18 Soldiers relying on us to demand truth/questions

[PissedOffPollyana]

This post may fit in the activism section but is equally about keeping as many progressives informed so I thought it rather belonged in this section.

I have been following the story about the reservist soldiers who have refused orders to participate in a suicide mission in Iraq. Unfortunately, much of the television reporting I've seen misses quite a few crucial facts in their brave decision to say NO. It is up to those of us with the freedom to do so to advocate for these men & women by demanding a full reporting of ALL the facts.

First, it is not in question that the fuel they were to transport was contaminated or that one base had already refused it; I wholeheartedly trust the honesty of the soldiers inolved and their families in their telling of the details.

Additionally, it is not in question that the Bush administration will use any means at their disposal to keep the American public from knowing the full truth of the situation on the ground in Iraq; how many examples do we need for proof positive of their deadly dishonesty?

The real issue is whether our news media will stand behind our soldiers or the administration that treats their lives with cavalier disregard. Where are these questions in the media's discussion of this matter?

1- Why is the US military taking so little care with the fuel our troops rely on for their very lives?

2- Who is responsible for the ill-advised decision to pump different fuels in the tanker in question without cleaning out any trace of its previous contents, an action that not only is apt to contaminate the fuel but endangers troops who receive it?

3- Who profits from the appalling waste this decision represents?

4- Who made the decision to send soldiers on a probable suicide mission to deliver fuel that should not be used anyway?

5- After a previous unit rejected the contaminated fuel, who made the decision to keep it in circulation at the risk of additional troops?

I don't know about anyone else here, but I am writing to every major media outlet and every one of their shows listed on the FAIR media contacts page to ask them to support these brave soldiers by demanding answers of the administration who has not only put them in harm's way, but has done so in what can only be defined as an exercise in futility. Mind you, like the folks at FAIR, I ask respectfully that anyone who joins me in this quest for truth show the civility and respect that is the hallmark of the progressive left.

I will be emailing every day until these questions are as central to their "top story" coverage as unbalanced polls reported as "fair", Mary Cheney's sexuality and Bill O'Reilly's **shudder** "fallafel". We only get the media we demand so let's do some more demanding before these soldiers get the business end of the 'Bush magic'.

[glitch]

1. Hear hear - well said. I hope you are posting this on other boards too. nt

[PissedOffPollyana]

2. Thanks Vidali - That's my plan!

This cannot go away. It is too important to the men & women who trust us to keep the media & administration honest (or as much as we can make them be anyway). I only hope it can stay in the eyes of the readers here and not be buried by chatter posts.

There is too much to accomplish without being too side-lined by trivial fluff. Much as the "fun" threads are tempting, we have a nation to save from itself!

Thanks again for the support!

[beanball]

3. Its time for the CONseratives in this country

to "support the troops",where are all those patriotic pricks that wrap themselves in the flag?

[PissedOffPollyana]

4. Ducking for cover before the sh*t hits, most likely

The fun part about the GOP & their state media being one great, big echo chamber is that when you nail one, you nail them all. If we can manage to force proper and complete investigation into this, a majority of these blowhards will be shut up in one fell swoop.

Like the Plame case, this has the capability of defeating every GOP candidate who has been towing the Bush line, not to mention throwing the harsh light of scrutiny on every pundit, think tank wonk & "journalist" who did the same. It will have some serious legs for Democratic candidates who have been getting flak for telling the truth about what's really going on in Iraq.

[PissedOffPollyana]

5. A kick for the troops!

**imagining putting my nastiest bad-ass boot up Rummy's ass** Oooo that's nice!