View Full Version : Freedom of the Press..., unless you disagree with the Prez.
whiskeytown
11-23-2005, 08:24 AM
GWB wanted to bomb Al-Jazeera? - the latest info as charged from an illegal leak (hey, it's the UK - big deal) is that he was all set to bomb their headquarters.
This seems outrageous, but we know that the US military has dropped bombs on Al-Jazeera broadcast points that they had specifically been told about so they WOULDN'T be bombed - and they were hit with SMART BOMBS - which means they were specifically targeted.
Guess that whole freedom of information and the press only applies if you're a Republican, huh? Don't like what you say and they'll blow you away....
I can't wait for the 2006 midterms....I'm amazed the Republicans have any feet left to shoot themselves in.
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"Did Bush advocate bombing Al-Jazeera?
We're all familiar with the ways in which the Bush administration has tried to manipulate the press back home, but here's something we hadn't heard before. As the Associated Press is reporting, British authorities have charged a civil servant with violating Britain's Official Secrets Act by leaking a transcript of a conversation between George W. Bush and Tony Blair. The subject of the conversation: Bush's desire to bomb the offices of Al-Jazeera in Qatar.
The AP report relies on a story from London's Daily Mirror. The Daily Mirror, in turn, quotes one unidentified government source as saying that Bush was joking when he talked about bombing the television network during an April 2004 meeting with Blair at the White House. But the paper also quotes another unidentified official who says that "Bush was deadly serious" about bombing Al-Jazeera, "as was Blair" in trying to dissuade him.
What does the White House say about the charge? "We are not going to dignify something so outlandish with a response," a White House official tells the BBC. Which is like a denial, only different.
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I'm amazed the Republicans have any feet left to shoot themselves in.
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That's not the area I've noticed them shooting. It's usually higher.
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vulturesrow
11-23-2005, 11:27 AM
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and they were hit with SMART BOMBS - which means they were specifically targeted.
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This is an incredibly ignorant statement.
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What does the White House say about the charge? "We are not going to dignify something so outlandish with a response," a White House official tells the BBC.
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That is a perfect response.
Well, whiskey, as much as I dislike many aspects/actions/policies of the Bush admin, the fact is that we are at war - and propaganda plays a role.
Given Al Jazeera's role as an anti-American propaganda organ, it is certainly a legitimate military target. However, anything so clumsy as bombing their headquarters in Qatar would certainly negate whatever benefit accrued from eliminating them.
Most likely this report is propaganda from terrorists or other anti-American elements; propaganda which Al Jizz is only too happy to disseminate.
Meech
11-23-2005, 11:47 AM
Even though I disagree with Bush a great, great deal of the time (and his cronies, and the moral majority) I don't really have a problem with this.
The once and future king
11-23-2005, 11:52 AM
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Even though I disagree with Bush a great, great deal of the time (and his cronies, and the moral majority) I don't really have a problem with this.
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So being impartial, Fox news is a legitimate target for Iraqi insurgents?
Robbe
11-23-2005, 12:35 PM
This is just Fascistinating on so many levels! (http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&u=/nm/20051123/ts_nm/britain_usa_jazeera_dc_1)
Have a nice spin....
>> I don't really have a problem with this.<<
Me either. Al Jizz is a mouthpiece for Evil.
Blasting these terrorists out of existence is certainly tempting. The problem is how to do it without creating more of a PR problem than the US already has.
Meech
11-23-2005, 02:28 PM
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So being impartial, Fox news is a legitimate target for Iraqi insurgents?
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Is there such a thing as a "legitimate" terrorist target? I dunno.
Autocratic
11-23-2005, 06:09 PM
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Well, whiskey, as much as I dislike many aspects/actions/policies of the Bush admin, the fact is that we are at war - and propaganda plays a role.
Given Al Jazeera's role as an anti-American propaganda organ, it is certainly a legitimate military target. However, anything so clumsy as bombing their headquarters in Qatar would certainly negate whatever benefit accrued from eliminating them.
Most likely this report is propaganda from terrorists or other anti-American elements; propaganda which Al Jizz is only too happy to disseminate.
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As an independent news source, Al Jazeera is certainly NOT a legitimate military target, anymore than Fox News would be (it would rightly be considered terrorism if any American media outlet was bombed).
Arnfinn Madsen
11-23-2005, 06:21 PM
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Given Al Jazeera's role as an anti-American propaganda organ, it is certainly a legitimate military target.
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One of the most shocking opinions I have ever read. Are you losing perspective on the fundamentals of our civilization? Read their website, I think it is less biased than Fox News. If the US starts bombing independent media, I change sides in this battle.
AlJazeera (http://www.aljazeera.com/)
bobman0330
11-23-2005, 09:05 PM
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Read their website, I think it is less biased than Fox News...
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I'm reading it now, and you're plainly wrong. They don't even bother to differentiate between objective reporting and editorials. There's even a "conspiracies" section in which they explain how all the Jews got out of the Amman hotels before the bombings. Give me a break.
Arnfinn Madsen
11-23-2005, 09:49 PM
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Read their website, I think it is less biased than Fox News...
