NY TIMES Leads Media Offensive Against Withdrawal From Iraq

[Jcrowley]

The New Media Offensive Against Withdrawal

by Norman Solomon

The American media establishment has launched a major offensive against the option of withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq. In the latest media assault, right-wing outfits like Fox News and the Wall Street Journal editorial page are secondary. The heaviest firepower is now coming from the most valuable square inches of media real estate in the USA – the front page of the New York Times.

The present situation is grimly instructive for anyone who might wonder how the Vietnam War could continue for years while opinion polls showed that most Americans were against it. Now, in the wake of midterm elections widely seen as a rebuke to the Iraq war, powerful media institutions are feverishly spinning against a pullout of U.S. troops.

Under the headline "Get Out of Iraq Now? Not So Fast, Experts Say," the Nov. 15 front page of the New York Times prominently featured a "Military Analysis" by Michael Gordon. The piece reported that – while some congressional Democrats are saying withdrawal of U.S. troops "should begin within four to six months" – "this argument is being challenged by a number of military officers, experts, and former generals, including some who have been among the most vehement critics of the Bush administration's Iraq policies."

<snip>

If a New York Times military-affairs reporter went on television to advocate for withdrawal of U.S. troops as unequivocally as Gordon advocated against any such withdrawal during his Nov. 15 appearance on CNN, he or she would be quickly reprimanded – and probably would be taken off the beat – by the Times hierarchy. But the paper's news department eagerly fosters reporting that internalizes and promotes the basic worldviews of the country's national security state.

http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=3000

[Kagemusha]

1. The country's national security state people are the "experts"

I see the point but, there's only so much that complaining can do. Yeah, other experts say otherwise. But the people regarded by the government as experts do report what the Times says they do. It's not like these sources were made up out of thin air.

[Jcrowley]

7. Very selective reporting

For starters those "experts" within the national security state operate within the psychosis of that apparatus. If they do not comport to the dictates of that organization they will never attain the level of "expert" to begin with.

Also there are countless other experts who in fact have a much deeper understanding of the subtleties and on the ground realities in the Middle East who would be in total disagreement with these so-called experts and the NY Times and virtually all other MSM in the US won't give these folks the megaphone that the Times gives to the Pentagon. It's just like in the build-up to the war where dissenting voices were kept out of the MSM news reports. Silence being the most effective tool of the propaganda machine.

The US media is criminally complicit.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

2. one simple answer: AIPAC

The ownership of the Times supported Judy Miller, Elizabeth Bushmiller and others in their pro-Iraqnam war stance. Why? Because Israel's current leadership just loves our war mongering. It hides their own actions in Gaza and masks their large scale kidnapping of Palestinians without charges, including elected officials. AIPAC provides the necessary support and logistics for maintaining the invasion force intact, and in fact, to expand the war to the east.

[aquart]

4. Ah. It's the fault of the Jews.

Good Christians wouldn't be involved in this. Jews run everything and have all the money, too. RIGHT?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

8. did I say, or even suggest that?

The fact is that AIPAC has done great damage to our country. From Abramof, to state secrets, from policy decisions on the recent disasterous Lebanon invasion to our growing threats against Iran.
It is anti-semitism to mention a fact, uncomfortable as it is, as a fact?

The NYT ownership is as close to AIPAC's goals and ideas as possible.

[leftchick]

11. no you didn't

and that was extrememly insulting to suggest you did. Anyone paying attention should know what a danger AIPAC has become.

[Kagemusha]

17. You know, this really pisses me off. Not because of the "Jews" part

but because it absolves the people receiving the advice rather than the people who are responsible for acting (or not acting) upon it, like THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

If the US went to war on bad pretenses, I'd much rather blame Bush than AIPAC, and it doesn't matter what AIPAC believes or doesn't believe or how much it lobbies or doesn't lobby. In case you did not hear him the first time, Bush is "the Decider". I agree with the President on that point.

Edit: And the reason this reply is to the indicated person is because I don't see turning any discussion of AIPAC into "oh so you're saying it's the fault of the JEWS" as relevant, whether the smear is deserved or not. It's just not the damned point. It is not something worth arguing over. The correct response is to say, actually, it's the fault of the President. End of story. And that is my advice for the future.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

18. Are you saying that Bush is responsible for misreporting by NYT?

Because the topic at hand is the new york times, its behavior and its drum beat for war in the muddle east.
And on that subject, AIPAC is extremely complicit.

Is Bush responsible for the invasion and the unneeded deaths since? Of course, it is a point so obvious that mentioning it seems a bit foolish. Are there other parties at fault? Yup.
Cheney
PNAC
RUmmie
AIPAC
Wolfowitz
Perle
Addington
Gonzales
Ashcroft
Libby
NYT

[cali]

6. Unvarnished anti-semitism.

That's what the accusation that the Sulzbergers are disloyal to the U.S. and loyal only to AIPAC and Israel is. Oh, and completely and totally false, as well. The Sulzbergers aren't even nominally Jewish at this point.

