The New York Times seems to be pulling out all the stops in attempting to prevent any type of a surge strategy in Iraq. Reading this piece below is like deja vu all over again.
G.O.P. Senator in Spotlight After a Critical Iraq Speech
WASHINGTON, Dec. 27 — At the close of the Senate’s lame-duck session, in between formulaic tributes to senators departing voluntarily or otherwise, a Republican backbencher suddenly rose to give one of the most passionate and surprising speeches about the war in Iraq yet delivered in Congress.
If you follow DC reporting on Iraq, you may be familiar with the speech by Republican Gordon Smith of Oregon, though with so many 24 hour news cycles come and gone, it may tax your memory to recall it. Enter the New York Times.
the words spoken by the senator, Gordon H. Smith of Oregon, on the evening of Dec. 7 were incendiary and marked a stunning break with the president.
The problem is, there is no spotlight as the headline suggests. There is no new news at all. There isn't even really any new angle. The Times simply held onto what they obviously perceive as a real anti-war gem that was already copiously reported, here's the full text in the same NY Times on Dec. 8.
And The Times regurgitated it just prior to an anticipated announcement by Bush as regards a change in tactics in Iraq. Imagine that? Call it a case of all the old non-news fit to print, when it serves your political agenda.
—Dan Riehl is a blogger and journalist. Read more of his work at Riehl World View.
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Comments Policy
Gordon Smith: another "U
December 28, 2006 - 13:21 ET by Chris NormanGordon Smith: another "Useful Idiot" for the MSM...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
The NYT doesn't even hide the
December 28, 2006 - 13:43 ET by grammar_policeThe NYT doesn't even hide the fact that their "mission" has shifted from reporting "news that's fit to print" to shaping public opinion and governmental policy. This is often what happens when junior takes over.
The good news is, nobody with a brain really believes the NYT anymore. The bad news..........?
Officer,I maintain that the
December 28, 2006 - 15:14 ET by Chris NormanOfficer,
I maintain that the NYT should change their slogan to "All the News That's S**t to Print". Please forgive the implied profanity...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
It's amazing how you blokes w
December 28, 2006 - 13:41 ET byIt's amazing how you blokes whine on about a good independent paper not always intimidated by the administration ...They are finally able to show how this war is a mistake and sending more troops would even be a more major blunder!
When we invaded Iraq in the first place there were only about 3 interviews for peace compared to over 300 for war ! Most papers were intimidated to speak out! It was "unpatriotic!"
Fox news and other made sure to make newsworthy everything Ken Starr mentioned about monica! This site is a joke!
wah!
"No one can terrorize a whole nation, unless we all are accomplices."
E. Murrow
People who have been brainwas
December 28, 2006 - 13:46 ET by grammar_policePeople who have been brainwashed are oblivious to it.
People like that constantly p
December 28, 2006 - 16:03 ET by Chris NormanPeople like that constantly profess to being "amazed"...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
People who have been brainwas
December 28, 2006 - 13:46 ET by grammar_policePeople who have been brainwashed are oblivious to it.
Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah
December 28, 2006 - 13:48 ET by contraryBlah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah war is a mistake Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah major blunder Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah papers were intimidated Blah Blah Blah Blah unpatriotic! Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah This site is a joke! Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah
"ah Blah Blah Blah Blah paper
December 30, 2006 - 11:48 ET by"ah Blah Blah Blah Blah papers were intimidated Blah Blah Blah Blah unpatriotic! Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah This site is a joke! Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah"
funny but insightful...maybe if we see what is happening to the deranged neocon party!
anyone with more intelligence and eloquence from the neocon party desperately needed for this dying party to survive??unfortunately this site has less eloquence than even this neotroll! tdf
"No one can terrorize a whole nation, unless we all are accomplices."
E. Murrow
razey...looks like Christms d
December 28, 2006 - 13:58 ET by bigtimerrazey...looks like Christmas did nothing for your pathetic attitude.
Too bad.
Carry on...and oh...Happy New Year to ya!
"If we ever forget that we are a Nation Under God....then we will be a Nation Gone Under." Ronald Reagan
Hi Wombat!You still confused
December 28, 2006 - 14:16 ET by Roger the ShrubberHi Wombat!
You still confused about why your school will not allow you to visit this wonderful website? My school has banned access to Newsbuster! Wah! No, wait, Newsbusters has banned me from access! Waaaah!
It's always fun when the mentally-challenged drop in for a visit. I just hope my tax dollars that are paying for your treatment and therapy to, hopefully, permit you to enter society once again, is money well-spent.