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I'm reading it now, and you're plainly wrong. They don't even bother to differentiate between objective reporting and editorials. There's even a "conspiracies" section in which they explain how all the Jews got out of the Amman hotels before the bombings. Give me a break.
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It is very biased, as is Fox News. I agree though that the commentaries are way out of line. The news section is not too bad.
news reports not biased please.....when they quote a us offical they place parentheses many of their responses...Ex: Gen Clark said " We have encounted some resistance in falluja with a few wounded us troops and and 10 "insurgent" casulties"
Arnfinn Madsen
11-23-2005, 09:59 PM
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news reports not biased please.....when they quote a us offical they place parentheses many of their responses...Ex: Gen Clark said " We have encounted some resistance in falluja with a few wounded us troops and and 10 "insurgent" casulties"
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I never claimed it to be unbiased. I compared it to something extreme on the other side.
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The news section is not too bad.
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????
Arnfinn Madsen
11-23-2005, 10:08 PM
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The news section is not too bad.
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????
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They actually quote/describe each side in most matters (Fox News often doesn't). They also allow reader's comments ranging very far (Fox news doesn't). You would never find the opposite of this on a Fox news website:
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these dead people in the picture are saddam supporters, they are terrorists and criminals and i love watching there dead bodies.
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hetron
11-24-2005, 12:27 AM
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Well, whiskey, as much as I dislike many aspects/actions/policies of the Bush admin, the fact is that we are at war - and propaganda plays a role.
Given Al Jazeera's role as an anti-American propaganda organ, it is certainly a legitimate military target. However, anything so clumsy as bombing their headquarters in Qatar would certainly negate whatever benefit accrued from eliminating them.
Most likely this report is propaganda from terrorists or other anti-American elements; propaganda which Al Jizz is only too happy to disseminate.
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Propaganda organ?? So you think the insurgents have infiltrated Al Jazeera? Are you aware that they are based in Qatar, a country that has very good relations with the US? Can you please comment on how the insurgents have gone obout infiltrating Al Jazeera? It would be most illuminating.
whiskeytown
11-24-2005, 12:53 AM
That says a lot right there...
the British press publishes a lot of stuff, and some of it is tabloid journalism, but to be legally threatened for publishing this means that there IS such a document, that such a claim WAS made, and if it hadn't, the govt. would have just denied it.
They've got to try to cover it up - but the cat's not going in the bag.
Anyone who thinks Al Jazeera is an Al-Queda lacky is full of [censored] - watch "Control Room" - They are covering Middle East news, and quite frankly, the US has been a major clusterf%*$ in the Middle East. Their audience is a Middle Eastern Audience, and they do as good a job if not better then the Faux News Network in catering to their Clientele, but then freedom of the press has always been a bit shakier in the Middle East - but they do the best they can.
If they choose to put quotes over "Insurgents" that's no different then our press saying "allegedly" - The Iraqi's killed by marines were allegedly firing on US troops when they came into town.
I'm surprised they didn't change it to Iraqi Freedom Fighters, fighting against an occupying power.
Ever notice how everyone loves Rebels - I think it's a Star Wars mentality - yes, join the Rebellion - but as soon as we become the Empire, it's "oh, Rebellion is bad - they're terrorists committing terror on their own soil vs. a legitmate occupying world power..."
If our country was invaded falsely under mocked up pretenses by someone as incompetent as the President, claiming freedom while setting up secret torture chambers, I'd be lobbing grenades into APC's as well.
RB
nicky g
11-24-2005, 05:53 AM
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Read their website, I think it is less biased than Fox News...
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I There's even a "conspiracies" section in which they explain how all the Jews got out of the Amman hotels before the bombings. Give me a break.
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Link please?
The Daily Mirror is an anti-American tabloid. What a joke.
mackthefork
11-24-2005, 01:22 PM
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If our country was invaded falsely under mocked up pretenses by someone as incompetent as the President, claiming freedom while setting up secret torture chambers, I'd be lobbing grenades into APC's as well.
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Of course and so would every hypocrit on this board.
Mack
>> If the US starts bombing independent media, I change sides in this battle.<<
Then bring it on baby.
But if you come, come heavy. We'll be waiting.
>>Anyone who thinks Al Jazeera is an Al-Queda lacky is full of [censored] <<
Whiskey, there are many intelligent, knowledgeable analysts and commentators out there whose informed opinion is that Al Jazeera is a propaganda organ for Al Qaeda and other pro-islamist/anti-American players (they do vary in their opinion as to the extent to which (and whether) they have been penetrated/co-opted by islamic terrorists, or are merely pandering to this constituency.
Even when you filter out the right-wing nuts, zionists, and other non-disinterested commentators, you will find many intelligent, reasonable, and well-informed people who have come to the conclusion stated above.
True, reasonable people can disagree here. But those that disagree shouldn' summarily be dismissed as being full of [censored]
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there are many intelligent, knowledgeable analysts and commentators out there whose informed opinion is that Al Jazeera is a propaganda organ for Al Qaeda and other pro-islamist/anti-American players (they do vary in their opinion as to the extent to which (and whether) they have been penetrated/co-opted by islamic terrorists, or are merely pandering to this constituency).
