And true, most of the major TV outlets are completely in the bag for the Pentagon, with two of them (NBC/GE and Logan’s own CBS, until recently owned by Westinghouse, one of the world’s largest nuclear weapons manufacturers) having operated for years as leaders in both the broadcast media and weapons-making businesses.
But is that enough to guarantee a level playing field? Can a general really feel safe that Americans will get the right message when the only tools he has at his disposal are a $5 billion P.R. budget and the near-total acquiescence of all the major media companies, some of whom happen to be the Pentagon’s biggest contractors?
Does the fact that the country is basically barred from seeing dead bodies on TV, or the fact that an embedded reporter in a war zone literally cannot take a shit without a military attaché at his side (I’m not joking: while embedded at Camp Liberty in Iraq, I had to be escorted from my bunk to the latrine) really provide the working general with the security and peace of mind he needs to do his job effectively?
Apparently not, according to Lara Logan. Apparently in addition to all of this, reporters must also help out these poor public relations underdogs in the Pentagon by adhering to an “unspoken agreement” not to embarrass the brass
Good zingers in this article. It is apparent that pretty Lara is a shill for the government. A shame.
Lara’s nicy-nice approach explained here.
Found by Chris Clark.
Bleh. The mainstream media has long since given up any pretense of challenging the powers that be. They suck up to the powers that be in hopes of writing a best-selling book and getting “access” for their fluffy stories. Doesn’t matter what political party is in power… they sucked up to Bush, they’re sucking up to Obama.
Don’t expect to see any meaningful reporting from the mainstream media.
#25 So, how’s that “winning hearts and minds” going?
“But, let’s face it: she toes the CBS line which is pro-left and rabid anti-right.”
That’s hilarious. The “center” has shifted so far to the “right” (and _NOT_ the paleo-conservative one where I reside) that the “left” is anyone slightly left of Benito Mussolini.
The “mainstream media” is entirely worthless for real news. It provides completely superficial “coverage” of complex topics, aiming for the 3-year-old’s attention span of the average American. Ever since the news branch was made a money-making enterprise by constantly merging corporate interests instead of a public service to justify the “public service” part of their FCC license mandate, “news” has become entertainment _garbage_. They tell their audience what they want to hear in order to increase their market share rather than presenting unbiased facts.
They never ask tough questions because they’re afraid of losing access to power. Fellatio skills are now part of their job requirement. If they ALL asked tough questions, they couldn’t be singled out for official punishment through loss of access because the choice of the pols would be to get interviewed or remain anonymous. But that would require the sort of courage that corporations simply do not have. With them, it’s all about the bottom line, not real news.
It was nearly exclusively the _web accessible_ foreign English language press that allowed me to realize during the propaganda frenzy prior to the Iraq invasion that the war was based upon lies and carefully cherry-picked data. I even made the comment to my Libertarian friends, “Won’t it be embarrassing when they find no WMD at all.”
In short, with very few exceptions, TeeVee news organs are completely worthless with most newspapers not far behind.
Well looky here. More evidence the mainstream media is in the bag.
http://salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2010/06/30/media/index.html
A newly released study from students at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government provides the latest evidence of how thoroughly devoted the American establishment media is to amplifying and serving (rather than checking) government officials. This new study examines how waterboarding has been discussed by America’s four largest newspapers over the past 100 years, and finds that the technique, almost invariably, was unequivocally referred to as “torture” — until the U.S. Government began openly using it and insisting that it was not torture, at which time these newspapers obediently ceased describing it that way. Similarly, American newspapers are highly inclined to refer to waterboarding as “torture” when practiced by other nations, but will suddenly refuse to use the term when it’s the U.S. employing that technique.
Lara speaks of “A body of evidence”. She can sure hold her body against mine, anytime she likes. As for the “Sucks”, I wouldn’t object to that either. The consensus here seems to be that she IS Doable.
I have to admit, this one just flew way pass me. I literally have no idea wtf is being talked about. But instead of chiming in like Bobbo I’ll just stare at the boobs.
Hmm, it could also be that maybe I have absolutely no interests in this matter to bother understanding….yea, pretty sure that’s it 🙂
yes i agree with you john.
#35–TheIdiotOne==why do idiots take pride in their accomplishments? “I’m ignorant and proud of it, ain’t even gonna try.”
So, “chiming in” is what you have done. Irrelevantly, inanely, and self importantly ignorant.
OTOH–“I” did not chime in. My initial post was a challenge to JCD’s OP. The opposite of chiming in.
Even in Beer Pong, you have to aim at the cups.
What a doofus.
#30–Mr Diesel==why thank you. Lets call my avocation more “aspirational” than accomplished? A nice combo of science and art allowing one to meander as the inclination directs. Did that croissant puff correctly without being too greasy? Can I follow basic directions while still expressing my inner wonderment all while being constantly tested by ingredients, equipment, and ambient conditions? Yes, science and art. Try it. Start with omlettes vs scrambled eggs cooked at different temperatures. Ha, ha. Everything you want to know about life in an 8 inch skillet. And then you eat.
No need to slam such a beautiful lady!
#37
And thus your prove my point! hahahaha
And LMAO hard at your last paragraph. Your are fcking funny 🙂
Take the time and listen to A Way with Words every weekend. Maybe then your ego on the language use might change, doubting it though.
LMAO HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH
#39–theIdiotONe==why am I not surprised?
When you (John C Dvorak), have worked in war zones and built a respectable body of work in REAL reporting, not if the next macbook will be 16 or 17 inches, you will have earned the right to criticize her.
You make us laugh and we enjoy you on Cranky Geeks, but one thing John C Dvorak will NEVER be called is “a respected journalist”.
Call me when you’re doing a piece for 60 minutes.
#41 Bite my shiny metal ass
#41 — I’m respected by my banker. And looking at the way things are. That’s a good thing.
#41, Remember the sex scandal when she slept with a soldier a few years back. Hardly objective.
Anyone who laps up the bullshit being fed to us by the mainstream media is a fool. She is a perfect example. But she’s pretty and that means #41 and his type will leap to defend her. Must be why Fox has so many hot females on their news shows these days. Most guys think with their dicks.
And then there’s Mr Fish