Comprehending the mindset of the mainstream media
Thursday, 26 January 2006 | 328 readers so far
If you have the time, read this transcript. The transcript in question is of a weekly summary given to the press by Major General Rick Lynch (who I indirectly work for) of what’s happening in Iraq. Notice that after he discusses a positive piece of news, the press doesn’t ask a single question about it. Why? I don’t presume to know. But here is a synopsis of the positive news from the transcript:
GEN. LYNCH: I’d ask you to stop with Major Glenn (sp) and get a copy of the letter that the mayor of Tall Afar sent to General Casey. And I’d like to share with you excepts from that letter, which reflects the appreciative nature of the people of Iraq for operations that were conducted to liberate them and provide an environment where they could participate in a democratic society and participate in the elections in a safe and secure environment. This is the letter from the mayor of Tall Afar, Najim Abdullah al-Jubouri, and he talks to General Casey specifically. And you’ll get a copy of the letter, but I’d like to read a couple of excerpts.
He wrote to General Casey that “our city was overrun by heartless terrorists, Zarqawi and his followers, who unloaded their bloodthirsty and voracious action of evil on this city for several months by indiscriminately killing men, women and children. Tall Afar was a human slaughterhouse. Simple services were not possible, causing the people to suffer, till the day you dispatched your troops, who were our lion-hearted saviors. Your troops came to rescue Tall Afar led by our heroes, whom Tall Afar will never forget. After the major operation, your wonderful soldiers started nursing the wounds of this city by rebuilding the damaged lives and buildings with great compassion and speed. These soldiers have done more than their original mission required of them. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
If you pop over to Marketing in Iraq (written by a soldier in my unit), you’ll find that he thinks the above news is positive. But if you go Google and enter:
You won’t find any related stories from CNN, Sky News, Fox News, BBC or any other mainstream news outlet. Why? Tall Afar was “a human slaughterhouse,” according the mayor. He credits U.S. troops for going above and beyond the call of duty in rectifying the situation and calls the soldiers wonderful heroes. Seems newsworthy to me. Please help me tell the story of Tall Afar.
Click here for a PDF of the letter in question. Send it to your favorite news outfit. Ask them why you haven’t seen a story about Tall Afar. Don’t let the blue ribbon clip art fool you either. The letter is real. Iraq doesn’t have access to the nice typesetting and printing equipment we are used to in the U.S.
1 January 26th, 2006 at 10:29 am
Mudville Gazette says:
THE MEDIA Comprehending the mindset of the mainstream media — [The Will to Exist - in Iraq] If you have the time, read this transcript. The transcript in question is of a weekly summary given to the press by Major General Rick Lynch (who I indirectly work for) of what’s happening in Iraq. Notice that after
2 January 26th, 2006 at 7:59 pm
Dan Cameron Rodill says:
Why can’t MSM handle praise for U.S. in Tall Afar? Oh, I don’t know. (What would a distant blogger “un-vouched” and still un-credentialed by CENTCOM know anyway?)
To hazard a guess from non-news agency outsider: Might it have anything to do with a certain agenda? Like the need to show Iraq as Bush Blunder? Don’t libs and Dems (not to mention World Left) depend on Iraq as Bush Blunder? Don’t all studies show that MSM flacks (if not hacks) vote/support Dem over Repub by 70=90%? (Full disclosure: my vote for Bush in 2004 was first time I ever voted Republican) Aren’t Dem hopes to regain delicious power in USA heavily invested in Iraq as Bush Blunder? Congressman “Bring Our Troops Home” Murtha fits the agenda. Cindy “Bush Killed My Little Boy Who Left Me” Sheehan fits nicely in the agenda. “Pinch” Sulzberger’s NY Times, Bible of J-School ambitious adversary types, fits.Etc etc. But OMG! How can positive stories of U.S. in Iraq fit? Lots of power’s at stake. All kinds of bennies and chairmanships and access. Does it need Iraq as Noble (if imperfect) Venture? Or does it need Iraq as Bush Blunder?
Oh, well—just wondering, or hazarding a few guesses.
dcr…. From Vietnam to Iraq (now it can be blogged?????)
3 January 27th, 2006 at 8:09 am
Eric Berlin: says:
[...] Psst. There’s good news coming out of Iraq. Don’t tell anybody. According to Trevor Snyder, a soldier in Iraq who works with the media, the following letter was read to the press corps during a weekly briefing. The letter is from the mayor of an Iraqi town, Tall Afar: [O]ur city was overrun by heartless terrorists, Zarqawi and his followers, who unloaded their bloodthirsty and voracious action of evil on this city for several months by indiscriminately killing men, women and children. Tall Afar was a human slaughterhouse. Simple services were not possible, causing the people to suffer, till the day you dispatched your troops, who were our lion-hearted saviors. Your troops came to rescue Tall Afar led by our heroes, whom Tall Afar will never forget. After the major operation, your wonderful soldiers started nursing the wounds of this city by rebuilding the damaged lives and buildings with great compassion and speed. These soldiers have done more than their original mission required of them. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. [...]
