The following is a Counterpoint column:
By Kathe Latham
I was stunned yet again by the media's coverage of the president's speech on the war in Iraq and wondered anew just how far we have wandered from practicing true democracy. In a democratic society, our communication systems should reflect a diverse participation and representation in the framing and articulation of major issues that so deeply effect us all. Recent polls show that more than 51 percent of the American people now believe this war is wrong. We are now clear that most of what we were told to be the reasons for rushing to war, against world opinion, are now false. There were no weapons of mass destruction, no depleted uranium, and there is no connection between Sept. 11 and the war in Iraq. The recent Downing Street memo confirms our worst suspicions -- that the administration wanted to go to war so badly in Iraq that the intelligence was fixed to fit the policy.
With so much evidence and support against the war, the major networks just spent several hours presenting the president's plea for support and an almost exclusively pro-war analysis by others. The president continues to mislead us by connecting Sept. 11 and Saddam Hussein, while the real perpetrator continues to recruit and expand his forces. Why don't we hear more about the complexity of the issues? Why no mention of the people in the streets in Fayetteville, including members of military families, deeply opposed to the war?
Yes, we heard another point of view, not much different from the president's, from Democratic Party representatives. The American people are so much more than simply Democrats and Republicans. We're mothers, sisters, brothers, black, white and brown, from diverse economic circumstances, regions, ages and political persuasions, many opposed to this war. Why not include our stories in your coverage of this issue?
We are being fed primarily a pro-war stance with a multitude of sound bites and pictures of soldiers kissing their wives and babies, rather than also hearing from a growing majority of people, including military families who are deeply opposed to this war. This issue is dear to the hearts of the American people. We will not achieve peace by killing each other's children. With a more open and democratic media, the possibilities of an honest exchange of information and opinion could provide for the flourishing of true democracy and a far greater understanding of what is needed to achieve peace for all.
The writer lives in Greensboro.
Comments (35)
I agree 100%.
Posted by Mack Wilder | July 7, 2005 5:00 AM
Call Ted Kennedy, he'll sing Kumbaya with you.
Posted by Dan | July 7, 2005 6:59 AM
Yawn, Nothing new here. Yada,yada,yada.You dems need some new yaking points.
Posted by Yard Dog | July 7, 2005 7:45 AM
Just heard about the terrorist attacks in London. I guess the French are really mad they didn't get the 2012 Olympics.
Seriously, one of these days you libs might get it that we are in a global war on terror, Iraq is but one theater of it, and it will last a long time. Ms. Latham, terrorists are the ones who want to kill your children, just as they did to some innocent people in London.
No more blogging for a few days, I'm off to NJ to see Sean Hannity at his Freedom Concert. Hope to see Brian, Marshall, Yvonne & some others there. Let freedom ring!
Posted by Dan | July 7, 2005 7:55 AM
For a minute there, I thought Dan was going to say "Terrorists are the ones who want to kill your children, not Republicans".
:)
Posted by truth | July 7, 2005 8:26 AM
No "Truth" apparently repubs like to kill arab children.
Posted by yellowdog | July 7, 2005 8:50 AM
Every lib letter in this forum should have Kumbaya playing in the background. They are terrorist and want to kill you Ms. Latham. I can get 90% of people to tell me they are against something if I ask the question a certain way. You obviously have no idea about how polling works and how useless it normally is. You are correct about one thing though Ms Latham. This is not a Rep or Dem issue this is a freedom versus terrorist issue. It just so happens that the mojority (not all) of the people who want us to all get along and negotiate with the killers are lib democrats. Stand up Ms. Latham and with the citizens of London today say enough is enough and we will hunt the killers down and bring them to justice WHEREVER they are. I just hope to God you peaceniks will get it one day.
Posted by J.C. Burcham | July 7, 2005 8:54 AM
Let's hope the Bush administration doesn't get too jealous of the limelight on London and start a war in New Zealand.
Posted by steve | July 7, 2005 9:11 AM
Mac,Yellowdog,& Steve:Yawnnnnnn.
