In their haste to report retired Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez’s newsworthy public blasting of the war in Iraq to a group of military reporters, most media outlets omitted one thing: the first half of the speech, which accused the press of misinforming the American public with sensationalistic, presumptuous journalism regarding the war.
Sanchez compared the press’ race for front page headlines to intelligence analysts who rushed to provide President Bush with inaccurate reports that plunged the country in war. “For some of you, just like some of our politicians, the truth is of little to no value if it does not fit your own preconceived notions, biases and agendas,” Sanchez said.
In then detailing the botched war efforts, Sanchez made it sound as if they were everyone’s fault but his own.
Posted by Kristin Mehler
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62 Comments
Oh yeah blame him. Who was the ‘decider’ again?
Who is it that wasn’t listening to what any of his people were telling him?
Could it be….BUSH?
How many Generals have to retire and come out and say it before the pro-war people get it? They were ALL pawns. Expendable and they were supposed to take the fall for Bush’s domination plan that was foiled.
I guess Sanchez is a phony general now. At least according to some.
I assume then that; duly chastened, the media will stopped being biased and report all the facts in a way not filtered by their political beliefs.
Of course, I also assume that the Royals will be in the Series next year.
“intelligence analysts who rushed to provide President Bush with inaccurate reports that plunged the country in war.”
My foot.
The “Excuse” to go to war was written into the PNAC Plan and Bushco has been following that PNAC Plan right from the start.
This is Israel’s war and if you bother to read Israeli newspapers you’ll see that fact for yourselves.
Ed, I don’t get it. How is Iraq somehow Israel’s war?
Interesting. Rather reminded me of the non-reporting of Stephen Colbert’s talk at the White House correspondence dinner.
And they covered it—they just focused on a lame Bush impersonator earlier in the evening, and ignored Colbert.
And now Hillary’s QUOTING Colbert–my, how times have changed!
“Ed, I don’t get it. How is Iraq somehow Israel’s war?”
gster:
Directly, it ain’t. But PNAC basically made it happen, and PNAC & AIPAC are all too cozy.
If you think about it, compare America’s non-existent interests in attacking Iraq to Israel’s (they were actually hit with missiles during Gulf War I, ya know).
There’s more to it, but I suspect Ed will be happy to fill you in!
Looks to me like Sanchez nailed it. From the media to the prez.
Excellent find and journalistic perspective Kristin Mehler!
It’s amazing how the news is interpreted which “partial” phrases are reported or words are taking out of context.
Kept your standards up Ms. Mehler, you have the makings of a great journalist. :)
I noticed that…but that didnt seem to make the cut on CNN, MSNBC et al.
Kristen , you better be careful , you are not being the good intern by bring up such atrocities….you need to be a good little girl and not stir the nasty pot…
…just kidding – good on you girl for noticing.
Of course, I also assume that the Royals will be in the Series next year.
Posted by: outlander | October 15, 2007 at 01:24 PM
=======================
Hey, Hey!! Let’s play two!!
Kristin,
Read the speech, please. Particularly these parts (please pardon the all caps–this is how it’s formatted):
“AS WE ALL KNOW WAR IS AN EXTENSION OF POLITICS AND WHEN A NATION GOES TO WAR IT MUST BRING TO BEAR ALL ELEMENTS OF POWER IN ORDER TO WIN. WARFIGHTING IS NOT SOLELY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MILITARY COMMANDER UNLESS HE HAS BEEN GIVEN THE RESPONSIBILITY AND RESOURCES TO SYNCHRONIZE THE POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND INFORMATIONAL POWER OF THE NATION.”
Question, Kristin: was General Sanchez thus empowered, or was he not?