4 January 27th, 2006 at 4:23 pm
The Cool Blue Blog says:
Dead Letter Office…
The Mayor of the City of Tall Afar Iraq, a city in Iraq near the Syrian border, wrote a letter to General Casey, Commander of the Multi-National Force in Iraq. It readour city was overrun by heartless terrorists, Zarqawi and…
5 January 28th, 2006 at 12:23 am
In describing the same events, which person should be believed? says:
[...] or the Iraqi mayor of the city of Tall Afar?: [...]
6 January 28th, 2006 at 6:39 am
Atlas Shrugs says:
insurgent stronghold in the Sunni Triangle, wrote a letter of thanks to General Casey. According to the article, the reporters at the scene asked no questions about the letter, and it was not reported by any major newspaper or network in the country. Here’s an excerpt: “[O]ur city was overrun by heartless terrorists, Zarqawi and his followers, who unloaded their bloodthirsty and voracious action of evil on this city for several months by indiscriminately killing men, women and children.
7 January 28th, 2006 at 7:16 am
Slashdot | U.S. Plan To Fight The Internet Revealed says:
[...] Re:Of truthtelling or run-of-the-mill sensationali (Score:4, Insightful) by Viper Daimao (911947) on Friday January 27, @04:45PM (#14583431) (Last Journal: Thursday October 27, @10:32AM) There are plenty of bad things happening, no one has said there arent. What the parent poster was pointing out is that there are many more good thing happening and it all goes virtually unreported. You may blame it on sensationalism, the parent may blame it on bias, but either way, we as the American public, as the news agencies’ consumers, are not being given the full and accurate picture of what happens in Iraq. If you want good news, often you have to go to the Soldiers [willtoexist.com], or the iraqis themselves [bbc.co.uk]. [ Reply to This | Parent ] Re:Numerical Evidence by Sique (Score:2) Friday January 27, @03:52PM Re:Numerical Evidence by hazem (Score:2) Friday January 27, @04:14PM Re:Numerical Evidence by SIGFPE (Score:1) Friday January 27, @04:47PM Re:Numerical Evidence by Triskele (Score:2) Friday January 27, @07:11PM Re:Numerical Evidence by TapeCutter (Score:2) Friday January 27, @09:11PM 2 replies beneath your current threshold.1 reply beneath your current threshold.Re:Donald Rumsfeld Pic by digitaldc (Score:2) Friday January 27, @03:14PM Re:Wikipedia, the new battleground. by voice_of_all_reason (Score:2) Friday January 27, @03:32PM Like FOX? by nightsweat (Score:2) Friday January 27, @03:33PM Re:Wikipedia, the new battleground. by jbolden (Score:2) Friday January 27, @03:35PM Re:Wikipedia, the new battleground. by i_ate_god (Score:1) Friday January 27, @03:41PM Re:Wikipedia, the new battleground. by jbolden (Score:2) Friday January 27, @03:58PM Re:And this is news? by hcob$ (Score:1) Friday January 27, @03:41PM Re:Animated Soviet Propaganda by so sue mee (Score:1) Friday January 27, @03:41PM Re:WAR WAR WAR by a55clown (Score:1) Friday January 27, @03:41PM Re:WAR WAR WAR by einexile (Score:1) Friday January 27, @07:52PM Re:Definition of propaganda by dirty (Score:1) Friday January 27, @03:54PM Re:Definition of propaganda by dustmite (Score:2) Friday January 27, @03:58PM Re:Donald Rumsfeld Pic by hunterx11 (Score:2) Friday January 27, @04:24PM Re:WAR WAR WAR by ColdDimSum (Score:1) Friday January 27, @05:36PM Re:Definition of propaganda by mevets (Score:1) Friday January 27, @07:55PM 14 replies beneath your current threshold. [...]
8 January 28th, 2006 at 2:09 pm
Rantingprofs says:
that carefully elides your attention from the fact that they haven’t been on the scene. Why not do the opposite for the sake of greater transparency? Additionally, the piece, for round-up purposes, notes that in Tall Afar three bombs went off. But other news about Tall Afar has gotten less attention, lately .
