Bush the terrorist - MANHANDLING THE MEDIA
the Bush Factor is killing America.,./.,,,...@7676767.amc.acf.am....nec Why the Bush Factor is killing America.,/;.,,,,......
A journalist confronts the Secretary of Defense about his credibility, and
the Bush administration responds with a show of force
US Tour of Duty | August 10, 2005
By Jeff Norman
Gold Star mom Nadia McCaffrey wound up her Southern California visit
Thursday, after four U.S. Tour of Duty events, by attending Donald
Rumsfeld's speech at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. The
Secretary of Defense spoke before a capacity audience at a luncheon
presented by the Los Angeles World Affairs Council.
Rumsfeld continued to dismiss reports that prisoner abuse by American
military personnel is widespread. He praised his subordinates for
"conducting investigations," and claimed the torture problem has been
solved. Rumsfeld insisted recent news coverage of prior incidents only makes
it seem "like it's new allegations."
Nadia, whose son Patrick was killed in Iraq in June of 2004, attempted to
approach Rumsfeld to ask him about what she believes are his various
inconsistent statements, but was blocked by security. In an interview after
the event, she told me the military leadership has failed to protect troops
with adequate equipment that is readily available.
"We have thousands of M113 armored vehicles sitting in storage," Nadia
complained. "Why has Rumsfeld decided only recently to ship them to Iraq?"
(Although Stars and Stripes reported on January 4 that M113 personnel
carriers would finally be transported to Iraq, it has not been confirmed
that the vehicles have actually arrived and are in use.)
Dana and Frances from CODEPINK interrupted Rumsfeld's speech and tried to
unfurl a banner while telling the Secretary that he had "lied" to the
American people. They were immediately dragged out of the ballroom.
As Rumsfeld was leaving the event after his speech, I took a few steps out
of the media area where I had been sitting, and said to him, "Mr. Rumsfeld,
military families think you're lying to them. Why won't you meet with them?"
The Secretary ignored me as two men who appeared to be Secret Service agents
aggressively removed me from the premises. I know of no other instance in
which government agents have been used to physically assault a reporter on
American soil for mildly questioning a public servant. None of my media
brethren have so far come to my defense, despite the possibility they could
be similarly bullied merely for doing their jobs.
It is a misguided strategy to intimidate journalists, because even hawks now
recognize Rumsfeld lacks credibility. On his Fox News TV show Wednesday
night, Bill O'Reilly revealed, "I don't have any confidence in Donald
Rumsfeld at this point...I don't think he's leveling with the American
people."
The effort to hold the Bush administration accountable continues today in
Crawford, Texas at the vacation home of President Bush. Members of Gold Star
Families for Peace and their supporters are set to confront the President
about why U.S. forces are still occupyng Iraq, and ask him to explain
exactly why he believes the mission is a "noble cause." According to Gold
Star founder Cindy Sheehan, the families will stay "until we are arrested or
satisfied with the answers."
[Aug. 1, 2005]
WE ARE THE MEDIA
By Jeff Norman
As popular opinion increasingly turns against the war, Iraq veterans and
military family members are criticizing the Bush administration more frankly
than ever before. Their message is impossible to dismiss, because it is
obviously not motivated by political bias, but by a patriotic commitment to
holding our leaders accountable for illegal and immoral behavior.
At a U.S. Tour of Duty event in Venice, California last night, Iraq veteran
Jeff Key explained the obligation of U.S. service members to fight "domestic
enemies," and why the American masters of war should be categorized as such.
Gold Star mom Nadia McCaffrey, whose son Patrick was killed in Iraq, flatly
stated that President Bush does not represent her, and would turn her back
to him if he were in her presence.
Nadia is half-way through four Southern California speaking engagements at
which a documentary of her recent trip to Jordan is being screened. She went
there to meet with Iraqi mothers whose loved ones have also been killed as a
result of American military might. Filmmaker Mark Manning, who documented
Nadia's journey, also managed to become "embedded" with the people of
Falluja. His exclusive footage of the U.S. bombardment of Falluja, and its
aftermath, reveals the horrors of war as it is seldom ever seen. Not even
most peace activists realize that virtually the entire city was completely
devastated. Last night's Venice audience was brought to tears when they saw
this documentary evidence of massive disregard for humanity.
Former Air Force veteran Tim Goodrich, who served in the Middle East under
Ret. General Tommy Franks, also addressed the crowd. Tim was introduced with
a U.S. Tour of Duty news video that captured a dramatic confrontation he had
with Franks after the general spoke to elementary school students in Los
Angles. Tim was outraged that his former commander in chief was apparently
seducing such young children with a sugarcoated image of the military, and
that the school assembly had taken place without the knowledge or consent of
parents. Tim, who is the co-founder of Iraq Veterans Against the War, was
denied access to the event, just as his previous attempts to meet with
members of the Bush administration have been rejected or ignored. In a
classic example of civil disobedience, Tim waited outside the school (along
with Gold Star dad Bill Mitchell) and put his body in front of Franks'
vehicle as the general was being driven away.
On Saturday night in Anaheim, California, during the premiere event of
Nadia's Southern California swing, the audience erupted in anger when it saw
the Franks encounter projected on a large screen at a Unitarian church. In
response to a complaint about the fact that the press rarely covers the
issue of militarism in our schools, Nadia pointed out how U.S. Tour of Duty
is doing the job of reporters for them. "We are the media," she said.
Independent journalist Dahr Jamail, who spent eight months reporting from
occupied Iraq, will speak at the next two U.S. Tour of Duty events, tonight
in San Pedro, and Wednesday in West Hills. He will be joined tonight by Mark
Manning, thus giving the public a rare chance to hear not one but two
important truth-tellers give first-hand accounts of the war being fought in
America's name.
Bay Berry
Wasn't there a morning network anchor who was told by the Vice
President's office that he/she didn't appear patriotic enough, and
should watch the tone of his/her voice?
(The source may have been Michael Moore, but I'll have to double
check.)
This was during the first days of the Iraqi war.
There have also been verified reports that NBC/MSNBC cancelled
interviews with Cindy Sheehan, when it seems every other network is
jumping on the story.
How far does this administration meddle in the media, and why do the
corporations let them?
Even a business minded man/woman knows Bush will be out of office
shortly....
the Bush Factor is killing America.,./.,,,...@7676767.amc.acf.am....nec Why the Bush Factor is killing America.,/;.,,,,......
"Bay Berry" <ahorseis...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1123715085.1...@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
bush really believe he a savior of the people and he trying to be elected
for life. Bush is insane...as Hitler was
>