Iraq and media manipulation

[Quetron]

Since the media doesn't seem too eager to spend too much of its' valuable time discussing Iraq I thought I'd post some news from the frontlines.

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?op...21202&Itemid=1




WASHINGTON — Security progress in Basra is “overwhelming” and Iraq’s second-largest city could be “another Dubai in the coming decade,” the commander of Multi-National Division - Southeast said June 14, referring to the bustling international business hub.

British (((Army Maj. Gen. Barney White-Spunner))) told Pentagon reporters via teleconference from Baghdad that Operation Charge of the Knights - ordered by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in March - has “well and truly” turned the tide in the city.

Before the operation, militias controlled large parts of the city. Militia leaders, many under control of Iran, intimidated the populace and turned the city into a crime empire.

Basra is key to Iraq’s success, with oil fields, the port of Umm Qasr and the international airport being economic engines for the region, White-Spunner said.

Since Operation Charge of the Knights began, Iraqi Security Forces have reasserted their authority over the city. “We now find people free to go about their daily business without fear of intimidation,” he said.

Daily life in Basra is much like any other Middle Eastern city, the general said.

An air of normalcy has returned, and the Iraqi government has managed the humanitarian situation with only minimal coalition support, the British general said.

“The curfew's been lifted, and water and fresh food are obviously in plentiful supply,” he said. “At the same time, Operation Charge of the Knights allowed the Iraqi government to arrest hundreds of criminals and violent extremists who'd taken advantage of the situation.”

But more significantly to Coalition forces and the Iraqi government, the operation showed the militias had little support in Basra.

“Once the leadership fled, the ordinary rank-and-file militia … very soon returned to normal life, which supports our contention that they weren't committed terrorists or committed militiamen,” White-Spunner said. “They were poor Shiias who didn't have opportunities for jobs or whatever and have been perverted by the militias.”

Iraqi troops led the operation with advice from embedded military training teams and coalition logistics support.

Continuing the security gains is important to the city’s future. The Iraqis are putting in place a counterterrorist structure so “when those violent extremist elements do try to come back - and some inevitably will - then they're ready for them,” he said. “There was a slogan scrawled on a bridge in Amarah by one of these fleeing violent extremists. It said, ‘We'll be back.’ And underneath that, an Iraqi soldier had scribbled, ‘And we'll be waiting for you.’”


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Shamefull media and all you who follow forums such as this, you are being manipulated, of the many sheep who follow and create anti Amercanism.
But have no facts, just propaganda from hearsay websites that say "some military official" while this report as all other reports the names are listed.

[The Fat Controller]

Speaking of media manipulation about Iraq, why do we rarely hear about civilian death tolls? And why is it always the Iraq Body Count as opposed to realistic figures for the actual number of deaths that have occurred?

All the news I've been reading on the matter of security in Iraq, indeed, articles published on the same day as the one you use, stress that the situation, while improved, is also fragile. All isn't good in Iraq yet, don't exaggerate the successes.

Iraq second city still faces militia threat: Britain - Yahoo! News

[Locomotor]

Of course Quetron seems to be missing the point entirely about US vs. Iraq. It was an illegal invasion to begin with and the continuing occupation is no less illegal, internationally speaking and constitutionally speaking.

Probably over half a million Iraqis have died since 2003, over 2 million have fled their homes because of violence. Much of Iraq is still living hell for ordinary people, with just over half of the population having regular, suitable drinking water even - not to mention things like healthcare (infant mortality is sky high, and diseases are rampant).

Sure, "things are getting better", meaning that security is improving. Well, shoot, six years past an invasion, security ought to be a given. Where is the decent life we promised the Iraqi population when we went in?

Or are you so thick you still refuse to understand now obvious truths about the invasion and the US government? The media isn't "biased" enough you know, it ought to be their position to challenge the official story of governmental adventurings, not to support them (do you remember the propaganda blitz we endured before and during the invasion?) or plain ignore them. The media ought to be challenging the administration's every move, and they aren't, they are at the very least, complicit in the occupation of Iraq.

[Anlushac11]

Originally Posted by Locomotor

Of course Quetron seems to be missing the point entirely about US vs. Iraq. It was an illegal invasion to begin with and the continuing occupation is no less illegal, internationally speaking and constitutionally speaking.

Did he miss the point? Im not so sure. You seem to be nitpicking on a topic that everyone has known about for what six years now? No one is arguing that the US should not have gone into Iraq. I even agree with you.

Yes perhaps we should just walk out and say fuck Iraq, lets go home and take all our toys with us.

Will you be the first one Locomotor to preach how the US abandoned Iraq and left it a worse shit hole than when we went in? I think you would be.

I wonder what you will do with your free time once we do leave. What anti-US crusade will you take up then?

Probably over half a million Iraqis have died since 2003, over 2 million have fled their homes because of violence. Much of Iraq is still living hell for ordinary people, with just over half of the population having regular, suitable drinking water even - not to mention things like healthcare (infant mortality is sky high, and diseases are rampant).

Probably? in other words you dont know and are speculating. The US has spent lots of money and teh lives of US workers trying to fix the infrastructure. Blame the insurgents who keep blowing shit up. There is a old saying "Cut off your nose to spite your face". It literally means you cause harm to yourself to cause someone else problems.

The Iraqi's know the US is trying to make things better, tehy also know the insurgents have been blowing stuff up as fast as the US has installed and repaired it.

I think what we are seeing is a larger US troop presence and the improved abilities of the Iraqi army have forced Iran and many insurgents to move to Afghanistan where the Allied forces are weaker.

Once the US pulls out of Iraq they will probably go back into Iraqq but this time it will face a much more capable Iraqi Army.

Isnt it strange that in a land of terror and chaos there never seems to be a shortage of Army or Police recruits? Could it be there really are that many Iraqi's who understand the situation better than most and want to do their part to restore peace to their country?

Sure, "things are getting better", meaning that security is improving. Well, shoot, six years past an invasion, security ought to be a given. Where is the decent life we promised the Iraqi population when we went in?

All the news show is the worst of everything. Bad news sellls.

Or are you so thick you still refuse to understand now obvious truths about the invasion and the US government?

Maybe we are just tired of hearing the same bullshit rhetoric day in and day out at every fing opportunity.

The media isn't "biased" enough you know, it ought to be their position to challenge the official story of governmental adventurings, not to support them (do you remember the propaganda blitz we endured before and during the invasion?) or plain ignore them. The media ought to be challenging the administration's every move, and they aren't, they are at the very least, complicit in the occupation of Iraq.

The media displays whatever the owners tell it to display and that changes with public opinion. Owners are usually rich and powerful people who hobknob with other rich and power people.

Support for Iraq war in the news was popular right up til public opinion was no longer in favor when the news went anti-war.

What you want is the news to call for the arrest and trials of the US governement for warcrimes and for them to admit they invaded Iraq to gain control of the oil.


Maybe if you hold your breath long enough it will happen. I however doubt that will ever happen.

[Mihail]

Since the media doesn't seem too eager to spend too much of its' valuable time discussing Iraq

Really? Our media gives us updates at 6, 9, 12, 17, 21, 22, 23 daily, long with every other bit of world news, I guess that's what happens when you don't mix entertainment and news, you just seem to be able to fit more news in.