MSM Reports Progress in Iraq
Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 11:22AM Bottom Line Up Front: “There is good news from Iraq, believe it or not.”
Embedded reporters in Baghdad are painting a different picture of Iraq than we see on the nightly news. Iraqi civilian casualties are down 50% in the capital city and the economy is growing along with the growing disconnect between most in the main stream media and the facts on the ground.
Commanders on the ground are reporting great progress as well.
Even Time Magazine is asking, Is al-Qaeda on the run in Iraq?
There is good news from Iraq, believe it or not. It comes from the most unlikely place: Anbar province, home of the Sunni insurgency. The level of violence has plummeted in recent weeks. An alliance of U.S. troops and local tribes has been very effective in moving against the al-Qaeda foreign fighters.
Obviously there are problems. Iraq is, after all, a war zone. But for every bomb that goes off in downtown Baghdad, there are 10 areas of improvement ignored by the MSM. I’m here to bring them to you.
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Reader Comments (24)
RCP
It's about time! I surely wanted to leave a comment at TIME - of course, they do no allow that. Just a few reads from bloggers (like you) and they would know that triumphs are on-going, and yes, the way is very difficult but the mission can and will be successfully completed - in spite of the mainstream media's deceits.
Thanks for bringing this good news to the fore.
Maggie
Maggie's Notebook
I think that the New York Times and all the MSM that don't report this type of progress know excactly how much of it is taking place but they choose to ignore it. It doesn't fit their socialist agenda and they don't want us to know about it. Thank goodness for the internet and for bloggers who tell us about it. Good work, Amy! God bless you. :)
We do not get news in this nation on our three 24 hour news networks. That is why I get most of my news from the internet. I'm twisted that way.
The real question is, when a nation is kept in darkness because the national media does not do its job, can that nation make rational national security policy?
Great NEWS. Thanks for posting on this.
Maggie, Gayle, Roxie and Spree.... thanks a lot. Soldiers who come home from Iraq are sometimes jolted by the misrepresentation of the war on the news back in the USA. That needs to stop, although it probably won't.
Roxie, excellent question, and my answer is YES. Bad media makes for risky national security. A lot of reporters stay behind in the FOB (Forward Operating Base) rather than embedding with the troops, and the embeds usually offer up reports such as the ones above.
Amy,
I can't find anywhere how many al-Qaeda members have beem killed in Iraq since this war began.
Do you know?
Oh SHOOT. I guess they if they want to sell ad space the MSM HAS to report the good news. Here's a GREAT story:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18881803/site/newsweek/
Excerpt:
June 4, 2007 issue - Pungent smoke floats through the chandeliers of the tribal chief's reception room. At his home in Ramadi, capital of Anbar province and a onetime Iraqi insurgent stronghold, Sheik Shakir Saoud Aasi is enjoying after-dinner cigars with his guest of honor, battalion commander Lt. Col. Craig Kozeniesky of the 2/5 Marines. Around the room, Marines and Iraqi tribesmen and police are sitting together, swapping jokes and stories. Some of these Iraqis were probably shooting at Americans less than a year ago. Now they and the Marines are fighting side by side against Al Qaeda. "We are not just friends but also brothers," the sheik tells Kozeniesky. "This is a new beginning for both of us." Kozeniesky can only agree: "Things have changed dramatically." A 5-year-old Iraqi boy in traditional robes and headdress is racing around the room and vaulting into U.S. troops' laps. What does he want to be when he grows up? He proudly announces: "American general named Steve!"
What worked out west in Anbar is spreading to Baghdad:
"Tribal leaders continue to unite across Diyala
By Multinational Division - North PAO
May 18, 2007 - 1:21:45 PM
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Blackanthem Military News, TIKRIT, Iraq – As Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces continue to provide security and stability throughout Diyala Province, Iraq, many tribal leaders are also uniting to bring peace and stand up against al-Qaida in Iraq.
“We’re beginning to have real success in the area,” said Capt. Michael Few, A Company, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment commander, who is attached to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. “As long as we can continue these talks, there is hope for the people of Diyala.”
http://www.blackanthem.com/News/Allies_20/Tribal_leaders_continue_to_unite_across_Diyala6753.shtml
Rand, I don't know for sure. I'm afraid to ask why you want the info!
Johnny, I know and I'll be on the story
Amy,
I just wanted to know. I found something that said over 4000.
GREAT NEWS THIS MORNING: Fred Thompson will run for President.
Can you believe it Johnny, an evil Republican from that evil Hollywood that is involved in making those evil movies is going to be our next President.
Thank God for some good news.
Not so fast, Rando. Fred Thompson is from TENNESSEE, not Follywood. That's Tennessee as in SGT Alvin C. York, 82nd Airborne Division (Congressional medal of Honor). That's Tennessee as in the home of the Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne Division. We lived in Tennessee for 3 years and its God, guts and guns country. Senator thompson just worked there.
