A Los Angeles Times editorial (2/7/12) begins:
When the London-based Bureau of Investigative Journalism released a report Sunday claiming that U.S. drone strikes have killed dozens of civilian rescuers and mourners in Pakistan, the American media scarcely noticed.
It’s a good point.The Bureau‘s report got remarkably little media attention. A New York Times story (which included an anonymous U.S. official smearing the researchers as Al-Qaeda sympathizers) might be the only story in the mainstream media; the only stories coming up in the Nexis news database are from Antiwar.com (2/5/12) and papers in Pakistan. The report was covered on Democracy Now! (2/6/12) as well.
In other words, when the L.A. Times is talking about a media blackout, they’re talking about themselves too. The paper’s editorial page adds that the “findings are worth a look”–though they’re sure to add a caveat:
Eyewitness accounts in such places as the tribal areas must be regarded with great skepticism; playing up alleged U.S. atrocities is a common recruiting strategy for terrorist groups.
Sure. And what do you call the strategy of playing down U.S. atrocities?
Doing what you’re paid to do?
Focusing on the job at hand?
Business as usual?
Standard operating procedure?
A time-honored tradition?
Lying out your ass?
“..what do you call the strategy of playing down U.S. atrocities?” First we have to assume that we have the capacity for compassion which, at this point, might be questionable.
I have sent a few letters to the editor of our local paper “The Oregonian” that were critical of Israel’s attacking defenseless civilians (even bombing a children’s hospital!) in Gaza 2008-2009 in violation of international law, killing about 1400 again defenseless Palestinians including nearly 350 children, murdering nine humanitarian workers delivering food and medicine to an embargoed Gaza, shooting peaceful protestors, firing tear gas at a nonviolent street demonstration of musicians, and humiliating daily the original inhabitants of Palestine, some tracing their families back hundreds of years if not thousands. “The Oregonian” has published about three letters critical of Israel during the last year and dozens of articles condemning Palestinians. America endures a conspiracy of silence when it comes to negative Israel actions against Palestinians or Arabs generally.
Finally, I do think Predatory Capitalism, in this virulent form of Vulture carnage, is being exposed for all to see. Whether we can prevent the ultimate result of self-destruction is debatable. Only Unity in Action by the People of all races, cultures and countries in RISING UP could end this ERA of Genocide. Whether we can restore our Earth’s Eco-Systems also hinges upon our united voice in action. Peace
Most murderers’ strategy IS to play down their crimes to avoid punishment (with the possible exception of the sniper in “Time” who answered their ten question section, but, of course, the 160 foreigners he killed in THEIR homeland were designated the enemy so he is a hero here). Drone bombs, like outlawed chemical and biological weapons, are diabolical, but in this “ERA of Genocide” ordinary Peace lovers can be considered guilty of treason and the Nobel Peace Prize winner is not forced to return that award when he proceeds to make war–is anything “fair”?
The Nazis used the same tactics when they bombed London: Create havoc, bomb everything, torch everything, and do the killing in spades; next, return 45 minutes later and kill those trying to help the wounded, retrieve the dead, or put out fires. Yet, even the Nazis let some buses filled with their captives leave their jurisdiction in 1945, through a deal worked out between Heinrich Himmler and Count Folke Bernadotte, whereby about 12,000 Nazi inmates left under a supervised cease fire. Those buses bore White Crosses and were allowed to leave without being bombed or strafed. That was certainly the exception to the ususal rule of Nazi tyranny, and that we have to look to them as an example of how to be humane is awful. And no one in the WH press corps has the nerve to address any question about attacking funeral trains to Jay Carney, WH lackey. What a spineless man representing yet another spineless man.
“Eyewitness accounts in such places as the tribal areas must be regarded with great skepticism”
yeah, who ever thought eyewitnesses would be good people to listen to?
You mention Jay Carney, John; I’m wondering if you saw his “performance” the day after Anwar al Awlaki was executed. A reporter was asking him some very pointed questions, and Mr. Carney was, well, flopping. (I forget who the reporter was, but it was actually a good day for journalism.) But you know what? I’ve read that Carney’s a great dancer, a big hit on the Washington party scene, so, you know, whatever . . . .
John….For the love of God man,Himmler was trading lives for a way out- for himself.Nothing more.Those scum were trying to barter Jewish lives as some sick end game thinking it may show they were not completely filth laden.The allies had one word …..Surrender unconditionally.There was to be no parlay with these maniacs.
As far as that statement that it is common place to lie in tribal areas about US bombings……..Well is it?I don’t know.And I don’t know whether to trust the US military and press or Tribal leaders that may or may not be al qeada.I do know the sound of FAIRs airing out of the situation leaves little doubt they stand against the American version