Posted on 09/29/2005 7:35:04 PM PDT by Former Military Chick
Josh Rushing, former Marine captain and an accidental star of the movie Control Room made news of his own last week when he signed on to become the American face of the controversial Arab news network Al Jazeera-International. Top U.S. officials, including Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, have repeatedly complained that Al Jazeera's coverage is unfair or untrue. Yesterday, Rushing sat down with TIME for his first interview on why he took the job and what the new network will cover.
The 33-year old Rushing came to fame in Control Room, a movie critical of media coverage of the Iraq war as a military public affairs officer who increasingly questions how the war was being portrayed by the Pentagon. In the movie, Rushing is articulate and passionate in defending the troops and never directly criticizes the war. And his honesty draws viewers to his side—he describes his different reactions to seeing on Al Jazeera images of Iraqi casualties one evening and dead U.S. soldiers the next. "It upset me on a profound level that I wasn't bothered as much the night before," Rushing explains at one point in the movie. "It makes me hate war. But it doesn't make me believe we can live in a world without war yet." He admits—then and now—to being troubled by the "politicization" of the military command and what he describes as U.S. TV networks being "co-opted" by the Bush Administration.
One reason he wanted to leave the Marine Corps, says Rushing, is that his superior officers had forbidden him to speak to the press. He was torn between his loyalty to the Corps and his duty as a citizen. "I felt like I had a platform and something to say. I thought it would be a missed opportunity to say, take a public relations job in Houston, which I was about to do."
The journalists at Al Jazeera-International, says Rushing, are a mix of nationalities and most in the Washington Bureau come from established outlets like CNN, BBC, Britain's ITN and even Fox News. Rushing thinks that diversity will be part of Al Jazeera-International's appeal. "I'm an American and proud of it. If that affects my objectivity, then so be it," said Rushing.
Rushing will be based in Washington for Al Jazeera, which is backed by the government of Qatar and headquartered its the capital, Doha. Al Jazeera-International, which Rushing compares to the international versions of CNN and BBC, plans to start broadcasting in the U.S. in the spring of 2006. Rushing will likely do set pieces on issues, interviews and perhaps even have a 30-minute international affairs show. The format is still being finalized, but Rushing knows who he considers models: NBC's Tim Russert and Bob Costas, and National Public Radio's Terry Gross. The target audience, Rushing says (while recording our interview on his iPod) is global, English-speaking and owns iPods— people who have turned off the TV news in favor of the Internet.
Rushing says he looked into the accusations about Al Jazeera distorting the news, and found nothing to stop him from joining. "I'm not condoning everything they do but the Arab media is a key part of national security and how to deal with Arab world. The network has long been the only one in the region with a point-counterpoint approach, where many others are 'point-point-point.' Al Jazeera, for example regularly has Israeli spokespeople on." Rushing says the State Department and Pentagon have both shown interest in working with the new network.
Rushing thinks part of his mission is to educate the American public on the reality of war. "War in America has its own branding—it's the American flag, it's that Lee Greenwood song, it's a sailor kissing a woman in Times Square. But Americans need to be aware of the consequences."
Like it or not, "Al Jazeera is the most influential Arab voice outside of mosques. It is the largest shaper of ideology," says Rushing. And if American voices are not heard in that venue, then they have no chance of having virtually any influence. "I've dedicated my adult life to the health and security of the United States and to representing the best of American ideas. I will maintain my credibility by continuing to do that." Rushing may discover that being a Marine might have been the easy part.
I have serious misgivings for a fellow American, ex-Marine working for Al Jazeera. Had this been an international news channel that was unbiased that would be one thing, but a news channel that receives tapes from terrorists and does nothing but AIR terror propaganda is frightening.
If I am wrong please tell me cuz where I sit I just do not trust this ex-marine.
PING
This was posted earlier today - but the guy sure does stink ...
"He was torn between his loyalty to the Corps and his duty as a citizen"
NO he was NO MARINE - Do not insult the USMC by mentioning him in the same sentence.
It doesn't take an act of congress (what it took this turd) to make a REAL marine. He was crap to begin with - he stinks even worse now. He is no longer an American.
a traitor says what?
He is a leftist, terrorist sympathizer who infiltrated the US Marines. Now he is home.
There is no such thing. Not at home and not abroad. That's why freedom of speech and the press are so important, so fundamental.
If I am wrong please tell me cuz where I sit I just do not trust this ex-marine.
You'll just have to let it play out. He's sure to influence them. They're sure to influence him. It's good the Arabs are trying their hand at the game. They may not ever make our interests their interests, but they'll certainly come to see why we prefer democratic capitalism to Islamic fundamentalism.
Since he is doing this for all the "correct" reasons, I am sure he will refuse any money so as to not give the idea he has been bought.
He is as appealing as an MTV veejay and just as intelligent.
He is in over his head. He is to stoopid to know he is being used.
Thank you for the comment, you have given me much to consider. I had posted the thread with frustration. I just cannot understand a news channel, unwilling to go after the terrorists. Yes, freedom of the press and all of that but there is nothing free about terror and this news organization does nothing to change that.
"He admits—then and now—to being troubled by the "politicization" of the military command and what he describes as U.S. TV networks being "co-opted" by the Bush Administration."
And he's NOT troubled by America's *ENEMIES* using the media to score points and win the war for the terrorists?!?
What, only the terrorists can play media games?
The 'objective' media that shows USA in a bad light and ignores the good we are doing, that is okay??
Where's the "Az, Jeez" pic?!?
If they wanted a scumbag who happens to be a former Marine, they could have gotten pedophile and traitor, Scott Ritter.
I guess Scott Ritter was too busy with his chat rooms for Al Jazerra.
Any public relations officer that couldn't be trusted to talk to the press shouldn't be trusted at all.
And any marine that suddenly discovers he hates war when faced with it, is a coward.
All Marines hate war, most don't run from it.
"I just cannot understand a news channel, unwilling to go after the terrorists. "
I can ... they are on the SIDE of the terrorists.
"Yes, freedom of the press and all of that but there is nothing free about terror and this news organization does nothing to change that."
Freedom of the press in the Arab world???? What a joke.
Syria, Iran, and other states jail dissidents.
Put on a pro-Israel and pro-American channel in the Arab world and see how many governments would accept it. None.
This American decided to sell out to an anti-American channel.
BFD. Dan Rather did that years ago too.
Just shows that hatred of what is good will always sell to some audience.
I understand why he is going to be "based in Washington?" It's tougher for his Arab pals to detach his head from his shoulders. BUT! How is this pinhead going to do his job while being "based in Washington?" What is he going to do? Sit at his desk reading the NYT and WaPo and then plagiarize their garbage?
"Gee, I sure hope he don't have some kinda accident or sumtin..."
It's probably just as well that this homo isn't in the Marines anymore if he does not possess enough intelligence to weigh the consequenses of going to war as opposed to cutting and running and sticking his head in the sand.
How does one get "fame" by being in a "movie" no one has ever heard of? "Control Room?" Where'd they show that one? At Fatboy 911's birthday party?
But - sometimes - I learn something from them. I thought Al Jazeeri had better coverage of peak oil than any of our MSM.
See Control Room. Very good documentary on the war.
Marine Capt. Josh Rushing, shown in a still image from the documentary 'Control Room.' Magnolia Pictures
All Things Considered, October 30, 2004 · Former Marine Capt. Josh Rushing served in the Central Command media office early in the Iraq war. His work with journalists at the al Jazeera network was featured in the documentary Control Room, making him an unwitting film star. Rushing speaks with NPR's Jennifer Ludden.
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