Thought y'all would like these.
Print 'em up and put 'em on your cars.
Posted on 04/17/2006 5:36:45 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
by Mark Finkelstein
April 17, 2006
Darn it, when the MSM have a Republican in their sights, shouldn't he have the good grace to sit there and take it until he's hounded from office? That would appear to be the operative principle, judging by Today's coverage of the Rumsfeld flap. Much of the emphasis this morning was not so much on the substance of the controversy but on the fact that the Pentagon is fighting back against the calls for Rumsfeld's ouster.
Topping it all was the very first question that Matt Lauer posed to his guest, retired Marine Lt. General Mike DeLong, a Rumsfeld defender:
"Have you been asked by Secretary Rumsfeld to be here on his behalf?"
The answer, by the way, was 'no.' When Dem flacks, from James Carville to Paul Begala to countless others, make their TV rounds do MSM hosts inquire whether the DNC or a given Dem politician had asked them to appear? Yet here was Lauer leading his interview with a question that seemed designed to undercut DeLong's credibility.
Contrast this with the treatment Katie Couric accorded Rumsfeld critic John Batiste last week, described here. Couric invited the retired general to take a swipe at Pres. Bush; her only compaint was that Batiste hadn't come forward before with his criticism so that public opinion could be shaped "far earlier than you are now."
Lauer's question came after a set-up piece he introduced in this way: "On close-up, firing back. Defense secretary Rumsfeld's backers took to the air waves to defend him."
NBC's Pentagon correspondent Jim Miklaszewski sustained the drumbeat:
"The Pentagon now launched a full-blown public relations counter-offensive against the retired generals who called for Rumsfeld resignation. And the Secretary himself plans to use a previously scheduled meeting set for tomorrow with other retired generals and military analysts to prove he still has widespread support among the ranks.
"With Secretary Rumsfeld taking direct fire, the Pentagon is rallying the troops in his defense." A clip was then played of former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Richard Myers stating:
"It's wrong for the military to criticize our bosses. That's not the role of the military of the United States. It's inappropriate."
Continued Miklaszewski: "Last week only hours after President Bush issued a written statement supporting Rumsfeld, the Pentagon sent a memo to retired generals [claiming] in 2005 Defense Secretary Rumsfeld had 273 meetings with senior military commanders and 74 this year."
Highlights of DeLong's comments:
"He's tough to work with, he is a micro-manager, but he is very effective."
"From what I've seen, when we ran the war and the two people that worked the war with the Secretary were Tommy Franks and myself, when it came to matters of tactics and strategic thought, he went with us if there was any disagreement."
Lauer wasn't satisfied, suggesting that had Rumsfeld been a CEO, he'd be fired by now.
Today Show/NewsBusters ping.
"No, Matt. Did you come up with that fool's question or are you just parroting the inquiry from a producer backstage?"
In their ignorance they are skating on dangerous dangerous ice.
Lauer is obviously not attached to the principle of civilian control of the military. They don't call them the military "services" for nothing. Myself I would put a ban on comments by flag officers on political matter for at least ten years after retirement. That's how long it is before a general or admiral can qualify to be appointed Secretary of Defence.
Thanks governs..I steeled myself to listen to CNN early this morning..They are just as slanted.
Matty, Matty, Matty. Good CEOs like Rummy don't tolerate backstabbing subordinates left over from the previous CEO's tenure as he has to with the Clintonistas still in the ranks.
As I recall, he was pretty good at THAT job as well...
Not to mention that he has been Sec of Defense twice, now. How many other people would have his experience? He reformed the military under Ford's administration. And I firmly believe that not only is he directing two wars, but he is fixing the mess left by the Clintons.
Matt's the leader or a bunch of pissant arm-chair quarterbacks, criticizing the war and Secretary Rumsfeld. Snipe, snipe, snipe! As for Rumsfeld's CEO performance, I seem to remember that he did quite well in that role in the private sector. What business has Matt Lauer ever run except his mouth?
Having tired and failed at the "Iraq is in in civil war" meme, I guess the MSM has now switched to the "Rumsfeld must be fired" meme.
They must have completely cut their news gathering and reporting staffs. This is just a flap manufactured and ginned up by the MSM. Nest they will do a poll and talk about that for a few days. What's really happening? Who knows?
"Shellacking?" "Shelling" I could understand, and "flakking," but being coated with something like varnish?
Cheney/Rumfield 2008 ........to really watch heads explode!
I firmly believe our side has to start replying with answers like this. From our politicians to the people on the right, we take the high road and we creamed by the MSM. I think we'd find that the wimps would back down in a second if they were strongly challenged about their motives and their partisanship when asking questions.
From online dictionary definition of shellacking: "To defeat convincingly; to trounce or thrash."
Many thanks, R.F.....and for the instructions on your About Page!
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