It has been about two years since "shock and awe". We have created a seed of democracy in the heart of the Middle East. We have given Iraq free elections. We have deposed a truly evil dictator. We have prevented countless thousands from being tortured, raped and killed by a regime that is every bit as bad as Pol Pot or a Soviet Gulag. We have brought terrorism away from our doorstep and placed it firmly in the desert. We have placed terror at arms length. So what’s the problem?
Anyone who is familiar with a transitional phase in government will realize it is tumultuous. Forming a new government is almost never a peaceful event. Many good men and women die when a nation is being constructed. This is when Iraq’s government is still weak. It has been untested. There have been many trials and there will be many more to come. A stable nation doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time for things to happen. I hate to use the Germany example but well, it fits. We are still in Germany to this day.
On television we hear about how another bomb went off killing from one to many people. We have over 1,700 servicepersons dead in this war. I know that losing just one man or woman is a tragic loss but 1,700 is a rather small number of casualties for a war that has been “in a quagmire” for two years. Some would lead you to believe that our losses show a great hemorrhage in our ability to secure Iraq. In my eyes it is nothing more than a slow leak
Since I mentioned our casualties I should mention that the Iraqi people lose more than we do. They are targeted when they join the Iraqi military. They are targeted when they pray. They are targeted almost everywhere. We hear about it in the news quite frequently. It’s not just the Americans who are bleeding for the freedom of Iraq. The Iraqis are fighting and dying for their freedom as well.
So what is the cause of the remaining violence in Iraq? I would suggest that a good part of it lies with the fighting between the Sunni and Muslim factions. The Sunnis had power and now it’s with the Shi’ite majority. The Sunnis had grown accustomed to their power and will to anything within their power to retain it, including blowing themselves up. The Sunnis have found a friend in terror. They believe that the more they threaten and blow things up the more power they will be able to gain in their government.
Now, I’m sure you’ve heard people say that it’s not as bad as it seems. Well, to be point blank about it war is hell. It might even be worse than you think it is. People die, get beaten, and lose legs, eyes and minds on the battlefield. It is an ugly thing that that no one should ever have to endure but know many more will have to. Sometimes force is the only option available. How do you peacefully stop a cold-blooded, death-dealing dictator peacefully? You don’t because you can’t.
As we continue on with our operations the media continues to report the slowly climbing numbers. They’ve made sure the death knell rings on. The lives lost are very important pieces of news. At least the media will not forget them in their own special way. It gives America and the world a reminder of the sacrifices that are made. It reminds people that war is a very ugly thing.
Maybe it’s just me but I’ve noticed surges and drops in the insurgency in Iraq. They seem to coincide with the good and bad news that happens in the media. When Abu Ghraib was reported there was a sharp increase in terrorist actions. When the elections went off without any major happenings there was a sharp decrease in terrorist activity. It went back up again after the fake Qu’ran flushing story came out. I have come to the conclusion that good news kills terrorism and bad news makes it grow.
World War II is considered the best war that America has ever fought. We were fighting an evil man with no compare. The cities cheered us when we took them. American and Allied soldiers were heroes with no thought to torture and abuses. I’m here to tell you it’s a façade. Have you ever heard of carpet-bombing? Mustard gas? Maybe the atomic bomb rings a bell? We did some very bad things to people, military and civilian, in order to restore freedom to Europe. So why then is it perceived that WWII was our best war? There was no real media coverage.
If we take a look at media coverage and the history of war we find that the first full-fledged battle coverage started with Vietnam. Vietnam was not a pretty war. However, it was probably better than WWII. Less people died in Vietnam. Fewer people came back with horrible disfigurements and other ailments. Strangely though, this was the first real loss for America. The hearts and minds did not seem to be in this war for the winning. It was a half-hearted effort by our government and fought tooth and nail by the Democratic Party just as they’re fighting tooth and nail today. Where does congress get its information from for the most part? The news. Is it possible that the free press mad a major contribution to our loss in Vietnam? It’s definitely possible.
