starts :-)

Peacenicks should be embeded on the front of the tanks to protest the war and soften the blow.

[ladtx]

The MSNBC guys are awesome, and really upbeat.

I agree. Normally an FNC watcher, I've found MSNBC's coverage to be superior, particularly in video and audio quality. They seem to be covering more at unit level also.

[af_vet_rr]

what a recruiting program

You are not kidding. Join the military, be a TV star :-)

Seriously, not only positive at home, but being beamed all over the Arab world, this has got to be demoralizaing to the Iraqis and others who are seeing this.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Pant, pant, pant, pant, pant.....

[ContemptofCourt]

I think that is it a bad idea for a couple of reasons.

First, it has transformed this war into a TV show. Talk about bluring the line between reality and reality TV and TV. This is a friggin war, not a video game or a movie.

Second, of course, are the potential ramifications of releasing sensitive information.

Third, I don't like the idea of Joe Soldier knowing that he is on live TV while in the middle of a war....his head should be in the game, not on the reporter talking to the folks at home.

Finally, this is a "brilliant" idea now only because the war so far is a cakewalk. I like the reference to Starship Troopers...watch the troops start taking fire on live TV and watch people start to die, and then we'll see the reporters' reactions.

[CholeraJoe]

A little eye candy, Chancellor.

[mattdono]

That is an interesting comment and I had some similar thoughts.

Perhaps the Iraqis will be caught watching satellite TV and trying to figure out where in southern Iraq? Those troops are in southern Iraq (something that even the reporters have been fairly coy about reporting exactly where), meanwhile, there are another whole group that is positioning itself and the Iraqis have no idea where they are...but, they will.

They will.

[dawn53]

First, it has transformed this war into a TV show

I understand your point, but this war was going to be a TV show, no matter if we had embedded journalists or not.

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

Last night on Fox News, while they were reporting live from the tanks moving into Iraq it was reported that Fox was getting massive e-mails of concern of TOO MUCH INFO. Not too worry it was explained that these embedded reporters were approved by the Pentagon and they are useful to Command post for psy warfare and direct real info. PLUS it shows the world how rightious our military is and that we have no intentions on killing innocents.

[KC_for_Freedom]

Finally, this is a "brilliant" idea now only because the war so far is a cakewalk. I like the reference to Starship Troopers...watch the troops start taking fire on live TV and watch people start to die, and then we'll see the reporters' reactions.

I think it is a good idea, I was not sure at first, for the reasons you cite, but if weapons of mass destruction are found and we are to argue they were not planted by the CIA, we need honest reporters with credibility on the scene.

It does not hurt the people to see what the troops go through, maybe it will do them (the public at large) good to see our troops in action.