Here is a sad example of the subtle anti-war bias that the MSM constantly hides in stories even when they are heartwarming tales of the great things our soldiers do for the people of Iraq. In this case, it is the Sacramento Bee putting in some almost subliminal anti-war sentiments in the mouth of Staff Sgt. Luis Falcon who worked his heart out to get some prosthetic legs for an 11-year-old Iraqi girl who lost her legs to a road side bomb. This is a wonderful story that is marred by the SacBee's attempt to interject into the story doubt about the war effort in Iraq.
As it happened, Staff Sgt. Falcon made friends with little Shahad Abbas who had been the victim of a road side bomb that was detonated as she was walking to school. Her little brother was killed in the blast. Falcon had been visiting the girl and was bringing her gifts of toys and medical supplies when at last she asked him for new legs so that she might again walk to school.
To his credit, Sgt. Falcon worked his heart out to get the poor girl those prosthetic legs and he succeeded in his goals. It is a heartwarming tale and highlights just one of the thousands and thousands of similar stories being lived out by our soldiers on a daily basis throughout Iraq and Afghanistan.
But, even with all this tear provoking details, the SacBee couldn't resist some subtle jabs at the war by characterizing Sgt. Falcon as being confused about the war and seeming to doubt why we are there. In two short declarations the Bee made of Sgt. Falcon a doubter.
In a war that Falcon no longer really understood, Shahad became his mission. So when she asked for legs, that became his mission, too.
... and...
So Falcon, who admits he wasn't sure about the Iraq war, wasn't sure he was making a difference, decided he'd get Shahad her legs.
And where did they get this interpretation that Falcon might have been thinking the Iraq war was somehow to be doubted? From one line they quote the Sgt. as having said to reporters.
"Sometimes I couldn't figure out what made sense about being here. … Are we making a difference or are we not?" he said. "But I looked at her, right there, and it all made sense."
That does not sound like a soldier wracked with doubt to me, how about you?
Yet, the SacBee went out of their way to twice say he was filled with doubt. When it is not just stated openly and boldly, that is the kind of subtle anti-war bias that infuses the entire MSM. And for them to have used this story to further their agenda... well, it is just beyond the pale.
(Photo Credit: www.army.mil)
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a story like this highlights
May 12, 2008 - 22:40 ET by mister josepha story like this highlights what is good and great about our military. God bless that soldier; he is truly a good man, and he makes his country proud. but it's sad to see people attempt to turn this beautiful tale into a story about how bad America is.
mr. joseph
May 13, 2008 - 00:53 ET by DEVILDOCMOMI could not agree more with your comments. It is too bad this is the Sac Bee...I grew up in Sacramento and use to love to read the Bee. Times have changed and so has the content of the Bee...the story is great, the twist is not.
It isn't just beyond the
May 12, 2008 - 22:42 ET by bigtimerIt isn't just beyond the pale...it is absolutely outrageous...
Lord I wished we could hold these POS with an agenda accountable for their biased writing.
I am so angry I can't write anymore that is fit for here without getting into big time trouble.
Thank you Sgt. Falcon...and may the little gal live a full-filled life.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
bt - it does take
May 12, 2008 - 22:46 ET by FastEdsome self control to ignore what these slop throwers print, but being above the fray, we and Sgt. Falcon, are the better people, and like you, I'd rather have one Sgt., then all these so-called journalist, at my side.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
Sgt. Falcon is a hero, and wears his heart on his sleeve
May 12, 2008 - 22:44 ET by FastEdThis piece is proof that the media is a joke, can't be trusted to give us the truth, and doesn't know how to report. What they do know, but can never admit, is that they are agenda driven, and that they have NO respect for the country that allows them to push their ideas, without regard to the truth. In a word, todays' "journalist", not all, but most, are cowards, who are blind to the opportunities and liberties they enjoy.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
Fast
May 12, 2008 - 23:08 ET by well99I agree with you.Why that cant just leave their politics out of it.Sgt Falcon is good man and that and what he did to help the girl should of been the story period.
Sacremento Bee: Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz SPLAT!
May 12, 2008 - 23:28 ET by R D HelmLOL-Jezz like a bug on a windshield.
Works for me. :-)
What the American people are looking for is somebody who can solve their problems. - Barack Obama, April 27, 2008
Disgusting...the true
May 13, 2008 - 07:43 ET by taterDisgusting...the true enemies to our soldiers are those in print and on the television. The hell of it is...these cowards in the media don't have to go over there and experience war, why they have anti-war bias I have no idea. Reminds me of a Patton quote,
"America loves a winner, and will not tolerate a loser, this is why America has never and will never lose a war."
