Well the Los Angeles Times has staff in Iraq. What did they do this week? Eight US service members killed, they told you, on September 6th. The seven announced dead on Friday morning? They didn't write a story. In fact, as of right now, they haven't filed from Iraq since Thursday. Care to explain that?
What happened this past week, if you paid attention, was that more and more daily papers (the few with staff that's actually in Iraq as opposed to dashing in for a day) elected to drop their Iraq coverage. Now the US administration is selling that spin that things are better. So it sure is nice of the Los Angeles Times and the New York Times (who reported the eight deaths by halfing them into four mid-week) to repeatedly avoid covering Iraq from within the country.
While our allegedly brave and independent media critics of the left were playing yet another round of Bash the Bitch, did any of them take the time to note that Iraq coverage dropped off? That even the daily roundup stories went missing?
About that 'peaceful' Friday in Iraq, yesterday, Sahar Issa (McClatchy Newspapers) reports two police officers were shot dead in Kirkuk yesterday, a kidnapped victim was released in a Toyota and rushed to the police but the car was "booby trapped," exploded and killed one Kirkuk police officer, the explosion was followed by a combined gun and mortar attack that claimed the lives of 1 police officer and 1 civilian, Hadher Hasen Mohammed (a school principal), Jaber Hasen Mohammed (his brother) and Abid Hasen Khidir were shot dead outside of Kirkuk yesterday, and Sheikh Mohammed Abdulkathim al-Garaawi was shot dead in Kufa yesterday.
Reuters notes that on that 'peaceful' Friday, "a 40-year-old woman" was shot dead in front of her home in Diwaniya, 3 police officers were shot dead in Mosul and "a woman employee in the Communications Ministry" was shot dead in Hilla in front of her home. Just "another pleasant valley Fri-daaaay. Iraqis complain about how hard life it is and the press just don't understand . . . ."
David Corn has a book review in Sunday's New York Times that's already available online. While many at his current magazine offered non-stop fluff, he kept his nose down and covered his beat seriously. Though no applause for that came from the top of the magazine (though he was called out for . . . being right by the editor and publisher), his work has been noted outside the magazine by mainstream reporters and editors. The absence of recognition for actual reporting is another sign of the fluff that's driven so much of 'independent' media of late. He has another strong report up at the magazine and when it's reposted somewhere else, we'll note it.
From this morning's New York Times, we'll note Alissa J. Rubin's "7 U.S. Soldiers Killed in 2 Attacks in Sunni Areas of Iraq:"
Seven American soldiers were killed in two separate attacks, the military announced Friday, while Iraq's president said he would vote against carrying out the death sentence of a former defense minister, Gen. Sultan Hashim Ahmed.
[. . .]
In Anbar, these groups have continued to attack American soldiers, even though many of the local Sunni Arab sheiks have turned against the militants and are working with the American military. The attack occurred in the desert outside of Haditha, a town in the western part of the province.
The independent report to Congress by a 20-member panel found that the Iraq police force needed to be disbanded and that the Iraqi army would not be up to their task for at least 12 months and possibly 18. With more on the report, this is from Richard Larnder's "Iraqis Lack Basics of Battlefield Supply" (AP):
The commission's report, released Thursday, said U.S. and coalition forces often have to make sure the Iraqis have enough fuel even though the Iraqis took over responsibility for fuel distribution months ago.
The Iraqis don't take care of their equipment -- preventive maintenance is an "alien concept," the report said. A depot in Taji, 20 miles north of Baghdad, is stocked with vehicles, ammunition, boots and uniforms, yet the commission heard frequently of Iraqi troops being unable to get the gear.
I'm noting Bill Richardson's "Why We Should Exit Iraq Now" (Washington Post):
Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards have suggested that there is little difference among us on Iraq. This is not true: I am the only leading Democratic candidate committed to getting all our troops out and doing so quickly.
In the most recent debate, I asked the other candidates how many troops they would leave in Iraq and for what purposes. I got no answers. The American people need answers. If we elect a president who thinks that troops should stay in Iraq for years, they will stay for years -- a tragic mistake.
Clinton, Obama and Edwards reflect the inside-the-Beltway thinking that a complete withdrawal of all American forces somehow would be "irresponsible." On the contrary, the facts suggest that a rapid, complete withdrawal -- not a drawn-out, Vietnam-like process -- would be the most responsible and effective course of action.
