SOD Rumsfeld: re. war press coverage and the American people

Ronald Reagan Public Policy Briefing ^ | Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Presenter: Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld

Friday, October 10, 2003 3:15 p.m. EDT

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From: Secretary of Defense Delivers Ronald Reagan Public Policy Briefing

 

Q     We're aware of how difficult it is to get the word to the American people of what's actually going on in Iraq.  Is it possible to sponsor an Iraqi-based newspaper for distribution in the United States?

            SEC. RUMSFELD:  (Pause.)  It must be possible.  I hadn't really thought about it.  There -- you know, here's Iraq, where five months ago there were 23 million people enslaved.  Now they're liberated. There's over a hundred Iraqi newspapers that have come out of nowhere, and tens of thousands of businesses that have sprung up, entrepreneurial activity on the street doing this, doing that.  I think I'd rather have it done spontaneously, if there's a market, than for us to sponsor it.  We'd get accused of managing the news. (Laughter.)  Can you believe that, managing the news?  (Laughter.)  I can hardly digest it sometimes.  (Applause.)

            Yes?

            Q     What more can be done by the Bush administration to emphasize the many positive and wonderful accomplishments in Iraq and counter the negative news by the media?

            SEC. RUMSFELD:  I don't know -- I -- (interrupted by applause). I can tell you there's an awful lot of people who spend an awful lot of time trying to think that through, as to how that can be done.

            I was testifying, two weeks ago, before a House appropriations committee.  And that morning, 17 members of the United States House of Representatives had just come back from Iraq, and they were Republicans and Democrats alike, and six or seven were on that committee that I was testifying before.  And in the course of the hearing, they went right down the line explaining what they saw in Iraq and how it was so markedly different, and stunningly different from what they had as an impression, a collective impression, from all of the inputs they'd received from the press -- the U.S. press, international press, intelligence reports and the media.  And they were stunned by how different what they saw was, and what a wonderful job the young men and women in uniform are doing for this country. Our people -- (applause).  And in that hearing, with the press there in full flower, they went right down the line and said that.  The next day, there was no mention of the hearing -- (laughter) -- let alone what they'd said.

            Now, why is that?  Well, I guess good news isn't news.  And goodness knows, when somebody is killed, that is news, and it's heartbreaking.  And when there are people wounded, your heart just breaks for them.

            On the other hand, from day to day, you see the contrast and you know that what's going on out there is complicated.  It's not the same in Baghdad, where much of the press is located; it's different in the north, it's different in the south, it's different in the west.  And it isn't a simple, clear picture.

            And while the schools are open, the hospitals are functioning, there's a new central bank, they've converted a new currency -- these are things that took, you know, a year, two years, five years, 14 years in Germany after World War II, and in Japan after World War II, and they're being done in a matter of months.

            So there's an impressive record of accomplishment, but it's balanced against the fact that people are being killed and people -- and the remnants of the Ba'athist regime are trying to intimidate the Iraqi people.  So I say to myself, if that's what I believe, and that is what I believe, I know what's going on there, and it is a mixed picture.  And the part of the picture that's negative is being emphasized, and the part of the picture that's positive is not.