9 January 28th, 2006 at 3:12 pm
We Support You says:
***MilBlogger: Trevor Country: Iraq MilBlog: The Will To Exist Posted: 26 January 06 Post Title: Comprehending the mindset of the mainstream media If you have the time, read this transcript. The transcript in question is of a weekly summary given to the press by Major General Rick Lynch (who I indirectly work for) of what’s happening in Iraq. Notice that after he discusses a positive piece of
10 January 28th, 2006 at 9:06 pm
No End But Victory :: "Meanwhile, back at the Front" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/www.noendbutvictory.com');" by Greyhawk says:
[...] “He told me: ‘I would rather blow myself up and die as a martyr — and kill a few Americans along the way — than be arrested and humiliated by them’.†If you’re curious as to why the Sunnis are turning against al Qaeda, read this letter from the Mayor of Tal Afar to General George W. Casey, Commanding General Multi-National Force Iraq: “Our city was overrun by heartless terrorists, Zarqawi and his followers, who unloaded their bloodthirsty and voracious action of evil on this city for several months by indiscriminately killing men, women and children. Tall Afar was a human slaughterhouse. Simple services were not possible, causing the people to suffer, till the day you dispatched your troops, who were our lion-hearted saviors. Your troops came to rescue Tall Afar led by our heroes, whom Tall Afar will never forget. After the major operation, your wonderful soldiers started nursing the wounds of this city by rebuilding the damaged lives and buildings with great compassion and speed. These soldiers have done more than their original mission required of them. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.†For that news you can thank deployed milbloggers at Marketing in Iraq and The Will to Exist - who asks why that story didn’t make the mainstream media reports. [...]
11 January 28th, 2006 at 11:12 pm
GB says:
I have written a letter to the editor of my small hometown newspaper to help get this news out. Thank you for alerting us to this letter. God bless you and all the brave and compassionate troops in Iraq.
12 January 29th, 2006 at 12:14 am
The Gunn Nutt says:
[...] Free to Rock at Walter Reed We got permitsYes we do!We got permitsHow ’bout You?There were no commie Pinkos blighting the entrance to Walter Reed again this week. In their place were happy, cheering supporters on All Four Corners delivering their thanks to the wounded warriors, caregivers, and families.The ‘tards were down the street in their makeshift vigil area, unseen by anyone entering or exiting the hospital. Heh.We had signs and flags everywhere. Even in the trees! We got more honks, waves, cheers, HOOAHs and OORAHs from the passing traffic than any other night I’ve been out here. It was great!The steadfast FReepers, Protest Warriors and grateful citizens who have given up their Friday nights for the last 41 weeks didn’t seem exactly eager to end this weekly event. Last week we celebrated a victory over the anti-American Pinkos. This week we had the freedom (and room) to celebrate our heroes to whom we owe so much.This week it was all about The Troops!SPC Ben P. allowed himself to be dragged around and introduced to all the folks with me generally making a fuss over him. After suffering nearly fatal gunshot wounds in Ramadi and being given only a 4% chance of survival, Ben endured 28 surgeries (with one more to go) and months of painful recovery. He’s a tough, determined young warrior who makes me so proud I could hug the stuffin’ out of him!Mr. Sparling was not out front with us tonight. He’s been busy gathering all the necessary uniform elements for Joshua to be properly dressed when he appears as the guest of Sen. Debbie Stabenow at Tuesday’s State of the Union Address. Pretty cool, huh?Concretebob lettin’ it be known who rules the roost now. To his left is another great supporter and blogger Tom the Redhunter, who has a follow-on to last week’s post in Iraq War Fallacies: “The War Costs Too Much”. Tom does a great job in this one poking holes in yet another assertion that the war in Iraq isn’t worth our time, trouble or tax dollars.We all know the media loves this quibbling over strategy and harping ad nauseum on the idea that nothing is being accomplished in Iraq. It’s as if they’re all wearing “good news” filters that block any sounds that might seem positive in nature.In Comprehending the mindset of the mainstream media, Sgt. Snyder of the Will to Exist writes about a press conference where reporters are told a wonderful story about the gratitude of an entire city towards their American “saviors”.The mayor of Tall Afar, Najim Abdullah al-Jubouri, wrote in a letter to Gen. Casey that “our city was overrun by heartless terrorists, Zarqawi and his followers, who unloaded their bloodthirsty and voracious action of evil on this city for several months by indiscriminately killing men, women and children. Tall Afar was a human slaughterhouse. Simple services were not possible, causing the people to suffer, till the day you dispatched your troops, who were our lion-hearted saviors. Your troops came to rescue Tall Afar led by our heroes, whom Tall Afar will never forget. After the major operation, your wonderful soldiers started nursing the wounds of this city by rebuilding the damaged lives and buildings with great compassion and speed. These soldiers have done more than their original mission required of them. