The Embeds are Back, But This Time It's Worse
By: KathyinBlacksburg
Published On: 7/22/2006 11:57:25 AM
On the same night earlier this week, TV viewers were treated to the following on the big three networks: Lara Logan gave another of her impassioned propagandistic (war) promotion pieces. Charles Gibson flew in a helicopter with the Israeli Defense Forces. And Brian Williams also flew courtesy of Israeli Defense Forces. Of course, the fact that nearly half-a-million Lebanese are homeless and refugees wasn't deemed important enough to emphasize. One had to go to the foreign press, Free Speech TV (only available on satellite in my area), Air America Radio, or to experts+óGé¼Gäó blogs to get even an inkling of what was really going on.
Meanwhile, according to FAIR (www.fair.org), also this week, CBS's Bob Schieffer trotted out once again the myth of the frog and the scorpion, which ended, as usual with the "Because this is the Middle East" tired and bigoted conclusion. No insight into the context. No complex reporting. Not even simple reporting in any real detail, except by the breathless Lara. It's enough to make one sick.
Simultaneously, in the void of complete and honest coverage, the rabid call for World War 3 by the usual cacophony of immoral and amoral neo-cons raised its ugly head. Is there no conflict or crisis these brutal, war mongering opportunists won't savage?
Newt himself all but slipped and admitted in a Seattle Times Online (http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=postman16m&date=20060716&query=Gingrich) story that he wants to drive this story for its political benefits, never mind what suffering, or potential suffering, he salivates for. We have a Congressional election this fall and Newt is worried, it seems. He wants to nationalize the election around George W. Bush. If there were ever a hope that this man would grow a conscience, it is long gone. And like the lapdogs they are Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, William Kristol, and others drool their lust for expanded war. "Bring it on" was tired, bankrupt, and target-the-wrong-enemy rally cry, and evil to its core, when it reared its head before. Now the WWIII mantra is more evil still, if that is possible. Promoting world-wide cataclysm so cravenly is without precedent in the US. But here we are with the unconscionable given a daily voice via networks, talk television and radio.
The fem-bots at CNN are out in force. FOX News is predictable as ever. Only (and this is a refreshing change) MSNBC has had two shows (Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann) urging reason and thoughtful solutions instead of RAMBO. Where are the other voices? We need an informed data set which includes a variety of perspectives. No blinders are appropriate. Those who truly wish for the survival of both innocent Israelis and Lebanese, surely deserve a news stream and voice. This recent round of violence, which began over a dispute about two hostages has mushroomed to imperil two nations, a region, and, perhaps (if neglected), worse. Surely, the ethical thing is to try broker an end to the hostilities.
Meanwhile, as Americans seek information, it appears, once again, we+óGé¼Gäóve all been taken kicking and screaming into the unseemly world of the imbed.
Comments
Anderson Cooper (Alicia - 7/22/2006 12:59:49 PM)
has had some good spots from Beirut with S. Gupta, highlighting the dwindling doctors and nurses due to the invasion, and the dwindling medicines and supplies.
The Lebanese people with chronic illnesses are not getting the meds, dialysis, etc. that they need, and will begin dying from normally treatable diseases.
The Dr's that are there can't perform anything but simple operations in the basement of the hospital, so the countless Lebanese civilians injured in the invasion are not getting helped. Not to mention that the people trapped alive in the bunker bombed neighborhoods will never be rescued.
It was nice to see some reality portrayed.
A big contrast to what is the norm on these cable outlets and everything else mentioned in the post.
I just find it a shame that the US hasn't used its position to try and broker peace. It worked in 96.
US expediting precision-guided bombs to Israel (Bubby - 7/22/2006 1:07:28 PM)
WASHINGTON, July 21  The Bush administration is rushing a delivery of precision-guided bombs to Israel, which requested the expedited shipment last week after beginning its air campaign against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, American officials said Friday.
The decision to quickly ship the weapons to Israel was made with relatively little debate within the Bush administration, the officials said. Its disclosure threatens to anger Arab governments and others because of the appearance that the United States is actively aiding the Israeli bombing campaign in a way that could be compared to Iran’s efforts to arm and resupply Hezbollah.
The munitions that the United States is sending to Israel are part of a multimillion-dollar arms sale package approved last year that Israel is able to draw on as needed, the officials said. But Israel’s request for expedited delivery of the satellite and laser-guided bombs was described as unusual by some military officers, and as an indication that Israel still had a long list of targets in Lebanon to strike.
New York Times
Shipments (KathyinBlacksburg - 7/22/2006 1:17:57 PM)
My understanding is that selling arms for use in targeting civilians is illegal under US law.
Unreal n/t (Alicia - 7/22/2006 2:15:49 PM)
Anderson Cooper (KathyinBlacksburg - 7/22/2006 1:19:22 PM)
Thanks Alica: I've been scanning stations but clearly missed Cooper. He's done some excellent reporting on several BIG subjects in the last few years. One of the so-called MSM's heros IMO
I agree (Alicia - 7/22/2006 2:15:21 PM)
And no-one came close to his heartfelt and investigative reports from New Orleans after Katrina...
AND... (phriendlyjaime - 7/24/2006 7:15:57 PM)
I have a crush on him. ;)