            Now, what do we do about that?  I think what we do is we just thank the good Lord the American people have so much sense.  They've got a good center of gravity, and I have a lot of confidence in them. And over time, they'll sift it out and they'll sort it out and they'll analyze it and they'll read this bad news and this good news, and they'll hear this from somebody, and then they'll develop their judgment about it.  And so, I think we're going to be all right.  I think -- I've got a lot of confidence in the people.

~~~

8 Secretary of Defense Delivers Ronald Reagan Public Policy Briefing

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

 Thanks, Tonkin!

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[yoe]

”Now, what do we do about that? I think what we do is we just thank the good Lord the American people have so much sense. They've got a good center of gravity, and I have a lot of confidence in them. And over time, they'll sift it out and they'll sort it out and they'll analyze it and they'll read this bad news and this good news, and they'll hear this from somebody, and then they'll develop their judgment about it. And so, I think we're going to be all right. I think -- I've got a lot of confidence in the people.”

And I’ve got a lot of confidence in Don Rumsfeld! But this morning in the Boston Globe another far too typical an opinion graced its pages and one that I wrote the editor about and I wish all Freepers would do the same when ever one of these leftist diatribes hits a newspaper. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1000156/posts. Rumsfeld doesn’t deal with the petty, often insufferable, lamebrained narrowness of reporters; he deals in fact and the real world – we are so lucky to have him as Secretary of Defense, a non-politically correct man of vision, forthrightness and integrity.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Last Friday Tony Snow said that the Bush administration was doing a poor job of informing the people about the war in Iraq, while discussing topics for the upcoming Fox News Sunday on Sean Hannity's radio show.

 

I rather hastily responded: Tony Snow to Bush administration re. Iraq NEWS coverage: "Put some ice on it?" 

 

That same night, Tony interviewed SOD Rumsfeld and asked him about the war coverage: (Tony's questions weren't picked up by the transcriptionist):

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RUMSFELD:  We’re open to embedding.  There are probably a few embedded right now, but people are not embedded because the troops, our forces, the coalition forces, are basically in a single location.  And the reporters are, for the most part, in Baghdad, where they’ve got access to the facilities they want.  So it’s a -- I’ve asked that same question you asked, Tony, and I’ve found that there are a few, but there -- for the most part, the reporters aren’t interested in embedding at the present time, it appears.

            Q:  (Inaudible).

            RUMSFELD:  I beg your pardon?

            Q:  (Inaudible).

            RUMSFELD:  No.  I don’t know that I’ve ever used the word “extortion.”  I think what you find is people report what they see and that they think is newsworthy and that they think will get on the news.  And if most of them are in Baghdad, they’re going to report what’s going on in Baghdad.  Well, clearly, Baghdad is the most difficult place we’ve got.  The situation in the north is much better; the situation in the south is much better.  And if you’re going to have constant drum-beat with 24-hour news, it leaves an impression, not because there’s a distortion, simply because it’s an accurate representation of what those people happen to be seeing, that they happen to be seeing a relatively narrow slice of what’s taking place in the country of Iraq. 

            I was looking at some materials the other day where I suppose our forces, coalition forces, do something like 1,700 patrols a day, and of those, less than one-tenth of 1 percent end up with any conflict of any kind.  That’s a relatively small percentage.  A very high percentage of those, however, occur in the Baghdad and the central regions.

           http://www.dod.mil/transcripts/2003/tr20031010-secdef0753.html

---

Our SOD claims that he isn't tactful. I beg to differ. 

I don't think our SOD is excusing the press for their imbalanced coverage here. He is explaining how they could be misreporting, but not excusing them for doing so, imho.

I mention this because the professional, patient Tony Snow, who is in the arena with the partisan mainstream press pack daily, responded to my thread with a very thoughtful and professional e-mail, and I want to make a public apology for #1:  implying there was any similarity between Tony Snow and Bill Clinton, and #2: for singling out Tony for public censure. I wouldn't bother with most of the reporters, only the few who put the pursuit of truth above the pursuit of (the inherently dishonest) "moral relativism" and "objectivity" -  still, my title and my rant doesn't make that clear.

So, Tony, I am sorry for making an example out of you, who works among the jackals and is able to stay above the pettiness and dirt. I salute you for both your courage and faith.

A simple American, on the other hand, from behind a computer and without a career at stake or meanspirited "press" peers to deal with daily,  can nail the press for their misreporting, and point out that the administration's inability to get this press to carry their messages to the people does not come close to the press's daily, weekly, monthly failure to inform the people, or the press's sowing dissent, aiding our enemies and endangering our troops by hyping both our enemies' strength and our military's 'failures' and ignoring our many, many, many successes.  The press, not the PRES. or the military, is failing to do their jobs - failing to inform the world.

