Why Is There No "Good News" Coming From U.S. Reporters In Iraq?

[JABBS]

U.S. News & World Report's Kevin Whitelaw, on CSPAN this morning, was asked this question from an Iraqi War veteran from Alabama.

You may be surprised by his answer. Click here to read it.

[NMDemDist2]

1. I'm guessing cuz there *are* no reporters in Iraq

and those that are there are locked in the Green Zone or a safe Hotel

I'm off to read your link now and see how close I came....

[JABBS]

2. worth reading the linked item

I think what Whitelaw says is probably true, and speaks volumes to how bad the insurgency has become.

[NMDemDist2]

5. i did read the link and wasn't close. but it does speak volumes

i read on DU a week or so ago that the pipelines to Turkey are basically useless due to repeated sabotage

yeah, it's a real picnic over there eh?

[Buzz Clik]

3. Link opens slooooowly. Here's the text:

Why isn't the media reporting more good news from Iraq?

That was the question an Iraq War veteran from Alabama posed this morning to U.S. News & World Report reporter Kevin Whitelaw, who appeared this morning on C-Span's Washington Journal.

Whitelaw said that the U.S. government has in the past tried to push some "good news" stories on U.S. reporters based in Baghdad, recognizing that the reporters were often unable to travel outside the city because of safety concerns. Reporters were interested -- looking for something to write about besides bloodshed -- and began covering events like the re-opening of schools or the rehabilitation of a piece of Iraqi infrastructure.

But, Whitelaw said, Iraqi insurgents recognized what was being highlighted as a U.S. accomplishment, and would "blow it up within a couple of weeks." Soon, the U.S. decided it was not in anyone's best interest to promote such "good news" stories.

[EvilAL]

8. uh

But, Whitelaw said, Iraqi insurgents recognized what was being highlighted as a U.S. accomplishment, and would "blow it up within a couple of weeks." Soon, the U.S. decided it was not in anyone's best interest to promote such "good news" stories.

Afraid they'll bomb their shiney new building because it was on the news? I don't know, maybe it's because I'm high, but I can't fuckin get this one.

[JABBS]

10. it makes sense

U.S. promotes something. Insurgents want to frustrate Americans. Insurgents blow thing up.

It also suggests that we have absolutely no control over the insurgents.

[RaleighNCDUer]

9. Does this mean that if we don't talk about them they let the new

construction stand? IOW, the insurgency is not against the iraqi government, but against the US occupation? IOW, if we left the country they'd stop blowing shit up altogether?

[JABBS]

11. not exactly

they wouldn't know necessarily to blow up this particular thing if not for the u.s. promoting it as an example of how things are getting better in iraq.

it's a big country, don't forget. it's not like the insurgents can blow up every last building.

[Norquist Nemesis]

4. Anyone heard from Michael Ware? n/t

[NMDemDist2]

6. whois Michael Ware? n/t

[Norquist Nemesis]

7. CNN reporter in Baghdad

Tells it like it is.