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.â€This heartwarming expression of gratitude from an Iraqi leader (who obviously feels liberated from a terrorist occupation) elicited exactly ZERO questions from the attendant “journalists” and, as Trevor discovered, wasn’t even reported by the MSM.Navy Wife and Danang68 brought their enthusiastic support for the troops as well as a new supporter for the corners. On the right is Doll of Freedom Watch who had such a good time she’s already got her post up! Go read My First Friday on the Streets of Walter Reed.Meanwhile, waaaaaaaay down the block…The Pinkos perpetrated their pathetic pyrotechnic protest presumably for the passing pedestrians who pondered their purpose. What they definitely did NOT want was anyone documenting their little hate-fest.tgslTakoma walked down the sidewalk to get some pics and this perceived incursion raised some furry Pinko fury.From her post Code Pink Leader Has Tantrum at Walter Reed on FreeRepublic:There I was, across the street, a six lane street. Just me. And my little camera.I had gone down alone, with my camera and tripod to document their little public protest. I had less than a minute’s peace to take photos before Allison Yorra and Ann Wilcox of Code Pink came across and told me that I would have to leave the empty sidewalk, across the street from their protest, because they had a permit for where I was standing…. By now, “Princess”, Weasel and some guy with a black beret had joined Allison and Ann around me. They began to block my camera, which was focused on their public protest across the street. No matter which way I turned, there was Allison and her bully-boys. So I stepped off the sidewalk and into the curb lane of the street, where MPDC does not issue permits unless the road is closed. Allison and the bullies quickly followed. I’d move. They’d move in front of me. I’d move again. They’d again block my view.Despite her well earned reputation as a “fearless” FReeper, a few of us decided that tgslTakoma might be in need of backup and we headed down to the confrontation (cameras at the ready). This didn’t sit well with the ‘tards because they didn’t have enough bodies to block all of us.Allison got really bent out of shape when the other camera folk came down to film their gang assault on me. In a fit of anger, Allison Yorra yelled at us, calling us a bunch of nobodies and that nobody reads our blogs.Check out her post for more commentary and pics of the backs of Pinko heads!Here’s “Princess” in his best cammo skirt.And Weasel wondering when the torment of defeat will end.It’s too bad the commie Pinkos will never learn to appreciate the heroes in our midst. How they can fail to take pride in the bravery, dedication, selflessness and incredible intelligence of our defenders is beyond me.I joined the Marine Corps over four years ago for the college money. Now that I am about to finish my tour, I am reflecting on what I got out of it. Yes, I will get the college money, but what I was given is much deeper than the materialistic values. I have the advantage of knowing that I served faithfully with the greatest fighting force in the world. I have the benefit of knowing that I was part of the strongest brotherhood known to man, a brotherhood whose members would gladly go to war with you and lay their lives on the line for you. I have the profit of knowing that I retain some of the strongest friendships that could ever exist, friendships that most people will never be lucky enough to experience in their entire lives. I have the honor of knowing that I am a United States Marine.Did this small snippet from one of Sgt. M’s essays choke you up just a little? Yeah, me too. Its a great feeling and just one of many reasons to sayYOU GUYS ROCK! [...]
13 February 21st, 2006 at 8:47 pm
the will to exist - a blog about life » Finally! Mainstream media catches up to reality says:
[...] I pondered why the media was ignoring the letter in a blog entry called Comprehending the Mindset of the Mainstream Media. A two-star general handed this story to the foreign press pool in Iraq and they completely ignored it. I wonder what made The New York Post finally run the story? It’s been one of the most read blog entries I’ve ever posted. I’m glad someone else is spreading the word. Sheesh. Discuss! | Email This Post | Print This Post | Permalink [...]
14 February 23rd, 2006 at 11:27 pm
bobby fletcher says:
Please, it’s Pentagon war propaganda dissiminated by defendamerica.mil back in mid January:
http://www.defendamerica.mil/articles/jan2006/a012606wm2.html
Now it’s making rounds among the lock-stepped military families at the encouragement/direction of our government.
15 March 14th, 2006 at 10:14 am
the will to exist - a blog about life » Finally! Mainstream media telling the story of Tal’Afar says:
[...] Tall Afar, or Tal Afar or Tal’Afar, depending which English spelling you prefer, is a clear success story for the coalition. I first blogged Tall Afar in January, pondering why the mainstream media was ignoring the good news coming out of Iraq. [...]
16 March 22nd, 2006 at 9:58 pm
the will to exist - a blog about life » Bush and his bashers says:
[...] I’ve written about Tall Afar several times, here, here and here. Accentuating the positive stories in Iraq is vital. [...]
17 January 21st, 2007 at 8:46 am
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