I’d like to see what would happen if they tried changing their tactics on how Iraq is covered. Id like to see the effect it would have if they were to start reporting things that are positive in Iraq. Do you think it would matter that power usage is up 28 percent as Iraqis continue to buy more appliances that they could not do under their previous economy? Would it matter that the Army Corps of Engineers built two power plants from scratch? Would it matter that Iraqi schools are now better supplied and they ever were under Saddam? I believe it would.
I’m not saying to sugarcoat the news. A death of a service member is news. There’s no way around that. It is sad but it happens. I’m saying to try and report more than just the bare minimum. Somewhere in the back of my mind I seem to remember and equal time clause to news reporting. How about giving equal time to the good things going on in Iraq?
Until the main stream media starts reporting anything good that is happening in Iraq we as bloggers have a purpose. We can shine the light on the big picture of what is happening in Iraq. We can report more than just death and failure. We can be more like Arthur Chrenkoff and report some good news from Iraq for a change.
Posted by aakaakaak at July 12, 2005 04:36 AM | TrackBackFantastic Post man!!! That is what it's all about.
Posted by: The Mad Tech at July 12, 2005 05:36 AMI wonder, if Michael Yon can do such an exceptional job as a free-lance writer, why can't the MSM reach that same high standard? Perhaps the egos of MSM editors stands in the way of reporting a wider range of topics and it is the editors who are competing with one another for the MOST bad news.
Posted by: Mustang at July 12, 2005 07:14 AMAnd That is PRECISELY why you were KotB... Great post.
The light .... yeppers, that's us.
Posted by: GM Roper at July 12, 2005 07:20 AMJeremy, personally, I think this is some of your best work. Excellent writing, excellent points. It asks very good and specific questions that are important and need to be asked. I'd trust our military any day over the media. Perhaps their should be military reporters doing this stuff...trained how to survive...honestly report, never reveal secrets, and know how to keep optimism for the right side in this war.
Posted by: Jay at July 12, 2005 07:53 AMWell done!
Posted by: Pat in NC at July 12, 2005 09:27 AMBravo Jeremy, absolutely great post. I believe that a big difference between WW2 and this war isn't really freedom of press, but the abuse by the press.
Of course, we all have the right to see and hear about all of the bad things happening there, but heres the key. We don't get to see the good things, those are conveniently left out.
WW2, while it wasn't a 'good' war, it was a war that for the most part, the Americans were all on one side. It was a very patriotic war, somewhat due to propaganda, but nonetheless, we were a team.
I believe that society has a natural desire for.. evil? Destruction? Its the carwreck syndrome, where nobody wants to look, but can't help it.
The press today exploits this, I would guess mostly for ratings, and of course political bias.
So, the effect is twofold. First, we Americans get the overall impression that its just not going well. That it was a mistake, and its not worth the fight.
Secondly, the insurgents watch and see what our press says. Not only are they incouraged by the impression that they're winning, but they aren't discouraged by seeing our success!
Luckily, the alternative press is slowly but surely taking over, hopefully to stay mostly unbias, and to show the other side of the war.
I just love it when you cut through all the junk we are fed by the media, and give us steak!
You have done an absolutely super job on this post and I agree wholeheartedly.
You have an honest and sincere approach to explaining circumstances with an insight that must be God given.
Please don't ever stop. We need more like you.
Blogs are becoming ever more vital because traditional media can only market gore footage and white-chick-in-jepoardy distractions like that of the party ho in Aruba.
FREEDOM of the press does not hurt our soldiers.
LAZINESS, VENALITY, and INDIFFERENCE by the press hurt our soldiers and nation.
You noticed that the pace of Iraqi violence often follows what our major "news" reports. After the bloodbath that the Viet Cong suffered in Tet 68, they were militarily finished......if it had not been for our major "news" media reporting Tet as a victory for the communists.
With leftist reporters like Peter Arnette reporting about the bold, widespread attacks of a determined communist military, General Giap said that he knew right then, listening to the world news media, that North Vietnam could still win the war if they could just out last the Americans.
The major media, left wing politicians, and radical leftist college professors are all bending the truth to a fit a communist agenda, with help from the ACLU; I just hope enough of the MTV generation realizes this fact, or they WILL lose their MTV.
Jim
Posted by: Jim Burke at July 16, 2005 12:24 PM