Posted by Yard Dog | July 7, 2005 9:19 AM
Hey Yellowdog,
Under the corrupt Oil for Food scandal Saddam was starving 5,000 children under the age of 5 every month from 1992 till 2003. Those numbers come from UNICEF, you know the UN organization for children. That is not some right wing statistic. According to my calculator that is over 600,000 children. How many have we killed in the liberation? Far fewer than that. Stop playing the emotion card get your head out of the sand and admit we are saving lives in Iraq.
Posted by J.C. Burcham | July 7, 2005 10:12 AM
It is a dilemma - the London attacks do show an "insurgency" of resolve - but I urge us to think this through.
FIRST: Many others do not accept "terrorists are the ones who want to kill your children, just as they did to some innocent people in London."
The Terrorists - at least those lead by ObL and similar, have repeatedly stated what they want - and it has nothing to so with killing the innocent, although the loss of a few is the price of war, which is exactly the postion our military [rightfully] takes.
Posted by James D. Rockefeller | July 7, 2005 10:22 AM
SECOND:
As the letter states - many also are concerned that while the Islamic Terrorists present a real threat to everyone, Attacking Iraq was not the smartest thing to do. And as for manuipulating the evidence - Hot Off The Press:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,1523039,00.html
"Along with Ms Miller and Mr Cooper, Time Inc was also charged with contempt. Last week the magazine .. submitted the relevant documents to the judge. Some emails have shown that one of the people Mr Cooper spoke to was George Bush's right-hand man Karl Rove.
"Mr. Rove insists that he did not "knowingly" reveal Ms Plame's identity."
NOW RE-READ THAT LAST SENTENCE: When my kids do someting bad, they often say to me: "I didn't mean to ... I didn't do it knowingly."
Go ahead and support these guys if you want, but I'm an American that wants to defend my country and actually put an end to the terrorists. Rove and the whole crew at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. can go home. Install Collen Powell or someone else who has genuine sense and understanding of the real world (any suggestions?) We're not playing politics, Karl - this is freaking war.
Posted by James D. Rockefeller | July 7, 2005 10:34 AM
P.S.
Tell Cheney we wanna hear again how the insurgency is in its last throes ...
Posted by James D. Rockefeller | July 7, 2005 10:36 AM
Burcham:
It is NOT a freedom versus terrorist issue.
It is a freedom issue, however - THEIR freedom - which we may not like because it looks so different - but you and Dan might want to look around and find someone other that Sean Hannity to listen too - which was the point of the entire letter you all so cavalierly dismiss.
Hey - I sorry, I really don't mean to be dumping on you two, but I'm just furious at this continued BS in the face of this situation. We're getting deeper and deeper into the doo, and sure there is progress in Iraq, but Iraq is not the issue, and Bush Lovers can't get past that.
"Osama: Dead Or Alive" -- unless we decide to let him go.
"Bring 'em On" - well their coming on, brother.
"Mission Accompished" - well, not really
"Not On My Watch" - of course not - this will go on for decades.
"Support The Troops" - but don't ask my kids to sign up, and Dick had "better things to do" when he was of age.
"Support The Troops" - let's pay Haliburton $1,000 per day per soldier just to feed them - hey, it's only taxpayer money, so lets give them another unbid contract and even though $1.5 billion of the $9 billion we've given Hallibuton is unaccounted for, lets just give them another un-bid contract.
"God Bless America" OK - I am behind that one.
Posted by James D. Rockefeller | July 7, 2005 10:50 AM
I do wish these letter writers would READ these forums. It'd save us all a lot of rehashing old positions and talking points.
I'm with you on that, Yard Dog.
Posted by Dough | July 7, 2005 10:55 AM
Rock,
You always bring up Rush and Hannity. Just because we are in agreement on this issue does not make me a mindless robot. You agree with All Franken alot but I don't know if sit and listen to him everyday. Are we not all adults capable of developing our ideas from multiple sources? You don't know what shows I listen to or what news outlets I read. You are obviously a bright and well read individual yourself James. Stop minimizing my ability to develop my opinions by falsly limiting my supposed sources in this forum and let's have an intelligent debate. The problem I see is that you are one who likes to appeal to all sides. Straddle the fence as it were so that you get kudos from every side of the debate. That's great if that is your chosen angle, but it is not mine and I will not be placed in your "Hannity" box every time I say something that you disagree with. In the age of Google we can all find neat little articles to support our positions on certain issues, but facts are facts when obtained by objective individuals. The question is how do we define objective.