Hey Shrubbster just followed
December 28, 2006 - 14:35 ET by Jack BauerHey Shrubbster just followed that link. Mentally challenged? I think you're being kind.
That bloke is seriously deranged - and an nasty little shit, to boot. He actually wants people to come here and "abuse" conservatives, and then he has the pathetic gall to whine that he's been banned.
Which he hasn't. I assume he's the janitor?
Groundskeeper Willy has a more winning personality than an arse like him.
What sort of losers can really be bothered to spend any length of time on a blog with whom they violently disagree? People like hayes.
Proud member of the all-powerful and vast militarist/industrialist/capitalist/zionist-bagelist complex
Jackson, another stroke of ge
December 28, 2006 - 14:50 ET by Roger the ShrubberJackson, another stroke of genius!
lil ol' Wombat shall henceforth be called Groundskeeper Willy .
LOL Shrubbster -- yes, an exc
December 28, 2006 - 19:23 ET by Jack BauerLOL Shrubbster -- yes, an excellent choice.
A ranting incomprehensible Scot in a skirt!
How apt. And funny.
Proud member of the all-powerful and vast militarist/industrialist/capitalist/zionist-bagelist complex
rhayes foibles
December 28, 2006 - 14:53 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsIt's my turn to watch Randy.
Here.
Here.
Here.
Here.
I feel dirty.
DSG
A nice crisp one-dollar bill
December 28, 2006 - 15:02 ET by Roger the ShrubberA nice crisp one-dollar bill to the first person who can identify Groundskeeper Willy from these photographs
Holding the Fallujah sign.
December 28, 2006 - 15:05 ET by MightyMouthHolding the Fallujah sign.
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
The one covered with yellow p
December 28, 2006 - 15:10 ET by BlondeThe one covered with yellow peace signs (how lame is that?) at the Anarchist Bookfair.
DING DING DING!!!Blonde is co
December 28, 2006 - 15:24 ET by Roger the ShrubberDING DING DING!!!
Blonde is correct in selecting the Scrotal Inflation Advocate as our own Groundskeeper Willy in his natural environment.
Bonus question time: which Haterette is on his knees (in what looks like a rather comfortable position for him), about to paint Randy's butt? Is it:
A. Hater
B: FatesWebb
or
C: Johnbo?
Johnbo, for sure.
December 28, 2006 - 15:25 ET by BlondeJohnbo, for sure.
Sorry, Shrub.. you can keep
December 28, 2006 - 15:10 ET by rimskySorry, Shrub.. you can keep your money.. I couldn't make it through all the pics.. what a sorry bunch of brain dead losers!
Rog....OMG! How absolutely sh
December 28, 2006 - 19:46 ET by bigtimerRog....
OMG! How absolutely shameful...what this country has become makes me want to bow my head and weep...those were disgusting people, absolutely brain-dead critters... they should be made to leave this country, they should not be protected by police with tax payers dollars it is absolutely beyond belief.
For me the absolute worst picture was of the sign that was held that said NY is better off without the World Trade Center....
How dare someone do that, all those innocent people that died and jumped to their deaths, we should show that tape, instead of saying our sensibilities could not take it so the networks decided, well if pieces of shite can walk around in all kinds or no garb, spew their filthy garbage with the right to do it from the blood of our forefathers until this very moment that men and women are dying for the right for them to show what tripe they are is sickening....pitiful, these people are going to have to answer to God that is all I can say....despicable. Beyond belief.
"If we ever forget that we are a Nation Under God....then we will be a Nation Gone Under." Ronald Reagan
"good independent paper" H
December 28, 2006 - 14:21 ET by RunningBeer"good independent paper"
Hmmm... lets see,
good - at not allowing the truth to get in their way
independent - because they don't check with anyone for the facts
paper - that's not even fit to read (or do anything alse with) in the bathroom
I think he has a point folks, just tell him to wear a hat, no one will notice!
The NYT's are anticipating t
December 28, 2006 - 13:47 ET by bigtimerThe NYT's are anticipating the speech that the President is going to deliver with his decisions about to surge or not to surge....
The enemy within getting prepared, just like Joe Biden saying he would block any attempts to increase more troops in Iraq....
Gordon smith has turned into a wimpy crying pathetic RINO in the last few years, he lost his son to suicide and he has steadily gone downhill, let alone Oregon is a state that is dominated by greenies/AARP members ect...he is bought and paid for anymore, he has been a great disappointment for me.
We must fight on! We must win.