;-)
I'm not from Hollywood and I don't think many of the people working there are.
Let's see, we're both not from Hollywood. We both work in the entertainment business. When working in Hollywood we both try to do good, solid peojects. We're both for him to be our next President.
He's a Great American and I'm filled with greed.
Intertesting....
Ranando, why don't you check this out to get an idea what we're talking about with Hollywood military movies.
Amy,
That tapes makes some great points but what does that tape have to do with Fred Thompson? He's an actor in the evil business, is he or is he not? I could swear I've seen him on the big screen.
I was just commenting on Johnny's response.
All I can say is why in the world would you support such an evil busines like the entertainment business. Why would you ever spend a dime on going to a movie, any movie if you two hate this industry so much?
There's nothing keeping you and Johnny from writing a screenplay and getting it made or making it yourselves, nothing. If so many people are upset about Hollywood not making Pro-Military Movies than fill that DEMAND.
I would be willing to read any screenplay you two want to write and/or get it to the right person but then you would become part of the Evil Hollywood crowd.
Just think, you might have some fun.
Rand, it has nothing to do with Fred Thompson. Johnny's right that Thompson may have dabbled in Hollywood, but he was the Senator from Tennessee.
We rarely go to the movies and sometimes it IS a moral dilemna for me whether or not to spend $$ on a movie. Such was the case with Pirates, because Disney is going in the wrong direction and Johnny Depp is notoriously hostile to America.
Uh, yeah, there is something keeping Johnny and me from writing a screenplay: our lack of money to invest, lack of connections, lack of interest in Hollywood, committments to family, God and country. But that doesn't mean I don't have the right to express my opinion that CRAP comes out of Hollywood. Not everything, but most.
Actors are notoriously immoral, and the movies reflect that.
I have plenty of fun without Hollywood, thanks.
Uh, yeah, there is something keeping Johnny and me from writing a screenplay: our lack of money to invest, lack of connections,
I could help you change that if it's a good screeplay, all you have to do is write it.
You sound just like people that say nothing good is coming out of Iraq. You have proved to me that there is much good coming out of Iraq.
Amy,
You love to write, we all see that.
Why not get paid for it and if you don't want the money you can donate it to a good cause.
Something like this could put you on all major networks and allow you to tell why you wrote it and had it made.
It's a really simple process if it's good.
It could be about you, it could be about Johnny, it could be about Iraq, it could be about what you go though on a daily bases as a military wife during this time that we are war.
Do you realize how much good you could do for your cause, how many people would see it.
Money, you don't need any money. Connections, you don't need any connections.
All you have to do is tell yourside of the story.
I've been doing this along time and the best of the best screenplays coming from people like you, people who have something they believe in and want it told.
Hell, we'll get Viggo to play the leading male role.
The Film industry has done much good in the past with achievements like Ben Hur and The Longest Day. history used to be a primary theme in Hollywood and as the servant and not the master, the combination of Hollywood and history have been culturally potent.
Gary Cooper's brilliant portrayal of Alvin C. York in 1941 at the outbreak of our direct involvement in WWII is both a patriotic and an artistic achievment. I learned some valuable Biblical history from Cecil B. DeMille's "Ten Commandments".
Unfortunately for every "Band of Brothers" there are ten losers like "Natural Born Killers" or "Knocked Up" - who the hell authorized such an insulting tite with which to disparage the mystery and beauty of motherhood?????
I will consider a draft screen play, perhaps in the form of a story board. My forte is music, as you know. There are hundreds of worthy stories out there - I wish you would consider backing a project to tell the story of CMH recipient Paul Smith.
Fred Thompson is a strong candidate but I must back a governor. The last senator to win a presidential election was JFK in 1960 - he won by a razor thin margin over VP Nixon. The last senator before JFK to be elected president won the 1920 race. Not a real strong precedent for senators from either party. Most Presidents are either governors or VPs. I like Huckabee and Romney at this point - but that's because George Allen is not seeking my party's nomination.
I wish you would consider backing a project to tell the story of CMH recipient Paul Smith.
I would consider any project you would like to write, any. This is one of the ways I make my living, not the only way but one.
I never pass on a good opportunity.
The finest screen writing software you can get is Final Draft .
Go for it and I will help in anyway I can.
One more thing, wasn't Clinton a governor? Had to throw that in.
As I said to Amy, the best comes from people just like you, from their heart. Tell the story, put in on paper and take your time.
If it brings tears to your eyes, it's a winner.
I have no dought it will be.
Maybe some day I'll shake your hand on the red carpet and you will stand before Hollywood and tell them what you really think.
Sorry to see no reply. I won't bring it up again.
Just what I thought, All hat no cattle.
Rand, all hat, no cattle? No reply because it's a non-issue. Thanks anyway.