OUR NATIONAL LEADERSHIP IGNORED THE LESSONS OF WWII AS WE ENTERED INTO THIS WAR AND TO THIS DAY CONTINUE TO BELIEVE THAT VICTORY CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH THE APPLICATION OF MILITARY POWER ALONE. OUR FOREFATHERS UNDERSTOOD THAT TREMENDOUS ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL CAPACITY HAD TO BE MOBILIZED, SYNCHRONIZED AND APPLIED IF WE WERE TO ACHIEVE VICTORY IN A GLOBAL WAR. THAT HAS BEEN AND CONTINUES TO BE THE KEY TO VICTORY IN IRAQ. CONTINUED MANIPULATIONS AND ADJUSTMENTS TO OUR MILITARY STRATEGY WILL NOT ACHIEVE VICTORY.
Question, Kristin: was General Sanchez responsible for either the “synchronized strategy” named above, or for the “manipulations and adjustments to our military strategy?”
STARTING IN JULY 2003, THE MESSAGE REPEATEDLY COMMUNICATED TO WASHINGTON BY MILITARY COMMANDERS ON THE GROUND WAS THAT THE MILITARY ALONE COULD NEVER ACHIEVE “VICTORY” IN IRAQ. OUR SOLDIERS, SAILORS, AIRMEN AND MARINES WERE DESTINED TO ENDURE DECADES OF FIGHTING AND KILLING PEOPLE WITHOUT THE FOCUSED, SYNCHRONIZED APPLICATION OF ALL ELEMENTS OF NATIONAL POWER.
Question, Kristin: by notifying the White House about these shortcomings, has not General Sanchez effectively immunized himself against your implicit and unstated criticism?
And then, finally, there’s this:
CLEARLY, MISTAKES HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE AMERICAN MILITARY IN ITS APPLICATION OF POWER BUT EVEN ITS GREATEST FAILURES IN THIS WAR CAN BE LINKED TO AMERICA’S LACK OF COMMITMENT, PRIORITY AND MORAL COURAGE IN THIS WAR EFFORT.
Sounds like the General is willing to fall on his sword for the mistakes that were his, Kristin. Would that the Administration had this measure of honor.
It would be good of you acknowledge this last passage, Kristin, before popping off with a facile, “I know you are but what am I” sort of criticism.
Heh heh,
Yeah you can tell Kristin is a newbie.
Her beef is that the press is covering the General’s summation but not his analysis? Let’s all clap our hands and think good thoughts and surely Tinkerbell…er Iraq will be ok?
Heh heh, nice job serving up the veal CF!
Oooo… Kristin made a mistake in criticizing the best friends of the Democrats, the mainstream media. Just look at them pile on like flies on a cow-patty. And some, like JR and a troll or two, evidently don’t even read the speech before they piled on.
Bet you didn’t think that would happen when you had the courage to criticize your own, eh Kristin?
“ABU GHARAIB?”
I do believe that occurred while Sanchez was in charge of Iraqi operations.
Only in outlander’s Whiny World of Wingnut spin is the Right-Wing lapdog media best buds with Democrats.
Must be great to sail along in a reality where a) the media does what you tell it to do and b) you still get to vilify it as a stooge of the opposition.
Does anyone have a link to the actual entire speech?
I don’t like reading the butchered version posted above.
The media cannot help themselves anymore. They have been on the koolaid too long to know what the truth is nor how to report the facts.
Heck, just look at this very blog. The WEBLOG pulls posts for liberals – whenever the conservatives disagree.
There is no freedom of speech and the freedom of the press is restricted to blue views only.
Even given the liberal views of the press – have you ever read a positive story on page 1? If so, I’ll bet it’s not very often.
Bad news is where the money is.
Of course, I debated whether to respond to CF’s silly 2:18 post. But since CF chosses to engage.. CF was apparently taking this young lady to task for stating her opinion that Gen Sanchez wasn’t stepping up to the plate regarding his own responsibility. Not only that, CF used the Generals’ own, possibly self-serving words in browbeating Kristen.
One wonders what the point of this intolerant, bullying behavior was?
