The Times Unseemly Eagerness Over Iraqi Terror “Tactics”

Times Watch ^ | 03/28/03 | Times Watch

[albertp]

The Times Unseemly Eagerness Over Iraqi Terror “Tactics”

Alan Cowell finally finds something about the war to get enthused about: Iraqi guerilla warfare against American troops.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/27/international/worldspecial/27URBA.html?pagewanted=print&position=top

For the Times man in London, it’s a change from fretting over British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s future encapsulated in doom-ridden headlines like “For Blair, a Gamble to Avoid Political Disaster.” (Blair’s approval ratings rose once hostilities started and a recent poll showed 55% of the British population approve of his handling of Iraq.)

http://www.icmresearch.co.uk/reviews/2003/notw-iraq-poll-3mar-2003.htm

In Thursday’s “Urban Warfare: Long a Key Part of an Underdog's Down-to-Earth Arsenal,” Cowell takes a rather unseemly relish in describing the sort of depraved fighting Iraq is unleashing on Allied troops. Cowell sets quotes Gen. Wesley Clark on what to expect: "The fighting will be full of the tricks we have already seen and more: ambushes, fake surrenders, soldiers dressed as women, attacks on rear areas and command posts.”

Cowell dismisses outrage over such “tactics,” arguing they go back to (mythical) Greece: “For all that allied commanders in Iraq have expressed outrage at what they see as such dishonorable tactics, though, urban warfare has always set its own rules of guile and deceit — from the legendary use of a wooden horse at Troy over 3,000 years ago to modern times when war is broadcast live 24 hours a day.” So Iraqi’s contempt for the rules of war is just part of a long tradition of cunning warfare.

But WHO Cut The Power?

From the United Nations, Felicity Barringer today makes a promising attempt

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/28/international/worldspecial/28NATI.html?pagewanted=print&position=top

at an anti-US United Nations press release: “As Iraqi civilian casualties mounted and the disruption of electrical, water and sewage systems in Iraq's southern cities continued, Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain met today with Secretary General Kofi Annan to discuss bringing aid to those in need of food, shelter, water and medical care.” Mounting casualties? Barringer doesn’t offer any figures. And just who cut off the water and electricity? In Basra, electricity and water were cut before allied forces even arrived, pointing to Hussein-inspired sabotage, not the allied bombing Barringer appears to implicate.

E-mail Times Watch Director, Clay Waters, with Times Watch feedback at cwaters@mediaresearch.org

[albertp]

Suggested reading: Unrestricted Warfare: China's Master Plan to Destroy America, authored by Col. Qiao Liang and Col. Wang Xiangsui of the People's Liberation Army. (Newsmax.com bookstore sells it.) These are the tactics of asymmetric warfare. It has come a long way since the Trojan Horse trick. So, too, have the tactics of propaganda and "multicultural education" as practiced by the vast LEFTWING conspiracy. Iraq accuses the United States of genocide against civilians. The liberal press reports that a "majority" of the public in all nations believes this to be true. Why, by golly, they report with great delight that even THE POPE opposes the concept of "pre-emptive strike," and admonishes about the clearly defined conditions for a "just war." Meanwhile, the well-organized liberal-leftist "peace" movement wants to become a juggernaut against US "imperialism," frets about defining its image as either "antiwar" or "pro-peace," and pooh-poohs the idea that al-Qaeda infiltrators are in their midst taking notes about security strengths and weaknesses at all these protest rallies and attempts to shut down our cities and towns in the name of "peace." Liberal journalists who wax ecstatic over these tactics being used to massacre our troops are beyond the pale. But let them continue to spout their venom. Payback time's a'comin'!!! Our military is re-evaluating its strategy in the face of vast segments of the public who are propagandized and gullible. We, for our part, must counter this Communist-inspired propaganda down to the last iota. FREEP THE HELL OUT OF THESE "PACIFISTS" WHENEVER AND WHEREVER THEY GO. "WHITHER THEY GOETH, SO GOETH WE."

[MEG33]

They are with us always but we need to be aware of their agenda which is not so evident during quiet times.

[Diogenesis]

"Abdul, Praised be Allah that we have the incredibly stupid press,
and especially the Times reporters who are stupider than Syrian hamster puke.
Abdul, who else would believe this shallow pothole from our own missile was an American cruise missile impact?"

[struwwelpeter]

That doesn't look like the aftermath of 1000 lbs of high explosives. I've done more damage with my chemistry set.

[albertp]

Especially when you combine acid, water, and a live electrical current. Growing weird and grotesque crystals from another planet. Oops!!! Note to Homeland Security: It was only a childhood indiscretion, and although it lasted a long time I promise I'll never EVER do it again! Except on my job which does involve working with chemicals. Oops! LEGITIMATE chemicals, OK!!! Note to PETA: NO, it did not involve experimentation with animals, alive -- or dead! I wonder if these NY Times reporters ever had a fun-filled childhood. Apparently their penchant for spinning bizarre fantasies has continued well into their adult life!