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If you want on or off my Pro-Coalition ping list, please Freepmail me. Warning: it is a high volume ping list on good days. (Most days are good days).

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Amen, yoe.

Pinging Freepers who responded to the "put some ice on it" thread to my comments at #4 in response to a letter from Tony Snow - a clarification and an apology for singling out one of the good guys for my rant.

The rant stands.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

See #4. I apologized to a member of the press.

Mark it on the calendar. *g*

[facedown]

bump

[Quilla]

I mention this because the professional, patient Tony Snow, who is in the arena with the partisan mainstream press pack daily, responded to my thread with a very thoughtful and professional e-mail....

Thanks for the ping. RC, your patriotism is equal to your magnanimous nature. I'm curious, did someone email the thread to Mr. Snow or is he a freeper?

[StriperSniper]

Don't have the answer abot the e-mail nor Tony's FReeper status, but...Hmmm.

[colorado tanker]

Even if Tony Snow was not the proper recipient of your rant, I'd like at least one major media figure to understand just how angry those of us in the know are about the media embargo against the good news from Iraq. By only reporting attacks and causualties they are painting a false picture. I hope Tony will do something about this.

Thanks for your efforts to get the word out.

[BOBTHENAILER]

We'd get accused of managing the news. (Laughter.) Can you believe that, managing the news? (Laughter.) I can hardly digest it sometimes. (Applause.)

Classic Rummy.

Great job chastising Tony. I hear he responded well on Fox News Sunday, by hammering Rockefeller for his hypocrisy.

Do you have a link to your "put some ice on it" thread?

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[Quilla]

Put some ice on it

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

I e-mailed Friday's thread to Fox News Sunday - FNS@foxnews.com - with the provocative title as the 'Subject' line.

 

I don't think Tony's a Freeper. Unless a decent public spokesperson voluntarily 'outed' themselves as a Freeper these days, I wouldn't do it. They're too valuable. The left is sowing such hatred in the public square and the concerted press attacks on Rush, Sean, and powerful GOP spokesmen are more than they - or anyone - should have to put up with, imho.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

the administration's inability to get this press to carry their messages to the people does not come close to the press's daily, weekly, monthly failure to inform the people, or the press's sowing dissent, aiding our enemies and endangering our troops by hyping both our enemies' strength and our military's 'failures' and ignoring our many, many, many successes.  The press, not the PRES. or the military, is failing to do their jobs - failing to inform the world.

RTCG, it's an uphill battle. But I keep trying to point out that it is not anyone's job to inform the people. The Constitution is a code of ethics for voters, and it is the people's job to inform themselves to their own satisfaction, and to sustain the republic with their informed ballots.

What is the responsibility of the press? The First Amendment establishes that the press is responsible only to its publisher. And only indirectly to the readers by whose curiosity/interest the publisher hopes to profit.

If everyone took for granted that journalistic "objectivty" and "ethics" was a self-interested con, the republic would be far safer than it is. We do have the hope that the people will come to trust their own judgement more, and their "betters" less. And that the Internet and talk radio will lead the way.

It just hit me, BTW, that we are having the same phenomenon in Iraq as in the US--everything would be OK if not for the attitudes of the blue zoners.

[RightWingMama]

A "thankful for all you do" Bump

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

C_I_c, I do understand the basic truth of what you're saying.

 

If everyone lived by the 10 Commandments, we wouldn't need judges, police, or the military - and no one would fall for Bill Clinton, Kofi or Chirac.

 

I don't know the answer. I do know that America's mainstream press has been lying about the war from day one. I know most people are too busy to spend hours hunting for the facts, comparing press accounts and finding the bigger picture. I know that on the day a Soldier is killed by an enemy, we have ~ 129,999 US troops paying back our enemies and winning hearts and minds across Iraq. I know that the mainstream press ignored over 120 detailed CENTCOM humanitarian and security reports during the months of May - Sept., and that they know CENTCOM is the primary news source on the war in Iraq. I know they are ignoring the vast majority of primary news sources in Iraq, because we now have contact through the internet and cell phones with the troops - and the Iraqi people.

 

I know the Florida press printed DNC opinion as news, created fake polls (and were caught), and neglected to publish Jeb Bush's real accomplishments and endorsements. I know that we decided to spread the news ourselves through the internet, using FR and e-mailing neighbors, and with Jeb also using the internet to communicate with constituents, send out press releases. 

 

I know we won, and that the press still doesn't know why - because we bypassed them and their influence, ignored their DNC PR campaign and conducted our own political campaign out of their sight.

 

I know I had to do something to share the successes of the troops, because I could - and the press wasn't - and the troops were asking for our help.

 