Interesting that even the three paragraphs filed by this paper is thick with anti-Bush bias. In reality, the general did not compare bad reporting by the news media to intelligence analysts that gave Bush flawed intelligence which led us to war, as alleged by your editorial board. He did mention intelligence analysts, but not in the context that you pretend.
Thanks for the demonstration of your own political agenda, as the general did observe.
Chris
What was it the Gen. said “Aciton without forethought is a nightmare”, just about sums up the whole Iraqi adventure in one phrase.
Why does this say “Harshest words for the media” when he said the civilian leadership (i.e. the Bush administration) is incompetent should be courtmartialed?
Isn’t that pretty harsh?
We’ve seen in this thread just how desperate the Right Wingnuts are getting. You know they’re back to their last ditch when they start attacking “The Media” for reporting stuff that makes them cranky.
They have no case against General Sanchez’s charges. They have no defense against the Shrub/Cheney/Rumsfeld/Wolfowitz/Gonzales cabal. All they’ve got left is to attack the messenger.
outlander,
Play the victim much in real life?
Outlander,
And, as Monkeyhawk correctly points out, there isn’t much else for you to do than to raise “silly” points in regard to other people’s postings.
Your “leaders” have let you down, Outlander. May be time for some new ones.
CF2K,
Time for an actual Conservative yes!
Nathan,
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!
It’s like Mormonism in reverse with you Wingnuts, what with your tendency to retroactively unbaptize your supposedly ‘conservative’ leaders once they let you down.
As others have said, it’s an article of Wingnut faith that “conservatism can never fail, it can only be failed.” Heeeeeeeeee-larious.
“Conservatism” IS the problem.
but then since the media in good a young girl with no life experiences to draw on is a good choice as readers fall off..
Posted by: Kansass | October 15, 2007 at 02:34 PM
WHOA, whoa, stop, wait a minute.
Do not troll over somebody else’s name.
Whoever you are, don’t do it.
Thank you,
The Management
Hey, Nathan–
You should ESAD.
(Earnestly Seek Any Dignity)
JR?
Where are you JR?
Police your own JR!
JR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey thick heads! As mch as you’d like to change it, the topic of this thread is not General Sanchez’s criticism of the administration, or even his implied criticism of the anti-war left. The topic is the failure of the media to report on Gen Sanchez’s criticism of them.
CF: Pick on girls much in real life?
Hmm..I guess this Kristin intern person has operated as the designated neo-con in the past? Because I see no problem w/criticizing the role the mainstream media played in regurgitating the Bushies’ talking points in their coverage of the “War on Terror.” Anyone remember Judith Miller of the NY Times pounding the drum for Niger yellow-cake and other preposterous claims?
The mainstreamers were hyperventilating because the attack was foreign-born (again, how much attention to the ideology originating in Saudi Arabia, our “trusted” ally) and directed at the power corridor (remember how the OKC bombing was treated as a heartland aberration, and the media focused on the response of OKC emergency services?).
“The topic is the failure of the media to report on Gen Sanchez’s criticism of them.”That tactic reminds me of the controversy about Bush service, where the issue was defined as not whether the documnet was accurate, but the aunthenticity of the document. You righties always miss the forrest for the trees.
Outlander.
Absolutely: I’m always attacking you, aren’t I?
I wonder how Kristen feels about Outlander implying that she can’t defend herself.
And frankly, Outlander, watching you slink around like a weasel looking for an advantage puts you in Nathan territory.
JR!!!!!
JR!!!!!
Where are you JR?
Police your own JR!
I demand that the WE Blog remove this lie and attack against me by CF2K.
It is your liberal kind that make this blog as bad as it is.
Why don’t you just leave!
JR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Where are you JR?????
BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH
Nathan,
As I wrote earlier on another thread to your father: the truth is an absolute defense.
Thar goes Nathan–again. That boy ain’t right, ah tell yew wuht.
JR! Where are you JR?
Why are you not Policing your own?
JR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nathan,
Gosh. I sure do hate to make a grown Marine cry like a little girl.