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Please identify a single "intelligent, knowledgeable" analyst or commentator that believes that Al Jazzera has been "penetrated/co-opted" by "islamic terrorists".
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>> If the US starts bombing independent media, I change sides in this battle.<<
Then bring it on baby.
But if you come, come heavy. We'll be waiting.
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"Mission Accomplished", right?
Arnfinn Madsen
11-24-2005, 05:55 PM
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and other pro-islamist/anti-American players
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They don't attempt to hide that they are pro-islam (maybe pro-islamist) and anti-American. Media in general is not unbiased.
But they i.e. don't delete this comment from a US IP-address:
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true nazis are the arabs
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Arnfinn Madsen
11-24-2005, 06:13 PM
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>> If the US starts bombing independent media, I change sides in this battle.<<
Then bring it on baby.
But if you come, come heavy. We'll be waiting.
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"Mission Accomplished", right?
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Yes, the US still has a few friends left, must be a sign of weakness. I think Zipo is right that tougher measures are necessary, don't let the moderates free ride.
bobman0330
11-24-2005, 07:00 PM
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Read their website, I think it is less biased than Fox News...
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I There's even a "conspiracies" section in which they explain how all the Jews got out of the Amman hotels before the bombings. Give me a break.
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Link please?
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"Who profited from Amman bombings?- Israelis were evacuated hours before the attack" (http://www.aljazeera.com/cgi-bin/conspiracy_theory/fullstory.asp?id=274)
nicky g
11-25-2005, 04:12 AM
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Read their website, I think it is less biased than Fox News...
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I There's even a "conspiracies" section in which they explain how all the Jews got out of the Amman hotels before the bombings. Give me a break.
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Link please?
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"Who profited from Amman bombings?- Israelis were evacuated hours before the attack" (http://www.aljazeera.com/cgi-bin/conspiracy_theory/fullstory.asp?id=274)
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That is from aljazeera.com, the website of an English language magazine. In the "About Us" section of their site they clearly state they have no connection with the TV station. Indeed I remember reading something about the TV station suing them over the url. The English-language website of al-Jazeera the satellite TV station is english.aljazeera.net (http://english.aljazeera.net)
nicky g
11-25-2005, 04:14 AM
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The Daily Mirror is an anti-American tabloid. What a joke.
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True. But the use of the Official Secrets Act to prevent them publishing the story seems to indicate that there is some truth to it. The Evening Standard, which is also a terrible rag but not an anti-American one, also published a similar story I believe independently from the Mirror one.
Cyrus
11-25-2005, 06:48 AM
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>> I don't really have a problem with this.<<
Me either. Al Jizz is a mouthpiece for Evil.
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So you believe that al Jazeera are terrorists ?
Why? Because they share the "al" with al Qeda? /images/graemlins/grin.gif It means "the" in Arabic.
Arnfinn Madsen
11-25-2005, 08:33 AM
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That is from aljazeera.com, the website of an English language magazine. In the "About Us" section of their site they clearly state they have no connection with the TV station. Indeed I remember reading something about the TV station suing them over the url. The English-language website of al-Jazeera the satellite TV station is english.aljazeera.net (http://english.aljazeera.net)
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/images/graemlins/blush.gif I fell for it.
Good point. It's just that I like The Mirror about as much as I respect George 'W' Bush.
Qatar is an ally of the US. US forces have been stationed in Qatar. US troops in Iraq have been sent to Qatar for R&R.
The idea that the US seriously considered bombing some TV station in a friendly country is not believable to anyone but conspiracy nuts.
nicky g
11-25-2005, 02:38 PM
Perhaps. But the idea that Bush was dumb enough to moot it anyway is less fantastic.
bobman0330
11-25-2005, 02:58 PM
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That is from aljazeera.com, the website of an English language magazine. In the "About Us" section of their site they clearly state they have no connection with the TV station. Indeed I remember reading something about the TV station suing them over the url. The English-language website of al-Jazeera the satellite TV station is english.aljazeera.net
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Whoops. I blame Arfinn!
Well, whiskey, as much as I dislike many aspects/actions/policies of the Bush admin, the fact is that we are at war - and propaganda plays a role.
Given Al Jazeera's role as an anti-American propaganda organ, it is certainly a legitimate military target. However, anything so clumsy as bombing their headquarters in Qatar would certainly negate whatever benefit accrued from eliminating them.
Most likely this report is propaganda from terrorists or other anti-American elements; propaganda which Al Jizz is only too happy to disseminate.
This is plainly the statement of an idiot.
Arnfinn Madsen
11-25-2005, 08:15 PM
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That is from aljazeera.com, the website of an English language magazine. In the "About Us" section of their site they clearly state they have no connection with the TV station. Indeed I remember reading something about the TV station suing them over the url. The English-language website of al-Jazeera the satellite TV station is english.aljazeera.net
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Whoops. I blame Arfinn!
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Check the credibility of your sources better, don't just believe something a nuthead writes in an internet forum /images/graemlins/smile.gif.
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