October 30, 2006
The Democratic Times
Does anyone find it odd that the New York Times waited until the week before the mid-term elections to run a photo-laden story about a funeral at Arlington National Cemetary? I don't; this is part of the planned "October Surprise" that the Dems and their fellow travelers in the media have had planned for a long time. Control of Congress is in their grasp and they will stop at nothing to get at the reins of power once again.
I do NOT have a problem with newspapers and TV news programs showing funerals at Arlington. What I find disturbing is the timing of the publication. When has the NY Times done this before? I'm sure the excuse will be that October has been the deadliest month for the US military in Iraq since the 2003 invasion. The terrorists understand the American media better than they understand themselves. They remember the Tet Offensive in the spring of 1968: when all was said and done, the Viet Cong were essentially finished as a military force in South Vietnam, but it didn't matter. The media in the United States was convinced that the war was lost, and so that perception was reality. Walter Cronkite was heard to say in the CBS newsroom, "What the hell is going on over there?" Of course, if Uncle Walty thought it, it must be a reflection of the minds of the American public.
The burials at Arlington will continue because, yes, good men and women are dying in Iraq and Afghanistan. Using them as part of a campaign to change the minds of emotional voters is despicable. But it's not new.
Posted by Matthew at October 30, 2006 07:26 AMTrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.opaquelucidity.com/movabletype/mt-tb.cgi/910
I don't know Matt. That's what war is. War is that little girl and many others like her who will never see their fathers again. It's not a game. It's not an Alpha Male Machismo trip. It's about people dieing It's not something to be taken lightly and should always be a last resort. I think that photo tells the story better than any article ever could.
Is it odd that this ran right before the election? It's no more odd than the bill for the border wall was signed right before the election.
Anyhow this "Gotcha Politics" that we call debate doesn't help to solve anything. I wish both sides could get together and work for the good of this country but I don't harbor any hope that will happen anytime soon.
Posted by: David![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.opaquelucidity.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at October 30, 2006 07:30 PM
Well said David.
I'd add that, unless Matt thinks that the "liberal media" is responsible for the sharp rise in deaths, that they don't need an "excuse" to write an article about it. Losing 100 soldiers in a month is news-worthy, regardless of how it looks for the party responsible, or how close it is to an election.
And once again Matt, you're attributing things to the democrats that apply to both parties. Rembember the Swift Boat Veterans? Talk about stopping at nothing to retain power. How a decorated soldier can successfully painted as a coward by a draft-dodger, I'll never understand. Apparently the media works in both directions, eh?
Posted by: nmexpat at October 31, 2006 02:19 PM
The Swift Boat Vets did NOT try to make Kerry look like a draft-dodger. I know facts are tough things, so please read this slowly: the Swifties merely made people aware of the FACT (read: FACT) that John Kerry went to Vietnam then came home and called the men he had served with murderers. This is not open to debate; there are public Congressional records of his comments.
And, as I recall, the mainstream media did their best to discredit the Swifties. I guess you don't remember that. Those pesky facts again...
Posted by: Matt_D at October 31, 2006 02:48 PM
I said _by_ a draft-dodger, not _and_ a draft-dodger. Perhaps it is you that should try reading slowly.
Are you saying that members of the armed forces should be quiet about the rape and murder of innocent citizens? Oh wait, let me guess, it's a FACT that American soldiers never commit murder, rape, or other war crimes, right? Your hero worship knows no bounds.
Posted by: nmexpat at November 2, 2006 07:51 AM