Who's important?

Some US troops question Woodruff coverage.

"Woodruff volunteered for the assignment, and he was where he ought to have been because he wanted to report with authority on Iraq. But reporters' trips to Iraq are brief by comparison to soldiers, and we calculate the risks before going out on a mission. Soldiers and Marines do not have the option of demurring, and they are almost guaranteed to see colleagues maimed and killed during their seven to 12 months deployed there. They are as much volunteers as Woodruff in Iraq, and less well paid."

It can be tough, for a soldier's job is not to speak out. However sometimes it can reach the boiling point.

Stronger: Felt-tip or Nuclear-tip?

C.I.R. Press Editorial

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- I await the press assault on how the US, thanks to the Bush Administration, has brought the entire world to the brink of a complete and utter nuclear war. Of course the liberal answer to anything and everything bad is either the courts or the United Nations. Well now the world is deciding to take Iran to the Security Council. Of course Iran is not too pleased with this and is letting it be known that if they don’t get exactly what they want under the rules, they just won’t play by them.

What will happen now is the liberal masses will try to place this on “The Administration.” How will they do so? By using the media, who will be more than willing to abide, they will state that Bush refused to notice the problems in Iran because he is so “bogged” down in Iraq. But let me remind them it was President Bush who spoke of Iran in his State of the Union 2002. Remember that “Axis of evil” comment that so many love to make fun of?

In the end it is the majority of liberals and the press that fail to remember that when it comes to situations like this the “pen is not stronger" and in fact melts due to high heat derived from the detonation of a nuclear warhead. Their pens will not stop Iran. Their cameras will only stir the pot of Iran national nuclear pride. The UN only has words and sanctions that did nothing to stop Saddam’s regime. How will the real decision and needs be fulfilled?

The Armed Forces of the United States will be forced, to at a minimum, have a show of presence in the theatre. And possibly be called in to do all the heavy lifting that the UN cannot, remember they have no police or military to enforce ANYTHING they say. And in the end many in the UN will just call our airmen, soldiers, sailors, and marines “war-criminals.” The press will join by broadcasting it over and over. Al-Jazerra will use the footage.

And why would you ever imagine that members might, just might, have a disdain for the main-stream-media.

-md

Military vs. Press

For those of you who wonder why there can be stress between the press and the military. Thank the Communist News Network for having such wonderful individuals that make such un-patriotic comments like the following:

CNN'S CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR: 'IRAQ WAR HAS BEEN A DISASTER'

Mon Jan 30 2006

21:56:52 ET CNN's top war correspondent Christiane Amanpour now says the Iraq war has been a disaster and has created a "black hole." Amanpour made the comments Monday evening on the all-news network.

"The Iraq war has been a disaster, and journalists have paid for it," Amanpour explains to Larry King, a day after ABC NEWS anchor Bob Woodruff was hit injured by a bomb."

She goes on the mention all the groups of people who have died, yet the American soldiers seem to fall short of her list. Anyone can tell me I am being picky, but I have that right. Just as much as she has the right to say what she did. My prayers are with any journalist hurt or killed, I would rather not a single soul be injured. But remember soldiers have to be there, and no matter how big of a case you want to try and make, the journalists simply do not. That does not mean the military wants them dead, but it is a war and people die. You should not receive special treatment because you have a blue helmet and vest, and to Christiane’s surprise the enemy doesn’t give special treatment. She fails to mention that it is not the US Military putting bullets in journalists, a journalist can go to parts of Africa where the US is not fighting a war and be killed.

It is outlets like that, with reporters like her that do a giant disservice to the press.

-md

Bombs and bullets are only part of it.

Air Force Evacuates ABC News Team

While the main focus of the US Armed Forces is on our power of destruction, we also provide for some of the best medical care in the world!

The Primary Problem Between the Press and Military

C.I.R. Press Editorial

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- If you ask any good operative or military advisor what the most key parts of National Defense and Military success are, my money is on “secrecy.” It is terribly important that everything is not disclosed. For many that are anti-defense budget, that creates a fuss. This secrecy is required to incorporate new projects and/or weapons, any actual battle plans, and of course intelligence. What most don’t realize is that it is not just the “file” of intelligence that needs to be protected it is how you built that file.

That sentence should have all the civil rights advocates jumping up and down and getting their privacy lectures ready. You can spare them on me. With the constant screaming about “oversight” it becomes hard to get things done. With all the complaining about the failure of Katrina recovery due to bureaucracy I would think you wouldn’t want that to happen with the US Armed Forces in the event of an attack. I am quite sick of those around that demand oversight, then would not be open to it themselves. There is no pleasing anyone with this argument because whoever has the position of oversight will be told they are not doing enough, or disclosing enough. What it boils down to is every ultra-oversight mentality person wants to personally look into the DoD, NSA, DIA, CIA, DOJ, DARPA, CENTCOM, and on and on…

Classified:
2 : withheld from general circulation for reasons of national security

Having classified information is vital to the survival of this country. Just because you want something does not mean you will get it or that you should. (And in most cases you wouldn’t understand it if you did get it.) But our country survives thanks to the civilian oversight of the military. During a war the military would be far more effective without this oversight, but by making sure that is not the fact is how we make certain there is not a coup of our elected leaders.

As almost every American I am required to look to the media, whichever outlet I turn to, to get information on weather or facts on a candidate. I compare and contrast to come to my own conclusions. I understand those of you who have no other way to understand what is going on in the world and war but checking out the media. I am not in quite the same position but what all must remember is that today’s media rarely gives the simple facts, they cherry-pick the ones they want to use in order to make the story they want.

Journalism:
1 a : the collection and editing of news for presentation through the media b : the public press c : an academic study concerned with the collection and editing of news or the management of a news medium2 a : writing designed for publication in a newspaper or magazine b : writing characterized by a direct presentation of facts or description of events without an attempt at interpretation c : writing designed to appeal to current popular taste or public interest

The biggest concern you should see is in 1c and 2c. Management of the news medium, the media isn’t doing anything the Federal Government doesn’t do, if you believe the Government is hiding specific things from you. And then of course what is so true is 2c, “designed to appeal.” How about facts, not opinion.

Therein lies the problem. People want to know secrets, and gossip. Three words “need to know” is what everyone should go by. There is no reason the everyday American needs know how the NSA program functions anymore than me needing to know about your sex life. Congress could have been briefed in more detail, but instead a few traitors decided it was more important to play with National Security and gossip their way to the front page of the New York Times.

In conclusion, the press holds an important place in society and especially our society being the best in the world. The press has helped make it that way but it also holds the immense power of being able to tear down success as fast as the internet runs.

-md

Welcome.

I would like to welcome you to C.I.R.

You can look forward to a minimal number of new topics a day, with plenty of time to debate the issues. Most will concern the United States military actions around the world, I will leave the majority of other issues up to a fine blog and podcast I know run by Shelley the Republican.

Thanks, and I look forward to the debate and hope to inform you of some information you would otherwise be unaware of.

-md