Posted by J.C. Burcham | July 7, 2005 11:47 AM
Yard Dog, Dough,
Why change talking points? That would be deviating from the truth, something apparently you guys are in denial about.
Posted by jim | July 7, 2005 11:51 AM
I don't care if people deviate from me.
Posted by truth | July 7, 2005 11:56 AM
I meant that the rehashing of positions is coming from BOTH sides, and that the letter-writers that don't follow-up online are missing lengthy and detailed discussions about the very points they're making.
I know it's likely they don't realize how valuable this forum is, I didn't realize it until recently, but then I don't write letters to the editor very often.
Posted by Dough | July 7, 2005 12:12 PM
Jim,,James,Yada,yada,yada.Yawnnnnnnn.
Posted by Yard Dog | July 7, 2005 12:39 PM
Hey Mr. Bush what do you say,
how many kids did you kill today?
Posted by yellowdog | July 7, 2005 1:30 PM
As always Yellow adds nothing of substance to the debate. Guess you skipped my earlier post about the number of children killed by Saddam under the UN "sanctions: from 91 to 03. Get over your hatred for Bush and start hating the islamo-facist pigs that started and insist that this war continue. The blind hatred you people have for one person instead of the millions of terrorists that want you dead amazes me.
Posted by J.C. Burcham | July 7, 2005 3:08 PM
I agree J,C.
Posted by Yard Dog | July 7, 2005 4:20 PM
Burcham - I don't see myself as straddle the fence to appeal to both sides. I do see value in both sides - perhaps I have found a middle ground - perhaps I'm an ass.
The Hannity comment was directed to DAN who is going to a Hannity revival meeting, per his post - sorry for lumping you in there. I do occassionally listen to Hannity and Rush - but I confess after a 1/2 hour or so, I end up yelling at the radio because they specialize in 1/2 truths - ok 100% true, but only half the story - know what I mean? It's a shame, because they do bring a perspective -
I have never listed to Al Franken, so I cannot speak to that one. I am a huge Bill Moyers fan, and suggest you (and everyone) read his recent book.
I am also a big NPR fan though, and read several online newspapers, and since 9-11, perhaps 10 books to get a better understanding. I've also read some of Osama's speaches - like the one to the USA right before the 2004 election that we were not allowed to hear because of the potential for "secret messages" - but really it was a very personal slam against Bush 41 and Bush 43.
I'm now reading Wealth and Democracy (it's a plow, but a real eye opener - not on this topic, but my other button, corporate welfare / corruption, a.k.a. the rape and plunder of America). I have ordered some books on Abe Lincoln because he is my latest interest.
So I'm all for developing our ideas from multiple sources. I really was not slamming you - except we'll have to agree to disagree on the "terrorists are the ones who want to kill your children" thing. Make the girls wear Burkas, perhaps. Everytime George says "They don't like our freedom" I yell at the TV, just like those other boneheads mentioned above - it's patently incorrect.
Anyhow - I sometimes go overboard - I am passionate about this stuff, so thanks for keeping me honest.
Posted by James D. Rockefeller | July 7, 2005 4:29 PM
J.C. my hatred is not blind, it is well reasoned. Hey dubya whatta ya say how many brave troops you killed today?
J.C. do you think Iraqis prefer to be killed by dubya, instead of saadam?
Posted by yellowdog | July 7, 2005 4:30 PM
James D, You're right, that book is a dry one. I only read part of it, but it was enough to get the jist that people in power in the government are there to rewrite the laws to favor their financial gain and solidify their position on top of the food chain. It really sobered me to what has always gone on in Washington (whatever party is/was in power).
Posted by Dough | July 7, 2005 5:44 PM
Ahhh, the Republicans on these boards always try to defend mr bushie, no matter how wrong he is. Blind patriotism is just that.