I will not tolerate these losers in the media and from the looks of it many others won't either.
"They need to have a course in college called common sense and everyone should take it. Problem is there isn't too many people that could pass or teach it." -my grandfather
I think the soldier
May 13, 2008 - 08:17 ET by KillgraveI think the soldier committed a simple error in being a little too candid with the reporter. I think it's perfectly natural for rank-and-file soldiers to have their complaints and their doubts. They are human beings.
But in a time of war, a soldier needs to be very careful with who he/she shares information. When you're dealing with a covert enemy, they can exploit that information to their advantage.
I think this reporter probably worked Falcon good. He/she was able to gain his trust and lower his guard. Then the snake got the money quote that he/she was looking for.
I was reading Romans
May 13, 2008 - 09:47 ET by pbanks7I was reading Romans chapter 5. Paul said he had occasional doubts. That struck a chord with me -- if Paul had occasional doubts, maybe I AM a Christian.
This reporter would probably have stressed Paul's previous fervor for persecution and conluded that he was a political opportunist flip-flopping on the issue of Christianity.
MSM - shaping all the perceptions you need to believe.
Dem Memes
May 13, 2008 - 09:59 ET by BacchusIn a war that the SacBee no longer really understands, disgracing the American Military became its mission.
They say they support the troops, they just don't support the mission. Therefore, in order to undermine the mission, troop morale must also be undermined. They support the troops, they just don't want them to succeed.
They were, of course, for the war before they were against it.
--
Well done, Staff Sgt. Falcon.
--
Father Dennis O'Brian wrote the following:
He (Father Dennis O'Brian) was a Marine. I would think you would agree he is fairly literate. But I don't hold out hope.
Our personnel are incredible
May 13, 2008 - 10:29 ET by nkviking75I've never been in the military, but even I can imagine that our personnel have their faith shaken from time to time by what they see. That doesn't make them anti-war, just humans touched by the evil on display in war. God bless that fine, fine man for his hard work for one little girl. He's one of America's finest representatives.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
This reminds me of all the
May 13, 2008 - 11:20 ET by Chris NormanThis reminds me of all the media focus a year or so ago regarding Mother Theresa, when it was said that she questioned her faith on occasion. The media played that up for all it was worth and then some.
Hmmmmm.... I sometimes have
May 13, 2008 - 12:34 ET by BDHmmmmm.... I sometimes have doubt that the New York Times building, Parts of San Francisco, and the whole of UC Berkeley are worth defending.
I know I am not alone amongst my compadres.
I wonder if the Sacramento Bee will report THAT?????
WTH, I think you missed
May 13, 2008 - 15:19 ET by CortillaenWTH, I think you missed another part to the story's bias. Take a look at all the places they reference the event that took the girl's legs and events like it.
"And then there's the current conflict, which has cost many people their legs and arms in bomb blasts."
"Shahad lost her legs as she was walking to school when a roadside bomb exploded nearby."
"They measured where the calf and foot would have been had they not been blown off."
What's missing? The article is very careful to avoid laying any of the blame for cases like Shahad on terrorists.
"He went to his commander, to his chaplain, to anyone who would listen.
The quest was frustrating and took months of pleading. He threatened to
walk away from the Army if he couldn't give Shahad legs."
"[Jeffrey Gardner] made calls to the Iraqi army's surgeon general, Brig. Gen. Samir Abdullah Hassan. Eventually, he was able to win permission for Shahad to be treated at the clinic"
There is also the obvious attempt to make it sound like the US Army was arbitrarily opposed to helping a little girl. Would it have been so difficult to mention how there are many other people needing prostheses or the costs involved?
www.rhjunior.com Great comics with a hefty dose of Christian and anti-nutjob goodness.
"With your mind as high as Mt. Fuji you can see all things clearly. And you can see all the forces that shape events; not just the things near to you." -Miyamoto Musashi
the whole story line stinks
May 13, 2008 - 16:34 ET by wizardjrNot the part about the Sgt here. I mean the whole lame stream media story line about 'bad' military and complete silence on the terrorists except for the occasional puff piece about freedom fighters and other lies.
Our troops are daily doing marvelous things for the locals and have been since we entered Baghdad. The terrorists have been doing terrible things such as bombing market places, murdering anyone who doesn't kiss their butts and supply them money, arms, children, etc.
Our brave military gets no credit and the scum bags get cover. Remind me again, who's the enemy?