I was going to write a post about American double standards in politics. I really was. Expect that one for tomorrow morning. It'll get done, I promise. There was something a bit more pressing on my mind though.
Today I saw a link from Mustang talking about the We Are Not Afraid website being created. It's another one of those "send in your pictures" sites. Well, I'm not one to ignore the chance to thumb my nose at terrorism. If you haven't already seen it take a look in the top right portion of the screen where the WTC image used to stand.
I was going to write a post on this. I really was. It's just that Tran Sient put such a beautiful piece together on this I have no choice but to tell you to GO READ THE FACTS.
A side joke at work:
Carl Rove's Leak: Depends
Sorry all. It was a cheap shot I couldn't NOT take.
Something I'm wanting to do is put a small anonymous rating system on my posts. Something that would give me a better feel of what the people who read this site come here to read. With an anonymous rating system I think I might be able to draw some input from the lurkers that don't want to be known.
Here's the problem:
I can't find one. I'm sure I could set up a poll for every one of my posts but that could get pretty evil to manage. Does anyone have any ideas? Please?
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.