In February, CBS’ “60 Minutes” did a segment gushing over an anti-Iraq war petition called “Appeal For Redress” signed by about a thousand members of the military.
On Wednesday, members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars presented Congress a petition signed by 2,700 current and former service members expressing support of the nation’s actions in Iraq.
As this movement was in direct response to "Appeal For Redress," it is safe to assume that “60 Minutes” will be interviewing some of these brave souls in an upcoming program, right?
Regardless of the answer, Stars and Stripes reported Friday (h/t NB member rx4music):
The “Appeal for Courage” has been collecting signatures since February, with the goal of lobbying lawmakers to back off plans for withdrawal timetables or funding caveats.
Organizer Lt. Jason Nichols, a 33-year-old naval projects officer who has been in Baghdad since mid-January, said he has been pleased with the response.
Navy Times had more about this Tuesday:
The petition was organized by two U.S. service members serving in Iraq, Navy Lt. Jason Nichols, serving in Baghdad, and Minnesota National Guard Staff Sgt. David Thul, who is conducting convoy operations in Iraq with the 34th Infantry Division.
[…]
Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, the House Republican leader, and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, will receive the petition, and use the event as another opportunity to criticize Democrats who control the House and Senate for trying to impose a withdrawal timetable on Iraq combat operations.
“No one knows the stakes in this war better than the men and women who face, and have faced, our enemies on the front lines,” Boehner said. “They understand that the security of current and future generations of Americans may be dictated by the actions Congress takes today, and I commend them both for their service and for going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that their mission is given chance to succeed.”
[…]
About 60 percent of the 2,700 signatures on the Appeal For Courage petition come from service members who are serving or have served in Iraq, with about two-thirds enlisted members and one-third officers. The signatures were gathered over about a month.
The petition states: “As an American currently serving my nation in uniform, I respectfully urge my political leaders in Congress to fully support our mission in Iraq and halt any calls for retreat. I also respectfully urge my political leaders to actively oppose media efforts which embolden my enemy while demoralizing American support at home. The War in Iraq is a necessary and just effort to bring freedom to the Middle East and protect America from further attack.”
Those interested can view the entire petition at the Appeal For Courage website.
Finally, from what I can tell, apart from military publications, the only major media outlet to cover this event Wednesday other than National Review Online, Human Events, Town Hall, and Power Line was Investor’s Business Daily.
I wonder why.
Of course, none of that will matter when “60 Minutes” interviews members of this outstanding group in an upcoming installment.
I can’t wait.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
God Bless them all.
May 13, 2007 - 03:22 ET by CTGod Bless them all.
This may not raise to the l
May 13, 2007 - 04:00 ET by Right2thePointThis may not raise to the level of the media radar, because they have their blinders on.
I don't have the link right at hand , but John Edwards was urging students to go to the street today to do Viet Nam Protestor II.
How sick is that!
I haven't found the marchin
May 13, 2007 - 04:18 ET by Right2thePointI haven't found the marching orders quote yet, but this gives you a taste of it.
"Congress' real power to end this war is to use its funding power.But while that's Congress' only real power, it is not the only power in
America," Edwards said in a commencement speech at New England College.
"The irresistible power of America lies in your hands, in the hands of
the American people."
Also Saturday, Edwards launched a Web
site — www.supportthetroops... — that outlines his plan to
end the unpopular, 4-year-old war.
"Each of us has a
responsibility as an American, as a duty to our troops and to each
other, to do every single thing we can to support those troops and end
this war," Edwards said.
He said young people helped to bring about civil rights, end the Vietnam war and promote anti-Apartheid causes.
"Today,
we are at that place again. It is time for you — all of you — to take
responsibility for your country, for your government, for your
community," Edwards said. "Help our nation break its silence, speak
out."
He said anything less is a failure.
If John Edwards had spewed hi
May 13, 2007 - 05:09 ET by SouthJersey1953If John Edwards had spewed his anti-war propaganda at my daughter's college graduation, I WOULD BE FURIOUS! talk about the wrong place for trying to make political points.
"You can lead a man to Congress, but you can't make him think." - Milton Berle
I think I will "60 Minut
May 13, 2007 - 05:51 ET byI think I will call "60 Minutes," and tell them that I look very forward to the show.
mmm.... now, where did I put that number... I know it is here somewhere...
::: falls head first into my box of liberals' phone #s :::
"I GOT IT!"
:o)
__________________________________________________________
(CBS) 60 Minutes:
ADDRESS:
60 Minutes
524 West 57th St.
New York, NY 10019
EMAIL: 60m@cbsnews.com
PHONE: (212) 975-3247
Yeah right, 60 minutes will
May 13, 2007 - 09:08 ET by Dee BunkYeah right, 60 minutes will interview two of them for a clip in the Andy Rooney segment with some snide remark about how they don't speak for all the troops.
I would love to see Edwards g
May 13, 2007 - 09:25 ET by jcrapes4I would love to see Edwards get drowned out by all the regular folks who support this war and our troops. Another rally where the anti-wars protesters are outnumbered at least 3 to 1 sounds good to me. Perhaps the media would even take notice. Though don't bet your last dollar on that happening:)
No
May 13, 2007 - 09:35 ET by ArchConservativeNo
Nothing New...
May 14, 2007 - 07:37 ET by owr084During the VietNam war, an antiwar group at UCLA made a big show out of their petition to kick the ROTC units off campus. They made a big show in front of the cameras. When they were done, a group of ROTC cadets attempted to present a petition signed by considerably more people (and who were actual students, unlike the other petition signers...). But, the press just shut off the cameras, broke camp and told the ROTC cadets that their petition was not newsworthy.