Btw....As an after-thought, since the media is getting prepared with gusto for our withdrawal and the pressure they are going to put on withdrawal, with Matthews/Ubberman media wise leading the way on the democrats new hold in Congress, where the heck is the reports on Senator Tim Johnson's condition, they must be waiting until after the fourth...seems to me I recall it is safe to do after that date for some reason...where are the republicans asking how the heck he is doing...anybody?
"If we ever forget that we are a Nation Under God....then we will be a Nation Gone Under." Ronald Reagan
BT.. this thing about Senat
December 28, 2006 - 14:39 ET by rimskyBT.. this thing about Senator Tim Johnson.. when that story first broke, you could see the liberal MSM shaking in their boots. The soundbites were breathless! Then it abruptly went away.. total silence. It's dramatic. So, how does the 4th weigh in here? What are you referring to there? How does Smith's MT chamber speech play into this?
Hi rimsky,Gordon Smith from O
December 28, 2006 - 14:49 ET by bigtimerHi rimsky,
Gordon Smith from Oregon doesn't have anything to do with it. sorry if I mixed up a few things in my obviously rambling post.
The Tim Johnson reference I put in was just because there is not an open thread today in a way and I am very frustrated with the silence from the media and it seems to me I recall if they wait until after all the swearing in and the new session and the new congress begins their may be some loop-holes the dem's are going to try to use to keep Johnson in...even if he is a vegetable brain wise, (do not know how else to put that so do not take offense to some people reading this please) I may be wrong, just heard a lot of different dem. strategists opining on different ways to keep Johnson in....
I could have it wrong....I was hoping someone else may know what I was referring to and help out....fingers were crossed and laughing out loud!
"If we ever forget that we are a Nation Under God....then we will be a Nation Gone Under." Ronald Reagan
No problem BT. It seems lik
December 28, 2006 - 15:22 ET by rimskyNo problem BT. It seems like anything could happen. Pols like Smith, who aren't part of the in crowd, will make these speeches just to get their name in the paper - a Republican Senator disagreeing with Bush! - but these days I tend to believe that not much happens without a reason. So, if Johnson can't assume his duties, and if there isn't a loophole, like you suggest, and a Republican gets appointed to the vacancy, certainly the Dems aren't just going to sit there and do nothing. Could a RINO like Smith declare himself to be an demo? How did that work when Jeffords changed his affiliation?
The NYT's are anticipating
December 28, 2006 - 14:59 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsThe NYT's are anticipating the speech that the President is going to
deliver with his decisions about to surge or not to surge....
You can go here and tell the President and the new congress what you want them to do about Iraq.
DSG
DFTT...Thank you for that gre
December 28, 2006 - 15:27 ET by bigtimerDFTT...Thank you for that great link! Got it saved and will read it later...looks like a great site to go to for info that is for sure when it comes to updates on Congress and elsewhere if you do not have time to catch a heck of a lot and quick and easy way to contact your members ect.
"If we ever forget that we are a Nation Under God....then we will be a Nation Gone Under." Ronald Reagan
In a speech to a nearly empty
December 28, 2006 - 14:20 ET by rimskyIn a speech to a nearly empty chamber.. now that took some real guts..
“living on an ungrateful volcano,” quoting a phrase that the late British leader Winston Churchill used to described (sic) Iraq in 1922.. and somehow using a, no doubt, out-of-context quote from Churchill gives credibility to this RINO’s cut and run attitude?
“We have no business being a policeman in someone else’s civil war. So I welcome the Iraq Study Group, but I’d rather do it quicker rather than later.. Whatever it is, ,it will not be pretty.” WTH? We are not policeman in a civil war! We are in Iraq because it is currently the most important front in the Global War on Terror! What it is, is WAR, and WAR is NEVER pretty!
..Smith offered no specific road map.. surprise, surprise, surprise..
..it may even be criminal.. What may even be criminal? How?
“..to let leaders (code for Nancy Pelosi) know I am sick of the status quo and there is a GOP ally pushing for change… So, Senator.. are you going to change parties, or what?
”He is not guilty of perfidy (no he’s not, you are, senator)
He also said he would have voted against the war if he had reason to doubt the validity of the intelligence provided to Congress. Now there’s a new angle! Monday Morning QB’s EVERYWHERE!
Smith went on to criticize the administration for not being prepared to “win the peace” by rebuilding the country. Without that crucial step, he said, the war effort was doomed to failure from the start. I believe we have been rebuilding AND fighting a war. Others here can correct me, but most wars in history are FOLLOWED by a period of rebuilding. We are doing both at the same time.