~~~

 

Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the

people...

     

The preservation of the means of knowledge among the lowest ranks

is of more importance to the public than all the property of all the rich

men in the country.

 

      There is but one element of government, and that is THE PEOPLE.

From this element spring all governments. "For a nation to be free,

it is only necessary that she wills it." For a nation to be a slave, it is only

necessary that she wills it.

                                                                                                     John Adams

~~~~

 

Until the American people stop taking the "news" so seriously, and while we're at war, we need some way to hold the press accountable. Since Congress isn't calling for an investigation into the scandalous charges from John Burns re. the press lies and cover-ups in Iraq, since the press is not inclined to self-examination or holding its own members responsible, since the press has the power to destroy pols and ordinary housewives, influencing this powerful partisan press is difficult. I'm hoping the villagers eventually go for tar and feathers. It would be immediately beneficial for the troops if members of the press responded to tough questions from military family members once a week, imho. 

 

Yes, the press depends on a naive and willing public and ultimately we are all accountable for what we read and who we believe, but even the most vigilant and faithful are only human. Today's PR industry has seduction down to a fine science, literally.

 

Tokyo Rose intentionally undermined the morale of the allied troops. Read her words, then go to CNN and read the press coverage of the war in Iraq. I don't buy the pretense of "objectivity". This press is far too savvy and knowledgable. When they hand their pens to our enemies and equate Saddam and President Bush, they are intentionally endangering our troops.

 

They also intentionally hyped casualties during Vietnam to influence the American people, to get us to pull out. If we pull out of Iraq before Iraq is stabilized, America and Pres. Bush (and the free world and the Iraqi people)  lose. The UN (left-press-EU-DNC-global socialists, tyrants, thugs and terrorists) wins.

 

They know the power of their words to influence. Just listen to the debates on the floor of the Senate when FCC radio ownership rules - or Campaign Finance Reform - are discussed. This "press" will not stop trying to silence Rush, Sean Hannity, FoxNews and any other conservative forums -because they know the power of the press to influence the public. They aren't interested in free market competition or fair press - or the first amendment.

 

Americans are catching on. The press campaign in CA backfired. Ratings are dropping for major networks.

Still, it can take a year for a Soldier's letter to travel around the world, reach people over the internet. Perky Katie instantly reaches ?, and AP / Reuters newswires are fed to most every "hometown" paper and local TV news station in America.

My neighbors, like most Americans, still get their news from their local TV and newspapers - straight from the newswires: David Westin -  "Pentagon is a legitimate target" - heading AP, and Reuters who refused to name a terrorist a terrorist post 9-11. My neighbors don't own a computer. They, and their Elk's Club friends think we're losing the war. They believe the UN, not America, is the answer to world peace. They are WWII veterans, retirees, successful, Christians - and AARP members who listen to CNN.

I DO understand the basic truth of what you're saying. I also know the power of this press to change the world, to rewrite history, to promote an agenda. Today's press IS a vast left-wing conspiracy. Ask any conservative journalism student at most any American University.

Read BG Burkett's Stolen Valor.

So we share the stories the press isn't telling. When enough of us know, the one thing that does influence today's press will finally force their hand - pride. 

 

It took a long time for the Lewinsky story to break in the mainstream press. By then much of America already knew - from Drudge and word of mouth, talk radio, internet. If we didn't have the net, we wouldn't know who Monica Lewinsky is today.

 

Publishers can still finance their failing DNC PR outlets with other company holdings (and profitable porn and other vice industries), but they'll have a difficult time facing Americans who are listening to the troops and learning the truth, who were awake on 9-11.  When the people appear to know more than they do, the press will report.

 

If not, we will keep spreading the good news.

 ~~~

"The press has become the greatest power within the western countries,
more powerful than the legislative, the executive, and the judiciary.

One would then ask: By what law has it been elected and
to whom is it responsible?"  ~  Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

 

 

"The time is long overdue to stop taking the media, as well as the U.N., so seriously." ~ Thomas Sowell

[PhilDragoo]

Last Friday Tony Snow said that the Bush administration was doing a poor job of informing the people about the war in Iraq

Typical Tony Snow remark--

Hey, pretty boy, look around you at what's treading water in the cesspool.

There is no fair and balanced--there is the truth, and there are the traitors.

Pretending otherwise is to be just another useful idiot.

Snow blames the Jews for not getting their message out through the Goebbels-Riefenstahl media.

If there's an America left standing to hold the next presidential election it'll be because of True Grit in the personae of men like Rumsfeld.

[BOBTHENAILER]

There is no fair and balanced--there is the truth, and there are the traitors.

My nomination for quote of the week (from Phil Dragoo).