You're right repugnicans, we will win this war on terror. We wil eliminate every terrorist on Earth and after that, no one born will ever decide to become a terrorist. LOL.
You guys that think we can win this so called war are shallow thinkers. Sorry but true.
Posted by Brian Harper | July 7, 2005 6:28 PM
Yellow,
I apologize for my mischaracterization. You are not blind, you just can not put your well reasoned positions to words. Typical liberal handicap. I will keep that in mind for future discussions.
Posted by J.C. Burcham | July 7, 2005 6:30 PM
HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!
Don't all of you mortals know by now that I am gaining control of all of the media??!!!! How else do explain Falwell, Limbaugh, Hannity, and the entire Fox News Channel???!!!! One day you will all fall before Falwell and listen to his sermons!!!! One day you will all listen to Rush on the radio!!!!One day you will all watch nothing but the Fox News Channel and believe every word of it!!!!! One day you will watch nothing but Arnold movies at the theaters!!!!!!
On that day Hell will be on Earth!!!!!!
HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!
Posted by Satan Incarnate | July 7, 2005 6:52 PM
But Satan, what will happen to the people that do all that already and LOVE it?
Posted by Dough | July 7, 2005 7:56 PM
HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!
They will all have administrative jobs listening to you whine and complain about the conditions!!!! They will only be able to listen, no responses!!!!That is their Hell!!!!!
HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!
Posted by Satan Incarnate | July 7, 2005 8:52 PM
J.C.- Oh I can and do put into words my well reasoned hatred for a repub who has committed war on a country who never did anything what-so-ever to my country. This oft-failed "business man" who is ruining my country's economy as surely as he ruined every business he had an interest in. He was born a Kenny bunkport Yankee, was "educated" at Yale and passes himself off as a Texan. He asks our brave young men and women to risk their lives in his war; but, when he was asked to serve his father got him into the air national guard, and he didn't care enough about America to stay sober and away from drugs so that he could complete that minimal service.
J.C. I am not a Christian and I do not know what is considered a Christian;but, I'm reasonably sure dubya ain't it. He promises christians a lot but I don't know of any results. I don't have any christian friend so I can't ask about that sort of thing, I have read a bit about that religion, the extremely rich don't seem to have a place in christianity do they. This makes me think that dubya, who is amoral, is using christians for his own purposes. I will say that the southern christian right used to be a solid Democratic voting block, but are now repubs and my party is much better off without them. We may lose a few elections now but at least we can hold our heads up and when good Americans come to their senses we will be back in the game.
J.C. I tend to poke fun at most of the posters on this blog as I just can't take them seriously. A battle of wits requires two armed apponents and most of the posters on this blog are shooting blanks. I can see them all with their ears pressed to their radios with Rush's forked tongue invading their brains, and they come here to spit out his vitriol and try to call that intelligence.
PLEASE!
Posted by yellowdog | July 8, 2005 8:59 AM
Yellow,
You have an interesting perpective on the economy. By interesting I mean wrong. Consumer confidence and productivity are at their highest points and in 10 years, and just today we find out that unemployment is at a 4 year low. If that is ruining the economy sign me up for that program.
Not sure what the whole christian thing has to do with anything or why it was addressed to me. Maybe you can explain, LOL!
With regard to the ear to the radio comment. Read my post to Rockefeller earlier in this discussion. It's so well written even you will understand it, LOL!
Posted by J.C. Burcham | July 8, 2005 12:59 PM
Yellowdog: "A battle of wits requires two armed apponents and most of the posters on this blog are shooting blanks."
Typical Kerryesque liberal snobby elitist attitude. Conservatives are a bunch of stupid hicks who take marching orders from GWB & Rush. You just keep thinking that & we'll keep winning elections. Your most popular liberal president was nicknamed Bubba mind you.
I'm in NJ now, I'll tell Sean Hannity you send your best wishes. By the way, me, a conservative was able to figure out how to use my wireless laptop!!
Posted by Dan | July 8, 2005 3:36 PM
Dan tell Sean his skin condition looks better. He doesn't look quite as blotchy - must have a new make up man.
Posted by yellowdog | July 8, 2005 4:43 PM