Disgusted at several Marines attitudes!!!

[eclectics]

I agree but the coverage of the actual despicable and alleged incidents is very disproportionate to the stories of heroic actions, stories of compassion and accomplishment. Those aren't sensational enough (or if you believe the "drive-by" media has a different agenda than winning) for prime time news reports. No wonder the US and the military get a bad rap around the world.

Really? CNN does numerous stories about the hardships in Iraq and the "good stuff" our troops do and I would suspect that FOX has stuff like that on continuous loop. The network world evening news programs only have 30 minutes per night so it's kind of hard to fit a lot of warm and fuzzy in there with all the other news that is happening.

 

[momof2inPA]

I watched CSPAN the other night (it was a repeat). There were four or five reporters discussing their book- Unembedded. They said that bombings and upheaval in Iraq are so often the subjects of news stories because that is what the embedded reporters see as when they go out with the troops. The soldiers are sent to hot areas, not areas where life is calm and people are getting back on their feet. The reporters are not free to seek out the stories, because they are either forbidden or discouraged from wandering about without military protection.

Apparently, the reporters who authored (although it's mainly a photo journal)the book, reported stories about everyday life with some of the tribes in Iraq that you couldn't get as embedded reporters. They also interviewed insurgents. It was interesting, although dry, so listen if you get a chance.

 

[poohandwendy]

I'm not sure what you mean by "cutting them some slack".

i was referring to the ones who were being interviewed...the soundbite that has the OP up in arms. Not in ANY way excusing criminal or immoral action, by any soldier or civilian.

For goodness sake, we are talking about what a few marines were quoted as having said, in ONE interview. We are not talking about the actual ones being accused. We do not know the entire context of what was said in the interview and we do not know all of the facts of what happened over there. Until we do, I think this is nothing more that supposition and I prefer to withhold quick judgement until there is more evidence.

As far as the interview, I have seen far too many interviews chopped up and edited to reflect what the news media wants to portray to jump the gun in protest. Not only that, the Op has not provided any sort of transcript of what was actually said, so this discussion is sort of fruitless.

It does not matter to me whether they are in CA, Zimbabwe or Iraq...I cannot put myself in their shoes at a time of war, stateside or in combat. My friends, co-workers, brothers...myself...not in mortal danger. So, I cut them some slack when they are thrown in front of a camera and asked these kinds of questions.
JMHO

 

[Charade]

Really? CNN does numerous stories about the hardships in Iraq and the "good stuff" our troops do and I would suspect that FOX has stuff like that on continuous loop. The network world evening news programs only have 30 minutes per night so it's kind of hard to fit a lot of warm and fuzzy in there with all the other news that is happening.

Yes, really. The bad stories get repeated over and over and over on each of the networks all day long. The good stories get minimal air time comparatively.

Would you prefer to see 30 minutes of good stories (in general) or 30 minutes of sensational and shocking stories.

And, no, Fox does not have the good stories on continuous loop. They are pretty much as guilty as the others.

 

[eclectics]

i was referring to the ones who were being interviewed...the soundbite that has the OP up in arms. Not in ANY way excusing criminal or immoral action, by any soldier or civilian.

For goodness sake, we are talking about what a few marines were quoted as having said, in ONE interview. We are not talking about the actual ones being accused. We do not know the entire context of what was said in the interview and we do not know all of the facts of what happened over there. Until we do, I think this is nothing more that supposition and I prefer to withhold quick judgement until there is more evidence.

As far as the interview, I have seen far too many interviews chopped up and edited to reflect what the news media wants to portray to jump the gun in protest. Not only that, the Op has not provided any sort of transcript of what was actually said, so this discussion is sort of fruitless.

It does not matter to me whether they are in CA, Zimbabwe or Iraq...I cannot put myself in their shoes at a time of war, stateside or in combat. My friends, co-workers, brothers...myself...not in mortal danger. So, I cut them some slack when they are thrown in front of a camera and asked these kinds of questions.
JMHO

I hope you didn't take offense. I wasn't clear on what exactly you meant by the phrase. Thanks for clearing it up.

 

[poohandwendy]

I hope you didn't take offense. I wasn't clear on what exactly you meant by the phrase. Thanks for clearing it up.

Not at all.

 

[eclectics]

Yes, really. The bad stories get repeated over and over and over on each of the networks all day long. The good stories get minimal air time comparatively.

Would you prefer to see 30 minutes of good stories (in general) or 30 minutes of sensational and shocking stories.

And, no, Fox does not have the good stories on continuous loop. They are pretty much as guilty as the others.

I don't watch network news on a regular basis anymore since Peter Jennings passed away. He was the only network anchor I respected. I watch CNN for my news fix. So I guess since you do watch the networks, I'll take your word for it. To be fair to ABC, I do watch my local affiliate every night to get the local news and they don't seem to be guilty of concentrating on the negative when they run their national and world snippets. Sensational perhaps at times, but they certainly don't bash.

 

[Planogirl]

Yes, really. The bad stories get repeated over and over and over on each of the networks all day long. The good stories get minimal air time comparatively.

Would you prefer to see 30 minutes of good stories (in general) or 30 minutes of sensational and shocking stories.

And, no, Fox does not have the good stories on continuous loop. They are pretty much as guilty as the others.

Personally, I would prefer to see no war stories. War stinks, good, bad or indifferent.

However, since we're stuck with this war, I suppose that a fair balance between "good" and "bad" seems reasonable. I see both on CNN.