You’re free to hit back at me, Nathan. I’ll stand right here so you get a good clean shot at me, mano a mano.
Kind of like when Joe Williams said that ‘CF’ stands for “clown face.” THAT was funny.
As I say, Nathan, I’m standing right here. Take your best shot. Hurt my feelings. Make me look bad. Go ahead.
Sorry CF2K,
I don’t want to be turned into the Editors by JR and his blog Police.
Where is JR by the way?
JR?
Where are you JR?
Shouldn’t you be policing your own?
Nathan,
Nobody wants to turn you into an editor, believe me. Your grammar would never pass muster.
“Outlander, watching you slink around like a weasel looking for an advantage puts you in Nathan territory.”
“Nathan territory” is not an insult. You are boring me CF.
Luckily this is an internet blog and not a term paper…
Spelling mistakes and grammar.
The last refuge for those on a blog who can’t debate or defend their ideas.
Outlander,
“Nathan territory” isn’t an insult? Well, it is to anyone who argues honestly.
As for my posts “boring you,” well boo-hoo-hoo. Does every Wingnut come into the world with the same resentful sense of entitlement you exhibit here?
Oh! Oh! It TOTALLY just occurred to me what I SHOULD have replied:
Poutlander.
As for Nathan’s remark, indeed, spelling or grammatical errors norally aren’t of interest.
But that one sure was.
Also, I’ll be lurking, rather than slinking. Tiger Woods lurks; criminals and Media Matters slink.
‘Norally.’ Damn! I kill me, ah tell yew wuht…
That’s “normally.”
Outlander,
Well, if you’re going to lurk, then hush up about it. After all, posting and lurking are mutually exclusive.
CF2K,
How does one argue dishonestly?
Nathan,
Seems to me you’re the expert there, pal.
CF2K,
My expertise is from observation, not practice.
Any chance that you will actually want to discuss the topic instead of trying to turn this into a 2nd grade name calling contest?
Nathan,
No. I’ve been saying the same thing for the last two years about your disingenuous argumentative strategies, and if you haven’t heard me by now, you’re not going to. Better things to do, thanks.
Obviously you don’t have better things to do.
You wanted to waste your time turning this into a name calling fest.
Now you don’t have time to have a serious discussion?
Typical.
See outlander lurk
Lurk outlander. lurk!
See Nathan be tiresome and pedantic.
Nathan Nathan. Nathan!
JR,
You should police yourself.
In three hours of posts, I have seen TWO references (mild ones) to General Sanchez… and the media’s treatment of same… I see a whole lot of somebody looking for JR… ad nauseum!!
I do think WEBlog Eds should just shut down the whole Blog!! Tsk, Tsk, Tsk….
Carry on!!
LOL, I was just thinking if the Eagle has another meet-up of asking the editors what happened?
Knight-Ridder who owned the paper had almost from the beginning of the build up to the invasion had uncovered inconsistencies in the Administration’s reasons. Knowable such as Patrick Buchanan and Robert Novak were reasoning that the invasion was a great mistake that would undermine the very principles of the nation. Yet the Eagle did not report on it or even interject their own? I know at the time we all were suffering from our “blood lust” and though it was not being reported, anyone being contrary to the Administration line was label a traitor and un-American. We just did not want to hear it and wanted to believe our President would not be doing something that would not be in the best interest of the country.
But is that not the job of the media? To seek the truth and report it no matter whether we like it or not?They are our pipeline to the truth and the safeguard of the people against lies told by authorities.To not report it is as great a sin as to report the lies….
I would agree with that W-D
“To not report it is as great a sin as to report the lies….”
As great a sin as eating a cow?
If we held our government and media as sacred as Hindus hold cows then yes.
General Sanchez is accused by the press of not doing his job because he criticized the press in his speech. If he had criticized Bush and Bush only for the failures in Iraq then all his previous sins would have been forgiven and the press would have given him glowing reviews.