[seemslikeadream]

15. There just seems to be a little problem with AIPAC

from what I've read at DU



Analyst Charged With Passing Iran Info: Franklin Turned Self InTo FBI
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1444053
Fieth resigns from Pentagon today
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1186412
Former CIA official looks to leak the truth
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=886884
New Israeli spy probe has a 30-year history, insiders say
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=852863
Israel's Mole Inside the Pentagon
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=783161
FBI probes Jewish sway on Bush government
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=802725
Money from Iran Fuels Iraq Insurgency -Rumsfeld
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=810129
Israeli spy nest in the U.S. - Ashcroft says: ’Don’t arrest them!’
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=802249
FBI probes DOD office (spy probe widens)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=784155
F.B.I said to reach official suspected of passing secrets ....
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=786361
Analyst Who Is Target of Probe Went to Israel
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=784792
Knight Ridder:FBI espionage probe goes beyond Israeli allegations
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=784274
Pentagon Analyst Was Cooperating When Israel Spy Case Became Public
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=786505
Iran-Contra II? Fresh scrutiny on rogue Pentagon operation -Josh Marshall
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=784906
AIPAC's Overt and Covert Ops
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=788267
UK Express: (Perle) Faces (FBI) Quiz Over Links to Israeli Spy
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=785131
Israel Says It Has No Need to Spy on U.S.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=787437
F.B.I. Is Said to Brief Pentagon Bosses on Spy Case; Charges Are Possible
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=788936
LAT: FBI Questions Israeli Lobbyists (AIPAC) in Spying Probe ((Gilon mentioned)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=789576
FBI briefs Wolfowitz on Israeli spy claim
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=790076
F.B.I. Interviews 2 Suspected of Passing Secrets to Israel
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=792950
FBI seizes computer from AIPAC offices
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=791564
Pentagon Office in Spying Case Was Focus of Iran Debate
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=795432
Leak Probe More Than 2 Years Old (AIPAC)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=795905
AIPAC hires lawyers
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=794332
Spy probe scans neo-cons' Israel ties (long article from Asia Times)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=794029
FBI Informed White House of AIPAC Probe Two Years Ago
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=797181
Alleged Pentagon Leak to Iraqi Is Under Investigation
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=798060
Serving Two Flags The Bush Neo-Cons and Israel
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=799167
Israeli political advisor may have received U.S. secrets
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=795817
Wider FBI Probe Of Pentagon Leaks Includes Chalabi - WaPo
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=798333
LAT: Israel Has Long Spied on US,Say Officials(but CIA, Mossad "intimate")
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=798631
Defense, Cheney Iran Specialists Questioned in (Israeli Spy) Probe
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=801031
Leak Inquiry Includes Iran Experts in Administration (WaPo)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=801678
A Web Of Intrigue Inside the Israel espionage investigation
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=803022
Pro-Israel Lobby Has Strong VoiceAIPAC Is Embroiled in Investigation of Pe
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=803035
Israel's Mole Inside the Pentagon
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=783161
FBI probes possible Pentagon leak to Iraqi exiles
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=805885
Reporters' Files Subpoenaed
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=815381
Secrets: Classified Info: Springing a Leak
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x803017

[ChairmanAgnostic]

16. Ignore the smoking gun in the hand of the man behind the curtain.

or was that a mushroom cloud?
Nice list. I had forgotten more than 1/2 of those events.

[depakid]

3. The Times helped start this war

and as far as I'm concerned, their reputation is forever tarnished. The only claim to fame they have left is that they're not as laughable and pathetic as the Washington Post.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

9. yeah. NYT's ombudsman is better. Oh wait. NYT doesn't staff that office.

well, their's is still better than the Post's.

[HereSince1628]

5. Expert opinion is fine. But, the American voters have spoken.

The nation has gone beyond the problem of whether to stay on in Iraq. The nation says start solving the problem of how to bring the troops home.

[leftchick]

10. Michael Gordon has ZERO credibility

<snip>

The White House propaganda blitz was launched on September 7, 2002, at a Camp David press conference. British Prime Minister Tony Blair stood side by side with his co-conspirator, President George W. Bush. Together, they declared that evidence from a report published by the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) showed that Iraq was "six months away" from building nuclear weapons.

"I don't know what more evidence we need," crowed Bush.

Actually, any evidence would help-there was no such IAEA report. But at the time, few mainstream American journalists questioned the leaders' outright lies. Instead, the following day, "evidence" popped up in the Sunday New York Times under the twin byline of Michael Gordon and Judith Miller. "More than a decade after Saddam Hussein agreed to give up weapons of mass destruction," they stated with authority, "Iraq has stepped up its quest for nuclear weapons and has embarked on a worldwide hunt for materials to make an atomic bomb, Bush administration officials said today."

http://www.counterpunch.org/goodman05272004.html

why does the times keep such hacks?

[PCIntern]

12. "Stay.. Just a Little Bit longer --Please please please...

You get the idea.

Isn't it great? The whole frigging country's falling apart and all anyone can do is Stay The Course.

God Bless Them all...

God help us all...

[Doctor_J]

13. I like it, but I wish fair would concentrate on the real rags

NYT endorsed a stright Dem slate. Wouldn't it make more sense to focus the attacks on the "news" outlets adn clearly work for Rove?

[mmonk]

14. They worked so hard to promote this illegal war.

[LynnTheDem]

19. Wait until the 85% of troops in Iraq who currently think Iraq did 911

find out -and they WILL find out- that in FACT Iraq/Saddam Hussein had nothing whatsofuckingever to do with 911.

When they do find that FACT out, it won't matter what spin the US "media" tries.

[annabanana]

20. NYT is in a position to do more damage than any 100 other

more publicly "acknowledged" right-leaning outlets. The imprimatur of the Times makes this kind of spinning very dangerous for America.