Times Online: Is 'memogate' an embarrassment to the US media? (part2)

[sabra]

Looks like they added more feedback to their question...

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http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,564-1649071,00.html

Have US media been too cautious reporting Iraq?
A leaked Downing Street memo in The Sunday Times appears to show that Washington and London planned war in Iraq months before they admitted it, yet five weeks after its publication the memo is only now stirring controversy in the US. Is the memo a smoking gun exposing the real agenda to invade Iraq? Is the delayed reaction a consequence of cautious US reporting of Iraq? Read the article here and send us your view using the form below


It took 43 days for the Downing Street Memo story to appear in major newspapers here in America. For 43 days liberals have worked tirelessly to get them to open their eyes to this story. The fact that I and many others have had to write letters to the editors demanding they do their job and report on something other than Michael Jackson or Paris Hilton is an outrage. Gloria Smith, Austin, Texas


It is unfortunate that in the US we need to rely on bloggers and the overseas press to get accurate US political news. This means that the average American is either ignorant of the minutes or has heard about them through the prism of White House spin. On the other hand, it is heartening to see citizen journalists (the bloggers) seeking truth to power. As each day goes by, they gain a larger audience and more credibility. Julie Willing, San Francisco




It is truly sad that we have to depend on foreign sources for any real news, unless, of course, you think Michael Jackson is news. Thank God for the internet! It may be what saves our country from another King George. Buddy Gill, San Jose, California


For those of us in America with an IQ greater than 100, nothing surprises us anymore. We no longer watch the news releases or infomercials on television or read the newspapers. If you want real news, you access it on the internet. Thank you for reporting what we would otherwise not see in the America. Janet Knowles, Eastsound, WA


Is the Downing Street Memo a smoking gun? Absolutely. There have also been numerous people from the Bush Administration come forward, before the memo was ever leaked, and say the exact same thing, but they were all dismissed as being "anti-Bush", and not taken seriously. The "free press" in the US is dead, except for the internet. Jeanette Brown, Portland, Oregon


It seems ironic that we would be using a definition of "fixed" to potentially defend George Bush when many mocked Bill Clinton for his statement, "It depends on what your definition of 'is' is." James Ginch, Lauderdale by the Sea, Florida


Nixon came very close to surviving Watergate out of sheer public apathy, even in the face of unprecedented discontent over his handling of the war in Vietnam. It feels to me like Bush is getting this pass now, and the difference between the two situations is still probably as little as one newspaper with the ability to see through red tape. However, today we have an administration whose senior members came of political age during the Nixon administration. They seem equally ready to pursue their ends without regard for means, but they have learned how to avoid leaks on the scale of Watergate. It's a very good thing that those at Downing Street haven't learned the same lesson. Ellen Jameson, Bloomington, Indiana


I think it's safe to say that a great majority of Americans, particularly those of us concerned about the direction our country is taking and the diminished honesty and integrity of some of our leaders, deeply appreciate the service you provided in reporting the Downing Street memo. Please report and share any additional documents in that regard so the citizens of our two great countries will learn the truth. Carl Williams, Pensacola, Florida


At the end of the Gulf War, Iraq agreed to all terms set by UN mandates to cease hostilities. Their persistent violations over a 12-year period resulted in war. Were we preparing for war? Absolutely. Stop rewriting history and recognize that Hussain's failure to abide by the 1991 terms resulted in his downfall, and the world is better off with him gone. The memo is pointless. Mark Mercer, Denver, Colorado


Why do Americans have to read foreign newspapers for better coverage? I was amazed at the more rounded reporting and superior writing I found on UK and other foreign web sites once the web gave us instant accessibility. Now, seven or eight years later, we have the answer in the Galloway-Senate confrontation. If the senate counsels, senators, or their staff had read a foreign news source or two, they would have known better than to enter the arena of public debate with such a flawed presentation. Robert Leardo, Washington, DC


As a US citizen, I signed Conyers petition to President Bush, but I fear that democracy has been so deeply undermined by the Bush Administration's attack on the media, that no one will know that this is happening. Pat Raymond, Island Lake, Illinois


You Brits really need to get a grip. The American people are not interested in overseas reports of alleged American wrong-doing. Bob Miller, Washington, DC


You have done yeoman service to the world in reporting this subject. Can't wait till each Sunday to see what you have next. I hope you will clearly explain that the word "fixed" used here is as per the reference of having a horse race or football match "fixed". Nothing glorious about that. Jacob Matthan, Oulu, Finland


I have a question regarding the definition of a word that might vary between American English and British English. Specific to the context of the "Downing Street memo", what is the definition of the word "fixed"? There seems to be some growing confusion here in the States and it would be nice to get this issue resolved before higher powers start using the argument of semantics. Sean Foxley




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[coloradodem2005]

1. The U.S. Media is an embarassment to the U.S. Media.

[charlyvi]

2. Nah. You have to be able to feel shame before you can be embarrassed.

The US Media is an embarrassment to the US people.