Those who think we need to keep troops in Iraq misunderstand the Middle East. I have met and negotiated successfully with many regional leaders, including Saddam Hussein. I am convinced that only a complete withdrawal can sufficiently shift the politics of Iraq and its neighbors to break the deadlock that has been killing so many people for so long.
Richardson leaves out one important point about that debate. Moderator George Steph, looking at the stage and seeing (some) differences from times past, asked bi-racial Barack Obama about his race ("races" -- but George just saw "Black") and Hillary about her gender. Then George Steph was ready to move on. Apparently, George Steph either didn't notice that Bill Richardson is Mexican-American or else he assumed Chris Dodd, Joe Biden, Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel also were Latino. A common mistake? How does ABC miss that? The same way the rest of the horse racing does as they go on and on about the "firsts" noting Hillary's a woman and that Barack's bi-racial while ignoring the first Bill Richardson brings to the race for Democratic nomination. The theme of his op-ed is also the topic of a petition he's started online calling on Democratic candidates for the 2008 presidential nomination to explain their plans regarding Iraq and how many US troops they will be leaving behind in their plans?
Carl was the first to note Margaret Kimberley's "Freedom Rider: Media 'Disappear' Dennis Kucinich" (Freedom Rider, Black Agenda Report):
Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich is alive, well, and free to move about as he pleases. Yet corporate media treat him like brutal dictators disappearing the opposition. They don't want voters to know that a Democratic presidential candidate will defend the citizenship rights of Americans and human rights around the world.
Kucinich was mayor of a major city, Cleveland, Ohio. He is now a six-term member of Congress and a Democratic presidential candidate for the second time. His progressive views are firmly in the mainstream, but right wing propaganda labels them unpopular. Kucinich's demand for ethical corporate behavior makes the media nervous. If he became president their bosses would have to accept a government serving the needs of citizens instead of being only at the beck and call of corporate power. Like good minions everywhere, reporters make sure the higher ups remain happy.
Kucinich has sponsored a bill to impeach Vice President Cheney, opposes any further funding of the occupation of Iraq, advocates health care for all, and exposes the lies used to justify the planned killing of thousands in Iran. His choice to live up to the values that Democrats claim has earned him only scorn and derision from the media. They use a variety of methods to disappear him, including removing his image from photos, ignoring him during debates, and simply acting as if he doesn't exist.
During the ABC sponsored debate broadcast on August 19th, George Stephanopoulos did not ask Kucinich a single question until nearly 30 minutes had elapsed and then asked him fewer questions than he asked any other candidate. As if the blatant lack of attention were not bad enough, ABC literally took Kucinich out of the picture. ABC displayed an Associated Press photo on its website that purported to show the Democratic candidates, but Kucinich's image was no where to be seen.
Rachel notes two upcoming programs on WBAI (broadcasting out of NYC and available to online listeners as well)
Sunday, September 9, 11am-noon
THE NEXT HOUR
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the publication of Jack Kerouac's "On the Road," with Regina Weinreich (Beat scholar and editor of Kerouac's collected haikus); Joyce Johnson (author of the Kerouac memoirs "Door Wide Open" and the newly re-issued "Minor Characters"); Tim Moran (editor of "You'll Be All Right," the newly published memoirs of first wife Edie Parker Kerouac; and John Leland (author of "Why Kerouac Matters"). Hosted by Janet Coleman.
Monday, September 10, 2-3pm
CAT RADIO CAFE
Writer Kate Christensen on "The Great Man," her novel on the afterlife of a famous painter; a trio of actors playing Palestinian brothers in "Masked," a play by Israeli playwright Ilan Hatsor; and members of New York City's Life Fund discuss a gala benefit. Hosted by Janet Coleman and David Dozer.
The following community sites have updated since Friday morning:
Rebecca's Sex and Politics and Screeds and Attitude;
Cedric's Cedric's Big Mix;
Kat's Kat's Korner;
Betty's Thomas Friedman is a Great Man;
Mike's Mikey Likes It!;
Elaine's Like Maria Said Paz;
Wally's The Daily Jot;
and Trina's Trina's Kitchen
We'll close with this from Nancy A. Youssef Renee Renee Schoof's "Despite Iraq reports, troops' future is set" (McClatchy Newspapers):
No matter what Army Gen. David Petraeus tells Congress about the surge in Iraq on Monday, the course for U.S. troops there is already set: Next April, the 30,000 troops who were added this year will begin coming home.
Despite the dueling statistics, the media spin and the maneuvering on Capitol Hill and the campaign trail, no dramatic change in U.S. policy is likely before that, however.
The e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.
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