The news keeps reporting polls taken of the American People about how they feel the war is going, and most politicians are claiming that we should either continue it or stop it based largely on these polls.
My question is, do the American people really know what is going on over there and can we decide how it's going based on our knowlegde?
From my perspective, the news agencies report deaths and acts of terrorism and resistance, but what about everything else that is happening? I have seen many things that are not reported by the major news agencies because I watch the History Channel, etc., or surf the net and happen upon things, but I never see anything but death and terror on the news. If all we the people mostly see is what the news gives us, isn't our view going to be distorted, no matter how we feel, because the news is deciding what to show? Do people really believe the only thing important that's happening there is just what's seen in the news?
2007-07-11 02:42:30 · 8 answers · asked by teachingazteca 3 in News & Events ➔ Current Events
This is an excellent question. The reality is that the American public is not very well-informed. The media usually only informs the public on things that are "newsworthy." Having been overseas as a soldier twice, I know that there are several other sides that simply aren't being told.
And it's not completely mindblowing. We're not talking about censorship or misinformation, but simply a lack of complete information.
Look at it this way: in a school district, when the school board is running smoothly, grades are up, students are happy, taxes are reasonable, and everything is fine, you don't get a news report. Only when the treasurer steals money, the board raises taxes, or the students score below par will you get a story.
Likewise, in Iraq, there is so many things going on that are all too easy so sensationalize, that the success stories get left behind.
Noone hears about the success of small communities outside of Baghdad where families can send the daughters to school without fear, and people don't randomly disappear because they dissented against the government.
Iraq has a long way to go, but to suggest that American public opinion should be used as a litmus test for far-reaching foreign policy and military decisions is, I think, a dangerous idea.
2007-07-11 03:01:26 · answer #1 · answered by bmattj121 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the US invaded a sovereign country. It is occupying Iraq and building bases in order to occupy it for another 50 years. A bill is being pushed in order to take away oil from the Iraqis and give it to US companies. The US army is trying to kill the one meaningful Iraqi leader who appeals across sectarian lines, Moqtada Al Sadr.
And the news make it seems as though American patriots are being blown up by a bunch of hysterical zealots... rather than a people determined to be liberated from foreign occupation.
Where exactly is the positive side? You people managed to cause the death of 655 000 people. Good news will come when you go home and apologize.
2007-07-11 03:14:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's not entertaining for some to read nothing but good news..our minds always look for that suspense and mystery...if everything were peaches and cream no one would care whats going on and the news agencies would go broke.
Our military does more than just fight in Iraq and Afghanistan..they are also involved in other parts of the world in relief efforts everyday.
But that's too positive for the news.
To get what's really happening good and bad I usually read the Dept. Of defense web site and the links to the various military branches.
http://www.defenselink.mil/
2007-07-11 02:59:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Newspapers/News Media always put a spin on their reporting depending on which political party they support (left or right). However, in the case of Iraq I don't think it's a case of reports highlighting continuous death and destruction in particular areas when there is peace and harmony in others. I believe the Kurdish areas are having a much easier time of it whilst battles centre around Baghdad, Basra and perhaps other major cities, but, unfortunately, I do believe the doom and gloom of Iraq reporting is, largely, accurate.
2007-07-11 02:55:14 · answer #4 · answered by Dr Watson (UK) 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You overestimate the intelligence of your government representatives, and underestimate the intelligence of the American people. The fact is that many Americans ARE experts. There are dozens of books written by economists, history experts, foreign affair experts, generals, former Presidents and heads of state, and many, many other experts that show how stupid and horrible this war is. It is not just the news. The news reflects reality moreso than lying politicians do. Unfortunately, that is the reality of the situation.
2007-07-11 02:59:27 · answer #5 · answered by Mr. Taco 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
How?
When the dead Mummy one after another keep on creeping out from the graveyards of failures and horrors of the past from the graveyards of different ancestor's custom.
Ever wonder why we need the chinese ghost buster to do the Exorcism so the dead Mummies can all rest in peace. Amen.
Luke 9.60
The blunders and slip-ups with human errors created back in the past being expose with time after the mystery of us-911.
Luke 9.55 -56
2007-07-11 04:13:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
What are they supposed to report?
I can see the headline now: "Shiah man gives present to Sunni boy, despite war"
2007-07-11 02:49:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, everyone should be required to watch you tube clips posted by our brave service men and women.
2007-07-11 21:27:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