"Americans draw a veil of secrecy as casualties grow" by Robert Fisk

[bobthedrummer]

Military families and troops are increasingly upset by the administration's silence regarding Iraq and casualties
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/story.jsp?story=445131

[RamboLiberal]

1. UK report again - thank goodness for the internet

But no wonder the American people have no clue. Only those few of us who use the net know the truth about what is really happening.

[joeybee12]

4. How long do you think it will take before the media here reports the truth

Oh forget that--I'd hope for some half-truths every now and then!

[0007]

20. It appears to me the media

is speaking out.

If your talking about FOX News - CNN - MSNBC giving anything except propaganda don't hold your breath.

[saigon68]

14. FOOTBALL SEASON IS STARTING

Shut up and drink your beer.

The "Evil Cabals" profits, although made in the open are camouflaged by sports, sloth and disinterest.

[benfranklin1776]

18. Indeed you are correct.

The would be emperors are following the credo of ancient Roman despots, distract the populace with mindless spectacles. As Juvenal noted: "the people that once bestowed commands, consulships, legions, and all else, now meddles no more and longs eagerly for just two things — bread and circuses."

Not accounting accurately for the true numbers of dead and wounded is a desecration of the concept of governance by just consent of the governed and a serious affront to those who have paid the price with mangled bodies and prematurely ended lives.

[DuctapeFatwa]

2. Here's an interesting excerpt

On Thursday, in an ambush outside Khaldiya, 100 miles west of Baghdad, a minimum of three US soldiers were reported dead and three wounded - local Iraqis claimed eight dead. Yet within hours, the occupation authorities were saying that exactly the same number were killed and wounded in an ambush on Americans in Tikrit. This incident was partly captured on videofilm. Only two soldiers were wounded in the earlier attack, they said.

And for the second day running yesterday, the mobile telephone system operated by MCI for the occupation forces collapsed, in effect isolating the "Coalition Provisional Authority" from its ministries and from US forces. An increasing number of journalists in Baghdad now suspect that the US proconsul Paul Bremer and his hundreds of assistants ensconced in the heavily guarded former presidential palace, have lost touch with reality. Although an inquiry was promised into the shooting of the Iraqi interpreter, details of the incident suggest that US troops now have carte blanche to open fire at Iraqi civilian cars on the mere suspicion that their occupants may be hostile.

[bobthedrummer]

5. MCI was World Com

a bunch of crooks got the Iraq contract as per usual:grr::argh::puke:

[Mari333]

3. and the US mediawhores ignore it

preferring to cover Fluffy news, or news that cheerleads the Chimp.

[saigon68]

13. CHIMPANZEE==WAR CRIMINAL

I'm sure armless Ali will someday hate his guts.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

6. CNN.com has a story

"Nighttime blasts shake Baghdad". About 3 paragraphs down, after the story about Hussein's defense chief surrendering, they talk about 3 soldiers being killed.

I guess we don't really care anymore.

[bobthedrummer]

8. Powell said the security problem was "serious"

but just how serious is not being reported here by US media.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

7. WTF.... Men of Honour?????

<snip>
and they cannot explain how General Sultan Hashim Ahmed, the former Iraqi minister of defence and a potential war criminal, should now be described by one of the most senior US officers in Iraq as "a man of honour and integrity".
<snip>

How the hell can our media outlets ignore the death and bullshit so flagrantly? Is the rest of America so stupid?

sigh.

[MrPrax]

11. Great Graphic

Your a man of honor and integrity...
Keep up the smiles...

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

12. Thanks!

[bobthedrummer]

9. Reporting on the casualties of all parties should be a robust free press

itself MIA in occupied Iraq.

[skip fox]

10. Watch for hostility to reporters in the field

as well as, possibly, classified casuality counts (aids the terrorists) of our own soldiers.

[Solly Mack]

15. OMAN, you guys don't know the half of it

One of our soldiers was at Walter Reed, in a coma, before his parents found out. BUT....the Army NEVER called his parents to tell them. A wife called out of concern to find out how our soldier was doing (8 days later) and that's how the parents found out. Not a SINGLE solitary member of the solider's command contacted this family...not once. Not even after they (the parents) knew.

We had a soldier to die, as some of you know....and the truth of how he died has been glossed over...remind me in April of 2004, to tell you guys, (after my own husband is safely back) just how the soldier really died.

There's been a big hush at this post about deaths and injuries over the last few weeks. The fact that we have a hospital full of wounded soldiers is kept as quiet as possible.

They have now restricted phone access to once a week and for only 15 minutes. If the connection fails before pick-up..oh well..that's your call for the week....Morale can't get any lower.

And mind you, with the lack of info, those calls are the only way we know our soldier is alive.

[bobthedrummer]

19. This is outrageous.

Incomprehensible.

That our service people and their loved ones are stonewalled by silence is beyond understanding. It is unhuman when they are wounded and some dying no one in command is addressing them or their families at their time of need is an outrage that must stop.

I hate this administration for many reasons and this is a major one of major proportions. You don't abandon your troops for political reasons and campaigning and you don't ignore their sacrifices for sound bytes. This BFEE is capable of anything though. That is why they must be brought to justice, the people's justice.

On edit: Transcript of Rumsfeld at lunch with members of 1st Armor-prepare yourself for insanity-this is what he actually talks about to the troops that may wind up at Walter Reed or Arlington
http://www.dod.mil/transcripts/2003/tr20030906-secdef0654.html

[izzie]

16. Like to read but can not buy.

n/t

[goforit]

17. All those body bags are disturbing/even when they are not reported.

Yep ....They should be livid!!!