Hey Big Media, Connect the Dots - Nine Impolite Questions for Big Media

[struggle4progress]

Published on Friday, August 27, 2004 by the Knoxville News-Sentinel (Tennessee)
by Don Williams

<snip>
* First, when quoting those Swift-boat Veterans for Truth over and over about what Kerry did between 1969 and 1972, doesn't balance demand that you recall President Bush's sketchy service record? Isn't it just as pertinent that some Air National Guard commanders never saw Bush report for duty? That there's a gap in his pay stubs? Aren't you ethically bound to remind the public that Bush stopped flying fighter jets in the spring of 1972, according to USA Today, and failed to take a physical exam required of all pilots, and that his sole medical treatments in the Guard were for dental fillings?
<snip>

* How can you discuss Bush's religious faith without asking whether he believes he's fulfilling Biblical prophecy regarding the Middle East? You'd be surprised how many folks around here believe the Rapture and the Second Coming are near and that events over there are bringing them about. Does Bush believe this?

* Why is no one connecting the dots regarding recent events in Iraq? There's a coherent narrative in the facts that--all within the period of about one week--the "government of Iraq" charged members of the opposition Chalabi family with crimes ranging from murder to counterfeiting, kicked out Al-Jazeera and other reporters and then attacked the holy Shi-ite city of Najaf, killing an estimated 500 Iraqis. You'd think some enterprising reporter would tell the fascinating story of how "our man Allawi" consolidated his power that week. Who is Allawi anyhow? Isn't this pertinent? Also, how can you cover the battle of Najaf without nailing down just who it is we're killing and why? Weren't these same Shi-ites once ENEMIES OF SADDAM? Isn't this worth remarking upon?
<snip>

* How can you let President Bush pat himself on the back for his plan to "bring home" up to 70,000 troops from South Korea, Germany and elsewhere, when it's obvious most of those troops or their replacements will end up in Iraq, probably soon?
<snip>

http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0827-09.htm

[Zookeeper]

1. Thanks for the link; great article...

I would suggest posting this in GD or the campaign forum so it gets some attention. Williams gives some great talking points.

[Miss Authoritiva]

2. Nine LEGITIMATE Questions for Big Media!

Excellent piece. I do not think these questions are impolite. They're very legitimate questions.

From Big Media's perspective, they're discomforting questions, but they know they're legitimate ones.

Now, as to the answers......