Give 'em what they deserve

For a change, let's think about what is good for Iraq and Iraqis. The left and most media sources are consumed with what is good for us (as in U.S., to borrow from Paul Harvey). They seem to give little or no thought to what is good for the world, for the Middle East and for Iraq. It is clear to any that wish to look and listen to the truth that Iraqis want and need the U.S. to help them through this transition period. The terrorists (no, not insurgents, insurgents fight to IMPROVE conditions) are not fighting a war against our troops, they are fighting a war in the larger metropolitan areas for media attention with the hope that, with our media's help, they can continue to turn U.S. public opinion against the war. And they are succeeding to a great extent. They play this game well. The recent calls for withdrawal are short-sighted and irresponsible. They play right into the enemy's hands. This grandstanding rhetoric is disruptive to our effort. It does a disservice to our troops and to the brave Iraqis that report everyday to the police stations and military posts all over that country at great peril to themselves and their families. Those calling for a complete pull-out from Iraq must know that that action would be a certain death sentence for every Iraqi that has fought alongside our troops or shown any support at all for the coalition. Are we really going to desert them?

Myths of Iraq

I opened this blog some time ago with a mention of the medias unwillingness and inability to get it right about Iraq. I was reminded of that again while reading some "boots on the ground" blogs (try it, they're easy to find). There are too many first hand reports, some from members of the media themselves, to excuse the perpetually inaccurate reports of the conditions in Iraq. One such pointed account by Mr. Ralph Peters can be found here: Myths of Iraq. While I admire and respect Ralph Peters and his writing I can't help but believe that if he can dig out these facts a trained reporter on the ground in Iraq could not see these same things. Granted Mr. Peters is retired Army and may have a friendly contact or two but much of what he sites here is common "man on the street" observation. Surely the highly trained and motivated members of the world's media could discover these things if they wanted to!

Right-wing media indeed

I can't believe it when I hear Liberals ( it's OK to call them that now that George Clooney has come out of the political closet) claim to believe that the media has a conservative bias. Are they kidding or just that deluded? Talk about Kool-Aid drinkers! It won't be true no matter how many times you say it. If you can watch the nightly news or anything on CNN, read the daily papers, leaf through almost any current magazine and really believe that the media, with the exception of talk radio, has ANY kind of right-wing slant then you better check yourself for lime breath and a green moustache. This theory can be proved false very easily on any given day simply by looking at what is covered or NOT covered by the media. For example, did you hear about Ruth Bader Ginsburg falling asleep during recent Supreme Court testimony? Of course not. Do you think this would have had some media mention if Clarence Thomas would have nodded off? What about Alita or Roberts? Point made.

If it looks like a duck

Here in my midwestern state there is an ongoing arguement about gaming machines. That's right "gaming machines", not slot machines. Oh, we have slot machines, we keep them in the casinos but in the casinos it's OK to call them slot machines cause that's where the gamblers go. These gaming machines are games, they're for entertainment, not gambling. We put them in gas stations and grocery stores. Beyond that, these gaming machines are much different than slot machines. You see, with these new gaming machines you simply sit down and put your money in. You then push a button. THERE IS NO HANDLE TO PULL! That's how you know it's not a slot machine, see? No handle! Slot machines have a handle! See? Anyway, as I was saying, you push the button (don't try to pull the handle 'cause there isn't one, this is a gaming machine), then you hear all these bells and stuff and see all these flashing lights and stuff and the things go round and round until everything finally stops and either the gaming machine spits out some money or you get to put in some more to play again! Or both! OK, it sounds kinda like a slot machine but it's NOT! See? It's a game, it's entertainment! Isn't that wonderful? What's to argue about? We stick these in all the lower income neighborhoods and it allows the poor people to entertain themselves without going to the casinos where they just kind of ruin the ambience anyway.