I sent CNN these questions regarding the war.............

[Ludacris]

I sent CNN these questions regarding the war. Let's see if they respond. By the way, what do you think?

1. why does the news media air and display stories about our military leaders feeling bogged down in the war against Afghanistan? This information only hurts American morale and strenghthens Taliban's morale. This also puts pressure on our government to send in ground troops which could lead to another Vietnam.

2. Why discuss and display our military strategy to the world via website and television? With the news media, our enemies don't require spies, all they need is internet access and they have all the informaion they need.

3. Why is the media so intent on scaring the American population? Is the media more concerned about RATINGS and MONEY than anything else?

If you could answer these questions via e-mail, I would appreciate it.

 

[TheBlondOne]

I couldn't agree with you more on those three questions.

Media needs to be much more careful. But I guess that didn't learn that LAST November during the elections.

--Sarah

 

[Hamburgerpimp]

Nearly all information in and out of the middle East is filtered through the Pentagon. You really think our entire Military Strategy is discussed over CNN? Nevertheless, fear is what feeds the Military Machine. See the big picture??

 

[Ludacris]

Why discuss any of the strategy? It should be kept quiet just like the attack on the WTC. I surely don't see the terrorist broadcasting their goals and targets.

 

[ggavinmoss]

Just mythoughts... but...

1. We enjoy a liberal (as in free, not opposite of "conservative") media in the US. The people often want to know as much as possible and sometimes that information isn't positive. I don't think the Taliban feels any more confident due to stories in the US media while there are bombs falling near all of their military interests. As far as American morale goes, yes it should be kept high, but there is no reason to be untruthful for the sole purpose of making the public feel better. That would lull us into a false sense of security.

2. I agree that it's weird having such extensive coverage of military operations. I do, however, feel a little better knowing what is going on in the war as opposed to the vague notion of "we're fighting." Also, it's not as if CNN reveals the day's bombing campaign like the weather (there will be 40% chance of bunker busters in Kandahar...). Most of what CNN, and MSNBC, Fox, etc. does is speculation. Retired military give their expert opinion on what they see as the next step.

3. The media is about money. Ding Ding Ding! They'll tell you all you need to know, for this half hour, and make sure you tune in for more later.

-geoff

 

[Cyberian]

<< Is the media more concerned about RATINGS and MONEY than anything else?
>>


You have just answered all your questions.

 

[Random Variable]

<< 1. why does the news media air and display stories about our military leaders feeling bogged down in the war against Afghanistan? This information only hurts American morale and strenghthens Taliban's morale. This also puts pressure on our government to send in ground troops which could lead to another Vietnam. >>




During WWII the media was very loyal to the federal goverment. If they were told not to report something because it might create unnecessary fear, they wouldn't. It can be argued that that was why the morale of the American people remained so high for 4 years, and perhaps why we were able to win the war.

 

[StageLeft]

I want to be kept informed so I can base my opinions on fact and as little media bias as possible. The facts they stated of the US military are obviously well known enough that they compromised no national security. They have been told to tone down and in a couple of cases have done so. Yes they can go far and probably have in a few cases, but what would you prefer? Would you prefer they say "Taliban forces report morale is crap and the US army is busting it's way into Kabul kicking ass and taking names"?

 

[Ludacris]

Here is the response I got from CNN:

Thank you for sending in questions to Wolf Blitzer Reports and the War Room. Watch at 7 p.m. ET, and we'll try to get to use as many of your questions as possible. If we don't use your question tonight, we'll try to use it on another show as soon as possible.

 

[Lucky]

<< Nearly all information in and out of the middle East is filtered through the Pentagon. You really think our entire Military Strategy is discussed over CNN? Nevertheless, fear is what feeds the Military Machine. See the big picture?? >>



I think you might be one of the few who actually does...


Any strategic information gleaned is through the DoD. They arent going to divulge military secrets, unless there is an unauthorized leak that relates to troop movement, etc-and thats a different matter.

Furthermore, as I have said numerous times in the 300 threads like this, the media is independent. It is not a puppet of the gov't. That said, the media would not survive without the gov't, and the same is true in reverse. There is a co-dependency in this arena.

This also puts pressure on our government to send in ground troops which could lead to another Vietnam.


Well, thats your opinion, but if you are basing your argument on that, its rather moot. There are many many people who want exactly that-a quick, decisive, massive ground war against them. I used to think that this was not smart strategy, but for political and other reasons, I am beginning to think its neccesary. The 9/11 attack was only one of a series of ones we have faced in the last 10 years. We have had the twin towers attacked in the 90's, our embassies blown to pieces overseas, and the USS Cole attacked, among other things. What have we done? Fired a few dozen cruise missiles that accomplished nothing. They percieve us as weak. Im beginning to think we have systematically ignored, for all intensive purposes, a series of decade-long attacks against the United States. This can not stand.


3. Why is the media so intent on scaring the American population? Is the media more concerned about RATINGS and MONEY than anything else?

We are not intent on scaring you. What we are interested in doing is informing you of ongoing attacks against the united states that are of unprecedented magnitude. Anthrax is a continuing threat to this day, certain gov't buildings are so contaminated they must be out of service for a month while being gassed with chlorine, the supreme court for the first time in 65 years has convened outside of its normal building because of tainted mail. The attacks have continued, evidenced by the gov't now saying that the anthrax letter may be targeting private homes now, or in the past.

The manhatten eye, ear, and throat building has, in all probability, been exposed to anthrax, as a hospital worker there was confirmed with anthrax today. At least one other person not associated with the gov't or the media has anthrax. Two MORE postal workers have anthrax, in addition to the 2 who died. The Postal union voted to shut down entire facilities because of the risk they have to endure. And on top of that, we have the other 32 people who were previously diagnosed/exposed to anthrax. Mailrooms servicing virtually every single major dept (Supreme court, Congress, White house, FBI, CIA) are all tainted with at least traces of anthrax.

In the main US postal service processing facility in florida, anthrax has been discovered on the belts that feed the mail. And a third NY post worker likely has anthrax as well.


Tell me, in the face of these unprecedented, continuing, ruthless attacks, which are now being revealed as targeting private homes, WHY ARENT YOU CONCERNED?

 

[Lucky]

^

 

[Tripleshot]

I sent a question in as well and got the same response. My question was why we dont send in the 82nd airborne and take Mazer e Sharif? I'm still waiting for an answer.

 

[Pocatello]

Didn't the President and the Secretary of Defense state that this will be a long war. It woudn't be over with a few weeks of bombing. I have never heard any of our leaders ever said this will be over in a month. We didn't win the Revolution War or WWII in a month. Let the US arm forces do their stuffs. I'm sick of hearing so call "experts" get on televsion and telling us what's working and what isn't working.